Gromnir

doing so is technically illegal in many states and counties. sure, people still do so, but that sorta disposal o' animal remains is prohibited; there is good reasons for prohibiting folks from burying Fido or Rex in their backyard. also, from a practical standpoint, the ride home from the vet woulda' been mighty uncomfortable. Gromnir drives a ford f-150. throw the dead dog in back? aside from the fact that it were raining that day, am thinking that our sister woulda' objected to such treatment o' the remains. ask our sister to hold the corpse on her lap the entire way home? kinda callous. no doubt vol wouldn't mind, but our sister is a bit more... human. ... but lord knows we ain't gonna debate with vol... Mr. Jurant is far more insightful. HA! Good Fun!

But that is the case in the U.S. too. The bar is just a lot higher (lower?). sorry, but no. likelihood that a listener will be offended is NOT considered when free speech is the issue. in fact, as with the aforementioned "ridiculing religious figures in Hustler" example, the Court observed that the more outrageous the insult, the less likely it would be deemed to have offended the First Amendment... don't care about offense to listener unless it is likely to provoke an immediate and violent response... and even then the Court looks at such stuff with a jaundiced eye. is not simple that the bar for a defamation plaintiff is higher in the U.S., but there is a fundamental difference in the manner in which Free Speech issues is reviewed compared to what you seems to believe. there is a category o' unprotected speech in the U.S. identified as "fighting words," and the lay-person could misinterpret so as to believe that it might apply in the present context. am gonna save you some time: Chaplinsky don't apply in the present case. if you is genuine interested, the following is helpful: http://supreme.justia.com/us/315/568/case.html http://supreme.justia.com/us/485/46/index.html http://supreme.justia.com/us/505/377/case.html HA! Good Fun!

What we need is you Brits to reform your defamation laws. If the British courts can punish the publisher of anything controversial that happens to wash up on their shores, speech rights around the world are chilled. am always a little stunned by the manner in which Free Speech is addressed beyond the borders of the US. no matter where you go, most folks seems to approve o' free speech, but... if the speech has the tendency to Offend a religious group... if the speech is insulting to __________... if the speech is unnecessarily harsh... for chrissakes, the only speech that requires protection is the stuff most of us sees as offensive, unnecessary or wrong. the Majority view don't need protection. ... ridiculing religious figures in Hustler. nazis having a parade in Skokie. performance artists pi$$ing on the stars and stripes. we protect such speech in spite of fact that we know that virtually everybody will be offended. no doubt our origin as a revolutionary government explains the fervor with which we Americans protect our freedom o' speech. even so, Gromnir is always a little bit surprised when we hear folks from elsewheres argue that free speech is great... so long as it don't offend. *snort* talk 'bout missing the point. HA! Good Fun!

am trying to figure out the standard for "FAIL." if a buggy release is cause for fail, then planescape were FAIL. some of you kids do not recall the release of ps:t, but it were delayed and ugly with bugs... including that memory leak issue that made game unplayable for many folks. also, as has been discussed many times, ps:t were a FAIL as far as return on investment were concerned... took far too long to eventually get into the black. and no, a million flies cannot be wrong. game development and game publishing is business. if you do not make money, then you will not stay long in the business o' game development. if those million flies are able to pony up the money necessary to purchase games, then no, they cannot be wrong. could guido have saved torn? is our understanding that lithtech engine were FAIL. blame black isle for failure to recognize that lithtech were less than advertised, but am not sure a producer woulda' been able to resurrect the torn development. am also not certain how guido coulda changed fate of bg iii or fo iii. furthermore, am confused by complaints... delay of alpha protocol results in a FAIL, but unfinished and buggy is also resulting in FAIL. well? only way to not result in fail is to release on-time w/o bugs? fair enough... but perhaps you have some examples o' such games? in addition, if ps:t is 'posed to be the best game evar, then fact that motb is not as great as ps:t is hardly a noteworthy criticism, is it? given the absence o' standards for success v. failure, it is difficult to take the FAIL list serious. also, we hate bad logic. failure to show some correlation 'tween guido contribution and success is a FAIL. HA! Good Fun!

yes... and we played a male shep. the exchange you identify were almost as fun as Mordin's Gilbert & Sullivan moment. as for the hammerhead... we wish we could aid you, but we played xbox 360. am suspecting that driving the hammerhead poses a different challenge for pc users. that being said, we did pop into the kitchen as we transitioned from science station to the exterior/volcano... the load time were dragging a bit and we had observed a simultaneous auto-save. returned within less than a minute later carrying a tuna fish on rye and a glass o' lemon-lime kool-aid only to discover that we had died in action. re-load. we did not lolly-gag the second time. HA! Good Fun!

