Saturday, April 01, 2006
it was my canned response which I viewed as "corp-a-rate" not your initial statement. therez i go again! i been drinking! i dont even know when memorial day is, but if its anytime in the near future, i will still be, how you say, "broke." we'll see! ugh. continues on his quest to be "totally fuckdd!" yar!
You are correct in your assumption of my need to "regroup financially", as you put it. :) that was all proper-like, for fracks-sake! Jerk-off time/availability is going to be seriously compromised, but if I was able to do it for all those years, I'll work it out again. Also, going to buy myself a second computer rig, so I can have a "music machine" and a multi-purpose "gaming/pr0n" rig cluttering my room. g00d timez. Going to be fun trying to figure out how to network two machines sitting right next to each other. I feel the headache coming on already. (Never been good at that sorta shit.)
\o/ yay!
\o/ yay!
Hey Rude, what's the story with your move back home? Just trying to regroup financially a bit? I must say that after racking up costs of living for being unemployed I often wish I could stop paying rent for a while. I guess I could move in with Enron for a while. Say hello to your new roommate Enron. I'll just build a loft above your bed -- you'll hardly notice I'm there. Note: when I watch porn I turn the volume up VERY loud. Try to ignore the bleating.
Anyway good luck -- and yeah try to get some gaming and companionship so you don't go crazy. Which brings me at last to my point. Can the Holophrastics start practicing there again?
I was thinking about that band the other day and cracking up. What a fiasco. Basically JP would not be able to get a single chord correct, Myke Rudy and I would start on some semblance of the same page but after a few minutes veer off onto our own sucky paths, Mike and I anyway, and Eric would totally rule over everybody but had the huge Achilles heel that he wanted to put a Ska part into every song. In fact I think sometimes he wanted to put Ska parts into other Ska parts, or maybe I'm misremembering.
Good luck with the kid Aeryk. Say hello to W.J.P. Hessel for me!
Anyway good luck -- and yeah try to get some gaming and companionship so you don't go crazy. Which brings me at last to my point. Can the Holophrastics start practicing there again?
I was thinking about that band the other day and cracking up. What a fiasco. Basically JP would not be able to get a single chord correct, Myke Rudy and I would start on some semblance of the same page but after a few minutes veer off onto our own sucky paths, Mike and I anyway, and Eric would totally rule over everybody but had the huge Achilles heel that he wanted to put a Ska part into every song. In fact I think sometimes he wanted to put Ska parts into other Ska parts, or maybe I'm misremembering.
Good luck with the kid Aeryk. Say hello to W.J.P. Hessel for me!
Let's be internet-radio podcast masters! Gonna apply for a slot on MMORadio:
www.mmoradio.com
Been listening while I continue to pack all the utter SHIT that I've accumulated in my tiny ass apartment, and golly gee I know for a fact I (and my Action Team Crew) could do a damn good job. Don't actually know how it works, might be better to just try and make my own, but whatever. Ahh, new fad of the weekend for me (even though this was an old fan back when eric was rockin at radio ;) ) Will play punk and techno! And my music every other song!
Hope baby makin business is going good! Keep us updated!1!
\o/ -Whoo Hoo!
www.mmoradio.com
Been listening while I continue to pack all the utter SHIT that I've accumulated in my tiny ass apartment, and golly gee I know for a fact I (and my Action Team Crew) could do a damn good job. Don't actually know how it works, might be better to just try and make my own, but whatever. Ahh, new fad of the weekend for me (even though this was an old fan back when eric was rockin at radio ;) ) Will play punk and techno! And my music every other song!
Hope baby makin business is going good! Keep us updated!1!
\o/ -Whoo Hoo!
ASSHOLES!
<RANT>
So SBC, aka AT&T, has decided that my login that I have used for so many years in so many places is no longer appropriate. I guess they now have some sort of a content filter. Damn pain in my ass. Appearently DrStupid is offensive. jeezuz. Okay fine, I will use my alternate. As in my my initials plus my last name. Not allowed? WTF. FTW even. What a crock of shit. I was so mad I sent them a nice little email complaint, which I am sure is unlikely to solve anything. I will get a canned reponse saying to try a differnt login. Which of course I told them I did not want. I dont need another login in to remember. I have a hard enough time paying bills and remember every companies stupid rules. Everyone has some lame rule to make my password/username list longer and more complicated. So anyway, to login I decided I was going to be an ass. I changed my new username to Merkin.pr0n. Fuckers. Besides people will always find away around these ham fisted attempts to censor. On a side note, I had a manager while I was in the credit card processing biz that had been involved in ATM/Debit processing for a while. At least back in the mid-90's the two most common customer selected pin numbers spelled out 'Love' and 'Fuck'. In fact I had a friend Dan whom, I am sure this suprises Elzar, used FUCK as his pin.
</RANT>
In other news I got a promotion/raise that will start in May. Sweet. Well the promotion will start in mid-april, but the raise comes mid-may. More benies too. I am well on my way to becoming a bigger desk jockey than I already am.
ElZar, you must post the minute you have a newborn. Blog from your turbo Treo brick phone. That will make you a sweet geek if you blog right away. NERD!
D>M>
<RANT>
So SBC, aka AT&T, has decided that my login that I have used for so many years in so many places is no longer appropriate. I guess they now have some sort of a content filter. Damn pain in my ass. Appearently DrStupid is offensive. jeezuz. Okay fine, I will use my alternate. As in my my initials plus my last name. Not allowed? WTF. FTW even. What a crock of shit. I was so mad I sent them a nice little email complaint, which I am sure is unlikely to solve anything. I will get a canned reponse saying to try a differnt login. Which of course I told them I did not want. I dont need another login in to remember. I have a hard enough time paying bills and remember every companies stupid rules. Everyone has some lame rule to make my password/username list longer and more complicated. So anyway, to login I decided I was going to be an ass. I changed my new username to Merkin.pr0n. Fuckers. Besides people will always find away around these ham fisted attempts to censor. On a side note, I had a manager while I was in the credit card processing biz that had been involved in ATM/Debit processing for a while. At least back in the mid-90's the two most common customer selected pin numbers spelled out 'Love' and 'Fuck'. In fact I had a friend Dan whom, I am sure this suprises Elzar, used FUCK as his pin.
</RANT>
In other news I got a promotion/raise that will start in May. Sweet. Well the promotion will start in mid-april, but the raise comes mid-may. More benies too. I am well on my way to becoming a bigger desk jockey than I already am.
ElZar, you must post the minute you have a newborn. Blog from your turbo Treo brick phone. That will make you a sweet geek if you blog right away. NERD!
D>M>
Friday, March 31, 2006
EDIT: TEH LUNARZ PAGES! That's all I see off the site. :) Hope you and Leslie are doin good man!
any game is a time-sink. wow just got me hooked on the whole mmo world. my previous exposure to online play had always been FPSers, and what always got me to log off was how lame people were in chat. That kept me from ever gettin too hooked on a fighting game. Life is a time-sink. I want to cancel my subscription. haha jk!
Dude, good luck in there Eric! Baby gonna be born on April Fool's Day?!?!
any game is a time-sink. wow just got me hooked on the whole mmo world. my previous exposure to online play had always been FPSers, and what always got me to log off was how lame people were in chat. That kept me from ever gettin too hooked on a fighting game. Life is a time-sink. I want to cancel my subscription. haha jk!
Dude, good luck in there Eric! Baby gonna be born on April Fool's Day?!?!
Hey E..
You got your "Emergency-GO" bag on standby? =) I hope so. Make sure you've got music, food, drinks, girlie stuff (lotion, whatnot), cameras, etc.. and walking shoes. If she doesn't move along quickly, you guys will be walking through the hospital for a few hours.
So excited for you guys! Wheeee!
You got your "Emergency-GO" bag on standby? =) I hope so. Make sure you've got music, food, drinks, girlie stuff (lotion, whatnot), cameras, etc.. and walking shoes. If she doesn't move along quickly, you guys will be walking through the hospital for a few hours.
So excited for you guys! Wheeee!
Quick Note
You can play WoW for a few minutes and then quit if you wish. FYI. Just don't dive into a dungeon in a group if you want to only play for a short time.
I love that game. There are now weather effects! Not that I'm playing it again, I just loaded the last patch to see what was going on.
/quick note
You can play WoW for a few minutes and then quit if you wish. FYI. Just don't dive into a dungeon in a group if you want to only play for a short time.
I love that game. There are now weather effects! Not that I'm playing it again, I just loaded the last patch to see what was going on.
/quick note
Eve Online sounds like time-suck Online to me..
Which is precisely what keeps me from playing most MMORPGs. I like the concept, but I just don't have the time/ability to spend "chopping wood", so to speak. The more I read about Oblivion, the more I think I'm going to give it a shot. At least I can play for a few minutes here and there and save my progress as I go. Besides, it's hard to read a thread like this:
http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=311724
And not want to see for yourself! =)
Which is precisely what keeps me from playing most MMORPGs. I like the concept, but I just don't have the time/ability to spend "chopping wood", so to speak. The more I read about Oblivion, the more I think I'm going to give it a shot. At least I can play for a few minutes here and there and save my progress as I go. Besides, it's hard to read a thread like this:
http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=311724
And not want to see for yourself! =)
The Lowdown:
Sys Reqs: Very low. ALTHOUGH, for a lot of us (me included) there's a nasty memory leak which after a couple of hours, you gotta quit the game and start it up again. It's a lame prob thats been like that for awhile it seems.
