BruceVC

I don't agree that Romance implemented under the circumstances you mentioned wouldn't be realistic. In fact its exactly the emotional response you would expect Let me explain further, lets say the party has survived this epic battle against untold evil and diabolical beasts. Death was possible...even likely but somehow they survived. They would return to the Inn and reflect on the battle and how fortunate they are to be alive. Alcohol would be flowing and various emotional bonds and personal connections would be reinforced. Now two of the party members also happen to be attracted to each, why wouldn't they retire to the room together? Historically we know that suffering leads to many people using sex as a form of succour. There is this view that today could be your last day so why wouldn't you pursue a Romantic interest? So in summary Romance in any typical RPG journey and adventure is not only likely its realistic

Volo, you need to understand that we just arrived at the age when we have too much stuff going on to dedicate ourselves to virtual toils and wanderings. Its new to us. I am still surprised by the number of people who for a variety of reasons just don't finish the games they purchase I was under the mistaken impression that generally most people finish the games they play. Let it not be said these forums aren't source of information

http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/30/the-pc-gamer-top-100/ So another list of 100 best PC games of all time but from the very credible PC Gamer Not a bad list but I question there number 1 game

What I always find hilarious is where someone doesn't know Volo and they think they are going to have serous debate with him for the first time, then you throw in the fact that English isn't everyone's first language and you have a recipe for some very funny exchanges

For me IWD highlights everything wrong with a game where you don't have meaningful party interaction, like being able to talk to your party members or Romance Its an entertaining game and fun but you notice the fact that your party members are just paper dolls and lack any substance. You never build a connection with them and for me I only cared if they lived and died because they assisted in combat

You have no clue what you are talking about Bruce. Geez sorry for making a suggestion, I'll just keep quiet and not say anything next time

OH MAN 1) I'm assuming you're Russian. With all due respect, I know dozens of russians both as friends and through work (teaching english) and yet I know NOTHING of your politics. Why? Because I've yet to find a russian active in politics who actually pays attention. I'm highly curious when it comes to cultures and always ask these types of questions, but every Russian responds to questions about politics with "I don't pay attention cause it's all rigged and doesn't matter," "Putin's ok I guess" or "Putin is hot" from the younger women. Please, by no means is the west perfect or innocent of lying itself, but I have a very hard time hearing such a bold claim from a russian when - in my experience - it seems glaringly obvious the fox is guarding the hen house over there and half the population is none the wiser. I would love to hear some political explanations for why Russia's current system and manner of doing things allegedly works whereas democracy doesn't. And no not "I have an article by a fringe opinion supporting that idea!" I mean actual logical step-by-step arguments. 2) It would be exceedingly easy to take a photo of any run-down house in Russia and apply bleak-looking filters on it and say "look Russia is collapsing." Likewise you can find anti-ANYTHING arguments in any country. Your very own Ayn Rand is an example of a counter-culture to communism, and yes the USA for example does house counter-cultures to democracy and capitalism. Their existence doesn't signify utter doom impending, it's natural for counter-cultures to exist whenever the culture fails someone, which is inevitable. 3) You realize that not only do you have to consider admittedly corrupted democracies such as that in the USA, but peaceful ones functioning perfectly in countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Canada? It's very naive to claim liberal democracies are on the brink of self-destruction when the most peaceful and happy countries in the world just so happen to be liberal democracies. I'm all for critical discussion and constructive debate, but your statements wreak of blind patriotism that's too loyal to see the world around you for what it is. Trust me, I know DAMNED well there's flaws to the USA and other western democracies, but I'm realistic about their flaws. I don't go screaming about how they're about to implode when the reality is they need to shape up a bit, but it seems hysterical reports constantly leave the mouths of the russians. FFS, I remember about 4 years ago some Russian guy posted some claim that the United States was "ON THE BRINK OF ANOTHER CIVIL WAR AND DISSOLVING FULLY" and even had little sections divided up and a long BS theory about how it'd split and why, and how the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West Coast etc would all break down and form smaller countries. Of course it all turned out to be horse **** and sensationalist hooey that's on par with a guy who spends all day writing Spiderman Fanfiction (no offense intended to Spiderman fanfic writers, I merely mean your work is by no means srs bsns, nor is that guy's "work"). Please, for the love of God, learn to recognize flaws and strengths objectively. I actually like when Russia and the USA criticize each other because both usually offer very valid criticisms of each other, but this? This isn't one such case. This is problems in democracy being at about a 4 being treated as though they were at a 10. Ok, I'm going to assume you don't know Oby and just throw this out there. The time you spent writing this would have been better spent killing fire ants one by one with a pair of tweezers. He won't listen to anything you say and any response you get will only be intended to provoke you. Don't get me wrong we all love Oby here but he's sort of like the crazy uncle at the family reunion. Sometimes it's best just laugh at what he says and otherwise leave him alone. Just sayin'. " killing fire ants one by one with a pair of tweezers" That's a good one, I have never that one before. Is that a local Tennessee saying?

