PS3 General Discussion

[Paulie]

Maybe it's a generation gap or possibly locale, but when I was on break from school, I wore my bike out (obviously before I could drive), played with friends and couldn't be found for hours on end because I was too busy playing. Until supper time, of course.

If it was too hot to do that, there was always the pool. Too cold, you dressed warmer. Raining? Raining was different. When it rained, then I stayed inside and played games.

Point is, there are always other things to do besides waiting for the PS3 to sign in.

I'm not exactly a kid any more, I left school over a year ago, 19 on Monday. My friends all have jobs and uni to go to, and even when they're available I can't get hold of them, and they certainly don't live just next door. We don't have a pool, and going to a pool by yourself sounds as fun as watching the grass grow. I wanted to go to see the movie Mall Cop tonight but couldn't get anyone as per usual. Don't even suggest housework, I'm on holidays so the last thing I want to do is spend them working.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Mine had similar issues until I got out the canned air and a vacuum and helped it "breathe" a bit better.

You should give it a shot, make sure it's got no power, hit it with some canned air (make sure you work left to right from the front so it doesn't get trapped in the console). Then take a vacuum to the right side of it and get out a lot of dust.

After I did this, mine was noticeably quieter.

That's a great suggestion. I have not done that since I got it over 2 years ago. I'll do that as soon as we get back home. 👍

D-N, you have two kids. Either they are exceptionally well behaved (as in abnormally) or you should have few moments when it is quiet enough to make a difference.

Having played LBP with you and your daughter though, I am guessing that they are just very well behaved. You have a secret, and I want it.

Their friends make up for it though... especially one of my son's friends who thought it appropriate to throw the controller at the fireplace!

By the way, I felt everyone should be made aware that Buzz Jr Jungle Party has a Bathtub game where your goal as a young monkey, is to make fart bubbles in the bathtub as long as you can without getting caught by the sleeping gorilla. That game alone makes the game worth every penny of $5.

Our kids love it... but their older cousins understandably got bored with it easily... except for the 'hot tub' section as noted.

They particularly like how the gorilla slaps the monkey (adult pun intended)

I suspect they'll be adding more game challenges to this over time, as it only has about 4-5 right now.

 

[TB]

I'm not exactly a kid any more, I left school over a year ago, 19 on Monday.

My apologies on misjudging your age. I assume everyone here is 12 until I'm informed otherwise.

My friends all have jobs and uni to go to

I take it you aren't at college/uni and don't have a job, then? Any reason why? It's amazing how fast those two can eat up time.

Don't even suggest housework, I'm on holidays so the last thing I want to do is spend them working.

Perfectly valid option, if you ask me. Of course, you're not...

Completely off topic now, so I shall end it here.

 

[LaBounti]

I just played Unreal Tournament 3 VS bots while PSN was down. Titan mode is like a death sport and it freaking awesome. They have rejuvenated the 2007 game big time with this mod and trophy support.

 

[Brett]

I wanted to go to see the movie Mall Cop tonight but couldn't get anyone as per usual.

What is wrong with going to see a movie alone? The week after I graduated college, I saw eight or nine movies and all but one or two of them was alone.

 

[LaBounti]

If I wanna see a movie. I just go. No reason to miss a movie because you dont want to go alone.

 

[Paulie]

I take it you aren't at college/uni and don't have a job, then? Any reason why? It's amazing how fast those two can eat up time.

I'm not at university despite being senior dux in high school (you know, top honours, smartest, etc). I had the grades to do pretty much anything I wanted, so I decided on the simple life and something I'll be happy with. (Which is actually a 3 year apprenticeship, so I'm at college even though they come to my workplace. I'll come out of it with a trade). At the moment, I'm on annual leave from work, 2 weeks (1 down, 1 to go), which I have conveniently timed with my birthday.

What is wrong with going to see a movie alone? The week after I graduated college, I saw eight or nine movies and all but one or two of them was alone.

I've seen plenty of movies alone, but only when I HAVE to. I barely ever get to see my friends, so when I can get them to come I'll get them of course! I'm going to see Mall Cop tonight now, at least one of my friends is able to come.

 

[Tornado]

I take it you aren't at college/uni and don't have a job, then? Any reason why? It's amazing how fast those two can eat up time.

To be fair, I have both and I still have dozens of hours a week to put into Disgaea. Granted, I don't really have to do much at work, but still.

 

[Eric.]

So two days ago my PS3 locked up in Folding@home...Had to turn it off by the switch. Turning it back on, it locked with just the default background, but not even moving. And after one more restart, blank screen. Luckily the restore mode was able to do a full restoration and bring it back to life. I really have to start doing backups.

So it happened again the next day, but I couldn't make a recovery. I've torn apart my 160GB external hard drive only to find its IDE, then my 320GB. I knew the 320GB was SATA at least. So now I've got a 320GB PS3 by force. The 60GB HDD apparently has issues, though I'm about to do some testing with it.

Edit: Saw the hard drive extender in this thread, but how do they expect you to to power it? I see some sort of ____ to molex to SATA power cable in the picture, but I'm not going to use a PC power supply for it. Is there an enclosure that can be used with it or something too? That's sort of an option for me at the moment.