Roughest part: Doing the tutorial in the beginning. It's VERY long (like a couple of hours) and you know, pretty boring. BUT, it's needed to just get that little bit of info to figure out how to play the game. I think they put you in channel "Rookie Help" for the 1st 30 days you play, go ahead and ask whatever dumb question you have (as long as its not covered real well in the tut.)
My name is Poundrock! If you're on tomorrow night, I should be on after more moving related shit. Go to yer People n Places tab on the left, click it, go to People, find the search punch my name in, add me to yer address book. I'll fly out to wherever youre at and we can hook up. I'll give you some money also to get you going.
It's very very easy to avoid ganking. Can play for years in "empire space" (sec rating 1.0-0.5) and find plenty to do. My corp tho is in an alliance that owns a few spots in 0.0 space, and they've got an interesting setup. Some stations, pretty gnarly manufacturing corp is in it: NAGA pretty deep shit. So I've already run some ops in 0.0 space. But, that's the deal also - in "our" space, we get hostiles (specially corps who've warred with us b4) who come in and start gankin people. So we have "peace makers" etc. But anyways, to be able to really function in space lower than .5, you'd kinda need quite a bit of skillpoints, and that ties directly into DAYS and days played (you learn the skills whether or not yer logged in - I'm learning a new lvl of industrial ships right now, and it's on a 2-day countdown.) So to be able to deal with the NPC pirates and the player pirates in low sec space, you'd have to have the ships and modules (which require skills) to compete. But last days of the trial, I took my guy out in a shuttle all over 0.0 space lookin to get ganked, and didnt get touched. There's like 3000 systems, so lotta deadspace out there hehe.
This is the deal. It's a WEIRD game. I didn't join it after the 14 day trial. Took a couple of weeks to think about it. Then when I joined, was kinda "eh" looking over the Corp Recruitment spam. Was gonna make my own corp when I heard about the one I joined. (their video) Completely different game now. Bunch of cool people. Very helpful and expierienced. And being part of an alliance [The Big Blue] means I got a built in set of friends and eniemes. Allainces/Corps can declare war on each other (which has a pretty hefty cost) but which means they can attack and be attacked by whoever theyre at war with in ANY sector of space. Wars dont happen ALL that often cuz they cost whoever declares it millions of ISK a week (basically a fee depending on yer size and the size of the corp/alliance you've dec'd war with), but they happen.
It's totally totally not for everyone. Sometimes I'll setup a mining op, and then do other crap in my apt hehe - or I'll stay on and research the market lookin for deals n shit. Or talk to my corp. Just starting to figure out manufacturing, so that led to more mining. There's NPC agents who give missions you can run for money and loot. They're cool. They get boring, so usually i'll do something else when I burn out on that. Just meet me sometime in game this weekend maybe if you run the trial and I'll show you some cool shit! ;)
Sys Reqs: Very low. ALTHOUGH, for a lot of us (me included) there's a nasty memory leak which after a couple of hours, you gotta quit the game and start it up again. It's a lame prob thats been like that for awhile it seems.
Roughest part: Doing the tutorial in the beginning. It's VERY long (like a couple of hours) and you know, pretty boring. BUT, it's needed to just get that little bit of info to figure out how to play the game. I think they put you in channel "Rookie Help" for the 1st 30 days you play, go ahead and ask whatever dumb question you have (as long as its not covered real well in the tut.)
My name is Poundrock! If you're on tomorrow night, I should be on after more moving related shit. Go to yer People n Places tab on the left, click it, go to People, find the search punch my name in, add me to yer address book. I'll fly out to wherever youre at and we can hook up. I'll give you some money also to get you going.
It's very very easy to avoid ganking. Can play for years in "empire space" (sec rating 1.0-0.5) and find plenty to do. My corp tho is in an alliance that owns a few spots in 0.0 space, and they've got an interesting setup. Some stations, pretty gnarly manufacturing corp is in it: NAGA pretty deep shit. So I've already run some ops in 0.0 space. But, that's the deal also - in "our" space, we get hostiles (specially corps who've warred with us b4) who come in and start gankin people. So we have "peace makers" etc. But anyways, to be able to really function in space lower than .5, you'd kinda need quite a bit of skillpoints, and that ties directly into DAYS and days played (you learn the skills whether or not yer logged in - I'm learning a new lvl of industrial ships right now, and it's on a 2-day countdown.) So to be able to deal with the NPC pirates and the player pirates in low sec space, you'd have to have the ships and modules (which require skills) to compete. But last days of the trial, I took my guy out in a shuttle all over 0.0 space lookin to get ganked, and didnt get touched. There's like 3000 systems, so lotta deadspace out there hehe.
This is the deal. It's a WEIRD game. I didn't join it after the 14 day trial. Took a couple of weeks to think about it. Then when I joined, was kinda "eh" looking over the Corp Recruitment spam. Was gonna make my own corp when I heard about the one I joined. (their video) Completely different game now. Bunch of cool people. Very helpful and expierienced. And being part of an alliance [The Big Blue] means I got a built in set of friends and eniemes. Allainces/Corps can declare war on each other (which has a pretty hefty cost) but which means they can attack and be attacked by whoever theyre at war with in ANY sector of space. Wars dont happen ALL that often cuz they cost whoever declares it millions of ISK a week (basically a fee depending on yer size and the size of the corp/alliance you've dec'd war with), but they happen.
It's totally totally not for everyone. Sometimes I'll setup a mining op, and then do other crap in my apt hehe - or I'll stay on and research the market lookin for deals n shit. Or talk to my corp. Just starting to figure out manufacturing, so that led to more mining. There's NPC agents who give missions you can run for money and loot. They're cool. They get boring, so usually i'll do something else when I burn out on that. Just meet me sometime in game this weekend maybe if you run the trial and I'll show you some cool shit! ;)
Thursday, March 30, 2006
I'll join mad online tonight
WARNING: This is a think-out loud post. I think only rudy would be interested in reading it. be foretold and forewarned.
Rude, how steep the learning curve and ugh... more mining. Can you say sfun?
but just from reading some stuff i think
1) the requirements are much much lower than warcrack, so it should run smoothly on my laptop
2) 14 day free trial & free software
3) ubiquitous races, so should be fairly even in terms of race and classes. Won't be like hitting 60th only to find out paladins suck crap.
Only problem i see is getting ganked all the time once you leave a 5.0 zone when people are free to rape you.
WARNING: This is a think-out loud post. I think only rudy would be interested in reading it. be foretold and forewarned.
Rude, how steep the learning curve and ugh... more mining. Can you say sfun?
but just from reading some stuff i think
1) the requirements are much much lower than warcrack, so it should run smoothly on my laptop
2) 14 day free trial & free software
3) ubiquitous races, so should be fairly even in terms of race and classes. Won't be like hitting 60th only to find out paladins suck crap.
Only problem i see is getting ganked all the time once you leave a 5.0 zone when people are free to rape you.
Three-Pete!
Also, for those already enjoying Oblivion, you may want to poke around Ye Ole Intarweb for some .ini file tweaks. Word 'round the campfire is that with a few tweaks here and there, the game plays a lot smoother and looks a lot better, too.
So far, the biggest bitch I've read about has to do with scaling. I see where they're coming from, but it does seem like that would be something taken care of (or made variable and user-controlled) in a patch.
Also, for those already enjoying Oblivion, you may want to poke around Ye Ole Intarweb for some .ini file tweaks. Word 'round the campfire is that with a few tweaks here and there, the game plays a lot smoother and looks a lot better, too.
So far, the biggest bitch I've read about has to do with scaling. I see where they're coming from, but it does seem like that would be something taken care of (or made variable and user-controlled) in a patch.
Re: Oblivion-enstein
I've read enough good things about it that I think I'll be buying a copy, or at least finding an evaluation copy someplace.. just not until I have a little more free time (LOL, like that's going to happen!).. as it sure looks to be a huge time suck. I'm a fan of non-linear gaming, so it seems to me like a pretty cool concept and what I've been hearing here and there seems to indicate that it's a very, very deep game. AND, the modifications are already starting to come out for it to improve the UI and other things.. like making it possible to sell stolen items (but at a risk of being caught).
Anyhow. Yeah. Like that.
I've read enough good things about it that I think I'll be buying a copy, or at least finding an evaluation copy someplace.. just not until I have a little more free time (LOL, like that's going to happen!).. as it sure looks to be a huge time suck. I'm a fan of non-linear gaming, so it seems to me like a pretty cool concept and what I've been hearing here and there seems to indicate that it's a very, very deep game. AND, the modifications are already starting to come out for it to improve the UI and other things.. like making it possible to sell stolen items (but at a risk of being caught).
Anyhow. Yeah. Like that.
GAME TIME!
=)
So happy for you guys! The little Hessinator will grow up with two kick ass parents. There's just nothing like being Dad, that's for sure. Sometimes I feel a little lame when I find myself absent mindedly humming kid tunes from toys and music/shows.. LOL..
