James

[font="Palatino Linotype"]My pleasure. :) By the way, for those of you who are familiar with NGE...I've taken a big risk here and designed a new NERV logo of our own. I hope you guys like it. I know a lot of people were annoyed with the logo in the official Rebuilds, haha. [center][img]http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7161/nervlogonew.jpg[/img][/center] We are getting closer to starting now - I just want to add a few more bits and pieces to this topic to provide some background information to help people with their sign-ups. Eventually we'll have sections for locations, organizations and possibly a glossary or something like that. Please feel free to make any suggestions as we go. I expect to be able to add to the front page of this topic as the RPG progresses - I really don't want anyone to feel [i]too[/i] bound by the original series. Any and all ideas are welcome. Oh, and I will also use the backstage topic to keep a list of the Angels. As we vote on each kind, the "winning" Angels will go here one by one. I imagine that each Angel submission will be like a mini sign-up. Maybe I should come up with a little reward for people who submit Angels that pass the voting stage. Any ideas?[/font]

[quote name='wikipediafounderjimmywales' timestamp='1297055142' post='704747'] [font="Garamond"]it's not a big question but I didn't see it answered when I looked back and I'm curious... what is the selection process like? How do you find people that are suitable to become pilots? I haven't seen the original as you can tell (I'd like to start it before the RP gets going if schoolwork allows). Mass drafting? People already involved in world military? I am just wondering what kind of occupation I'd need to give a character, etc. This looks really cool, I can't wait for it to take off. Hope it doesn't hurt my chances to be involved too much that I am not so familiar with the background.[/font] [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]Good question. In terms of the selection process, the basic idea will be that not everyone can be an Eva pilot - candidates would be chosen and then those candidates would go through Sync Tests (which are basically tests to determine how well a pilot will pair with the Eva). Those who pass the Sync Test would then qualify as pilots. In terms of the initial candidate process though, I'm not really sure what approach I'll take. It could be that it is compulsory for all citizens to undergo a blood test, for example (which could be used to initially check for close alignment to the Eva DNA) [i]or[/i] there would be some completely different process. I will think about it and try to come up with something fun. The key point I guess is that [i]anyone[/i] could become an Eva pilot. Part of the fun of the show is that the Eva pilots are a) totally different personalities and b) come from completely different backgrounds. In my RPG, I want to really expand that concept. You might have an Eva pilot who is a grandmother, or a pilot who is wheelchair-bound. While a pilot needs to be physically capable to pilot the machine, what really matters is their intelligence and their Sync Ratio. I really love the idea of "unlikely pilots" from everyday life. Remember: these people are drafted from the community and most probably won't have any military experience. They are there because they are literally fighting for mankind's survival. In terms of whether or not you know the series - it's probably actually an asset that you don't, in some ways. I will provide you with everything you "need" to know to play the RPG (my historical timeline is part of it, but there will be more). I don't want to exclude anyone if they haven't seen the show, because I think that would be too onerous. Plus, I really want fresh ideas that aren't based too much on the source material. :) Hope that answers your questions![/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"][b]What is it?[/b] OtakuBoards Podcast [b]Why is it nifty?[/b] The podcast has probably been one of the biggest developments of 2010 on OB. For all the time we spent talking about it, it's really satisfying to see a real podcast up there - and to already have so many published episodes, too! It's been so much fun to listen to and I'm really impressed that it's drawn in so many members to participate. It's even crossed the border and dived right into theOtaku.com territory. It's a huge draw for OB and it's another thing that makes this site really special. I hope it keeps going and if it does, I'm sure it will grow larger and larger! [b]Who is it?[/b] Korey & Boo [b]Why are they nifty?[/b] I couldn't mention the podcast without mentioning its creators! Korey and Boo have done a brilliant job on the podcast and they have been a really great example to everyone else on OB, as well. I'm very happy that they are here and that they have put in so much effort for something that means a lot to our community. Plus, they happen to be awesome members anyway - podcast or no podcast! [b]Who is it?[/b] Petie & Desbreko [b]Why are they nifty?[/b] Again, I have to mention a duo here. Petie and Desbreko both deserve to be nominated together because they have worked together so well over the last year. During 2010 we launched a major new version of OtakuBoards in a very short space of time (the whole thing was literally done in a week). That's really, really impressive given that it was quite a big job. On top of that, they both worked very hard on a big upgrade in December, right in time for Christmas. Due to their collaboration, we have been able to keep OB on top of its game from a technical point of view. I couldn't have done it without them and I think the entire community should be really pleased with the work they have done. [b]Who is it?[/b] CaNz [b]Why is he nifty?[/b] Somehow he managed to be the butt of all jokes on OB over recent months - but it all comes from love! CaNz is an all-round awesome member who has a great sense of humor and never takes things too seriously. [b]Who is it?[/b] chibi-master [b]Why is she nifty?[/b] This is the second year in a row that I've nominated chibi. What can I say, really? She's always having fun and she always has a really bright, positive attitude. Plus her podcast segment is always great. We're very lucky to have her here with us! [b]Who is it?[/b] Futer [b]Why is he nifty?[/b] Simply because I don't think we've had a fake member with such a high profile since...OtakuBot. 'nuff said. [b]Who is it?[/b] Sangome [b]Why is she nifty?[/b] She's an all-round awesome member who keeps the place fun and interesting. I think she has become one of OB's celebrities over the last year - perhaps there will one day be an Otakupedia article about her, as with some of our other OB legends. ;) [b]What is it?[/b] Status Updates [b]Why is it nifty?[/b] It seems like a small thing, but I think status updates have been one of the most important changes to OB in years. I would credit status updates with actually bringing some members back from the dead, almost! [b]What is it?[/b] The Padded Room Party [b]Why is it nifty?[/b] It just won't die! [i]I have more - I will add them very soon![/i][/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Thanks for your feedback guys, I really appreciate it. Boo, I hope you enjoy the series as much as I did. :) And Lilt, I really love your idea about the chromosomes. At the moment my thinking is that I want the Evangelions to be essentially mechanical [i]but[/i] to be driven by some sort of biological "core". I like the idea that maybe a strand of DNA is what actually kick-starts the Evangelion itself. And I like the idea that the DNA and/or chromosomes play a role in the Sync Ratio as well. Sounds good to me. I am also thinking that possibly the mood and attitude of the pilot will affect the Evangelion's performance. So if you're pre-disposed to violence or if you are cowardly or whatever, that will affect the physical abilities of the Evangelion itself - so in other words, it will almost mould itself to its pilot's personality. I'm going to continue to work on an Auditions topic as well as more backstage info. For now...are there any big questions that you guys think I need to answer in the auditions topic? Like, any information that you'll really need to help you create your characters?[/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]For me, I think the number one thing is just gameplay. If the game controls are really brilliant and the game mechanics are fun, then everything else isn't too important to me. I mean, obviously if I'm loving a game...then I want it to be longer so that I can get a lot out of it. But I've played lots of short games that were incredibly impressive and where the shortness was not a negative factor. I guess it depends on the genre as well. Anything else is generally a bonus. [/font]

