milczyciel

@up You got my flintlock pistol and all that jazz

Indeed, the numbers speak for themselves.

And that suddenly changed my whole FFVII experience for the better! jk - I still find it horrible But I'm not interested in arguing - if someone enjoys that kind of story telling then why should I tell him otherwise. I'll partially agree. Sure it was not your typical good ending, but neither was Vicionia's epilogue from ToB in that matter. And I may not remember every detail, but I'm almost 100% sure that she either voiced her sorrow, or it was heavily suggested (that ring she gave you?). Even getting on her good side was done in almost exactly same manner as it was in Viconia's case. Plus - let us not forget about the "Witch Hunt" DLC, because with that one in mind, her story could arguably get a "happy end" closure (at least until whatever happens in DA:I) All of the above makes me recognize Morrigan's arc as very well written and superbly acted (Claudia Black ftw) but ultimately derivative. Nothing new under the sun.

Heyyy... I completely forgot about a romance between Aerie and Haer'Dalis. Yeah, that's something we don't see very often with all that romancing centered around PC - can't say I'm against that.

Seriously - I wish I could be surprised by quality of romance writing, but the thing is I was not since BG2 (and even then only because of reasons I explained above). Well, ok, I was once - by "Final Fantasy VII" when I decided to give it a try, and learn why it's considered to be holy grail by many. It was by all means not a nice surprise.

Sir, are you suggesting we should complain more, so it would get even better? Because that's an awesome shade... of... <ok, I don't like where I'm going here> ... G-damn, all I wanted to say is that it looks great and I envy him. Look what you've done!

Well, you could have give a link in that post of yours. Now I'm left with my lacking skill of googling it by myself, because god damn I must read that one!

This pretty much, though I must admit it would be an unimaginable money sink to satisfy MY hopes for a game recognizing all of the factors I deem to be important. In fact that would mean writing different dialogues for every race, gender, class and reputation I would end up. Add some recognition for decisions made through the game which I guess applies to more than 50% of game's text*. I.E. something that could never be. If game has two, maybe three variables (like "the Witcher") then maybe, but in case of PoE I'll have to trim down my unreasonable expectations and hope it will at least differ from DA:O when after the Battle of Ostagar, my char and every one else pretty much forgot she's a vengeful female city elf with a blood of a noble on her hands. And don't even make me start on "stupid-chars" TL:DR PoE will cater to those sentiments, and will quite probably kick ass in this regard, sure. But given the budget and the size of developer's team it can't be bigger than that. There's wishful thinking and there's outright self-deception. So it would be great if I'd stop doing the latter * keeping it oversimplified: 5! makes 120 variables for that "out of thin air" 50% of text I pulled out. Even though they could be segmented and interchangeable, thus keeping that number far lower and less intimidating, it would still count as "****loads" But isn't that truth about racism/sexism etc in general? When it's subtle, then it (in most cases) ends up being barely recognizable and even less often called out. Don't we tend to apply those terms to those who are either fiercely defensive and proud about it, or to those who's effort to hide it are indeed "hamfisted"?

Wow, how the hell did I miss all that (tumblr, yt channel)? Thanks Infinitron!

