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alanschu

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Everything posted by alanschu

  1. I'd be hesitant to ascribe the stock prices to anything E3 specific, and not just "the stock market behaves in mysterious ways." Microsoft is the one getting skraked over coals, and Sony's stock has been pretty flat despite some feelnig they are the "clear winners."
  2. The best way for MS to make that restriction work is to leverage their infrastructure and connectivity to provide something that they otherwise wouldn't get. I think providing a place for people to sell their own used games (license transfer) would be an excellent feature, and as such this feature could also be extended as a way of lending games to people too (i.e. sell it for ultra cheap, if not free).
  3. I'm not even sure Sony made a splash. They just were preferred over a lot of what Microsoft was saying.
  4. Isabela has some moments of epiphany with the rivalry romance. That's not to say her friendship romance is a poor one, but I enjoyed her character coming to the realization that she can do more and be better than she has been.
  5. I don't think games actually look to push for realism (some do, but certainly not all, and that's okay). I think an important thing to note is that regardless of female and male depiction, there's an uneven distribution in what roles they typically play in games. Specifically with regards to male protagonists. I do think that if (magically), games suddenly all shifted to having males invoking homosexual relationships, there'd be a lot of discomfort among gamers. There's a good chance I'd even be one of them. The push is mostly a reflection of changes in demands. Some of them from people like me, that have been gamers for 3 decades, but I think the population of gamers has changed a lot. And I don't even mean the inclusion of females. I think demographic shifts with age groups have also been significant, both as gamers grow up, and as consoles like the Wii even have an appeal for people that don't typically classify themselves as gamers. For some, the Wii is equivalent of a gateway drug. Just as, for many, games like the Sims were their introduction into gaming. For myself, I more interested in diversity. I think, as gaming becomes more commonplace, it will exert greater social influence. So while people may groan that BioWare has more gay romances, I have no problems being a part of that as I think it helps perpetuate an idea that "being gay is okay." It'll hardly make many (if any) have epiphanies that go "You know, I was totally a homophobe, but now I'm totally okay with homosexuality," but it's all a part of socialization and the shifts it influences long term, so in that regard I consider it a positive. Hypersexualization for the point of hypersexualization is not something I really consider as a positive. In some cases it can work fine, but excessive use undermines both gamers and gaming culture in general, IMO. And I do include the hypersexualization of men as well. Although I'd need to experience more games where I play as a hypersexualized female with a hypersexualized male love interest to be fair, I think.
  6. Isabela is created as a juxtaposition. Her appearance is meant to illicit a stereotypical reaction. The thing about Isabela, however, is that her presence in the game is much more about female empowerment than female fan service. In fact, she's utilized in a variety of ways to throw the gamer off kilter somewhat. If you listen to Isabela's conversations, she is very much about empowering not only herself, but the other females of the group. She recognizes Merril's naivety, and takes her under her wing. Her and Aveline don't get along at all, but in the end she's still about smacking sense into Aveline for some of the absurd preconceptions and reservations that she has - and does so in her decidedly crude and Isabela sort of way. Yes Isabela fits a common trope, but her creation was done so in a way to challenge the stereotype, as opposed to simply being an attractive woman that exists solely to serve male love interests. She initially rejects Hawke, and ultimately isn't actually interested in any sort of maturing, serious relationship unless you happen to be rivals with her, a position that many gamers are unwilling to take (especially since most assumed Rivalry = bad). In my anecdotal experience, Isabela is typically a character that resonates quite strongly with female gamers actually. First impressions were typically not very favourable, but I think that is why many ended up really enjoying her as a character. At least in the discussions I have had. /shrug That said, I actually agree that BioWare can make much bigger steps in this direction and I hope they continue to do so. I don't doubt that Isabela was used in marketing because of her appearance rather than her character, and stuff like that is much less interesting and I'd like to see us be more bold in the ways that we approach appearance and marketing, rather than falling on the safe and easy tropes.