[quote name='Magus' timestamp='1297034764' post='704733'] I also think the combat in ME2 is better but I prefer the combat in ME1. This might be because I'm still not used to the aggressiveness in ME2 and prefer to just dominate enemies. (Seriously, I've never had such a hard time playing a shooter on its easiest difficulty) Admittedly, though, I might have to up the difficulty since Garrus is stealing my kills in ME1. The guy is too much of a beast with the assault rifle. [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]I've found Mass Effect 2 to be hard at times (I've been playing on normal difficulty), but funnily enough I'm not finding it as frustrating as the first game. Somehow the combat feels tighter - I can't quite explain why. The part where I had the most trouble was, I think, the Horizon mission (where you first fight the Collectors and that big hovering bug thingy). That was kind of painful. My squad mates kept dying and in the end I just went it alone until they got resurrected by default. The other part where I had some trouble was later on, during the battle on the [spoiler]Collector ship[/spoiler]. I died once during that fight, but the key there was just strategy - I was doing it the wrong way, haha. For me, the real key is using biotics well - not only having your own good load out, but using combinations of biotics effectively. If you pay attention to the enemy's shield/barrier and you adopt a sequential approach (i.e. use attacks that kill off the shield or barrier quickly, then use different attacks for the armor, etc...) you will have an easier time. Also combining biotics makes a huge difference. I've found that life is a lot easier when you combine the biotic powers of your squad mates - I think this is the key to turning the tide in very tough battles.[/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]So as I mentioned in the Mass Effect topic, I just bought Mass Effect 2 on Friday and I had a couple of big marathon sessions with it this weekend (which was awesome - all gaming and no work!) There's really so much to cover and I know that most of you have already played this extensively anyway, so I am not telling you anything new. But from my perspective, it's no exaggeration to say that this is probably now my favourite Xbox 360 game. And it's definitely one of my favourite games of this whole generation. I'm playing as a...Sentinel, I think. I forget the name, haha. But yeah, I decided not to play as a Soldier this time around - it was getting a little boring and I wanted to experiment further with biotics. So far I'm thinking it was a good choice. I'm now up to the point where I just escaped from the [spoiler]Collector ship[/spoiler] and from memory I'm now able to use the [spoiler]Omega 4 Relay[/spoiler]. I've decided not to go any further yet though - I want to round out my entire team and finish as many assignments as possible. Describing the differences between Mass Effect 2 and its predecessor can be really difficult. There are really obvious differences with things like combat and weapon load out and that type of thing (changes that I think are very welcome, personally). But for me the biggest improvements are things like plot, characters, environments, pacing and the general game mechanics (i.e. way less bugs, smoother loading and much better use of the Galaxy Map). I almost feel at times that they got different designers on board or something - Mass Effect 2 just feels so much more alive than the first game. Every location feels so unique and has so much personality. Even the dialogue and the various plot scenarios are way more interesting. One of the things I like the most is the fact that Saren is gone. Saren was the primary villain in the first game (well, until you come across [spoiler]Sovereign[/spoiler]) but I didn't find him to be particularly interesting. In fact, I was far more interested in [spoiler]Sovereign[/spoiler], but he appears so late in the game that it almost felt to me like I was getting interested in the plot right when it was ending. So in Mass Effect 2, the combination of the Reapers and the Collectors being there from the outset plays a big role in me being engaged in the story. And the lack of emphasis on the Council helped this also, for me. Overall I just think Bioware dramatically upped their game for Mass Effect 2. If they do something similar for the third installment, then I'm going to be really impressed.[/font]

