Osvir

Raw Story: Cornel West calls Obama a war criminal for helping ‘facilitate’ Palestinian deaths in Gaza My thoughts in reply to 1:10-1:20:

Finally some calm! I hope the cease-fire talks go well and that we can see an extended and longer cease-fire. I despise death. I am a globalist, we live on one planet, we are one race. It's our brothers and sisters getting killed in Gaza! And there are two powers in the region abusing them! Stahp! I've taken part of lots of discussions, talked to Palestinians, talked to Israelis and been active in debating and researching the matter. Objectively looked at both sides, what is going on "in the now" so to speak. I know Israel left Gaza a long time ago, but the blockade is still up, I know Israel has treated Gaza really bad and punished them and that Israel has been arrogant. This is another equation however, and the one I want to talk about is the conflict at hand, going on right now. Let's not look 60 years into the past. Chronology: In late 2013, rockets started launching from Gaza into Israel. Israel responded once or twice according to the Wikipedia entry "List of rockets fired from Palestine into Israel, 2014". It was not until the teenagers, civilians, were kidnapped and died that Israel began its bombardment, July 7th-8th. This is when global awareness came into the picture, and rightfully condemned Israel for its disproportionate attacks. The fact remains, rockets have been coming from Gaza since late 2013. Hamas only claims responsibility for the attacks after Israel attacks. So we condemn Israel, they are baby killers and monsters. But wait... where did Hamas get rockets from? How long have they been building tunnels? How much time and energy has been spent on war and violence? How long have they planned for this? In 2007 Hamas overthrew Fatah in the Gaza Strip. They replaced all power with their own. So Hamas may have planned these attacks for 7-8 years. They have been a faction with a violent agenda and at the same time there are violent factions, movements, organizations moving about in Gaza as well. Those who want the death of all Israelis. How much has the West and UN given the Hamas government? Did we "crowdfund" them to spend money towards war? Also of note, the leadership in Gaza used to be poor, now they are rich. Israel attacks disproportionately, oppressively, and Hamas and militant factions, ideas, are dangerous individuals. So both sides are fighting a losing battle, a battle of war. Israel is loosing opinion, and Hamas is only killing people. Why? 7-8 years of violent resistance that could have been spent towards peace. Resources (steel & concrete) sent to Gaza for construction, but used primarily to be able to kill Israeli civilians. Israel have been prioritizing defensive protocols and systems. Israel is one the most defensive focused country. They protect their civilians, Palestine's government and administration does not. A few comments on Disqus I have written that also encompass what i say above: An Analysis: Solution/Idea: Online Community between two people. Solution/Idea: Reply to a commentator standing on one side.

Wait, I think there is an explanation/description to all the options you can choose in the chargen, my bad. That pretty much is a "codex".

What about having a UI Button during the Character Creation that has a direct access to a Codex with brief historical, locational, regional entrées/articles etc. etc?

