Elerond

As current cabinet has lot of heat from their welfare reform and nuclear plant deal with Rosatom, one can be quite sure that there will not be bill for joining in NATO before next year's parliament elections, which means that, if Russia don't escalate crisis in Ukraine anymore, Finland will not even begin to join in NATO at least before 2020, as constitutional change needs blessing from two parliaments if there isn't 5/6 majority in parliament, that will vote issue to be urgent.

2004 lot of countries that one could say are in Russian perceived sphere of influence more than Finland joined in NATO, like for example Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Biggest obstacle to Finland's joining in NATO is that some of our equipment isn't compatible with requirements of STANAG (Standardization Agreement) and would need to be replaced sooner than planed. Of course joining in NATO could rise political tensions with Russia, which of course could impact our trade and agreements with them, but as Finland is already member of EU and does military cooperation with NATO countries predicted impacts caused by joining in NATO are seen minor. And as by joining in NATO Finland also has high probability that its weapon trade in NATO countries rise, as currently Finnish military contractors can't make offers on most valuable contracts, as they are mostly only for member states and of course as members state Finland would get cheaper contracts on some of its equipment and get some equipment possibly to acquire some equipment that Finland is currently prohibited to buy, which would probably mean that military pending would drop from it current level. So joining to any multinational organization that has some actual economical, political or/and military power is of course more complicate than signing couple papers, especially when joining said organization is against current constitution, which currently state that Finland is nonallied country, but it's not Russia's influence that keeps Finland out of NATO. Elerond I heard that the Finnish army uses reindeers to transport its soldiers and military hardware and this is the main reason you guys can't join NATO as NATO doesn't allow animals to be used in times of war, is this true? Yeah they are part of our polar bear infantry platoon.

2004 lot of countries that one could say are in Russian perceived sphere of influence more than Finland joined in NATO, like for example Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Biggest obstacle to Finland's joining in NATO is that some of our equipment isn't compatible with requirements of STANAG (Standardization Agreement) and would need to be replaced sooner than planed. Of course joining in NATO could rise political tensions with Russia, which of course could impact our trade and agreements with them, but as Finland is already member of EU and does military cooperation with NATO countries predicted impacts caused by joining in NATO are seen minor. And as by joining in NATO Finland also has high probability that its weapon trade in NATO countries rise, as currently Finnish military contractors can't make offers on most valuable contracts, as they are mostly only for member states and of course as members state Finland would get cheaper contracts on some of its equipment and get some equipment possibly to acquire some equipment that Finland is currently prohibited to buy, which would probably mean that military pending would drop from it current level. So joining to any multinational organization that has some actual economical, political or/and military power is of course more complicate than signing couple papers, especially when joining said organization is against current constitution, which currently state that Finland is nonallied country, but it's not Russia's influence that keeps Finland out of NATO.

... I have a feeling that vegetable-flavored ice cream will take off any day now. We should have a Kickstarter. Chili-jalapeno-vanilla Ice cream was actually quite good tasting.

Yes, the game is isometric - Which is pretty much one of the biggest hooks that snagged all us filthy backer types. Graphics and lighting, from what we've seen, are shaping up to be superb. I know DA2 is bad enough lol I don't mind much about graphic actually as long as it is not like Arcanum in which too pain to see. Anyway, the game is still in developement isn't it, then i wish you guys good luck. I will seek out this game if God will the camera will be like that of arcanum but the graphics will be much more clean... just look at some screenshots. So there is no 360 degree rotation? I think there will be some problem with that, especially when want to position your team mates. In DA:O we can rotate the camera and so we can micromanage our party members Example, AoE spells, with rotating camera we can position our spells where we want to execute them. If can't rotate the camera, it will be like Diablo, you can't attack enemies off screen, but enemies can attack you off screen Game's camera is not locked on your party or any of your characters, which mean that you can always move camera to see enemies that are off screen. And as maps are designed isometric projection in mind, which means that buildings and obstacles are designed so that they don't block players line of sight or if they do they will become transparent if any character goes behind them, so that you can have unobstructed view on battlefield.

