James

[QUOTE=Desbreko][color=#4b0082] The thumb nub thing with the touch screen is interesting, and if it does work well it would be nice. But the main thing that could put me off from it is that it sounds like it would be another thing I'd have to carry around with the DS and game. Usually when I take my SP somewhere I only take it and one game in the cartridge slot, and that's it; having to carry around an extra little piece to get analog control would be annoying and I think I'd be more inclined just to stick with the control cross. Though for playing at home, which I also use my SP for a lot, it would be great.[/color][/QUOTE] [color=#707875]Well really, I don't know if you've seen the little nub...but it's quite small. You could very easily slip it into your pocket, or into whatever you use to carry the games (like if you buy a pouch or something). In regard to run/walk, I do believe that run is default and walk is the option (since you'd mostly run -- you'd only use walk to cross small planks of wood and stuff). Based on everything I've seen, camera control should be fine. It's a lot more fine-tuned than in the original game and camera rotation looks pretty quick and easy.[/color]

[QUOTE=Siren]About The Sims, it seems that GTA is trying to steer itself away from the "arcadey" type stigma, giving players a greater influence on their characters and in the game world around them, but it doesn't seem to be deepening the gameplay significantly. Character interactions will probably have some variation with the changes in character appearance, and gameplay physics would change accordingly, as well, but it still seems like micromanaging a digital alter-ego down to every last minute detail. That's where The Sims comparison comes in, because Will Wright's games are pretty much God-Games, on various levels (SimCity, City-wide; The Sims, Household), and that's the primary vibe I'm getting from GTA: San Andreas. There's a level of micromanagement in the Sim games, and more and more, I see the GTA series headed in that direction: where they're becoming less of a game series and more of "you get an unprecedented level of control right down to the very last detail."[/quote] [color=#707875]Well, let's remember that GTA has always had similarities with Sims games. In fact, it could easily be said that Sims copied GTA elements and not the other way around (although I wouldn't make that argument, but I think it's the same argument as the reverse). Let's not forget that the original GTA and its sequel contained many "realistic" elements that had fairly little bearing on gameplay, but which significantly heightened the immersion aspect. The key difference between The Sims and GTA: SA is simple. In The Sims, your appearance generally has very little impact on the way others perceive you -- even in The Sims 2. In The Sims, your actions play a more important role in defining your relationship with other Sims and the environment around you. In GTA, this is also true. However, what is GTA trying to achieve? Ultimately, it's trying to achieve the most realistic world possible. You also have to understand the context of San Andreas. The game is taking place in a very specific gang culture -- where things like tattoos and physical appearance have many important subtleties and meanings. In that context, San Andreas isn't copying The Sims at all really -- it's actually trying to remain true to its source material, in a way that not only provides cosmetic polish, but that also has a functional impact on gameplay. The fact that these elements affect gameplay [i]at all [/i]is quite a remarkable thing; in most games, many of these things are peripheral to the main game and they have no functional bearing on the gameplay experience.[/color] [quote=Siren] I don't know. Call me crazy, but GTA never struck me as "high art," when it comes to gaming. I've always viewed them as incredibly fun and diversionary arcade games.[/quote] [color=#707875]Well, nobody's suggesting that they are "high art". I wouldn't say that there's anything particularly "high art" about GTA, in the traditional sense of the phrase. However, I don't think anyone can deny the artistry involved in making GTA work. Nobody else is doing what Rockstar North is doing, on a technical level. And if you actually read about the various levels of detail in San Andreas, I think you'll find that this game is a pretty large substantive leap forward from Vice City. I mean, even the smaller "sub-missions" have been made complex enough that they could be games in and of themselves. This doesn't mean that GTA is the best game out there, but it [i]does [/i]mean that the game shouldn't be dismissed as a purely diversionary arcade game. You could definitely suggest that the insanely complicated design and coding involved in the latest game in particular amounts to an art -- even if it's an art with plenty of profanity and violence. ~_^[/color]

[color=#707875]Desbreko, Super Mario 64 DS does have a seperate button for walk/run (I'm not quite sure, but I think you have to hold it down to walk). As far as camera control goes, it looked pretty smooth and easy at the press conference. It seems to me that the auto-camera has been updated anyway, to make it a little friendlier than the original version. In terms of control specifically though, I'm really interested to hear more about this thumb-nub thing. If pulled off correctly, it could work just as well as an analog stick.[/color]