Victor Vito and Bennie Basko,
Ate a bur-rito
With To-ba-sco.
Sigh.
Man. I remember the anticipation buzz, too. Hehe.. good luck at the hospital! Be prepared to be the wingman for 15-30 hours of labor. I had to keep both of my hands firmly pressed against Michelle's low back for 23 hours straight. I dunno how I did it, but I did. LOL. I seriously thought I had sprained both my wrists from pressing so hard for so long without a break. But, I kept on looking at Michelle and thinking about how much frigging pain she had to be in, and that it was our CHILD on the way.. and I could have run through frigging walls if I had to.
That's just the coolest. I'm so happy for you guys! It went fast, didn't it?
=)
=)
So happy for you guys! The little Hessinator will grow up with two kick ass parents. There's just nothing like being Dad, that's for sure. Sometimes I feel a little lame when I find myself absent mindedly humming kid tunes from toys and music/shows.. LOL..
Victor Vito and Bennie Basko,
Ate a bur-rito
With To-ba-sco.
Sigh.
Man. I remember the anticipation buzz, too. Hehe.. good luck at the hospital! Be prepared to be the wingman for 15-30 hours of labor. I had to keep both of my hands firmly pressed against Michelle's low back for 23 hours straight. I dunno how I did it, but I did. LOL. I seriously thought I had sprained both my wrists from pressing so hard for so long without a break. But, I kept on looking at Michelle and thinking about how much frigging pain she had to be in, and that it was our CHILD on the way.. and I could have run through frigging walls if I had to.
That's just the coolest. I'm so happy for you guys! It went fast, didn't it?
=)
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Oh shit.
You just want to live vicariously through your kid. All new toys and you dont have to feel like a turd for buying them. Sweet. Wylie will be six weeks old and you will already be buying him Lego expert sets, well that is what I would do anyway. Duplo = cool? That does not compute. Duplo always lagged. Make sure you DnD theme everything. Lots of monsters 'n shit. Elzar I am totally stoked for you. Good luck to You and Your Special Lady Friend with the birthing.
jr0n, what is the low-down for this weekend? Aimey may have some stampin' thing going on Sunday at our joint. I will firm that up with her tomorrow (She is fast asweep). Are you working this weekend?
256 MB vid card requirements? Damn I guess that finally puts a fork in my four year old rig. Booo... I guess my Radeon 9500 is not going to cut the mustard anymore. Their are some stupid expensive video cards out their right now. I saw a rig with two $1000 cards (Dual processors per card in SLI for a total of 4 GPUs) in it. The system draw 650 watts typical under load. Dear lord.
D>M>
You just want to live vicariously through your kid. All new toys and you dont have to feel like a turd for buying them. Sweet. Wylie will be six weeks old and you will already be buying him Lego expert sets, well that is what I would do anyway. Duplo = cool? That does not compute. Duplo always lagged. Make sure you DnD theme everything. Lots of monsters 'n shit. Elzar I am totally stoked for you. Good luck to You and Your Special Lady Friend with the birthing.
jr0n, what is the low-down for this weekend? Aimey may have some stampin' thing going on Sunday at our joint. I will firm that up with her tomorrow (She is fast asweep). Are you working this weekend?
256 MB vid card requirements? Damn I guess that finally puts a fork in my four year old rig. Booo... I guess my Radeon 9500 is not going to cut the mustard anymore. Their are some stupid expensive video cards out their right now. I saw a rig with two $1000 cards (Dual processors per card in SLI for a total of 4 GPUs) in it. The system draw 650 watts typical under load. Dear lord.
D>M>
It's Official
We are inducing Wylie tuesday at midnight! That is, if the lil' bugger doesn't flip around breach between now and then... he has been know to go breach, then back again, and breach again, within a 24 hour period!
What this means is that come hell or high water (or extreme labor) Wylie will be the newest Action Team member somtime wednesday, or possibly thursday!
Huzzah!
Man, I can't wait to buy all the new Lego sets! they can't hold a candle to the old space station with the train or the yellow castle, but the new stuff is pretty cool. There are even rules for RPG a la Advanced Hero Quest stylee with Lego parts! Even Duplo are kinda cool these days!
We are inducing Wylie tuesday at midnight! That is, if the lil' bugger doesn't flip around breach between now and then... he has been know to go breach, then back again, and breach again, within a 24 hour period!
What this means is that come hell or high water (or extreme labor) Wylie will be the newest Action Team member somtime wednesday, or possibly thursday!
Huzzah!
Man, I can't wait to buy all the new Lego sets! they can't hold a candle to the old space station with the train or the yellow castle, but the new stuff is pretty cool. There are even rules for RPG a la Advanced Hero Quest stylee with Lego parts! Even Duplo are kinda cool these days!
Johnny Tagalog heh... I like it Parez (parez is pal in tagalog)
On Obliv:
Got some raging reviews though. 9.3 on gamespot richter and hailed as the revolutionary new rpg game. The system requirements is outrageous, 256mb card to run smoothly? That sucks. Maybe it's because as we get older our standards for intelligent games are higher or we tend to get immune to new games in general. I remember, games used to be, "Wow look at the cool intro, there's _____ voice on it!". I'm sure some kid is playing the game and proclaiming it as the best game evar.
Cygnar rocks. ROCKS!!! Jorn has seen the light. Mike? This june, be prepared for another championship riot. By the way once I win that snakey bite cup, it's coming back to the Motherland, the Tagaryan motherland, where it belongs. Then you'll have to make a new cup to hold your pencils, geeks!
Giganten?? you guys don't like giganten??
On Obliv:
Got some raging reviews though. 9.3 on gamespot richter and hailed as the revolutionary new rpg game. The system requirements is outrageous, 256mb card to run smoothly? That sucks. Maybe it's because as we get older our standards for intelligent games are higher or we tend to get immune to new games in general. I remember, games used to be, "Wow look at the cool intro, there's _____ voice on it!". I'm sure some kid is playing the game and proclaiming it as the best game evar.
Cygnar rocks. ROCKS!!! Jorn has seen the light. Mike? This june, be prepared for another championship riot. By the way once I win that snakey bite cup, it's coming back to the Motherland, the Tagaryan motherland, where it belongs. Then you'll have to make a new cup to hold your pencils, geeks!
Giganten?? you guys don't like giganten??
Oblivion is Already Boring
I think I am over solo rpg's that are more advanced than MMII and crap like that. I torrented ES:O, mounted the image, and fired it up. First and foremost, you need a kick ass video card, or you won't really enjoy any of it. I picked up an ATI All In One 256MB card today so we can do the mandatory video editing of Wylie, and this card is a step up, and slightly lateral of the old nVidia 128MB something-er-other I had last night.
I could only play ES:O on 640x480 last night without chunking, true, I only have 768MB of RAM, but still, it was really ugly. Today, I can run it on 1024x768, with most optional graphics on low or off. It runs pretty smoothly.
Anyhoo, it is boring. Boring, boring, boring. So far I have escaped my jail cell, escorted some royal guy, who somehow knows me, through some catacombs under the city I was interred in? Then, he died cause lots of magic assassins kept attacking him, then he gave me an amulet to take to some guy. I killed some rats and some gobbos, and now have surfaced somewhere FAR away from where I need to be. Thrilling.
The terrain is HUGE! There are wide sweeping vistas for sure, but that doesn't make up for a boring hands-on combat system, and boring gameplay.
Admittedly, I have barely scratched the surface, but I am already turned off! Give me some MMII or WoW anyday!
I'm gonna keep trying in a little while, but I think the verdict is: I'm sure glad I Torrented it rather than bought it.
BTW, I beat the Expert Bark at the Moon, suckers. All that is left is Cowboys from Hell and Texas Flood! Then I am the true GUITAR HERO!!!!
I think I am over solo rpg's that are more advanced than MMII and crap like that. I torrented ES:O, mounted the image, and fired it up. First and foremost, you need a kick ass video card, or you won't really enjoy any of it. I picked up an ATI All In One 256MB card today so we can do the mandatory video editing of Wylie, and this card is a step up, and slightly lateral of the old nVidia 128MB something-er-other I had last night.
I could only play ES:O on 640x480 last night without chunking, true, I only have 768MB of RAM, but still, it was really ugly. Today, I can run it on 1024x768, with most optional graphics on low or off. It runs pretty smoothly.
Anyhoo, it is boring. Boring, boring, boring. So far I have escaped my jail cell, escorted some royal guy, who somehow knows me, through some catacombs under the city I was interred in? Then, he died cause lots of magic assassins kept attacking him, then he gave me an amulet to take to some guy. I killed some rats and some gobbos, and now have surfaced somewhere FAR away from where I need to be. Thrilling.
The terrain is HUGE! There are wide sweeping vistas for sure, but that doesn't make up for a boring hands-on combat system, and boring gameplay.
Admittedly, I have barely scratched the surface, but I am already turned off! Give me some MMII or WoW anyday!
I'm gonna keep trying in a little while, but I think the verdict is: I'm sure glad I Torrented it rather than bought it.
BTW, I beat the Expert Bark at the Moon, suckers. All that is left is Cowboys from Hell and Texas Flood! Then I am the true GUITAR HERO!!!!
