James

[color=#707875]I think that's pretty cool. It looks like it took you a while to get things to blend so nicely. I particularly like the fact that you've maintained the colours from the orignial image (where Neo is walking down the hall), while also adding the other elements in. Very nice. As far as a rating goes...I don't think I'm really happy to give a numerical score. With stuff like this, I just don't find it adequate. I will say though, I think this is one of the best pieces I've seen from you. Your photo/image editing seems to be steadily improving over time, which is definitely a good thing.[/color]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]There's one song that really annoys me...[b]DK Rap[/b]. Hearing that made me want to strangle Nintendo.[/color][/size][/font]

[color=dimgray]I wouldn't call the censor a "really big problem". It's something that we'll switch off in the relevant forums, as soon as we can. So don't worry. It shouldn't have too much of an effect on your RPGs, unless every second word is a swear word. [/color]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Guys...this thread is from [b]2002[/b]. It bears no relevance to OB7. Please try to keep that kinda thing in mind, in future. ~_^[/color][/size][/font]

[quote name='cloricus']I am unsure why you are talking past tense, I personally don't know of any past chat rooms that theotaku has run and I am also unsure why that has any effect on what members are asking for now and what I put forward or the alternatives there are out there.[/quote] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I'm also referencing past discussions that we've had, regarding chat systems. I'm also referencing the fact that we had an established chat system on theOtaku.com for several years and that we have some level of experience in this field. When I say that I don't intend to apply a chat system to OtakuBoards at the current time, I'm not saying it for no reason or out of thin air.[/color][/size][/font][quote] Again past tense. Also you are talking about people who had no idea how to run a chat system and had no experience at all without even ground rules. Why? (Not to be rude but I'm kind of getting the feeling that you either skipped over a lot of my post or thought that I was exaggerating when talking about the controls that you can have over it.)[/quote] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I didn't skip over a single thing. It's just that most of what you mentioned was totally irrelevant to the discussion. That may just be because you accidentally misinterpreted what I meant by "control" -- if that's the case, I apologize for not being more clear.[/color][/size][/font][quote] This level of quality can be achieved easily in chat channels, more so than forums if the person in charge wishes it, I can show you an example right now that works nicely like this. GBS has also pointed out the major flaw in AIM which is basically that it has no control, I know that an AIM chat can have about 20 people before it becomes useless while say IRC based can take 100000 people and not have a problem at all.[/quote] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I have already explained that I don't intend to place a chat system on OtakuBoards. I don't think there is any real need for us to use one. I feel that our resources are better used elsewhere. Why must we flog a dead horse here?[/color][/size][/font][quote] IRC has been in development since you were young and has been fully functional and secure for more than ten years now (and is a corner stone of the internet) so honestly anything made in house is just not up to scratch for several reasons in comparison. (Security (unlike irc and most other chat systems hacking it would be very easy), usability, scaleability, throughput, administration, lag etc etc.)[/quote] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]As I said, we are not interested in using IRC again. If we use a chat system, it would be preferable to engineer something that is unique and fully-featured. But since we have no intention of establishing a chat system anytime soon...this point is entirely moot, as are the technical merits of IRC itself.[/color][/size][/font][quote] I'm really not sure why you are against chat (at least for the moment) for the reasons you are; I really get the feeling that the last chat room that you were involved in was a bad experience but flaws that it had just don't exist in a decent chat system. If you are even slightly interested I am more than happy to show you how easy, controllable and accommodating chat systems can be and currently are. Heck I'd do it just to show you (for example) that there is nothing wrong with IRC! Anyway you are the admin so all I can do is offer, though I am happy now and in the future if you change your mind to help out with it. Thanks.[/QUOTE] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Cloricus...you don't need to sit there and tell me all of the most obvious traits of IRC. I'm not [i]that [/i]ignorant. When I talk about our experiences with a chat system, I'm not speaking from a position of ignorance.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I'm well aware of what IRC is capable of and how we could use it. But that is irrelevant. We could also create a pay-per-view porn system on OtakuBoards, but it doesn't mean that we necessarily want to do it. Knowing the technical traits of something -- and knowing that it is feasable -- is totally irrelevant at this point.