[color=#707875]I've just seen the first episode and I really have to concur with Dagger's analysis. I must admit, I've never read The Count of Monte Cristo, nor have I seen the film (although I'd had some recommendations against seeing it, which probably explains that). So in a sense, I'm kind of going in with a fresh viewpoint on it. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, I don't really know. As Dagger mentioned, the visuals are stunning. I'm really not sure if I like the method of rendering that they've used on the clothing (where you have a flat texture that never moves, even when the outer lines of the character moves -- this technique is used on various American cartoons too, including even something like Ren & Stimpy). But having said that, the actual textures used are quite decorative and elaborate, so it does seem in keeping with the rest of the show's aesthetic. In terms of story, I found the first episode a little vague, but since I don't know about the source material, I could simply be missing something there. And I naturally assume that there will be more to work with in future episodes. One thing I will say, is that the show has a highly dramatic angle to it. [spoiler]The execution scene was really well done in my opinion, particularly when we see which criminal is saved[/spoiler]. Maybe I'm making a long stretch, but these parts reminded me of The Second Renaissance, which is the most emotionally and psychologically intense anime I have ever come across (for me, anyway). I love the architecture and the use of CG as well. It's very subtle and very beautiful. [spoiler]The fireworks scene at the end is absolutely jaw dropping and features some effective shots[/spoiler]. All in all, I think it's worth watching. I'm definitely going to follow this series to see how it develops. Oh, and...the music is fantastic throughout. I actually quite liked the end sequence music, despite the fact that I'm often not a big fan of title sequences in anime (with some exceptions).[/color]

[color=#707875]Although the multiplayer mode was not shown at the recent summit, my impression at this stage is that multiplayer should be just as involved and well-rounded as what I've described with single player. Apart from a simple "race to get the star" style mode, I am currently under the impression that some stars may require teamwork. But don't quote me on that. At the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what we see. In regard to your question...I really don't know. Maybe Nintendo will do something interesting with that. ~_^ One thing I saw that I really loved was when Yoshi fought the first boss. The boss threw a bomb at him and he caught it in his mouth, and then burped it back at the boss. ~_^ When Yoshi catches it, his cheeks go fat and you can even see smoke coming from his mouth. It's all very cool; Super Mario 64 DS seems to have a hell of a lot more detail than that very scratchy early demo at E3. So I think you will be most pleased with it. On a somewhat unrelated note (but not entirely, as SM64DS [i]will [/i]have multiplayer), N-Sider will be exclusively breaking a very cool story related to Nintendo DS and online gameplay soon. I think it's going to be very exciting.[/color]

[QUOTE=satan665] Reviews are really helpful, but if you think about it they have to focus on negative things. They'd lose credibility if they failed to mention any downsides. Every game has them and usually they just amount to being a minor nuisance rather than some fundamental flaw. This game seems to be heavy on atmosphere and gameplay, which are a fine combo. As long as its not too scary, which it doesn't look like it will be. ( I still haven't finished Fatal Frame 2, too damn scary).[/QUOTE] [color=#707875]Of course. I've written reviews in the past (which is my least favourite thing to write), and obviously you have to be as balanced as you can (ie: mention both the positive and negative things). Basically, I haven't played the game yet. I don't think anyone here has. So, at least initially, I am very interested in reading what the reviews say. I'm reasonably interested in this title, but I did want to bring up that one point, because it was something that I personally view as being important in an RPG (important for me anyway). So I'm interested to know what others have said about that one particular element, and whether or not it presents a significant issue. It's a bit like the complaints about camera with Super Mario Sunshine. Most reviews complained about it, but I actually [i]enjoyed [/i]the fact that the camera was almost completely manual. So I don't mean to suggest that I'm suddenly going to hate this game because someone said something negative about it. lol[/color]

