General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


PNY Catches SSD Bait-and-Switch Bug

Posted: 15 Jun 2014 07:15 PM PDT

PNY Optima 240GB SSD

SSD controller in some retails units of company's Optima drives found to be different from advertised part

Solid-state drive (SSD) vendors have a new trick up their sleeves: bait and switch. Earlier this year, Kingston quietly replaced the synchronous NAND originally found in its V300 SSD with slower, less expensive asynchronous NAND, and now PNY has been caught doing something similar.

According to our friends over at Tweaktown, one of the site's loyal readers wrote in to apprise them of the fact that a 240GB PNY Optima SSD, bought by him following the site's thumping endorsement of the said product, had a different controller than their review unit.

"When I received it, I noticed that it had a SandForce-style firmware revision, '541ABBF0'. The firmware version on the printed label read '5.4.1' (not the "N0307A" in the picture from your review), and the 5.6.0 firmware update on PNY's website (which I successfully applied) used the standard SandForce flasher. There does not appear to be a SMI firmware update (or any acknowledgement that such a variant exists) on PNY's website," the unnamed reader told the site that had given the 240GB Optima an overall rating of "95%" in an exhaustive ten-page review published in April.

When the site approached PNY for a response, the company quickly fessed up to shipping some Optima SSD units with LSI Sandforce controllers instead of the Silicon Motion (SMI) controllers found inside the review unit. And to exonerate itself of any wrongdoing, the company drew the site's attention to one particular sentence that can be found in the Optima's product description on some sites like Newegg: "The PNY Optima SSD line utilizes multiple qualified controllers to offer the best available solution to our customers."

Here's the rest of the reply: "Yes we did ship some Optima SSD's with SandForce controllers, but only if they meet the minimum advertised performance levels (in most of the benchmark tests, LSI controllers outperform SMI controllers). The readers assumption that PNY has abandoned SMI controllers is wrong as we have been shipping mostly SMI controllers, but also utilizing LSI to fill in the gaps."

It is difficult to gauge the effect of this silent controller switch on the drive's performance in absence of definitive benchmarks. However, we did find a couple of user-supplied benchmarks over at the AnandTech forums.

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MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Rumor: Black Desert in 'final phase of negotiations' with NA, EU publisher

Posted: 15 Jun 2014 10:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

You know how Massively sometimes posts about feature-packed Korean sandbox import Black Desert? And you know how there's always that one commenter who's all "why are you writing about this? We'll never get to play it!"

Well, that dude is apparently wrong.

Korean website Inven says that Pearl Abyss is in the "final phase of negotiations" with a North American and European publisher. A PA rep wouldn't divulge the company or companies involved when asked at this week's E3, but he did say that the publisher in question "should be familiar when mentioned," according to MMO Culture.

MassivelyRumor: Black Desert in 'final phase of negotiations' with NA, EU publisher originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Jun 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots: Fare game

Posted: 15 Jun 2014 08:00 AM PDT

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wildstar
We're starting to get a lot of WildStar submissions these days following the launch, which is something I certainly encourage (and where are you people with awesome Elder Scrolls Online pics, by the way?). Today we've got two for our player screenshot column, starting off with reader Darla and a very sour Chua.

"The cabbies in this game don't shut up and my Chua is having a tough time coping," Darla moans. Secretly, I think she loves the weird chatter coming from the driver, but Chua have a reputation to maintain, you know?

It's not just cabbies and expensive space fares after the break, but also pictures to vibrant that they will make your ocular cavities weep saline fluid!

Continue reading One Shots: Fare game

MassivelyOne Shots: Fare game originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Jun 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    The Daily Grind: Does your dad play video games?

    Posted: 15 Jun 2014 06:00 AM PDT

    Filed under: ,

    Back on May 11th, I asked Massively readers whether their moms played video games. See, it was Mother's Day (in the States), and it seemed an appropriate question. Well, here we are on Father's Day (again, in the States; don't panic, friends in distant lands!), and while it may not be terribly creative, I'm going to ask a variation on the same question.

    Does your dad play video games? If you're a dad, do you play games with your kids?

    Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

    MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Does your dad play video games? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      E3 2014: PlanetSide 2 PS4 demo showcases visuals, performance

      Posted: 14 Jun 2014 06:00 PM PDT

      Filed under: , , , , , ,

      While PlanetSide 2 has been out since the end of 2012 on the PC, it isn't due out on PlayStation 4 until later this year. At E3 2014, we got a hands-on demo of the game with lead game designer Luke Sigmund and executive producer Clint Worley to check out how the console version of the MMOFPS is coming along. And it's definitely coming along.

      Sigmund said that In order to get PS2 ready for release on the PS4, the team has been focusing a lot of attention on optimization and getting the controls feeling right. Currently, the team is doing daily playtests to get feedback on the look and feel of the builds. Sigmund emphasized, "The things we are focusing on for the PS4 are usability, new player experience, and optimization. For us, it's just a matter of getting it right. We don't want to put it out there and not be happy with the way it looks."

      So how does it look right now? Pretty darn good!

