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Forum: Games
Topic: Orange Box $30 at amazon.
started by: WSGrundy

Posted by WSGrundy on May 10 2008,09:30

< I don't know if this is one of there short sales or an all day thing but it won't last past today if it is like other Orange Box sales I have seen. >

Also free shipping.

Posted by Cakedaddy on May 10 2008,10:00

I bought it. Two actually. Me and my ungrateful, spoiled kid.

Gordon, buy it, and then set us up the server.

Posted by WSGrundy on May 10 2008,10:36

Ungrateful and spoiled in general or did he do something specific?

Posted by Malcolm on May 10 2008,10:42

In my experience, it's usually both.

Posted by GORDON on May 10 2008,10:55

Shit, I just spent my monthly discretionary income (allowance).

I guess I'll have to beg the wife.

Posted by GORDON on May 10 2008,10:58

BOUGHT.

Yay.

What's this about a "server?"

Posted by WSGrundy on May 10 2008,11:52

(GORDON @ May 10 2008,10:55)

QUOTE

Shit, I just spent my monthly discretionary income (allowance).

I guess I'll have to beg the wife.

beg=smack right?

Posted by GORDON on May 10 2008,13:17

It isn't like if she had said 'no' that I wouldn't have bought it anyway...

Posted by WSGrundy on May 10 2008,13:49

(GORDON @ May 10 2008,13:17)

QUOTE

It isn't like if she had said 'no' that I wouldn't have bought it anyway...

Giving her the illiusion of being in charge.

Posted by GORDON on May 10 2008,13:58

Exactly.

Not much of an illusion, but still.

Give me the illusion of not being whipped.

Posted by Cakedaddy on May 10 2008,15:44

(GORDON @ May 10 2008,05:58)

QUOTE

BOUGHT.

Yay.

What's this about a "server?"

You always had the servers. So, make another one. TFC that is.

Posted by GORDON on May 10 2008,16:39

Yeah, because I have so many friends and they always want to do some online gaming.

Posted by Cakedaddy on May 10 2008,18:31

Actually, come to think of it, make it TF2, since we are all buying that one. :-)

Posted by GORDON on May 10 2008,18:38

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars was named "Best multi FPS of the year" by PC Gamer.

I was just reading about how awesome rocket jumping is in TF2. Makes me not want to touch it.

Posted by Cakedaddy on May 10 2008,21:02

But that was in TFC. . . and you loved TFC.

As long as it's a supported feature, and anyone can do it, I won't mind it. If it's still an exploit that only the leet can do, then it will piss me off too. But I do remember the trailer showing rocket jumping. So, TF2 <3 teh leets. But even if you screw up the jump. . . just hit space and try again right away!!

That was always my biggest beef with the game. No consequences of dying. Just rush, spam, repeat.

Posted by Leisher on May 12 2008,06:02

QUOTE

Actually, come to think of it, make it TF2, since we are all buying that one. :-)

I second that motion.

Posted by GORDON on May 12 2008,10:33

Welp I'll have it is as soon as I have it. Mne hasn't shipped yet, and I did the free (slow) shipping.

Posted by Leisher on May 12 2008,11:32

Good, that gives me a few days to get TFC2 installed.

Posted by GORDON on May 12 2008,13:15

Otherwise, Sins of a Solar Empire is time sucking in a way that Civ 3 used to be. You just don't want to stop playing it.

Posted by Leisher on May 12 2008,13:21

QUOTE

Otherwise, Sins of a Solar Empire is time sucking in a way that Civ 3 used to be. You just don't want to stop playing it.

"Sins of a Solar Empire", huh? You kids and your crazy names for masturbation.

Posted by GORDON on May 12 2008,13:23

SSE.

Posted by Leisher on May 13 2008,09:05

TFC2 installed.

Posted by GORDON on May 13 2008,09:08

Mine still hasn't shipped.

Posted by Cakedaddy on May 13 2008,11:31

They estimated mine would either ship, or show up on the 16th. Don't remember which.

Posted by GORDON on May 16 2008,11:58

Mine shipped today.

Posted by GORDON on May 20 2008,11:40

Mine arrived today.

Posted by Leisher on May 20 2008,12:52

Play Portal.

Then get the TFC2 server up.

Posted by GORDON on May 20 2008,13:15

Working a lot this week (well, working early so in bed early all week), but I'll get it up directly.