[QUOTE=Semjaza Azazel] In any case, SMT:N is meant to appeal more to longtime fans of the series (whether or not people realize it, the series has been around in some form since the NES days) and older RPG players. It was a return to the series after ten years, and I think, because of that, it kind of forces them to instill a certain amount of nostalgic elements. Making it super flashy and ignoring its roots wouldn't make sense, especially with all the spin-offs, such as the one I will mention in the next paragraph... [/QUOTE] [color=#707875]Oh yeah, I'm not suggesting that they should make it "super flashy" (though I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that -- FMV, or what?). The game certainly looks flashy enough to me. From what I remember, the review's main complaint with the battle system was that the player doesn't really know what demons will be necessary in the future. I remember the reviewer saying that it was simple dumb luck that he picked up the right demon at the start, which it turns out he needed later on. So, I'm not concerned about difficulty as such; only artificial difficulty (ie: difficulty that comes from simply not knowing what you're supposed to be doing). I still have to check out most of the other reviews, as I'm hoping that this particular complaint can somehow be explained by someone else, I mean, I'm hoping that it's something that won't be a problem for everybody. As it stands, SMT:N is a game that I've been somewhat interested in since I first read about it a while ago (I also saw a short video on X-Play, funnily enough). But, I'm definitely not a longstanding fan of the series, as in, I've never played one of the other games in this particular franchise. As someone who has been playing games (including RPGs) for a long time (well before Final Fantasy VII came along, lol), I'm definitely not concerned about the more "old school" elements. In fact, if anything, that's something which will only add to the game's appeal for me. But I'm hoping that the game doesn't expect me to stumble upon the right demons at the right time, rather than having some indication of what specific demons might be useful later on. I'm not really sure how one would determine that, but I guess I'll find out. It reminds me of something with Star Ocean 3 actually. As you probably know, in SO3, you are generally given very little indication of what you must do next (outside of battle). The only solution is to talk to [i]every single person [/i]you can find, in the hope that you'll push things along. It's not quite the same, but that's sort of what I'm getting at (that is, I'm hoping that there's some reasoning behind it, rather than it simply being a clumsy omission).[/color]