      Continue reading E3 2014: PlanetSide 2 PS4 demo showcases visuals, performance

      MassivelyE3 2014: PlanetSide 2 PS4 demo showcases visuals, performance originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Make My MMO: June 9 - June 14, 2014

        Posted: 14 Jun 2014 04:00 PM PDT

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        It was a rough week for crowdsourced hopefuls, as Shards Online, Origins of Malu, and The Black Watchmen failed to meet their funding goals. That last one is an ARG inspired by The Secret World, in case you're wondering.

        Despite the lack of Kickstarter success, rest assured that we haven't heard the last of indie sandboxes Shards and Malu. On a more positive note, Trials of Ascension revealed its plans for playable dragons, while Massively danced with crowdfund darlings Elite: Dangerous and Star Citizen at this week's E3 convention in Los Angeles.

        Continue reading Make My MMO: June 9 - June 14, 2014

        MassivelyMake My MMO: June 9 - June 14, 2014 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Jun 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Tree of Savior Q&A highlights guilds, mounts, and parties

          Posted: 14 Jun 2014 02:00 PM PDT

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          Tree of Savior
          IMC Games' developer SY Kim has answered a slew of player questions about upcoming Korean character-driven fantasy MMO Tree of Savior. He begins by clarifying that while the studio has referred to the game as a "true successor" to the Ragnarok Online series, it is not an official sequel; the parent studios are unrelated. He also discusses party formation, cards and magical items, diminishing returns on experience gain from lowbie mobs, spear and poisoner classes, monster respawn, stat gain, and pets and mounts. A guild system, he relates, will not be in by closed beta.

          Read all the details on the official blog.

          [Thanks, tipster Yorai Dragon!]

          MassivelyTree of Savior Q&A highlights guilds, mounts, and parties originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Jun 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          MMORPG News

          MMORPG News


          EVE Online: True Stories Full Series Available in Hardcover

          Posted: 14 Jun 2014 12:05 AM PDT

          True Stories Full Series Available in Hardcover

          Fans of EVE: True Stories will thrill to the news that CCP Games and Dark Horse Comics have come out with a harcover compilation inspired by players' online adventures.

          Trials of Ascension: $50,000 Goal Met - Now Pushing to "Release the Dragons"

          Posted: 14 Jun 2014 12:20 AM PDT

          $50,000 Goal Met - Now Pushing to "Release the Dragons"

          Forged Chaos has steadily gained financial ground for its fantasy MMO Trials of Ascension, and is now looking toward its next four crowd-funding milestones. If reached, the next three goals will enable them to give players concept previews of the game's dragons and upon reaching the fourth, Forged Chaos will be able to assure the presence of dragons.

          Star Trek Online: Chance to Win a Voth Bulwark Dreadnought Cruiser

          Posted: 14 Jun 2014 12:37 AM PDT

          Chance to Win a Voth Bulwark Dreadnought Cruiser

          From now until July 3, (10 am Pacific time) players purchasing a Romulan Survivor Duty Officer Pack from the C-Store have the chance to win the sought-after Voth Bulwark Dreadnought Cruiser.

          Shroud of the Avatar: Shroud of the Avatar Update #77 - SotA at E3

          Posted: 14 Jun 2014 10:04 AM PDT

          Shroud of the Avatar Update #77 - SotA at E3

          Every-game that's any-game goes to E3, and Richard Garriott's Shroud of the Avatar of course, had to be there. There, he premiered a new trailer narrated by Bill Johnson (the voice of The Guardian in Ultima).

          General: BattleCry E3 2014 Preview

          Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:47 PM PDT

          BattleCry E3 2014 Preview

          At E3 2014 one of the games that really caught our eye was BattleCry. We were excited to see the announcement for the game a few weeks ago. The bloody violent trailer was great to watch. However we were not sure about the persistence of this online world. Happily we learned quickly from MMO veteran Rich Vogel that the game has a persistent War Front, progression, and even some crafting. Needless to say, we are listing the game on MMORPG.com.

          World of Tanks: Special Game Mode - World Football Championship

          Posted: 13 Jun 2014 11:31 PM PDT

          Special Game Mode - World Football Championship

          Wargaming makes serious games, but that doesn't mean they take themselves too seriously. In honor of the World Cup, they've created a temporary game mode that finally our two favorite activities - tank driving and soccer.

          General: Dragon's Wrath Closed Beta Goes Live June 17, 2014

          Posted: 13 Jun 2014 11:41 PM PDT

          Dragon

          Come June 17, NGames' browser MMO gives competitive, dragon-loving gamers a chance to unleash their wrath. Until June 24, players will be able to sample the games' many PvP modes: Guild Battles, Camp Battles, Siege Wars and various arena options.

          Shards Online: Citadel Undaunted by Failed Kickstarter Campaign

          Posted: 13 Jun 2014 11:53 PM PDT

          Citadel Undaunted by Failed Kickstarter Campaign

          Crowd-sourcing might be game development's New Hope, but developers like Citadel Studios are discovering how difficult it can be to pull off. In the face of its failed Kickstarter campaign, Citadel sent out a gracious message of thanks and further expressed their determination to get their game made.

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