Yes in fact...
jr0n and I have started the Whitey Snake bitey cup. The commander who wins the most recent game gets to keep whitey snake bitey for the week or two until we meet again on the battle field. Pretty cool.
jr0n: Is the new book going to just be a compilation of no quarter releases or is it going to contain new models/units?
I actually played Settlers two nights ago and had a very good time. It is a very easy game to learn, very intuitive and seems to really be popular with non-gamer types. I agree with Jon's assessment. The game just got killed in the end with too many games in a row and a few really bad expierences. For example "Go Paul" and JP's, "lets get drunk" and of course the 6 person idiotic games. I know some non-game types that will bust out that game every weekend but will not play more complicated games.
D>M>
jr0n and I have started the Whitey Snake bitey cup. The commander who wins the most recent game gets to keep whitey snake bitey for the week or two until we meet again on the battle field. Pretty cool.
jr0n: Is the new book going to just be a compilation of no quarter releases or is it going to contain new models/units?
I actually played Settlers two nights ago and had a very good time. It is a very easy game to learn, very intuitive and seems to really be popular with non-gamer types. I agree with Jon's assessment. The game just got killed in the end with too many games in a row and a few really bad expierences. For example "Go Paul" and JP's, "lets get drunk" and of course the 6 person idiotic games. I know some non-game types that will bust out that game every weekend but will not play more complicated games.
D>M>
Good!
Glad to hear it! I can't wait to try out some of my new minis - just gotta get time to paint them. I've been glueing and glueing and glueing for ages - in fact, for the first time ever I actually finished off one of those big bottles of super glue from Blookburst! STILL haven't had the guts to start the Harbinger though. So, why the change from Cryx - I always thought they were tre cool?
I know what you mean Rudy, I feel the same way - I read all of the posts, think of cool replies etc, then when I get to write, I don't have the energy for more than a line or two. Ach, it's all the same.
Glad to hear it! I can't wait to try out some of my new minis - just gotta get time to paint them. I've been glueing and glueing and glueing for ages - in fact, for the first time ever I actually finished off one of those big bottles of super glue from Blookburst! STILL haven't had the guts to start the Harbinger though. So, why the change from Cryx - I always thought they were tre cool?
I know what you mean Rudy, I feel the same way - I read all of the posts, think of cool replies etc, then when I get to write, I don't have the energy for more than a line or two. Ach, it's all the same.
@Myke: Oh hell yeah we still like Warmachine! In fact, warn your miniatures before you move up that they are in for a strict workout regimen. Ever since Johnny Tagalog gave both of us a swift ass-beating we've been listening to Eye of the Tiger, punching meat, etc. while making the miniatures do laps around the field. Enron has been building terrain like a madman. I've switched over to Cygnar and we're about to try our first game at the 750 point level in the next few days (hopefully).
The new army book is coming out later in summer. Supposed to be much more like Escalation than Apotheosis, in that it has a variety of unit types instead of just a few unique models for each army.
I think what killed Settlers for most of you guys must have been those two 7-player games we played in a row, aka the "HELP ME" sessions. Man those sucked. Settlers was not meant to be played with more than 4 people. Also we played it about nine million times in a row. That may well have also contributed to the abrupt burnout factor. Ah well! I stand by it as a good casual family game though. I mean, objectively, we had a LOT of fun with that one before we overplayed it.
The new army book is coming out later in summer. Supposed to be much more like Escalation than Apotheosis, in that it has a variety of unit types instead of just a few unique models for each army.
I think what killed Settlers for most of you guys must have been those two 7-player games we played in a row, aka the "HELP ME" sessions. Man those sucked. Settlers was not meant to be played with more than 4 people. Also we played it about nine million times in a row. That may well have also contributed to the abrupt burnout factor. Ah well! I stand by it as a good casual family game though. I mean, objectively, we had a LOT of fun with that one before we overplayed it.
I really can't say I'd ever submit Settler's as a game for "casuals." I mean, it's a cool enough game, I get it and all. But, there is just something about it that bugs me. Maybe it's the look. Maybe the way it works. I dunno. Just rubs me the wrong way.
Agree that Memoir44 is awesome and Ticket to Ride. I'd prolly say "TTR" might be a little more family friendly. But M44 is SO much fun. I've played it maybe 5 times and it was great everytime. What was the game before it with the same system but like civil war? I liked that one a lot too.
It's late and you people all post too much stuff. Go back to the inaction team format. Was easier to reply to stuff (now I forget half the stuff I just seen OMG!)
Agree that Memoir44 is awesome and Ticket to Ride. I'd prolly say "TTR" might be a little more family friendly. But M44 is SO much fun. I've played it maybe 5 times and it was great everytime. What was the game before it with the same system but like civil war? I liked that one a lot too.
It's late and you people all post too much stuff. Go back to the inaction team format. Was easier to reply to stuff (now I forget half the stuff I just seen OMG!)
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Busy Busy Bees
Man, I turn my back for just one second and you guys have written a book and a half! First of all - awsome writup Eric! I eagerly await our second mission... with fear... head on bullet casulaties were pretty frequent in B-17s! On the great board-game debate: I still love boardgames, and have no particular aversion to ones of Teutonic origin, but I have to say, that I've had my fill of board games which involve point tracks. This includes Tikal, Merchant of Venice, etc. etc. etc... I just don't want to fight it out with others over a point track... particularly if it's simply an abstraction of something else - like volcanoes erupting or something. It also doesn't help me if the game has little wooden multicolored blocks as a component - it just makes me think 'hnnnh! sigh!' I'm sure it's unfair of me, but well, that's how it is. I'm still interested in what I like to call 'economics' games - like Iron Dragon, or even Settlers (though I think if I have to play that again I might scream). I wish there were more of this sort of game.
I have to weigh in with Eric on Giganten though - I hate that game - sorry Enron!
What I do want to play right now though is Warmachine! Are we still into that game or are we all over it? I hope not, because I'm still painting miniatures. Eric, can I can convince you to try out the Butcher one more time? A quick 500 pointer?
Enron - Jon ! Sorry for not replying to you about Koobla. The reason was that I was not yet sure and was trying to move things around so that I could make it. Sorry. I really wish I could - I've been so stupid in agreeing to do too many things between now and when I start at SFSU in September! Doh!
Regarding the Oblivion debate: I have to say it LOOKS amazing. I'm interested in it for the game engine (since that's what I do these days in the academic world) but I have to say that I also thought that ElderScrolls Morrowind was boring and confusing. I just don't have time to care about all of the options etc. Maybe that says more about me than anything else though... I have a good friend (Andrew) who LOVED it. I like the idea of better AI for NPCs though - cool! I've always had trouble getting into the Elder Scrolls universe though... not sure why.
Rude - thanks for the post about Wow and that guy who seduced a bunch of other guys. Creepy though it was, and sick though it made me feel - it was a really interesting sociological experiement! How weird. I hope I get time to experience this MMG experience before we move on... or will we?
Myke
Man, I turn my back for just one second and you guys have written a book and a half! First of all - awsome writup Eric! I eagerly await our second mission... with fear... head on bullet casulaties were pretty frequent in B-17s! On the great board-game debate: I still love boardgames, and have no particular aversion to ones of Teutonic origin, but I have to say, that I've had my fill of board games which involve point tracks. This includes Tikal, Merchant of Venice, etc. etc. etc... I just don't want to fight it out with others over a point track... particularly if it's simply an abstraction of something else - like volcanoes erupting or something. It also doesn't help me if the game has little wooden multicolored blocks as a component - it just makes me think 'hnnnh! sigh!' I'm sure it's unfair of me, but well, that's how it is. I'm still interested in what I like to call 'economics' games - like Iron Dragon, or even Settlers (though I think if I have to play that again I might scream). I wish there were more of this sort of game.
I have to weigh in with Eric on Giganten though - I hate that game - sorry Enron!
What I do want to play right now though is Warmachine! Are we still into that game or are we all over it? I hope not, because I'm still painting miniatures. Eric, can I can convince you to try out the Butcher one more time? A quick 500 pointer?
Enron - Jon ! Sorry for not replying to you about Koobla. The reason was that I was not yet sure and was trying to move things around so that I could make it. Sorry. I really wish I could - I've been so stupid in agreeing to do too many things between now and when I start at SFSU in September! Doh!
Regarding the Oblivion debate: I have to say it LOOKS amazing. I'm interested in it for the game engine (since that's what I do these days in the academic world) but I have to say that I also thought that ElderScrolls Morrowind was boring and confusing. I just don't have time to care about all of the options etc. Maybe that says more about me than anything else though... I have a good friend (Andrew) who LOVED it. I like the idea of better AI for NPCs though - cool! I've always had trouble getting into the Elder Scrolls universe though... not sure why.
Rude - thanks for the post about Wow and that guy who seduced a bunch of other guys. Creepy though it was, and sick though it made me feel - it was a really interesting sociological experiement! How weird. I hope I get time to experience this MMG experience before we move on... or will we?
Myke
Good gateway board games
Carcassonne (FTW Eric) is a good one. Very simple and easy on the eyes. As Enron suggested, Settlers of Catan is also really great. When choosing, basically ask yourself "Do I need to roll dice?" If you do, go with Settlers. Otherwise go with Cacassonne. Better, pick them both up, yay!
