rjshae

It's also the BSA doing the study. There's literally no chance of them saying that piracy is in any way OK, even if it were. The only difference between them and pirates doing a study is that the pirates will do it for free while the MBAs will hire a seven figure consultant to tell them what they want to hear. To lend credence to your argument, can you produce a valid study demonstrating the opposite is true? I don't need to, as it isn't really an argument, just an observation. The BSA is the Business Software Alliance, they have as much chance of saying that piracy isn't evil, wrong and thoroughly naughty as British American Tobacco would have of saying that smoking should be banned or as the US or Russian militaries would have of saying that they deliberately target civilians and laugh as they do it. They aren't going to say things that go against their interests, whatever the truth is. Yes, obviously, but that doesn't gainsay their results. I do see a lot of self-serving arguments coming from the pro-piracy factions as well, with no documented studies that credibly back up their assertions. If there were any validity to the pro-piracy position, you'd think it could be demonstrated in a logical manner through peer-reviewed studies.

Kids who played shoot-em-up games in the '90s were probably (mostly) OK.

It's also the BSA doing the study. There's literally no chance of them saying that piracy is in any way OK, even if it were. The only difference between them and pirates doing a study is that the pirates will do it for free while the MBAs will hire a seven figure consultant to tell them what they want to hear. To lend credence to your argument, can you produce a valid study demonstrating the opposite is true?

Here's a study on the topic: The Economic Benefits of Reducing Software Piracy. Their conclusion is that a reduction is good for the economy (as are other reductions in theft, per your basic Economics 200 course).

Never foge...

There's been a metric ton of sci-fi books published about generation ships, making for plenty of source material. It's even a TV trope. What I haven't seen explored much is the concept of a small fleet of generation ships, all traveling to the same destination; the goal being to not put all your eggs in one basket. That would allow more political variation, as well as a need to travel outside the ship (if only to exchange genetic material by trading mates).

Pubs and taverns seem like natural places to obtain information about quest locations. Why don't game developers make more use of that?

I'd just like party-based space opera series not based on Star Wars. The pickings are pretty slim in that arena.

I'm more concerned about what Trump would be like once he has a nuclear arsenal. The guy is very control-freaky.

Thus far the ship designs in The Expanse have looked pretty decent. Somebody forgot to tell them about the whole "sounds in space" though; it's completely immersion breaking.

I don't particularly like either team in the Superbowl. Even the halftime show is so-so; I'd have preferred 100% Cold Play. Ah well.

Yes, it was a pretty decent list. I'd argue that Pool of Radiance should have been on there...

Too bad the Hawks didn't have it this year, but I'm looking forward to the Cards vs. Panthers game. It should be fun.

It's a shame we can't charge for trolling. Maybe there should be a law....

Here's some news about WFIRST, NASA's repurposed NSA 2.4m space telescope. Apparently it will include a coronograph for spotting nearby planets around stars.