Excellent point. I believe this might also be easy to handle. When you log in there is a message box saying, you've been hired out by blah, to do quest blah, the wages are blah. Then your char can 'wake up' and start fighting without the AI (less sever load). You could just tell the other guys their on their own and split (but no cash).
I suppose it would also be pretty easy for you to set blocks of time aside for when your char can go questing on his or her own. Like, say, when you're at work, or sleeping. Then anybody who hires out will know they have a time limit and have to hurry the hell up.
The real problem here would be that I don't care who you are, the hired PC is dragon fodder. I can see it now.
"Hmm.. six level 10 orc fighters versus my lvl 8 fighter and these four lvl 5 mages i hired out... I'll just have them stand in a line and run the hell away!"
Every time you log in your charecter would be dead or would have accumulated every injury that the coders could concieve of... maybe a few they didn't.
So... maybe Nintendo should buy out Macintosh? Might not work out so well.
1. Buy Mac 2. Switch back to IBM (if their newer chip technology works) 3. Reduce computer speed and prices, increase value 4. Fully optimize EVERYTHING. 5. Zelda screensavers, Epona (Link) Web Browser, Samus Powerbeam Keyboard, Mario Office Suite
Are you being too particular, in that, perhaps it is being mis-quoted? I'm not sure what the line is exactly, but the GP poster had it on. It's from the episode you're thinking of.
They're making the movie for Radioactive Man. He's in a big canal tied up for some reason. Their's acid flying down the canal at him and Fallout Boy (Millhouse) was suposed to rescue him... but doesn't. Radioactive Man (Ranier Wulfcastle) quickly dons his saftey googles, and as the green acid washes him away, he says the aforementioned quote. When the acid clears the piller he was tied to is mostly melted away.
It's kind of a classic moment in Simpsons history.
Same thing with GTA...GTA 3 was fun, Vice City was *really* fun, SA was neither here nor there for me. Besides, where can they go with it?
I agree with you, mostly. I thought all the GTA's for PS2 were pretty fun in their own rights. (I didn't really like Vice City as much as the other two because the land was so flat and streets seemed a lot more cramped). All in all, though, they were the same game with a change of scenery. What I liked about San Andreas was exploring the countryside, and finding the jumps (and the Harrier is a lot of fun).
I never bought any of the GTA series games because I don't care if another one is ever made. I play the game at my friends' houses. I'd say they can probably refine their formula two, perhaps three times at max before this well is completely dry. I'm sure that anyone can plainly see that even if they re-release one of these with all new graphics, textures, and charecter models people will buy the game in droves. No need to tighten up gameplay or add real elements. People do buy graphics, but they will catch on after that.
I said it was an experiment. I didn't say it made sense. I've done it before, merely to see what would happen (I also thought playing Thief on my dad's 32" TV would look cool, I was way wrong). I know the card automaticly sets it up, read the comment again, I said it would. What I said was to try to force a downscaling, if TV card doesn't let you, then it doesn't let you, and the experment can't be attempted. I used a Radeon VE when I tried it. That's what I got. I was using Window's display settings, not Radeon's utilities.
But, like I said, if the card or whatever you might try it with won't do it or allow it, that's fine and the experemtent cannot be done. I'm well aware that the downscaling is not neccessary. Don't be so quick to defend your pride.
because the customers grow out of Nintendo's product/style.
Not quite true. I enjoy playing Halo and any other FPS with my friends, but we also enjoy playing Mario Kart and Smash Bros. more. Every time we get together to play Halo (2) we're less and less enthusiastic, but when we're throwing turtle shells at each other in ANY of the Mario Kart series (SNES, N64, Gamecube, GBA, DS) we always have a ton of fun.
Gamers don't graduate out of Nintendo, the just have different tastes. Nintendo wants to cater to every taste as best they can. Meanwhile you've PC's, XBox's, 360's, and PS whatever's giving out the same thing over and over with more polish. Not that I mind it, I love the way the games are looking. I have every intention of being the first in line for the PS3, but also for the rev.
Oh, and I'd like to quote an old friend (perhaps some one may know who said it first, or if anybody said it).
"Playing Halo doesn't make you a gamer any more than eating a taco makes you a Mexican."
In other words, if you aren't prepared to sample more than just a bit, you haven't even started to walk properly in the ways (gamer, or Mexico...).