If you're playing with the wifey, there's probably not much chance you can get her into a game involving combat at all, but if she's flexible, or if there is someone who might be into the theme, Memoir '44 is GREAT. It's a simple, very fun boardgame with a WWII theme. It is literally impossible not to like. It plays quickly, has neat little plastic soldiers, and it's fun to play the abstracted versions of various battles.
Acquire is also fun. That game is somewhat mainstream so you might have seen it; it's also easy to find since Hasbro/Avalon Hill currently publishes it. A game about building hotels where there is a stock buying/selling mechanism.
Two fun ones for lots of people (four or more) are Bang! and Saboteur. These are both conceptually similar games in that each player is either a good guy, or a bad guy. In Bang two-three players are outlaws and the other players are the Deputies and Sheriff. In Saboteur everybody is a miner trying to dig tunnels to some gold. Two-three players are secretly saboteurs, trying to keep everybody from getting there. In both games, the roles are dealt out in secret at the start of the game, people try to keep their roles secret (usually badly), and hijinx ensue.
Update: And lest I forget one of the best of them all, Ticket to Ride is a super-fun game about building train lines across the U.S. of A. It along with Memoir '44 is one of the few games that I would call impossible to not like. This game, along with Carcassonne, is the one that I play most often with my girlfriend.
While we're on BGG, I might as well pimp out my board game list one more time.
OK and Eric. Carcassonne? After YEARS of hate? Carcassonne? Wow. Go ahead and deny Puerto Rico all you want. You'll come around, sooner or later. It's gonna be the biggest gaming upset since the Great Ragnar Miniatures Addiction of 2005.
Carcassonne (FTW Eric) is a good one. Very simple and easy on the eyes. As Enron suggested, Settlers of Catan is also really great. When choosing, basically ask yourself "Do I need to roll dice?" If you do, go with Settlers. Otherwise go with Cacassonne. Better, pick them both up, yay!
If you're playing with the wifey, there's probably not much chance you can get her into a game involving combat at all, but if she's flexible, or if there is someone who might be into the theme, Memoir '44 is GREAT. It's a simple, very fun boardgame with a WWII theme. It is literally impossible not to like. It plays quickly, has neat little plastic soldiers, and it's fun to play the abstracted versions of various battles.
Acquire is also fun. That game is somewhat mainstream so you might have seen it; it's also easy to find since Hasbro/Avalon Hill currently publishes it. A game about building hotels where there is a stock buying/selling mechanism.
Two fun ones for lots of people (four or more) are Bang! and Saboteur. These are both conceptually similar games in that each player is either a good guy, or a bad guy. In Bang two-three players are outlaws and the other players are the Deputies and Sheriff. In Saboteur everybody is a miner trying to dig tunnels to some gold. Two-three players are secretly saboteurs, trying to keep everybody from getting there. In both games, the roles are dealt out in secret at the start of the game, people try to keep their roles secret (usually badly), and hijinx ensue.
Update: And lest I forget one of the best of them all, Ticket to Ride is a super-fun game about building train lines across the U.S. of A. It along with Memoir '44 is one of the few games that I would call impossible to not like. This game, along with Carcassonne, is the one that I play most often with my girlfriend.
While we're on BGG, I might as well pimp out my board game list one more time.
OK and Eric. Carcassonne? After YEARS of hate? Carcassonne? Wow. Go ahead and deny Puerto Rico all you want. You'll come around, sooner or later. It's gonna be the biggest gaming upset since the Great Ragnar Miniatures Addiction of 2005.
Ja -eL
<Put on tin-foil hat>
Online storage... Not safe. For one, there is no guarantee it is deleted when you 'delete it'. Google Gmail is a good example. When you 'Delete Forever', it is not really truely deleted. In fact it is not even orphaned like a PC OS file is. It is easily retrieveable by law enforcement agencies. More importantly you are transmitting data in the clearm, on FTP or TCP unencrypted. Anyone with the will can intercept it. Any server it the packets travel through can be kept and the data reassembled. Also, as you may have noticed, companies have a tendency not to have secure consumer services. Those servers can often be cracked into or released into the wild accidently. Then their is the possibility they could lose your data. I am sure in any terms of use agreement you sign they state that any data lost while using their services is not something they can be held liable for. IE, they lose your precious only copy of business plan or maybe your prOn stash. I guess for data you dont care about, it is not really an issue. Anything of any value I wouldn't upload there though.
</put on tin foil hat>
O: Settlers of Catan is also a good game for non-gamer types.
Zar, el: I am not sure why the storage consumptions are not updated. Maybe they dont update the Quota charts on the fly. Maybe they are updated daily or hourly. I would check tomorrow and see if it is updated. Maybe their is two quotas. One for mail and one for non-mail. Although option #2 seems unlikely since the mail directory is nested within the root user storage directory.
D>M>
<Put on tin-foil hat>
Online storage... Not safe. For one, there is no guarantee it is deleted when you 'delete it'. Google Gmail is a good example. When you 'Delete Forever', it is not really truely deleted. In fact it is not even orphaned like a PC OS file is. It is easily retrieveable by law enforcement agencies. More importantly you are transmitting data in the clearm, on FTP or TCP unencrypted. Anyone with the will can intercept it. Any server it the packets travel through can be kept and the data reassembled. Also, as you may have noticed, companies have a tendency not to have secure consumer services. Those servers can often be cracked into or released into the wild accidently. Then their is the possibility they could lose your data. I am sure in any terms of use agreement you sign they state that any data lost while using their services is not something they can be held liable for. IE, they lose your precious only copy of business plan or maybe your prOn stash. I guess for data you dont care about, it is not really an issue. Anything of any value I wouldn't upload there though.
</put on tin foil hat>
O: Settlers of Catan is also a good game for non-gamer types.
Zar, el: I am not sure why the storage consumptions are not updated. Maybe they dont update the Quota charts on the fly. Maybe they are updated daily or hourly. I would check tomorrow and see if it is updated. Maybe their is two quotas. One for mail and one for non-mail. Although option #2 seems unlikely since the mail directory is nested within the root user storage directory.
D>M>
Hehe Woot!
Seems like there's definitely some pirates making out with the booty! heh. Totally off-topic and not commenting on the gameplay itself (since I haven't played it)
BGG is a great site... was looking through it after reviewing the dread pirate game. Found this: World of warcraft TBG http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/17223 Meh.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Charles B. Leighton Um.... that's Captain Leeton to you, sir.
Navigator
From Fremont California, he retired as a teacher and counselor. He saved the Belle and more B-17's after identifying false German radio beacons designed to lure unwary B-17s into harms way.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Have you guys seen www.Xdrive.com? kinda cool, but i'm wondering how safe it would be to store files over the internet, and would it be really that convenient as Broadband is not available everywhere you go. Really it's just a paid server service with a software interface. I think google is also offering something like it in the future.
Seems like there's definitely some pirates making out with the booty! heh. Totally off-topic and not commenting on the gameplay itself (since I haven't played it)
BGG is a great site... was looking through it after reviewing the dread pirate game. Found this: World of warcraft TBG http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/17223 Meh.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Charles B. Leighton Um.... that's Captain Leeton to you, sir.
Navigator
From Fremont California, he retired as a teacher and counselor. He saved the Belle and more B-17's after identifying false German radio beacons designed to lure unwary B-17s into harms way.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Have you guys seen www.Xdrive.com? kinda cool, but i'm wondering how safe it would be to store files over the internet, and would it be really that convenient as Broadband is not available everywhere you go. Really it's just a paid server service with a software interface. I think google is also offering something like it in the future.
Get Carcassonne
I know, I know. I am the big traitor/fence sitter/waffle king/sell out. But it is a great game for non-gamers, and there is enough fun for gamers. I just played a really fun game with Heather that included the *blush* expansions "King and Scout" as well as "Inns and Cathedrals" and it went down to the wire, with victory being claimed by a mear FOUR POINTS! It's a great game with a lot of laughing, blocking, building, etc. It's a very accessible game, IMHO, and the starting set is $20 I think.
Do it!
Dread Pirate
"Dread Pirate, Or Just Plain Dreadful!!!" - BGG
"Dread pirate: keep the money in your wallet!" -BGG
Man, it LOOKS awesome! But with review headlines like that, I might be tempted to spen my money elsewhere. It also resides on a Geeklist for Most Overproduced Games Ever. Take whatever anyone says on BGG with a grain of salt until you find someone that you can identify with, and then follow their reviews. Check the rules here!
Elder Scrolls
Oblivion should be finished in about 2 hours, let's see if it is a) a working copy, and b) not a virus... more later... in the meantime, let's cut out some ASL chits and play some more Might and Magic II!!!
I know, I know. I am the big traitor/fence sitter/waffle king/sell out. But it is a great game for non-gamers, and there is enough fun for gamers. I just played a really fun game with Heather that included the *blush* expansions "King and Scout" as well as "Inns and Cathedrals" and it went down to the wire, with victory being claimed by a mear FOUR POINTS! It's a great game with a lot of laughing, blocking, building, etc. It's a very accessible game, IMHO, and the starting set is $20 I think.
Do it!
