Thorton_AP

Wouldn't Steamworks take care of connectivity for MP and whatnot?

Was there a setting for this? It has been a long time since I last played FO3, but I vaguely recall area being rather barren after I cleared them out.

That is one thing I absolutely hated about STALKER as well!!! So annoying!

For contemporary RPGs, it was a shift away from the full lines of dialogue that had become pretty common. It's not new, but it was different compared to most recent RPGs.

Well, it's not like he knew it was going to be a DRM thread based on the subject alone.

If you don't feel there are similarities, then you don't feel that there are similarities. I definitely hope that AP is a kickass game and I think it's shaping up nicely.

Does the game default to first person view?

Honestly I don't expect the AI for this game to be all that stellar.

I don't recall stating that I felt Alpha Protocol resembled Mass Effect in terms of depth of dialogue (because I have not experienced the depth of dialogue). Though speaking of dialogue, going with an intention based paraphrase system, instead of full lines of dialogue, would be a similarity. It also makes sense for them to do so because they want to keep the intensity of conversation high, while also providing a cinematic experience (something I also compare with Mass Effect). I make the comparison because I see it that way. Not because Obsidian made sequels to BioWare games. Please do not make assumptions You're awfully defensive then, towards someone that sees similarities between another game. It's like I've insulted your baby or something. Heck, the fact that I said I find similarities, you felt compelled to illustrate to me that those attributes could be ascribed towards any game. Seems pretty clear to me that you feel offended that someone would compare Alpha Protocol to Mass Effect, and are doing whatever you can to ensure that other people do not also see that there are similarities. At no point have I said that Alpha Protocol is of the same quality as Mass Effect. It's impossible for me to know that at this stage. You seem to be concerned because you didn't like Mass Effect's quality, and seem to feel that if you're not actively disagreeing with those that see things differently than you, then it's like you're admitting that Alpha Protocol will be of the same quality as Mass Effect or something. I find your behaviour very baffling to be honest.

Why do you seem to take offense to the fact that I see it as having similarities to ME? I have not played Gears of War, nor have I played Resident Evil 4. I consider my impression to be a positive aspect for Alpha Protocol. You obviously don't share my perspective, and that's fine. No need to make a big deal about it. I liked Mass Effect. I think that at a quick glance, there are apparent similarities to it in Alpha Protocol. I don't consider this a bad thing or a sleight on Alpha Protocol.

J'Accuse!

If I remember correctly, the Radeon 5850 might be better price performance ratio and can save you some money. I have one and it plays new games very, very well.

Don't mention it. You remind me of Bugenhagen from FF7

Unless you're Infinity Ward, I suspect all companies refer to it as "we" as they should. Fallout: New Vegas, and your excitement for it, wouldn't even exist if Bethesda hadn't agreed to let Obsidian work on it. You might not like it, but that's the way it is. Seems like a pretty insignificant thing for you to get upset about personally. Oh well.

They're all in it together for making and releasing the game.

I think there are some similarities to Mass Effect, but I don't think that's a bad thing. The combat style seems similar, although more determined by your character skills. Basically it seems like a more RPG Heavy Mass Effect. There are some other differences, and I think the writing and choices/consequences will be significantly improved, but I don't think the comparison is that far off. Especially at first glance. Both are different beasts as they try to do different things.

Isn't that an important tenant of fascism? Its an important tenant of political thought since the dawn of man, so I don't see where you're going with this. Should people just allow themselves to be subjugated, especially if they have the power and capabilities to not be? The Jewish people (Godwin's Law! woo) seemed to do a pretty good job of not outright resisting their place in hierarchy, and that didn't really go so well for them. Should the American people have just let the British push them around? It was pretty disrespectful of them to go around revolting, and they should have understood their place in the hierarchy. I mean, the thoughts and actions of the Thirteen Colonies certainly seemed to cause some general instability in the British Empire. Basically where I'm going with this, is that your comment was bunk. It's easy to say that a clear hierarchy benefits overall stability when you seek to maintain the status quo. I'm sure the current American people are rather appreciative that their ancestors didn't seek to maintain the status quo. But maybe I'm incorrect in my assumptions?

Isn't that an important tenant of fascism?

I have never heard of this convention.

I probably wouldn't bother raising both flags. I doubt it'd cross my mind at all before this conversation. Is the real issue that you feel offended because they weren't also flying the American flag?

Debt isn't necessarily bad. My parents remortgaged their house at a low interest rate (3.5% APR), and reinvested it and are earning 8% growth in that investment. It's risky, but they have collateral (the house) and they felt it was worth it. Dunno if the government has collateral though.

This wasn't an exclusive Cinco de Mayo celebration, this was a school. Should it matter where it happened? I never used the term exclusive. I just said "a place" because I believe it could be anywhere. How would Americans have felt if, July 4th 1777, a bunch of people came to a U.S. school wearing clothes that had the Union Jack on it. Or is it just dismissed because it's not 1777. Take a group of people that feel oppression for whatever reason (colony status, or racism), and during a day they celebrate, I think it is safe to say the chances of something less cordial occurring increases. I don't think it was handled well by the vice principal, but at the same time I don't think the kids exercised good judgment. On the plus side, it doesn't sound like anyone celebrating Cinco de Mayo actually did make a stink about it.

Meh, I could see Americans (or any culture) taking notice if they were on the opposite end of the spectrum. Put a group of Americans in a place where they're celebrating 4th of July in Mexico, and have a few Mexicans decide to wear their Mexican flags to the event, and I'd be surprised if no one said anything about it.

If you were to take an insular group of Irish people at the bar celebrating St. Patrick's Day, and you came around wearing American flags and came into that bar, I could see some raised eyebrows. If it was a situation where there was known tension, it could escalate. Since it was mentioned earlier, this reminds me of people getting upset because there is a "Black History Month" and state "Why isn't there a White History Month." I'm skeptical that the kids wore it to not be confrontational. I remember being a kid and I could see myself doing something similar just to stir **** up. Especially if I come from a family that is particularly outspoken against Mexicans.

I think this would be like going and practicing a religion in front of an institution that practices another. (i.e. go in front of a Christian church and start preaching paganism or some heathen religion). It'd be in bad taste. EDIT: HAHA, I didn't see Calax's post when I posted