I don't want a flame-war... but quit talking out of your ass. If you can't support your arguement, don't make one. The fact of the matter is "yes, it will have to be downscaled."
Here's an easy experiment to prove this fact. If you or someone you knows has a TV out on their/your computer hook it up to a standerd (IE non high-def) television. Now, the native resolution for a high-end TV is about 640x480 (often resolution is lost on the sides and top of the screen, many lower end TV's will cut off more than a few pixels, sometimes up to 40 on each side). Your computer should scale the output signal down to 640x480i. This isn't going to look that great because most standard (even the high-enders) don't handle this well. So 320x240p may be required. At any rate, the res will be lower than a low-end high-def TV.
Now, kick up the resolution to 800x480, or even higher. One of two things will happen. One, you will only see a corner of what would be displayed on your normal monitor, and moving the mouse will cause the viewable area to move when you reach the sides. Two, you're going to get an extremely blurred picture with unreadable text. You should be able to force the second mode in the display settings if you're running Windows, then you'll see what I mean. This is because the computer knows the TV would probably blow up if it sent it more info than it can handle (I've fried a few older monitors this way, it's an honorable death) and it pulls out a standard (like 1 in 6 or something like that) amout of pixels. That, or some algorythm figures out what pixels the picture needs the least and pulls those. I'd rather it took that time to make a lower res image look prettier with lighting effects or an extra few polygons.
If you want to know more, google "standard TV resolution" or something like that. There's plenty of information out there... and try not to sound like you know what you're talking about on/. when you don't. If you've been here for any amount of time, you will have realized that somebody always knows more. Even than this poster.
Well... Think about it. Use hydrogen... Hell, put some Oxygen in it while you're at it, but only on the outer cells. Make sure you're using a good, tight kevlar weave. The outer cells are now slightly heavier than the inner cells. Not to mention there is no weight directly on the out cell (save for a bridging/exit system for troops/supplies).
The trick is that this one doesn't carry any troops. It carries bombs and floats about until some insurgents try to lay waste to it. They think they've got a victory when it blows a few holes in the skirt, shakes, and starts to fall. Then, when they get close enough, boom...
The original Deus Ex had an excelent workaround. Even with the patches, you could play the game without the CD, thus, with a burned copy. One of the game's.sys folders contained a line that looked for the CD in D:. Well, that was the default and you could easily change that to the folder on your HDD that contained all the game files, seeing as it copied the CD onto the drive for its install.
Oh, and no, I didn't pirate the game. I got a copy from my brother whose computer couldn't run it properly (he had mainboard issues). Then got a Game of the Year version when I upgraded my sound card.
I believe that in the case of Steel Batalion when you eject a clip it has an effect on your fuel efficiency. So it does make a difference. Every time you fire a round your weight decreases, if only slightly, but it makes a difference in the long run.
A long time ago, I read about a study that showed brainwave patterns for watching normal TV (non-interactive, like soap operas and commercials) was the same as staring at a fire. These brainwaves were pretty close to that of time periods of sleep when the brain is only running the body on survival. The only difference was when something on the TV was thought-provocing.
At least when we fire a gun in a video game we have some thought pattern. I'd like to see this study done on people grinding levels in WoW or another MMORPG. I know my brain isn't waving when I'm grinding. Kill... grab stuff... skin... grab stuff... heal... kill.....
Have you played Steel Battalion for XBox? That game has a wonderful ability to piss you off. If you're one of those chronic reloaders who pops off 4 shots and reloads (with a a clip of, say 60 rounds), you'll hate this game. In SB your ammo isn't in a pool. It's in a clip. If you fire 23 rounds from a 50 round clip and reload, you're out 27 good shots. And you can't pick up extra (you can call in an air re-supply, but only one or sometimes two per stage).
I think that if there wasn't an ammo 'pool' it would make games much, much more difficult. Heck, that could be part of the 'hard' setting. No ammo count and clips eject with leftovers still inside. Clips you scab off of dead guys only have what they have. You would have to take the time to fill a clip... you know, like in real life.
He'll soon change his mind when he notices the loss of energy and strength. When you work out all the time and suddenly stop there is a massive difference. You won't stay awake easily, and you'll start relying on coffee or other caffiene products. Muscles will start to atrophy without constant use, and consequently, your matabolism will plummet. Now you're storing all the energy you eat.