Posted by GORDON on May 20 2008,13:16

Heh, I said "I'll get it up."

Posted by GORDON on May 21 2008,16:50

I must admit...

I like that the Orange Box, on top of having Portal, Half Life Ep 2, and TF2 on it, also has Half Life 2 and HL2 Ep1.

And, I like the Steam already knew I already owned HL2 and HL2:Ep1, and it has given me the option of giving my second licenses away. Anyone want them? Apparently I only need to put in an email address.

Posted by Leisher on May 22 2008,05:05

Glad you brought that up. I never gave away mine although I did offer them here many moons ago.

So there's two of each (Half-Life 2, and HL2:Episode 1) up for grabs.

Posted by GORDON on May 22 2008,18:09

But playing Portal has refreshed my memory about every game Valve has released since Half Life 2.... I have to tweak my system for every fucking game they release. Why can't they just release a game that will play with no trouble on Windows XP, first time? The game is stuttering on me. Every 20 seconds it hangs for 7 seconds with looping audio. Support forums are talking about probelms with the game using memory that's already been allocated. Jesus fuck.

Posted by Cakedaddy on May 27 2008,20:03

I got mine. Installed. Went to play TF2, but couldn't find the server. So, I couldn't play. What am I doing wrong? I'm assuming it's me, cause SURELY the server is up by now. . .

Posted by Leisher on May 27 2008,20:33

QUOTE

The only problem I've ever had with a Valve game is a bit of flickering related to shadows. I've seen that in a few since HL2, including Portal.

Posted by GORDON on May 28 2008,17:15

I tried every step in this troubleshooting thread: nothing.

< https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=5034-EIPV-6426 >

Then I found this one, and had a glimmer of hope since I had an ASUS mobo... upgraded the bios, and nothing.

< https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1436-RUIH-6938 >

I really hope I don't have this problem playing Episode 2. And if I have this issue in TF2, I obviously won't bother making a server.

Posted by GORDON on May 28 2008,18:44

Yeah, locks/loops up in Ep2, too.

Posted by Leisher on May 29 2008,07:44

I don't know if it's ASUS stuff, but I seem to remember having issues when I built my machine using an ASUS motherboard and video card.

I'd say you need a new PC. Don't forget, I still have that video card for you. Maybe that'll help?

Posted by GORDON on May 29 2008,08:31

Crap like this is the biggest argument in favor of consoles.

Posted by Malcolm on May 29 2008,12:01

(GORDON @ May 29 2008,10:31)

QUOTE

Crap like this is the biggest argument in favor of consoles.

Consoles're getting closer to PCs w\ every generation. Upgradable hard disks, internet connections, downloadable software. Sounds like PCs to me.

Posted by Cakedaddy on May 29 2008,13:39

(GORDON @ May 29 2008,03:31)

QUOTE

Crap like this is the biggest argument in favor of consoles.

What. . . that you can't build a stable pc? :-)

Every once in a while. Like, maybe 3 times per hour, mine freezes for just a moment. Like, 3/4 second at the most. But I don't think it's a bad hardware, or software issue. I'm running an old PC and it seems like every once in a while, the game can't get the info it wants fast enough. I'm betting that if I upgraded my hard drive (still running ATA100) that it would go away.

Running an ASUS A8N-SLI with NVidea stuff on it. I do reload my system on a regular basis though. Just did it in the last couple of months or so. If memory serves, we have very similar motherboards.

Posted by GORDON on May 29 2008,13:53

We have the exact same mobo.

And I've played.... 7 or so games since HL2 on this particular build, and none have had problems. Orange Box doesn't play nice with Windows XP for some reason. Portal and Ep2 are based on a, what, 2-year-old engine? My hardware is just fine.

A far-off guess is that the game doesn't like my non-standard mouse, keyboard, or sound card. But still, no other games have had problems with them.

Posted by Cakedaddy on May 29 2008,19:34

Ummm. . . we have the same Keyboard (G15), same mouse (the one with the weights) and I'm running XP too. I don't have a sound card though. Integrated.

If memory serves, Supremem Commander had sound card compatability issues too. So, ditch the gay (Not that there's anything wrong with that) sound card.

But also, when was the last time you reloaded Windows? If it's been more than 6 months. . . I'd start there.

Posted by GORDON on May 29 2008,19:38

Could possibly also be that I'm running 64 bit XP.