[quote name='CaNz' timestamp='1297032883' post='704729'] I totally disagree with that claim. ME2 may be a better shooter, (they added good gun control, a self replenishing health system like most of the current brands, and a cover system) but they lost all the originality they once had. The strategy element in combat, finding the best team and set of powers for you becomes much less important (if it even exists... I submit that it does not) and you can punch Krogans to death!!! in the first game I was never more afraid than when a Krogan got close. [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]I picked up Mass Effect 2 on Friday and I played a [i]lot[/i] of it this weekend. Actually, I haven't played a game so much in one weekend in a long time! I think I clocked in like 7 hours or something, haha. In any case, I think Mass Effect 2's combat absolutely wipes the floor with the combat in the first game. I honestly don't find it to be any less strategic. In fact, this time around I'm finding that I am choosing team members based largely on their biotic skills and how those skills complement each other (in other words, how each team mate's biotics can work together - for each of them as well as with my own). That's not to say that this was non-existent in the original game, but I felt a much keener sense of cohesion in Mass Effect 2. In terms of punching krogans to death...I'm not sure why you mention that. I found the krogans to be relatively tough in ME2, especially when there are a few coming at you simultaneously. I would never have run up to them and punched them to death, a) because it would take too long and b) because it would leave me vulnerable to attack. I was killing krogans in much the same way as other enemies - with a combination of firepower and deliberate combinations of specific biotic powers. This may be just imagined rather than real, but I felt that there was a much greater degree of finesse and clarity regarding the relationship between shields, barriers, armor and health. I really liked the way it was presented and I loved the interplay between enemy shields/barriers/armor/health versus player weaponry and biotics. It just made a lot of sense and it was very clear, but also strategic. The only real difference I noticed with them was that in the first game, they seem to really charge at you. In Mass Effect 2 they do move towards you, but they seem to have a slower and more deliberate pace. I didn't mind that - the "rushing" in Mass Effect annoyed me at times.[/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]I actually think Metal Gear Solid could work well as a JRPG, if done well. MGS has been getting heavier and heavier with plot in recent iterations and I think you could do a lot with turn-based combat in an MGS title. [/font]

