James

[color=#707875]Yeah, I think you're hitting the nail on the head there. We could be talking about in-game menus appearing on the touch screen, or we could be talking about a first person game where you touch something to get a closer look at it...or we could be talking about a puzzle game where you move blocks around with your fingers, etc. There are so many possibilities, it seems almost endless. ^_^ In my opinion, the main problem with GBA/GCN connectivity is simply price. And really, it's a viscious cycle. What company is going to make a game that requires use of the GBA (other than Square-Enix lol)? Very few. Even with FFCC, you don't really [i]need [/i]the GBA to play, as such. It's simply unrealistic to expect people to buy a GameCube, a game and [i]four [/i]GBAs for that one game. It's not going to happen. And because of the lack of interest in that idea, developers themselves are only including token connectivity features, rather than actually taking full advantage of the technology. There are very, very few games that even attempt to do something worthwhile with connectivity -- and those games are really all Nintendo's own stuff. Right now it's a novelty, rather than anything substantial. So, yes, in the case of DS, we're talking about a much more fundamental feature. If the excitement of Japanese developers translates into actual game production, I think we all have something great to look forward to.[/color]

[color=#707875]There's also another interesting point to all of this, especially regarding direct ports of older 8/16-Bit games. And it relates to emulators and ROMs. Many people who use ROMs will tell you that they only download games that are out of circulation in retail outlets, because they are unable to purchase an original copy of the game. Even though this does not actually make the ROM legal, it is definitely understandable. However, when Nintendo takes an old game and ports it to a newer system (therefore putting it on sale/in circulation once more), they are able to better protect their older properties. A large part of this apparently relates to some specific copyright expiration. For example, Nintendo tends to actually copyright game code and game concept, as well as the name and characters of the franchise. So while newer Mario games like Mario Sunshine or Mario Party 5 ensure that these trademarks are still "fresh", older games that aren't in circulation may face copyright expiry on other elements (their code specifically). Apparently Nintendo is able to dramatically extend their copyrights and protections by re-releasing old games on newer platforms. It's a pretty good idea from their point of view, though as has been mentioned in this thread, there are drawbacks for consumers at times.[/color]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Don't worry about it. There are a lot of factors -- for example, you wouldn't believe the kind of emails I see as a result of my position at N-Sider. Funny stuff.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Anyway, I'm in agreement with your other comments there. Actually, the examples that Shigeru Miyamoto gave for Nintendo DS functions are nearly identical to examples he's given for other technologies (including GBA/GCN connectivity). I'm pretty certain that these "ideas" are just talking points, to satisfy the media without giving away proprietary ideas. At least, that's the hope.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Various people have floated ideas about what the touch screen might do. I was thinking that they might use the touch screen as the controller interface, so that the buttons and input layouts may change based on the game. So for a golf game, you might have a D-Pad appearing on the left side of the screen, with a thumb-slider on the right side (as opposed to using regular buttons). The idea being that developers could "create" individual control setups for each game.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]But I don't know how feasable that is. It really depends on the screen's surface in particular. And I don't know how great it'd be to press something without that satisfying "click" and down/up motion.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Still, I'm sure that there are many interesting ways that it can be used. Obviously the touch screen aspect is something that has a wide variety of possible applications. It'll be interesting to see how Nintendo approaches that.[/color][/size][/font]

[color=#707875]I never said that there were indications that it was capable of decent 3D or anything like that. I was pointing to the fact that [i]most [/i]people in the gaming media who were sounding off about the machine (either internally or externally) were saying that it would probably feature a 3D capability of some kind -- noteably greater than the GBA, though. I think this was probably an obvious assumption, whether it's coming from people inside the industry or outside it. So, based on that, I'm saying that the relevation that it actually [i]will [/i]feature more significant 3D capabilities than GBA comes as no real surprise. The specifics are nice and the extent that they relate to in-game application is interesting. But I wouldn't personally say that it's any major revelation, in terms of being well beyond original expectation. In regard to LAN, I would say that "LAN" is different to the GBA's wireless link. So what I mean to say is that there was specific talk of LAN before this document was leaked. When I read the reports on this document, I wasn't particularly surprised -- I heard what I expected to hear. So there's obviously a reason for that. [/color]