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]The point is that right now, I'm opposed to producing a chat system on OtakuBoards. I've already expressed my reasoning in this thread and in other similar threads on the same subject. So, again, why continue to flog a dead horse? I have no intention of establishing a chat system here anytime soon, so most of this is really irrelevant.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]In terms of what the pilot did...I think he's there to be a pilot. That's his job. I doubt that I'd be offended if he wanted to enter into a discussion about religion with me (were I a passenger), but I'd simply be worried about him keeping his hands on the controls. lol[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Sharing faith is another question I think. It really depends on the circumstances. I mean, I don't think I'd be too happy if someone stopped me in the street and started preaching to me. I obviously didn't go out and [i]choose [/i]to be bombarded in that way. But if I were in a religious education class or something like that, that's fine. [/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I remember back in primary school, we had a really awesome religious education teacher. She taught us about Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, ancient Roman religions, ancient Egyptian religions, historical myths, etc etc. All in all, it was extremely well-rounded. We learned about the different beliefs that various cultures have developed over the course of human history and how they differ from one another. [/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]So for me, personally...that was a really great experience. We weren't being preached to -- instead, we were being given a huge amount of historical information. And then, as individuals, it would obviously be up to us to choose whatever we believe in. I think this is the right approach. It was for me, anyway.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]In general, I'm certainly not against anyone discussing or displaying their faith. But at the same time, I don't think that one religion or another should be used as a tool for the denial of civil rights or the acceptance of discrimination. I'm quite happy for people to have religion, but I also strongly adhere to the idea of Government being a non-religious body.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I'm also not one of those people who is immediately offended by a discussion of religion. For me, religion isn't just a black and white issue. Religion is as much a cultural thing as a purely spiritual thing, in my view. This is why I'm quite happy to celebrate holidays like Christmas or Easter. These holidays hold a personal significance to me and their original intentions and messages are universal, really. So I don't deliberately block them out just because I don't always agree with specific elements of religion.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Anyway, that's my somewhat rambly response I guess.[/color][/size][/font]

[quote name='MetalSonic700']Thank you almighty moderators! I have returned to the place of my worship and ITS DIFFERENT! I love the new setup![/quote] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]You can stay if you don't spam. And right now you're not making a [i]great [/i]first impression. ~_^[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Be good.[/color][/size][/font]

[QUOTE=cloricus]To me a chat room is just like a forum; you tell people what you expect, you be nice to newbies by giving them a chance, but any one who doesn't abide by the rules and just goes to far is first warned, then temporally banned and then if they evade or continue in their behaviour they get a noexpire ban. [/QUOTE] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I think you're missing the point, Cloricus.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]It's not that we [i]couldn't [/i]regain control of our own chatroom. It's that we had no desire to.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]The chatroom had a series of OPs who had no idea what they were doing. We had put no standards in place and there was nothing "official" about it, in the end. In essence, the chatroom had simply evolved and become the domain of other people. It wasn't related to us and we had no interest in it.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]At this point, I'm being asked if we should put a chat system in OtakuBoards or myOtaku. My answer -- at least at the moment -- is no. OtakuBoards itself is designed to facilitate a certain quality level of discussion. If people want to use a chat facility, I'd simply refer them to AIM or some other chat service.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]In addition to that, I have no interest in using an IRC-based chat. If we were to use a chat system, we'd develop our own. But as I mentioned, we don't have any intention of doing that at the moment.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]We did use to run a chatroom at theOtaku.com. However, the place became far too difficult to moderate. It also moved beyond our control, with people appointing chatroom mods without first getting permission from Adam. It really just became a huge mess.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Part of the reason that we don't have a chatroom today is because we want to emphasize [i]quality[/i]. Chatrooms don't offer this. And chatrooms themselves don't offer the same level of depth or personalization as OtakuBoards. They are also notoriously difficult to moderate.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I figure that if people really want to chat, they can use AIM. Most OBers are using AIM these days anyway. We've had quite a few memorable AIM chats over the years, so I think that tradition should probably continue. There's really little need for us to invest the time and resources into developing an OB-specific chat.