EnderAndrew

Hades had his rule that games should cost $1 for each hour of gameplay they offered, while he calls a 50-60 hour RPG selling for $25 to be overpriced before even trying it.

The purpose of genre monikers is that by categorizing and classifying an item, an audience knows what they are getting. Orson Scott Card covered the subject quite well in "How To Write SciFi and Fantasy" where he described why certain "set pieces" define various genres, despite attempts after the fact to bend of redefine genres. Various hybrids abound, but if we call a game a FPS/RPG hybrid, the audience knows what they are getting. They are getting a FPS game with stat-based gameplay on the side. When you make a FPS with an interactive story, no one markets it as a FPS/RPG hybrid. Only games with stat-based gameplay get the RPG moniker for a reason. Vocal minorities that expect excellent, fully-featured RPGs with gripping storylines may attempt to redefine the genre on their own terms, but they won't change what has been accepted as industry standards for decades. I said when the primary game mechanic is driven by stat-based gameplay. In Forza Motorsport, the primary game mechanic is driven by twitch reflexes, specifically by driving. Thusly, it is a driving game, though it has elements of stat-based gameplay and progression. I don't understand what you are saying. Are you saying that a game is both an Action game and an RPG at the same time? In any medium there are entries that blend various genres, and they are marketed as cross genre titles. You could have an Action/RPG title. However, it is not solely an Action title while at the same title solely an RPG title. It is precisely an Action/RPG title.

That monkey has gonads.

See that's the thing. If the more modern notion of a storyline is essential for the RPG moniker, then we erase many of the early RPGs that made the genre. Add that to the fact that strong storylines and character interactions can be found outside the genre, and suddenly the arguement for story being a factor in the genre's defintion is pretty weak. We can argue what type of RPGs we like, or what an ideal RPG is, but the definition of the overall genre is what the industry has called an RPG for 30 years. That definition has been stat-based gameplay. Edit: Furthermore, if Wil Wright doesn't call the Sims an RPG, nor does anyone at Maxis or EA, then why should we recategorize what the industry recognizes as a Simulation/Sandbox game?

If playing a ROLE defines a CRPG, then Half Life 2 is a CRPG since you play a specific role in the story, interacting with characters along the way. It just doesn't work. Futhermore, discounting stat-based gameplay as the defining aspect of the genre, and requiring an interactive story negates many early RPG classics that were light on story. GTA:SA is an interactive story with character development, character interactions, and it also has stats! Is that an RPG? No? Why not? Because the primary gameplay mechanic is not stat-based. When the gameplay is driven by stats, the game is called an RPG. When the gameplay is not driven by stats, it is not called an RPG. So what defines an RPG? Could it be stat-based gameplay?

Kilborn started the Daily Show back in 96 and ran it through 98. Then he took over the Late, Late show and Stewart took over the Daily Show.

Fixed!

You interact with characters in MGS:2. It has quite a good story too. But her definition would rule out 90% of the early RPGs. Apparently the early Might and Magic games, Wizardry, Ultima, etc. aren't RPGs. An RPG is defined by stat-based gameplay, period. That is why Diablo is an RPG even if it isn't your preferred type of RPG.

I've read quite a bit on Eve, and instead of level-grinding, it is resource-grinding. There are several famous scams from Eve, and tons of PKing even though there are PvP free areas.

I like the Daily Show. I like John Stewart. But I'm one of like 3 people in this world that preferred it when Craig Kilborn was host.

Character development could be a story thing, and not stat-based. Then MGS:2 is an RPG because of its interactive story and character development.

Everyone needs to show up an hour early and get all the bukkake jokes out of their system so we can play.

I just avoid war for the most part and win with culture.

I think Eddie Vedder is one of the best/most important lyricists of our generation. Here are two songs to compare and contrast. i admit it...what's to say i'll relive it...without pain backstreet lover on the side of the road i got a bomb in my temple that is gonna explode i got a .16 gauge buried under my clothes...i play. once upon a time i could control myself once upon a time i could lose myself oh try and mimic..what's insane i am in it...where do i stand? indian summer i hate the heat i got a backstreet lover on the passenger seat i got my hand in my pocket so determined discreet...i pray. once upon a time i could control myself once upon a time i could lose myself once upon a time i could love myself once upon a time i could love myself once once once -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I wish I was a neutron bomb for once I could go off I wish I was a sacrifice but somehow still lived on I wish I was a sentimental ornament you hung on The Christmas tree I wish I was the star that went on top I wish I was the evidence I wish I was the grounds For 50 million hands upraised and open toward the sky I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me I wish I was as fortunate as fortunate as me I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro's hood I wish I was an alien at home behind the sun I wish I was the souvenir you kept your house key on I wish I was the pedal brake that you depended on I wish I was the verb 'to trust' and never let you down I wish I was a radio song, the one that you turned up I wish... I wish...

Stat based gameplay.

I still think it is unreasonable to say this wouldn't have happened if the war in Iraq didn't happen, which some have suggested. They say the War is responsible for budget concerns, and that is why the leevies haven't been maintained in decades. Consider that logic. Local governments haven't maintained the leevies for decades, but that is really due to a recent event on the federal level.

I think the concept of a grizzled war vet had potential, but I didn't care for the voice actor. I think he ruined it for me.

And it lacks the depth of other games.

Look at how well Diablo and Dungeon Siege sold.

The politics and jihad that are supposed to be in-character are really out-of-character. There is a membership class rating to reflect your work and contributions to the club. Those with a higher membership class can play Eldars and such. Except Membership Class is handed out for free to friends-of-friends while those who actually slave for the club get nothing. Also to keep the chronicle consistent, and to keep 90% of the people from playing supposedly rare concepts, you need storyteller approvals. You need local ST approvals for minor things, then domain ST, regional ST, national ST, etc. Again, ST Approvals are handed out amongst the old-boys network, and denied to other rather arbitrarily. I've also seen people suspended, and characters desanctioned because of out-of-character menial conflicts. Piss off someone with authority, and reap the consequences. LARP games move real fast since you're not waiting on a Storyteller. You just roleplay in character for hours, with a rather large group of people. While you are having your scene with the Nosferatu Primogen, stuff is happening concurrently across the room, and down the hall, not to mention all over the globe. So there are certainly merits to the Camarilla.

Slacker. God only loves you when you kill infidels.

Yes, but why nominate him for being a GREAT villian? Several people have done as such. He is cliche at best.

I'm a liberal by 90% of my political beliefs, and I voted for Bush both times, despite not liking him. I voted for Bush because I loathed his opponent both times.

I like Hades as a person, but I don't expect him to stand behind his statements here. I thought he wasn't going to buy KOTOR:2, but apparently he did. I thought he was never going to buy console games, but he did. I thought he never owned a console until recently, but he talks about his years of console gaming. Now he is forgoing PC games, but I bet he'll buy the next PC RPG that he fancies. Hades is just bitter. I guess that comes from living in Iowa.

So you were that one liberal that showed up.