Morgoth

People might not heard of it, but Dragon Age is coming out soon-ish.

Never liked those junkies, so I don't care about their demise.

Looks horrible.

The best levels a created by those who do both jobs.

So, because he's some 140 years old his life gets spared, while his younger bretheren get cooked alive? This is unfair!

Wouldn't it be then an Action game instead?

My prediction is very positive: DA will own every past Bio title (including BG2), and ME2 shall be an improvement over ME.

Indeed. Because ME was owned by Bioware. But we won't see a Halo 3, Halo Wars, Gears of War 2 and possibly Fable 2 on PC as well. I mean there was Halo 2 and that horrible Shadowrun FPS that were released on the PC, but those were butchered afterthoughts to only cash in for their Vista promotion. Shows how much MS is dedicated to PC games.

You honestly think skill checks in conversation is what constitutes an RPG? Oh...I see. Defining an RPG and all that. For starters, let me just say that a game that has stats (like NOLF2, Shock 2) does not automatically makes it an RPG. When I think of RPGs, I think of that stuff that Bioware, Obsidian....and even Bethesda makes. Some better, some worse. But they got it all included: Conversations, skill checks, quests that can be solved in arbitrary sequence, level-up system, character driven nature (except Beth games, which are player driven).

I don't think the EA/Bioware combo is bad. Bioware enjoys a lot of autonomy within the EA group - the Doctors just make sure to keep John Riccitello drugged.

The theme of an area is part of the Art Directors role, the actual building blocks of it is the level designers role, and the asset content is an environmental artists role. I am not actually disagreeing or agreeing with exact issues, I'm just trying to inform people of roles as structure within the games industry. It's like pointing a finger at the wrong person as the cause of a problem... It's actually someone else who's screwed up. You don't need to tell me about defining roles about creating environments.... I know that the level designer is responsible for all the scripting, placeables and the general layout that serves gameplay purposes etc. The point is just, that this get's a bit blurry in ME, or it seems to me that the envirionment artist just took over the role of the level design as well. As I said, like a movie set, it's functual, but it doesn't offer any interesting gameplay. This is very critical for FPS. Why not for RPGs? Just look how well the maps in HL2, Bioshock etc. come together. It's truly a shining example of how well designer and artists can work together. Bioware has still a lot to learn in that regard.

A theme, a purpose...that's the key. The point is that ME's level design was kept to an minimum. Sure, there were all necessary entities and actors to advance the story, but it was all so abstract...like a movie set. It didn't felt like a real place. There was neither architectual/artistic glory in the places, nor any way to provide some exploration.

Halo is an RPG because I can assume the role as the Master Chief!

Neither of these games had multiple choice conversations with skill checks. Deus Ex did have some MC options, but that was all about buying ammo, darts or pepper spray.

System Shock 2 was a FPS with many stats. Deus Ex was a FPS with decent stats. NOLF 2 was a FPS with minor stats. There was no Roleplaying, in none of the three.

I think you mean

Here.

Oh man didn't you read what I wrote? This was pertaining to the US. I think they still use those thicker paper boxes, not sure however. Stores there would save alot shelf space if they'd change them to the DVD cases, like in Europe.

First, I don't need printed manuals to play a game. Those times when they were needed to play a F16 simulator are over. Also, think of the trees. Second, PC games get released in slim DVD cases (you know, like 360 games) across Europe, not only in the mighty Austrian Empire. Weheeee!

I agree that the story related missions very adequately fine. Some better (the proteans ruins), some less stellar (ice planet, concrete hallways). I wished they'd have skipped the uncharted worlds completely, and instead extend the story missions by length and quests, or even add another planet. Now the Citadel however felt disappointing. Visually, it wasn't very striking (I remeber Taris from Kotor actually amazed me when I entered it the first time). Unintereting architecture, and overall confined feel, and badly used space. It felt more like a movie set, less an actual space station. More disappointing however was the lack of interaction (i.e. quests you could accept). There's really room for improvement. Gears of War 2 showed that UE3.x can manage both detailed and huge levels easily.

I find it hard to even consider the general planets as levels... They seem procedurally generated(Doesnt not mean they are). The planets in ME were a height map and a random number generator. False. It was a height map, randomly generated. Plus there were a few prefabs. Pure level design genius. Even a friggin N00b could have designed more interesting "uncharted worlds".

There is a common sense of the country, Israel, always being a hair's breath away from destruction, no doubt as a result of the 6 day war. I am always weary of patriotism, it rarely brings out the best in people. I mean, it can sure, but most times it makes you blind to your own failings. Yeah but that one chick sitting on the bomb is really hot don't you think?

Heh, why not.... Nice pictures.

Talking about shelf space, are PC games in the US still produced as these mini-boxes? You know, DVD format, but at least twice as thick. They could double shelf space if they'd change to DVD cases instead.

I don't know about the rest of Israeli girls, but if they're as beautiful as their counterparts in the military... man, EVERY SINGLE female Israeli soldier I've seen has been smoking hot. I'm not sure if these are actual soldiers, or only models put into uniforms for a nice photoshooting. And if they're actual soldiers, then I'd like to know if they're in the infantry on the front, or desk writers for commando HQ. Either way, some look okay-ish, some are actually ugly. But hey, different tastes and all...