 

[hamstrings]

You can use an off-the-shelf eSATA enclosure. You may need a SATA to eSATA cable.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Edit: Saw the hard drive extender in this thread, but how do they expect you to to power it?

Just like any external hard drive... with a power cable.

I see some sort of ____ to molex to SATA power cable in the picture

That's if you don't want to use an eSATA enclosure.

Is there an enclosure that can be used with it or something too?

As hamstring said, yes. You can pick them up for as little as $25 and if it doesn't come with one, you can get an eSATA cable for as little as $5. You can do a quick price search using various pricing search engines like Google's Froogle, My Simon, PriceGrabber, etc.

You may want to consider getting an enclosure with both SATA and USB interfaces as well in the event that at some point you might want to use it as a traditional external drive.

For most of my computer hardware I typically use NewEgg, so you might want to check them out as well for eSATA enclosures and cable.

 

[GT4 genius]

Can anyone recommend any good sites to get frequent GDC updates from tomorrow? I always look forward to these things, watch all the news and then end up disappointed by a lack of things I have an interest in, but I'll never learn.

 

[FoolKiller]

Can anyone recommend any good sites to get frequent GDC updates from tomorrow? I always look forward to these things, watch all the news and then end up disappointed by a lack of things I have an interest in, but I'll never learn.

The playstation blog usually does a lot of updates and then joystiq.com will often do live blogs of the events. Check most gaming blog news sites and they will likely say if they plan to do any live blogs or updates.

 

[Appie]

Nominees for the GDC convention in here.

It seems that LBP got 7 out of the 10 nominees.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Nominees for the GDC convention in here.

It seems that LBP got 7 out of the 10 nominees.

Shhhhh... don't let magburner know. It'll just make him go postal....

Now look at LBP. The game is basically built around some simple modding tools. Most PCs games give you the option of creating these kinds of things, and ususally with far greater finesse. I guess ignorance is bliss eh?

That being said, it would have been impossible for it to be nominated for all 10, as one award is for just hand held games, and the other is for downloadable games. In fact, considering there really is hardly any script in LBP, that it would have also been impossible for it to be nominated for the remaining nomination as well. So in effect it got 7 out of a possible 7 nominations. 👍

However, it's hardly a surprise considering how many of those categories (Game of the Year, Best Game Design, Best Technology, Best Visual Arts, Best Debut Game, Innovation Award, Best Audio) among many others it has already been nominated for and won at other annual gaming award ceremonies.

 

[Giancarlo]

Good thing there's no "Most Reliable Online Play" award.

 

[GT4 genius]

The playstation blog usually does a lot of updates and then joystiq.com will often do live blogs of the events. Check most gaming blog news sites and they will likely say if they plan to do any live blogs or updates.

Thanks. Playstation blog seem to be gearing themselves up for it, so i'll probably stick with them and head over to joystiq every now and then, to see what the competitions up to.

 

[land sea air]

on the cleaning to reduce noise idea, since my PS3 is out of warranty would it be a horrible idea to take it apart and use air can/vacuum cleaner to get it nice and clean on the inside? I'm confident in my ability not to hurt it and I think the long term benefits outweigh the risks. Has anyone here disassembled theirs?

 

[LaBounti]

Good thing there's no "Most Reliable Online Play" award.

You just dont stop with that do you lol. I haven't played it in 2 months now.

I'm not sure what PC game(s) magburner is speaking of thats similar to LBP.

 

[Giancarlo]

You just dont stop with that do you lol. I haven't played it in 2 months now.

I'm not sure what PC game(s) magburner is speaking of thats similar to LBP.

I'm just frustrated, it's a fun and cute game but it has poorer online play than NBA 2k. For a game so reliant on timing, i find myself pulling my hair out sometimes. And that's if the game actually found someone to play with me in the first place!

I think he meant games with tools to develop new content on your own, such as Unreal Tournament for example. He kind of has a point. But it hasn't been done on consoles before, i don't think.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I'm just frustrated, it's a fun and cute game but it has poorer online play than NBA 2k. For a game so reliant on timing, i find myself pulling my hair out sometimes. And that's if the game actually found someone to play with me in the first place!

If that were true for everyone. We play LBP online with friends, and in fact I've played LBP many times with several members from GTP and most of the time it's been completely lag free. Sure, I've experienced lag, but nothing close to the way some people have claimed it is. It may also help to have good connection speeds and or properly set-up and reliable router. So clearly YMMV.

I think he meant games with tools to develop new content on your own, such as Unreal Tournament for example. He kind of has a point. But it hasn't been done on consoles before, i don't think.

That's the problem with people who post vague hyperbolic comments with no actual facts to back them up... but he also said "most" PC games and with far greater finesse... just as he claimed there is a dearth of originality and innovation... even in light of such games as...

• Flower
• Echochrome
• LittleBigPlanet
• Valkyria Chronicles
• Folklore
• Eye of Judgment
• Afrika
• The Trials of Topoq
• Operation Creature Feature
• PixelJunk Eden
• LocoRoco Cocoreccho!
• Elefunk
• Everyday Shooter
• Flow
• The Last Guy
• PAIN

... among others.

