Ubisoft's new DRM cracked within a day of release

Piracy on the PC platform is a major problem lately and it seems gaming companies are trying everything in their power to prevent piracy – who can blame them. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost for genuine customers.

This certainly was the case with Ubisoft's release of Assassins Creed 2 for the PC. The game was delayed by almost four months to introduce a new form of copy protection/Digital Rights Management (DRM) to prevent the illegal use of the software. How it prevents this, to put it simply, is by using an authentication server. Which really isn't ground breaking technology, and already you can see the negatives to this approach.

To play the game (a single player game) you will require an Internet connection, which is not the end of the world, but the real ball-breaker is that you have to authenticate to a Ubisoft server every-time you want to load the game up.

On a good day this works, but in the unlikely event that the authentication server is down, well then you will be denied of playing your game. Unfortunately for both Ubisoft and paying customers that likely event did occur, and many customers were left dry. This is just another case of where legitimate customers are getting the raw deal.

Another valid issue that was raised, with Ubisoft, is how long will these authentication servers be up? Years down the track you may want to give Assassins Creed 2 another play, will you have to rely on those authentication server to still be up?

The official response: “If for some reason, and this is not in the plan, but if for some reason all of the servers someday go away, then we can release a patch so that the game can be played in single-player without an online connection. But that’s if all of the servers are gone.”

Unfortunately, for Ubisoft again, this response exposes a major flaw in their new DRM, which is that the authentication approach is absolutely useless if it can be patched. Lo and behold, within 24 hours of release the DRM was cracked which allowed pirates to by-pass the authentication process.


For more information on Ubisoft's DRM see http://support.uk.ubi.com/online-services-platform

- Noob Saibot

read more “Ubisoft's new DRM cracked within a day of release”

Gaming, Raging, and Heroes of Newerth

Gaming and raging go hand in hand and has been around ever since Pong. Competitiveness only comes natural to us; probably more so for us males than females, but it is not a bad thing. It allows us to challenge ourselves, find our weaknesses, and learn from our mistakes. With the introduction of the Internet, games have gone to a whole new level. We are now able to not only challenge ourselves and our friends, but the whole world.

For a brief time this was the exclusive domain of PC gamers, but modern consoles now also share the ability to test your skills against players across the globe. The concept is amazing and is often overlooked, but unknowingly we have a demand for it. This can be seen with any release of a new title - there is an expectation for multi-player and online game-play options. New games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Heroes of Newerth and more, are solely played for their online multi-player (granted Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 includes a single player campaign). The point I am driving at here today; has this new age in gaming also bred new types of gamers?

Heroes of Newerth is one of the latest crazes happening in online games at the moment, but by no means is it a new concept. Being based on the Warcraft III map, Defence of The Ancients; HoN (Heroes of Newerth) is almost identical in every way. The map has the same three lane design, with players having to battle on through the opposing forces towers, finally destroying the main structure to achieve victory. Veterans from DoTA (Defence of The Ancients) will also find that the majority of heroes you can select in HoN are identical to those in DoTA.

Unfortunately, the above mentioned similarities between HoN and DoTA also implies that players should already have a thorough understanding of all the heroes in game – as a substantial amount of the HoN community would have you believe.

From playing only a few games of HoN in one weekend, I witnessed some impressive raging:

Episode 1


Keen to see what HoN would be like, I dove right into my first game with grand enthusiasm. Players had joined the game and already I was loving the interface in comparison to the now dated Battle.net for Warcraft III. We were ready to move on to the hero selection screen. One player on our team decided to select the character 'Predator' which was quickly followed by another team member selecting 'Moon Queen'. And this is where I got my first sour taste of the HoN community. The player was subjected to a battering of abuse from 'Predator' with the reasoning being that you would never select the hero 'Moon Queen' when someone has selected 'Predator'. At this point I was afraid to select a character, or even ask for advice on a suitable selection for fear that I would be on the receiving end of comments referring to my mother.


Episode 2


The game provides you with a moment to prepare your initial items before you charge into battle. These items are quite basic and do not play of extreme importance (I say extreme, as most will argue that it is still important), but can mean the difference between the first kill or death. As you can imagine, another argument erupted between several players on which starting build this specific hero should use. Let me note that while the player, that was foaming from the mouth, was correct with his suggested build, the other player who had a fetish for mothers was actually also correct with his build. The argument eventually trailed off to discuss both the players mothers again.