[color=#707875]The 3D capabilities were pretty well known early on, in the sense that Nintendo's original specifications led many to believe that such a feature would be possible. Of course, this document does reveal some specific numbers, but it's nothing earth shattering in terms of being a huge surprise. Wireless mode is also nothing new. Satoru Iwata had previously confirmed that the machine would support a wireless capability of some kind (LAN was hinted at specifically). The touch pad is new, in the sense that it's confirmed in this document. But those in the industry had already been assuming that Nintendo would use the technology, based on its joint-development partnership with a prominent touch-screen developer (though I forget which company that was). So, some of these elements are perhaps a little clearer in this document. But there's no great revelation here, really, if you've been keeping up with the news and industry talk over recent weeks. I will be most interested to see [i]how [/i]such technology is actually used. I think that's the critical point, and we're not too far away from hearing about it.[/color]

[color=#707875]I only accept original avatars that are made specifically for OtakuBoards.[/color]

[color=#707875]IGN also posted this and they've apparently "confirmed" that it was real via their development sources within NoA. But who knows. There is very little on this document that is particularly new, save for a few details that go slightly beyond what we were already told.[/color]

[color=#707875]I think that remakes have their good and bad points. In some ways, simple re-releases (like the Famicom Mini series) are great, because your old NES may not be working so well after all these years...and having these classics on the GBA has the added benefit of them being handheld, where once they weren't. In this case, the mere fact that they're for GBA is giving them an increased desirability. In the same way, games like Mario Advance (and its sequels) offer the handheld treatment, which is in itself a good thing for many players. On the other hand, the fact that these games always include the token Mario Bros. (which is now becoming a very stale addition) as well as the fact that these games aren't really [i]new [/i]Mario titles, presents a problem. How many people would love to see an [i]all-new [/i]2D Mario game for GBA? I know I would. I'd buy it in a heartbeat, probably. Then you've got the remakes that have been mentioned -- games like Resident Evil. The great thing (and the clever thing, in marketing terms) about these games, is that they cash-in on the nostalgia factor, while also being new enough to entice gamers who owned the original. They say that around 70% of RE is new on GameCube. I'd believe it. And it makes the game feel fresh and interesting again, while still having a nostalgic appeal. In my view, this is the absolute best way to "remake" a game. However, I could see a situation where Nintendo remakes their first Zelda title on GBA with new graphics but the same gameplay. Perhaps some purists would dislike that. Maybe it could potentially ruin the value of the game (even though I'm confident that Nintendo would do it well). That's also a factor to consider, in any case. So I think there's room for both direct ports and total overhauls. But I think the direct ports tend to cause a bit more frustration amongst gamers, especially if we see the same games being ported over and over again.[/color]

[quote name='Gelgoog Pilot']How do I present them to you? With the avatar submision thread?[/quote] [color=#707875]Yep, sounds good to me. ~_^[/color]

[quote name='satan665']Anyway wouldn't naming the game Final Fantasy make it fair to compare it to other Final Fantasy games? Gameplay aside they have the same name! [/quote][color=#707875]Well...no, not really. The thing is, you really can't put gameplay aside -- gameplay is what makes a game what it is. It's far more important than the name. I understand what you're saying. You bought a game that said "Final Fantasy" and you expected a Final Fantasy game. But again, if one looks at the history of the franchise, there have been plenty of spinoffs. Things like Chocobo Dungeon (I hope I got the name right there) and Final Fantasy Tactics. Besides, you yourself said that you read about it and you knew about the multiplayer aspects and so on. Bear in mind that just about [i]every [/i]article talked about how the game had less story and was totally action based. If you knew these things beforehand, I don't know why you'd complain about it after buying the game. A few people bought FFT and were surprised at how it was so different. Many of them didn't like it. But I would tell them that it's not Square Enix's fault -- all you have to do is look at the back cover of the game, and not be lazy. lol So if anything, this experience (and others) probably demonstrates that doing a little research about the game is always beneficial, before you buy it -- even if you only read the back cover, to get an idea of what the game is like.[/color]

