Jan 22, 2011
Black Ops "no foliage"
The following cvars can be inserted into your config_mp.cfg file. They are not cheat protected, but you do need to make the config "read only" once you've added them. Otherwise, the game will overwrite them upon loading.
seta r_treeScale "0"
seta wind_grass_gust_strength "0"
seta wind_grass_scale "0"
seta wind_grass_tension "0"
seta wind_local_frequency "0"
seta wind_leaf_scale "0"
This is what they do:
As to whether using these cvars should be considered cheating, it's debatable. Having clean lines of sight where you otherwise wouldn't feels a bit sketchy, but since since anyone can use these settings, the advantage they afford is available to everyone.
The advantage is unfair, though, if the cvars aren't universally known. That's why I've posted them here.
Nota Bene: as you can see from the screenshots, adding these cvars results in a framerate hit. Use them at your own risk.
Nota Bene: as you can see from the screenshots, adding these cvars results in a framerate hit. Use them at your own risk.
Jan 21, 2011
Sony is screwed
From Ben Kuchera at ArsTechnica:
The PlayStation 3 is a compromised system. Its master key is all over the Internet, custom firmware allowing third-party software to run on the hardware is a click away, and Sony is furiously trying to stop this information from spreading. The company asked the courts for a temporary restraining order keeping those responsible from any further sharing of the keys or information about cracking the PS3, and is suing for damages.George Hotz and a group calling itself "Fail 0verflow" were able to exploit a cryptographic error to obtain the PS3's private "master key." Hotz (not F0) has released the key, so a simple firmware hack -- by now widely available -- will allow users to bypass digital signature authentication and install any compatible software on the system. Such software will inevitably include pirated games.
Black Ops 01-21-11 patch notes
The patch has been deployed, but it's more limited than previously reported. From Steam News:
Updates to Call of Duty: Black Ops have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The major changes include:
Call of Duty: Black Ops
• MP Audio stuttering on certain systems.
• Playercards sometimes not showing properly.
• Added three Private Match Server Settings: Team Change, Team-Up Period, and Keep Balanced Teams.
• Added Alternate Color Scheme for accessibility: Settings / Multiplayer / Player Name Indicator.
• Changed Team-Up Period countdown interval to 10 seconds.
• Combat Training sessions are no longer counted in Server Browser Unranked tab.
• Friends on your team will now show as blue on your minimap.
• Prevention of various exploits.
• Objective markers localized for all languages.
• Various stability improvements
Call of Duty: Black Ops Rcon Tool
• Recognize new "invalid password" server response
Jan 20, 2011
Bring your B game
We just talked about Brink (video just below this post). Bulletstorm is on the way. And now, from the developer that didn't bring you Six Days in Fallujah, here's Breach:
A few things to ponder:
1. The intro: an homage to Counterstrike, or a clumsy attempt at subliminal messaging?
2. Look at the wall at the beginning of the "Sonic Imager" segment. Tessellation is good. Destroying the illusion by having two tessellated surfaces meet at a right angle is bad.
3. Switching between third- and first-person perspectives is not going to work well. Trust me on this.
4. The character/avatar animations are not good. Watch the trailer again: you'll see it.
5. The game is set for release on Steam on January 26.
Brink 'A Choir of Guns' Trailer
The "symphony of slaughter" thing has been done (and done better) before, but it's nice to see some more of Brink:
Upcoming Black Ops patch notes
Via BashAndSlash, the list of updates and fixes:
IN PROGRESS
(Last Updated 1/12/11)
• MP Audio stuttering on certain systems.
• Playercards sometimes not showing properly.
• Added three Private Match Server Settings: Team Change, Team-Up Period, and Keep Balanced Teams.
• Added Alternate Color Scheme for accessibility: Settings / Multiplayer / Player Name Indicator.
• Changed Team-Up Period countdown interval to 10 seconds.
• Combat Training sessions are no longer counted in Server Browser Unranked tab.
• Friends on your team will now show as blue on your minimap.
• Prevention of various exploits.
• Objective markers localized for all languages.
• SP Audio stuttering on certain systems.
• Addition of new contracts.
• Addition of the “Dolly Cam” editing mode in Theater.
• If a player cancels an invite to a Wager Match, then attempts to join another server, they will join the server from the declined invite.
• Issue where the incorrect perks would appear when spectating another player under certain conditions.
• Addition of round start explosive delay to China Lake grenade launcher to give it the same "spawn toob" protection as other explosives.
• Ensure reticle purchases are reset on prestige in all circumstances.
• Contracts should reset on prestige.
• Prevention of Valkyrie rocket exploding upon release under rare conditions.
• Prevention of Gunship and Chopper Gunner failing to give player full control under rare conditions.
• Prevention of an issue where a player will get teleported outside the map boundaries under very specific conditions.
• Limit the ability to re-roll supply drops using Hardline Pro to Care Packages only, no other killstreak drops.
• Increased headshot multipliers for sniper rifles. Sniper rifles with suppressors equipped will now always be ensured one-shot kill headshots.
• Added a render delay to the red diamond player indicators that appear when controlling the Gunship, Valkyrie Rocket and Chopper Gunner. When a player first spawns, this will not appear for a period of time.
• Additional minor reductions in knife lunge.
Jan 19, 2011
Black Ops "First Strike" DLC preview
Snipers should be happy. No word yet on when this gets released for the PC.
Jan 18, 2011
Jan 16, 2011
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