Monte Carlo

I'm inclined to agree with Indira in that D2 is difficult to beat. However, D3 is now at the point where it's a worthy successor, even if it doesn't quite fill daddy's boots yet. But the new class, The Crusader, is better than the D2 Paladin and the game features that keep popping up are genuinely entertaining. For example, the random adventure mode that unleashes every monster and environment and just shakes them up so you can battle through them, is inspired. If ladders and PvP are your bag, though, D3 doesn't have them (yet). This game for me, as an ARPG fan, is a solid 8.5/10. It finally does what it set out to achieve in 2012.

Yeah the video is much better.

To be honest, if I were immortal I'd probably bone people of all genders, not least to combat the inevitable sense of ennui. There you go, an easy way of introducing pan-sexuality into a videogame, an entity so old they've outgrown traditional notions of sexuality.

I asked a friend of mine, who is Gay, what she thought of the coming-out soldier idea.* Her reply? "Only a straight guy would have thought of BS like that." * Hey Bruce, it's the forum bigot, MC, who was the best man at her civil partnership ceremony.

^ Marelooke, actually I think you were lucky coming to D3 late. We've been through a couple of sucky iterations of the game to get to the Reaper of Souls version. Which is really, really good.

^ And therein lies the rub, Bruce. You consistently fail to understand anybody who doesn't completely agree with you.

Bruce look at my posting history on the topic of gay rights in WoT. Then apologise for that comment. I have no problem with characters of any sexual orientation in games. What I don't like is patronising, politically-correct BS. Do you remember Nancy Reagan's 'Just Say No' campaign in the 80's? Entertainment that had to carry an orthodox political message of the day (vis a vis drugs)? Well strangely this Bioware developer's comments remind me of that. "Your entertainment has to have a morally enervating message, it's good for you." I ain't paying for that. The best way to represent gay characters in games? Make it no big deal. Don't moralise and don't patronise. Do you have any idea how awful the design concept of our-unit-is-more-awesome-now-we-celebrate-diversity is? Now put your strawman away. You don't own this issue. Those of us who don't ride libtard hooby-horses are as entitled to comment as those who do. You are riding a hobby horse, it's just a high hobby horse. No sh1t, Sherlock. Who is being patronising now? What did I say about that strawman? Apology please. You need to understand that tolerance works in different ways. Your Khmer Rouge education camp variety (doomed to failure) and a more easy-going version like mine (coming from what I like to call 'The Reality-Based Community).

The Crusader is already my favourite character class in D3. A proper toe-to-toe melee class in a way the Barbarian isn't.

* yawns *

Yes, I'm sure Bioware will make a game where super-powaz will emanate from the synergies between people's sexual orientation. Why did no one think of this before?

How about a game where "a soldier comes out as gay" and the rest of the squad aren't that bothered. Because they weren't bothered before and not bothered after. Social Justice Warriors. Sigh. Presumably the whole world is full of bigots who need rescuing by video games designers.

I don't think it was a low blow. It's like someone playing a flight sim but doesn't like landing or taking off.

I'm easy - if by pumping a stat you know you'll get a different response in dialogue then is it semantic to separate it from a skill? Why not have a high intelligence intellectual philosopher / warrior who gets different dialogue because of it? You're playing different ways with different skills. I always though having a low int / low cha character who could persuade the UN to invade somewhere because of dumpstat in 'diplomacy' sucked ass.

And it was something I've tried to consistently call out as one of our three foci for the project: exploration of beautiful environments, a reactive story with equally reactive companions, and party-based tactical combat. Josh, I think you've nailed The Holy Trinity of the IE games there. Mind you, it does remind me of the old spoof army recruitment ad...

Ha ha a strange pair of wings arrived in my Diablo 3 inbox this morning for pre-ordering RoS. But not the CE. I have to make do with golden ones.

I choose 'Tep's entry. Amentep, on 11 Mar 2014 - 4:48 PM, said:

They haven't revealed the other skills yet as far as I know.

All we need now are some tunnels and I'll die of happiness.

Obviously the Abrams is totally romanceable

I'd imagine it's both short and long-term. Digital content is up there forever. Which is a long time.

Man, I'm really struggling to see what the fuss is about. Will I get my pledge redeemed? Yup. Will I get my copy of the game? Yup. Will it be ready Q4 2014? (fingers crossed) Yup. Will folks get their DRM version if they want it? Yup. Ah, The Internet. A place where not even hard facts get in the way of a self-righteous panic. Creating and distributing digital content isn't a binary either / or process anymore guys. You can pick and choose indie and legacy models quite nicely. Which, as far as I can see, is exactly what's happened here.

If Avellone isn't licking envelopes in the basement then how are we going to get his DNA samples so we can clone him?

I'd like to thank my agent and God.

Yes... Let's just bring this out in the open. I'm a backer, and I have no interest in this crap right here! < Another "Paradox" game... Download / Client Manager is required, including for gameplay User account creation is required Warranties waived (excluding physical merchantability warranties) Cover waived against any unforeseeable damages, disruptions of service Users must accept ALL changes to the Policy before playing the game. Difficult to read, understand and is inconsistently worded Drafted to only abide by the laws of Sweden1 Users not visibly notified of any changes made to the EULA / TOS Can’t review and query changes made to the EULA / TOS License to play the game only provided No refunds or exchanges for purchased games Circumvention of Steam DRM prohibited Not permitted to create “mods” Monitoring services / software are required to play Leviathan: Warship Warranties waivered (excluding physical merchantability warranties Class Action Waiver Cover waivered against any unforeseeable damages, disruptions of service Termination process dictated by Paradox Interactive Arbitration process isn’t freely-provided and is overseen by Paradox Interactive2 Note that 1 & 2 are just about a contridiction... Governed by the laws of Sweden & binding arbitration? I did not sign up and back this project for more publisher bullsh*t! If this is the way it's going to go Obsidian, you can take my signed copy right out behind the studio and toss it in the dumpster. I am GDS&T of publishers and their... crap. I have to deal with the atrocities of licensed commercial software all day long at work. I will not come home and deal with product activation and always-on bs and giving me crap about making mods. Seriously... I won't be back to kickstart anything you do, ever again. Don't make go pull Southpark off my wishlist.

Hi development people. As you play through bits of the game, testing this and that, what are your favourite character classes? And could you tell us why? I'm not necessarily after hard data on skills and spells, just the feel of the characters and the cool factor. Thanks.