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I think that the original framing of this topic is really naive. The Republicans do the exact same stuff, when it comes to political advertising. When Bush begins to spend his campaign money on re-election, he'll push the same style of attack ads that the Democrats are using.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]To imply that this is [i]just [/i]a Democrat thing is simply not factual. The only reason the Democrat messages are more obvious right now is because the Democrats are not in power. So yeah. I don't really know what the point is. Every political party runs propaganda ads. And usually, 99% of propaganda ads are only telling a half truth. Just as you could probably poke all sorts of holes in the Democrat advertisements, the same can be done with Boba Fett's Republican equivalents here. These ads are usually full of catch phrases and out-of-context stuff. But because they're relatively short, they don't take the time to dissect the issues on a substantive level.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]So I don't know what you expect. Whether it's Democrat or Republican, this is the kind of stuff you see during a campaign.[/color][/size][/font]

[QUOTE=PoisonTongue] Perhaps it's a lack of skill on my part, but the damage in SCII is unbalanced. In fact, the life bar system is unbalanced. It's archaic, because it's not handled appropriately anymore, I think. [/QUOTE][font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I think that Soul Calibur II gets it right from square one. I mean, SCII is an example of a game where you [i]can [/i]button mash, for sure. But if you know the character's moves, you can definitely create a more in-depth experience. [/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]From my perspective, I'd tend not to compare SSBM to SCII. Although the two games are both fighters, they're also quite different.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Just look at a game like, say...Goldeneye. Compare that to Unreal Tournament. Both games are clearly first person shooters, but both games also have extremely different focuses.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I would tend to say that SSBM is more of a "party game" than SCII. Where SCII is more the focused, single-player experience, SSBM is a game where you're going to get more enjoyment with three other players. That's not to say that SSBM has a shallow single player mode (far from it), but the game is definitely designed more as a "frantic party game" than a really serious fighter.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]But since when does being a "serious fighter" make a game a [i]good [/i]fighter? ~_^[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I've thought, for a long time, that the fighting genre was getting really stale and boring. In fact, this is why I haven't bought any fighters since Soul Calibur on Dreamcast. My last three fighters were Super Smash Bros., Tekken 3 and Soul Calibur 2. I haven't bought any since then, despite the fact that some great ones have been released.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]One of the problems with fighting games, I think, is that developers are finding it hard to avoid the repetition in gameplay.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]This is why I like games like SSBM and PowerStone. Both of these games put a really unique spin on the whole genre.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I'm a huge PowerStone fan. If you have the opportunity to play PowerStone on Dreamcast...I really urge you to do it. It's a truly unique little game, with some nice art design and a fun atmosphere. It's pretty goofy -- it doesn't take itself seriously at all. The great thing is, it works really well.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I remember one level where you're in a bar and you can kick tables at one another. You can kick the tables and chairs in any direction and you can even jump up and hang from the rafters. It's really insane and [i]so [/i]much fun. It works so well because of precise collision detection and superb controls. While the actual movement isn't as fast as SSBM, the game is still incredibly fast-paced.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Anyway, I'm rambling.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]As far as my feelings about fighting games over the years...I definitely used to play them a lot more back in the days of 2D. Street Fighter II and the Mortal Kombat series were favourites back then. At that time though, both franchises were really the bread and butter of the genre I think. Those and the other Capcom and SNK fighters, anyway.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I don't know if fighters have gotten worse (if anything they're probably a lot more sophisticated), it's just that my own tastes have evolved. If a fighter can interest me these days, then it's probably doing something pretty different. I'm just increasingly bored by the genre as a whole.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I'm really pleased that everyone is starting to get into V7. ~_^[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]It's cool that after only one day, people are starting to find their way around and discover all the fantastic little improvements. I had actually expected people to feel uneasy for a lot longer than this...so this is nice.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]And then, as time goes on, you guys will have some cool new skins to play with as well. So hopefully that'll improve the experience even further.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Also, regarding thread searching...you'll notice, at the top of every thread, there's a "Search this Thread" feature. Click on that and you'll get a small drop-down box, with a quick-search tool.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Type the name of the thread you want to create...and you're all set. The site will tell you if there are any similar ones. It's a really quick process and it's a lot more precise than using the left navbar search, because it only searches in the one forum, rather than the entire site. Once you play around with that in-forum search, I think you'll find it a quicker process.[/color][/size][/font]