Episode 3


The battle trumpet blasted and the heroes were off to battle their enemies, but wait, hold up. One of our heroes had marched into battle in the incorrect lane. Again, there is some assumed knowledge required here when forming your battle formation. Being a maximum of 5v5 players with only three lanes; mathematically there will be one solo. It is good etiquette to announce which player will be solo before the battle horn, but unfortunately in this case the solo player decided to announce this a fraction of a second after the battle horn, and what happened after I can guarantee you will guess correctly on your first attempt.

While I could go on, the point I believe has come across. We have lost that competitiveness in online gaming, and instead turned that competitiveness in arguing - in arguing on who is right and who is noob. Similar to road rage, we psychologically feel safe at home and free to make any comment we wish; comments that we would never say in real life. Some of the statements being said online are an absolute disgrace, and the problem has, in my opinion, become as troublesome as players using cheats. The future looks grim for public online gaming and I cannot see any solutions to the problem at the moment.

In regards to any new players deciding to venture into a public game of HoN. I would strongly recommend that if you are new to the game, that you play several games with the AI players to familiarise yourself. There is a lot of assumed knowledge, so it may help to read up on some strategies beforehand. I have also made a brief list of other useless knowledge that you are expected to know in HoN:

• Your mothers occupation differs from what you thought
  
• Learn the awesome formula, half the age means you are twice as awesome
• If you are over the age of 30, you are already dead, both in-game and out of game
• To confuse you more, no matter what your current age is, you are 14
• Read the Oxford dictionary and fine tune your grammar, as spelling mistakes are not tolerated
• The updated Oxford dictionary contains terms such as pwn, nub, zerg attack, teh
  
• If a team mate dies for whatever reason, even if you are not in the game, it is your fault
• The build you are using is wrong. If you could use all possible combinations of builds in one game, they would all be wrong
• Your statistics may say that you have played over a thousand games, don't be fooled you are still a noob... *nub
  

Have you had any bad experiences, or have helpful advice for any beginners? Feel free to leave your comments.

- Noob Saibot

read more “Gaming, Raging, and Heroes of Newerth”

Review: Battlefield Bad Company 2 - PS3

You look up this game on any website or gaming magazine and they all have the same conclusion. There needs to be more pink and the princess needs to carry less grenades while at the same time talking too much to strangers, makes sense?! If not then they probably said this, "This is a kick ass FPS". So I won't bore you with the basic details, like the game plays like a dream with tight controls, but more of what this game is about and my own experience with the game and a still on going multiplayer experience.

The single player campaign is good, not great, but good enough. If I paid full price just for the single player campaign then I would have been greatly disappointed. In my opinion, Killzone 2 single player campaign is one of the best out there. On the hardest setting with Killzone 2, you got to pick your shots and move ahead with caution. With BFBC2 on the hardest setting, I went through it in a breeze. Still good, but there are better ones out there. Honestly after going single player campaign once and getting all the trophies I don't think I will ever go back to it again.

Spoiler: At some point in the game you get to play a level where you are racing on ATV's and they make it kind of a race. One of your team mates says, "If this was snowmobiles, I could kick your ass" to which the other guy replies, "Snowmobiles are for sissys". I am thinking that this is a stab at Modern Warfare 2 and its snowmobile level. I got a chuckle outta that, but I grew up on snow mobiles and I assure you, they aren't for sissies. End Spoiler.


The money is all in the multiplayer, it is here where the meat of the game is. A great and long leveling up system with four different classes. They are assault, engineer, recon and the medic - each with its own special set of weapons and perks.

Connecting to a online game was simple and fast with no delay and I had one game where the lag really hindered game play so much that I had to quit and try a different game. But for the most part, it was a solid online connection with great communication between players when and if they wanted to talk .

I played all the classes and decided to start with the Engineer first. He just doesn't have a strong selection of weapons and perks from the start. But after you level him up he gets some pretty kick ass weaponry.



By far the most annoying friggen class in the game is Recon (sniper). If you are playing a level where four-five  people are playing are snipers on the other team and its a open level, it makes your life a living hell. Even more so when they get the ability to sit on a mountain across the level and zoom in on a position and call in mortar strikes.

The most satisfying experience was myself getting killed eight times in a row by fricken snipers. Then I finally make it past and behind their lines, I get on top of the roof where all three of them were lazily sitting up there and knife them all in the back of the head. THAT ALONE was worth getting shot over and over again.

I also hinder a friend whom I was playing with. He was playing as a sniper and he was on an island racking up the kills. So when the level progressed and everyone moved forward, I went back to pick him up in a boat to bring him to the next check point. So I thought I'd take a short cut around this island not realizing that it was out of bounds. When this happens you get a clock telling you to return to area in ten seconds or you die.

