Most unexpected piece of mail ever.

[SackAttack]

So several of you know (or should by now, given my sig), that I'm the Editor-in-Chief for an online gaming publication.

As such, I frequently receive console and PC games from the publishers (and, once in a blue moon, preview code, when we can swing it). So I'm fairly used to getting packages on sometimes a daily basis, and, during busy periods, maybe several times a day.

I wasn't, however, expecting preview code of Eidos' upcoming Singles: Flirt Up Your Life. I guess the game's genesis was in Germany, and the premise was basically "The Sims, plus all the adult stuff that The Sims glosses over."

In other words, in addition to the things that The Sims has you track - food, comfort, etc., there's also a 'sensuality' rating. The higher you nudge that upwards, the more likely it is that the roomates will do things like, say, do the household chores in the buff, or randomly go make out on the couch, or make out in bed, or, well...I hesitate to go further, but you get the idea.

The build they were showing off at E3 was M-rated, but they proudly told me that the final build will be Adults Only, meaning that even what few nods to modesty THAT build had won't be present. Part of me wonders if this preview build sitting next to me has gone that far, or if it's basically the E3 code.

And part of me wants to run far, far away.

[Franklinnoble]

Front Office Porn Star.

Sweeeeeet...

[Draft Dodger]

OK, I'll admit it - I'd enjoy playing an adult's only computer game.

[Shkspr]

From what I've heard, Singles is equivalent to a soft R - everyone is anatomically correct, and there's bumping and grinding beneath the sheets, but it's not porn or anything.

Sorry, DD.

[Desnudo]

Interestingly I would have most enjoyed an adults only game when I was around 12.

[SackAttack]

Shkspr,

You're half-right, and half-wrong. The version released in Germany was, in fact, more soft-core than anything else (although some enterprising individuals found a way to modify the game to remove some of those protections).

The version Eidos sent me, is, so far as I can tell, the Adults-Only version. At E3, they told me the final code would be AO, and that it would feature full-frontal nudity when they're just wandering around, using the restroom, making out, or, yes, doing the horizontal mambo.

Basically, the North American version is going to be spicier than the European release.

'Course, I just discovered that my lack of a 3D card means I can't run the preview code, for what that's worth.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Shkspr,

You're half-right, and half-wrong. The version released in Germany was, in fact, more soft-core than anything else (although some enterprising individuals found a way to modify the game to remove some of those protections).

The version Eidos sent me, is, so far as I can tell, the Adults-Only version. At E3, they told me the final code would be AO, and that it would feature full-frontal nudity when they're just wandering around, using the restroom, making out, or, yes, doing the horizontal mambo.

Basically, the North American version is going to be spicier than the European release.

'Course, I just discovered that my lack of a 3D card means I can't run the preview code, for what that's worth.

You can't throw your game reviewer weight around with Nvidia or ATI and get them to comp you a better card?

[SackAttack]

I don't have contacts with Nvidia or ATI. One of the gentlemen on my staff does, but he can't tell me what that entails due to an NDA.

I just spoke with my Eidos rep, and they tell me the game is actually apparently slated for release on Monday, which means the preview code may be next to worthless, anyway.

I'll probably send him the final code, but I'm afraid if I do that, I may never hear from him again.

[Danny]

This kind pf surprised me. Wouldn't a video card that could play all the games be a necessary tool for this kind of work?

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Shkspr,

You're half-right, and half-wrong. The version released in Germany was, in fact, more soft-core than anything else (although some enterprising individuals found a way to modify the game to remove some of those protections).

The version Eidos sent me, is, so far as I can tell, the Adults-Only version. At E3, they told me the final code would be AO, and that it would feature full-frontal nudity when they're just wandering around, using the restroom, making out, or, yes, doing the horizontal mambo.

Basically, the North American version is going to be spicier than the European release.

'Course, I just discovered that my lack of a 3D card means I can't run the preview code, for what that's worth.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by EagleEye11

This kind pf surprised me. Wouldn't a video card that could play all the games be a necessary tool for this kind of work?

Maybe they only review text sims.

[SackAttack]

It would be, except we seldom review PC games.

We're mostly console-centric, although we are trying to change that to encompass PC and handheld games, as well. Thing is, you gotta have staffing for that, and it's been a challenge finding guys who are not only quality writers, but also reliable when it comes to content generation.