NATO has been open to Swedish entry since about the end of the Cold War. Even before that though, there have been significant ties and (secret) military cooperation. I don't think that Sweden will enter NATO any time soon, though. It's honestly more likely that Finland joins NATO. What is likely though is a significant military rearmament in Eastern and Northern Europe. Additionally, I think we will see Central Asian nations drifting further away from Russia and closer to China and Turkey. I was referring to several news items that followed on the heels of Russian action in Ukraine, claiming that Sweden considered to revise its previous position on Nato membership. As for Finland, I am not familiar with situation there, but I suspect that it might be more complicated case like with any other state in Russia sphere of influence and further NATO enlargement. I doubt this action will have a significant direct effect on the current trend of Russian power in Central Asia one way or another. ( unlike the adverse effect on relations with Europe, or intervention in Syria effect on middle eastern countries). Btw this arena is one of the concerns of "westren" policy makers, that to harsh sanctions might disturb the balance of powers, leading Russia toward China. In Finland NATO membership has been on table from founding days of NATO, as then USSR and now Russia had/have quite aggressive foreign politic and Russians have long history to invade to lands of Finland, which is why many people see that membership in NATO would give Finland extra protection against possible future aggression or at least make invading Finland less sensible thing to do. But on other hand Russia is Finland neighbour which Finland also has as long history of trade and cooperation as it has history of aggression from Russia, and Finland don't have best history with NATO countries either, as we have been in war with several of them, although only UK has ever attacked us (during Crimean war), I think. And in second world war, USA and UK (and some other NATO countries) gave their support for USSR and put heavy sanctions for Finland. Which why Finland is quite reluctant to join any military alliances. Of course there is also discussion how NATO membership will effect Finland's military spending and do Finland need to take part in NATO operations when it's a member. Although now it looks like that Russian's actions in Crimean may have given enough support for NATO membership that first time of history constitutional majority of Finland's parliament could support joining in NATO. On the other hand Cabinet of Finland is currently very indecisive (in all subjects, not only this), which probably means that current Crimean crisis will be over and new parliament have elected before there is even first version of bill written about subject.

As I said game IPs time to time changes ownership over time, and problem was in company's ability to sue, not in that they will win in court, as ability to sue opens possibility to molest law and court system to extort people to pay them small compensation instead going in court that with high probability cost more for person even if s/he wins. And I also said that I think probability is very low that any publisher or game IP holder start using such method. And that deal with Paradox is excellent news. But point in my post was that games in Steam are never wholly DRM-free, why in my opinion one should not advertise them as so, even if difference is very small. And people should support stores that actually offer DRM-free products and ask publishers put their games in those stores if it's technically possible.

In GOG you get download installer after purchase and you don't need any client programs, accounts to use said installer, which means that it is DRM-free, where in Steam you need Steam client and account to install game, which means that they have control over how you can use your digital product after purchase, which mean that it isn't DRM-free. GOG's store front that allow you to download those DRM-free installers uses accounts to check if what games person on site owns and can download and all new purchases are tied to that account, so it's way to control digital content after purchase and therefore is DRM, but one that don't restrict how you can use your purchased digital product, but one that controls your opportunity to re-download digital content that you have purchased. Gamegate uses downloader installers that you can use for limited time without need to give it your account details, which means that it's way to control digital content after purchase, which means that it isn't DRM-free.

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Yes. Many people thin Steam = DRM... But Paradox games on Steam are DRM-free. Steam is always DRM, as to install games you need Steam client, Steam account and game on your account (or on account of some one in you family share list), to install it, which means that it is way to control digital content after sale aka DRM. Although Paradox games on Steam don't have any extra DRM mechanics after installing game, which means that you can copy and/or move installed files to other folders/disks/computers if you wish. But strictly speaking they aren't DRM-free as Steam itself always work as DRM on games that needs it to be installed, even if game works without Steam after install.

I'm not a lawyer either (and not going to be one), but I'm pretty sure in Canada if you were being sued and the complainant lost, they'd have to cover your legal fees. In most civil complaint cases legal fees are usually divided to both parties, excluding lawyers salaries that in most cases fall wholly on those who hired one, both parties give court request that other party should cover their legal fees to certain point, but one usually need lawyer to write such request and lawyer usually ask payment to do so, although one could argue that it is stupid to go in court at first place if you don't hire lawyer and in copyright cases EFFi (Electronic Frontier Finland) has often given its lawyers help to people that have been sued by government or copyright protection organizations, although they have seem to lost most cases that have covered by media outlets and some which they won their client has been put cover other party's legal fees addition to their own, for reason that aren't mentioned in media outlets, which don't make me any less dubious against our current copyright law.