Athaletes that quit cold turkey tend to turn into fat guys a lot quicker than they think.
Never thought of a paved road as cushy... or, maybe I'm thinking squishy...
I know what you mean though. I grew up in a rural area and there weren't many paved roads. Lots of washboard dirt roads to test your patients and your suspension. Or muddy to test your traction. Lot's of pools of water will turn to ice in the winter. If you have a car that is worth keeping clean you have to wash it twice a day...
Just make it up! Like in Halo, you can be as "speciesist" as you want, because there are no Covenent forces or Flood to complain about it. Either that, or you can satire it. Just think about Gulliver's Travels. John Swift would have been hung and pissed on by the governments he was satiring if they had paid enough attention. Fortunately, when being satired, most polititians and the like are too arrogent to care/notice.
Now, I understand that the article points to racism, its promotion and a few other problems, but video games are just as much a form of media as a movie or book. Games don't have to reflect the feelings of the producer or company, but it sure as hell reflects their moral guidelines. When you put your name on something, you had better be able to say exactly why.
Yeah, but watch out. If you read the can's "infomation" or whatever on the back, you'll find ut that they recommend not drinking more than three can's a day.
I find that if I'm not using the 'energy' enough when I drink it that my heart starts to pump a little too hard, trying to get rid of it. Mostly caffiene O/D, I'm sure. So, rarely do I drink more than one of these, or have more than a few shots of esspresso in a day. Unless I've been drinking, then I put down a lot because it keeps you hydrated better than alcohol, and staves off the sleepy effects of the booze!
Seriously, though. When I play paintball, I drink half a can and then put down half a gallon of water in the first hour. Maybe get down another whole gallon on a hot day. We're usually out there for six hours or more.
It tastes very pleseant. I don't like drinking a lot of sugar, and this stuff has only 6g per can (16oz). Usually it can be found for 1.99/each, but you can buy fourpacks that are discounted by a total $.50 to $2.00. Gas stations around my area (Twin Cities, MN) have jacked the prices to $2.29, so I don't often get it, but it's still better for you than getting super-sugared up lattes and mochas at coffee shops (and much cheaper in the long run).
I've actaully been able to pick it up by the case. Go to their website and call them, they'll tell you who is the local distributor. I've gotten cases for paintball tournaments that I've hosted for $32.00 (24pack).
More time wasted on that game in college than in class, studying, or sleeping. We were so good we could turn on the Dark sims (or the perfect, whichever was the hardest) and slaughter them in an 8 on 4 competition. We could also be the top four contenders in a free-for-all with the same sims. Mind you, I had 5 roommates who could own at that game. Oh, fond memories! If this is available on the Revolutions... I'm there! I just hope they can up the frame-rate. That's it.
You'll excuse me, but I haven't had too much time to try this game out, but every time I do, I just can't figure out why people like it. I finally found out how the leveling works, but I still can't get into it. I know it's considered a great game by a lot of people, but I don't "get" it. It must just be me.
We all know why, however. The ads don't really do much. I'd say that at least a third of users ignore them completely, and even more know where to get what they need, and have no reason to keep their eyes open. Since the advent of online ads, I honestly believe that I haven't ever clicked on one.
I hate to say it, but I'd rather not have the content than be forced to look at ads. I refuse to watch most television because I hate the commercials (if I do watch TV, I mute the ads). I wouldn't be so adamante about this issue... but, the commercials all suck, in general. Every once in a while I see one tha captures my attention and will enjoy seeing once or twice after the first time.
The same applies to radio. I stopped listening. I hate the commercials (I really draw a line at Diamond commercials, I'll fly across a room faster than light to switch the station, or turn it off). I do support MRP and the local jazz station, as well as the local christian radio station when I have the funds. They all offer content that I really enjoy, and am willing to pay for. I would be sad to see Slashdot go to pay only, but as it is, I can't even afford internet at home (yup, I'm slacking off at work).
Slashdot Mirror
I suppose it would also be pretty easy for you to set blocks of time aside for when your char can go questing on his or her own. Like, say, when you're at work, or sleeping. Then anybody who hires out will know they have a time limit and have to hurry the hell up.
Just a couple thoughts.
