Solonik

Separate or tooltips for NEW content. It's not like anyone here NEEDS a tutorial, but there are kids out there who are just getting into RPGs. Then there are the new mechanics, which may take time to discover on your own.

*brofist* I still remember the guard closing his window as it got dark, but not going to sleep. Clear transition between night and day, I still remember the sun setting in QfG 4. Or how you could use magic in the town and break into buildings without worry. Or how the dangerous monsters came out. Etc. It was REALLY well done. Speaking of which, I hate to advertise - mods can delete this if they feel it's inappropriate, but I think it's on-topic enough here, and I clearly have nothing to do with the project personally: http://www.kickstart...e-to-redemption The creators of QfG are trying to make a game with kickstarter too.

I am here because of PS:Ts story, wit, and interesting points. It's the only reason I am here. I read a lot and I absolutely disagree that there are many books out there that match the writing level. That being said, the combat adds to the story.

There is also that whole practicality thing, where you are driving to the gym and warming up for 3 exercises. That was the intention, though you might be overestimating how much I care about insulting you. You made sarcastic remarks, I did in response, etc. Anyway, I am going to stop arguing with you now. Note that I don't say that in the sense of "I am the adult, I am going to stop, kid." Obviously I started this, so I am stopping. I will post in the thread if anything interesting comes up.

I personally think my tone is warranted in terms of stressing point. Obviously you and OP disagree, and it can be safely assumed that most do, since otherwise you wouldn't stick up for OP despite me not addressing you specifically. So, technically I should apologize to OP, but I shan't. Fitness is generally mostly about free time and money (as well as current fitness level, genetics, and number of pre-existing injuries), so I agree with you there. I find it hilarious when people try to make it out to be some huge accomplishment and challenge of will when given those few factors. I had a job about an hour away from my house with 10 hour shifts for a while. It was pretty much work and gym for a year. I can't imagine how it would look if I had kids, so props.

There is nothing to add to what I said originally. Seven days a week is only realistic for a pure bw routine, usually with one day off anyway. Or, if you are doing a 4-day+ split, which applies to very few people. As far as training logs - you are welcome to keep one, but as far as fitocracy goes - it's a waste of time, a way to pat yourself on the back, publicly, for something that becomes a habit over time anyway, and generally just a way for people to feel they are a part of a community. In most cases, it becomes counter-productive, if anything - kind of like study groups. This isn't a personal vendetta, this is just a statement which has a logical foundation. As far as helping each other - read a book. I am not saying you didn't, I am saying that there is a lot of crap posted around fitness forums, and especially fitocracy and the board where you got your keyword ideas. I think none of that needed to be said though, as it's fairly self-explanatory.

That's what I say when I disagree with someone for emotional reason but know they are right.

1. Know people. (and have the requirements, your college degree might even mean something in this case!) 2. Make successful independent games.

This thread is hilarious. "Make a few rich and powerful families richer and more powerful." If you think the US has more social mobility than Russia (especially Russia a decade or two ago, but even now), you are absolutely delusional. As far as Russia emulating China - haha. Also, you think the US doesn't monitor internet use? They matter more than China. In terms of education quality, technology, land, and resources. Also, there are skirmishes on the Chinese / Russian border, where patrols take potshots at each other, as China is eyeing Russian land due to their population density. Russia is also the only country in the world that can hold up to US air superiority, when you factor in the S400 and Tunguska systems, as well as all the stationary AA. Russia does not look up to China. Let's take a look at all of these in the US. curtail the influence of free press - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4o7wNeNL0Q. Brave New World baby - look at the majority of news sources the US public uses - Fox, CNN, etc. ensure that independent political parties are marginalized - yea, because the Democratic and Republican parties differ SOO much and an independent canditate is going to win, right? This might as well be a single party system. control the police and army rigidly - ... ... ... hahahaahahaaha restrict the Internet - covered above "Has always been like that" You obviously don't understand the concepts of market saturation and a free economy. You have also not seen what market diversity is, so you can't understand how DOMINATED the US market is by oligopolies. You also don't understand what happened to Russia in the 90s and how many poor people made it big, just how much social mobility there was. You have also never seen a society where the rich live in the same buildings with the poor. You also don't really know what "the rich" are, as you never even see them in the US. Your post is more amusing than you can imagine.

