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Jarmo

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Everything posted by Jarmo

  1. Jarmo
    Isn't replaceable by any creature in the world? Unless of course you count cattle, zebra, donkeys, and a multitude of other animals that may not even exist. We are not talking about Earth here. These alternate species may have been domesticated as long or longer than horses. Also dogs have a long tradition in warfare on Earth; as do many species. As early as Ancient Egypt. Camels do work as a replacement as long as the climate is suitable. Given a long history, selective breeding and a lack of horses, there might be thicker fur camels that'd manage in the cooler zones. Many animals are simply unsuitable. There's been many attempts to use zebras as mounts, but while there's been individual success, on large scales zebras remain unusable, despite there being obvious benefits in domesticating them. There was a brief amount of thought in Finland/Sweden on using elks as cavalry mounts, but the idea was quickly abandoned (but it'd be pretty awesome in an RPG). Of course, one can say magic and then it's all possible. Even without magic, while African elephants are well known to be undomesticatable/untamable, ancient egyptians and carthagenians nevertheless had elephant cavalry, which is a bit of mystery. Rhino cavalry would also be awesome, but I'm sure africans were aware of their awesomeness-potential and still never did anything of the sort, for probably good reason.
  2. Jarmo
    Reminds me. CD Projekt also elaborated on this one, there was a DRM free version of Witcher 2 and also a DRM'd version (as sold on discs and Steam). It was indeed the DRM version that was immediately cracked and pirated. Now if there had been only a DRM-free version, I'm sure that's what the pirates would have shared. But it's not the lack of DRM that led to high pirate rates. On another note, which I should have replied to in the first place. The OP's idea to put in a simple "purchase a legit copy" option in the game somewhere, is a good one. But that too shouldn't be too much in your face, because the option would also be visible to purchasers of a legit copy.
  3. Jarmo
    This doesn't work. When DRM is cracked the game thinks it's a legit copy and can't make fun of, or harass the pirate.
  4. Jarmo
    >_____<
  5. Jarmo
    If you never used NCR $ or (especially) Legion currency in F:NV you deprived yourself of a lot of money. A Legion denarius is worth 4 caps and an aureus is worth 100. Currency items aren't affected by the sell rate of the vendor or Barter skill of the Courier. While I would have liked to have done more with currency in F:NV, I don't regret including the different currency types. I believe they helped further flesh out the world and characterize the factions in it. Oh I obviously did exchange for caps all the legion and ncr money I got and then spent it. Saying it was done poorly, I didn't mean the game was worse for the multiple currencies, just that the impact was almos nonexistent. The atmosphere was there indeed, steam says I've spent 328 hours in NV, which doesn't happen If I don't enjoy the game. I did wonder if caps had weight in hardcore mode, or if the were intended to, because that would have made sense in a way. But while I loved the idea of needing to sleep and drink and spend time to heal, I was already struggling between collectors syndrome, hauling everything around while wanting a smart guy so had limited strength. So ammo weight was a deal breaker, seemed all too much a hassle, realistic or not. (Wished there was a bunch of tick-boxes instead of just "hardcore".)
  6. Jarmo
    I almost voted "graphics", but then didn't. I mean, I hear Knights of the Chalice is a great game, but I didn't give it a chance, and wont. And it's not the only one, there's plenty of games with either retro or otherwise bad enough graphics that I just pass them by. But getting past the first hurdle, keeping my attention for more than a minute (really, there's games I've bought and given up in less than 1 minute) is not enough to make a game great. Actually the last choice is correct, there's many things that need to click just right. Still voted for immersion anyway. If the game manages that, it manages enough.
  7. Jarmo
    I'd like to see gold coins be worth a lot. Maybe equivalent of $1000 or so per coin. And never see amounts like 14 thousand GP's in you pocket, that being a 100 kg's worth or so. Most every D&D inspired RPG has GP's and everything with meaning costs something in GP's. And then you have silver and bronze and whatever crap you might need in the first 15 minutes of the game, but after that everything is expensive and you have plenty of cash. It's like trying to get enough to switch to a better car, it doesn't really matter whether you get $1500 and 15 cents for something or just the $1500. Maybe gold and silver would be necessary as magic reagents, so magic wouldn't lower the prices but drive them up? Gems as well. Multiple national currencies then. Would be fine if done right, which I can't remember ever seeing. Fallout NV had this done poorly, you had caps which were fine everywhere and then other currencies which you never used or needed. I can almost see how it could be fun to lose money exchanging cash to pearls or something and then back to cash. But not quite.