Well I went in this area, the warning came up and said, "oh crap!" turned around and not being able to see what's in my peripheral I got the boat stuck up on a rock. Unable to move, our only option was to jump out and try to swim back within bounds in five seconds. Needless to say I had ended his killing streak and he wasn't too happy. I laughed my ass off but did feel bad, I think so anyway.



And as disturbing as that may sound, its those type of scenarios that make Battlefield Bad Company 2 enjoyable. Playing with friends in a squad is a whole different game again. A team of four are able to run the battlefield if you have four people talking to each other and the exact opposite if your playing on a team where people aren't talking. More often than not, that team will lose. A little communication goes along way.



I've completed the single player campaign on hard and got to rank 11 on multiplayer out of 22. I am still enjoying the game and it's even more fun with friends. I play as much as I can and I recommend that if you play online that you play with friends in a squad. The most fun you can have on a video game this year with friends. I don't normally give scores on games, but if I had too, then I would give this one a 7/10 on the single player and a 10/10 on the multiplayer.

7/10 Single Player Campaign
10/10 Multiplayer

- Blake

read more “Review: Battlefield Bad Company 2 - PS3”

Review: RE5 Desperate Escape - Xbox 360

Latest DLC was released recently, and having just played through the first offering I went straight to business with the second.

Pretty lights

Starting after the Jill Valentine / Wesker confrontation you take control of Jill, and with the help of Sheva's buddy Josh, you attempt to escape the facility. What ensues is a bullet bonanza as you move from section to section fighting your way from end to end. While the first DLC preferred to reflect on the Resident Evil's of old this chapter thrusts you straight into the action and keeps pushing you forward as scores of enemies continually pursue the escapees.

Bam!

The madness lasted a good hour for myself, I did pause the game for a length of time and was unsure if this added to the play-time or not, but one hour sounds about right either way. Like the DLC before it, after completing the game you will have access to playing the scenario through with your partner (in this case, Josh).

There is little more to say other then the ending can be likened to a Left 4 Dead conclusion, and in it's own-right is quite fun. The DLC cost 400 Microsoft Points and in my opinion is worth the investment for just a tad more Resident Evil 5 goodness.

7/10

- Dan

read more “Review: RE5 Desperate Escape - Xbox 360”

Portal 2 in the pipeline

Valve have announced the impending release of Portal 2 to be made later this year. No further images, videos or information has been released, except the image below which is from the April cover of Gameinformer Magazine.

So until further news, we can only gaze at the picture and let our imaginations drift at what Valve will be putting out next in their newly anticipated sequel...

-Captain No-Beard P-)

read more “Portal 2 in the pipeline”

Video: Halo Reach - Multiplayer

Brand spanking new Halo Reach Multiplayer trailer became available to view earlier on and it is everything you want and more. Oh snap! Jetpacks! No need to say anymore, just view the video Bungie posted on Youtube below, on replay till May arrives.

- Dan

read more “Video: Halo Reach - Multiplayer”

The World of PSN Home

The PSN was the first gaming network that I set up with my credit card and haven't looked back since. It has a lot to offer and has a lot of nonsense, but the details of what you can get varies from country to country. What seems to remain constant across all PSN networks is Home, good or bad. There can be only one.

First off, Home, don't bother, the only reason to go here is if you are into that whole Second Life mumble jumble. Once the install finishes you get to create a life like avatar with a selection of clothes and accessories. You are also given a apartment that you can decorate with images that you take with your PS Eye camera if you want. If this isn't enough for you, you can spend real money on digital clothes, furniture and special areas. Wow, the excitement is intense, can you handle it!?


After you finish farting around with that you can explore game areas, social areas and themed areas. All of which have game or movie trailers, some little arcade game and just random things to interact with. Your avatar has a number of expressions to choose from, dancing, gestures,etc. But if you have a mic, you can just talk to people as you approach them. But don't expect people to be any nicer here.

If you are girl avatar then be prepared to be surrounded by a bunch of male avatars looking to know your name and age and if you want to go and have a good time.

The gaming area is even lamer. There are areas that have bowling, pool and arcade machines. But you must wait for your turn, like in real life, to play. So if you enter the room and all the pool tables are being used, then you have to stand around and wait for someone to get finished before you can take your turn. This applies to all games this way. Why they did it this way, I honestly don't have a clue, its absurd.


They say that they keep changing Home and adding new exciting things like doing special things in certain disc/DLC games that unlock items that you can use in Home - more areas to goof around in and better arcade games. My first experience was like this. I started up Home, got online and made my character, left my virtual apartment and walked into the common area. Walked around for 5 minutes and then left the game and uninstalled it.