[color=#707875]Recently, at the Nintendo Gamer's Summit, Nintendo unveiled the launch lineup for Nintendo DS. Prior to this event, the only thing that we had seen was various technology demos at the E3 show. Some of those demos have been turned into complete games, whilst others have not (although some announced games actually do feature certain gameplay elements from different demos). Anyway, one demo that was shown at E3 was a game called [i]Super Mario 64x4[/i]. This game was essentially a remake of Super Mario 64, but with a four player mode included. Now, I have to admit, the E3 version didn't really impress me at all. Yes, it was really cool to see a remake of Super Mario 64 (a game that I really love), but it definitely felt like a token contribution to the Nintendo DS, rather than being something fundamentally worthwhile. However, at the Nintendo Gamer's Summit, Nintendo revealed a much more complete version of the title, which is now known as Super Mario 64 DS. I watched the entire video demonstration of the game by NoA and I must admit, I'm pretty excited about it. Basically, the game is not only like a remake of Super Mario 64...but it's also as if Nintendo have thrown in a couple of DS-specific expansion packs for good measure. As with the E3 demo, Super Mario 64 DS allows you to play with one of four characters (Mario, Luigi, Yoshi or Wario). The key difference is that the E3 demo was multiplayer-centric. Super Mario 64 DS -- while still including a full multiplayer mode -- was only demonstrated with the single player mode. The coolest thing about the new characters is that they actually have a significant impact on gameplay. In the E3 demo, each character more or less controlled the same. In SM64DS, each character actually has unique capabilities. For instance, Mario is your typical all-rounder, Luigi can jump higher and perform some unique moves, Yoshi can flutter in the air and gulp down enemies (he can also throw eggs) and Wario can use his weight to his advantage. Another very cool thing about this game is that it doesn't just take the Super Mario 64 levels and throw new characters in. The levels themselves feature specific updates (for example, you'll now see a whole lot more enemies in each level than you ever saw previously). There are also new power-ups and there are stars for specific characters (ie: only Mario can race Koopa the Quick in the first level). Changing characters mid-game is also pretty easy. In the demo that I saw, the NoA guy was playing as Yoshi in the first level. He ran around for a little while and demonstrated Yoshi's capabilities and then he found Mario's cap. Yoshi picked it up, put it on, and became Mario. Also, do you remember those red, green and blue switches in Super Mario 64? These switches can still be used in Super Mario 64 DS, however, they have very different consequences. For instance, in the demo, Mario used one of the switches to grow very large...which allowed him to become invincible for a certain amount of time. And Yoshi can use the red switch to gain a fire-breathing capability. In addition to all of the above, there are several [i]new [/i]levels in Super Mario 64 DS (bringing the number of stars up from 120 to 150). Only one of these new levels was shown in the video, but it definitely looked very cool. It appeared as though it took place within a swamp, with harmful gas floating around. So the raw game itself has been significantly updated. But Nintendo have also added a number of other really cool little elements. For instance, Super Mario 64 DS allows you to play a large variety of mini-games. Each character has some specific mini-games that they can access. For the most part, the games were relatively simple. One game involved using a slingshot type mechanism on the lower screen, to fire off projecticles at falling enemies from the top screen. What's cool about this is that both screens are used together, to form one very tall screen (so objects can move between screens seamlessly, which looks really great in motion). Also, the famous title sequence in Super Mario 64 has been updated. The top screen now shows the logo, with a "Touch the picture!" message underneath. On the bottom screen, you'll see a drawing of a particular character, which you can manipulate with the stylus. The really interesting thing is that this feature seems to incorporate one of the E3 demos into it. That is, you can rotate the head around, manipulate it in various specific ways and change its texturing (like giving it a cel-shaded appearance for example). You can do this not just with Mario's face, but also with all of the other three characters. The NoA representative at the show also demonstrated an additional element to this feature; he wrote a message on the bottom screen in his own handwriting, which the game then saved and animated. I'm not sure what the point of that is, though it's possible that you could draw and animate your own welcome message in the game (but that wasn't confirmed, it's just something that seems possible based on what I saw). All in all, I must admit that I'm pretty impressed with the overall package. Unlike the Mario remakes on GBA, Super Mario 64 DS is almost a complete re-interpretation of Super Mario 64. You've got better graphics, all-new characters, new levels, mini-game additions and fundamental changes to existing elements (like switches, enemies and so on). As a fan of Super Mario 64, I feel that this game is really providing me with a compelling reason to buy Nintendo DS at launch. I'm somewhat interested in a couple of other games that were shown, but things are still in the early stages, and I don't think we'll see the really killer software until a few months after launch. Oh, and, before I go, I should briefly mention controls. The game can be played in a left or right-handed configuration (so you can use the D-pad to run around with the buttons on the left for actions, or you can reverse that). You can also use the stylus to make the characters move around with analog control, but this seems a bit odd and difficult. Nintendo have apparently provided a solution for this, though. They showed it in the video, but for some reason it wasn't working, so they weren't able to really demonstrate it correctly. The solution involves a small strap that you put on your thumb, which contains a little nub on the bottom. You select a particular control method from the menu, and the lower screen creates a circle on it. You can then put your thumb on the circle and tilt it around on the nub. According to Nintendo, the screen is so precise that it will interpret these small movements and this will accurately simulate analog-stick control. I thought it was a pretty cool idea and I'm really hoping it works in practice (I'm also hoping that other games have that as an option). As it stands, most DS games appear to have multiple control options, which is definitely a good thing. [b][quote][/b] [b]Screenshots:[/b] (Note: For some reason these screens are very large; much larger than the actual DS screen. So as a result they look quite pixelated.) [url="http://www.1up.com/media?id=1232810&type=lg"]Title Screen[/url] [url="http://www.1up.com/media?id=1232811&type=lg"]Fighting Bowser (Note the arrows at the bottom, these are used for camera adjustment)[/url] [url="http://www.1up.com/media?id=1232817&type=lg"]Yoshi in Sand Level[/url] [url="http://www.1up.com/media?id=1232818&type=lg"]Mario Balloon![/url] [url="http://www.1up.com/media?id=1232819&type=lg"]Mini-Game[/url] [/quote][/color]

[color=#707875]I read a review at Gamespy yesterday (I think it was Gamespy anyway lol), which was worth reading. Basically they seemed to have mixed feelings on the game. The gist seemed to be that the overall theme was pretty cool, but that the story was very light, with more weighting placed on battles. For the most part they were pretty pleased with the battles, but they did mention that the process of collecting demons can become very hit-or-miss. From my point of view, the sheer theme and visual style seem like a great reason to check the title out. The battle system definitely seems to be very unconventional, with good and bad results. I should check the local release date for this game. [b]Edit: [/b][url="http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/shin-megami-tensei-iii-nocturne/552976p1.html"]Here's the review.[/url] I'm looking forward to seeing what you guys think once you play it. [/color]

[quote name='chobit']But why does he mention that then? :confused:[/quote] [color=#707875]Exactly. He's implying that all of these things relate to her being a slut. lol Geeze Louise ~_^ Anyway, I agree with the member who posted before you...time for a closure. I hope that Mystic Knight is able to make use of some of the advice in this thread.[/color]