Posted by TPRJones on May 29 2008,23:08

Yeah, there's your problem. I moved up to XP64 and had all kinds of problems getting things to work right. Finally gave up on it.

Posted by TheCatt on May 30 2008,04:30

(GORDON @ May 29 2008,22:38)

QUOTE

Could possibly also be that I'm running 64 bit XP.

That's totally your problem.

Posted by GORDON on May 30 2008,05:30

SO, in other words, some shit can't play nice with windows.

Posted by Cakedaddy on May 30 2008,09:39

I'm guessing XP64 ain't ready for prime time.

Posted by Leisher on May 30 2008,10:29

I don't know anyone who has the issues you have had trying to play games (not just Valve games either) and you're the only one I know running XP64.

Posted by GORDON on May 30 2008,10:48

Well, according to their forums those particular support threads have been hit over 50k times. Either people are bored and reading everything or a lot of people have had the same problems.

Additionally, the fact they exist in the FAQ's in the first place means I'm not the only one.

I'll reload and downgrade my OS in the near future, and we'll see.

Posted by Leisher on May 30 2008,12:04

Well, of course it's not just YOU. I mean, they sell XP64 for a reason right?

Although, it should be noted that most PC gamers haven't moved to it. None of the gaming MSM talks about it. I'd argue that only high maintenance nerds have made the switch. I mean who really needs that OS?

I say high maintenance because of the 200 of you that are running it, you've managed to generate 50,000 views for a single forum. Good job.

Posted by GORDON on May 30 2008,13:02

There were 64bit versions of Far Cry and the original HL2...... those played amazingly awesome on my system. Too bad it isn't being pushed more, especially considering like every new CPU is 64 bit. I believe.

Posted by Leisher on May 30 2008,13:27

QUOTE

There were 64bit versions of Far Cry and the original HL2...... those played amazingly awesome on my system.

Eh...while I'm sure your results were great, I doubt they were THAT great. Know what I mean?

I mean, looking at this logically, most game makers will ignore XP 64 because only a very small percentage of their target audience are using it. Thus, is it worth all these problems just to get extremely small bumps in performance? This is especially true once Vista came out. At that point, game makers had to make things work on Vista AND XP.

Yeah, it might suck, but sometimes it pays to stay with the pack.

Posted by GORDON on May 30 2008,15:52

Here's some comparison screenshots in Half Life 2, 32/64 bit.

< http://techgage.com/article....excited >

It looks like a lot bigger jump in graphics quality than the much-vaunted DX10-over-9 was.

Posted by TheCatt on May 30 2008,16:50

XP 64 bit sux0rs.

Posted by Leisher on May 31 2008,07:23

QUOTE

Here's some comparison screenshots in Half Life 2, 32/64 bit.

< http://techgage.com/article....excited >

It looks like a lot bigger jump in graphics quality than the much-vaunted DX10-over-9 was.

You should've read the article before you linked it. They were NOT praising 64 bit. In fact, the final conclusion is that one should stick with the 32 bit version.

Only the lower two shots are comparison shots and the guy says the only graphic difference is the glare on the water. Even worse, there is speculation from multiple people in the article that the water glare only showed up after the 64 bit version came out.

Posted by GORDON on May 31 2008,10:08

I read the article. I was just saying the graphics were prettier.

Posted by Cakedaddy on May 31 2008,12:55

FYI: There are 5 of us that are playing on random evenings now. We call each other and get things started. If others want to join, we need some way of contacting each other. I have no IM programs loaded, so not sure that's going to work. Perhaps if someone hosted a Teamspeak server, when you are playing, you can just log in and sit in that. When others want to play, they will see who else is playing. Or something.

So, Gordon, get yours fixed. I know XP64 is 'supposed to be' better, but it's not. So reload asap. Leisher. . . you have been the hardest to get into games, so let us know how to inform you if you are interested.

Lastly, we are playing tonight. Don't know the exact time. . . but we are.

Really lastly. . . I've friended the above 5 in Steam right now. I want to friend the rest of the group so as we need/want to change servers, you can see where your friends are and just join them. No need to load the server list, sort it, scan it for the name, etc. Just select your friend and click join. I want a more private area to post my Steam name though so I don't get spammed by anti-dtman-ers. I don't know who all has access to the eve/UO/Galaxies forum. But that would work.

Posted by GORDON on May 31 2008,16:12

I've got a flight in the morning so it'll be Thursday or Friday until I get to reloading. Don't hold your breath. Or do. Whatever.