But after hearing about the improvements, I downloaded Home again and this time tried it with a friend. This time I spent maybe 20-30 minutes there looking at all the areas and things to do. After that I left and uninstalled it again. Its not fun, I don't get what people get out of  Home.


It's been around 3 months since I last tried Home, which if I did want to use it, I have to download it again, but I think I have had my fill of Home. For me it really seems pointless, I don't get it all. As a marketing stand point or as a promotional tool, Home just seems like a waste of space and time.

- Blake

read more “The World of PSN Home”

Podcast: Episode 3 - Elevators are cool

Rich and Dan re-appear, and this time with added IdiotCat for good measure. The crew discuss many things and somehow managed to steer clear of giant man-eating monkeys. Topics of discussion were Fallout, Mass Effect and Final Fantasy XIII (13 for the cool kids).

Click on the iTunes icon below to be taken to the podcast page on the iTunes website. While you are there they would love to receive a rating and/or a review. They will be reading these out on the next podcast as they receive them.

If you would like to discuss anything from this episode please join our forum post here: http://gameolio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5

 Podcast RSS Feed

Right click to save a copy onto your hard disk (MP3 / 45MB filesize)

read more “Podcast: Episode 3 - Elevators are cool”

Growing Up Gamer

A little introduction for everyone here at Gameolio. By no means am I an expert in games, I don't have inside information, I am not a critic with a degree in Journalism. What I am is a guy who likes to play games in his spare time. When I can find spare time that is. I enjoy establishing a growing gaming community that is more friendly and more respectful to other gamers has oppose to what we normally encounter online.

Perhaps its because our age group have had games longer than today's kid who can now get his Xbox, jump online for the first time and encounter the racist/rude/unfriendly/jerks of today. Then it seems normal for them, because that's what they are used too.

I didn't grow up a rich kid or even middle class. I grew up on a small island called Newfoundland off the Canadian coast. So the little entertainment that I did have was very much enjoyed and appreciated.

My first experience with video games were the local arcades.Which for me, was the community store that had Pac-man and Donkey Kong in the back next to the shelf of flour. I would get $2 to do with what I pleased on Saturdays. Which equaled out to 2 plays per quarter.

Next came the Atari 2600 and I loved every minute of it. It was fantastic! So much so that I remember playing when I had a fever. Lying on the couch, my eyes burning outta my head, my skin felt like it was going to melt off. But I strained to keep my eyes open trying to play Sea Quest while tears streamed down my face.



The NES years made me believe that everything good should come in box form. To the controllers that had corners that dug into your palms, to the parents who thought they could make Mario jump higher if they just thrust the controller that much higher with the button press.

Then the mad rush to be the next best system, which still is ongoing strong today, the Genesis, Saturn, N64, PS1, Xbox, Ps2, Xbox 360, Wii, and the PS3. I had my share of systems and I never really had a preference over the other until the Playstation. For years I had been a PS fan, but all that came to an end with the next gen systems.



Systems that died, lasted 3 years, 4 years, 2 years, 2 min and died. Someone tried to break it down for me and equate what I paid for the system, and the number of hours I had playing it. Saying that I had gotten $1.13 cents per hour of enjoyment outta my system and I should be happy with that.

If that's the case then I got .0003 cents per hour usage out of my toilet and that's still going strong. Very disappointed with the overall shape of systems today. Even at this very moment there is a big problem with peoples PS3s locking up do to a internal clock resetting itself making PS3s unable to play games. Sony is even releasing a statement saying they are trying to fix this, AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT(!), wow. It's good to be alive!

Today, I play when I can. Between work and a married life, it makes it hard to play everything. So talking with other gamers and hearing of their experiences is a great way to get a feel for a particular game. Some say because I work for a gaming company I know more than a normal person should? maybe! I don't feel I know more, I am just a gaming artist. I draw and animate for a living. So I work on games and then go home and play them (If time allows).

I grew up appreciating what I had when I did have it and didn't have the luxury of playing 24/7. That doesn't mean I enjoy games less then the next person. I just enjoy a game to its fullest, taking it slow, getting all I can out of it. Making the most of my gaming life.

- Blake

read more “Growing Up Gamer”

Review: Dante's Inferno - Xbox360

It seems that lately we are seeing a new trend in games, and that is basing the story of games from novels. Previously this was the domain of the movie industry, but there is now a slow trickle into the games industry. The much anticipated upcoming release of Metro 2033 will be based on a Russian novel, even the Stalker series games are based from a little to unknown novel (which funnily enough I don't know either). The latest game to follow the story from a novel approach is Dante's Inferno. Having the power of a compelling story at its side, today we will look to see if a game can adapt from a novel.