  8. Jarmo
    Interestingly enough, European warfare already did this. For reasons that are unclear (though I have a few thoughts of my own), Western European ranged weapons tended to focus far more on power (and thus range, accuracy, and armor penetration) than many other cultures, in which rate of fire was prioritized. Just look at European vs. Chinese crossbows. European forces in the Late Medieval era absolutely had to deal with giant, armored monsters - men-at-arms in plate armor match that description pretty well. And, as expected, they developed powerful crossbows and firearms to deal with them. Thus, the windlass crossbow and the musket - both specialized heavy versions of existing weapons with armor penetration as the driving design consideration. In fact, I'm a little puzzled by the devs thinking in regards to firearms. It's always about what you're up against. Much more and more heavily armored fighters in european theatre than anywhere else. Not to downplay eastern armor too much, but those were bit of crap compared to european armor. If most of the opponents go down easily enough, it's much better to increase the firing speed rather than ammo power. The powerful bows and crossbows craze didn't start in europe either until surprisingly late date, after armored knight was already dominant. Likewise, a bit puzzled by the firearm statements so far. Seems like a game balancing act of some kind, making sure swords and shields stay dominant enough, even if that means downplaying gunpowder weapons. Though, against groups of infantry? Gunpowder weapons, a volley of arrows, or a volley of fireballs?
  9. Jarmo
    Also. Medieval military didn't have to deal with big honkin mountain trolls or wyverns. What would have been different if monsters had been a big problem? One thing coming to mind, is heavier siege-type crossbows and firearms. Maybe long pikes and halberds would be darn useful anyway, even without cavalry to deal with?
  10. Jarmo
    Reading the newest installment of Armor and Weapon Design, a plea. One thing coming to mind is a kind of a what if. Going on a hunch, PE won't include horses and mounted combat. Because then there'd be need to make mounted combat rules and stuff and lots more animations... and there's really no huge profit for it anywhere. So... what if the world doesn't have horses? Not just in view, but that they just are completely not there. Obviously the lances and such are gone. I'd guess longer pikes are gone as well, though I don't suppose they were never going to be in anyway. But what else? Armor and weapon design was driven by the existing reality, the reality being horsemen all around. What kind of weapons and armor were designed to deal with cavalry, or used by cavalry? Does an army that's not going to face cavalry and doesn't have one, look different than medieval armies did?
  11. Jarmo
    Oh yea, now I remember. I'd guess drizzt (or his teacher druid) is also the reason why druids specialize in sticks and clubs and scimitars. Nowadays the entire dark elf race consists of chaotic good exiles, specializing in dual wielding and brooding. To misquote the order of the stick..
  12. Jarmo
    Funnily enough, I only now think of what the names would be in finnish. (Won't be a translated version and I wouldn't play one if there was) Ranger = Metsänvartija = literally forest guardian, or forest keeper In RPG's it'd probably be Metsästäjä = hunter, or Metsämies = Forest-man or forest dweller And about Tolkien, silly or not but that's how it goes and what we're stuck with. D&D is a pretty direct rip-off, with elves and orcs and hobbits (ehh.. make that halflings or kenders because of copyright). Ranger was just given bow and 2 weapon fighting because ranger is just like fighter, only worse, doesn't really give much incentive to play one. 2-weapon fighting was a stupid thing to give them to begin with, but I guess that was because the mental image of a ranger with shield is just wrong. But yeah, hope it's a hunter in polish version so everybody's happy. (btw, is the word really hunter in polish as well? google says so.
  13. Jarmo
    Well I'd hope to not see the very same bloody endgame that has plagued every single damn CRPG since the dawn of time. Meaning you have a: 1. Endgame starts here, finish everything before starting the endgame. 2. A wave of standard enemies. 3. A new wave of standard enemies. 4. 7 more waves of standard enemies. 5. A wave of strong enemies. 6. A wave of real strong enemies. 7. A humongongoliously strong and/or skilled endboss! Planescape Torment was maybe the worst example in the history of humankind. Basically a talking/exploring game with occasional combat, ending with massive carnage.
  14. Jarmo
    The only semantics that come to play in RPG's is how Aragorn was called a ranger, not a hunter. Also wasn't the kind of ranger that'd spend his time making sure people don't scratch bark off the evergreens. If he'd been called a nomad, then that's what we'd have in all the RPG's. Don't really care much one way or the other, but I do prefer ranger to hunter. To me, rangers seems to imply a wide set of skills needed to survive in the wilderness. While hunter obviously needs much the same skills, it also limits to a purpose of hunting, while ranger carries no such baggage. Ie, I can more readily see ranger than a hunter as a scout, a guide of an expedition, or some other non-hunting profession.
  15. Jarmo
    Of course you do whatever saves your life. You do underestimate training though, it's not a matter of a lengthy decision making process. You automatically do what you're trained to do. Parries with the flat come very natural to me, I'd have to be really surprised or out of balance to resort to a hard block on edge. (and I'm certainly not a warrior fighting for a living, having to take care of his tools of the trade. ) I manage though.) Granted. Though you might also underestimate how the well trained coreography of thrusts and parries can fly out the window when you realize it's actually your life on the line. Lot more adrenaline filled screaming and biting and hitting and blocking with whatever part of weapon or body that happens around. But actual professionals with training and experience, the kind that's capable or keeping their cool.. yeah. Would use the proper form, would not ruin their equipment by blocking stupidly. Probably not anyway.
