Downloadable SOCOM II Maps in PSM

An anonymous reader writes "1UP has a story about the downloadable SOCOM II maps Sony's been talking about since the release of the game. They'll be available on the demo disc of the Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine starting with the December issue. No word yet on whether the redesigned PS2 and its apparent lack of HDD support will affect Sony's future plans for downloadable content."

SOCOM II longevity

[Hadlock]

So I'll be buying a network adapter soon for GT4 when it comes out; is SOCOM II still a good value? Are people still playing it alot, or is the community dying off at a fairly rapid pace?

what about buying a used copy off of ebay? Is there a specific serial number that's used to track your online ID like Diablo 2, and I should only buy a new copy if I want to play online, or will a used copy be adequate?

Re:SOCOM II longevity

[Anonymous Coward]

It's going, and it's still going strong. Sony has been fairly up to date releasing two full patches to fix glitches, map hacks, and the like. On a good day there about 30000 people online and playing, and even at wee hours of the day, you can still find a bunch of games.

Don't bother with a used copy - I'm not sure how Sony's copy protection works, but if it identifies the DVD as a unique one and that copy was banned from online play, you might just pick up a dud. Socom is coming out as a "Greatest Hits" so

Re:SOCOM II longevity

[GamingEngineer]

The game is already $19.99 at most retailers, so unless you're really on a budget, buying the game new vs. used shouldn't be an issue. I don't know how sony's authentication works either, but there aren't CD keys or anything like that. I play online quite often - usually several times a week. The community is still active, so you won't find yourself with no one to play with/against.

Re:SOCOM II longevity

[satoshi1]

Indeed, there are no CD keys or system tie-ins. I've played my copy of SOCOM II online with my network adapter on my PS2 (which has a harddrive), my friend's PS2 (no HDD, again, my network adapter), and on my other friend's PS2 with his network adapter. None of them has SOCOM II, and it let me online just fine. This is what I love about (most) online console games, no hassles like cdkeys or anything. No registration (for the most part). Just pop it in, hit "online," and go! It's great.

Two Side to Consider

[VGMSupreme]

One would think that Sony would prepare for such a thing as the lack of HDD support on the new slimmer PS2. But if it is a downloadable content, maybe it can possibly be stored on the memory card, if the files sizes are not that big.

On the other side of the coin, isn't everyone *still* usind the old PS2 model, one that can handle the HDD (even though you have to buy FFXI to get it)? I do not think Sony had it intended to worry about the new consoles HDD-lacking capabilities just yet.

NOT DOWNLOADABLE!

[satoshi1]

They are only being released on demo discs in OPM! Essentially forcing users to subscribe to OPM if they want the maps. Apparently SOCOM II wasn't designed for download maps, though they've been using the term download the whole time... IGN: So why are you distributing the maps on a disc and not offering it as an Internet download?

Seth Luisi: We weren't set up to do that. We ran out of time with SOCOM II and weren't able to put in a method of downloading data like that. It's actually pretty complicated to support the number of players we have with the downloader. We are looking at other methods of distribution as well.

SOCOM II Greatest Hits...prepare for idiocy

[monsterhead78]

Call me a gaming "elitist" if you will, but when the original SOCOM became a
$19 Greatest Hits title, the number of immature teenagers, cheaters, and
idiots who I encountered online tripled overnight. There's just something to
be said for $39-$49 games, as the price of admission weeds out a certain
element.

In last weekend's advertising circulars, I saw an ad for the newest
additions to the PS2 Greatest Hits line-up, which will now include ATV2, Jak
II, Ratchet & Clank: Goin' Commando, and SOCOM II.

So, as a word of warning, if you are still playing SOCOM II online, be
prepared to be inundated with idiots very soon. Better start keeping a list
of reasonable people to play against, and start locking your games with
passwords...

TLAs (or FLAs)

[Thing 1]

Why can't people define their acronyms, the first time they're used in a document? I have no idea what SOCOM means.

(PS TLA is "Three Letter Acronym", but since SOCOM is longer it's a "Five Letter Acronym". There, I defined mine.)

I've also done the research, and can tell you that SOCOM stands for "Special Operations Command". [socom.mil]

Re:TLAs (or FLAs)

[wolfmanXUG]

Well also there is no need to spell it out since this is exactly how it is spelled for the game.

PSM != OPM..

[euxneks]

You may want to correct the title, as PSM [psmonline.com] (Playstation Magazine) is something completely different than OPM, the Official Playstation Magazine [ziffdavis.com].

A solution to hardisklessness

[Lord Graga]

Wouldn't you think that the PSTwo would support extern harddisks via USB? That would be a fine solution to the problem.

Alternatively it could support 2.5" laptop harddisks.