Heartbleed - Sites affected

Here is a compilation of sites that were/were not affected by Heartbleed and whether you should change your password.

The Heartbleed Hit List

And you can test the status of a server here: Heartbleed Test

If you are not already aware of Heartbleed, it is a vulnerability in OpenSSL that was recently publicized. Unfortunately it has existed for quite a long time so the real impact is unclear.

OpenSSL is a protocol some websites have used to provide secure access.  When you see "https:" and the little lock sign saying you're secure, apparently sometimes this hasn't been the case. This isn't a virus that spreads (not an exploit that gets downloaded to your PC).  It was a bug in the code the servers deployed that allowed someone unauthorized to view the supposed secure data coming into the server.

Once you know a website has been patched you should change your password in case any one had access to your login data.  And it would be good to change any other passwords if you share them across sites (and stop that!).

Free Stuff! - Dead Space

Ok, ok I know it's Origin, but if you are stuck with it for another game anyway, might as well get free stuff!

Don't forget to check for the "On the House" games periodically.  Once you pick them up they are yours, these are not trial games, but they do tend to be older ones.

Currently available - Dead Space (PC only)

SimCity - Offline: Hopefully Not Out of Development

Alright, gonna have to pick this up one more time, since SimCity finally allows offline play.

I have been disappointed that (with the supposed reliance on online play/cloudish behavior and implied choice to focus on dlc instead of allowing modding ability) there haven't been more regular updates to the game content and engine tuning.  Maybe (hopefully) it's because they have been hard at work with this reengineering effort and now they can focus back on innovation.

My reticence to getting truly excited is due to some pretty significant lingering issues with the economy and AI in online multi-player mode when that was what the game was supposed to be designed for...Then the expansion pack, while somewhat focused on "fixing" the small map sizes by building up, didn't really alleviate issues with long-term play and expansion.

I really hope offline mode isn't the last crumb being thrown to the crowd before killing off a disappointing release for good.

My Xmas break I will be Starbound

It's freaking cold outside and I am finally getting a few moments to break into the Starbound beta from indie company Chucklefish, (yay for pre-orders, yay for Steam).

Not far yet, but playing on my Macbook currently so I can be mobile.  (And my PC is currently in pieces)

Beating a dead horse I know, but this $15 was already much better spent than the money wasted on EA's Sim City debacle.  There is a special circle of hell reserved for you, EA.

I did get stuck in the terrain but easily teleported out to release myself.  I felt so smart, then immediately realized the more obvious solution...apparently I need to work my way back into gaming mode.**   I blame it on post-Packer squeeker win giddiness, (made even sweeter by a Bryant early exit and a dumbfounded Romo).

So the verdict for Starbound so far:

• +1 playable beta 
• +1 robust communication from/to developers
• +2 Mac release for initial beta
• +5 not Origin
• +5 cost
• +5 fun!

Can't wait until I have more time during Christmas break.

PC Gamer article: http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/12/14/starbound-so-far-spelunking-eyeball-trees-and-moons-of-doom/

**For the uninitiated, Starbound is at it's heart a terraforming game.  Yes I am pathetic.

SimCity for Mac Aug 29th

I almost forgot, SimCity for Mac's scheduled release is for 8/29 unless they pull the rug out again.  Good show EA, of course coming out in August meant darn near the last possible day in August.  Should have seen that coming.  Personally a release right before school starts seems like a pretty terrible idea.

With the last traffic and bridges patch (7.0) it is finally becoming playable and not mind-numbingly tedious.  (Although still nowhere near "good")

It would appear that I won't have to buy the game again to play it on my Mac although I'm not sure I've seen anything official say that.

So the fun fact may end up to be that SimCity ends up with more Mac users that PC since us PCers have been dropping off in droves bored to tears with month after month of beta-test worthy game play. 

I'm still holding out hope they'll surprise us with bigger maps and one-way streets for the Mac launch date.  

Hey...I can dream

SimCity Enters the Third Dimension - Update 7

Finally bridges & tunnels coming with update 7 on Thursday.

Is anyone still playing?

Raise & Lower Tool Demo - Developer video complete with French accent and suspiciously large maps...

Developer Blog

I'm pushing my luck but can we get round-abouts and one way roads now please? (and subways and larger maps and...)

Europa Universalis IV Windows demo available

Just days before the general release (8/13), the Windows only (grumble grumble) demo is available for Europa Universalis IV through Steam.

• You can play 28 years of four empires that are each geared towards one of the main strategies (trade, warfare,  colonization, diplomacy)
• Includes tutorial and hint system
• No save/load feature
• No multi-player

They do say that multi-player and cross platform (Windows, Mac, and Linux) will be available at launch.