Infravision Idea into Brainstorm, rethorically presented: Infravision could be a "group spell"............ Are there "Group Spells" in Pillars of Eternity? Like, you need 2 characters to perform a "ritual" to cast the spell.... Ritual Spells? Have we discussed this subject... and is it too late if we haven't? Expansion, Mod, or Future? Because something like a group/party-"Utevo Lux" for the entire party could be a great way to handle spells or natural effects like "Infravision". Utevo Lux, is, if I recall correctly a "Light" spell (IIRC: name) MMO called "Tibia" and it gives you a larger radius on your Vision Range. It could also simply be an upgrade to your "Light source" over the course of the game (you see very short in the beginning, and late game you can see far). We discussed "Torches!" a long time ago and I don't quite recall if we got somewhere with that, but the point: Infravision-similar Spell being a High-Level Spell? This would have to make the ENTIRE game much much darker to have any significance. One thing with many many games fail to achieve is an immersive "dark vision". Potentially because of hard work, a lot of triggers to be put in place and code written. Doom 3 somewhat succeeds, in the beginning, but later it becomes a "brighter" experience (in terms of "light" and what you can physically see in front of you). I think this is partially why I personally find Doom 3 less scary later in the game. If it would be pitch black ALL through the game with the flashlight, that'd be tense. In Doom 3 everything becomes pitch-black, as if they simply took a jpeg painted black and set it at a single resolution. The blackness in Doom 3 could have been a single pixel, zoomed in. That's how dark it was. But Doom 3 still managed to creep up my spine and give me them scares thanks to it xD I haven't played Amnesia, but seen a little bit out of it, and whilst I think it has a "dark" experience it is still looks like a "bright" experience in terms of lighting (it could've been darker). What I am trying to say is that many games "fail" to present that human "dark vision" that we get in darker rooms. I feel that many developers don't try to go "all the way", and instead gives the Player more vision at the expense of what could be a great mechanic. EDIT: - Group Spells? (Ritual Spells) 2 or more party members. - Darker Environments and more immersive/realistic "dark vision". Can the undertone of what I call "Gamma" (I am unsure if this is the term I actually mean~) be tied to Fog of War literally in code? Could it be a Difficulty Option? High Gamma = No need for Light Source Mechanics Mid Gamma = Minor convenience with Light Source Mechanics Low Gamma = Need for Light Source Mechanics - Light resources and Light spells start as "Torch" and ends as "High Level Automation"?

Great update! I posted before the update here ("The August Update creeping ever closer - hopes and fears"), pretty much encompasses my current thoughts.

I think health/stamina is fine. Stamina is what you use to take action, health is vitality. In a sense, visually presented, Health "kind of" works like -10, -9, -8.. etc. variables that are used when you are dying in D&D similarity. Health = Mortality Stamina = Stamina/Fatigue Imo. Then I, or other, can do a mod Quest that unlocks imMortality

Well, I tried it a couple of times on "Violent" and that was kind of difficult. On "Calm" it was easy because I don't know exactly what I did and it became "peace". I removed the army almost instantly as Israel and public opinion went down (security~). But I made it kind of peaceful pretty soon and attacks stopped, instead a lot of political issues within the own country started, so I dealt with that as well by talking a lot. I think I kind of did similar things like you Rostere, I slowly opened up worker permits and listened a lot to the Palestinian leaderships concerns. I sent in the military into Gaza again when there was an outbreak of attacks from Hamas militants and then I removed them again. I felt Israel was pretty easy (on Calm difficulty at least). I haven't finished the "puzzle" as Palestine yet, but when I played with them (on Violent) I could manage to get peaceful negotiations with Israel and public opinion in Israel went well. The problem is that the public in Palestine starts to call me a Zionist friend and Hamas kicks me out of office. The Fatah is pretty okay with my way of running Palestine, but the militants mess everything up. Trying to calm down your people when they are attacking Israel and Israel is attacking us in the meantime is not very easy. It feels like in Israel you have more control, politically and militarily, and in Palestine you have less control, militants will do whatever they feel like. As Palestine President I tried to arrest militants, create some security, join with a joint defense force with Israel, talking with both political parties (Hamas impossible to talk to though) but it quickly escalated into the Third Intifada.. and when you talk to the people about peace they are all "We've heard this before! Let's kill some Jews". It is an interesting, philosophical and political, game. I think it gives me two general perspectives of two powers trying to create their own safety and security. I do think there is a lack of options unfortunately. *snark snark* I find it interesting, because it attempts to open eyes of a very real problem on our world. It might not affect you in your "first world", it affects me because I live on the "One World". I believe in the one world order~planetarism~Terranism (except without the religious mumbo-jumbo). An atheistic terranist xD Death and destruction, in the real world, isn't very entertaining. In fact, I've followed the story of the Gaza attacks pretty intimately the past month. I've engaged myself in many discussions and ideas in a progressive and constructive manner, because just hearing about it and or watching it on the television isn't going to help any change whatsoever. If I could, I would be in Gaza and Israel to advocate diplomatically a change. Protesting at location, actively reaching out to both sides. But I can't, and waving a protest flag in Sweden? Yeah, that's not going to do jack **** except gain some 15 minutes of fame before it is forgotten and Israel+Palestine sits and laughs their asses of to pathetic demonstrations in safe & secure Sweden. But engaging directly with both sides through the internet in an attempt to get them to calm down and search for peaceful solutions? That at least has a chance to directly reach the eyes of the powers, or the population on both sides to "wake up". But back to the game, PeaceMaker, isn't exactly a "fun" game. It feels like a well-crafted School Game. Something you get to play in school and study it and then right a historical report and get grades on it. It is an interesting game, and if you like to engage yourself in discussions with other people and the Israel-Palestine conflict is brought up, this game then helps you get a wider and more ambigious perspective.

