[Ownership: Paying for things twice.]

I honestly don't see a problem with buying a game once and being given access to it on several platforms. The developers have to make a buck, granted so I suppose it's all up to their generosity. I'm not expecting anything like this from Obsidian/ Project Eternity since I did was help fund it and not actually buy the game.

 

I think one of the only times where I would really expect to be given access to games on multiple platforms would be if you were able to play and share the same save file throughout all of them. Kind of like PS3/psp style without having to buy the psp version

 

One thing I'm curious about is this. If I've understood it correctly, if you buy a game from GOG and then get a new comp, you can install the game again on that comp, no need to pay for it again. Does this work if you switch from, say a Windows PC to a Mac as well? Haven't had the need to use GOG yet.

No, gog titles are windows only now. But a lot of them are for older versions of windows or dos. So you can just use a virtual machine or a dos emulator on your mac for that since all the original game files are there intact, all the games on gog work under their native os I think.

 

That reminds me. I got PS:T from GOG the other day and the playing screen is significantly smaller than my actual screen. Is it because I'm running an old game on windows 7?

[How realistic is your cup of tea?]

Wow.. This isn't a question of realism. I think the expression you're looking for is: "How edgy can this game be?"

That's how sleazy marketting-agents think. They try to find what kids like and then exploit it. And kids often like

things that should appeal to those older than them. That's what's usually 'cool', or 'edgy'.

 

So, edgy has very little to do with realism or maturity, especially maturity. Those are two powerful, seperate terms

that can enhance a story. Violence, rape, child killings, are mature themes, but those things alone don't make a good story.

Anyone using those tools in a story should have a good reason to do so, and not for a casual wow-factor.

 

Do I think these violent things can be included to the story? Yes, if it serves the story, genre, and themes, sure.

 

However, if people are generally bothered that these things aren't in a game, then I say that Obsidian shouldn't include them.

That would be entirely for the wrong reasons, and it's not really important in a good story.

 

Additional question: Do I think this is a stupid poll for even having to ask this question? Yes. I feel embarrassed. Almost to the

point where I don't want any violence in this game until some of you grow up. Real people have been raped. They play games

to chill out, and to relax after a hard day at work. The word 'rape' alone is a powerful phrase to make many victims instantly

and uncontrollably feel extremely bad. I don't know any victims personally, but I've read some papers here, some articles written by victims there,

and there is no reason that this fun, fantasy strategy game needs the things mentioned in the poll here, especially the way they are formulated here..

If you are one who REALLY want to see stuff like this, I don't think Obsidian should include it, because some of you have some growing up to do.

 

"Well, you strategically kill people in this game. That's wrong too!"

 

Yes, but most of the time, games framed those kills in a way that is justified and be pondered if they truly were the most ethical option at the time. If they're not, well, those who are killed in real life aren't here anymore to complain that they find it offensive.

 

Raping people however is always wrong. And people who have been raped are still here, and they aren't threatening us not to talk about it, but that's exactly why I think we can tone it down by just not saying stuff like: "I want to see rape."

 

I'm not coming back to look at this thread. Take it for what it is. Feel free to redicule or argue against this, but this is one poll I'm not voting on.

 

You do have a good argument and I can only imagine what the PTSD after such an event such as a raping must feel like. I also have to agree that having rape in here for the sake of rape is immature and desensitizes the tender subject. I think what the original poster was trying to get at when he included rape in his list of "Hard Realism" is, yes, **** like that happens all of the time. If you want a genuinely realist game then the action of rape should be plausible, as should cold blooded killings or other acts of inhumanity. They should not be glorified or focused upon by any means, but they should still have the potential of being there.

 

As for your remark on people playing games to have fun and relax, there is definitely a lot of truth in this but I think you're missing an important addition. Another huge emphasis in games, especially rpg games is on the story. People play games like these in the same way people read novels, to enter into another realm and connect with the characters in there. The reason why rapings and other brutal events are included (most of the time) is because they are powerful plot drivers due to the sheer amount of pain and emotion one feels from them. They should not happen all of the time by any means but they can serve a purpose in plot and character development.

[How realistic is your cup of tea?]

Most of the time, I think explicitly showing brutality or its aftermath has much less impact than leaving it to the player's imagination. Setting the stage, then leaving it to the inner eye, so to speak.

 

Uncovering the horror through dialogue or innuendo, observing the effects and psychological scars - this is the kind of presentation I'd like to see. I don't want to see lots of it, but what there is should definitely be told without sugarcoating. I'd love to see something surreal. Btw., consuming small amounts of the deceased is a funeral rite that actually exists. As soon as you read up on the motivations behind it, it's actually not horrible at all.

 

This is exactly how I wanted to say it, but no need to repeat, when just the quote is enough...

 

Like in our world, lot of bad things happen, but you almost never see them, you just hear or read about it, be it from rumors, TV or newspaper. Let the player imagination do some work!

 

But do not forget to show us some happiness as well, drama and tragedy is much more deeper, after you allow us to enjoy some happy moments and then hit us hard with some trauma...

 

This is one video I agree most about how happiness and sadness should be presented in any game, and how they should not be...

 

 

http://www.escapistm...ough-The-Laughs

 

I would have to disagree. Reading about a mass genocide or watching the news about a school shooting pales in comparison to actually being there and experiencing it firsthand. Granted, a great narrative can provoke your emotions to a nearly similar degree, but those are hard to accomplish; especially throughout an entire plot where everything builds on itself.

 

Good video example by the way.

[How realistic is your cup of tea?]

We also have to take into consideration the graphics and animations of the game. Since it is most likely going to be 3d characters in a top down environment, some of the brutal events may not look as compelling as leaving it up to one's imagination. In which case I would probably change my mind and go for the second option. Not for the fact that its ESRB friendly but because the player's mental visual may be more compelling than what the limited graphics could provide.

[How realistic is your cup of tea?]

In order for there to be the most investment in the game/story there needs to be some controversial and frowned upon events that take place. Not only would this add more variety to the game but it could also start to influence the player's world view. Seeing a child being molested/raped could turn a lawful neutral character into a vigilante chaotic good character (ex: Rorschach from Watchmen).

[Bring in BioWare or Other Legendary Designers as Stretch Goal]

L0L Bashing BIO yet Obsidian is using BIO's ahrd work with the IE/BG to try to sell this kickstarter. Even try to take the credit for BG. Heh.

 

I would have to partially agree. Which is why I'm saying that they shouldn't. This way when Project Eternity turns out to be a great success (and it better, damnit) Obsidian can legitimately take all the credit for itself.