It's a shame that people see some anime or manga and think OMG THAT'S HOW JAPANESE PEOPLE REALLY ARE!!1 This will apparently come as a surprise to some folks, but the way the world works in games and movies and books and whatever, isn't necessarily the way it works in real life. Crazy! again, in case it is getting lost, Gromnir ain't suggesting that meek women allowing themselves to be getting raped on trains in Japan is normal. the games represent a fantasy scenario that ain't plausible. however, these and other Japanese games depicting rape, incest, and pedophilia is readily available in Nippon. to ignore such entertainment entirely and dismiss as the last resort o' a disturbed fringe element would be a mistake. "Cop Killer," the rap song, garnered a great deal of attention when it were released. now to suggest that the song realistically depicted how all/many young black male Americans were advocating the killing o' police officers would be a ludicrous suggestion. that being said, you would be foolish in the extreme if you completely ignored the significance of such entertainment. the increasing numbers of young black males dying through violence, and a growing element in the black community that saw their relationship with law enforcement as adversarial had a basis in fact. ignore the significance of a culture's entertainment? *chuckle*

what is it with the strawman in this thread? who said that the Nippon perspective could not be understood by westerners? not Gromnir. we did say that the Japanese pov is different; to apply western standards to Japanese issues leads to inevitable confusion. we does agree that the train-rape scenarios is largely fantasy, as we already observed; however, the number o' reported sexual assault cases per year in Japan does not mesh well with your example. reported sexual assaults is very low when compared to other western nations. another Japanese quirk: official sexual assault statistics is not tracked male v. female. in the west it is pretty much accepted universal that women is far more likely to be victims o' sexual assault. typically, we sees western figures for assaults per 100,000 females. males as victims is counted separate. Japan does not separate. official stats for sexual assaults in Japan COMBINE male and female.

those of you likes to utilize google might wanna try this: find a study conducted by a governmental body in Japan that examines the issue of unreported rape cases. we could be waiting a long time. you can find that the incidence of reported rapes is very low. you can see that the number of reported rape cases that is actually prosecuted is very low. you can find numbers relating to the number of rape cases that fail 'cause the victim recants. etc. but try to find a japanese study that estimates the number o' unreported rape cases... is not hard to find such studies in western nations. ugly numbers suggesting that many rapes go unreported here in the United States is easy to locate, but try to find any similar Japanese study and you will discover a void. ask self: why?

I don't know if it's true or not (I'd guess it partially is) but basically it comes from the fact that Japanese train cars are so packed that if you were to start groping somebody, they couldn't really do much about it because they're stuck in place by the mass of people. bs. Gromnir has used trains in tokyo, osaka, hiroshima, nagasaki and a half-dozen other cities in Nippon. trains is packed tight, but not so tight as to prevent a woman from being able to scream at, or lash out at, a would-be assailant. do not think like a westerner. a western woman would scream, and punch/smack/kick her assailant if she were being assaulted on a train. japanese entertainment suggests that the Shame Impulse is so strong that victim will remain meek and quiet during her assault. it is the relative anonymity granted to an assailant by being part o' the faceless mass o' people on trains that supposed leads to the fantastical train-rape scenarios. ... haji and mura hachibu is powerful and enduring concepts in modern Nippon. btw, do not get the wrong idea; Gromnir likes Japan and the Japanese people very much. however, our experience in Japan taught us that you must be willing to let go of your western pov when dealing with fundamentally Japanese issues. example: the game in question is Not new. last year, as the result of negative backlash from western media sources and pressure from the UN (yes, THE UN,) rape games were banned... including the aforementioned rapelay. however, the governing body that banned rape content (EOCS) chose to leave the parameters and definitions of the ban unspecified resulting in a ban in name only.

fixed. *shrug* the only drawback to the vindicator is the limited ammo... and squaddies never need worry 'bout ammo. am not certain why we would ever have a squaddie equip geth pulse in favor of Vindicator. +25% damage to shields w/vindicator v. +35% damage to shields w/geth pulse rifle = Big Win for Vindicator. vindicator base damage is near 10x as high as geth pulse... so why is Gromnir using geth? in any event, our best approach to dealing with mechs is to take miranda and garrus as they both got overload... btw, we noticed on xbox 360 version o' me2 that we typical seems to get benefit of squad disruptor even if we only got 3 tiers o' disruptor ammo for our soldier. is a bug? we switch from warp squad to disruptor and then observe that garrus and miranda weapons has the little disruptor icon attached to their weapons. is... odd. HA! Good Fun!

