James

[color=#707875]I rarely come in this forum, apart from the odd occasion where I really feel compelled to read something. But I noticed that you had a thread here, Charles. So I had to read it. I have honestly never seen writing of yours that I've [i]not[/i] liked. Everything from your game reviews to your poetry and other fictional work is fantastic. You don't try to bombard me with big words [i]just[/i] for the sake of making something look intelligent. You seem to choose your words carefully. Nothing is thrown in there without a point; it all has significance. And I like that. It makes your work very easy to read for anyone, but no less profound or in-depth. I won't go to the extent that PT did, but I will say that this piece, as with all your other pieces, is well-written and fantastically presented. It's amazing how a relatively small piece of writing can still leave you with a very distinct emotion. This piece definitely does that, without doubt.[/color]

[color=#707875]I don't see how not translating the game is isolationist. Square-Enix isn't selling it to Japanese gamers...they're selling it to American gamers. Generally, American gamers cannot speak Japanese. It makes logical sense to change it to English. You still have the same visual theme being carried through the game and apparently the lyrics themselves aren't actually changed. So...again, I don't see the concern. If you avoid buying this game [i]just[/i] as a result of it being in English, then I don't know if you wanted the game for the right reasons in the first place (the "right" reasons being gameplay/story/etc).[/color]

[color=#707875]I'm still on the Omega Pirate in MP. I haven't played in a couple of months, at the very least. Still, the PAL version is automatically on "Hard" difficulty. No Easy for us. Bleh. It kinda sucks, but I'm surprised that I managed to get this far I guess. In any case, I adore Metroid Prime. It's a gorgeous game. Absolutely stunning aesthetic design...incredibly intelligent level design and a perfect learning curve. Metroid Prime is one game that [i]every[/i] gamer should own, so that they truly know what a "digital masterpiece" really is.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by RioLaskand [/i] [B] I would rather you guys didn't fight. I mean why would you bash someone for expressing their opinion, however depressing and pessimistic it may be? [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#707875]Nobody is fighting. I am simply telling Bloodsin that if he is going to express an idea, others will respond to it. I'm not questioning the validity of his opinions to himself, I'm merely saying that his input doesn't provide any assistance for you whatsoever. So, I'm just telling it like it is. Whenever you post here or anywhere else, you should be aware that you're going to be responded to by [i]someone[/i]. I'm just telling Bloodsin that he shouldn't rear up when someone does choose to respond. They're within their right to, as much as he is. Anyway, I'm glad that these responses have helped you. I hope that your situation improves.[/color] [quote][i]Originally posted by Bloodsin:[/i][b] That statement is vague enough to apply to everyone who has ever been quoted. [/b][/quote] [color=#707875]I'm sure it could be applied to plenty of people. And that's obviously why I said it. If you post something -- especially something that isn't constructive -- people will probably make a comment about that somewhere along the line. That's all I'm saying. Cool your heels, junior.[/color]