Posted by Leisher on Jun. 02 2008,07:17

Just friend me on Steam Cake. I'm pretty sure my ID is Leisher, but I'll double check when I get home.

If it works like you said where I can just see what game you're in and what server, then I can join you there just by logging into Steam.

Posted by GORDON on Jun. 02 2008,14:50

My Steam ID is dtmancom.

Posted by Cakedaddy on Jun. 03 2008,17:44

Ok, you guys are invited. You'll need to accept or something for it to be final.

Posted by GORDON on Jun. 11 2008,21:17

Mother fuck piss shit.

Game still locks/skips, with Vista 32 bit. Was about to decide it was my XFi sound card, but then upon exiting the game I had several "Display Driver Not Responding" error messages from Vista.

Cake, what video card are you using?

"Oh it is XP64 it just sucks so bad u r dumb 4 using it." Frikkin geniuses around here.

Posted by Cakedaddy on Jun. 11 2008,22:09

Well. . . I don't think anyone here suggested Vista. . .

Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT
Don't remember the brand though. My guess would be BFG cause I like them.

Posted by TPRJones on Jun. 12 2008,01:09

Moving from XP64 to Vista anything is something I would describe as descending from the thermally conducting metalic container into the vigourusly oxidizing fuel source.

Posted by TheCatt on Jun. 12 2008,04:30

Seriously, I was taking issue with the "64-bit" part of the XP 64, not XP.

Marines suck at computers.

Posted by GORDON on Jun. 12 2008,05:41

XP was no longer for sale, and.....

Nah, just fuck all y'all.

Posted by TheCatt on Jun. 12 2008,06:30

Well, no one said anything about buying something either.

I think the only reason I haven't complained more about Vista is cuz I dont game on that PC.

Posted by Leisher on Jun. 12 2008,07:56

Once again, I'll point out that I have a brand new video card sitting at my house waiting for you to just ask for it.

Posted by TheCatt on Jun. 12 2008,09:04

I'll take it.

Posted by GORDON on Jun. 12 2008,09:15

(Leisher @ Jun. 12 2008,10:56)

QUOTE

Once again, I'll point out that I have a brand new video card sitting at my house waiting for you to just ask for it.

So get on your bicycle and pedal your asst over. *I* have to go through a bunch of effort to pick up my own xmas present? ;)

Posted by Leisher on Jun. 12 2008,10:21

Are you in town?

My office isn't far from your side of town. Meet me over on Woodville road and I'll give you the card tomorrow.

Posted by GORDON on Jun. 12 2008,11:03

(Leisher @ Jun. 12 2008,13:21)

QUOTE

Are you in town?

My office isn't far from your side of town. Meet me over on Woodville road and I'll give you the card tomorrow.

Men's room at McD's. Use your famous "wide stance."

Posted by Leisher on Jun. 12 2008,13:45

QUOTE

Men's room at McD's. Use your famous "wide stance."

You know, you think you're making a joke at my expense, but you're actually requesting this...

Knob gobbler.

Posted by GORDON on Jul. 09 2008,20:03

Damn, TF2 is a lot harder that I remember. Harder than TFC, that is.

I'm getting insta-killed by HW Guys from across the map, when I have full health.

I'm missing Enemy Territory: Quake Wars already.

Posted by Leisher on Jul. 10 2008,08:25

QUOTE

I'm missing Enemy Territory: Quake Wars already.

That makes one of you worldwide.

Posted by Cakedaddy on Jul. 12 2008,22:31

Pretend like you are a newb in the game, and they are alot better than you. Then you'll understand why you die so fast.

Remember, you are playing a cartoon game, not one based on real physics.

Lastly, not sure what causes them, but there are 'critical hits' that do more damage. When I'm the Heavy, I will play all day long and never see a critical. Then, all of the sudden, I'll see the message popping up all over multiple targets that I'm spraying at. So, maybe that's what's happening.

Plus. . . it's on the Internet. Some people cheat. Even though it means they will be permanantly banned from the server. However, over all, I don't think I've played with a cheater yet. I've played with people that were really good. . . but I don't think they were cheating.

And QW suuuuuuuuuucked.

Posted by GORDON on Jul. 17 2008,18:03

Do some peeps have super powerful weapons for being veterans, or something like that?

What do you do when someone sets you on fire?

Posted by Malcolm on Jul. 17 2008,19:18

Stop, drop, & roll.