I recommend that you also cut sleep back to 6 hours, cut all protein from your diet, and do ballistic stretches before warming up. You know, for maximum effect. Oh, and run with 20 pound weights on your ankles. Yea bro, imo everyone should have a fitness blog. "Today I did 5 push ups and ran a mile, I want you all to know." --- What happened?

I am very much against this. I can't even begin to explain how pretentious it looks in most settings where it was implemented. Usually a blatant slap in the face like "look, we have a wizard, in a factory, because this world has both technology and magic, get it? get it? lol we are so clever! SOOOOO cleverrrr"

Wrong. Muscle memory and CNS adaptation become embedded essentially forever. CNS adaptation does not go away, even in complete amnesiacs. Whereas magic, in these games is not a purely mechanical procedure. Also, ligament and muscle strength remains, even if all memory is lost. Finally, if you lumber around like an idiot, that's still better than rambling random **** (spell attempts) that have absolutely no effect. Boom shaka-laka. | Granted, BUT! In the real world, physical training is still far more accessible than "arcane" training. First, let me defend your point somewhat for the sake of clarity and truth - most people underestimate the **** out of physical training - the value of good teachers, proper conditioning, the time required (i.e. not being a peasant working a **** job), the proper nutrition, the equipment, etc. However, it is still at least somewhat available to the uneducated. Whereas spells, to me, are something like the equivalent of advanced missile ballistics, with radar tracking, anti-radiation capabilities, etc. That is, fighting is readily effective at every level. Science (or magic) is not effective until a very high level. So, what you are saying is that the D&D system is **** in this regard, and PS:T should have taken MORE liberties? Agreed! 1. They sue for everything and anything, if you pay attention. 2. People like you love their D&D, so it's good for marketing, even though some of get a bit upset (i.e. you). 3. Fixed alignment? Fixed class. That's pretty stupid, if you ask me. ESPECIALLY since PST gave the option, but made it pretty painful to switch classes. Pretty realistic imo. Most of them were noobs / there to do cultist **** away from society. You know, kind of like upper class men (used to) buy weed and harlots in the ghetto. It's a ghetto in the game, and I don't know **** about the original setting, so it doesn't bother me one bit. You also said something about "why was combat there," or maybe it was someone else. Because it made the game complete and wasn't as bad as you claim. Your arguments are getting weak. I am not even trolling, but once you really think about them, you really do stretch certain things far too much.

I see what you are saying, and I appreciate it, but I, personally, don't think it would work. Also, I did look at your examples (where you drew, not only the jrpg ones).

Osvir, your examples honestly make me cringe. There is a time and a place for over-the-top emotions. Games like these are not it. Also, you can't argue that they are not over the top, imo. They always are, and make the characters seem played-out as hell. I will admit it, even though it might be a faux pas here - I read some manga. It's meant to be overly dramatic and it doesn't bother you because you realize that fact. However, imagine those emotions in real life - they are cringe worthy.