[QUOTE=G/S/B Master]Where can you integrate your mO account to your OB account so that people can add me as their friends and other junk. [/QUOTE][font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Well, this is why I keep asking you guys to read the announcements. This feature isn't yet implemented, but it will be very soon. It's a lot more thorough than what we had on v6.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]In terms of the signature thing...there are two points I'd make about that.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Firstly, I made an announcement before the site went offline. That's the most I can do. Short of flying over there and knocking on your door...I can't do much else. If you miss an announcement (remember that you can scroll through old ones too), that's not my fault.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Also, I mentioned that the deletion of signatures was [b]unavoidable[/b]. This is how the software works when it updates. There is nothing we can do about it. This is why I gave advanced warning.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]So, that's really the most anyone can do. Unfortunately there are inconveniences when dealing with an upgrade of this size. But I am convinced that the benefits far outweigh the problems. Again, I'd ask you to take a week to settle yourself in and find out how everything works.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I'm sure that many of these complaints will be non-issues at that point.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Note: If you guys read my announcement again (under the myOtaku connect area), you'll find details on how to connect your myOtaku to OB. The feature has been fully implemented now.[/color][/size][/font]

[color=#707875]There are quite a few shooters that I missed out on. The most noteable probably being Ikaruga. I don't think that came out on GameCube here, or at least, I haven't noticed it. That's one game that I was interested in picking up. The first shooter I ever owned was Gradius on the NES. I have really fond memories of that game. There was something truly addictive about its completely uncompromising nature. And now, I've got Gradius III & IV for PS2. Really awesome games. I particularly like Gradius IV, because you get those "newer" 3D graphics, with the same awesome and tight 2D gameplay. I guess Star Fox is another big shooting franchise that I enjoy, although I never really got into the original game. The original always felt more like a tech demo rather than a game, for me. I'm not entirely sure why. At the time, it was like "okay, this is 3D...but really, really boring". I just never found it terribly interesting. Star Fox 64 was really a favourite though. I played that game to death, though I didn't particularly enjoy the multiplayer mode. But my all-time favourite shooter would have to be Super R-Type. Gorgeous visuals, fantastic sound...and stunning level designs. I think that was easily my most-played shooter. Ahh...memories. ^_^[/color]

[QUOTE=Dagger IX1]I understand your trepidation, duorocks17, but that's not a valid argument. While writers and animators may slave away for hours simply to produce one episode of an anime, live-action films demand just as much commitment, dedication and labor. I mentioned Lord of the Rings in an earlier post, and I feel that the analogy also applies to your comments about actors who don't even know what anime is. Several members of LotR's principle cast have never read Tolkien's trilogy, but I think we can all agree that they portrayed their characters satisfactorily. Since WETA is working on the upcoming Eva film, you don't need to worry about sub-par special effects (as seen in the live-action Sailor Moon). Try to keep an open mind, and give this movie a chance. ~Dagger~[/QUOTE] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Yes! Thank you.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I wouldn't call myself an Evangelion expert by any stretch of the imagination. But the more I hear about these "Noo why ruin it?" arguments, the less receptive I am to 'em.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I think you really laid it on the line there. [/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Sometimes they say that an actor does a better job without having seen the original material...because then they aren't being distracted by a particular expectation. I have not read anything about the EVA movie, but I think it could be [i]incredible [/i]if done properly.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Just so you know, I made an announcement about sigs well in advance. If you didn't read announcements, you shouldn't blame anyone else for that; I'm constantly reminding people to read 'em. If you don't, you don't at your own risk.