I'm proud of you Di. I have seen the sun rise on the sandy beaches of Hawaii. I have seen the sun set on the coasts of Honshu. But neither dusk nor dawn compares the sumptuous beauty of the Geth Pulse Rifle. Nb - make sure you use it with maxed out inferno ammo, and you'll never have to ammo switch again. there is a problem with the geth rifle... if you has been using the vindicator. sure, the geth has loads o' ammo, but it does far less damage per shot; it takes longer to kill stuff using the geth rifle. after +10 hours using the vindicator, you gets comfortable with seeing foes die quickly. when you first switch to the geth rifle, it seems as if your soldier has sudden become teh suk 'cause you is emptying clips into foes, but they just ain't dying like they should. am not minding switching ammo. we will happily switch disruptor, warp and cold during the course o' a single battle... 'cause as a soldier we got no powhaz save for ammo and adrenaline burst anyways. what we does mind is seeing a paltry pack o' varen shrugging off our geth pulse shots like water falling from a duck's back. when Gromnir shoots stuff with the vindicator, it dies. we not get the same warm fuzzy feeling o' certain ownage when using the geth pulse. HA! Good Fun!

I just think there is a really skewed perspective out there that says, Japanese are just screwed up perverts, that really ignores what in fact is a very general and very universal spectrum of sexuality and sexual pleasure that is one of the key components of modern Western media. straw man. am doubting that most folks here, or else-wheres, believe that the Japanese (all-inclusive) are "screwed up perverts." nevertheless, compared to the typical westerner's outlook, the Japanese cultural pov regarding rape, incest and pedophilia IS different. the Japanese salaryman recognizes that rape, incest and pedophilia is socially unacceptable, but he is not offended or revolted by their depiction to the degree that Di is. the salaryman will, in public, agree with Di that rape is a reprehensible crime, and pedophilia is abominable, but his genuine/private thoughts on such matters he will not share... just as he will not share with you what he were really doing on his "business" trip to singapore or bangkok. to ignore the cultural differences o' the folks from Nippon would be no less ignorant than stereotyping 'em as perverts. HA! Good Fun!

the plot o' me2 were just sorta a massive post script to me1. so, me2 didn't really change or add much o' anything to the Mass Effect story. reapers is still the Ultimate Evil intent on wiping out sentient life in the galaxy. HA! Good Fun!

the moonbase also were another example o' the danger o' ai... and admiral hackett were pretty clear that at least publicly humanity weren't so "stupid" as to genuine mess with ai. also, our sheppard grilled tali pretty rough regarding geth and ai. drawing some kinda conclusion that humanity is ok with ai based on me1 material seems unfounded. HA! Good Fun!

I really don't understand how do you see immersion as silly and flexible, which can't be achieved wihout being impractical? Then again, I don't understand half of the stuff you write am betting you understand... you just don't realize or wanna admit. what is immersion? how is immersion achieved? that which breaks immersion for deathdealer is likely to be same for Gromnir, vol, and enoch? please. anybody that has spent as much time on these boards as your post count implies is fully aware that "immersion" is a very fluid term and meaningless without context. most developers when faced with "immersion" criticisms become understandably brusque. so... Gromnir cuts out all the unnecessary "lets define immersion" nonsense and got straight to point where such discussions must inevitably end: practical solutions. skip the "immersion" prattle and suggest practical approaches that would improve "immersion." HA! Good Fun!

so instead you use a dictionary definition that didn't support your usage? ... okie dokie. as for utilitarian... you woulda had even more difficulty explaining how a "utilitarian view of the human condition" helped your pov. wanna try the dictionary route again? HA! Good Fun!

I didn't bring Legion to see him, but I did try to inform him that the Geth aren't all psychotic. He gave me a quick 'keep your mouth shut, the Council thinks you're insane enough already' talk. given the pervasive fear o' AI we saw from peoples in me1, Gromnir were more than a little surprised by how easily we were able to welcome legion aboard the new normandy... not to mention the presence of an active AI on the SR-2. were an almost dune-like fear of AI in me1... and those fears were seeming reasonable especially in light of geth and sovereign attack on the citadel. me2 has a different AI pov that not seem to mesh with the impression we got from me1. felt... odd. weren't game busting by any stretch o' the imagination, but me2 peoples were far too accepting of AI given the manner in which the developers were really hammering on the AI evils in me1. HA! Good Fun!

sure, sure... no doubt you can re-write sentence a few more times... and if you used "general sense" then why throw up the dictionary definition in the first place? you seem more than a little confused. *shrug* well, you learned something... in any event, am more curious about the non-implementation of new powhaz in the da:o oc... is almost as perplexing as your so-called explanations. HA! Good Fun!

we had to google "Realms of Arkania" sherman & mr. peabody had to set the Way-Back Machine to the early and mid 90s for that reference... a time when we were playing tie fighter and a few other space combat sims. HA! Good Fun!