I believe it is about to believe in and try to think about creating peace. Perhaps even schooling for a mindset for solutions instead of violence. To get involved somehow or at least understand what's going on and have been going on. It's free too Here's a good article about the creation of the game (developers): http://kotaku.com/what-i-learned-turning-the-israel-palestine-conflict-in-1612148555

Valid points Hiro

http://peacemakergame.com/ About: "PeaceMaker challenges you to succeed as a leader where others have failed. Experience the joy of bringing peace to the Middle East or the agony of plunging the region into disaster. PeaceMaker will test your skills, assumptions and prior knowledge. Play it and you will never read the news the same way again." I am currently downloading it so I can't review it yet. There is a different agenda with this game.

Of course Hiro. My suggestion applies to a sub-forum idea. I just think it should be exclusive, private, closed. A) A "Template Format" for Beta backers allows us to provide feedback in a way that Obsidian wants it in the best way. This way we can make the best kinds of first posts in a New Thread to give the best kinds of feedback. It'll make it easier for Obsidian to organize the feedback. B) An exclusive Beta backer forum is good as to avoid non-Beta backers to take up space/volume, by making irrelevant threads and/or obstructing the Beta process by commenting on Bug Threads with negative attitude. If I post a bug, and then 10-20 non-Beta backers comment on it "That's a thing? F**k you Obsidian for ruining the game!" or whatever, that just takes away from productivity for Obsidian. People who aren't part of the Beta, shouldn't be a part of the Beta. It sounds more harsh than I mean it, but I don't know how to formulate it in any better way.

I'm hoping for "Beta test instructions" of some kind. Are we getting an update today or are we getting one next week? That's what I'm speculating about... an update on the 13th regarding the Beta, pre-buffing us for the Beta, seems both more realistic and more "actual" in time to the Beta on the 18th. Will Obsidian create a private forum under the "Pillars of Eternity" category for Beta testers? (private and exclusive as to avoid any "clog" or "spoilers" for non-beta testers). "If you're not part of the Beta test, you have no purpose in this place"-place kind of deal. Will we get any instructions in how to submit bugs, feedback and suggestion in the best possible way? How can I aid you, Obsidian, in the best possible way when the Beta begins? What sort of format should I use when I report? Will you provide a "template" bug reporting format? Will there be a bug reporting tool available? (a program or application, drag-n-drop save-file, screenshot, write a short and direct description) Will we be able to write and send bug files in-game to Obsidian? Will there be a chat function in-game like D:OS? Will I be able to report bugs on the fly from some online in-game bug reporting diagnostics tool? Can the In-Game Journal become tweaked to become an In-Game Beta Journal and could it be possible to attach save files and screenshots to a Journal entry? These are things I would like to know

HAHAHAHAHA! Yes!! This made my day thank you. EDIT: and to contribute... Haha this gives me an idea for an NPC for the game regardless of "Big Head Mode: ON" or "OFF" xD

It looks amazing

So everytime you talk with someone you'd take the helmet off and afterwards put the helmet on again... animated? Even if not animated, "popping" the helmet off and "popping" it on would look silly too. @Topic: In the IE games I used to remove a helmet on some characters just because I thought it looked better~ it's more "natural" as well as someone else stated. Though, it is convenient in games having the option to "Hide Helmet" and still getting bonuses for it, but it is more immersive/realistic that "taking helmet off = no bonus" and "having helmet on = bonus".