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]As for your other comments...I don't really think there's any need for that type of stuff. If you have something constructive to say, that's fine. But just because the site is [i]different [/i]to how you remember it, doesn't necessarily mean that we've gone and done something totally random. lol[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Every single change has been planned for a long time. OtakuBoards is going to continue to push for higher quality, in all regards. If you don't want that...that's okay. Judging by the quality of your most recent post, at least, I'd say that maybe some of these "radical" changes are having the desired effect.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Just a side note...try clicking the little icon next to people's usernames.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Stuff like that is really cool I think; it's a small feature, but a significant one. The emphasis is on the content of your posts...and not littering the site with billions of buttons everywhere.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]There are lots and lots of little things like that. Keep exploring. ^_^[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Hataki...regarding groups, I recommend visiting the FAQ. There, you'll find an item on "Staff Teams". That'll tell you all you need to know. ^_^[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Note that this also relates to the team names you see on category bars. So, Team Koizumi is the staff team for The Prefecture area. And Team Miyazaki is the team name for Tokyo 3.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Well, the teams only relate to staff. As we build the staff team homepages and stuff...that will all become a lot more clear.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]As time goes by, you'll see things actually start to change...in terms of new events and specific things for certain forums. Right now I think we're still in that adjustment process. It'll take a couple of days to get into the swing of things.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]Yeah, I think that I'm my own best example really.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I've been looking at this design for about a month. I've been posting with it...editing, all sorts of stuff. So I'm very used to it.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]When I first saw the site at its current size, I did think "wow, that looks really small". But once I got used to it...I went back to OBv6 and thought "Geeze, these boards are so fat!"[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]It's just a matter of what you are used to.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]If this had been v6...and we used the v6 design for v7, I think people would be saying this same stuff, but in the reverse. So they'd be talking about everything being way too fat, rather than too thin.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I think once you guys spend more time with the site, you'll come to understand it. I knew that there'd be an adjustment period -- give OB a week before you decide how you feel. After a week, you might be surprised at how comfortable it feels. It's like buying new shoes; you have to wear them for a while before they feel nice around your feet. ~_^[/color][/size][/font]

[QUOTE=vicky][b][size=1] (But I won't get used to the Adventure Arena bit... I am so lazy I won't even scroll down... oh well who cares?)[/size][/b][/QUOTE][font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]There's an easy way to fix that. You can collapse the categories that you don't want to see. So you don't have to view every category by default.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Other than that...scrolling down isn't too hard. ~_^[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]EDIT: Oops, I posted at the same time as Semji. ^_^;[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]wrist cutter makes some good points there.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]When we designed this site, we had to ensure that it was appropriate for people using 800x600 dimensions. You wouldn't believe how annoying it was to methodically go through everything and ensure that it was right.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]We use a standard/locked width setting for various reasons. Some of the stuff we've done with the design would be far, far more difficult without that. And it would be harder for us to adjust various settings and repair certain bugs.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]When I first used this site, I was a bit freaked out by its size too. But that's only because I was comparing it to what I was used to on v6. Once I got used to V7, I realized that it's not necessarily better or worse -- it's just different.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Again, I think it's something that people will get used to. I pretty much expected that there'd be some adjustments going on.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2][color=dimgray]I'll respond to each point individually I think.[/color][/size][/font] [b][font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Forum Size[/color][/size][/font][/b] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I'm not sure I agree that everything is mashed together, really. If you actually look at the way we've used space, things are still pretty well-spaced and even.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]One of the problems with the previous boards was that, to some extent, everyone was seeing something different. By creating a "standardized" system, we know that everyone is experiencing the same thing.