"Hmm.. six level 10 orc fighters versus my lvl 8 fighter and these four lvl 5 mages i hired out... I'll just have them stand in a line and run the hell away!"
Every time you log in your charecter would be dead or would have accumulated every injury that the coders could concieve of... maybe a few they didn't.
1. Buy Mac
2. Switch back to IBM (if their newer chip technology works)
3. Reduce computer speed and prices, increase value
4. Fully optimize EVERYTHING.
5. Zelda screensavers, Epona (Link) Web Browser, Samus Powerbeam Keyboard, Mario Office Suite
They're making the movie for Radioactive Man. He's in a big canal tied up for some reason. Their's acid flying down the canal at him and Fallout Boy (Millhouse) was suposed to rescue him... but doesn't. Radioactive Man (Ranier Wulfcastle) quickly dons his saftey googles, and as the green acid washes him away, he says the aforementioned quote. When the acid clears the piller he was tied to is mostly melted away.
It's kind of a classic moment in Simpsons history.
I agree with you, mostly. I thought all the GTA's for PS2 were pretty fun in their own rights. (I didn't really like Vice City as much as the other two because the land was so flat and streets seemed a lot more cramped). All in all, though, they were the same game with a change of scenery. What I liked about San Andreas was exploring the countryside, and finding the jumps (and the Harrier is a lot of fun).
I never bought any of the GTA series games because I don't care if another one is ever made. I play the game at my friends' houses. I'd say they can probably refine their formula two, perhaps three times at max before this well is completely dry. I'm sure that anyone can plainly see that even if they re-release one of these with all new graphics, textures, and charecter models people will buy the game in droves. No need to tighten up gameplay or add real elements. People do buy graphics, but they will catch on after that.
But, like I said, if the card or whatever you might try it with won't do it or allow it, that's fine and the experemtent cannot be done. I'm well aware that the downscaling is not neccessary. Don't be so quick to defend your pride.
Not quite true. I enjoy playing Halo and any other FPS with my friends, but we also enjoy playing Mario Kart and Smash Bros. more. Every time we get together to play Halo (2) we're less and less enthusiastic, but when we're throwing turtle shells at each other in ANY of the Mario Kart series (SNES, N64, Gamecube, GBA, DS) we always have a ton of fun.
Gamers don't graduate out of Nintendo, the just have different tastes. Nintendo wants to cater to every taste as best they can. Meanwhile you've PC's, XBox's, 360's, and PS whatever's giving out the same thing over and over with more polish. Not that I mind it, I love the way the games are looking. I have every intention of being the first in line for the PS3, but also for the rev.
Oh, and I'd like to quote an old friend (perhaps some one may know who said it first, or if anybody said it).
"Playing Halo doesn't make you a gamer any more than eating a taco makes you a Mexican."
In other words, if you aren't prepared to sample more than just a bit, you haven't even started to walk properly in the ways (gamer, or Mexico...).
Here's an easy experiment to prove this fact. If you or someone you knows has a TV out on their/your computer hook it up to a standerd (IE non high-def) television. Now, the native resolution for a high-end TV is about 640x480 (often resolution is lost on the sides and top of the screen, many lower end TV's will cut off more than a few pixels, sometimes up to 40 on each side). Your computer should scale the output signal down to 640x480i. This isn't going to look that great because most standard (even the high-enders) don't handle this well. So 320x240p may be required. At any rate, the res will be lower than a low-end high-def TV.
Now, kick up the resolution to 800x480, or even higher. One of two things will happen. One, you will only see a corner of what would be displayed on your normal monitor, and moving the mouse will cause the viewable area to move when you reach the sides. Two, you're going to get an extremely blurred picture with unreadable text. You should be able to force the second mode in the display settings if you're running Windows, then you'll see what I mean. This is because the computer knows the TV would probably blow up if it sent it more info than it can handle (I've fried a few older monitors this way, it's an honorable death) and it pulls out a standard (like 1 in 6 or something like that) amout of pixels. That, or some algorythm figures out what pixels the picture needs the least and pulls those. I'd rather it took that time to make a lower res image look prettier with lighting effects or an extra few polygons.
If you want to know more, google "standard TV resolution" or something like that. There's plenty of information out there... and try not to sound like you know what you're talking about on /. when you don't. If you've been here for any amount of time, you will have realized that somebody always knows more. Even than this poster.