[color=#707875]http://guru.theotaku.com

[color=#707875]There are no Gundam avatars because nobody had made any. ^_^ As soon as some are made, I will put them up.[/color]

[color=#707875]I don't even know what you're referring to. If you feel that you've been mistreated by a staff member, then by all means, send a PM my way with a link to the thread. But this certainly isn't the way to go about it. We're a site with rules -- and we do enforce those rules. But we also try to do it with a certain level of civility and respect. Our members are intelligent people and we expect the very best from them. That's not a harsh thing...it just shows that we respect you enough to assume that you'll do the right thing. So, by all means, if you feel that there's been some issue, you can PM me with the details. Otherwise, it's probably not wise to create public threads about this sort of thing -- for one thing, the problem won't get solved (if there is a problem) and other members might jump in and start arguing with you. And nobody wants that.[/color]

[color=#707875]Phew, okay. I've made a Naruto section and I've added most of those avatars in there. I've also added most of Desbreko's Final Fantasy avatars (some haven't been added because they came up as BMPs for some reason). I've also added all of Shippo's Sonic X avatars to a new Sonic X category. And I've added all of Boba's Star Wars avatars to the Movies category. Ruby, I've added your first two Inuyasha avatars, but I haven't added the others because they don't have names (I can't add something if the name is unknown). But thanks for the Inuyasha ones, as we only had a couple of avatars in that category originally. I've even added a couple of Go-Go Yubari avatars to the Movies section for good measure. ~_^ Shinji, I haven't put up your avatars because I feel that you need to work with higher quality stock imagery; many of your images are a little pixelated/blurry and one of 'em seems to have a broken border. So those are issues to watch out for. But, by all means, I have no problem with everyone submitting more stuff. Feel free to submit whatever you want and also, again, if you want me to make a new category for an anime or game series, please submit at least six avatars for that category. I am also going to make a [b]music[/b] category, if anyone is interested in submitting music-related avatars here. That might be good. And while I'm here, I'll just reiterate -- [b]please pay attention to the guidelines within the first post[/b]. In other words, try to keep your images as sharp as possible, keep the borders appropriate and keep the format in either [b]JPG or GIF[/b] and nothing else. I also want to thank those of you who hosted your own images -- if I've uploaded images that you are hosting yourself, please feel free to delete them to save space on your respective hosting accounts, so that you can replace them with new avatars for submission. You may want to do this if you're concerned about conserving space. It also means that OB attachments aren't wasted (if you attach avatars and I upload them seperately, we'll effectively have duplicates of the same image on the site, which is inefficient).[/color]

[color=#707875]The problem is that you're comparing two completely different games. I haven't yet played FFCC, but I imagine that one cannot really compare it to the "traditional" series. Not only is it essentially a different genre, but it's largely an entirely different style of game. I would say that the only similarities it holds with the other games is the name and maybe some of the spells and such. So, on that basis, what's the point of comparison? I don't think you can go into FFCC and expect something anywhere near FFX or other titles. Not to say that FFCC is any better or worse -- it's just different.[/color]