[quote name='Sangome' timestamp='1296708507' post='704656'] [color="#9932CC"][font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]I'm not sure about this, but I think the number of posts that your profile claims you have also includes posts you may have deleted.[/font][/color] [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]That could be the case. As far as I know, when a member deletes their own post, it is only "soft-deleted". Only staff members can completely remove posts. We will be making a few changes to that, but in terms of the actual post count, it could definitely be the case that OB is picking up soft-deleted posts. [/font]

[quote name='Anakoni Stark' timestamp='1296668958' post='704628'] [Font="Times New Roman]The consequence isn't full resolved in the second game [spoiler]as you'll run into an Asari on Illium and she turns out to be the messenger for the rachni queen, she relays a message letting Shepard know that they're doing well. Also while running around on The Citadel, you'll hear reports of alleged sightings of rachni ships.[/spoiler] I am curious to see if the consequence is fully realised in Mass Effect III.[/font] [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]Interesting! I think it will be fun to see that stuff in Mass Effect 2. Anyway, I just finished the first game (and I've ordered the second). The ending to Mass Effect [spoiler]was okay. I chose to save the Council. Given that in doing so the Sovereign was also killed, I'm not entirely sure why I should have bothered choosing the other option - unless I just wanted Renegade points, anyway.[/spoiler] So yeah, as much as I enjoyed Mass Effect I'm kind of glad it's over now. I'm keen to play the second game; I think I'll like it more. Parts of the first game frustrated me a bit and the entire thing did have a slightly stale feeling to it at times. While I wait for Mass Effect 2 to arrive, I'm back into The Orange Box (playing Half-Life 2). I've already finished that on PC, but I wanted to play through it again. And I have to admit, even after all these years...it still feels cutting-edge. Honestly, I think Half-Life 2 is one of the biggest gaming achievements in the history of the industry, haha. And now playing it again after several years, it still feels so clever and intuitive. And it still looks and sounds beautiful. I'm very impressed. :)[/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Ah, I'm glad you're leaving this open just a bit longer - I still want to post my list here, but I really need to sit down and give it some major thought, haha.[/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Okay, so I've updated the timeline to bring it up to approximately 2020, which is where our RPG will begin. Unlike the series, I want our RPG to begin [i]before[/i] the very first Angel attack. That way we have the ability to start designing Angels from the outset. I've had a couple more general thoughts about this RPG as I've been writing up the timeline: [list] [*]I really [i]don't[/i] want to set this story in a high school setting (and others have expressed the same reservation). My thinking is that part of the fun will be that the pilots come from many different backgrounds (including different genders, age ranges, professions, etc...) [*]I envisage the nature of the Evas to be quite different in this story. I want to play down the biological aspect - that is to say, they may have biological components (or even a biological "core"), but I don't know if I want the Evas to be literally giant beasts wearing armor - any thoughts? [*]To go along with that, I imagine that there will naturally be more Evas in our story than in the original series (in part because we can accommodate more players that way and in part because I think it could make more more interesting scenarios as well). [*]I would like for the players to freel free to push the boundaries quite a bit. The original series did this from a psychological point of view, but I think it wouldn't be a bad thing to see a greater degree of surrealism in our story. [/list] In the original series, a lot of characters seemed relatively nonplussed by the presence of the Angels - I am referring now to the general public. Of course, when an Angel appeared the entirey city folded away and people evacuated - but there didn't seem to be very much questioning what the Angels were. Wouldn't some sort of new religion start as a result of these appearances? What about UFO watchers? What about stupid reality television producers who want to get the perfect shot to boost their ratings? This also ties into the pilots themselves. In the original series, they were children and they were "chosen". But if [i]anybody[/i] of any age can be a pilot, how do they get chosen from such a large pool? We can play around with that idea. I have been thinking about everything from government-mandated urine or blood tests (used to evaluate sync ratio early on, perhaps) to forced abductions or something else entirely. While I would love for our story to be really far-out, I also like the idea of reinterpreting some of the basics in our own way, by asking what would happen if this situation were real. Does that make sense to anyone? It'd be good to see a bit more brainstorming before I attempt to put together an Auditions topic. I want to make sure that the interest is really there. :)[/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]So, I'm back into Mass Effect now...trying to finish it in preparation for ME2. It's a weird experience in a way, having gotten a few hours in and then stopped playing for maybe a year or more, only to pick up where I left off! I'm really enjoying the experience, even though some elements of the game can be a little frustrating. Sometimes the good/bad decisions don't make much sense to me. For example, in Noveria, there's a [spoiler]guy in a containment cell, who is desperate to be released. He's pleading to be released and he's promising to help, but he's obviously insane and there's something very sinister about him. Your teammates actually warn you that he might be dangerous. So after giving it some thought, I decided not to let him out - the game seemed quite intent to portray him as somehow dodgy or evil. When I said I wouldn't let him out, he went nuts and ran into the wall, killing himself. Then I got some Renegade points. WTF? Wasn't I actually doing something good by not releasing him, since he's so obviously evil? Who knows![/spoiler] I guess it's very possible that every player will agree/disagree with the various Paragon/Renegade moments in the game, but then again, I think generally the moral choices are pretty clear. I did, however, release the [spoiler]rachni queen[/spoiler], so I'm wondering how hard that decision will bite me on the ass in Mass Effect 2. Haha. :P[/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]I've been getting back into Mass Effect (ever since I picked up a new Xbox), with the thought that I want to finish it before playing Mass Effect 2. It's kind of interesting to return to this game after a long hiatus. I've just passed Virmire, so I'm not sure how close that puts me to the end of the game [spoiler]actually, I just "borrowed" the Normandy after it was grounded at the Citadel[/spoiler]. Anyway, I think that my biggest beef with Mass Effect is actually the plot, honestly. I mean...it's so bland. I would say that it's only just started to pick up within the last hour or so - I'm now not entirely sure how I waded through all the Citadel-related crap at the beginning. *shrug* Also - and this is a minor point - but why the forced romance with Ashley? It just felt really jarring to me and it sort of came out of nowhere. When I think back, Shepherd and Ashley actually disagreed quite a bit (or at least, when I played they did - I tended to get annoyed by her attitude and I let her know, haha). So to all of a sudden have her throwing herself at Shepherd? WTF? It was irritating and it felt like BioWare had just thrown that in for the sake of doing so. I'm still really enjoying the game, despite my complaints. The combat is what holds it together for me, even though it can feel a bit stilted at times (apparently the combat is a lot better in ME2, so we'll see how that goes). I kind of hope I'm close to the end in a way, because I really want to see how my decisions in the first game effect the second (especially [spoiler]releasing the rachni queen! Haha[/spoiler]).[/font]

