Osvir

The HoloLens is a computer. Stand-alone device. Mobile. Untethered. It doesn't have anything to do with PC or XBOX. It is its own "IP", for the lack of a better term.

Minecraft HoloLens E3 (YouTube, 2.4 mil views) for more reference. Or for more reading (Motley Fool). Or just click here (Google News) and pick your read. This is a whole new way to interact and meet physical and digital. HoloLens is just the first machine, but I bet that a lot of other companies are going to make similar machines, copies, clones and so on and forth (and maybe even "better" companies, based on your opinions). Imagine strategy games with a HoloLens (or equivalent AR technology), Ender's Game, pretty much. That's what I'm talking about. Imagine an XCOM-ish game (But Iron Legion instead of Anti-Xeno Earth Force/EDF~, Marvel Universe, Upgrades/Research/Manufacture and all that) with Ender's Game/Minority Report controls! I think it'd be epic. Oh, and the HoloLens* AR (Augmented Reality) will "revolutionize" (I believe) a lot of things in both the physical and digital. The possibilities are endless. It will innovate the construction industry, design industry, home industry, office industry, news, window shopping will get a whole new meaning (Go into a digital furniture store, place the furniture in your apartment, digitally, before you decide to buy it etc.). Why buy a television that takes up so much space, when you can buy an AR device (in the future) and you can create digital screens that floats mid-air, and have more than 1 and resize them to your liking? Why have a 60 inch TV or Computer Screen, when you could create your own virtual cinema screen? ;D *Google Glass was the beginning, but they're marketing strategy was horrible (meant for public use), whilst the HoloLens is meant for home use or professional use. Like the article from Motley Fool says, "Reinventing Personal Computing". HoloLens is a step further, and another company or business will probably take it further or better hardware/software, eventually (because these things develop all the time). Lots of people want to get their hands on a HoloLens as well, because it's easy to do 3D modelling, and you can 3D print what you create. Regardless, that was a bit of a tangent. What I want to see as a gamer is a HoloGame that gives the player the command as the "Commander" (in the scenario I portrayed in the OP, from the perspective of Tony Stark, and having your base, intel, research and everything in front of you in screens floating around you, and you being able to interact with them similar to Ender's Game or Minority Report, or why not like this? Or this?)

I showed the HoloLens E3 demonstration to some friends, and we started going on about "Augmented Boardgames" (We were playing Dead of Winter), and then spun it further. Eventually we came to the conclusion how awesome a Marvel inspired XCOM game would be with AR (when it comes out). "Iron Legion", concept: control Tony Stark or your own equivalent leader from First Person through the eyes of a HoloLens or AR device, controlling and managing the Iron Legion (the arsenal of Ironman suits/drones), with all buttons and controls around you, instead of mouse and keyboard you'd use hands, fingers, movement. The basic idea: X-COM base gameplay, Xenonauts turn-based combat gameplay (other inspirations: Battle Brothers, Invisible Inc, NEO Scavenger, Valkyria Chronicles, Mordheim), but Iron Legion and Tony Stark. In simplest conceptual form: This. Or this. With the Iron Legion :D

Post your findings, if you find anything. But I presume one would have to join some sort of iPad/Tablet technical/programming/hardware fan culture forum, and ask there. They would probably have more clues as to how to make it work and/or if it even works.

Experiment. Aren't there like PC emulators out there on tablets? (I have no clue, I don't use tablets) There might be some App or Software that allows you to load and/or install files on the machine, which might allow you to play PoE? Some obscure method or something. That's all I can think of. No official statement. But I recall something about a Samsung device being able to run POE~ I wouldn't be surprised if a port appears in the future.

Is this is an argument against MP, or is it a statement simply saying "Playing several hours, once a week, makes the experience take longer"? Compare with any Multiplayer game out there, or even Singleplayer game. How far would you have gotten in Dragon Age using this method, in 6 months? Or in Witcher? Mass Effect? Diablo? Darklands? Wizardry? Etc. etc. Me and my friend got to Chapter 6 in Baldur's Gate in about 1~2 weeks time. Of course, we were only 2, you were 4.