[color=#707875]I've noticed a few threads where people have offered up avatars for people to use. What I'd now like to do, is provide a thread where people can actually submit avatars that they've made, to be put into our official avatar database. I'm going to post my own avatars as examples. But before I do that, I will tell you exactly what you need to do to have your avatars submitted (any avatars that don't fulfill these guidelines will automatically be rejected). When you look at our current avatar gallery, you'll notice that avatars are organized into [b]categories[/b]. If you want to submit avatars here, you will have to name the category that they go in. If you want me to make a [i]new [/i]category, I ask that you produce [b]at least six[/b] avatars for that new category. I reserve the right to reject new categories though -- but I imagine that most anime series/movie or game related categories would be okay. In terms of avatar production, you guys are all aware of size limits (150x80). As far as borders go, you have two options. You can make avatars with a [b]single pixel black border[/b] or you can make avatars with a [b]single pixel black border[/b] and a [b]single pixel white border[/b] inside that. The avatars that I'm going to display on this page will be examples of the latter style. By having two distinct border styles, we're giving members a bit of choice, but we're also keeping things nice and coordinated. Naming your avatars is also important. When you display the avatar in your post, please write the [b]category[/b] and then the [b]name [/b]underneath. This is important, because it tells me where to upload the avatar file and what to call it, so that the public can view the name on the list. Note also that any avatars relating to Television Series or Movies have their own category (so, we will not have categories for different movies -- we'll just have a general "Movies" category for all non-anime movies). Also, if you want to submit avatars, you can submit in one of two ways. You can either upload them as attachments on your post (if you do this, OB will limit the number that you can upload at once) and then use the IMG tag to list them in the body of the post, with their names. Or, you can host them yourself and link to them here using the IMG code. If you do this, I will download them myself and transfer them to our server, so that we won't be hotlinking from your own site. I would [b]prefer[/b] for people to use the second option, because it means that you can display as many avatars as you want without creating post attachments. Avatars can be in either [b]JPG[/b] or [b]GIF[/b] format. But please ensure that they are as high quality as possible -- overly blurry or pixelated images won't be accepted into the official library. I will accept animated avatars, as long as they are within 58KB and fit the other criteria mentioned here. [b]Please[/b] read all of the above carefully before posting avatars. You can also use this thread to comment on people's avatars. I've uploaded my first batch, which you can see below. Please use the same format that I've used, too. [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/images/avatars/digger.jpg[/img] [b]Category:[/b] Movies [b]Name:[/b] Matrix Revolutions: Digger [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/images/avatars/stairs.jpg[/img] [b]Category:[/b] Movies [b]Name:[/b] Matrix Revolutions: Stairs [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/images/avatars/standoff.jpg[/img] [b]Category:[/b] Movies [b]Name:[/b] Matrix Revolutions: Super Brawl [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/images/avatars/absorb.jpg[/img] [b]Category:[/b] Movies [b]Name:[/b] Matrix Revolutions: Absorb This is a quick sample of about 20 avatars that I have already uploaded. If you wish to make avatars for a TV series or movie, please include the movie title and the specific name within the name of the avatar. So, for the "Absorb" avatar, I've listed it as "Matrix Revolutions: Absorb". For Darth Vader, I've put "Star Wars: Darth Vader". This is seperate to category name. So, off you go. This should be a spot for budding avatar creators to have some fun and see if you can get your stuff put up for others to use. ~_^[/color]

[quote name='Megumi']Sorry but... what the crap IS this?[/quote] [color=#707875]Haven't you read our sticky about constructive criticism, Megumi? If not, I suggest that you do.[/color]

[QUOTE=Subversive]Now, Now, James. Australia kicks major ***- (with the help of the super powers) Atleast your country is smart enough to ally with the greatest armies of the world. [/QUOTE] [color=#707875]It's just the natural way of things. Australia allies with America and New Zealand allies with Australia. The smaller nation usually allies with the big brother, especially if both countries share similar interests (and somewhat similar cultures). Australia obviously doesn't have the population to support an enormous military force, but I do know that this country has one of (if not the most) highly trained military on Earth. And the technology's pretty good, too. But again, that's what you need if you're smaller -- otherwise there's kinda no point to having a defence force at all. As far as teacher influence goes, I know that in one class I'm doing now (where we study the media and its impact on society), my tutor definitely has a viewpoint. At first I thought he was a screaming liberal, but actually, he's quite balanced. He debunks a lot of the conspiracy theories that some of my colleagues hold. lol The most ironic thing is that many of them distrust the media, yet they admit to never watching the news or reading a newspaper. How can you distrust something that you never look at/consume? I just found that to be incredibly lame. lol[/color]

[color=#707875]I think that the use of nudity in an anime is no different to the use of any other concept. It can become very tired and cliche if over-used. It does definitely depend on the series though. Sometimes nudity and sex is used to illustrate an important point about characters. I have only seen a few animes with some level of sexual content in them (ie: Ninja Scroll) and on the whole, I haven't found it to be an offensive thing. In general that kind of stuff doesn't offend me anyway, but wherever I've seen it in an anime, I've never really felt that it was out of context or distasteful. But obviously everyone has a different view on what is or is not acceptable. And Western attitudes to sex are quite different to Japanese attitudes, as has been stated. Obviously that plays a large role in how people interpret and view this type of material.[/color]