  7. Some women think otherwise. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9XDb0nxSO4 I don't think white knighting is a good thing. No one likes it when someone falsely represents their opinion. I had a guy get into a huge huff with my volleyball league, and then later said he wasn't doing it just for himself, but also for my own benefit. At that point I booted him from my team. Also, "nice guys" rarely are. Many of them don't really realize that they often place women up on pedestals, which has the unfortunate effect of not only making the woman uncomfortable, but ends up ultimately objectifying them. Many "nice guys" also get very frustrated when the mere act of being nice is insufficient to get a relationship (or even sex...) from a woman they are interested in. (I've struggled with this in my own past, to be honest). While I do know some women that find general trends for how women are depicted distrubing, I also know some that don't care. I don't hold this position on their behalf, however. I hold it because it's something I want to see improvements in.
  8. I think this is a reasonable hypothesis. Something I don't know if I properly considered. By making hyper sexualized games, you inevitably get discussions like this?
  9. Hmmm PS4 Online DRM dependent on publishers
  10. I find split screen much less common now. I mean, old computer games used to have split screen multiplayer as well. Consoles historically had the "it's much, much more difficult to copy the software" so they never had to adopt things like CD-Keys, manual key word verification, and the like. These things came into computer games because games were trivially easy to copy to another disc, and then finally required HDD installation. It was painless to buy a game, install it, and discard the disks/discs. So copy protection came in. With cartridge format, the ability to copy and play this data was much more difficult. The real issue is that Microsoft has pushed to letting the game be installed, and removing the CD check requirement. The only way that this can be implemented is if you have some form of copy protection. For myself, it seems like the inertia of console games has had it lumbering along the path established by PC gaming. I'm curious how different they will remain, going forward.
  11. I am pretty sure that that is precisely what he means (as opposed to people suddenly hating Valve)
  12. The critiques of Leliana's accent was some of my favourite levels of fan feedback hahaha.
  13. I have to admit, part of me wants Microsoft to win this generation of console gaming, just for the sheer LOLs.
  14. Always felt Viconia was overrated.
  15. Hah! The funny thing is that Deraldin doesn't know how to use the forum software in order to verify my guarantee!
  16. Piqued my interest too. If you get it on a PC I'll probably be game.
  17. Depends on what you're looking for from a game IMO. Length isn't the end all be all of value in a game.
  18. First off, the length of days has virtually no relevance to the gravitational pull of the sun. Second, the days are actually getting longer, as the Moon exerts tidal forces on the planet to slow down its rotation. Well, we can see stuff flying into it relatively consistently. Though it's all rather inconsequential when factoring in the total size of the star, however.
  19. I'm surprised to see them drop Hayter, but anyone thinking that Sutherland is a nothing, low-tier actor, is incorrect. As for "voice acting" credits, he was pretty much just a voice actor in Phone Booth as well. He has a recognizable voice and it fits the type of person that Snake is quite well. It's just, so did Hayter. I wonder if Hayter had gotten too expensive through some sort of "only I can be Snake" type of demands.
  20. Having secured some money, and realizing that much of his empire can be funded on the backs of others, Olaf's ambitions shifted to... grander things: Further, nature has done its course for his wounds Upon informing council of his plans to unite Norway under the banner of House Hrymjaskjodlr, Olaf had received initial doubts of skepticism: Hah! My ambition is well known, but you obviously all think I'm insane! This isn't something that will be accomplished next week. Or next month. It might not even happen in MY lifetime. Still, my House is ultimately stronger than all the others. We just need to start smaller. For example... this island. Marshall Freyr nods his head in agreement. Our Lord does have a point. The lands of our brothers are fractured. With some small gains in our own lands, we could easily muster enough forces to pick off other counties piecemeal. Gain enough, and we could probably form the Kingdom of Norway. But, my Lord, this will take... decades Olaf nods I understand, but what is life without goals! Hahahahaha! We'll not neglect opportunities on Eire either, however. I suspect we'll have many opportunties to grow our lands. After all, I have already grown my influence! Olaf brings in a child Say welcome Alfr Olafsson Hrymjaskjoldr! After a brief celebration, matters at hand lead all to agree that consolidating his own island is the most obvious first step. In his way, the independent county of Austisland. In order to do so, Olaf has brought in a Mercenary group.... of Irish brigands. The irony is not lost on Oddr: Heh, I find it interesting, my lord, that