what you said was: "Usually I consider something dark if it has a cynical or nihilistic view of the human condition." definition 3 actually works less in such a case. you bring up definition of nihilism (n.). now make into and adjective modifying "view"... more specific, "view of the human condition." a noun describing a destructive impulse not work so well as an adjective modifying a view of human the human condition. well, no biggie. your mistake results in a little enlightenment for you and others. Nietzsche would be pleased. HA! Good Fun! So you're complaining I gave the definition for a noun when I originally used an adjective? ****ing lawyers. you coulda' let it go. the definition you insist is appropriate, and is s'posed the one you were meaning, does not work in the context of the sentence you provided. so go ahead and explain how definition 3 works in the following sentence: "Usually I consider something dark if it has a cynical or nihilistic view of the human condition." nihilism in def. 3 is a destructive impulse... a noun. some nouns work very well as adjectives. others do not. you chose... poorly. is not a matter o' grammar. is a matter o' poorly considered backpedaling. def 3 does not transition to an adjective that can actually modify "view of the human condition." so, either you didn't actually understand the definition, or your random grab for a definition that might work was tripped up 'cause you didn't actually bother to read in the context of your original sentence. in any event, am wondering if anybody has gotten feedback as to why the new powhaz in the expansion will not be available to those playing the oc. Gromnir's guess were balance, but that is just a guess based on pretty much zippo. HA! Good Fun!

sssshhhhh. legion gots the n-7 armour... he is in disguise as an alliance battle-bot, but that is a secret. dunno. the notion o' immersion is kinda silly and flexible. is better to consider practical solutions, no? preclude legion from citadel (and most other civilized worlds) results in players crying that you got a joinable character that is functional useless in many parts of game. at the same time, you really think the developers is gonna create considerable new content to deal with a new mini-geth incursion on the citadel? doubtful. so, what is practical solution? would a couple o' queries from the c-sec officer doing your scan at the citadel have been enough to save immersion? Sir, may I inquire about the geth in your party? dialogue wheel: piss off mate the answer to that question is above your pay grade (bribe 500 credits) actual response regardless of your choice I'm a Spectre. Ask the council if you want answers. silly dialogue wheel. no doubt the biowarians considered options and decided that it weren't worth the effort to implement to pander to a handful o' folks who were hoping to create panic on the citadel or illium or wherever. still, we probably woulda' thrown in one or two token dialogue options just to let the player know that their juvenile clowning had not gone unnoticed. HA! Good Fun!

what you said was: "Usually I consider something dark if it has a cynical or nihilistic view of the human condition." definition 3 actually works less in such a case. you bring up definition of nihilism (n.). now make into and adjective modifying "view"... more specific, "view of the human condition." a noun describing a destructive impulse not work so well as an adjective modifying a view of human the human condition. well, no biggie. your mistake results in a little enlightenment for you and others. Nietzsche would be pleased. HA! Good Fun!

wrath might have had more luck if he declared that russian lit = dark rather than nihilism = dark. am being hyperbolic and am certain that somebody can identify a famous russian author who did not do dark... but we cannot think of one at the moment. HA! Good Fun! Tolstoy? Nabokov? tolstoy is pretty damned gloomy... but oddly enough, the epilogues from war and peace is relative positive. anna kerenina is a hoot with the titular character committing suicide, and resurrection is thankfully forgotten with characters so dismal and hopeless as to be caricatures more than believable peoples. nabokov? suicides, pedophiles, insane protagonists, tortured loves and failed murders... though we never could figure out how to describe Pnin as it seems quirky w/o much of nabokov's typical malice. there IS some short stories by nabokov that is non-dark. dunno. HA! Good Fun!

According to the wiki, Legion deals 43% less damage than Shep with the Widow... so while powerful, it's not quite "gamebreaking". And poor squaddies need all the help they can get, they do. Also, squad Cryo Ammo I found to be one of the best force multipliers in the game, if used with AR or SMG-armed squadmates. In my Vanguard playthrough, I found that at least 2-3 enemies per encounter were consistently being frozen... which means they stop shooting at you BEFORE they are dead. Don't know about its effectiveness against barrier, though. Slam is useful for one thing and one thing alone -- to set up Warp explosions with Miranda. And since she gets at least one dot in that skill no matter what, you might as well use it... I wish there was a respec research project for jNPCs too. am not certain if we is disturbed or relieved regarding legion and the widow sniper rifle. makes sense that bio had to balance in some manner. is the mantis similarly gimped? would almost needs to be otherwise it would make more sense to have legion keeps using the mantis. is all squad weapon damage 43% of shep's? ... wacky stuff. HA! Good Fun!