Yes if they also require said client to install said games. One of GOG's main selling points is their DRM-free game installers, which means that installer don't any way check if user has right install with said installer. For example in Finland going around DRM system gives company right to sue person doing so (which means that same is at least in some level true in all EU countries as it was EU's copyright directive that cause such change in Finnish copyright law), which means for example that if you use Steam to install game and then copy it flash drive and copy it to another computer put you in situation where you are actually liable to copyright law suit, as you have broken technical measure avoiding prohibition. Although courts probably will say that such DRM isn't strong enough that going around it merits compensations, but going in court cost hundreds or even thousands, if there is complaint to higher court, euros and especially persons time, so companies could easily use threat of such law suits as extortion method, like for example how music industry has done in recent years. How can you be liable to law suit when the Paradox Developers themself teach the method to us. I can think only 2 possibly better scenario than paradox: 1-Obsidian and other kickstarter/indie rpg developers form a new publisher as equal share holders. 2-CD Project Red grown their retail branch to outside of Poland market too and became a "safe haven". Because "going around DRM" itself is against law, although only if it's determined to be strong method (like DVDs' CSS copy protection was determined) court will make you pay compensation and fines, but you are always liable to law suite regardless how strong DRM is or if you have permission to go around it from the IP holder, if said IP or new IP holder later decides to sue you (court probably will rule case for you, but still you have to pay the court for their time, which can rise over thousand euros if IP holder take case in Court of Appeals and law suite in that case can take several years before you have final verdict, and this companies can and have used [in other copyright cases] as exertion method to get people settle cases outside of court by paying small sums of money). But as I said probability that such thing would happen is marginal, but because such thing can happen it make one appreciate stores where you get product that don't have anything that one could claim to be copy protection. P.S. In my opinion deal with Paradox is great news and I see it only to benefit this project and my abhor Steam's said DRM-free titles is generic thing and is not directed towards any publisher, even Valve, it is more hate of stupid law than anything else.

No only going around DRM mechanic is enough grounds for law suite, even if license agreement says that you can do as many copies of product as you want and use them as you want. Of course this is mostly hypothetical as publisher probably don't want sue their customers. But for example rights to game can in future move to other company that for some reason see such action as opportunity for easy to get money from old IP that it has just acquired or some other just as stupid reason. I admit that these kind of things aren't probably going to happen ever, but they are in realm of possibilities, which is why I don't count any game in Steam to be DRM free, and why I support stores like GOG over Steam.

Yes if they also require said client to install said games. One of GOG's main selling points is their DRM-free game installers, which means that installer don't any way check if user has right install with said installer. For example in Finland going around DRM system gives company right to sue person doing so (which means that same is at least in some level true in all EU countries as it was EU's copyright directive that cause such change in Finnish copyright law), which means for example that if you use Steam to install game and then copy it flash drive and copy it to another computer put you in situation where you are actually liable to copyright law suit, as you have broken technical measure avoiding prohibition. Although courts probably will say that such DRM isn't strong enough that going around it merits compensations, but going in court cost hundreds or even thousands, if there is complaint to higher court, euros and especially persons time, so companies could easily use threat of such law suits as extortion method, like for example how music industry has done in recent years.

That is just evil prank

Virtual Reality sets aren't very optimal at first place for games that don't use first person perspective, as their idea is to give player very high spatial immersion (that feeling that you are in the game). From immersion perspective games like PoE focus more on tactical (is experienced when performing tactile operations that involve skill. Players feel "in the zone" while perfecting actions that result in successl), strategic (is more cerebral, and is associated with mental challenge. Chess players experience strategic immersion when choosing a correct solution among a broad array of possibilities.) and narrative (occurs when players become invested in a story, and is similar to what is experienced while reading a book or watching a movie.) aspects of immersion.

Ukraine's way to EU is currently much longer than Turkey's which have tried to get membership now over 15 years, so from that perspective we speak that Ukraine could possibility to join EU in 2030, after very major economical, social and political reforms. And it can be even harder process after Greek's fiasco and problems with Romania's and Bulgaria's integration to union.

They separated it to its own company when they started to sell games from other publishers in 2008, so they probably have controlling share of it stock, but its not part of their company.

All except I may skip human play through.