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]In addition, bear in mind that the postbit is on the top of your posts, not on the left side. This creates [i]significantly[/i] more room in terms of post width. Had we used a traditional vertical-aligned postbit, you'd see a much smaller width.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I think it's something you'll get used to as time goes on; I do understand that it's a bit odd right now. Even I felt that way when I first used it. It just takes a moment to adjust to the new surroundings.[/color][/size][/font] [b][font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Trudging Through Sub-Forums on Seperate Pages?[/color][/size][/font][/b] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I'm not sure what you mean by that. Nothing has changed in regard to sub-forums. The only difference is that they are now accessible from the [b]main page[/b], which means that you don't actually have "trudge through sub-forums on seperate pages". So if anything, we've put more stuff at your fingertips, so that you don't have to do as much clicking.[/color][/size][/font] [b][font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Merging of Gaming Forums[/color][/size][/font][/b] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]This was actually a really good idea. And I'm incredibly glad that I went along with it. Let me explain why.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Firstly, having seperate forums on v6 meant that discussion was being diluted. It lowered the activity level in each forum. Microsoft was a barren wasteland and Sony wasn't much better.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]With the new "Play It" forum, we're centralizing discussion into a hub, where all gamers can meet and discuss games. This is handy because of multiplatform releases and because it ensures that reaching the desired thread is easier than before.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I understand that many of these elements will come as a shock to longtime members. I expected that. But I assure you that these changes are for the better. When you see the vastly improved quality/quantity of gaming discussions, combined with the incredibly easy in-thread search function, you'll find that it's actually [i]easier[/i] to get to where you're going.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]Understandably, there are features that take some time to learn. But as I keep reiterating, the information you want is far, far closer to you now than it ever was with V6.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]A small example would be the Your Picture forum. You used to have to go into Otaku Lounge first and then Your Picture (that's if you didn't use forum jump). Now, with the way we've organized sub-forums, you can immediately visit the sub-forum without heading into its parent forum first. We even have update icons to show you that a sub-forum has new posts, directly from the front page.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I don't know how that can be interpreted as anything other than "clean", compared to OBv6.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]I think maybe there's just some growing pains here. ~_^[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=2][color=#696969]When you play with things a bit more and you get used to things, you'll definitely notice the overall improvement. It just takes a little time for the idea to grow on everyone. But it will. ^_^[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana][size=2]I'd like to ask everyone to use this thread to post any problems they're having with OB7. This way, we can answer your queries and make fixes as soon as possible. Thank you. ^_^[/size][/font]

[color=#707875]I haven't seen a thread about this for a while, so I thought I'd bring it up again. Specifically, I wanted to show off some of the most recent images of the game. Although these are only scans, I am really stunned by how amazing this title looks. I think it stands toe-to-toe with Doom III, in most respects. And that's definitely saying something. [url="http://www.gf-data.de/gamefront-temp/bio4-78.jpg"]Just look at this boss for example. Insane detail. Real-time, in-game graphics too.[/url] The game was recently shown in playable form to a select group of media, behind closed doors. From what we've heard, the game is said to be [i]incredible[/i]. You can play from three different perspectives (first person, or two variations on third person). One of the third person views apparently has Leon at the very side of the screen...and it plays a lot like a FPS, but you still have that third person view. The game also displays Leon's health and ammunition on screen. In addition, Leon has slightly more flexibility when it comes to fighting. He can shoot (obviously), but he can also use action commands to kick/punch/push zombies upon close contact. Leon can also easily aim in different directions, including up and down. [url="http://www.gf-data.de/gamefront-temp/bio4-82.jpg"]Another cool in-game shot, demonstrating the action command and the "thid person 2" viewpoint.[/url] The game takes place in South America and you visit various locations throughout the adventure. You can really see in these shots that the game has paid great attention to detail, in terms of architecture and whatnot. In addition, the zombies have changed. They are now more "people-like", in the sense that they can walk and run faster. They can also pick up debris and throw it at you (they can throw all sorts of objects) [i]and[/i] they can use weapons. When an object is thrown at you, you can time your shot to shoot it down, however. [url="http://www.gf-data.de/gamefront-temp/bio4-83.jpg"]Lovely particles.