Wow, long time since I've been here. I remember getting Morphyre's free version for Windows Media Player when it came out. It was nice, but what turned me off it was at the time there was no stand alone version for it. Not even a paid one. The computer system you sold custom made for the program was pretty cool, but I think also the limiting factor. At least for me, one of the main draws for R4 was that I could install it on my own systems, even multiple computers (which came in handy when one fried). Not to mention the free version of R4 was still full featured so I could really put it through its paces before spending so much on the license. The free version of Morphyre seemed limited compared to what the full blown program could do for customizations, and I don't like being so limited with functionality when testing an expensive program. I'd rather be time limited, have a nag message, etc with a free/demo program so I don't shell out the money for the full version with all the extra features and then find out I don't want them.
This is all pretty much from my experience when Morphyre first came out, and I didn't use it much for the reasons I've listed above. If things have changed that make it more "open" like R4 was, I would love to check it out. Well... once I get a good laptop again to run it. Unfortunately both my gaming systems are now fried.
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
One of R4's biggest selling points for me was that it was so open. I could check out everything, learn on the forums, and know I was getting a great program before spending the money.
I think GOOD visualizations are still well appreciated when the program is ran by a competent VJ. The thing I've seen a lot is a DJ or small time venue will start up the visuals program and simply let it run on auto-pilot, and the crowds just get used to it. There's nothing new and eye catching after a while as it cycles through the scenes. Sure, that may be OK, but we all know just what kind of effects we can pull off to really work with the music when at the controls of a program like R4 and can keep it looking fresh and eye catching for a whole night.