[color=#707875]I think at the time I was pretty happy to let the third Maverick Hunters collapse. Somehow it wasn't quite going in the direction I'd hoped. But...that isn't to say that I wouldn't be interested in starting it up again. If we can get a couple of participants to join in, that'd certainly be possible. I never finished the first two RPGs with the others, but it'd be cool to push the third a little further. I definitely liked the actual opening to it.[/color]

[color=#707875]As far as I know, MysticKnight doesn't even truly know if this girl is sleeping around or going out with other people. It seems to me that he's simply listening to heresay or whatever. I tend to agree with Sara. "Slut" is a highly derogatory word in and of itself, but coming online and basically complaining that your girlfriend is a slut -- behind her back -- definitely doesn't show respect or love for her. My recommendation is simply to confront her and find out what's going on. If she's going out with other people (male or female, it's irrelevant) then you have to decide if you find that acceptable. Remember, you're only going to be treated like you allow yourself to be treated. If you make it clear that cheating is unacceptable, then you have the power to end the relationship. Chances are, if she actually is cheating, then she will either continue to do so, or she'll try it again at some point. And if that's the case, you have to decide whether or not you are willing to put up with it. In addition, I do tend to agree that you shouldn't be worried about sex at 14. And you definitely shouldn't be worrying about a girl who is potentially sleeping around on you or something. At the very least, you need to find out what's going on once and for all. I think it's better to be direct about it, rather than slandering her on the 'net.[/color]

[quote name='braves81']Spoken like a true moron, if I say so myself. There has only been one sequel to the PS2 GTA which was Vice City, so how can you say the GTA series has been the same old stuff year after year? And if you've read anything about San Andreas then you'll see that it's going to be a whole new game practically. The graphics aren't going to be all polygon, they rewired an entire new graphics system. If anything, you're just mad because you don't have the money to get the new GTA.[/quote][color=#707875][/color] [color=#707875]First and foremost, watch the insults. That kind of thing isn't at all welcomed here. We're all gamers; let's have mature and open-minded discussions. I think that Vice City was very similar to GTAIII, but that's because they only spent a year developing it. I mean, it was almost like a big expansion pack. But San Andreas will not be like that for various reasons. I'm not sure if you've read the latest IGN update, but they basically cover several new key points (including vehicle modifications, "towing" missions and others). I really feel that San Andreas is going to completely blow the previous two games out of the water. The more I read about it, the more I feel it has the potential to become the single biggest hit of the year on PS2 (it'll probably outsell other top games on other consoles as well). Obviously GTA has a certain weight behind its name, but I feel that San Andreas will definitely be something on another level, beyond a mere paint upgrade or something (in comparison to prior games in the series).[/color]

[color=#707875]The thing is though, I don't think that the game is responsible for Serraph-Angel's lying. Let's face it; if a parent tells their child not to play a certain game, that child is probably going to sneak in a play session now and again. lol I'm not trying to suggest that this is right, [i]however[/i], if I didn't know better, I'd say that many in this thread are already lighting their torches and holding up their pitchforks. I mean, seriously, we're talking about a kid who loves to play a particular game. When my youngest sibling gets a new game, it's often hard to tear her away from it, because it's something she's really into at the time. But there's nothing inherently wrong with that -- as long as her play time [i]is[/i] kept under control and as long as she's getting other things done (like schoolwork). It is reasonable for a parent to say, okay, I'm going to restrict the amount of time you can play your game...and if you play it when you're not supposed to, you'll have more restrictions, or something along those lines. I'm sure that there are several things that Serraph's parents could do, in order to keep things under control. But if what Serraph says is to be believed, then we're talking about parents who are treating their son like a potential axe murderer. It's not just old fashioned, but it's really questionable parenting. I think Charles' comment most accurately reflects my feelings on the matter.[/color]

[color=#707875]I'm really pleased to hear that you have enjoyed reading those threads; one of my favourite things is to read the latest KA post. I'm a big fan of all of the writers in there. To answer your questions: 1) If you would like to do that, it'd be very cool. Up to you though; it's quite a lot of work. 2) Absolutely. If Kill Adam participants have saved enough writing (that hasn't been published in the thread), I would be more than happy to do a "Kill Adam: Disc 2" or something like that. I have some ideas as to how that might work, and it might be possible to include people who didn't make it in, but who still had great sign-ups. It could also include side stories and things like that (such as Queen Asuka's recent Arianna side story).[/color]

