January 2011

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Black Ops patch 1.06 for PS3 is out

January 25, 2011 in Black Ops | No comments

1/25/11 (Patch 1.06)
New Features:
• New contracts added to the rotation.
• Added optional pre-match timer for LAN / System-Link games.

Issues Addressed:
• Fixed freeze associated with larger games.
• Improved reliability of players connections to one another.
• Improved ability to bring parties to the game lobby. Late party joiners would try to connect to previous lobby host and be denied if new joiners trigger a lobby host migration.
• Addressed an issue where the Host encounters and infinite spinning loading circle after a Host migration.
• Fixed a timing specific, long/infinite loading screen when joining games (sometimes giving you “Error – Read error (0×80010713) on file <map name>”).
• Fixed a timing-specific freeze when host powered down during host migration.
• Cleaned up the map search filter in the Community section (deleted unused entries).
• Fixed Combat Training’s “USE FRIENDS” option for bots names.
• Fixed issue with split-screen guest profile names being blank, resulting in matches never launching.
• Instead of showing the generic “Player” for offline profiles in LAN, we now display the PS3 profile name.
• Fixed Friends list appearing after viewing a Friends Playercard from the Leaderboards.
• Fixed filter so players can now view Friends on Zombies leadboards.
• Fix timing specific issue where the game can be put into slow motion.
• Addressed “disconnected path” error when using the doors in Radiation after a host migration.
• Fixed stability issues navigating lobbies after client on Split Screen Zombies quits out of a game.
• Addressed issue/exploit when removing Counter Spy Plane effects with the Jammer.
• Fixed a freeze when quickly loading maps one after another in private match.
• Fixed issue where players get primary weapons in Second Chance.
• Fixed “NEW” stamp not disappearing for Custom Slot 9 when highlighting the slot.
• Removed water vision effect when respawning after dying in the acid pool in Radiation.
• Several contract fixes.

Gameplay Tuning:
• Second Chance – players that put an enemy into Second Chance are now credited for a full kill once that enemy dies. If another player kills the enemy while the enemy is in Second Chance, they will get assist credit.
• Adjustments to the PSG1 with attachments.
• AK74U adjustments.
• RCXD adjustments.
• Silenced sniper rifle adjustments.
• Removed hit markers when shooting friendly equipment.

Update: hacking on PS3

January 25, 2011 in Uncategorized | No comments

Infinity Ward just posted an update of the situation:

Update: I just left a security meeting with the coders here at Infinity Ward where we discussed a lot of solutions. I feel good about the meeting, but of course I can’t go into detail on the possible solutions we discussed as we don’t want to give out any information that could potentially hinder the security any further.

Once I have more information, I will post it here.

The key factor I want you to know is, that while any update takes time, we are looking to make the process as quick as possible and nothing is being left unattended.

Our main focus right now is on:

1) Preventing hackers from affecting legitimate players.
2) Addressing users who have already been affected.

Source: http://fzt.me/PS3security

Black Ops Mythbusters, episode 4

January 24, 2011 in Uncategorized | No comments

Myths:

Diving into water will protect you from fall damage.
An indirect kill from a killstreak will count towards unlocking your next killstreak.
A well placed tactical grenade can kill a previously undamaged opponent.
A Napalm Strike can destroy a Care Package helicopter.
Using Chopper Gunner, you can take down Spy Planes.
Launching a Valkyrie while airborne will leave you floating in midair.
You are invulnerable while diving.

Modern Warfare 3 in development

January 24, 2011 in MW3 | No comments

Several sources are reporting, that Modern Warfare 3 is in development. This time Infinity Ward cooperates with Sledgehammer Studios and Raves Studios to get it out from the pipe in November 2011. Sledgehammer Studios reportedly helps with the Single Player campaign and Raven Studios gets involved with the multiplayer.

IW has done amazingly good job with Modern Warfare 2 and getting these two studios involved now will raise some eyebrows. There are two concerns: the quality of the game and is it ready for November?

Sources:

Kotaku

Face to face with hackers – best practices

January 23, 2011 in General | No comments

Like said, the hackers are now a big pain in the ass on the PS3 platform. Today I finally got altered by one of those a**holes; just a few seconds after the MW2 S&D round at Karachi started, I got a scrolling text on the screen, “Unlocking xx/xx”. I knew what was going on and immediately quit. The result? Half of my gun challenges turned into state DONE. No big harm done. Yet.

To avoid being altered is quite hard but at least worth a try. Here are the best practices what I have found out.

1) Play only with people you know. This is quite a lame tip but actually it’s the only way to keep hackers away from your local data files. This is what Infinity Ward suggests, too.

2) Quit if there’s a hacker in the match. If there are any impossible situations going on (no kills but AC-130s flying around) or you spot a hacker menu (you will know when you see it) on someone’s screen, quit.

3) Try to recognize hackers between the matches. Often these wannabe-hacker-kids create new PSN accounts for their sessions. If the account is for example xX-AC130-hack-Xx, it’s quite easy to guess what is going to happen anytime soon. Also pay attention to the voice discussions.

4) Pay attention to odd behavior. Every now and then I have had matches where no one is interested in winning. You may be the only one carrying the bomb, killing others etc. That is when your alarm bells should be ringing – from my experiences maybe half of those matches are “hacker sessions”. Pay attention what is going on with the other players.

5) Impossible aiming skills & extended health. There are many quick-scopers out there but not THAT good – if someone takes down several enemies without aiming and seemingly doesn’t get hurt itself, it’s an obvious hack. Have seen that. Just quit the match.

What are your best practices?

First Strike Sneak Peak: Berlin Wall

January 19, 2011 in Black Ops, Map Packs | No comments

Black Ops: Intel reveals some information about the first map pack for Black Ops.

Check the official site: http://www.callofduty.com/intel/436

Modern Warfare 2 has turned into hackers playground on PS3

January 19, 2011 in Uncategorized | No comments

I guess most of those who don’t have Black Ops or prefer MW2 over Black Ops (like me), have noticed the growing number of hackers on PS3. Inifity Ward recently commented that the core problem is the breach of security on the PS3 platform and they don’t have any way to fix it. Good thing is IW acknowledged the hacker trouble but for our disappointment seems to ignore this problem because MW and MW2 are “legacy games”. Thumbs down.

The problem is quite severe for two reasons; 1) it definitely ruins your gaming experience and even worse 2) the hackers can mess up with your statistics, profiles etc. There are growing number of complaints on the IW forum.

This is really sad thing to happen because MW2 is truly a great game and could still offer countless hours of entertainment before the next IW COD game, which should come out in 10 months. That’s a long time to wait unless you want permanently switch to Black Ops.

What are your thoughts on this?

EDIT:

After more investigations it seems that MW2 has been developed relaying totally on the PS3 security (why on earth – PS3 was already on overtime with this…) and at the moment there is no way to fix the issue. Basically the f*** hackers have access to the local files on PS3 and by altering them can change the stats and other information in the game.