BruceVC

And when you constantly heckle in threads about games you (claim you) are not going to buy, I KNOW you're not getting any. Poor retort, take a -1 penalty to all further attempts at being a lawyer. But Nep scores a + 3 for a relevant and very humorous response

Nice trailer, but I'm not sure its possible to be more excited about this game than I already am

What about your president GD? Surly you respect Obama even if you don't agree with all his policies

There isn't a good or bad side, its all about if you agree with the factions objectives.

Happy B-day Malc

Personally I could never live in the countryside for the reasons you mentioned. I would move back to Helsinki, or another big city, if you can. You tried something different but its time to accept big cities rock !!!

I think I understand this part. There is no water in the Marine Corps and its good to drink loads of water before joining so you don't get thirsty during your 3 month training in Boot Camp? Maybe it's so they'll make an adorable 'sloshing' sound as they run, and the instructors won't pick on them so much. On further reflection that makes more sense

I have no judgements about Uplay, since I really know little about it. It's just a rebellious nature sort of thing ... I'm tired of having to register and register and register for every little thing now, and having to keep track of it all. It's getting so if I have to "register" for something new (forum/website, services, etc), it's almost an automatic "nah, not bothering." I think it won't be long before my only presence on the internet will be Netflix, Steam, GoG and .... here. Things I already have. Yeah I have had no real issues with Steam, Uplay or Origin as a form of DRM Very rarely the services are down and I log in later and its fine. It always surprised me that people overseas have such issues? As for privacy concerns. I would think it would be clear now that you don't really have privacy on the Internet, programs like Prism have just highlighted this again. So who cares if some company knows your date of birth?

I think I understand this part. There is no water in the Marine Corps and its good to drink loads of water before joining so you don't get thirsty during your 3 month training in Boot Camp?

Interesting, so we don't get that day off so the number of Public holidays probably even out between our countries

No I think that would be acceptable

Its a public holiday in South Africa today, its Womens Day. This is a relevant holiday where we recognise the important role that women play and also the fact that we as a nation are opposed to sexism and misogyny that is still rife in many sectors of society. Its a good time to phone in on popular radio talk-shows to give your opinion around this aspect of discrimination. I also finished Darksiders and I am busy downloading IWD from GOG as we speak

Malc I'm surprised you didn't jump on this topic and make this post first. I know what a strong advocate for equality you are and especially gay rights. But its good to have your resounding support behind this important issue

Took a three week break off the internet, gaming etc. You naughty boy Melk, next time let us know Talking about missing regular members does anyone know where Drowsy Emperor is?

I mostly commented on this statement, it sure sounded like you put homophobia above all, but good to know you're not that kind of activist Yes I'm an activist that is involved in many areas of the fight against all forms of discrimination You make some good points, I also was watching some interviews on this topic on Sky News and I'm now of the opinion that maybe stopping Russia from hosting the Winter Olympics is not the right move. The Russian have already said they won't discriminate against Gay athletes so the best move would be for a Gay athlete to win some sports award within Russia, like Jesse Owens did in the 1930's Olympics?

No, what I tried to convey is there are many reasons to ban a country from having Olympics other than not accepting gays. No, please re-read what I said: "Lol gay activists and their sense of entitlement. They think accepting homosexuality are the pinnacle of mankind achievement or something, and you're somehow condemned if you don't like them. Funny how that fits the definition of bigotry." I said that (most) gay activists are bigot themselves, because they themselves can't tolerate people who oppose them. Doesn't have anything with Iraq. And Iraq war is declared over in 2011 btw, so it's not "long over." And the destabilization in Iraq is still felt until today: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23590938 Yes, I'm fine with both discrimination and anti-discrimination, because I learned not to give a ***k as long as I keep surviving. You are entitled when you think your cause are something more important than other things. I don't have problems with accepting gays, I have a problem with people labeling it as the most important thing ever, ignoring other issues. When did I ever say that Homophobia was the most important social issue that modern society faces? I am talking about the current issue in Russia and the implementation of homophobia laws. I am well aware that the world faces many issues, its silly to suggest that anyone with even a semblance of intelligence wouldn't be aware of this. But I am more than capable of campaigning and being opposed to many areas around the world where discrimination and bigotry is being institutionalized as law

Just because they don't like gays? Really? You know that there are more horrible things than not accepting gays? And why is United Kingdom allowed to host 2012 Olympics? They invaded Iraq under false premises too, and oh, colonialization and mass-starvation in India? Are they not worse than not accepting gays? And why is China allowed to host 2008 Olympics? They didn't have the cleanest human right records (Tiananmen) after all, and far as I know, they don't like gays too. Lol gay activists and their sense of entitlement. They think accepting homosexuality are the pinnacle of mankind achievement or something, and you're somehow condemned if you don't like them. Funny how that fits the definition of bigotry. Seriously, trying to find a connection between the invasion of Iraq and Russia's increased homophobia just demonstrates your ignorance. Please spend some time understanding the definition of the word "bigotry" and when a country makes a bad decision to invade another country. You'll find that they are 2 totally different topics. Also I'm not sure if you are aware that the invasion of Iraq wasn't a law that was passed in the UK. It was a military decision and when the UK Olympics was held the War in Iraq was long over. Just a free history lesson for you. And yes I have an issue with discrimination on all levels, are you fine with it? What exactly is entitled about that?