Are you sure you didn't get beaten because you aren't fully comfortable with how the combat works? This often happens in games like this and then people tend to blame the game for losing a particular battle ?

It is fitting though, a lot like characterizations of anyone that has a problem at all with "Anita" as the rape and death threat makers. There is nothing fitting about the article or applicable to it around the campaign for gender equality It says that consensual sex is akin to rape and consensual sex is harmful to women, it is offensive and egregiously flawed But what is worse is you guys thinking this is what gender equality is about or what gender equality stands for

For me that sounds like an absolutely horrendous experience, I can't believe you enjoyed it Are there stop signs in Austria ... there are many of them here, and not a single bicyclist stops at stop signs. Even the dressed-up nitwits in biker shorts, the shoes, and jersey, completely ignore basic road rules. They want equal treatment and share of the road without earning the privilege. I was just wondering if it's a worldwide phenomenon. Bike people in South Africa are very militant and aggressive on the roads, but I suppose its because there have been several bike fatalities caused by cars crashing into people on bikes?

http://witchwind.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/piv-is-always-rape-ok/ This is what we are dealing with folks. They can not be reasoned with, have no problem destroying lives to further their agenda, and are likely in need of mental health services. I don't know why you guys are so concerned about these types of articles, it is obviously very subjective and the majority of people who care about gender equality would reject this. Its almost like some of you search the Internet and look for the most radical and offensive feminist perspective you can find and then use it as a way to dismiss the entire movement. I don't get it. As I keep mentioning this type of view does not reflect what the majority of people who support gender equality believe in

Volo did you read that Polygon article I posted? Its very relevant and discusses why we nowadays have games that basically cater primarily for male gamers

Yes, what could go wrong with an out of control, lawless government? Well, let's look at a country slightly ahead of us on the curve: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11059138/Rotherham-In-the-face-of-such-evil-who-is-the-racist-now.html Also this post doesn't support a view that the "end is nigh " Its an appalling story but to me it just highlights a systemic failure of certain child protection institutions in the UK and a harsh reality check that sometimes cultural sensitivities can be flawed. Because one of the reasons the abuse was able to go on for so long was a concern that the Pakistani community in this area would see an investigation as a personal attack on them. But the fact that we now know about it and people were prosecuted is a good thing

I liked the page layout and the design sense. But the author reveals some suspect logic, IMO, very quickly - followed by Emphasis mine, but isn't "Maida's point" that there shouldn't *be* a distinction (ie there shouldn't be an aisle for Maida, but an aisle for all kids with all kinds of toys), not that there hasn't been enough stuff made for her (to form her own aisle)? Good post, I am glad you like the article. Its an old one that Alan posted last year but I found it again recently To answer your question I see where there is a contradiction in the points you listed. Yes there should be only one aisle that contains games suitable for boys and women. But I think the highlighted part is not what Maida wants, in other words her own aisle, the author is just highlighting the fact that you couldn't full a Maida aisle with games for her even if you wanted to

Really that's your answer... Your country isn't in Ukraine? Well they might as well since they have been everywhere else... Of course Walsie is right, the misinformation of the Iraq invasion is nothing compared to the complete and severe lies that Putin keeps making. Putin obviously thinks the international community is stupid. Also what has Putins mendacious nature go to do with the " lies " that the West made in the past. The Iraq war isn't the current problem at the moment, this is old history. We are debating Russian interference in Ukraine @ Sarex I heard that there are Serbian soldiers fighting for the Russians, please tell me its not true ? I will be very disappointed in Serbia if this is true. Very disappointed ...considering everything the West has done for Serbia in the past.