  16. Jarmo
    Though, in real combat it's possible you wouldn't have time to go through the whole thought process. "Hmm... there seems to be a sword slashing my way, I guess I'd better either dodge or block, but in case I decide to block it's best to flat the blade so I won't ruin the prescious edge. Best hurry up in any case, the 0.1 seconds I have won't last forever..."
  17. Jarmo
    No wonder. 12GB's only go so far when ripping blu-rays... .. eh heh haa.. snort.. hoh..
  18. Jarmo
    Jian is just the kind of sword I'd expect Tolkien Elves to use. Instead of any silly curved elderscroll elvinisms. Guess it'll be mostly spears and bows for the woodland hippies in Eternity... but even then, there just needs to be and ancient elven tomb, or it's no rpg as we know them.
  19. Jarmo
    I like the skill determines what you can see and try to steal idea quite a bit. A coin purse or a dagger in a sheath hanging in the belt should be pretty easy to spot and try, a letter from an inside pocket that much harder. And I really dislike the standard, roll and see what you got. Dammit, I was going for the coin purse in his belt but accidentally grabbed a pear from his backpack instead. A timer. Wouldn't be out of the question I guess. But not one that'd automatically point at you. You should be able to pinch something and remain above suspicion. Realistically, a lot of pickpocketing is done in a way you immediately notice someone grabbed your wallet, and that someone is obviously the guy who bumped into you and is now running away with your wallet in hand. 20 feet headstart is all. But it might fit a single character assasins creed or GTA style game better, run away and lose the followers. Or knife the fool if he follows you into the alley...
  20. Jarmo
    I'd prefer corpses lingering around for a while at least. Even if only so you'll have to hide them so the guards won't notice, too simple and convenient if the ground swallows them immediately. But disappearing corpses is nowhere near as immersion breaking as permanent ones. Skyrim. You murder someone and toss her body in the middle of the village inn... to find it still there a week later. Merry customers enjoying their ales, not minding the putrid smell one bit. Red stains work for me. Though if in the inn, those should disappear as well, after a while.
  21. Jarmo
    This yes! And I've long thought this is a big reason why there were a wild variety of weapons with their little quirks. Both you and your opponent know swords, but you with your axe with a little hook on the reverse side can do that one surprise move that might give you the edge. But basic proficiency, I'm not so sure. How exactly are things going to work in PE and how many skills there are? Can't imagine every fighter was automatically very proficient with every weapon in the world, nevermind weapon focus but not everybody has even held a polehammer. So you have used a sword and you have used a mace. You can quite readily pick up a warhammer and do pretty good, but it won't even take that long before you start noticing the differences and adjusting your swings..
  22. Jarmo
    Medieval times. Lots of people would wear arms openly, but only the likes of daggers and such. Self defence stuff to ward off robbers and such. Nobility would be allowed to carry swords, but I doubt many would stretch that to include 2-handers. (though in fantasy realm with dvarves and axes and scotsmen with claymores that might stretch a little) Mercenaries would carry arms if duty required it, say you stand in guard in front of a manor, nobody will mind your pollaxe, but you don't go shopping with it. Generally mercenary camp would be outside town and heavy weapons stored there. Obviously individual mercenaries would cause disturbance and friction with the authorities, see if someone is brave enough to tell them to leave the axe in the camp. But basically, in their free time, mercenaries and imaginary adventurers would be limited to daggers or tiny short swords. And yeah. This would put the sweihander specialists in disadvantage and make the knifefighters and monks shine. And I really doubt the authorities would look nicely at tossing fireballs in middle of a town made of straw and wood! Let's welcome back the magic restrictions of BG2!
  23. Jarmo
    I'd hope the "storybook-look" could be used in the inevitable in-game lore-, history- and background info books. Maybe one half of the screen with cover illustration and an abbreviated blurb/synopsis, the other half giving the lengthy wall of text for those equipped with patience and interest.. I can almost taste the awesomeness already.
  24. Jarmo
    Amazing how much variation there is across cultures. All images should be within a century of each other - and between one and two centuries behind P:E. ^ It's kind of neat how the mongols in the front would be right at home in 10th to early 20th century eastern army. No changes necessary. It's the armored guys that start looking anachronistic as time rolls to end of middle ages. Same with the almohads or whoever. Funnily enough, it's the pollaxe dude in the first picture that first starts looking dated, and his armor is clearly the best. Everybody else wears stuff that wouldn't be too out of place a millennia earlier.
  25. Jarmo
    Depends on how weapons are handled in PE. I like the trickle down proficiency idea. If you have basic attack skill that's the same for mace or a sword, it'd make sense to get familiarity with one if you use one. Maybe if you get 2 familiarity points for longsword Eastern Wind, that'd trickle down as 1 point for other longswords, but nothing for scimitars. And maybe weapon type feats would be in addition. If there even are weapon type feats, or feats. Or maybe familiarity is a feat, but one that you gain automatically.
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