Multiplayer games pop up everywhere nowadays, and lots of them since the dawn of gaming. ARK, The Forest, Moonrise, Torchlight, Castle Crashers, Baldur's Gate, Infinity Engine Games, Project Zomboid? Just to name a few. Did it cost these studios 50 million dollars each to make Multiplayer, really? Genuine curiosity with a hint of sarcasm.

Honestly, I noticed some comments referencing to MMO's in here, shook my head and reacted/posted. Not for us to say how Obsidian should allocate their resources at this point, although, I guess that's up for opinion. Part 1 & Part 2 Expansions being the exceptions, which is something they should definetly spend resources on MP is a question whether it'd be a worthwhile investment. Obsidian could probably make MP real "easy" (considering their experience in the industry), but they'd have to risk spending a lot, and getting little in return. In best case scenario they'd go plus with such a feature. I think "Yes", but probably for a Pillars of Eternity 2 product, unless Pillars of Eternity has a stable enough foundation to allow for Multiplayer code (if they can implement it into Pillars of Eternity easier than re-writing code from scratch for a new product, the former might be more cost-effective). "NOW WITH MULTIPLAYER!" update would probably hit some news sites too, and potentially attract more multiplayer oriented players.

Sorry if you felt upset, I am recollecting all of these discussions, this isn't the first

I see. I like them in Dead of Winter. Needs locations and movement though, to be most immersive/exciting/funny. Also, do you start as a faction leader, or as a hero? Because if the former, less standees required. Just a thought Underlying idea/brainstorm~ - Board w/ locations, map - Put Faction Standee on its start location (drawn at random from shuffled "Leader Deck") - Move/Explore world/board (Physical or Digital App... HoloLens/AR*?) - Quest, Dungeon, Events, Trade, Recruit, Attack, Defend, Fortify etc. etc. (Actions) - Future expansion/add-on prequel = "Ruler of the Realm", start as a vagabond/hero, e.g. Eder, explore, quest, join faction, rise ranks, become leader. - Curiosity: A commercial 3D Printer+material/resources costs how much today? - Banner tokens for locations controlled? *Off-topic (though relatable to physical standees and physical goods) but I'm curious, how interesting is HoloLens or AR in the CG and Boardgame industry? Or too soon to say? I was just thinking the other day of how much space a board game takes up, or even cards, and how a HoloLens would take less space, and could fit an even bigger boardgame, cards, tokens, items, everything (across the entire room).

Yay- and Nay-Sayers both use MMO's in these discussions. Look at both the Pro- and Anti- comments Fardragon. It has been in all these discussions over the years. Someone says "Co-Op!" and an Anti sayer brings up "MMO's suck!" as a strawman (although I agree mostly, there's some exceptions imo, early FFXI and EVE). Or someone talks about Multiplayer, and a Pro sayer brings up "YES! MMO FTW!" or whatever.

Maybe not Pillars of Eternity, but Pillars of Eternity 2 with Multiplayer* would be awesome! I'd love to play with tons of people here, or with some of my mates It's a perfect type of game brand/IP for it too, with tons of RP options for it. MP didn't ruin any of the IE games, it made them better and more user accessible (i.e. more customers and more copies sold). * - Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) = 100'000+ Players. - Multiplayer (MP) = 1-6 Players. See the difference ffs. Bringing in MMO's into this discussion is ignorant and nonchalant. Or troll. It doesn't have a place in here.