Monster [Hostile]: Dust Drake - Dust Drakes seem to be a natural phenoma in the environment, but in fact are dangerous sentient ethereal large beings. They are creatures in limbo, between this world and the other world. Luckily for most travelers, they are a rare species, isolated in the deepest of deserts. Hence the name, "Dust" Drake, for dust and sand blow up like whirlwinds wherever they move. Some speculate they are the souls of some of the oldest and wisest of dragons.

I haven't read a single review of Divinity per say, just interviews... well... I saw a Reviewsical (wordplay~ Review+Musical = Reviewsical) of a guy singing about Divinity: Original Sin and what you can do in the game. The guy who did the review obviously thought it was so good that it made him sing out loud Any reviewer who reviews an Early Access game as a final product is living under a rock. Early Access has been out long enough now for people to know what it is and will correct any "this game is buggy" behavior (during Early Access). Divinity had loads of bugs during its Early Access, but I haven't seen any interviews talking about "bugs" as a problem. In the interviews with Swen he has only said how good the bugtesting process has been thanks to Early Access. It has sounds more or less like Early Access is a great, swift, and effective bugtesting solution. Larian thanks Early Access and states it is something very good because they get instant feedback from their fans. So if Pillars of Eternity is buggy during Early Access, it's probably going to be less buggy after it. Divinity: OS had a global chat during Early Access that they have removed now due to profanity that escalated, but that too was a great tool during their Early Access to weed out bugs and communicate directly to their fans and players.

Probably on Obsidians radar, but still a good read: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/220463/Divinity_Original_Sin_is_the_game_Larian_Studios_waited_15_years_to_make.php

These updates always tend to make me a bit speechless for a bit. Getting more hype In conjunction with the updates Josh usually gets a couple of questions, and I feel those are a little bit part of the update experience as well, from time to time. I can see them as individual bonus updates as well~ Will PoE have a ready stance? Sexism in PoE? It is always intruiging to see tidbits of progression at a time. Forming my sort of own general idea of how many % the game has gone through towards completion. Looking forward to August 18 I am also curious if this is a closed Backer Beta deal or if it will be a public Steam Early Access. Both has their merits, and I am also curious if there is some way to combine the two (Release public Steam Early Access+Closed Backer Beta Feedback Forum?). The latter could function as a "focus area" where Obsidian can convey the best way for us to give feedback, set up templates and perhaps even rules for posting feedback. Basically giving Obsidian quality QA on Backer Beta forums~

I think lots of people find Joe's videos through google as well. People who aren't subscribed and aren't looking at all of his content, but more or less just searches for what they want to see and then they find a video and then they move on. Many people still probably don't know what Pillars of Eternity is so they probably don't search for it in google or similar.

*cracks whip* Soldier! ... Nah That was a bit of a "heat of the moment" whilst writing the post. I remember laughing. It's a joke. As far as I am concerned you have your own free will and choices I still would like to see the video hit 1 million views just to see what would happen.

"One day you'll reach 1 million views video... one day" I know it's a bit of a shameless necro and final bump here, but one last glance it'll still be in my signature... my bump has a reason though: Close thread?

I thought it interesting to check Divinity's numbers a bit more, or rather, it is kind of intruiging to see how it develops analysis/information that could potentially benefit Obsidian+Pillars of Eternity? D:OS' player base has been growing exponentially and I think there's a very simple and obvious reason for this. Peak avg. Players*: July 1st - Tuesday - 13'523 July 2nd - Wedday - 13'598 July 3rd - Thurday - 14'300 July 4th - Friddday - 15'400 July 5th - Saturday - 18'144 July 6th - Sundday - 21'946 It is definately growing fast, and I think that graphically and statistically it might be smart strategically to release on a Monday. You'll be able to show a steady growth in the player base (less people play games during the weekdays, but people will discover/buy Pillars of Eternity during the week and play it on the weekend, thus when the weekend hits the statistics spike exponentially and will be useful in any kind of meeting in the future "See this beautiful upwards trend?" ). * Intentional misspelling of weekdays just to get some sort of "format" (for your eye's pleasure~)