Dread Pirate
"Dread Pirate, Or Just Plain Dreadful!!!" - BGG
"Dread pirate: keep the money in your wallet!" -BGG
Man, it LOOKS awesome! But with review headlines like that, I might be tempted to spen my money elsewhere. It also resides on a Geeklist for Most Overproduced Games Ever. Take whatever anyone says on BGG with a grain of salt until you find someone that you can identify with, and then follow their reviews. Check the rules here!
Elder Scrolls
Oblivion should be finished in about 2 hours, let's see if it is a) a working copy, and b) not a virus... more later... in the meantime, let's cut out some ASL chits and play some more Might and Magic II!!!
Yeah, I saw that.. but I also read some various review that liked the game as long as it was played with the optional "advanced" rules, and with some kind of add-on ruleset as well. Keep in mind I'm looking for something for the family to play.. who generally don't like playing anything remotely as complicated as the stuff we're prone to getting involved in.
Maybe I'll try to read through the rulebook if I can find a copy of it online and see what that looks like. Basically, I'm looking for something to get the family as a whole interested in doing something besides parking it in front of the TV on Friday nights.
Maybe I'll try to read through the rulebook if I can find a copy of it online and see what that looks like. Basically, I'm looking for something to get the family as a whole interested in doing something besides parking it in front of the TV on Friday nights.
the reviews at boardgamegeek make it sound kinda poopy art. they say the production quality is nice, but the game is super simple and boring. sounds like its just random rolling off each other. i want to raid your town, we both roll, higher roll wins. i want to trade with town, roll-roll- thats how much treasure u get. it's no EVEONLINE BAHAHAHAHA (which i bought and am enjoying besides this crappy feeling over me about having to move back home among other things.)
They should make a game about having to move back in with your parents.
They should make a game about having to move back in with your parents.
Wow man, that is MOST impressive. I haven't gotten back to Guitar Hero for a few weeks now. When last I played, I was stuck at the Hard level of BatM, didn't move on to Expert.
BOARD GAME QUESTION/OPINION:
What say you mateys about "Dread Pirate" as a board game? Attractive enough for the casual non-geek family member to be interested? Lame in general? Fun? Don't know? Give me thy wisdom!
OT: Got my history grade back today. 101% baby! Wheeee!
BOARD GAME QUESTION/OPINION:
What say you mateys about "Dread Pirate" as a board game? Attractive enough for the casual non-geek family member to be interested? Lame in general? Fun? Don't know? Give me thy wisdom!
OT: Got my history grade back today. 101% baby! Wheeee!
Hmmm...
Seriously, Johnny has always been on Action Team Annie, he just didn't do anything significant in the first flight storyline, so his name was not mentioned. I'll change that during the second write-up! Jarks. Well, Enron is a jark.
As far as the mega mail file, thats a weird one. I forgot we had a 1GB allowance, so I looked deeper. Yeah, there is a default mail file, that actually has no address, but has over 241,000 in the inbox. The trick is, there are so many it times out my attempts to log in! Hooray! So, I deleted the inbox file through the ftp, and turned on aging of the emails into that account to delete after one day. As far as deleting though the FTP has gone, the total space used hasn't changed, but the 850MB file is no longer in the FTP tree. Who knows. Enron?
Guitar Hero update: I hit 99% on Expert Bark at the Moon, and missed it by ONE NOTE!!!! THE LAST FREAKIN NOTE!!!!!! I have done both Texas Flood and Godzilla in expert so far.....
Seriously, Johnny has always been on Action Team Annie, he just didn't do anything significant in the first flight storyline, so his name was not mentioned. I'll change that during the second write-up! Jarks. Well, Enron is a jark.
As far as the mega mail file, thats a weird one. I forgot we had a 1GB allowance, so I looked deeper. Yeah, there is a default mail file, that actually has no address, but has over 241,000 in the inbox. The trick is, there are so many it times out my attempts to log in! Hooray! So, I deleted the inbox file through the ftp, and turned on aging of the emails into that account to delete after one day. As far as deleting though the FTP has gone, the total space used hasn't changed, but the 850MB file is no longer in the FTP tree. Who knows. Enron?
Guitar Hero update: I hit 99% on Expert Bark at the Moon, and missed it by ONE NOTE!!!! THE LAST FREAKIN NOTE!!!!!! I have done both Texas Flood and Godzilla in expert so far.....
I had to pull off some erroneous files from the server, we were at 99.06% capacity! I took off Enrons Italia files (28MB) and the ActionShots (6.5MB). I backed them up locally, so if anyone wants them, just ask.
BTW, Lt. Lee has been with the squad since it's inception! As navigator, you have only a very small range of fire from your gun. Art can back me up/explain better, but I think you have a small rear facing gun that can only shoot at 6 o'clock high, so it is your mission to get us where we are going, and only very occasionally have the opportunity to shoot the guns!
Eek!
BTW, Lt. Lee has been with the squad since it's inception! As navigator, you have only a very small range of fire from your gun. Art can back me up/explain better, but I think you have a small rear facing gun that can only shoot at 6 o'clock high, so it is your mission to get us where we are going, and only very occasionally have the opportunity to shoot the guns!
Eek!
I got my iron for the month!
Ja -El I think you joined the Navy with me. And then the commander in chief El Presidente Hass will add you to the bomber on their second mission. No training, just straight up, here hold this flight control yoke and I hope you like your new job. What a dick. You'd think he was working for the Germans. That and he hates you. That's his job in life.
Elzar: I agree with you on the game play. I like the unfolding of events. It is a story in itself but more fluid. Winning is nice, but not really my ultimate goal. BTW, awesome narrative.
O: Yeah I still have those sweet die rolling streaks, but not as bad as I used to.
D>M>
Ja -El I think you joined the Navy with me. And then the commander in chief El Presidente Hass will add you to the bomber on their second mission. No training, just straight up, here hold this flight control yoke and I hope you like your new job. What a dick. You'd think he was working for the Germans. That and he hates you. That's his job in life.
Elzar: I agree with you on the game play. I like the unfolding of events. It is a story in itself but more fluid. Winning is nice, but not really my ultimate goal. BTW, awesome narrative.
O: Yeah I still have those sweet die rolling streaks, but not as bad as I used to.
D>M>
White Beach Con!
Yay, I'm going to Aninouan, which is a white beach, rural, pretty untouched by population. It's going to be pretty fun I guess. My first trip to the outdoors. If your detecting a little mixed feelings, you're right. But not because I don't like going out, I just don't like nature much. TV, aircon, and the general Human Invented Gizmos, is what I'm all about. None of this hiking shit. So I hope 1) there will be something interesting, like snorkeling, or jetskis. or 2) lots of chicks so i'll get lucky and pass time that way. Whatever the case, i'm in for a treat.
A-on, the software compliments the boardgame. You retain the aspects of 6 people playing together, but the software just fills in some of the functions in the game, such as random events, combat resolution etc... With software you can increase the complexity of the game, and not just determining fate by 1d6 with rolling "1"s or "2"s to hit. etc
Finally, nothing much is new right now... and yeah, I'm tired of spending $$$ for online games. Just playing some old offline games at the moment. It doesn't have as much interaction, but games for me is just a mood balancer. Takes my mind off of shit otherwise I'd be thinking about and maybe I'd do something stupid.
Rude, glad you find my advice helpful. Just to let you know, I got interviews with Oracle, Logitech, Synnex, Creative labs, askjeeves.com and some others less notables, all through online (finding the contact person to talk to). I could have got some of them but I think part of my mood at that time was pretty depressing and it reflected in the interviews. Think positive!
Johnny
EDIT BLAVE: WTF? Did I avoid the draft? Or I was piloting the Messershmidt?
Yay, I'm going to Aninouan, which is a white beach, rural, pretty untouched by population. It's going to be pretty fun I guess. My first trip to the outdoors. If your detecting a little mixed feelings, you're right. But not because I don't like going out, I just don't like nature much. TV, aircon, and the general Human Invented Gizmos, is what I'm all about. None of this hiking shit. So I hope 1) there will be something interesting, like snorkeling, or jetskis. or 2) lots of chicks so i'll get lucky and pass time that way. Whatever the case, i'm in for a treat.
A-on, the software compliments the boardgame. You retain the aspects of 6 people playing together, but the software just fills in some of the functions in the game, such as random events, combat resolution etc... With software you can increase the complexity of the game, and not just determining fate by 1d6 with rolling "1"s or "2"s to hit. etc
Finally, nothing much is new right now... and yeah, I'm tired of spending $$$ for online games. Just playing some old offline games at the moment. It doesn't have as much interaction, but games for me is just a mood balancer. Takes my mind off of shit otherwise I'd be thinking about and maybe I'd do something stupid.
Rude, glad you find my advice helpful. Just to let you know, I got interviews with Oracle, Logitech, Synnex, Creative labs, askjeeves.com and some others less notables, all through online (finding the contact person to talk to). I could have got some of them but I think part of my mood at that time was pretty depressing and it reflected in the interviews. Think positive!
Johnny
EDIT BLAVE: WTF? Did I avoid the draft? Or I was piloting the Messershmidt?
Monday, March 27, 2006
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Mechanoramics
They were infact both ME109's and FW190's and some 110's! But in my notes, everything got all jumbly....
