VirginWorlds MMORPG News Host: Brent VirginWorlds is a weekly news podcast covering Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) such as World of Warcraft, EverQuest, Guild Wars, City of Heroes, Eve Online, Vanguard, Lord of the Rings Online and many many more. The VirginWorlds MMORPG Podcast is the flagship podcast of the VirginWorlds MMO Podcast Collective found at http://www.virginworlds.com
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VirginWorlds Podcast #103Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:20:00 GMT [download/play]
In this mid-week technology feature, Brent talks with Charles Manning from PlayXpert about a technology billed as "The massively extendable, customizable in-game toolset that will change the way you game." Cool technology and some exciting announcements as well.
'Sweet' by Bman Submitted on 2008-02-14 11:08:02 CST That sounds like a really slick app that a lot of people are definitely going to dig. Supporting a variety of development environments is a smart move too, as no matter which language you pick, if you choose only one you're bound to alienate people.
Only disappointment is that Skype was not mentioned in the list of supported IM clients, since it's all I'll use. I'll keep my fingers crossed that support will be added before long.
Props to SOE too for doing The Right Thing.
'Awesome' by Kanthalos Submitted on 2008-02-14 11:18:51 CST This is awesome news, as it eliminates virtually every reason I alt-tab out of MMO's. I can't wait until it's finished! I might have missed it on the website, but I couldn't find anything about whether this is going to be free or whether it needs to be purchased, do you know? Nice interview, Brent.
'Business Model' by Brent Submitted on 2008-02-14 11:54:45 CST Doh, You know, Charles and I talked about the business model and didn't get it in the interview. The core widget sets will all be free and later they'll be offering add-on widgets that can be purchased, for example: Vivox's voice fonts that allow you to sound like an orc or whatever you want. He gave me some more examples, but they're escaping me right now. I'll get more info on this at GDC.
'The title of my post is not an adjective...' by Psyik Submitted on 2008-02-14 12:11:55 CST ...But that doesn’t mean that I’m not excite about this. In fact, I’m very disappointed that at the time of the podcast’s posting, you can't download this program to give it whirl. So my plan of trying it out then commenting will have to put on hold, and I’ll have to make wild speculations.
There were a few things which I didn’t quite get from the podcast, or the website. For example, Charles Manning mentioned that currently, PXP was undergoing a reskinning. But in the screenshots of the PXP settings window, there is no Skins tab. Does this mean that the program only has one skin, basically? That users can’t, for example, create game based skins? It makes sense, since he described the program being activated by a general game activity (using DirectX), not by detecting program execution.
Also, I’m wondering how rights work for the widgets. Are all widgets, regardless of developer, property of PlayXpert LLC, or does the developer retain some rights to them? Basically, this isn’t so much a question of property as much as who gets the blame if something goes wrong. If someone makes a widget, but doesn’t properly test it, and it goes crazy and does something bad, is PlayXpert or the widget’s developer going to have a problem?
Regardless, I do look forward to trying out this program. And if it looks solid, I plan on telling my friends, my alliance, and heck, even my dad to try it out.
(Hmm... I wonder if something similar and complementary can made for Google’s new super-awesome-cell-phone-development-platform.)
'Steaming pile of...' by Psyik Submitted on 2008-02-14 12:16:12 CST Also, I was going to mention Steam. While it's mainly a distribution platform, it has been trying to fill some of these social and inter-game communication roles. I really hope this brings about the end of this. The functions that Steam has built into Orange Box have brought me nothing but grief.
'pXp Security' by hoss Submitted on 2008-02-14 12:26:56 CST On thing that I did not hear talked about in the podcast was Security. I also haven't tried the client but what's to stop a self motivated hacker from creating a fully transparent key logger for your login screen.
Obviously there is some risk involved with all software installations but I'm surprised that it was not mentioned with all the account theft going on.
I am sure that they have thought about player security but it would be nice to hear how they plan to thwart hackers. I guess I'll have to dig around on their web site.
Anyway, this sounds great and I hope them the best.
'security and ownership' by Brent Submitted on 2008-02-14 19:10:42 CST Excellent questions, guys. I'll be sure to follow up with PlayXpert on the security concern in particular... In fact, I'll appalled that I didn't think to ask that.
'awesome news Brent' by odinseye Submitted on 2008-02-15 00:24:04 CST Hey thanks for making me aware of this. I can't believe I haven't heard of this until now. I am currently trying to see if my guild that I am in for the upcoming release of Stargate Worlds, can see the potential of this app. Great stuff Brent, keep up the awesome job :)
'Interesting product' by scytale2 Submitted on 2008-02-15 11:59:41 CST It seems to have taken a while to produce something like this, when most of us have been suggesting it for years. I am particularly interested in what impact it will have on game development as a whole, as opposed to "play experience".