Are there any standees, or plans for it? (Monsters or Heroes)

Not humorous, just got reminded about some old ideas and some old discussions on the matter after reading the discussion about respeccing here. What I mean is not that your character "transforms" into something (be it werewolf or undead), but rather, taken out of their own body, and put in another body. That new body, that other body, will have other traits, other physique, another brain maybe even. Respecialization could become a mechanical feature this way, and a narrative short story at the same time. Usually, in MMO's, it tends to be "Find Respec NPC -> Choose/Decide if you want to respect -> Pay Gold -> Respec". It could be "Find Quest -> Go deeper into intricate mysteries -> Uncover lost secrets (Find "Machine" or boss or whatever) -> Choose/Decide if you want to respec or not -> Get reward based on choice/decision (consequence)". Transforming into a werewolf could be seen as "augmentation". You augment your already existent traits and skills, to become stronger or better in some sort of perceived way, but being put in another body, I imagine, would be like learning everything new again (walking, talking, moving, breathing etc.etc.), because your "mind" or "soul" would have no muscle memory of the new body. Hence, potential "respec"~ I thought this would be a more interesting way to deal with "Respec" rather than it just being some "button" somewhere (like in MMO's), and possibly a middle-ground solution to both the Yay-sayers and the Nay-sayers. You want to respec? Do X quest, put your soul in "construct"/"machine". Gain Y. You don't want to respec? Do X quest, destroy "construct"/"machine". Gain Z.

Speculation about respec options, if there'd ever be any: - The Devil of Caroc is a soul trapped in a golem/entity (Meaning: It is possible to transfer and place a soul inside an object and keeping the person's mind and senses intact within it, in the world of Eora). - What would happen if the Player placed their soul inside a golem? What would happen to all of their physical skills and abilities? = Hence, respec. - Would you gain a bonus (a unique talent "Copper Skin" or something?) at the cost/sacrifice of something? (e.g. Can't equip armor) Can the Devil of Caroc equip armor, or does she (it) have some specific rules as she is very different from standard races/units/heroes? Here's some history discussions: - "Can you respec?" - "Option to Respec"

Hahaha, for some reason, seeing Zahua all scarred up like that reminds me of this thread. Was Zahua born and raised to be a warrior monk, or was it something he became "enlightened" to? EDIT: Also, great news. Can't wait :D

A) It's a great review! I found it quite informative, and interesting. Too bad felipepe didn't continue with the dialogue, I liked that part, it gave tons of nuance to the review. Was felipepe the only one who wanted to participate in that format? B) Because I saw it was you, it made me more interested in reading it. You've always been cool and level-headed. I kind of knew that it'd be a good read before reading it C) Did I think it was overly postive? Nah. This review feels down to earth, and seems to take more of an observer and analytic point of view moreso than an opinion. Of course, there's an opinion in there, and it's kobviously positive, which is why it is much better in the beginning with the back-and-forth with felipepe. Other than that, the review feels unfinished, because PJ himself saying that he dropped it, and because the "dialogue" just abruptly ends and it becomes a "monologue". D) Maybe something to think about for White March?

I'd say it is already a Chanter Build, because they have all the "Raise Undead" type spells (Skeletons, and IIRC Phantoms and Wisps). They also have more of a "Light-Side" summoning, where they summon living creatures (Drakes and Ogres). Although, a "Warlock" type of Summoner would be pretty cool, with malicious curses and spells to summon the dead, or maybe even turn others into the undead *shrug*

Unless transparancy/virtual "infrafred" or other~ There's probably a lot of loading screens in Fallout 4, but one thing I noticed that made it different in comparison to Fallout 3 and NV was that... not many houses seems to prompt a loading screen. In New Vegas (The one I've played most), simply entering the smallest shack would prompt a loading screen. But in the Fallout 4 promotions, it seems that you wouldn't. This makes a whole lot of difference in terms of "possibility".

Yes! Hm, or a Fallout 4 Mod/Expansion that introduces new mechanics, say, an Eyebot companion that introduces new gameplay mechanics. A Tactical & Strategical Eyebot, activated in the Pipboy, and when you do, you get the camera perspective of the Eyebot inside the Pipboy, which flies up and fixates itself in an isometric view, and places a holographic grid on the battlefield and then turn-based tactical mode begins. This way, you could seemlessly go from First Person, to Third Person, and heck, even to Isometric Top-Down in an immersive fashion. (P.S. I absolutely love the new Pipboy design and the hand in-screen)

The Star Wars Franchise was on a big sale a month or two ago.