As far as mechanics go, it is a dice fest and random events generator for the most part. When decisions are made is when you determine who shoots and where, based on where the fighters are attacking from. And then the real good stuff happens when the fit hits the shan and you need to put out fires, move ammo around, fix systems if you can, drop from formation incase the heating goes out, where to move the wounded, etc. By and large, it's a sit there and watch events unfold sort of game; very thematic, which lends itself to little stories about the game. But I like rolling dice and looking up charts, so it's perfect for me.
One could easily make a computer game out of this, and automate most everything, but I am a traditionalist and enjoy the hands on approach. Infact, I am almost completely off of computer games! Particularly since my new addiction (Street Soccer) has arrived at my house in BG format, I no longer need the java version to get me through the day!
Actually, I have found more and more that I enjoy a game where I can watch event's unfold, and see the story played out infront of me. Regardless if I win or lose, I like to focus on recalling the events of the game, and replaying them in my head. Sure, I get bummed if I am getting smashed to pieces, and I am trying to change that about myself, and of course I am usually trying to win, but I really enjoy watching a game be played just for the sake of watching. You know?
Watching the poor, poor Butcher march behind what he thought was a wall of steel to his utter, and totally one sided demise by the hands of that bastard, Enron, was a terrible sight to behold, but man, I still think about that game in story terms, and replay the battle cinema style in my head all the time!
They were infact both ME109's and FW190's and some 110's! But in my notes, everything got all jumbly....
As far as mechanics go, it is a dice fest and random events generator for the most part. When decisions are made is when you determine who shoots and where, based on where the fighters are attacking from. And then the real good stuff happens when the fit hits the shan and you need to put out fires, move ammo around, fix systems if you can, drop from formation incase the heating goes out, where to move the wounded, etc. By and large, it's a sit there and watch events unfold sort of game; very thematic, which lends itself to little stories about the game. But I like rolling dice and looking up charts, so it's perfect for me.
One could easily make a computer game out of this, and automate most everything, but I am a traditionalist and enjoy the hands on approach. Infact, I am almost completely off of computer games! Particularly since my new addiction (Street Soccer) has arrived at my house in BG format, I no longer need the java version to get me through the day!
Actually, I have found more and more that I enjoy a game where I can watch event's unfold, and see the story played out infront of me. Regardless if I win or lose, I like to focus on recalling the events of the game, and replaying them in my head. Sure, I get bummed if I am getting smashed to pieces, and I am trying to change that about myself, and of course I am usually trying to win, but I really enjoy watching a game be played just for the sake of watching. You know?
Watching the poor, poor Butcher march behind what he thought was a wall of steel to his utter, and totally one sided demise by the hands of that bastard, Enron, was a terrible sight to behold, but man, I still think about that game in story terms, and replay the battle cinema style in my head all the time!
Woot! Home safe and sound.
How appropriate that Aaron "Lucky Dice" Killen would take the first shrapnel hit of the tour? LOL.
Small nitpick.. It's either Focke Wulf (FW) 190 or it's Messerschmidt (ME) 109 (or BF, depending on who the manufacturer was for the plane.)
=)
Can you tell us a little something about the mechanics of the game? Are there many decisions involved, or pretty much all randomly generated events?
How appropriate that Aaron "Lucky Dice" Killen would take the first shrapnel hit of the tour? LOL.
Small nitpick.. It's either Focke Wulf (FW) 190 or it's Messerschmidt (ME) 109 (or BF, depending on who the manufacturer was for the plane.)
=)
Can you tell us a little something about the mechanics of the game? Are there many decisions involved, or pretty much all randomly generated events?
Mission One
During the crew’s breakfast this morning, my co-pilot, Lieutenant Mangual, asked me, “What’s on the agenda today, Captain?”. To be honest, I had no idea. I mean, I knew that an airfield in Cherbourg was our mission, but I had never flown over France before, never flown a bombing mission, hell, I’d never been in combat before. How could I imagine what would await me and my crew over France? Not wanting to let on my own doubts, I replied, “the first of our 25 missions, and then we get to go home.”
I knew how unlikely it was that any of us would return home, but as Captain of the Action Team Annie, it’s my job to lead, keep morale high, fly the plane, and cross my fingers…
Bomber command tries to treat their new planes and crews somewhat gingerly, so we were fortunate to be sent on a mission with plenty of fighter escorts, and we were also kept well to the interior of the formation with a nice buffer of more experienced planes to keep the enemy fighters off of us.
Our first contact with the enemy came over the English Channel. Lieutenant Nikisch, our radio operator, notified me of a small flight of ME109’s made it through the layers of planes protecting us on all sides. However, before any of the crew were able to take a shot, our escorting Hurricanes chased them off.
As we made landfall over France, we made contact with another flight of enemy fighters, this time we were not be so lucky and it would be up to the crew to keep these fighters off of us. 3 ME109’s came at us from our 12 and 3 o’clock. Lieutenant Anderson opened up with the nose gun, Master Sergeant Munro with the top turret, Sergeants Petersen, Killen, Takara, and Walsh with the Ball Turret, port and starboard waist guns, and tail gun. Under the hail of fire, one fighter was hit and was forced to turn off the attack, but another fighter made it through, and unleashed hell on my plane and on my crew.
When it was all over, my starboard wing flap had ceased functioning, and Sgt. Killen had taken a nasty ricochet, tearing open a gash across his forearm. Fortunately, Killen was able to bandage his own wound and continue fighting. Then the flak started as we neared our target.
Though none of the flak hit us with any significant force, I did see the Southern Belle, who had been on our starboard wing the whole mission, go down in a ball of flame. I saw no one bail out before they dropped from formation and out of sight.
At least the skies were clear and Lt. Andersen had an unobstructed view of the target. So clear in fact, that he reports in the range of 92% of the bombs hit the target!
As soon as the bomb bay doors had closed, the formation turned around and headed home with surprisingly little to no resistance from the Germans. Over the English Channel we had a brief run in with a lone ME109 who had snuck through the defenses, the crew missed with all their shots, and fortunately, the 109 missed and peeled off as well.
The skies were clear over England and enabled us to make a safe landing. I called over the radio, “Congratulations on a successful first mission, gentlemen. One down, and before we know it, we’ll be going home.”
We were all a bit rattled from the day’s events and needed something to take the edge off. Walsh had been keeping a bottle of Champagne in his footlocker since we arrived in England, and the crew felt a little celebration in order. We toasted to the maiden flight of Action Team Annie, and promised ourselves we would throw ourselves a proper bash when we finished our 25th.
I really hope we are all around for that party.
During the crew’s breakfast this morning, my co-pilot, Lieutenant Mangual, asked me, “What’s on the agenda today, Captain?”. To be honest, I had no idea. I mean, I knew that an airfield in Cherbourg was our mission, but I had never flown over France before, never flown a bombing mission, hell, I’d never been in combat before. How could I imagine what would await me and my crew over France? Not wanting to let on my own doubts, I replied, “the first of our 25 missions, and then we get to go home.”
I knew how unlikely it was that any of us would return home, but as Captain of the Action Team Annie, it’s my job to lead, keep morale high, fly the plane, and cross my fingers…
Bomber command tries to treat their new planes and crews somewhat gingerly, so we were fortunate to be sent on a mission with plenty of fighter escorts, and we were also kept well to the interior of the formation with a nice buffer of more experienced planes to keep the enemy fighters off of us.
Our first contact with the enemy came over the English Channel. Lieutenant Nikisch, our radio operator, notified me of a small flight of ME109’s made it through the layers of planes protecting us on all sides. However, before any of the crew were able to take a shot, our escorting Hurricanes chased them off.
As we made landfall over France, we made contact with another flight of enemy fighters, this time we were not be so lucky and it would be up to the crew to keep these fighters off of us. 3 ME109’s came at us from our 12 and 3 o’clock. Lieutenant Anderson opened up with the nose gun, Master Sergeant Munro with the top turret, Sergeants Petersen, Killen, Takara, and Walsh with the Ball Turret, port and starboard waist guns, and tail gun. Under the hail of fire, one fighter was hit and was forced to turn off the attack, but another fighter made it through, and unleashed hell on my plane and on my crew.
When it was all over, my starboard wing flap had ceased functioning, and Sgt. Killen had taken a nasty ricochet, tearing open a gash across his forearm. Fortunately, Killen was able to bandage his own wound and continue fighting. Then the flak started as we neared our target.
Though none of the flak hit us with any significant force, I did see the Southern Belle, who had been on our starboard wing the whole mission, go down in a ball of flame. I saw no one bail out before they dropped from formation and out of sight.
At least the skies were clear and Lt. Andersen had an unobstructed view of the target. So clear in fact, that he reports in the range of 92% of the bombs hit the target!
As soon as the bomb bay doors had closed, the formation turned around and headed home with surprisingly little to no resistance from the Germans. Over the English Channel we had a brief run in with a lone ME109 who had snuck through the defenses, the crew missed with all their shots, and fortunately, the 109 missed and peeled off as well.
The skies were clear over England and enabled us to make a safe landing. I called over the radio, “Congratulations on a successful first mission, gentlemen. One down, and before we know it, we’ll be going home.”