Will we see the connection of worlds that Raph has been talking about? The software does not enable this, but it makes the thought process much easier, as game companies start to "think together" for once. For instance, you are playing EQ2 and you have your WoW widget in there and a mate turns up that you want to join up with. It would make sense to have some kind of "seamless" portal to move between Norrath and Azeroth, rather than the painful closedown and open up that we currently endure.
Interesting questions from you, Brent, but I think you need to sound a little more "non-commital" in the interviews. This one sounded like you were running an advert for the software:) Temper your enthusiasm, as it starts to feel "biased", which it probably isn't.
We need more of these types of interviews, though. It was really good to here of the development first hand.
'Well Crap!' by Wilhelm2451 Submitted on 2008-02-22 00:39:28 CST I listened to this episode on the way home from GDC. I wish I would have listened to it on the way up, because I would have loved to go see these guys at their booth. A great interview though. It is nice to hear about people trying to break down the intra/inter-game barriers.
'Useless' by Eli Submitted on 2008-03-03 16:49:03 CST Ok, well I'm prepared to be flamed, but this looks utterly useless to me. I have no trouble at all managing everything that utility does with my computer while I play my games normally, and all i have to do is occasionally switch to windowed mode or tab out.
'Sure I'll start' by Brent Submitted on 2008-03-03 17:33:56 CST ... uh, yeah, one integrated interface (that is attractive and easy to use) WITHOUT having to shell out or run in window mode... I think that is sorta the point.
'I'm too lazy' by AntiJohnny Submitted on 2008-03-04 02:26:45 CST Why would I want to alt+tab out of a game to do any one of the things that PXP can do in game if PXP can do them in game for me? Seriously, do you use the drive-through or do you go into the bank (or fast food restaurant)? Because most people have no trouble at all getting out of their car to drop off thier mail at the post office, so why should simply roll down thier window when all they have to do is occationally switch to biped mode?
Unless you are playing games, and switching to windowed mode, on a treadmill, don't use the getting off your butt argument.
'I'm too lazy' by AntiJohnny Submitted on 2008-03-04 02:27:06 CST Why would I want to alt+tab out of a game to do any one of the things that PXP can do in game if PXP can do them in game for me? Seriously, do you use the drive-through or do you go into the bank (or fast food restaurant)? Because most people have no trouble at all getting out of their car to drop off thier mail at the post office, so why should simply roll down thier window when all they have to do is occationally switch to biped mode?
Unless you are playing games, and switching to windowed mode, on a treadmill, don't use the getting off your butt argument.
'Haha well' by Eli Submitted on 2008-03-07 16:52:04 CST haha well I guess that's my point -- it really only appeals if your computer is really bad or the game you're playing is written badly. doesn't that seem like a weak foundation for a product? at least XFire is focused on the core feature that's most important.
'Sweet' by Bman
Submitted on 2008-02-14 11:08:02 CST
That sounds like a really slick app that a lot of people are definitely going to dig. Supporting a variety of development environments is a smart move too, as no matter which language you pick, if you choose only one you're bound to alienate people.
Only disappointment is that Skype was not mentioned in the list of supported IM clients, since it's all I'll use. I'll keep my fingers crossed that support will be added before long.
Props to SOE too for doing The Right Thing.
'Awesome' by Kanthalos
Submitted on 2008-02-14 11:18:51 CST
This is awesome news, as it eliminates virtually every reason I alt-tab out of MMO's. I can't wait until it's finished! I might have missed it on the website, but I couldn't find anything about whether this is going to be free or whether it needs to be purchased, do you know? Nice interview, Brent.
'Business Model' by Brent
Submitted on 2008-02-14 11:54:45 CST
Doh, You know, Charles and I talked about the business model and didn't get it in the interview. The core widget sets will all be free and later they'll be offering add-on widgets that can be purchased, for example: Vivox's voice fonts that allow you to sound like an orc or whatever you want. He gave me some more examples, but they're escaping me right now. I'll get more info on this at GDC.
'The title of my post is not an adjective...' by Psyik
Submitted on 2008-02-14 12:11:55 CST
...But that doesn’t mean that I’m not excite about this. In fact, I’m very disappointed that at the time of the podcast’s posting, you can't download this program to give it whirl. So my plan of trying it out then commenting will have to put on hold, and I’ll have to make wild speculations.
There were a few things which I didn’t quite get from the podcast, or the website. For example, Charles Manning mentioned that currently, PXP was undergoing a reskinning. But in the screenshots of the PXP settings window, there is no Skins tab. Does this mean that the program only has one skin, basically? That users can’t, for example, create game based skins? It makes sense, since he described the program being activated by a general game activity (using DirectX), not by detecting program execution.
Also, I’m wondering how rights work for the widgets. Are all widgets, regardless of developer, property of PlayXpert LLC, or does the developer retain some rights to them? Basically, this isn’t so much a question of property as much as who gets the blame if something goes wrong. If someone makes a widget, but doesn’t properly test it, and it goes crazy and does something bad, is PlayXpert or the widget’s developer going to have a problem?