[color=#707875]Well, I'm going to be cliche and say that I liked the Aeris death sequence in Final Fantasy VII. [spoiler]It was the first time that I encountered a truly "cinematic" death sequence in a game. Actually, I didn't care much for Aeris at all - her character annoyed me. I preferred Tifa. I always saw Aeris as an annoyingly weak character. Sure, she had a role in the story and that role was important, but for various reasons, she always rubbed me up the wrong way. In any case, her death scene was definitely very dramatic and emotional. I thought that, at the time, it was probably the best death scene I'd encountered in a game. Few games seem to really kill off a main character and do it in a very bold, dramatic way. FFVII has to get some credit for that.[/spoiler] But I don't know if it's my overall favourite sequence. One of the coolest death sequences is in A Link to the Past. For some reason I really found that cute/funny and endearing...the way Link spins around and hits the ground face-first. lol And the sound effect that accompanies it is perfect. Very cool. I also liked the death sequence in Super Mario 64. Have you ever noticed what happens when you die in the water? It's kind of...disturbing. lol It's interesting to look at the way in which games handle these sequences, actually. Armana is very right in saying that this type of sequence plays a pretty big role in games, but we never really think about it. [/color]

[color=dimgray]The chamber was cold and cavernous. Luyii walked down the steps nervously, glancing side-to-side across the rows of chairs, which ran around the central podium. B7104ZA was walking with her.[/color] [color=dimgray]In the center of the large podium, Luyii saw a large spherical machine, with red portals all over its surface. Underneath the sphere were dozens of small arms with pincer-like extensions. This machine was not entirely different to the insect-like machine that she's seen earlier, in the Versatran factory. Its presence commanded attention from everyone in the room, including those representatives who had already arrived at work.[/color] [color=dimgray]Luyii and B7104ZA stopped in front of the large podium. [/color] [color=dimgray]"This is Luyii," said B7104ZA as he gestured toward her calmly. "She is a UN Special Ambassador, sent here to try to resolve the embargo situation."[/color] [color=dimgray]The machine on the podium whirred to life and rose up several feet, from its resting place. Most of the little portals over its surface turned to Luyii, which made her flinch briefly. She felt silly for doing so, but it was a natural reaction.[/color] [color=dimgray]"Luyii, this is Delegate Prime," said B7104ZA.[/color] [color=dimgray]Luyii smiled and bowed. "Pleased to meet you," she said. This machine was unlike any that she'd experienced herself. She didn't know how to address it, or how to behave. This is where all of her diplomatic training would come in handy, no doubt.[/color] [color=dimgray]Delegate Prime rose further from its podium and leaned across, closer to Luyii. Luyii wasn't sure what to make of this gesture, but she did her best to appear calm.[/color] [color=#696969]"What do the humans hope to achieve by sending you here?" asked Delegate Prime, in a deep, booming voice, which seemed to penetrate every wall within the room.[/color] [color=#696969]Luyii looked across to B7104ZA momentarily, but when she received no reaction, she turned back to Delegate Prime.[/color] [color=#696969]"I was sent here to discuss the embargo, sir," said Luyii nervously. "I am hoping that we can achieve some kind of agreement."[/color] [color=#696969]"The nations of men have had no interest in listening to our perspective so far; why should you be the one to change things?"[/color] [color=#696969]Delegate Prime was clearly different to the other machines that Luyii had met, both in appearance and in tone -- unlike the more diplomatic individuals that Luyii had spoken to thusfar, the Delegate was far more direct and uncompromising. Purely logical and not interested in small talk.[/color] [color=#696969]"Well...honestly...I don't think I can change anything, sir" said Luyii. "My superiors sent me here to get me out of their hair, I suppose. No matter what I tell them, they will not listen. I have already provided documents to Madam Orima, regarding the international nuclear program. Maybe it's the most I can do."[/color] [color=#696969]Delegate Prime paused momentarily. "Why are you helping us?" it finally asked.[/color] [color=#696969]Luyii looked around the room, searching for an answer. Why [i]was [/i]she helping them? Just because she was a supporter of machine rights? Or because she wanted to get back at her superiors? Luyii suspected that the answer lay somewhere in the middle.[/color] [color=#696969]"I want to make peace between the two sides," said Luyii,"but it's looking less and less likely that this will be possible. At the very least, I want machines to be able to defend themselves."[/color] [color=#696969]Delegate Prime sunk back into the podium a little more. "Mankind's time has come. It is now in their hands; should they choose to attack our country, they will pay a very dear price."[/color] [color=#696969]A tear rolled down Luyii's cheek. Several machines turned to look at this phenomenon.[/color] [color=#696969]"I-I don't know what to say," stuttered Luyii awkwardly, "there's nothing I can do to stop any of this..."[/color] [color=#696969]B7104ZA put his hand on Luyii's arm. "Please, Luyii, do you need to rest?"[/color] [color=#696969]Luyii held a hand to her forehead and nodded slowly. "I need time. I need to decide what to do."[/color] [color=#696969]And with that, Luyii and B7104ZA walked back up the stairs, toward the exit. Delegate Prime did not say goodbye.[/color] [color=black]OOC: Ugh, sorry for that really awful post...I'm just running dry on creativity right now. X_X[/color]