The more I think about it the less I want it back. I think I understand the sentiment and how it stems from the fact, that many of us were teenagers when BG2 happened. Struggling with our own developing feelings must have been an important factor. And I bet I'm not the only one that pursued and more importantly ENJOYED Aerie's romance at least until real life gave us a lesson or two and we moved on, to discover new found appreciation for story arcs of Jaheira (in case of my friend) and Viconia (in my case). And after that how long it took, before all of it grew old and felt flat in comparison to the first hand experience? In my case, that fascination ended right there, because I didn't really enjoyed any romances after BG2. For example I don't remember almost anything about them in NWN2 and to top that I learned about Bastila's good ending only thanks to the internet. Also, can't say I did a lot of "research" upon that topic in ME or DA:O. Mostly, because I tend to play as a female character in a vain hope that it will be a meaningful, game changing factor*. When I did play as a male though, I discovered that Tali and Morrigan are nothing more than HD versions of character sheets used back then when I cared (i.e. Aerie and Viconia). And that made me believe, they are still appealing -yes- but mostly for those who are, today, what we were back then. Kids imagining and secretly** longing for things we couldn't comprehend at the time. Who knows though, maybe someday, someone will write a romance arc, that will be genuinely interesting for old farts like myself Stranger things happened and are still happening. moment of realization: So... just how many women and homosexuals are there, expecting PoE, and do they/you feel different about all that "romancing"? I'm honestly curious because, sadly, I don't know any female or gay gamer IRL so I never had any chance to discuss it "outside the box". To make it worse I didn't even read anything about it, given that 99% game journalist I follow are men and overwhelming majority of them are straight. So, is it a factor? Or am I making narrow minded fool of myself here? * I must admit both Fallout (1&2) and Arcanum were not that revolutionary in the field as my nostalgia let me believe. Still they do outrun games of modern age in this regard, so tell me how sad is that? ** Show me an underaged male openly discussing love with his buddies. BG2 did that - me and my classmates were arguing about Aerie, Jaheira and Viconia almost as much, as we did about Quake vs Unreal or Bozar vs Gauss Rifle. And we did so free from that stupid stigma of doing something "unmanly" because we had "it's just a game" excuse.

It's less an idea, rather something I would like to see avoided, but it's not worth (imo) a topic on it's own so... Please don't hide lore containing items (like scrolls books etc) in locations that are forcing player to be in a rush (because of a time limit, AoE that slowly kills the PC and so on) and which can't be later accessed.

Can't say I'm surprised given Chris's stance. Force someone into doing something he's not very fond of and behold the results. To qote AGX-17: "just saying"

@up Thanks. Serves me well for asking BEFORE even reading the whole article. Well... perfect example about stupidity on my behalf

Nine proposals? That's great to hear, even if half of only 1/3 of them end up being produced. Would you mind to elaborate? I didn't heard about that before and it seems I'm doing something wrong here, because I can't google it.

To that, I can only say: LaserFrog (seriously, it's only 5 minutes long, give it a try) Jokes aside: I wanted to fantasize about hiring Campbell Lane but then I checked wikipedia... <minutes later> ...and after searching for confirmation found that: http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/other-news-20/beast-wars-voice-actor-campbell-lane-has-passed-away-179256/ (check the timestamp) If it's true, it may turn out to be one of the more depressing coincidences I ever experienced...

Thanks for sharing. Another one that I would probably miss if not for the helpful folks like you I understand the sentiment behind "quantity" of monsters. It sure would be problematic for a 20h+ game (I assume that will be at least 30+ in my case, knowing how I tend to check every nook and cranny). Sure, it would be great to have both, but since that's impossible I'm good with some animation/details sacrifices here and there.

I think I can do one better: Bastion-style sports-commentary-type narrator. None other than Nicholas Cage! That's a funny coincidence, because on my first playthrough I believed that Bastion's narration was done by Ron.

Nonono... You can have all those fancy d-this and d-that multi-layered mechanics, but I want my narration and chapters dividing cutscenes for that "story unfolds" feeling I've got back then in the late '90. This, or I'll... do quite nothing about it. Probably just rush out from the room for some freshly brewed tee, muttering some disappointment all the way