we finance Irish mercenaries with money from Eire! Olaf lets out a boisterous laugh: Haha, I have to admit I quite enjoyed that as well. Not that they care, as long as they get paid. It puts our forces over 2000 strong. Austisland will be unable to resist. Freyr walks into the room: The men have assembled sir. Shall we make way? Olaf grabs his gear: Not without me you won't. I'll hardly be one to miss out on a good siege! While the siege proceeded much as Olaf expected, there were some things he noticed... a certain, lack of zeal, that he once had. Perhaps receiving his wound, followed by his ambitions for wanting to lead his House to glory, he has had something of an epiphany that his House's influence relies on his being around to guide it to glory! A near miss on his life during the siege, combined with word that his concubine plots against him, has lead to Olaf being a bit more reserved on the battlefield, rather than recklessly charging in. That, and the expulsion of the concubine from his lands. He had attempted to imprison her, but she was able to flee. In any case, she is no longer his problem. ANd it did not take long, for the first steps of Olaf's ambitions to be accomplished: Oddr approaches Olaf Congrulations on your conquests my lord. I do feel that, given these accomplishments, there is nothing preventing us from officially unifying these lands. We could create the Kingdom of Iceland, increasing your prestige and the prestige of your House in the process. All it will take is some time to formalize the process and ensure our legitimacy. Olaf smiles I see nothing wrong with that suggestion. I do hope Ireland is up for funding my campaign to become the King of Iceland! Hahahaha! But first, how about we celebrate our successes! Who wants a party? How about one where we hang people! <.< But the partying has left Olaf feeling some impetuous! With his growing impatience, he then set his eyes on the nearby island of Faereyar. It is now a part of the Kingdom of Iceland... it's former ruler outright banished and the titles and wealth confiscated by Olaf himself. Shortly after this conquest, Kjartan meets with his King. Gracious Olaf, your exploits already do you great justice. However, we are at a time when further conquests may see our abilities to properly manage them complicated. We can't let ourselves get stretched too thin. We'll need vassals to run the lands. Olaf ponders this. I suppose Vassals may work in the short term. Although... another alternative is I grant future conquests to my sons! Kjartan responds: That would work my liege, though we'll need to wait for your sons to come of age still. Olaf sneers: Or, we just allow the existing vassals to rule until I see fit to take their titles and grant them to my children! Kjartan interjects: Such actions tend to not be seen well by other vassals my lord! Although, I guess if you are giving them... to... your sons... A small smile creeps onto Kjartan's face. I like your plan my Lord. Praise Hrymjaskjoldr! From there, Olaf set his eyes on the other Norweigan Principalities, as well as those of Ireland. His lands (and soldiers) growing rather quickly, the smaller, independent states will find themselves at his mercy. Research into which states have formal alliances with others will be primary importance.
  21. Computer and Console?
  22. You wouldn't expect 3000 soldiers to easily defeat 10 old veterans? Are we living in the same world? So you would expect a 60000 page novel to easily be superior to a 200 page one? I'm sure that a 600 hour movie must be superior to a 2 hour one as well. We are living in the same world. One of us just picks better analogies.
  23. I'm going to have to assume Poe's Law, since I figured it was quite obvious I don't equate file size with game quality. And no, I would NOT expect a game that is 3 GB to "easily own" (in any way aside from perhaps graphics) a 19 year old 10 MB DOS game. I won't go on about math, however, Mr. "Modern astronomy is a lie, the sun is God's Light and here's some woefully incorrect math that supports my incorrect assumptions"
  24. Ah. Yeah, as the article states, it's definitely a "casual piracy" prevention measure. It's funny because, for me, install off the disc is 10000x more appealing that running off the disc (both as a dev and a player!), but it'd be trivially easy to not pay for games simply by mass installing it everywhere (just like PCs back in the day). End up with the "communal" pool where everyone chips in to buy a game haha. This likely doesn't affect me (mostly because I'm unlikely to buy the console in general), but I'm curious if they come up with solutions for people in the military and the like. I do think that MS has an opportunity to leverage this restriction into other benefits (stuff like online reselling of games/license transfer and so forth), which I think would be a positive for the system. For myself, I'm curious how they'll do for games. If there's enough exclusives, will people ultimately capitulate? I do agree that this will place innate restrictions on MS's install base. Though if the connectivity leads to excessive use of digital purchasing, it could potentially still be better for their bottom line.
  25. Are you saying you'd like to discuss them (I am), or are you asking for an explanation?
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