Nonek

Not true. The manual tells you what a skill is supposed to do, not how it actually shakes out in gameplay. Look at Fallout. If you've never played it, and therefore have no idea what's already in the game, Outdoorsman might sound like the perfect thing to put a bunch of points into. Then you play the game, and it barely affects anything, and you've sunk precious points into an essentially useless ability. To someone who's never played Fallout before, Outdoorsman has just as much of a chance of being useful as Guns and Energy Weapons. Yes, you could ask someone who knows what the viable builds are, but that's no fun, and it limits what character concepts you can actually play without worrying about going back to the beginning. And yes, starting over until you figure out which classes are viable by arsing around with numbers is bull****, and I don't care what anyone says. If you like starting over as different builds before you find the one you like, more power to you, but it should be a literal choice between which build you like playing the most, not a question of which will be the key that opens the game's lock. You should be thinking, "Hmm, well, I really like being able to dodge stuff and pick locks, so I might take the Rogue. On the other hand, I'm controlling a party, so the Paladin's group inspiration mechanics might offer a nice buff to total party effectiveness, even if I'm not too keen on roleplaying a Paladin." Et cetera. Isn't "What will I like the most?" a better question to be asking than "What will I hate the least?" If trying every key on a keyring until you find one that fits sounds like a good time to you, well, bully for you, but I don't think games - casual or hardcore (which is a false if occasionally useful distinction anyway) - should be made to cater to the five people who think that not being able to get into their house is an enjoyable pastime. The rest of us would like to enter our houses and get on with our days, thanks. I do apologise if I caused offence Ffordesoon, but I honestly always read the manual, try to grasp the skill and attribute system and make my characters from an informed viewpoint. I'm sorry if this upsets you for some reason, I certainly don't think of myself as elite for doing so, I just got into the habit with the old Ultima manuals which were cracking reads, as well as being informative. For your example of Outdoorsman, even though Fallout wasn't an Infinity engine game I agree that the skill was woefully underused, especially considering the enviroment of the Wasteland. I tagged it and found little use, except perhaps as a character defining trait. The rest of the SPECIAL system however made it easy to design a potent character who was shaped according to my desires, and the manuals aided me if I wished to catch up with a skill i'd underdeveloped or ignored (such as the mid game introduction of naturally superior energy weapons.) I certainly did not think it was unduly harsh, no offence if you found it so, we all have different areas in which we learn at different rates. I have no problem with entry or egress from my domicile personally. Edit: I admit I do usually start a game over a few times with different builds and characters, to see whether their implementation matches my expectations, however that has little to do with mechanical issues and more to do with animations, looks etcetera.

Very good idea.

Heh, funny story, I ran into someone who still works at a place I did as a part-time job during university. Apparently some of the old staff still remember me, and actually consider me a raging psychopath. Mostly due to one of the guys trying to start a fight with me there and doing all the standard macho trash talk to get me to take a swing. I calmly and politely explained to him (and the surrounding friends of his) that this was quite silly, because getting into a fight would suggest I wanted to hurt him, and that if I wanted to hurt him I wouldn't give him a chance to hurt me. I'd come at him when he wasn't expecting it, with a bat and take out his knee from the side before bludgeoning the crap out of him to make sure he knew that I wanted him in pain. I made absolutely no threat, and just pointed out that if he or any of his friends really wanted to start something they should remember that for the future. I was exceptionally polite about the whole matter, never raising my voice, never swearing. And I never had any trouble from them for the remainder of the time I worked there. That's nothing, I once put the milk in before the tea for a colleague I was arguing with, and I used the second best china! He's still in trauma counselling to this day.

Most of the treasures of the English crown are held in perpetuity by the monarchy for the people, such as most of our museum exhibits, a goodly number of stately houses and so and so forth. If these were figured into the Queens holdings she'd probably be considered the richest woman on earth. I don't particularly mind paying for her majesty's upkeep, however Charles is another matter, the man's a spendthrift.

I paid for an Obsidian game, that is what Obsidian are developing. I may not agree with everything they are doing mechanically, but then again I hated Star Wars, and Obsidian enthralled me with The Sith Lords. They've earned a little trust in my eyes.

Manners maketh the man, I know that it may be a somewhat old fashioned attitude but i've always believed that one should conduct oneself with a certain amount of dignity. Not to save others feelings, though that is a fortunate by-blow, but to maintain pride in oneself. I can't honestly see the point in threats and such, it's a simple statement that one has lost the argument, and cannot muster adequate logical responses. However I would hold developers to the same strictures, calling ones customers homophobes, entitled and misogynistic when they raise logical and reasoned complaints is also beyond the pale.