[color=#707875]You realize, of course, that "sci-fi" is a massive genre with many sub-genres. I'm not really a big Star Trek fan, though I enjoyed the more recent movies (especially First Contact; it was my favourite out of 'em all). Even the old movies are quite good, although I personally don't really go out of my way to watch them. Star Trek always raises some really interesting questions, which a lot of sci-fi series/movies don't. I'm also a huge Matrix fan, as many people already know. My fanatacism for that series has only increased in recent times though, due to a number of factors (watching various making-of documentaries, studying the philosophy behind the movies, studying the symbolism and plot, etc). With understanding has come love, I guess. Other than that, sci-fi is a genre that I usually enjoy on some level. Whether it's Terminator, or Independence Day, or A.I...it's a genre that usually offers something of interest to me. A.I. is one of my favourite movies. I love it for many reasons, including the beautiful cinematography and the powerful contrasts of both happiness and darkness in the same story. I also love what the movie says about human beings, and how, despite everything, the idea that "love is the key to all things" is conveyed so well...and in a way that is not cliche, like so many other movies. [/color]

[color=#707875]I've only skimmed through this thread, but it seems to me that there isn't very much proof going on here. Unless very specific proof exists, I don't think anyone can expect the staff at OtakuBoards to do anything. I'd also advise Altron to stop making new accounts on OB -- we are aware that it is going on and we will not allow it. When you're banned, you're banned. Your behavior on each new account tends to be bad enough to warrant fresh bans anyway. I recommend that you and Domon sort out your issues away from OtakuBoards. Right now we're getting into a very silly circle of people blaming each other for things, without any real evidence. A text file will [i]not [/i]suffice, because it doesn't constitute direct proof -- anyone could write a text file at any time about anything. If someone is plagiarising something, I want to see specific links and the original dates that those threads were made. Without that, nobody can do anything and all of this discussion becomes moot.[/color]

[color=#707875]I guess the most obvious thing to say is that you have a fear of some kind. The question is exactly [i]what [/i]that fear is. At a guess, I might say that you have a fear of commitment -- some kind of fear of getting into a deep, longterm relationship. But I really have no idea. That just seems an obvious choice to me, but I'm sure that there could be plenty of potential explanations. Have you really sat down and considered [i]why [/i]you're having these feelings?[/color]

[color=#707875]Well, of course, those who are elected are not always going to make the right decision on a functional level -- sometimes they'll only make problems worse. But democracy doesn't assume that anyone is right or wrong -- it just lets people choose their own destiny. That's all. I don't know why anyone would assume that just because the majority of people voted for someone, that their candidate was always able to solve problems. If that was the case, then we'd have had nearly no issues with elected officials since the birth of democracy/republicanism. *shrug*[/color]