This seems cool! :D I'm debating with myself whether to back it or not though, in all honesty. I'm not very much for board games, but I want to have this one still, to support the Pillars of Eternity brand. Is there a digital version of the board game discussed?

Just read a headline saying that CD Projekt Red won't reveal anything until 2017

I believe a hybrid system would work better than both. A system where the Player could choose to play in TB or in RTwP. In most Turn-Based games, your characters are very static, and can only attack 1 tile/1 square next to them. Very chess-like, statue-like. You move your unit within the square- or hex-grid, and your abilities and commands are pretty straight forward. But what if your "Attack" command was available 6 squares away? Example/Concept: Turn 1: Enemy Spotted 6 tiles away. They are within your "Attack Range" and you can use the "Attack Command". In motion, your character advances to tile 2 of 6. Turn 2: Enemy reacts, and moves in attack motion to tile 5 of 6 (closer). Turn 3: You can choose to press on with your attack, move to tile 3 of 6, or choose to do something else, keep the distance by side-stepping one tile? Retreating? Positioning? Etc. etc. This way, you would be able to seemlessly switch between Turn-Based and Realtime with Pause, because in your characters animations would be "frames" in Turn-Based, designated within a square-tileset. Combat Phase: Turn 8: 1 tile away, and your character now has the physical range to swing, you could get options to Attack, Block, Parry, Defend, Dodge and similar. Let's pretend "Attack", and your character will begin the motion of attacking. Turn end. Turn 9: The enemy gets a chance to react, and can roll a dice for a Block, Counter-Attack, Dodge, Parry and so on and forth. Let's say they pick "Block". The animation here could be that the characters "Clash". Your character hits with the Sword, and the enemy holds up their Shield and blocks it. Depending on dice rolls and similar, you could've hit the enemy, or you could've gotten staggered and the enemy would get the "opportunity" (an extra turn) and then you'd get to react to it. The system I imagine, is something like NEO Scavenger meets graphical fidelity of the latest Batman games, animation-wise, or of the latest tech, combined with something like the duel system from the Suikoden series. The game would have to be made in Turn-Based, so that the animation sequences and gameplay systems are functional, then it's just a matter of "unlocking" the animation, and letting the frames play by themselves to create a fluid Realtime system. AI and gameplay should be naturally compatible in both modes, if a designer would be capable of envisioning this system. Another example, 2 tiles away: Turn 1: You have the "Leap" command, which can be used 2 tiles away. Because your characters can only move 1 tile per turn, your character would begin the leap, and freeze mid-air with weapon slashing towards the enemy. Turn 2: Your character being in mid-air one tile away, the Enemy reacts. Do they Block, Dodge, Parry, Counter-Attack? Let's say they side-step. Turn 3: Your character lands, finishing the animation, then turning towards the enemy that just managed to side-step. You get to react, do you Attack, Dodge, Block, etc.? Turn 4: Enemy reacts to your command. It would look awesome, I think, if the animations of the models and the game system is balanced around it properly. There'd have to be tons of dice rolls too. In Realtime with Pause, it'd be extremely tactical, as you'd move command your units/heroes to attack, and they would begin their motions towards attacking/targeting and everything from far away. Sword duels where they circle each other, parry blades. Then you could pause, move, re-position, cast abilities and so on. A Realtime with Pause system with qeueing commands. If a character has begun swinging his sword, you wouldn't be able to just "cancel" the command and do something else. You'd have to commit to actions, and account for what to do afterwards. Thinking several steps ahead, especially in Realtime. So, my vote goes to "Both". Beacuse why settle for making a game with only Realtime or Turn-Based, when you can make a game with Realtime and Turn-Based?

@Bryy: Ah, I see. Yeah. I've worked in such events so I should've known (Stage Hand/Stage Crew). It's also a desire to see panels at E3 too but will probably not happen.