[color=#707875]Cool. I think the only RPG that I don't consider viable would be Kill Adam: Volume 1, as it was completed. But all of the others are still open, to some degree. Having said that, though, I would be reluctant to restart one of them unless one or two of the original cast were to post. Maverick Hunters: Personification was given a kick in the butt not long ago, but Mr. Warlock seemed to lose interest, which sucks. Unfortunately Flash is gone too, so...that kind of kills that RPG. Anyway, thanks for your recommendations. ^_^[/color]

[center][img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/3144/jeharena13ar.jpg[/img][/center] [font=trebuchet ms][size=2][color=black]Welcome to my J @ The Arena thread. Below, you'll find a listing of all of my threads here (current and future) arranged by type and by chronological order. Threads that are still active are marked as such. I've decided not to list all in development projects; only the [i]next[/i] project. This should make things a bit cleaner and less confusing.[/font][/size][/color] [font=trebuchet ms][size=3][color=black][b][img]http://img204.exs.cx/img204/9151/atadvsquare5qw.jpg[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=44793"]Maverick Hunters 3: B-Spec [M-VSL][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=41330"]Kill Adam: Volume 2 [M-VSL][/url][img]http://img158.exs.cx/img158/3722/nowactive6qq.gif[/img] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=33962"]Kill Adam: Volume 1 [M-VSL][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=30544"]Maverick Hunters: The Third Succession [PG-VL][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=26582"]The Second Renaissance: Act III [M-VL][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=16550"]Maverick Hunters: Personification [PG-VL][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=23137"].hack//EXPANSION [PG-VL][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=13086"]Online Another World: The Return [PG-VL][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=11588"]Star Wars Episode VII: Faces of Evil [PG-V][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=10462"]The Legend of Zelda: Sword of Fate [PG-V][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=9219"]The Matrix: Search for Zion [M-VSL][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=7443"]Final Fantasy: Online Another World [PG-VSL][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=5133"]Final Fantasy XII [PG-VSL][/url] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [img]http://img170.exs.cx/img170/6620/atobanth4ci.jpg[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=45547"]Return to Wonderland [PG][/url][img]http://img158.exs.cx/img158/3722/nowactive6qq.gif[/img] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=38715"]The Reanimatrix [M][/url][img]http://img158.exs.cx/img158/3722/nowactive6qq.gif[/img] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [img]http://img113.exs.cx/img113/2159/underc3vr.jpg[/img] Hybrid Vigor [PG-LV] [img]http://img235.exs.cx/img235/4283/line6py.gif[/img] [/font][/size][/color][/b]

[color=#707875]I agree with you. I mean, I agree in the sense that I think "plotless" RPGs can work. However, I don't mean the totally lame attempt at a plot that isn't quite a plot...I mean, something that is deliberately light on plot but heavy on something else (a simple concept, a mechanic, a type of game...or something along those lines). I started an RPG a while ago (well, I started the Adventure Inn thread), which was based on Mario Kart. The idea was that you'd choose a player and although there would be a light story going on between races, most of the RPG would take place [i]within [/i]the races. In those circumstances, you'd be using a lot more images and you'd have something a lot more dialogue heavy. Essentially, there was no real story whatsoever. No overall goal or anything along those lines. However, the thread itself was still quite sizeable and well presented. It was admittedly a new type of RPG. I had received some good responses to it, but I decided to pull the plug before jumping into Adventure Arena with it. In truth, I liked the concept, but it wasn't going to work. What I was trying to do with it was ultimately a bit too obscure and wouldn't have worked out well. It's very tough to write about a race, especially if multiple people are writing about the same thing. Also, if you look at Kill Adam...that RPG has kind of developed a story as it's gone along. But the original sign-up thread certainly didn't feature a complicated set up. And the Volume 2 thread has an even more simplistic opening. The concept is insanely simple and you could easily suggest that there isn't much to it. However, complexities have developed as a result of the depth that individual members have put into their own posts. So in that sense, Kill Adam has evolved into something with greater scope and depth than I'd ever expected. I think that goes to show; a simple concept that is compelling and fun can easily produce a far more detailed plot as time goes by. So it's not always necessary, or desirable, to have an enormous sign-up thread with a billion character classes and stuff. Oftentimes, simplicity is key.[/color]

