[the RTS]

How did a thread about a new game turn into Charles Dickens-bashing?  This is the silliest internet argument I have ever read!

We're trying to set a new standard of absurdity.

But then again, I'm a person that rolls eyes when someone states that he/she HATES Micro$oft Wink.

Exactly.  They haven't been the quickest to get where they are today, but Microsoft does a lot of good for the industry.  Development tools are now all free.  They're open about most of their projects, with employee blogs and internal Video/Media coverage.  Even on their console alone, there are a lot of community things (gamer and developer) that they were first to do, and in some cases, are still the only that does.

Let's step back for a second, and remove any bias. We have a sequel coming out to a genre that typically either thrives or fails quickly.

Right, the RTS is a flawed genre.  Subgenre actually, of strategy games.  That's a completely separate issue than Blizzard being bad in any way.  And that's my point.  Hating Blizzard for a sub point that is completely unrelated to them is of no value to you.  The real issue at hand is completely lost in absurdity.

Some people seem to hate Steam, which is absurd because it's merely a passive client like any web browser or internet app (iTunes).  Unlike Wild Tangent DRM (Fate), which is a variety of spyware.  There is a reason to dislike a company, because they are actually doing something negative to you that they don't have to.

... it was refering to the MMO genus in general, and I fully understand that it's just my personal opinion.

Right, but doing so does you no good.  Disliking something is great, but understand what parts you don't like.  If your dislike for MMO's is the integrated social community, but you love RPG's, then honestly, are you making a lot of sense to yourself?


Nice rape clock Arne. :D

[> Ask Bono to tell a joke, about nards]

> Ask Bono to tell a joke, about nards

I think recognizing what's good and bad, what people like and don't like, and what you personally like and dislike are vital to design in regards to knowing how what you're doing will be received by other players. And I fail to see how disliking a certain company or artist is poor mindset for when you go to make something.

I agree knowing what you like and dislike is vital, but at the same time, so is understanding why you dislike something.  I can't think of a good reason to "hate" Blizzard.  They've lead the pack as far CG quality for many years.  They build games that are surprisingly approachable (Diablo is a fantastic example of complex game that almost anyone is capable of playing).  They support their games for years, releasing updates for games nearly 10 years after they've shipped.  They essentially invented the modern multiplayer game lobby.  They do nothing but good things for their community (ban cheaters).  They sponsor tournaments.  I could go on.

Outside of financial or success jealousy, I don't see a reason.  If you've had bad dealings with them or their parent company (Vivendi), then I suppose that's a reason.  Settling for "I just don't like it" is an "F" on your game research homework.

It's like hating bread.  Not because it makes you ill or anything, but because you can.  Congratz, you're a bread rebel.  May your bread rebellion bring you joy and riches in life.

Ehehe, I hold the belief that all MMO's are terrible, personally.

Sure, but if you break up an MMO in to it's building blocks, you get an RPG and a social community (i.e. chat/forums).  Congratz, you hate RPG's and Forums.


Now, don't get me wrong.  Just because I'm giving you guys heat for not eating it up, doesn't mean that I'm going to be loving it.  I personally don't get much entertainment value out of learning a new RTS technology tree.  There's a good chance I'll sit down, play one evening, and unless I get caught by the storytelling or general awe, that'll be it.  Sure, $50 for only a couple hours of entertainment.  Insert "cheap hooker" joke here.

You're not doing yourself any favors by "hating" something.

I hate Blizzard with a religious passion

I'm glad too that it's not another shitty MMO.

What's with you people?  Talk about a terrible mindset for game design. 

That sort of negativity will get you eaten.

Command "Have Sex" requires the expansion pack.

>

Yep, that looks like a worthy sequel.

Damn, that's freaky cool Raigan.

Yeah, and if you have one of those 3 month cards, you punch in the code on the Marketplace blade.  But you get your month free first.

Yes, some of you are crazy enough to still use ASCII.  :D

But a good design should stand out even without pretty graphics.  Pretty graphics is just how we get people to buy it.

[> Question "But the mouth was drawn on lipstick?! How is this possible!?!?!"]

> Question "But the mouth was drawn on lipstick?!  How is this possible!?!?!"

Games are dumb.  Only dumb people play games.  Dummy face.

[> inventory]

> inventory

* PoV nudges reset button.

Odd.  I thought FF12 was great.  I also liked FF11, somewhat.

[[Toothbrush]]

In your left hand you are carrying [nothing], in your right [Toothbrush].  In your pockets you have [Wallet], [Car Key], [Ice Cream Scoop], and [Driftwood].

What would you like to do?

Something like this?  Though this is purely a mass of circles, it's something I was toying with for the new PuffBOMB.  Click to apply an impulse.



Very simple implementation, along the lines of what you said.  Though, the red circle pushes the blue ones out of the way very easily, and sinks possibly too fast.

I did some further tests of an entire landscape built out of tiny particles (to create an ability to distinguish solid and liquid), but it fell apart too easily.

Dawn of Sorrow is really good, and you can get it for around $20 now.

Indeed.  Both DS Castlevania games are great.  I know a lot of people are *gaga* over symphony of the night, but these DS ones are hands down better.  The "Sorrow" series (GBA, DS) I really enjoyed.

Every Castlevania game of merit.  NES, GBA, DS, PS2, 360.  And some C64 games.