[color=#707875]What is wrong with you people? Who really cares whether she sings in English or Japanese? Geeze. It's one little sequence in FFX-2. Whether she sings in English or Japanese has absolutely no bearing on the game at all. Other than it being a case of "Ooo! Cool! She is singing in Japanese!" I don't see the complaint, really. Also bear in mind that the majority of players would probably prefer English lyrics. Afterall, Square-Enix is trying to market the game globally. As a pure question of sales/marketing, it would make little sense to have Yuna sing in Japanese for non-Japanese audiences. As far as the "skimpy" outfits go...again, I don't see the complaint. Unless you're incredibly anal, why should you take issue with the costume design in the game? I've seen nothing so far that has made me gasp in shock and clutch a crucifix to my chest. Honestly, if you read the interviews with the creators, you'll see that the "female focus" is [i]very[/i] much story-oriented. It makes sense to me. I mean, Wakka can run around wearing no shirt and other male characters in FFX can be dressed in a somewhat "skimpy" fashion, yet the same shouldn't or couldn't be true for females in FFX-2? Give me a break. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't go out and buy a game because it has scantily clad women. The day I sit there and get aroused over some digital drawing is the day I know that my social life is dead. lol In any case...it doesn't surprise me that people are cutting up rough over FFX-2. It doesn't surprise me, but it's still a big shame. [/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Bloodsin [/i] [B] But I guess it's easy to slap a stereotypic label on a person and condescend them on what they have not stated. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#707875]Unfortunately, your original post was so dismissive and [i]un[/i]helpful, that it both appeared highly stereotypical [i]and[/i] probably begged for someone to point that out to you. So, I guess it's a case of being responsible for your words. Or, knowing that if you make a comment, it will be reacted to. As for RioLaskand, I know how you must feel. It is truly awful to be in love -- to be able to spend time with that person -- and not actually pursue a relationship. In terms of Kelsey...I think that you have a choice. Unfortunately it's not an easy choice. You can either stay as her friend and leave things that way (thus enjoying what company you do get, regardless of whether or not she wants a relationship), or you can end your relationship with her altogether, if it becomes too painful. It seems as though Kelsey likes you too...and she is voicing some dissatisfcation with her boyfriend. Perhaps that relationship won't last. Who knows. Either way, I think it would be difficult to bank on that. It would be difficult to be her friend and to hang around, hoping that things will change. You have to be prepared for the fact that they might not. As hard as it is, you have to contemplate the idea of being her friend and her friend only. Maybe having just a little of her time is better than having none at all.[/color]

[color=#707875]v7 will be this site's final "version" in a long time. It's going to be designed as a longterm thing. So we have no plans beyond v7. That is, we don't have plans for v8 and onward. It just doesn't work that way. As far as 10 years goes...who knows. We don't even know where these sites will be at the end of 2004, let alone 2013 or beyond. I doubt that OtakuBoards will be around in ten years. And if it is, it'll be very different. Or someone else will have bought the URL. Who knows. But whether Adam and I are still doing something Internet related in ten years...that's a different question. You just never know. Either way, it doesn't really matter. We should enjoy what we have now and make the most of it. OtakuBoards may not necessarily be around in 2013, but it'll definitely be here in 2004. So, there's still plenty of time to enjoy it. ~_^[/color]

[color=#707875]Well...we've already had a couple of large threads on this subject. I don't know what else can be achieved, in terms of asking for opinions. When we had a fan fiction site, we never censored what people wrote there. And as I said, if people want to make mature RPGs...they'll be treated by adult standards (ie: they'll be expected to show fantastic English, excellent grammar, etc). I think that's reasonable. Hopefully that will come through a bit more as time goes on.[/color]

[color=#707875]There is no lifting of censorship. Censorship rules are still very much in place. The [i]only[/i] lifting of censorship relates to RPGs, Sparring and Events. Or in other words, creative writing. I have absolutely no intention of allowing people to use coarse language during regular discussion. I made this very clear in my Announcement on the subject...so I would urge you to read those Announcements carefully.[/color]

[color=#707875]Do you mean "topic" or "forum"? If you're asking about a forum, the simple answer would be that Gundam is more popular here than Evangelion. At least, we've never had much support from members to create an Evangelion forum. But, but all means, discuss Evangelion in the Anime Lounge.[/color]

[color=#707875]Thanks, Shizoku. There is no code for random images...no vB code anyway. You need to set up random images on your own server using a PHP file. And please, remove one of your banners. We only allow one at a time, per signature. I recommend that you read the rules before you continue posting.[/color]

[color=#707875]If there is a serious concern about privacy, I will write a small paragraph about it in our rules. But generally, OtakuBoards is a pretty secure environment. You don't have to give out your email and you can hide various personal details about yourself. So you can participate here without being completely "open" in terms of real-life information. Moreover, theOtaku.com/OtakuBoards does not share your details with any third party. We don't sell mailing lists or anything like that. Your email is 100% confidential when you sign up to any of our sites. In terms of just providing information...again, it's a question of "post content at your own risk". If you choose to be more open about yourself online (whether here or elsewhere), there are obviously risks associated with that. I would say that OtakuBoards is probably a little more secure than other places, if only because of the site's demographic. As Tony said, I doubt that many people would be coming here to steal credit card details. Still, I'll post something about it in the rules, just so that it's there for new members to read.[/color]