Posted by GORDON on Jul. 17 2008,19:42

(Malcolm @ Jul. 17 2008,20:18)

QUOTE

Stop, drop, & roll.

No, I think that's what you do if someone cooks off a nuke.

Posted by Cakedaddy on Jul. 17 2008,23:41

Yes, they have upgraded weapons. Get health till you stop burning.

I believe there are a handful of people that start a server with their friends and take turns feeding each other kills to rack up the badges to get the super powered weapons.

Posted by GORDON on Jul. 18 2008,06:00

Reminds me of blessed weapons in UO, and I didn't like those, either.

Posted by Malcolm on Jul. 18 2008,07:23

(GORDON @ Jul. 18 2008,06:00)

QUOTE

Reminds me of blessed weapons in UO, and I didn't like those, either.

Remember OSI's "clean up the servers" push? Gave everyone trash barrels to drop their excess items in to lighten server memory. Your reward for being a packrat w\ OCD? Maybe a few bless deeds if you'd a truly remarkable stash. Which was more than enough to make PvP double plus ungood.

Posted by Leisher on Jul. 23 2008,13:02

So what class are you guys playing?

I used the soldier for a bit today (working from home) and that's the brainless kill machine, which I was doing quite effectively.

Still, I want to put the engineer boots back on. I excelled at that class back in TFC, but it's a bit different here. I was watched another guy today and he gave me some good ideas on where to put my machines that I built for maximum efficiency.

Posted by GORDON on Jul. 23 2008,13:21

I've played with the HWG and Sniper so far, and have had more luck with the sniper. Like, I might have actually gotten a kill. Didn't get much done at all with the HWG, which was my specialty in TFC.

Posted by Cakedaddy on Jul. 23 2008,21:53

I spend alot of time on HWG, Medic and sniper. I will run as the scout when the mission calls for it. Have spent some minutes on a few of the other classes, but nothing major. Zero time as the engineer so far.

Gordon, you seriously haven't killed anyone yet?

Posted by GORDON on Jul. 24 2008,05:53

I really may have picked the wrong server. I remember back in TFC days that some servers were full of ridiculously and suspiciously talented players.

Seriously, I was getting insta-killed from across the map by HWG's.

Posted by Leisher on Jul. 24 2008,11:31

I hit a server yesterday that said something about being "VAC Protected" or something. It claimed those caught cheating would be permanently banned. I saw it happen too as some guy was spamming sounds. A few seconds later the sounds ended and a message appeared that he was permanently banned.

In the 6 rounds I played I was in the top 3 scorers 4 times. I lead the pack twice. (9-16 players were on at any given time.)

I did not experience anything that I thought was cheating.

Posted by GORDON on Jul. 24 2008,12:09

I was never really at a point where, "Uh oh, i am taking damage."

It was,"Ok, I just spawned. Let me walk a long way to where the fighting is. Ok, I can hear shots being fired. Ooo, enemy contact. Welp, now I'm dead."

Posted by Leisher on Jul. 24 2008,13:38

Next time that happens look in the upper right to see what killed you.

I learned quickly to watch out for spies.

P.S. I'll probably be on tonight after 10 for an hour or two.

Posted by WSGrundy on Jul. 24 2008,16:39

I believe VAC Protected is Valve Anti Cheating.

Posted by GORDON on Jul. 24 2008,17:08

Yeah, forget PunkBuster... might as well reinvent the wheel.

Posted by Cakedaddy on Jul. 24 2008,18:18

VAC sucks. I've never seen it auto-ban people, and they are blatently cheating. As in, running 100x faster than they should be. Walking upside down on the ceilings. Auto headshotting everyone with an aim bot, etc. VAC sucks. The only time I see people banned are on managed servers. As in, an admin bans them.

That being said, all of the above cheating was in CS, not TF2. But both are 'protected' by VAC. So, I'm sure, in time, the hax will be out for TF2 and you'll see similar stuff.

What Liesher said. . . are you sure it was an HWG that killed you? Did you think that because that's what you saw shooting you, or that's what the icon in the upper right said? Was he assisted? etc. If you were getting single shot killed as a HWG by a HWG from across the map, that's a cheater. If it was a head shot from a hidden sniper or a back stab by a spy, then that's all you sucking.

I miss PunkBuster. It worked.

Posted by GORDON on Jul. 24 2008,21:01

< Dedicated TF2 thread here. >