This is also the same guy who doesn't use his thumbs when playing with a controller...

Even though I have waited years for this game, I have decided for the moment NOT to buy it.

I also think that It is time 'they' realised that not all of us play with our thumbs, I don't use mine at all. So, because of the way I hold my pad, and the way the controller is mapped, I will never be able to fully utilise the crouch button. And no, I am not going to change the way I hold my pad, I've always held it this way, and until now, I have never had any problem doing so.

To which...

I'm curious, how do you play without using your thumbs?

Yeah me too how do you not use your thumbs on the "thumb sticks"? Your the only person I've heard of make this complaint and I'm guenuinly confused as to how you use your pad. I do understand the suthpaw problem on some games but thumbs?

Yeah that is a new one for me, how do you shoot then? With the face buttons rather than triggers?

Evolution - it is time you joined the human race.

Now you made me really curious, how the hell do you not use your thumbs at all?

Magburner you're crazy lol!!

@magburner: you're ****ing crazy!

So I'm not suggesting he is the typical gamer nor one who shares the opinion of most gamers out there.


Any way... although it's not surprising, clearly LBP is far more innovative than some people would have us believe it is... and even PC developers have been quick to lend it their praise, and it's already won the AIC's Overall Game of the Year award, among several others. So there it is.

 

[Giancarlo]

If that were true for everyone.

?

We play LBP online with friends, and in fact I've played LBP many times with several members from GTP and most of the time it's been completely lag free. Sure, I've experienced lag, but nothing close to the way some people have claimed it is. It may also help to have good connection speeds and or properly set-up and reliable router. So clearly YMMV.

Ah i don't want to get a new router or faster internet when Call of Duty, Unreal 3, Killzone, GTA IV, Rock Band (another "timing-based" game), and others work perfectly fine. That's the whole problem. And only one of those is also a PS3 exclusive! I would have thought that a platformer like LBP could have more servers dedicated to, well, the one system it runs on.

That's the problem with people who post vague hyperbolic comments with no actual facts to back them up... but he also said "most" PC games and with far greater finesse... just as he claimed there is a dearth of originality and innovation... even in light of such games as...

I was just discussing the part of his message you posted to try and bust his chops. I wasn't in on the whole conversation, nor did i care to be.

 

[LaBounti]

We haven't seen what the LBP engine can do yet. They have some surprises to reveal about it. Unreal engine 3 is not exactly for everyone. LBP's tools are made simple and easy to build from what I can see. and everything is done in game. no compiling no loading up third party software no converting and no compatibility issues no programing no script or code writing. Unreal Engine 3 is no a stand alone tool set. LBP gives you all that you need in game. And Unreal2D doesnt look that much better aside from the character models.

Accessibility LBP>UE3

 

[land sea air]

on the cleaning to reduce noise idea, since my PS3 is out of warranty would it be a horrible idea to take it apart and use air can/vacuum cleaner to get it nice and clean on the inside? I'm confident in my ability not to hurt it and I think the long term benefits outweigh the risks. Has anyone here disassembled theirs?

FYI I went ahead and did this using the first link on this search and it worked great. Those instructions are a tad different as it appears to be a 20 gig they took apart so you need to consider the wireless internet antenna and the card reader both of which are a little difficult. The amount of dust inside was unreal and I had to use a vacuum to get it all out. Running F@H now and it's MUCH quieter. Definitely recommend if you're confident in your abilities/have the tools and your warranty is up.

 

[Giancarlo]

How long is the warranty from Sony? 90 days?

 

[Famine]

Ah i don't want to get a new router or faster internet when Call of Duty, Unreal 3, Killzone, GTA IV, Rock Band (another "timing-based" game), and others work perfectly fine. That's the whole problem. And only one of those is also a PS3 exclusive! I would have thought that a platformer like LBP could have more servers dedicated to, well, the one system it runs on.

LBP doesn't have any servers. It's Peer-to-Peer - which means that your gameplay experience online is only as good as the player with the worst connection in your group.

 

[land sea air]

How long is the warranty from Sony? 90 days?

As with most expensive electronics I believe it's one year.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Just a heads-up... Cheap Ass Gamer posted a recent deal at Amazon:

$15.26 for Lost Planet
$15.99 for Ferrari Challenge

That's a great price for FC, and well worth it! 👍

 

[EA11R]

So, I've been playing PS3 all day, and now it is hot and smells of barbeque. I think it's okay, currently cooling down with the aid of a fan, but now I want to prevent that in the first place.

Any advice on how to keep the temperature down? Excluding not playing, and having the PS3 in the current rediculous, though awesome, stance, I haven't many ideas. horizontal versus vertical, et cetera...

 

[Giancarlo]

Vertical is definitely better. Keep it as far away from other hot electronics (TVs, satellite receivers, etc.) as possible. This will also help if you're running wireless internet.

Maybe keep it away from sunny windows too, and off of any carpets. A good, proper dust-cleaning should also let it run a little cooler.