I like when someone more eloquent than me agrees with me and I can stop debating, because they got it covered - thank you Wirdjos. I guess this is just a testament to the fact that Obsidian should let the wizard of the party do the talking. @Everyone: I see the error of my ways and shall definitely pick up BG2 at some point. There is an optimal way to play life though. Hellfire missiles from an A10 launched by a 120 lb female officer take out 200 lb, expert marksmen armed with Dragunovs and PKs. Take a step back for a second and forget D&D. Think of a world with magic in it - would any sane person really go for melee in that scenario, if they had a choice? I realize that sounds incredibly off-topic, but give it some thought. On that note, I disagree with the whole premise that wizards are necessarily far more intelligent than thieves/fighters. Intelligence (not knowledge) is really a measure of how quickly and efficiently one can process information. Magic, in all it's "historic" (I don't believe in magic) forms is a skill. A practice of meditation, a knowledge of rituals, a way of life...having little to do with the intelligence of the person. Note, this is a rant, not an argument in defense of PS:T. If I were to argue, it would be much more on topic and cover things that were already talked about. From here on, these are, what I consider, legitimate arguments against your position: I beat the game as a fighter on the first playthrough. It was a viable option. It's also VERY realistic that you don't get as much of what is going on in the world as a basher, rather than as an inquisitive soul. that standard D&D makes the mage out to be. In the ghetto (and that's clearly what the hive is), do you find more people willing to teach you to box and shoot a hi-point or teach you how to make a V2 rocket? "IRRELEVANT, THIS IS D&D, NOT REAL LIFE!" - I know, and that's where we disagree. I feel stories should reflect reality at least on some level. Not necessarily in abilities, etc, but in social conditions / human nature. Also, you just woke up as an amnesiac - are you more likely to remember how to swing at people or the details of arcane languages? If anything, this is an interesting look to what happens to the upper class if they are placed in a situation where their status symbols are lost and their services are not in demand, as there is no large industry / need for delicate analysis. They have to survive on a primal level, which they may be **** at, even though generally, they are far "above" these people in society. @ Razsius: That just sounds unecessarily convoluted, but I will check out the authors you mentioned.

That's the thing - I am not saying that as a defense of PST. I am acknowledging the limitations of my perspective. I never really cared for games trying to be D&D (Vampire: The Masquerade) is another example. I just don't care, at all. I realize most people who play these games do, and I disagree with them, but that's just a matter of opinion. Combat-wise. It felt the same. In fact, I used more "strategy" in PST. Give me an example of "tactics" in BG. Fighter in front of mage / cleric, use strength boost on fighter, cast magic missile from back? My point is that this specific genre of games cannot have "exciting, varied" combat imo. There is just nothing to make it such. There are no terrain / cover bonuses, there is no flanking, there are no formations by the enemy, etc. Edit: Anyway, I am absolutely willing to admit that "combat gameplay" was not a relevant metric to my overall opinion of PST. But it didn't feel worse than any other such game to me either. I am not claiming it's better than the other games based on that.

I think it shouldn't be common, but could occur in random encounters. Maybe make them high or something. Also, it's not always readily clear how skilled a person is. For example, rich people now have machine guns and IIIA armor with ceramic plates. Doesn't mean that they can actually use it.

I am with this guy. I don't care that "guns" existed in the middle ages - magic didn't. There is no way you can balance guns with magic and make it have a semblance of realism. Oh, keep in mind that these are unreliable, heavy, inaccurate, single shot guns that don't work when the powder gets wet, foul the living **** out of the barrel with every shot, attract everyone within 10 km that absolutely cannot be used to snipe. It just doesn't make sense.

lol. To be honest, I don't know how to "not make combat a grind" in this type of game. I could think of a few things for Fallout (basically what FO Tactics did, plus flanking. However, with a game like this you spam your spells, bash everyone with your magic sword, or spam backstab. I can't imagine how it can be made "not repetitive," without making it obvious - like stupid elemental resistances on everyone. Edit: I would like to see something other than skill levels and equipment affect combat - tactics of some sort, without just making the lower end enemies plain stupid. I absolutely cannot think of how to execute this in this type of game though - maybe formations, tactical retreats (enemy running the hell away), etc. Basically, it would be interesting to see well-equipped bandits to lose to some well-trained ranger type guys who overcome them with tactics. Of course, tactics only matter because there are no clear "power levels" in the real world, but it would still be VERY interesting to see something like this.