Regardless, I do look forward to trying out this program. And if it looks solid, I plan on telling my friends, my alliance, and heck, even my dad to try it out.
(Hmm... I wonder if something similar and complementary can made for Google’s new super-awesome-cell-phone-development-platform.)
'Steaming pile of...' by Psyik
Submitted on 2008-02-14 12:16:12 CST
Also, I was going to mention Steam. While it's mainly a distribution platform, it has been trying to fill some of these social and inter-game communication roles. I really hope this brings about the end of this. The functions that Steam has built into Orange Box have brought me nothing but grief.
'pXp Security' by hoss
Submitted on 2008-02-14 12:26:56 CST
On thing that I did not hear talked about in the podcast was Security. I also haven't tried the client but what's to stop a self motivated hacker from creating a fully transparent key logger for your login screen.
Obviously there is some risk involved with all software installations but I'm surprised that it was not mentioned with all the account theft going on.
I am sure that they have thought about player security but it would be nice to hear how they plan to thwart hackers. I guess I'll have to dig around on their web site.
Anyway, this sounds great and I hope them the best.
'security and ownership' by Brent
Submitted on 2008-02-14 19:10:42 CST
Excellent questions, guys. I'll be sure to follow up with PlayXpert on the security concern in particular... In fact, I'll appalled that I didn't think to ask that.
'awesome news Brent' by odinseye
Submitted on 2008-02-15 00:24:04 CST
Hey thanks for making me aware of this. I can't believe I haven't heard of this until now. I am currently trying to see if my guild that I am in for the upcoming release of Stargate Worlds, can see the potential of this app. Great stuff Brent, keep up the awesome job :)
'Interesting product' by scytale2
Submitted on 2008-02-15 11:59:41 CST
It seems to have taken a while to produce something like this, when most of us have been suggesting it for years. I am particularly interested in what impact it will have on game development as a whole, as opposed to "play experience".
Will we see the connection of worlds that Raph has been talking about? The software does not enable this, but it makes the thought process much easier, as game companies start to "think together" for once. For instance, you are playing EQ2 and you have your WoW widget in there and a mate turns up that you want to join up with. It would make sense to have some kind of "seamless" portal to move between Norrath and Azeroth, rather than the painful closedown and open up that we currently endure.
Interesting questions from you, Brent, but I think you need to sound a little more "non-commital" in the interviews. This one sounded like you were running an advert for the software:) Temper your enthusiasm, as it starts to feel "biased", which it probably isn't.
We need more of these types of interviews, though. It was really good to here of the development first hand.
'Well Crap!' by Wilhelm2451
Submitted on 2008-02-22 00:39:28 CST
I listened to this episode on the way home from GDC. I wish I would have listened to it on the way up, because I would have loved to go see these guys at their booth. A great interview though. It is nice to hear about people trying to break down the intra/inter-game barriers.
'Useless' by Eli
Submitted on 2008-03-03 16:49:03 CST
Ok, well I'm prepared to be flamed, but this looks utterly useless to me. I have no trouble at all managing everything that utility does with my computer while I play my games normally, and all i have to do is occasionally switch to windowed mode or tab out.
'Sure I'll start' by Brent
Submitted on 2008-03-03 17:33:56 CST
... uh, yeah, one integrated interface (that is attractive and easy to use) WITHOUT having to shell out or run in window mode... I think that is sorta the point.
'I'm too lazy' by AntiJohnny
Submitted on 2008-03-04 02:26:45 CST
Why would I want to alt+tab out of a game to do any one of the things that PXP can do in game if PXP can do them in game for me? Seriously, do you use the drive-through or do you go into the bank (or fast food restaurant)? Because most people have no trouble at all getting out of their car to drop off thier mail at the post office, so why should simply roll down thier window when all they have to do is occationally switch to biped mode?
Unless you are playing games, and switching to windowed mode, on a treadmill, don't use the getting off your butt argument.
'I'm too lazy' by AntiJohnny
Submitted on 2008-03-04 02:27:06 CST
Why would I want to alt+tab out of a game to do any one of the things that PXP can do in game if PXP can do them in game for me? Seriously, do you use the drive-through or do you go into the bank (or fast food restaurant)? Because most people have no trouble at all getting out of their car to drop off thier mail at the post office, so why should simply roll down thier window when all they have to do is occationally switch to biped mode?
Unless you are playing games, and switching to windowed mode, on a treadmill, don't use the getting off your butt argument.
'Haha well' by Eli
Submitted on 2008-03-07 16:52:04 CST
haha well I guess that's my point -- it really only appeals if your computer is really bad or the game you're playing is written badly. doesn't that seem like a weak foundation for a product? at least XFire is focused on the core feature that's most important.