[color=#707875]Yep, the PS2's laser is infamously cheap garbage. My PS2 (a first generation model) had the same issue. It got so bad, that some games would freeze mid-play, or experience bizarre glitches. Also, my PS2 refused to read any DVD movies. So...I traded it in and bought a new Satin Silver PS2. ~_^ I know that's not always an option though. It's an expensive option, at least. You could try to get your machine fixed by Sony. They may replace the laser, presumably. But of course, you'd have to pay for that too. Still...I guess these are your only real options. Either way, if you want to play PS2 games again without troubles, you're going to have to pay in some respect.[/color]

[color=#707875]As the guy who actually runs the site...even I would urge you [i]not[/i] to visit while you're at school. School is for learning, not OtakuBoards. By all means, enjoy yourself here after school or on the weekend or whenever your parents give you leisure time. But OB is definitely a place for leisure...homework and schoolwork should be your very first priority.[/color]

[color=#707875]Well, I use Photoshop at school and Paint Shop Pro at home. Both the most recent versions. The truth is that I like both; Photoshop can do some amazing stuff, though very few people can unlock its potential. Paint Shop Pro is far more accessible to the lower end, but it is also not an easy program to "master". In my opinion, Photoshop hands more things to you. That is, if you have Elements and EyeCandy and all that stuff...you can make gorgeous work with little effort. In some ways, PSP is more barebones...it's more focused on photographic effects and most of its more expansive filters are a little more plain and simple. So in other words, I think PSP demands more creativity from the user; it's a bit more like MS Paint, in the sense that you need some raw skills to get the most out of it. For me, I use PSP because a) it's cheaper and b) I find it more intuitive. I hate -- and have always hated -- the interface for Adobe products. Whether it's InDesign, Photoshop, GoLive or whatever else...I am unconvinced that Adobe knows how to create intuitive menus. I find them clunky, awkward and often they seem to require dozens of steps to do something that takes only two or three in PSP. I just find most of that stuff unnecessary. And, especially with web-related graphics, PSP seems to be designed with more easily-accessible customisation and optimisation features in mind. And since most of my graphics are web-related, that works for me. So really, I don't think either one is "better". It just depends what your skills are, what kind of work you're doing and which type of interface you prefer.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Baron Samedi [/i] [B]Heh... what I meant James, was to a state of perfection, where [i]you[/i] are happy about the banner. By saying that you didn't really like them and had rushed them, you obviously hadn't done that. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#707875]I am happy with the banner. For a quick play around with a brush, I think it came out well. That is, apart from its stock image. And Double_B...I guess you can use my banner, if you credit me with its creation. I'm usually very protective over proprietary stuff though (whether it's personal stuff, or OB/theOtaku related work). But eh. If you like it, I don't see why you can't use it. I notice that Leh is using a banner I made for him, without crediting me. And that kinda sucks, not to be acknowledged for your work. So yeah, that's really my only requirement. Hopefully I can post more banners up here at a later date. [/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Baron Samedi [/i] [B] It's better to perfect each one before putting them up.[/b][/quote] [color=#707875]When you reach perfection, you have nowhere else to go. Better to always strive for improvement. ^_^ But more to the point...I'm not too interested in how others see them. That is, I know what I am capable of and I know what kind of standard I can usually hit. The thing is, with these two, I guess it was more a case of experimentation. I had no specific idea of what I wanted to do...I just played around. So there wasn't much focus on either one. But I enjoyed it nonetheless. [/color][quote][b] Also, the font is really hard to read... what does that word say? [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#707875]If the font is hard to read, it's through no fault of my own. Didn't you ever learn about Copperplate and such in school? ~_^ It says "Ivalice". Kaisuke: Regarding the first banner...the stock image was of the woman from FFXII. She's actually quite pretty, but my treatment of the image wasn't very good. I was trying to make an old/sepia type effect...but I also rotated the image, which was [i]already[/i] poor as a stock image. So unfortunately it blurred here a bit. I wasn't sure if it was just me or if it was actually the case, so thanks for pointing it out. Also, with that image, I really wanted to focus on using the brushes and typography. I love the colours in the more recent Final Fantasy games...and since I have never really used those bright/soft/pastel colours, I wanted to experiment. Hopefully a better stock image would fix that banner up nicely. Anyway, here's my Sentinel one. Your comment on AIM reminded me that I'd not yet presented it here. [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/banners/Sentinels.gif[/img] This one uses similar brush techniques to the last few, only it's obviously a darker and more "electronic" feel. I don't know whether it's better or worse though.[/color]