ok, let's give it a try I would love to stroll around with a mash-up of Candid and Simo Häyhä like Dwarf mercenary fighter with a soft spot for Orlans. Patient, reliable tank, rat-pack, and occasional unwilling mentor, for those who don't expect to discuss the meaning of life. After all, his no suave talker or philosopher by a long shot. He tends to keep to himself and isn't very fond about pondering some abstract ideas. Even then, very cautious about sharing his version of "Here and Now" doctrine, because he met way to many turned out to be hedonists to know better. His key items would be a simple, but very well maintained short sword and an 'high tier' slightly enchanted composite bow, for which he paid a hefty price to a trusted bowyer back in his hometown. Few throwing daggers just in case and an archaic looking buckler - the only thing that though still highly useful, doesn't fit into the picture - if only because of how old it seems in comparison to the rest of his equipment. It would turn out to be a gift from his father but learning any more details beside that, would prove to be very hard (because family heirlooms is a boring story and he's well aware of that). Not much beyond that, as he doesn't like trinkets and his dressing code is purely utilitarian. Aside for few minor scars and cut off left hands little finger tip, there's nothing interesting about him. With his watery eyes and boring, rough face you can't exactly call him "memorable" About a name: I suppose he may have got a nickname sometime, from one of his former employers, or from other mercenaries he used to work with. One that describes his efficiency at killing and surly, presumptuous attitude (because that's what people tend to think about quiet ones). Nothing more than disguise he embraced to be left alone for reasons just as trivial and boring as the story of his life, his buckler and non existing ambitions. PC would profit from a nice, but not over the top bonus to skill checks while dealing with craftsmen, soldiers and alike, because of esteem he feels towards those and because they understand he's one of their kind. Unfortunately there would be a downside to that while dealing with merchants, politicians, artists and and so on, because they could easily tell he's not very happy about listening to their yapping and, generally, being in the same room for any longer than it takes to struck the deal. Also maybe small bonus to perception, because he's very focused on a job at hand, not day dreaming like the easily bored and distracted others? For the first part of game player should feel about him... somewhere around "meh" but useful (e. g. as a mule) and quite if not very efficient (but not excellent as that would come later and should involve PC decision) with sword and bow thus providing for wider spectrum of party builds. Gradually one could learn more about his simple ways, and set-low life expectations. It would became obvious he's surprisingly (given his proffesion) non-violent prone and appreciates life, in general. His killing blows are efficient but as quick as possible given the situation (mercy killing maybe?). Almost never cruel. Almost being a catch - could snap if forced to deal with vicious, sadistic, misery bringing individuals. Especially those abusing laws and powers. Would need time to cope with such outburst after that, very foundations of how he sees himself shaken. Further he would prove to be one of the most trustworthy and dependable characters (some betrayal among the story line or optionally redeemable script for other follower to emphasize that), as long as PC tends to pick the least aggressive options (options not one option) possible, both in combat and in social dealings. All of this soundly rooted in his "simple values" founded integrity and traces of "knight in sour armour" trope. And to sum it up: he's the type that claims to be focused on "cultivating his own garden" rather than saving/fighting the whole world, but at the same time gradually making life of those around him better in the process. Thus getting involved in things further and further distant from that "own garden" dream of his. With a good writer (i.e not me) that could be made into a follower quest in spirit of those from P:T (Dak'kon, Morte) with multiple endings. Important: until that moment of realization somewhere in the middle (or 2/3) game though, he would have to be paid just enough to make the player feel he's/she's really spending some of that hard earned gold, but not that much to overdo the pros of dragging him around. Technically very hard to balance I assume, if the amount of GP player can get through the game is not hard codded from the very beginning. Mistreated or forced to cooperate with PC that's selfish and or cruel, he'll stick around until the end of a chapter claiming he fulfilled his contract. If PC tries to kill someone completely random / innocent, he will strongly oppose and try to stop PC. If PC persist on doing so, he will attack throwing all his money in the PC face Can't be recruited by PC with a noticeable bad karma/reputation. Sounds boring and trivial? That's good enough - at least I achieved that aforementioned "for the first part of game" goal

You guys go without me I think I'll grab another one and wait 'till some bard or sage of sort, answers the oryginal question. <shakes down the poor excuse of a foam, then slurps loudly> Aaah... not as disgusting as I expected.