I beat the game (both the security system and the squad backed me up too!), I know where it came from. However, when I first encountered it, I had no idea, and found this interesting. Privet. I couldn't have possibly have had any qualms with the gameplay, because: 1. I am not that familiar with D&D. 2. It felt exactly the same as BG, with way better spells. 3. I can't imagine making combat in Diablo, Arcanum, BG, etc "interesting." I can see how fallout gameplay can be made interesting because of cover, range, and flanking (potentially), but not a fantasy setting. You just grind away. In fact, Planescape was the only game I ever had casters in / played as a mage. All the other games I listed, I either back stabbed and/or bashed with my magic sword (everyone in the party got one!). As such, it didn't bother me. They key to my love for the game is a disagreement with this statement: I can't think of any media that did it better. I read a lot. I generally can't say I have been influenced / introduced to new ideas by anything I read for a while. Neal Stephenson's books are the only recent ones I can think of that made me change my perspective on certain things. I would like to see some examples. Not as proof, but genuinely out of curiosity. I also think Planescape covered far, far more than identity issues. Mainly the ideas of willpower, causes for change, and full potential. I know that sounds like some 2nd grade ****, but the way the game did it was very indepth. That's the thing - her quest wasn't about patience and diligence, it was about the fact that patience and diligence are all good, but eventually what they are applied to stops being something "difficult" and "productive," but becomes a comfortable habit that no longer serves any purpose, and can cause harm. It was these "lessons" that made the game for me. I have encountered 100s of people who laugh at me for even considering a game as something that can have lessons. E.g. "I just play for the game, it's just a game man." Ironically, most of them spend far more time with games than me, yet I completely disagree that a game is just a game. It can be so much more, and PST was. I combo-ed spells with TNO, Dakkon, and Fall-From-Grace for most of combat. Barely even used Annah. That's the whole point of his character. He is supposed to be a broken person now. I didn't feel that way at all - what, do you want everyone to want to join you? Maybe Lothar too?

I think this one of the most important aspects to an RPG that is virtually never done right, period. Even if a faction system is not implemented, this should be given careful attention.

Looks like professional art to me.

I loved that your companions had a say in PS:T. Like when Dak'kon ran into another of his people and they got into a fight, or when Fall from Grace argued with a shopkeeper. Your party should definitely be able to get you favors / better dialogue options, but should also be able to alienate some people. I realize that this is a bit off topic, but I generally agree with your assessment and wanted to add to it.

I don't think it's a matter of resources Osvir, I think it just makes the game silly / is unnecessary.

Aldereth - I hope you are fine with me bringing your good points to this thread, as I think they are very on topic here / you mentioned it. But yea, that's exactly what I was thinking. Though I don't know about the boss / end game being affected - maybe in the sense of getting some assistance from the faction if you are "high enough / respected enough" by them. I do absolutely agree with two of your points - some randomness, and at least somewhat complex faction webs, not just A vs B. @Pshaw: You are absolutely right - it's not even that the story will necessary suffer, but when I was playing STALKER, I just stopped caring about the story and played the game for the faction war, because it was far more engaging. This was avoided until I joined a faction. As far as giving them weapons and funding - that's the beauty of it, you generally don't, unless you drop off gear for individual squads. The gear/funds are determined by territory controlled / random factors / innate faction characteristics / etc. You play no role in it, except in helping the faction seize land / killing other faction members. I think this is an absolute must and was done right in Fallout 2. Only a few encounters felt unnatural. Throw in three/four way battles in there and fun ensues. Rangers / highway men reminds me - these factions can really be a way to do side quests. You could have small factions on the outskirts of the map that really aren't related to the main cities / main storyline much. For example, you have a bandit forest - you can join either bandit questions fighting for control of the trade route. They have secret markings virtually no one outside of the forest recognizes. So really, your faction alignment only significantly affects what happens in that forest. Just for "flavor," as you refer to it, you could maybe run into a bandit boss living in a city that helps you out, or maybe run into the secret service type deal that recognizes you for a bandit and attacks you on sight. Point is, there are various ways of doing it, and some don't have to be all that distracting from the main gameplay / can be totally optional (you just fight your way through the forest every time and ignore the faction wars). Unrelated general notes: 1. Factions should probably vary in strength dramatically, but requirements / level of commitment required would vary too. 2. You should be able to lose face with a faction - like if you walk in on your friends getting slaughtered and run, if there is some realistic way for someone to relay the tale, you should lose face.