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Security

Storm Worm More Powerful Than Top Supercomputers 390

Stony Stevenson writes to mention that some security researchers are claiming that the Storm Worm has grown so massive that it could rival the world's top supercomputers in terms of raw power. "Sergeant said researchers at MessageLabs see about 2 million different computers in the botnet sending out spam on any given day, and he adds that he estimates the botnet generally is operating at about 10 percent of capacity. 'We've seen spikes where the owner is experimenting with something and those spikes are usually five to 10 times what we normally see,' he said, noting he suspects the botnet could be as large as 50 million computers. 'That means they can turn on the taps whenever they want to.'"
PC Games (Games)

Submission + - Bioshock full of DRM: PC Gamer editor locked out

An anonymous reader writes: it appears that 2K Interactive have added DRM to the much anticipated Bioshock which requries on-line activation and limits you to two installs. In theory you gain an install back when you uninstall, but this is not currently working.

From the PCGamer blog http://www.pcgamer.com/
"So we installed on one machine, then uninstalled and installed on another with no problems. So far, so good. I got in about an hour of play time, but I do the majority of my game playing at home, where I've got my heavy-duty gaming rig set up, so I was really looking forward to bringing it home with me. I uninstalled the game from my work machine and happily headed home...but when I got there and went to activate, I was stopped dead by a failure message that informed me I'd installed with this code one time too many. What... the... $%~&!"

This DRM is NOT mentioned on the packaging of the game, or the EULA. How far do they think they can push their paying customers when they pull crap like this?
PC Games (Games)

Submission + - Bioshock DRM Causes Massive Outcry (pcgamer.com)

Dr Kool, PhD writes: "The PC DVD version of Bioshock is loaded with DRM like no other game ever released, and the outcry has reached critical mass. PC Gamer editors are reporting that they are not able to install and activate the game more than twice, even when previous copies are uninstalled. Thousands of complaints from frustrated buyers have flooded 2K Games' official Bioshock forum. The game uses a new version of the rootkit SecuROM to do its dirty deeds."
XBox (Games)

Submission + - Bioshock reviews are rapturous

RamblinLonghorn writes: The reviews for Bioshock are pouring in. With a metacritic score of 97%, the gaming press is united in their praise of the game. Gamasutra summarizes the finer points of the game and lists some of the reviewer's complaints.

Take Two Interactive Software stock, already reeling from the GTA IV delays, gained nearly 10% on Tuesday. Is Bioshock's critical praise and success a turning point for the embattled Take Two? How strong will Bioshock sell compared to other AAA titles set for release soon?
PC Games (Games)

Submission + - EA Spore finished

xtracto writes: Spore is finished. That's the first thing I learn as I head in to my play session at the Leipzig Games Convention. Obviously, the game isn't finished finished (as in ready to ship), but in terms of its content offering, it's all there — the game is complete. At this point, EA is spending the next several months paying attention to feedback from players to tweak and polish Spore for its release next Spring. But otherwise, it's done.
PC Games (Games)

Submission + - PC owners get Bioshock, draconian new DRM system (kotaku.com)

igorthefiend writes: Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/gaming/more-bioshock-shock/) and others (http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t =5527) are reporting that the PC version of Bioshock is loaded with new DRM from Securom which limits users to just two installs.

2K are saying that if users come up against the limit they should contact Securom — but Securom are referring people back to 2K according to NoFrag. http://www.nofrag.com/images/00311b.jpg

Where does this leave the doctrine of first sale? Is this ushering in a new era of restrictive protection on AAA titles?

Portables (Games)

Submission + - Universal PSP Unbricker Released

wamerocity writes: "One of the biggest if not THE BIGGEST development in the PSP hacking scene has just unfolded."

A new homebrew app, lovingly referred to as "Pandora's Battery" has surfaced as a joint effort between the most noted PSP Homebrew devs, team Noobz, C + D, and homebrew god Dark_Alex. This app, allows ANY homebrew enabled PSP to turn any regular PSP battery into the famed "jigkick" battery, (the method Sony uses to unbrick warrantied PSP) and in conjunction with a small program on the memory stick, it can restore it to the celestial homebrew-friendly 1.5 firmware.

As a sidenote, the newly-created jigkick battery can no longer be used as a normal battery, so a new one should be purchased first.
PC Games (Games)

Submission + - Hands-on Spore 1

Dr. Eggman writes: 1up.com has the exciting news, Spore is content finalized and moving into to tweak and polish phase! What's more, they were able to give a hands-on preview; the first of its kind outside of EA. Sam Kennedy was allowed to evolve his cellular creature up into the top of the ocean before finally flopping onto land. From there, he continued to evolve his creature to the point of simple communication, before his time was up.
Wii

Submission + - Wii caught the xbox 360

LucidLion writes: As reported here and according to the vgchartz, in less than a year the Wii has overtaken the XBox 360 and has become the fasted selling console ever. From the article:

The news marks the first time that Nintendo has been the leader in both the home console and handheld markets since 1994 when the company's Super NES and Game Boy lines reigned supreme. Currently, the DS and Wii are the top two selling system's in the industry.
With the way it's selling, any drought in Wii games probably won't last long.
Movies

Submission + - Uwe Boll responds to Wired Postal review

rar writes: "A few days ago Slashdot reported on a critical review of Uwe Boll's Postal movie in Wired. Upset by the negative review, Uwe has now decided to respond in his usual direct tone (some might even call it inflammatory); and the ensuing email exchange with Wired's Chris Kohler makes for a quite entertaining read. To balance the reporting, it can be noted that not everyone shares Chris' dislike for the movie."
United States

Submission + - Box Building Factories: Where are they?

panmediatic writes: So I was playing my XBox yesterday and I got to wondering: where are all the parts for this thing made? I started doing a little research and got real interested in factories for circuit board assembly (otherwise known as box-building factories). Are they in the US? Somewhere else? Where? I was wondering if people knew where some of the major factories are (with maybe websites or something) and what games for what game/hardware/console platforms are being manufactured. My hope is to find out about most of the major games out right now: where are they coming from anyway? Thanks for your help in advance!
PC Games (Games)

Submission + - World of Warcraft Guild Rating (guildreport.com)

jabskeeterbug writes: "Guildreport.com opened recently to offer the functionality for people to rate guilds, based on how they were/are treated by them. Hundreds of guilds and thousands of reports have been added to the site. It only takes a couple of minutes to file a report on a guild. You can rate reports (Insightful, average, uninformative) while browsing too. The site's goal is to offer some insight on potential guilds a new recruit might be interested in. How far they are in content might not cut it for someone looking to join a fair and friendly guild. When users submit a guild, the data is validated via the official World of Wacraft armory. Reports are monitored and deleted when their karma reaches a low level to keep out uninformative reports. Visit the site and share an experience you had with a particular guild, it will help more than you know!"
Role Playing (Games)

Submission + - Chinese gamers get to execute corrupt officials (smh.com.au)

enharmonix writes: "The Chinese government has launched an online game where players advance by killing corrupt government officials using weapons, magic, or torture. Apparently it's very popular — the game has already reached 100,000 downloads and even had to be taken offline while they upgrade their systems to handle the load."

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