[Buccaneer]

Sounds like some of you guys have never experienced 'naked patches' or 'nude mods'. It's not that I, ummm, have or something....

[SackAttack]

Bucc, I suspect these guys differentiate between nude patches, and a game that shows the sex act in all its, ahem, glory.

[Shkspr]

From what you're saying, you expect this game to show penetration. I SERIOUSLY doubt that the US localized edition would show this when the German one didn't.

[SackAttack]

Having not seen the final code, Shkspr, all I have to go by is what the lead developer told me at E3. He said "This is the M-rated version, which is why this blanket is covering up the business end of the activities, but the final release will be Adults Only, which will allow us to get rid of the obscuring elements."

Maybe it'll have it, maybe it won't, but it would seem pointless for them to go that route if it's just going to look like a couple of Ken and Barbie dolls bumping around.

There IS a difference between what's permissible in Mature games compared to Adults Only, and Adults Only does permit penetration. You just seldom see a game go the AO route - which retail chains won't carry - when M is usually enough to get the job done.

[Mota]

I always wanted to play Poon Tycoon, maybe this is my chance.

[hukarez]

I'm surprised "Leisure Suit Larry" hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet!

[SackAttack]

hukarez, Leisure Suit Larry, as odd as it sounds to say it, is a different kind of game. There, the emphasis is more on the humor, as well as solving puzzles so you can get a peek at the gals. Yes, sex is implied more than once throughout the series, but they've usually had a minimum level of decorum there. Like, the game'll show tits, but usually the rest is implied.

Singles is more like "Oh, you liked The Sims? Here, let's introduce sex into the equation." The original, as I say, was a *little* more discreet, but I'm guessing Eidos decided they needed to really push the envelope if they wanted sales of this one, because there aren't too many games that even show exposed breasts that make it to retail at all. Wal-Mart won't carry 'em, Best Buy usually won't either, which generally leaves the specialty game shops, and the kind of person who might play "Singles" is probably somebody who's tried "The Sims," and wants something along that lines, but maybe with a new dynamic to it.

If you can't get Wal-Mart or Best Buy to carry a game, you're losing probably 60% of your prospective sales at retail. So if you're not going to get them anyway, might as well go all the way (pun unintended) and try to get word of mouth to make up the difference.

That's my hunch, anyhow.

[Chubby]

It's Eidos. They can't make quality games and need a "gimmick".

[Easy Mac]

I'd think the most unexpected piece of mail would be katie holmes fed-exing herself to me.

[SackAttack]

no, Easy Mac. We're talking "unexpected," not "unlikely".

[Easy Mac]

trust me, she'll wake up one day and realize how stupid Chris Klein really is.

[SackAttack]

At which point she'll go find somebody else who's richer than you, better looking than you, and smarter than you, too.

It's just how these things work.

[Easy Mac]

you do realize none of those people exist.

[SackAttack]

Isn't denial the first step on the path to acceptance?

[Easy Mac]

tell me when you get past it.

[SackAttack]

So you're denying that you're in denial, then?

Excellent. The recovery is going better than I had hoped.

[Easy Mac]

2 negatives cancel out, to equal a positive.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

I just discovered that my lack of a 3D card means I can't run the preview code, for what that's worth.

I have a 3d card. And, lucky for you, I am available for contract work for this sort of thing. You need an address?

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

trust me, she'll wake up one day and realize how stupid Chris Klein really is.

DOLA

Katie Holmes is with Chris Klein????

This actually makes me think of her as less hot, which I did not think was possible.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Samdari

I have a 3d card. And, lucky for you, I am available for contract work for this sort of thing. You need an address?

It's already taken care of. One of my writers has a machine that's somewhere between the recommended and 'optimum' specs for the game.

[wbatl1]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

It's already taken care of. One of my writers has a machine that's somewhere between the recommended and 'optimum' specs for the game.

Maybe you could tease us with a little of his write up, like nice and detailed about why its Adults Only, . Just kidding everyone, just kidding

[SackAttack]

Nah. But you're welcome to read his review once it goes live. It may even include *gasp* screenshots!

[Bearcat729]

There is now a demo of the game available

hxxp://www.eidosinteractive.com/downloads/search.html?gmid=152

[SackAttack]

The demo is only 4 hours, so if you're looking for titillation, you're unlikely to find any.

But it gives you a general idea of how the game works.