[quote name='Yamcha' timestamp='1296284758' post='704497'] Ive been playing Halo Reach a bit lately myself, and id be interested in playing through co-op on any difficulty :) My gamertag is STARCHILD8883 HOPE TO CHAT SOMETIME SOON :) [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]Another new member who is also a Reach player? How awesome. I'll add you when I am next on the Xbox - I'd definitely like to play co-op online. That'd be heaps of fun. [/font]

[quote name='Midget Ninja' timestamp='1296085324' post='704391'] halo reach is a pretty damn good game if you ask me, just like all the other halo games apart from halo wars, which should be for the PC and not the Xbox 360. If anyone wants to vs me or whatever my gamertag is Rose Blade94. [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]I'll definitely add you - I almost can't believe we have a Canberrian here! Welcome. :) My GamerTag is [b]Morphic Monkey[/b]. Add me if you like![/font]

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[font="Palatino Linotype"]I've become addicted to Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Not all the sketches are that funny, but occasionally a really small thing happens that makes me fall on the floor laughing. I've become a big fan of Richard Dunn, as a result. [/font]

[quote name='Mistress Duck' timestamp='1295548434' post='704057'] Why do men have nipples? This is a question that will forever nag me... [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]Because all human embryos start life as female. They only become male at a later stage of development. So I guess you could say that males are the slightly-dodgy bi-product of females. :P It's a good argument for you to use if you're ever having some kind of gender superiority argument with a male, haha.[/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Thanks Magus - Dot.Hack//LOVER, please use the topic that Magus linked to. We've already got a great discussion going on there about recently purchased games, so you might want to post your thoughts in that topic. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. :)[/font]