Sorry for double posting buuut I was to busy answering Josh to notice defense speech Thanks guys, for a moment there I felt like "maybe I'm rambling like an idiot here?". Good to see that I've made my point clear-ish enough It's like, any time he answers some of my concerns, I'm all "s***! he's talking to me! I must have did something wrong!" lol I say

Heh, I got that idea from the lack of knowledge upon topic, because I was unable to follow every update. Also because I red maybe one or two interviews over sites like RPS or RPGC, missing tons of content in the process. Thus, my basic reference in regard of whether it will be more like Fallout or more like BG was the very subjective feeling I got from the KS video. But I must admit that F:NV even though greatly reactive (leagues better than Fallout 3*) left me longing for even more. We have that saying in Poland "apetyt rosnie w miare jedzenia" which translates (veeery loosely) to "the more you have, the more you want". Could be the case here If You'll manage to amaze that impossible grump (i.e. me) then I'll... hmm I dunno... I'll admit I was wrong? Yeah, I know, that's hardly good enough. So maybe I'll give my firstborn Eryk for a second name (first one already taken, sorry). I think we'll be cool then Thanks anyway and rest assured I'm already happy, no matter how it unfolds. * which I think was locked on 4 maybe 5 levels of skill-check variables AND 2 ways "good" and "evil" for dialogue to develop, but I'm not sure, I very much forced myself to play once, and never reinstalled it again.

Yeah, I noticed after reading some of his post, but decided I'll try to deal with this thread "on a level" anyway. I bet most he get is bashing, so maybe my arguing will give him at least a glimpse inside other's universes. There's always that ignore feature Thanks for cheering up

Pink - Poland today (312,679 km²) Red borders - Poland territory between 1918-1939 or '45 depending on point of reference (388 634 km² without taking disputable Zaolzie into account) Blue borders - irrelevant here, but to satiate someone's curiosity it's just one of the many border drafts, that was discussed between Allies and Stalin after (or maybe even before, not sure) the WWII ended. As you can see, thanks to the uncle Stalin generosity Poland lost over 70 000 km², but in my opinion it simply fades to obscurity in comparison to repressions and deportations from Kresy. Calling that "a gift" aimed to honor pro-Soviet Polish army (or armies, or just combatants) is naive at best. And I hope I'm wrong, but somehow I don't believe that's the case. You are the very first Russian (I assume you are) with which I am discussing that topic, so I'll try to make it as clear as possible without being a-hole. Russia (or Soviet Union if you wish) invaded* Poland alongside Germany (or Third Reich if you wish). And both of them treated Poland citizens, territory and resources as nothing else than spoils of war. Remember a secret addendum to the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact? They knew what they were doing from the very start and there's not point denying that. Therefore please, don't be surprised that Poles are not that happy about USSR "assistance mission" (or however it is called in Russia's textbooks), nor that they felt that great about leaving their cities, villages, cemeteries, culture and history behind, so they could settle in "Recovered Territories" that most of them (according to my grandparents, and my grand-grandmother who died last year aged 105) didn't cared that much before they were forced to settle in. And to address that last sentence of yours: I was born and lived all my life in Wroclaw (called Breslau before the WWII), just like my parents did, so I don't make nor do I have any legal or illegal claims over the Kresy. Wroclaw is where my life is happening, that's what important to me and I bet it's the similar deal for equally aged Germans, Ukrainians and Belarusians living in cities like Lviv (Lwow before the war) that happened once to be on the other side of the line (i.e. border). Furthermore it's none of my business how do you, or any other Russia citizen feel about Stalin, nor do I ask you to keep that Stalin imbued pride to yourself. It's also not my place to decide about things like whether or not it's totally fine to have Josef Stalin in Civilization game (at least I -a Pole- have a villain I can relate to**) and so on and so forth. I believe those are the issues only you and your fellow-countryman should discuss, because he was your leader and if you think and believe that he did great for his country, then by all means, continue... It's all cool and withing your boundaries. Understand though, that I will not stand idly when someone is bragging about "how awesome of Comrade Stalin was, to rescue those poor, ungrateful Poles" from Nazis and how we should all praise his name. I will not stand this, If only for my grandparents sake. Goodbye * If you don't like the word invasion, you may find some solace in that you're not alone - many Poles still do not consider Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia as an invasion per se, even though Czech-spoken wikipedia article called it that way as far as (more or less) 10 years ago, when I decided to learn about my homeland's faults. Faults we all have. ** as "understand", not as "feel sympathy towards"