[/url] If you want to see more images (some far, far better than what I've shown you), go here: [url]http://www.gf-data.de/gamefront-temp/00905.html[/url] I'm pretty excited about this latest Resident Evil. It seems to really be re-injecting some innovation and uniqueness to the franchise. And it's obviously an amazing demonstration of what GameCube can do when pushed. It's a shame that more developers don't really push the current generation consoles in this regard. A few other details: 1) The game is in widescreen format as a default. It was deliberately designed this way. If your TV doesn't support 16:9 ratio, the game will have black bars on the top and bottom. 2) Worlds are completely wide open. 3) No load times with door opening; everything is real time. 4) A few, very brief load times travelling between major areas. 5) Enemies will react to damage done to them in particular places. If you shoot someone in the foot, they'll hobble. They react to shots from all sides (front, back, left and right). If the villager is running and you shoot their foot or leg, they will fall over on the ground, for example. 6) As mentioned, villagers are armed with all sorts of things (axes, pitchforks, sickles and all sorts of stuff), which they can throw at you. 7) You can barricade yourself in, by putting objects in front of doors. You can also use your action button for limited physical combat and you can even push ladders off buildings while villagers are climing up them (villagers can also throw things at you whilst they're climbing). 8) In one level, you're in complete darkness. You can't see anything until the sky lights up with lightning, which allows you to see the villagers (ie: no torch). 9) Villagers feature advanced A.I. If you shoot a villager, he won't always go after you; he may run away (he is intelligent enough to know that he can't compete with a gun). If you follow him, he'll lead you to an area with more villagers, where they'll team up. Villagers will also climb up the sides of buildings (using ladders) and dive through windows at you, or try to knock down doors, in real-time. They will also work together cooperatively. 10) The camera is generally a lot closer to you this time. This creates a very claustrophobic atmosphere. Also -- especially at the start -- you are surrounded by bloodthirsty villagers. They surround you from all sides and they'll try to grab at you as you come close. So you're constantly trying to "run for your life", so to speak. 11) Whilst the controls are almost the same as the original games, the new perspectives make RE4 "feel" a lot more like a first person shooter. The entire game apparently feels very different and much more "free". 12) You can use your action button to do many, many things. You can hide behind trees, push tables in front of doors, dive through windows, etc etc. Amazing stuff. I think this could [i]really[/i] re-ignite my love for RE, especially considering that Code Veronica left an awful taste in my mouth (although RE's remake was pretty darn amazing too).[/color]

[color=#707875]Well, there are a few points to make about this. Firstly, various staff have the power to ban members. All of our Category Moderators, as well as Charles, Adam and myself have this ability. Though only Charles, Adam and myself can perform an IP ban. So, depending on who is doing the banning, there are variations on how "harshly" a situation might be judged. Category Moderators have my permission to ban members at their own discretion, although 99% of the time, CMs will discuss a ban in the staff forum [i]before[/i] enacting it. On many occasions, we'll give someone a warning. And mostly, it'll be done in the thread itself. On some occasions -- especially if the staff member in question feels that the member doesn't have a lot of potential for improvement -- a ban [i]might[/i] be immediately enacted. It's important to note two elements to all of this. Firstly, we require that members read our rules before they begin posting. We make this abundantly clear at every step of the way. Members who do not read -- or adhere to -- the rules, are putting themselves at greater risk of being banned by default. So that's the first thing. Secondly, we're talking about a community of more than 8,000 people, where a Moderator may have to deal with a handful of spammers in a day. A Category Moderator may potentially be dealing with several dozen of them and so on, depending on the circumstances. It is increasingly difficult for us to PM someone with an elaborate ban warning as our membership numbers increase. It's not realistic. But moreover (and particularly with the upcoming launch of V7), we are trying to encourage quality. As a result, the weight is shifted to the members' shoulders a little bit more. We will continue to expect more from the members themselves. If you didn't read the rules and if you've made no acknowledgement of a rule violation...then there's really not much point in you being here. You know? Some of this is an unavoidable reality, based on forum size. And some of it is a deliberately designed reality, based on our site's own unique needs and requirements. Of course, there are occasions where someone is banned by accident or too quickly. But these instances are incredibly rare. I have only ever unbanned maybe a handful of people, in the site's history. So, generally, I stand by all of our banning policies. They are generally pretty realistic, considering the day-to-day operations of the site.[/color]