I forgot to mention steel woven in with the kevlar weave. That would help (provided the bullets fired were metalic).
The trick is that this one doesn't carry any troops. It carries bombs and floats about until some insurgents try to lay waste to it. They think they've got a victory when it blows a few holes in the skirt, shakes, and starts to fall. Then, when they get close enough, boom...
Or not...
Oh, and no, I didn't pirate the game. I got a copy from my brother whose computer couldn't run it properly (he had mainboard issues). Then got a Game of the Year version when I upgraded my sound card.
In other news... (Score:5, Interesting)
Water is wet!
I had to laugh out loud at the moderator who labeled it interesting. If I could, I'd meta-mod that (+10 fricken halarious)!
I believe that in the case of Steel Batalion when you eject a clip it has an effect on your fuel efficiency. So it does make a difference. Every time you fire a round your weight decreases, if only slightly, but it makes a difference in the long run.
At least when we fire a gun in a video game we have some thought pattern. I'd like to see this study done on people grinding levels in WoW or another MMORPG. I know my brain isn't waving when I'm grinding. Kill... grab stuff... skin... grab stuff... heal... kill.. ...
I think that if there wasn't an ammo 'pool' it would make games much, much more difficult. Heck, that could be part of the 'hard' setting. No ammo count and clips eject with leftovers still inside. Clips you scab off of dead guys only have what they have. You would have to take the time to fill a clip... you know, like in real life.
About that -1 mod. Uwe Boll most likely had mod points. Notice that all the posts in this forum are abnormally low.
No offense, but I wouldn't say that publicly. People will think you're a sucker.
Completely off-topic, I have this cure-all salve made from the adrenal glands of a rare snake...
Athaletes that quit cold turkey tend to turn into fat guys a lot quicker than they think.
I know what you mean though. I grew up in a rural area and there weren't many paved roads. Lots of washboard dirt roads to test your patients and your suspension. Or muddy to test your traction. Lot's of pools of water will turn to ice in the winter. If you have a car that is worth keeping clean you have to wash it twice a day...
Now, I understand that the article points to racism, its promotion and a few other problems, but video games are just as much a form of media as a movie or book. Games don't have to reflect the feelings of the producer or company, but it sure as hell reflects their moral guidelines. When you put your name on something, you had better be able to say exactly why.
I find that if I'm not using the 'energy' enough when I drink it that my heart starts to pump a little too hard, trying to get rid of it. Mostly caffiene O/D, I'm sure. So, rarely do I drink more than one of these, or have more than a few shots of esspresso in a day. Unless I've been drinking, then I put down a lot because it keeps you hydrated better than alcohol, and staves off the sleepy effects of the booze!
Seriously, though. When I play paintball, I drink half a can and then put down half a gallon of water in the first hour. Maybe get down another whole gallon on a hot day. We're usually out there for six hours or more.
I've actaully been able to pick it up by the case. Go to their website and call them, they'll tell you who is the local distributor. I've gotten cases for paintball tournaments that I've hosted for $32.00 (24pack).
I'm not addicted, I can stop any time I want...
Hell... Yeah...
More time wasted on that game in college than in class, studying, or sleeping. We were so good we could turn on the Dark sims (or the perfect, whichever was the hardest) and slaughter them in an 8 on 4 competition. We could also be the top four contenders in a free-for-all with the same sims. Mind you, I had 5 roommates who could own at that game. Oh, fond memories! If this is available on the Revolutions... I'm there! I just hope they can up the frame-rate. That's it.
Sorry, no witness here.
I hate to say it, but I'd rather not have the content than be forced to look at ads. I refuse to watch most television because I hate the commercials (if I do watch TV, I mute the ads). I wouldn't be so adamante about this issue... but, the commercials all suck, in general. Every once in a while I see one tha captures my attention and will enjoy seeing once or twice after the first time.
The same applies to radio. I stopped listening. I hate the commercials (I really draw a line at Diamond commercials, I'll fly across a room faster than light to switch the station, or turn it off). I do support MRP and the local jazz station, as well as the local christian radio station when I have the funds. They all offer content that I really enjoy, and am willing to pay for. I would be sad to see Slashdot go to pay only, but as it is, I can't even afford internet at home (yup, I'm slacking off at work).