[QUOTE=Baron Samedi][size=1] Cheating and lying have just entered the field...[/size][/QUOTE] [color=#707875]Playing a game when you're not supposed to isn't necessarily right, but we're still making an enormous leap here. Are you telling me that this act requires boarding school and counselling to be corrected? At best, his parents could simply confiscate the game and not allow him to use the computer at all. Physically sending him away and sending him to counselling is highly irrational, considering what we're being presented with here.[/color]

[QUOTE=AnujSuper9] Unless they were to release, like, a new Zelda game for PS3, there isn't going to be anything that I would go out and buy a PS3 for... [/QUOTE] [color=#707875]You never know, it's really too early to say. I am willing to bet that we'll see several pretty big name titles for PS3's launch, particularly considering that Sony seems to finally be on track with all of its PS3 dealings (where late last year and early this year it was suddenly becoming quite tentative about various aspects of PS3, which it had previously confirmed or provided some assurances on). Basically, just to add a footenote to this discussion, you'll find that PSTwo isn't going to be aimed at current PS2 owners. Rather, PSTwo is going to be aimed at people who either haven't yet bought a current generation system (and there are plenty out there), [i]or [/i]people who own a different system and who are thinking about buying PS2. The sheer appeal of the new PSTwo -- as well as the fact that it already has an enormous library of games -- will probably be enough to win a few people over. In any case, I think that's what you'll find when you look at the reasoning behind PSTwo. I'm sure that a number of PS2 owners will probably trade in their old model for a PSTwo, but really, PSTwo is a good way for Sony to continue expanding the userbase of the console even as it starts to become obsolete. I think that Sony were really clever to do that with PSOne and as we know, the results were very positive for them. I personally know a lot of people who bought PSOne rather than buying the original PlayStation. This makes me wonder about the suggestions with Microsoft, that they might be releasing an updated Xbox (ie: much smaller and more attractive console). I think that would be the catalyst that would finally encourage me to purchase an Xbox, particularly if the price point is attractive.[/color]

[QUOTE=Siren] With what they're developing, why not just forego the entire singleplayer PS2 version and create a MMORPG? It makes the most sense, given the details of San Andreas.[/QUOTE] [color=#707875]Well, really, nothing that you mentioned is new. Games have been using real-time clocks [i]long [/i]before Animal Crossing came along (hell, even Christmas NiGHTS on Saturn used it, as did many Saturn games). And all of the other things like tattoos and haircuts and so on, I don't know why that would necessarily be associated with The Sims. In The Sims, most of those things are purely related to aesthetics; how you want to design your sim. But in GTA SA, you're talking about things that have functional purposes to some extent (ie: tattoos that have a particular meaning and so on). There's some indication that your physical makeup -- apart from merely affecting your fitness and abilities -- will also have an impact on the way other characters perceive you. So I think it's probably important to distinguish between these areas and be clear about what they represent. The buy before me (whose name I'm now forgetting) mentioned that The Getaway was too realistic...but in the same breath, implied that people shouldn't criticize GTA for being too realistic also. I think there's a lesson in all of this; you can have realism, but you should also try to provide intuitiveness, so that many of these obstacles (clumsy controls or a bad camera or whatever) can be overcome. Afterall, games are ultimately about having fun, regardless of whether they deal with realistic or fantasy subject matter.[/color]

[color=#707875]I'm amazed at some of the reponses I'm seeing here. If we are to go on what Serraph-Angel has told us, then I think we can assume that his parents are behaving in a totally irrational manner. The idea that you can take a kid playing a violent game and then make the leap from that to cheating, lying and so on, is quite remarkable to me. Not only is there no reason to actually come to that conclusion, but that is also a massive insult to Serraph-Angel -- unless, of course, there are things in this situation that we don't know about. However, as I said, we can only go on what we've been told. If his parents are sending him to boarding school [i]and [/i]counselling simply because he plays Counter-Strike regularly and looks at CS sites, then I'd say that is highly irrational and unreasonable. Whether or not you have your child's best interests at heart is kind of being used as an excuse to make some very backward decisions, in my view. It's a difficult thing to comment on, though. As I said, I can only go on what I've been told by Serraph-Angel. If everything he said accurately represents what's going on, then yeah, I'm very inclined to suggest that his parents are being irrational. But if Serraph-Angel is "addicted" to the point where he totally lives his life through the game and that has somehow driven him to lie, cheat and so on...then I'd say his parents are only half right (boarding school for a video game addiction? Seriously, let's jump into the 20th century at least, lol). However, I doubt it. It does sound to me that Serraph-Angel's mother made that accusation simply because he'd mentioned that the "gun sites" were Counter-Strike-based. But yeah, again, we can only go on what we're told here.[/color]

