Halo PC Shutting Down May 31st - Sign The Petition

If this is the end, well... Hug it out.

I got word from a client on my server a half hour ago that GameSpy's shutting down all of their servers May 31st. I Googled it, and indeed, a long list of 70-ish games are on the line. While some games may not be affected, others (like Halo PC) will definitely take their place in the shutdown and require immediate action on behalf the players to inform larger companies that we're serious about keeping Halo PC alive and functional. You can read more about the GameSpy shutdown at http://www.pcworld.com/article/2141200/gamespy-is-shutting-down-but-it-doesnt-matter-if-youre-proactive.html and http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/3/5579254/gamespy-technology-shutdown-date-multiplayer-server-hosting-matchmaking.

As for my own server, measures will be taken to salvage it. I'm currently moving forward with GameRanger as a possible solution to this, but Steam may also take the reigns if enough people sign the petition here. Halo PC still has an active userbase of around 10,000 unique players (if not more), many of which are still competitive players, server-providers and modders, including myself. 343i has also been targeted by players to adopt Halo PC and keep the multiplayer alive. While players may still be able to play via direct IP after GameSpy's servers come down, this is woefully inefficient and requires that the players know the server's IP in order to play it.

If you're one of the players who's looking to pitch in and save the game, spread the word. The link is http://www.change.org/petitions/steam-adopt-halo-combat-evolved-custom-edition-multiplayer. You should also install the GameRanger client as a backup option, since there's no promise either Steam or 343i will adopt the game. If they do, it's currently uncertain how long we may be left without HPC's multiplayer before another company picks up the slack and provides the middleware to keep the game alive. GameRanger, however, will provide players with the online service necessary to host servers and play the older games being eviscerated by GameSpy's server shutdown. I need some time before I can determine how viable this solution is, however.

If for no other reason, as a gamer, you should sign the petition for the sake of sustaining an icon of FPS gaming. But Halo PC was more than a game; it was a work of art and a community to meet like-minded individuals. I've made many friends in my years providing servers, and while it's created a great deal of good memories and entertainment as a teenager, it's also one of the few crutches I have that keep me sane as an adult now.

Some of you may not care about Halo in particular, but think about your own games that are being affected by the shutdown. I'm guilt-tripping you to sign the petition, basically. I think Steam will provide, but only if we show them we want it badly enough. Help a brother.

I'll update when I know more. Until then, have fun. These may be Halo PC's final days.

The Fuck-Humanity Trend

So I've noticed a trend of self-righteous fulmination directed at humankind as a whole with regard to the world's state of affairs and the species responsible for it. "Humans are greedy little fucking idiots and nothing more. The world's better without us." It's said as if we're hardwired to be 'greedy little fucking idiots', yet we're blamed like we have the ability to choose differently. It's not logical, but I get the idea: People can be fucked up sometimes.

It's usually communicated in some grossly exaggerated or emotionally-charged manner like, "Humans are the demons of the universe! We're the most hateful and stupid beings in existence! We don't deserve anything but pain and a miserable extinction!" Amusingly, it comes out more like, "Everyone else is an immoral idiot except me," like they aren't part of the species. It's not a direct statement, but an implication drawn from tone and context; it's like they're suddenly 'good' and 'intelligent' by pointing out how 'bad' and 'imbecilic' the rest of us are.

What's funnier is, I'm betting most or all of them completely forget about it when they wake up the next morning and move on with their lives as another one of those 'greedy little fucking idiots' they described - consuming, disposing, acquiescing, materialistic and apathetic douchebaggery. I also doubt "Fuck humanity!" comes to mind when they think of their loved ones. Be careful what you wish for, right?

While putting their wonderfully constructive criticism out there, they often further play up their isolation from 'everyone else' by adding something like, "Woe is me, there's nothing I can do about it." Well, I can't complain - that's exactly what they're doing about it: nothing at all. Golden irony looks like this: portraying yourself as different and superior to all these 'greedy little fucking idiots' you complain about, then proceeding to be another one of them. Look, it even sparkles.

To me, this hopeless-world attitude is just a means of compensating for one's own inadequate contributions to it. People that don't want to part arses from couches would rather sound justified in their nonproductive comfort zones instead of actually doing something about the problem; this is where the attitude of having no choice becomes relevant. "The world's messed up and it's everyone's fault! But hell, I'll keep contributing to the problem because I'm helpless to solve it." I'm afraid to say, but if it's everyone's fault, you're included. You and everyone you love.

When you can't be part of the solution, try to look like it at least; maybe you'll convince everyone including yourself. That's just armchair analysis, but it's a good one.

The world's a fucked up place because of fucked up people that choose to be fucked up. Making these shitastic excuses to eye-fuck your TV set while the media bombshells your neurons with bona fide bullshit doesn't put you with the lot of people out there you disregard despite their efforts to leave the world a better place. If anything, you're being an example of the very kind of people you're raising the middle finger to: a greedy little fucking idiot. But you can change that. Stop running from that possibility.

I understand that we're all more or less discouraged by the state of worldly affairs, but Christ, stop thumb-fucking your nostrils about it. Like a small ember on a dried leaf, start working at it, little by little, until you gain momentum and have a fire going. Contrary to popular belief, I think Hell's a cold place - and it's here and now on this planet we're throwing away along with everyone on it.

In a world full of negativity, it takes strength to see the good in it too.