They're going a little overboard in the reporting of the birth, i've nothing against the Windsor's but i'm getting a little sick of hearing about their child allready.

Great update.

Read the manual, no puzzle in character creation then.

After reading the many viewpoints expressed in the last ten pages i'd like to take the opportunity to change my initial, rather rushed reaction and submit a new one: Hell NO! Thank you.

To be fair though you're not going to get a fair representation while travelling through a disputed borderland, where everybody is all too aware that slavery and a grisly death is a very real possibility if the Legion should triumph. If they had an area set behind enemy line, where one can see the day to day life of the Legion protectorates and its people, then that might have been a possibility. Still Rose's conversation was interesting.

Too many to mention in all honesty, the minor npc's of Ultima 6&7, Betrayal at Krondor and Torment all spring to mind.

Christmas 2014 sounds good, pack the missus and kids off to the family, and spend my holiday in the Dyrwood. Seriously though given the mega dungeon and second city, a substantial delay is perfectly understandable.

Indeed, but then again astrological readings appear in every daily newspaper over here, despite that being just as weird and spurious. The television has ghost hunters letting their imaginations get the better of them in darkened old houses, garnering audiences of millions. Many frequently attend the stageshows of corrupt frauds who prey on grief with their clumsy guesswork, we allow these ghoulish clairvoyants free reign. Crystal healing and all manner of new age fakery can be trumpeted as alternatives to tried and tested medical advances, without even a shadow of control or proof needed. One of the prices of freedom is that people are allowed to embrace the utterly ludicrous and downright childish, obviously this is a slap in the face to rational thought and truth, but perhaps people need their choice of lies. Edit: I have it on good authority that Allfather Odin is partial to a snifter of brandy before bedtime.

Got to agree, the mix of extremely simple strategy elements, cultural detail and rich evocative events really enchanted me as a player. I'd be perfectly happy if certain scripted events in Eternity were dealt with in a similar manner, for instance where the engine cannot simulate swimming a lake, crawling through tunnels or climbing a cliff etcetera. Instead we have these wonderfully descriptive sections where fine prose paints a picture with eloquence. Throw in appropriate music, fitting to the scene, and use of our abilities and I for one would be extremely happy with the end result. A Cipher's journey into an opponents mind immediately springs to attention, something like the vision quests of the Orlanthi, weird and wonderful.

Interesting analysis. If I can run with the ball, wouldn't that mean that your first archetypal relationship is the one many parents WANT from their kids. A builder's pride. So to speak. Have to ponder this further. Yes, i'd never admit this to the missus but most of my parenting abilities are borrowed from what i've learned rearing dogs. Discipline, regular exercise, routine, rewards for good behaviour, training through fun passtimes etcetera.

Judging by the concept art one has to wonder whether mounts will be available in the game, the Skyrim allusions would seem to demand their inclusion.

Rather dubious, would like clarification. Edit: That said it's still early days and I wouldn't wish to rush the gentlemen into an early reveal.

Two kinds of relationships usually appeal: The first is that of the tool (insert ribaldry) such as the dog, an extension of myself that is valuable, useful and almost symbiotic. Through training, feeding, and careful use we boost our chances for survival against outside elements, until the creature is as much a part of my character as a limb. In this case it must always be useful and preferably silent, to reinforce that aspect. The second is a meeting of philosophical ideals, where even if the means of the person are less than admirable, the motive is correct. Obviously Kreia and Kaelyn spring to mind here, they are both fighting against injustices, though their methods are vastly different. Admiration and respect is a rare thing in rpg's, where most characters are at the will of the scripts whims, but a clear defined agenda and a determination to enact their plans is something to be cherished in my eyes.

Really love local phrases and sayings, adds so much to a setting through such a simple mechanic. Auld ****ney in Sigil, a pearl to you and good business to you in Athkatla etcetera. Edit: The obscenity blocker is rather puritanical isn't it?

If they can make npc's half as deep and interesting as those in Torment i'll be more than happy, they added an amazing amount of depth to the bustling streets of Sigil in my eyes, well worth the time and effort to invest in this. Makes the gameworld feel alive, rather than just a player centric theatre of conflict.

One good thing about Ultima 7, the mix and matchable armour.

Has anybody done Back to the Funder?

Edmund Backadder?

He's not the messiah...