[color=#707875]I think that the article quoted above actually answers its own question to a large degree. Personally, I find a lot of similarities between the "school killing" mentioned in the article and the Columbine tragedy. In the Columbine situation we'd heard all of these reports about the kids liking Doom and so on. In this case we're hearing about the girl liking Battle Royale. Were we asking these same questions when youth violence occurred in the 50's and 60's? I mean, back then, I'd be interested to see if there was a focus on the kind of television shows that kids were watching. TV isn't the issue. I think that much is clear and I think that it's always been reasonably evident to most people. In the case of the schoolgirl, I think the issues are a lot more complex than what shows she is watching. We've already heard about Japan's culture and how it discourages displays of affection between parents and children (which is kind of ironic for various reasons). However, I think that this ties in with the pressure that many Japanese parents put on their children, in regard to academic performance. I can tell you an example with a friend of mine, who's mother is Chinese (his father is from Pakistan). Now, just to be clear...I don't think any of this is [i]because [/i]she is Chinese (or because the parents are Japanese) as such. I think it's a cultural thing more than anything. I remember that my friend's mother was [i]incredibly [/i]harsh and demanding on him, when it came to schooling. So much so, that she was quite willing to block out other aspects of his life so that he could focus on study (ie: she would have been quite happy to eliminate friendships from his life altogether). Of course, he still loved her, but I do know that he felt very disconnected from her. It was very difficult for him to feel affection from her. I am certain that her desire for him to do well in school was the result of her love for him -- I'm sure she felt that she was doing the right thing in that sense. Problem is, she created a situation where he may easily have felt that he either wasn't loved, or wasn't wanted. When the majority of her communication with him related to how good his grades were, or how many hours he was studying, that obviously sent a very wrong message -- your grades are more important to me than your happiness. I think the situation is very apparent in Japan. I remember reading a news report about a practice where kids would jump into a freezing cold river, to "prove their manliness" in front of certain teachers. There were rituals that occurred which mirror initiation rituals in some American colleges (I mean, some of the more nasty stuff that you occasionally hear about on the news). The worst part is that the teachers [i]endorsed [/i]that kind of thing. So from the very beginning, these kids are being taught to compete, they are being taught that results matter and there is very little room for them to personally experiment, to express themselves as individuals and to relate to adults on a more emotional basis. I just think there is a fundamental misunderstanding here. With Columbine, the media failed to mention two important things. One, both of the guys were on medication for ADHD or something...and that medication has since been demonstrated to have various negative side effects. So on the one hand, you could say that this is partly the result of an eagerness to medicate kids to simply solve their behavioral problems. On the other hand, we know that these guys were teased in school, that they were facing a lot of stress and pressures. And who knows what their home environment was like; presumably it wasn't all that loving or comfortable, if they had the desire to go out there and gun down fellow classmates. I mean, I just think it's so easy to look at media (anime or otherwise) and suggest that it's to blame. But that is a simple answer to a very complex question.[/color]

[QUOTE=Midnight Rush] Then after she kills the peons, the club's owner's wife is slipping on all the blood, and there are limbless people everywhere...pure excellence. [/QUOTE] [color=#707875]She was the proprietor, not the proprietor's wife. ~_^ But yeah, that whole scene was very good. In my opinion, some specific shots from that fight are going to be well-known and remembered for many years to come (like The Bride running up the bannister, and The Bride swinging down on the bamboo). I think that is how we might judge the overall impact of the movie in years to come, as in, a lot of people will recognize those scenes.[/color]

[color=#707875]Well, I can tell you, grown-up to grown-up, that clear use of English and relevant comments are always worthwhile; whether here at OtakuBoards or elsewhere. The cool thing about OB is that it's entirely optional. Those who want a high quality discussion environment can come here and those who want to have a slightly more lax environment can go elsewhere. There are thousands of options on the Internet, so that is never a problem.[/color]