Valid point but I think it has been widely accepted that Germany should never been allowed to host in the Olympics in the 1930's. So why repeat the mistake?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22862210 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23603870 Wow, so Russia takes one step forward and 4 steps back in the battle towards equality for all I didn't even realize the Russian Duma has passed a law that anyone who provides "homosexual material " to people under 18 will be prosecuted. Homophobia is rife in Russia and I thinks its disgraceful. Do the Russian ministers that passed this law think that Homosexuality only starts when you turn 18? Seriously how uniformed can an intelligent nation be? I support Stephen Fry in his attempts to get Russia stripped of its right to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, this kind of bigotry needs to be rejected and condemned by the world

Did that too. Then send friend invites to a few more people who looked familiar. Then decided that it was enough socializing for one day Hi Melkie Where have you been? I have missed you and your shrewd comments

That's a good point Volo, and intellectually that's probably the only contribution you can make towards this discussion. But well done for trying

Most people know I am pro-western and support almost all the military decisions that the West makes but I have to say the invasion of Iraq was a real disaster and completely unnecessary. And to be honest its Iraq that is suffering the most in there new political and uncertain future. I have been thinking hard about some sort of benefit around the Iraq war and its difficult but I will say this. The invasion of Iraq and the subsequent aftermath led to a new political reality in the USA. The Neo-cons ideology was swept away and a new era in American politics came to be, the era where a liberal, black man can be the leader of the most powerful country in the world. We have seen a real and positive paradigm shift in the way the American foreign policy operates, well its positive in most cases.( the lack of action is Syria is an example of the failure) I remember in 2005 watching a Neo-Con politician saying " the UN was dead and a redundant organisation". The arrogance of the likes of **** Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld use to astound me. There view was "its the American way or no way". The USA has learnt from this and has made several changes. They don't operate militarily in a unilateral fashion unless directly threatened and gone are the hyperbolic statements like " the axis of evil" that' use to incite many countries This is a good thing for all people who believe in Western culture and ideology as we need the USA to lead the way in global affairs in a way that is reasonable and consolatory. So I feel terrible for the state of Iraq but the changes in the American political machinery I believe benefit the world and its future stability and economic growth

I have to say when you watch that video you see the misrepresentation of facts in the game, no wonder the Ruskies were annoyed

You see, I think the two-state solution is the precise reason the talks are doomed to fail. Imagine South Africa in the mid-80s, except most of the black SA inhabitants don't live intermingled with the white ones. They live walled-up and are forbidden to build anything without a permit, which essentially means the SA army will come and bulldozer 90% of what they build down. They can in general not leave these ghettos, except if they emigrate to a "black" country. The SA government only allows the most basic of products through, so technology and medicine are mostly smuggled. Every now and then the walls close in on the black SA populace as more space is allocated to white settlements, who of course claim the country was granted them directly from God. Criticism is often deflected with "we're the only democracy in the region" - ignoring the black South Africans in the ghettos who only get to vote for their own police. Also, you get to hear a lot of "blacks have it better here than in the neighbouring countries" - referring to the few who live beside the white South Africans. In many ways, the scenario in Israel/Palestine is even more entangled than Apartheid SA. The difference between SA and Israel/Palestine is that SA resolved - in one of the most significant victories of democracy in the 20th century (if not ever) - to live side by side in a single democracy, with equal rights. Increasingly, I'm getting the feeling that this is what needs to happen in Israel/Palestine as well. The future lies with unity, not with division. I'm completely convinced that if the Israelis and Palestinians would completely put aside their differences and join in a single state (which seems lightyears away today, unfortunately) the economy and international prestige of their country would be shooting through the roof. So compare the two-state solution to if Bush would have tried to convince ANC and De Klerk to a peaceful solution by evacuating black South Africans to certain reservations, primarily characterized by being what land was left when the whites had settled where they wanted. (Or to be really clear to those of you who are not BruceVC or with some knowledge of SA history, this is what the two-state solution would have looked like in SA) Bantustans and two-state solutions is not the way forward for democracy. When I see Israel and Palestine, I see one nation with one future. You make some sobering and relevant points And your analogy to South Africa highlights just how unreasonable a 2 state appears. In almost other circumstances I would agree with you but as you mentioned the reality of Israel and Palestine is that the conflict is ultimately not around politics, race or even ideologies. Its about religion and that people feel they have a divine right to land that supersedes logic and compromise. This makes people even more intransigent. So unless you feel the Israeli's and the Palestinians will become less religious, which I doubt, we will never see the compromise we want that will enable them to all live side by side in harmony So even though its not what I would say is the best solution a 2 state initiative where both sides get access to parts of the holy land just seems the only solution that will allow a semblance of permanent peace? But I'm glad I don't have to be the interlocutor trying to resolve this mess

Icewind Dale isn't a story-driven RPG Bruce, there are maybe a handful of class specific dialogue options but those are just for flavour and don't really change anything. Any dialogue option that will lead to a different quest outcome like talking someone down will be available to everyone and will be few and far between. Icewind Dale focuses on the dungeon crawling aspect of D&D so think of it more as a tabletop game than pen & paper. Design a party that's going to be able to survive a variety of situations and forget about roleplaying or smooth talking NPCs. - You will need a thief who is as good at finding and disarming traps as possible, lock picking is also quite important. - I'd suggest maybe not rolling any elves, the first raise dead spell in the cleric's spellbook doesn't work on them and it will be more expensive raising them at the temple. - Turn dead is pretty useful in IWD. - Don't scrimp on potions and scrolls, buy lots of them and use them often. - Archery and ranged combat is pretty useful in IWD, especially combined with bottlenecks and spells like web. I'd suggest giving most if not all of the party some points with ranged weapons. - You'll be fighting hordes a lot. - You'll be fighting powerful individuals a lot. - The enemies are varied and there are lots of elements, spells and status effects to watch out for. - The dungeons can get really large and multi-levelled. edit: If you are playing IWD2 then ignore this post. Thanks Serrano This was exactly the feedback I was looking for. I am playing IWD 1 so your advice is relevant Oh thx Kaine as well for your post