As I previously said, Paradox keep a no-steam.exe, but they stick to Steam online activation, what is just a move from other web services online activation, like the Vicky 2 addon - a House Divided - IIRC, which needs an online activation at their own website during the install. There was controversy IIRC when they released the boxed version of Vicky 2 + a House Divided, and the DVD setup only installed the original game, you should go register to their website to have a House Divided. So basically, the boxed version was useless. That didn't happen for Vicky 1 and its addon Revolutions, since boxed Victoria Complete Pack doesn't have any DRM at all. Again regarding boxed copies, if you compare to the other series, Crusader Kings II or Europa Universalis IV need Steam to be installed, but Europa Universalis III Chronicles and Crusader Kings Complete Pack didn't have any DRM just like Vicky Complete Pack. They now require a Steam online activation at install for every boxed game they make and/or produce for few years. Even though they can provide a no-steam.exe, Paradox still use Steam as an online activation DRM. Thus, they aren't anti-DRM anymore, no matter what they can say. Ummm... Paradox Development doesn't do boxed copies for thier games anymore. The only way to get CKII, EUIV, or HoI4 (when it is released) is by downloading it. There are no boxed copies. With CKII do you could either download it from Steam or Gamersgate. They eventually stopped the Gamersgate version because it was causing too much trouble maintaining two version and only 2% of all copies were from Gamersgate. It is disengenuos to say that they require online activation if the only way to get it is online. So, yes they can say they are Anti-DRM. Paradox uses steamworks' multiplayer api and servers in those games, which I think is one of major reason why GamerGate sell only steam keys for the games. As if they would make non-steam version of game they would divide players that buy game from their own store (Paradox is major share holder in GamerGate, as it was originally their own store), and as Steam version is much more popular it would put players buying game from GamerGate in disadvantageous situation where they have much less players to play with than those who buy it from Steam. So it is very understandable that they don't want cause such disadvantage for people who give them more money by buying game from 'their' store.

I hope this is correct. I haven't memorized all the information but the impression I had before the class updates was that plot-related events could often be handled without combat. Then came the class updates, which said that the rogue is the undisputed dps master and failed to mention any stealth aspects, then the wizard who is listed with only combat spells. It is off-putting... I think it is high time to reveal some non-combat skills. If they're all class-independent, it makes sense not to mention them in class updates, but it skews the picture unfavorably for people with my preference. Non-combat skills are class-independent, classes only have two class focus skills which means that they small bonuses on them, rogues for example have foci in mechanics and stealth, wizards in mechanics and lore, druids in athletics and survival, rangers in survival and stealth. But main idea is that any class can learn any skill to such level that it is useful and most difference between classes is in how they work in combat. Outside of combat most dominant things are character's attributes, that are in my understanding what they will use in most conversation checks and there is no skills that are specified to conversations (because they are difficult to make such that they are valid option to all party members and not only for party leader), and skills, which both are designed so there is no straight forward options for any class. But I agree that they should probably soon tell more specifics how skill system works and how gameplay works outside of combat. Because even though Tim's updates about how things work outside combat have been great, they leave lot of details out and there has been changes in mechanics (and even some mechanics are dropped out [item durability and repair skill]) that new update with more specifics would be nice in sometime near future. Links to Tim's updates: http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/60578-update-7-non-combat-skills-with-tim-cain/ http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/64350-update-63-stronghold/ http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/64048-update-58-crafting-with-tim-cain/

Steam only sells stuff that is published by others. Company or person, who publish game in Steam or in Steam Greenlight to be sold or voted to be sold is the publisher of that game.

Steam and GoG are platforms. That's like saying Nintendo is publishing Arkham City because it is on the Wii U. The PC is the platform, Steam and GoG are definitely distributors though probably seldom complete publishers. But since gog patches the old games to let them run on newer operating systems I would say it definitely does more than distribution. "publisher" is a really strechable concept, you'll have a hard time showing that steam and gog don't publish games. It is most cases publisher who owns rights to game currently who hires some one to patch game so that it works on newer operating systems. GoG may offer such services for publisher, but it is publisher who pays the patching cost bill. Which is not often very high as they usually use dosbox or some other emulator/virtual machine to make game work on newer platforms. PC is lose platform which has lot of sub platform, from which today Windows with DirectX/OpenGL is most popular in platform descriptions, even though it also has sub platforms like Steam(steamworks), Origin or Uplay. One could also say that GoG is platform as it puts restriction on game what it can have and not have, but as its product don't put any extra restrictions on platforms which it sells games one could also argue that its only distribution channel. Game publisher is company that funds making of a game, owns IP rights to it and whom job is to sell it to distributors, stores and people. So in any sense of that term Steam or GoG are publishers or publish games, as they only sell them. Although both companies are owned by publishing companies (Valve and CD Projekt RED).

I probably don't open my signed collector's edition box, as I also get four digital copies of the game.