We were all a bit rattled from the day’s events and needed something to take the edge off. Walsh had been keeping a bottle of Champagne in his footlocker since we arrived in England, and the crew felt a little celebration in order. We toasted to the maiden flight of Action Team Annie, and promised ourselves we would throw ourselves a proper bash when we finished our 25th.
I really hope we are all around for that party.
Gamers Grind
Isn't that basically what the computerized versions of Axis & Allies and Civ were. Certainly Civ was hugely successful, albiet quite an adaptation. Axis & Allies I never played, but it sounds good in theory. Blood bowl is another example. The BB online java was pretty slick, although a bit tempermental. They were very close to the rules. Or ASL, Ricochet Robot, or Ticket to Ride are other similar examples. The problem with games like that is they still serve a niche market. Most people do not want a boardgame simulation. Besides, you still need to know the rules to be good. Otherwise, you are kind of grasping since you would not know how the engine works.
Getting rid of the vast amounts of die rolling and calcs to concentrate on the atrategy of the game certainly has been tested and used to varying degrees of sucess. I still really like the die rolling aspect and the modifiers/calculations of most games. I also prefer the tactile/visual nature of most games that tend to be lacking in their video convertions. Magic online is a good example. It just didnt have the feel of the cards. I think computerized versions serve their purpose for gamers to fulfill their desire to play those games in the absence of opponents or against AI for practice. Besides a subsection of gamers is a small market. A subsection of a small subsection of the market.
D>M>
Isn't that basically what the computerized versions of Axis & Allies and Civ were. Certainly Civ was hugely successful, albiet quite an adaptation. Axis & Allies I never played, but it sounds good in theory. Blood bowl is another example. The BB online java was pretty slick, although a bit tempermental. They were very close to the rules. Or ASL, Ricochet Robot, or Ticket to Ride are other similar examples. The problem with games like that is they still serve a niche market. Most people do not want a boardgame simulation. Besides, you still need to know the rules to be good. Otherwise, you are kind of grasping since you would not know how the engine works.
Getting rid of the vast amounts of die rolling and calcs to concentrate on the atrategy of the game certainly has been tested and used to varying degrees of sucess. I still really like the die rolling aspect and the modifiers/calculations of most games. I also prefer the tactile/visual nature of most games that tend to be lacking in their video convertions. Magic online is a good example. It just didnt have the feel of the cards. I think computerized versions serve their purpose for gamers to fulfill their desire to play those games in the absence of opponents or against AI for practice. Besides a subsection of gamers is a small market. A subsection of a small subsection of the market.
D>M>
Board game / computer software hybrid
Something similar to this nature was tried prior and failed. Anyone remember TV football or WWF wrestling etc. I think the only VCR tape/ board game hybrid that were successful is the trivia type ie film & movies.
But I was thinking if you can create a random event generator software and then use that in conjunction with a board game or a card game setup. With computer software you can have endless possibility & events generated. It would only take a laptop. You can also have patches and make it collectible along with the cards/pieces.
By doing that you get rid of the endless manual calculations which we all love about computer versions of games, but still have the board game style. Even combat resolution can be randomly played out by the computer so that the players can focus more on the strategic portion of the game.
The possibility is virtually endless. You can do combat resolution as well, but I think most gamers like the die rolling aspect of board games.
Thoughts? comments? Flames? Feel free to add anything to this brainstorm.
Something similar to this nature was tried prior and failed. Anyone remember TV football or WWF wrestling etc. I think the only VCR tape/ board game hybrid that were successful is the trivia type ie film & movies.
But I was thinking if you can create a random event generator software and then use that in conjunction with a board game or a card game setup. With computer software you can have endless possibility & events generated. It would only take a laptop. You can also have patches and make it collectible along with the cards/pieces.
By doing that you get rid of the endless manual calculations which we all love about computer versions of games, but still have the board game style. Even combat resolution can be randomly played out by the computer so that the players can focus more on the strategic portion of the game.
The possibility is virtually endless. You can do combat resolution as well, but I think most gamers like the die rolling aspect of board games.
Thoughts? comments? Flames? Feel free to add anything to this brainstorm.
Myke Dennis failure.
And so, even with my retarded over-large posting trawling for responses from some team mebers, only Rude dog responded. This leads me to conclude what I already pretty much knew: It will be jon, me and a BART ride to the ecstacy of gaming. Boo... Oh well, you can all live vicariously through us.
Video gamin': You know, I think I do less video gaming right now than I have done since before nintendor NES was out in circulation. I just dont seem to have the time for it. If I game I sacrifce other things. I have mixed feeling about this. I miss the sweet sweet escapism and overstimulating action. I guess part of it seems to revolve around the state of games right now. Nothing really seems to get my rocks off. Most games like WoW and other MMORPG just turn me off. When Diablo I & II reigned supreme I liked the online portion, but, not for the random gamer factor. I liked the ability to make a closed server. I tend to be seriously anti-social online in games except with people I know in the real world. When I played Diablo, I played only with other Action Team dorks instead of the general public. Something about the anonymous nature of online games seems to bring out all the worst irk-some parts of peoples' personalities.
Plus, everytime I go to EB world, I am reminded how much the PC is slowly becoming the reheaded step child for the game development industry. The number of console games is so much larger than the PC. I like PC games more I guess. The console seems canned or limited for a lot of games. Besides consule game controllers flare up my wrist RSI. Stupid GT3 and GTA3
Plus, if I tore your legs off, you would look like snowmen.
D>M>
And so, even with my retarded over-large posting trawling for responses from some team mebers, only Rude dog responded. This leads me to conclude what I already pretty much knew: It will be jon, me and a BART ride to the ecstacy of gaming. Boo... Oh well, you can all live vicariously through us.
Video gamin': You know, I think I do less video gaming right now than I have done since before nintendor NES was out in circulation. I just dont seem to have the time for it. If I game I sacrifce other things. I have mixed feeling about this. I miss the sweet sweet escapism and overstimulating action. I guess part of it seems to revolve around the state of games right now. Nothing really seems to get my rocks off. Most games like WoW and other MMORPG just turn me off. When Diablo I & II reigned supreme I liked the online portion, but, not for the random gamer factor. I liked the ability to make a closed server. I tend to be seriously anti-social online in games except with people I know in the real world. When I played Diablo, I played only with other Action Team dorks instead of the general public. Something about the anonymous nature of online games seems to bring out all the worst irk-some parts of peoples' personalities.
Plus, everytime I go to EB world, I am reminded how much the PC is slowly becoming the reheaded step child for the game development industry. The number of console games is so much larger than the PC. I like PC games more I guess. The console seems canned or limited for a lot of games. Besides consule game controllers flare up my wrist RSI. Stupid GT3 and GTA3
Plus, if I tore your legs off, you would look like snowmen.
D>M>
I'm cautiously pessimistic about Oblivion. The last one in the series, Morrowind, the previous Best Thing Ever, was an ugly and buggy piece of shit; it was also boring. The one before that, Daggerfall, was also an ugly and buggy piece of shit.
Besides the random bugginess/shittiness, the real problem with those games, from my point of view, is that they were essentially plot-free sandbox games. I find those kind of games boring... there's so much to do, that there's nothing to do. Basically Morrowind had the plot and NPC depth of an MMORPG, without the other players to interact with.
That said, the screen shots are nice, and it sounds like they've tightened things up in this iteration. Maybe the third time's a charm.
Besides the random bugginess/shittiness, the real problem with those games, from my point of view, is that they were essentially plot-free sandbox games. I find those kind of games boring... there's so much to do, that there's nothing to do. Basically Morrowind had the plot and NPC depth of an MMORPG, without the other players to interact with.
That said, the screen shots are nice, and it sounds like they've tightened things up in this iteration. Maybe the third time's a charm.
yeah dude, i've been hearing some pretty good shit about it. i never played the one before it, Morrowind, but i'm hearing mixed things on which one is better (eh, nu-fanboys vs old-fanboys maybe.) yeah, in the process of acquiring it right now... slowly... 12k at a time /slashwrist. (hey, if i can save $50 bucks, more power to me, lawls.)
Oblivion
Have you guys SEEEEN this? Holy shit! Everyone I talk to is telling me to stay away from it, because it will eat up every last minute of my day and I will never sleep, eat or be with my family again. I've been looking up some info on the net about gameplay and it sounds like this is the best thing in non-linear gameplay EVAR. Even the NPCs use AI routines to decide where to go in their environment to eat, sleep.. what to say.. if they want to buy something, steal, fight.. whatever. WOW.
I'm thinking about picking it up, but I'm afraid I'll neglect everything that is really important in my life. LOL.
http://www.elderscrolls.com/games/oblivion_overview.htm
Have you guys SEEEEN this? Holy shit! Everyone I talk to is telling me to stay away from it, because it will eat up every last minute of my day and I will never sleep, eat or be with my family again. I've been looking up some info on the net about gameplay and it sounds like this is the best thing in non-linear gameplay EVAR. Even the NPCs use AI routines to decide where to go in their environment to eat, sleep.. what to say.. if they want to buy something, steal, fight.. whatever. WOW.
I'm thinking about picking it up, but I'm afraid I'll neglect everything that is really important in my life. LOL.
http://www.elderscrolls.com/games/oblivion_overview.htm
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