You really make me laugh sometimes

For me that sounds like an absolutely horrendous experience, I can't believe you enjoyed it

This is an interesting perspective, just so I am clear from a Finnish perspective, and based around the fact Finland is a very equal society, what are current issues with what Feminists want in Finland. For example are you saying that there is pressure to put women in jobs that they aren't necessarily qualified for? Classic example. At least x % of board members in listed companies should be women. Why only listed companies, the one that have already made it? I have a startup with a bunch of my male friends, we work our butts off for a decade and instead of selling to google/apple, choose to get listed. Immediately we have to hire a bunch of extraneous women to enjoy the fruits of our labour? Quotas in general are what I'm opposed to. They don't remove barriers, they create factual inequality. Okay I understand your frustration is this type of example It is similar to Orog's point he has made in the past where indie companies work hard to develop a game and then get criticized for not being inclusive enough even though there are budgetary restraints around the project Going back to your point, I agree that is wrong. In Africa, and particularly Zimbabwe, they have this policy called Indigenisation where foreign companies are suppose to sell 51 % of there business to local people. Its a joke and a disgrace , why must I invest in a country, hire people and train staff, pay tax and then be expected to sell half my company to someone who has never worked a day in his life to contribute towards that company? And people wonder why the Zimbabwe economy is in such an appalling state But I am not expecting that type of change around feminism or gender equality. In the context of games I just expect games to not portray women in a demeaning way or to objectify them. And if the budget allows to have a way for fans to play a female character.

Well to be honest both countries have hot women but for me some of the most attractive strippers and escorts I have ever met are Russian

Awareness is no longer a concern, the entire industry has lent an ear to this issue ever since the Women vs. Tropes videos. There has been enough support gathered that Gawker media has made a career of catering to them. The problem is that SJW has become a business for these people who would lose if suddenly their number one source of revenue would go away. So for all the awareness there hasn't been anything done and the attempt to remedy that has become a point of contention on this debate, because it has been largely ignored and demonized by these media outlets. People just see it for what it is, because from the moment this became an issue the opposition has been following all the SJW moves which is why they have come up with so much evidence during this whole ordeal. The fact is that in a few weeks those that the SJW decry as misogynistic neckbeards have made a more concrete contribution to the cause than the SJW who have used their network to turn this issue into a career. I guarantee you that those bloggers turned journalist; which I'm sure that were picked because of their political leanings on the first place since Gawker is the project of someone who either shares those views or though to use them for profit, would not find employment with any real media outlet. We are not threatened by those views we are just tired of the business they run at our expense, we are tired of being shamed for the way we are and for the things we like, we are tired of being told that we should accept a value system that would emasculate us so that other people's feelings will be safe. Sorry, I didn't mean to rant. This is a very interesting and informative post, thanks for sharing. I'll comment later because I'm at work now

What will happen is that game devs will not be free to make games however they want despite the fact that they like it that way and their audience likes it that way. Because they will be afraid of the outrage squad that is going to monopolize the discussion in the gaming media. But you haven't answered my question, I want you to give me practical examples of what game component would be omitted if people who are concerned with gender equality were more influential in gaming design and development. What would we be missing out on?

This is an interesting perspective, just so I am clear from a Finnish perspective, and based around the fact Finland is a very equal society, what are current issues with what Feminists want in Finland. For example are you saying that there is pressure to put women in jobs that they aren't necessarily qualified for?

http://www.polygon.com/features/2013/12/2/5143856/no-girls-allowed Guys for those interested in how women have been marginalized as far as the target market has always been men for development companies and publishers I suggest you read this article Its long but very pertinent and gives an objective opinion around this issue. If you understand the history you may be less resistance to the expected change

So it's sexual harrassment now asking men if they will wear a bra or not? Qistina my advice is don't have this type of debate with Volo, he is completely illogical around some of his views You will just get frustrated with him unless you understand the way he sees the world