Firstly, although the previous mentioned games have been based on novels; Dantes Inferno is actually derived from an old Italian poem, known as The Divine Comedy. Written entirely in Italian, I found it difficult to read as my Italian is... non-existent. Luckily enough, there are translated versions available and I am currently making my way through Hell, but from what I can gather so far, the game is very loosely based from the poem.

The game has you in the period of the Holy Crusade; you play as Dante, a distinguished knight of the Third Crusade in the belief that you are fighting for God. Throughout the game you will be given brief flashbacks of your life to find out that you are not a typical hero in shining armor - as is in so many other games. Your sins are grand and endless, and the amounts of defenseless human life that has been extinguished by you personally, is countless. So it is fitting that the game begins with Dante killing pointlessly, for what feels forever – I almost turned off my console right at the start thinking this game just is not for me. Luckily I endured, because what comes after is pure fueled action that has you on the edge of your gaming beanbag!

The games story begins with Dante being killed, where he is then judged for his sins. It was obvious from the beginning that you were going straight to hell no matter how many donations you made at the collection plate, but what is not so obvious, is that you battle Death himself. If that was not enough for you, then how about actually defeating Death and equipping Deaths Scythe for yourself. This introduction is where you get a taste of what is to come in this game; that is fast-paced and adrenaline fueled action, even more than Jason Statham can deliver. Wielding Deaths Scythe, you will battle on through the nine circles of hell in pursuit of your love, Beatrice, who has been taken by Lucifer himself. Lucifer's intention is to wed your love, who was meant for heaven, all in an attempt to conquer the Throne of God. The story is epic to say the least, and remarkably fits in perfect with the fast-paced gameplay.


This brings us to the game style of Dantes Inferno. As mentioned, it is fast-paced and extreme like slamming down a can of Solo. You control your character in a third-person view through the various levels of hell, allowing the camera to opt its own view of each sequence – almost like a plat-former. You perform your fighting moves against your enemies by executing button combinations, or button mashing (be prepared for some serious gaming arthritis). A basic leveling system is incorporated for your character, which allows you to unlock several different combat abilities. What is interesting about the leveling here though, is that you can choose the path you wish your hero to take. As you play throughout the depths of hell, you will come across underlings, which are your bottom of the ladder foes. Using the Death Scythe, you grab these underlings and choose to absolve them of their sins, or punish them. This then feeds Dantes evil or good side, and with enough points you are able to learn new skills in that specific skill tree. Later on in the game, you are able to decide the fate of stronger foes as well.


The graphics are a splendor to behold, with extensive detailing to the backdrops and textures. Early on, each circle of hell is unique and brings with it different monsters. Demons and beasts modeling are grotesque, with interesting artistic ideas thrown around - for example, demon babies who are in hell for not being baptised. At the beginning of your journeys, the level designs are excellent and purposeful, and you can always see a large boss in the background of the level. This gives the player a clear goal to achieve; to venture past the obstacles to finally fight that boss. The audio is equally grand, with angelic choir chants to match the story and fuel the player along. Special mention should be made to voice actor Graham McTavish (voice acted for Call of Duty:Modern Warfare) who is outstanding in this game - he delivers such a powerful voice for our hero that it sends trembles down your spine.

Unfortunately, the game does fall terribly short and it is a shame as the start is so epic. You may have noticed throughout the review i mention, early on, or the beginning of your journey. The best way to describe the game is that it has a large uphill start; the player climbs, to what you would expect ultimately, is to reach a summit. That is the goal put forward to us, but now imagine that this mountain suddenly stops with the incline, and just goes flat, and this flatness continues on to the end of the game. It is almost as if the game designers became lazy half way through, or had to meet a specific deadline which is not so inconceivable as the game has a massive EA badge on it. Either way, it goes from an epic introduction to an epic disappointment. You will play the last half of the game on the same level design, over and over again, and against the same enemies, over and over again. Other minor annoyances to mention is the terrible targeting of enemies, but mainly the abrupt repetitiveness of the last levels ruin this game.


Having said all that, I would still recommend giving this title a go - for the first half of the game anyway. It is no God of War game, but it is an alternative, and the story is by far in my opinion greater - just have a friend play through the last 2 hours or so.

6.5

- Noob Saibot

read more “Review: Dante's Inferno - Xbox360”