[color=#707875]Well, I've produced a couple more and added them to my list. They're actually probably my [i]least[/i] favourite banners right now...but that's because I made both incredibly quickly. [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/banners/FFXII_2.gif[/img] [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/banners/ivalice.gif[/img][/color]

[color=#707875]AIDS isn't worse because the "methods" are different...it's worse because it's a virus, not a baby. o_O[/color]

[color=#707875]Agreed, Kinetic. I think it's only fair to hold "mature RPGs" to "mature standards". Hopefully that will discourage people from making them, who intend only to make something really low quality, with the purpose of allowing a little swearing and sex.[/color]

[color=#707875]The only problem is that a lot of our visitors also come from Europe and Australia. So, we'd have to be careful about that. I was thinking of something more simple (perhaps only three levels of rating), and then requiring the RPG creator to write a small warning at the beginning, where they talk about what the RPG entails. But I haven't really sat down and given it a lot of thought. So, with that said, I'm open to all suggestions on a potential ratings system.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by cloricus [/i] [B] Though I don?t really like it when projecting a possible outcome of something is being called a conspiracy, when it?s just a possibility that should be looked at with seriousness. [/quote][/b] [color=#707875]But I could tell you that the possible outcome of flying a commercial airliner is that it will crash. And therefore, we should never fly airliners ever again, because airline pilots are all corrupt and they really want us to die. There's a difference between making a realistic observation and an observation laced with conspiracy theories. I also think that it is important to [i]understand[/i] what you are actually fighting or complaining about. When you don't understand something (ie: the Patriot Act), how can you legitimately protest it?[/color][quote][b] Yes the Anti-Spam bill was passed (and to try and define what I mean by snuck) by a group of people that did not take the time to understand it's consequences or they heard the words "Anti", "Spam" and voted for it. When I say snuck I'm not trying to portray some parliament members lucking around and using loop holes in the law system to pass things (excision of thousands of islands, from what I hear that was a bit dodgy?) in the middle of the night, what I'm trying to say is for example the government did not attempt to educate the voting members in any way on what spam was or what effects the bill had, so as I said they saw those words and voted accordingly which can be applied in different ways. If it wasn't for some law computer geeks and the minor parties this wouldn't have even been noticed. And in a way this happened in America with Patriot as voting members were cornered by possible allegations of being unpatriotic; which in the situation was political suicide. (Don't read into that excision question, I only heard things against it from the democrats so I already know its bias. :P)[/quote][/b] [color=#707875]But you're now saying that the Senators who voted for the bill didn't understand it. I'm not sure I agree with that. If you vote for a bill, you should understand it. If you don't know what you're voting for, you shouldn't be in politics. While I am sure that there are probably some absent minded politicians out there, I'm not willing to believe that these people were somehow ignorant of what they were doing. Unless you can provide me with some evidence of that, I'm not going to believe it. As for the Patriot Act...I do know that the act was debated in Congress by all parties concerned. In other words, the act was looked at, it was debated and it was passed. And having read most of the act myself, I don't see it as being the big Government control legislation that some of you are claiming it to be. So, I think that this is mostly just clutching at straws. At first I was told how bad it would be...now I'm being told that it's not bad, but it's an example of something being snuck through. And then I'm told that people were pressured to vote for it and then I'm told that it was snuck through again. Which is it? I don't think that any of these explanations come very close to matching reality. It seems like you guys are jumping from pillar to post on this question. Oh, and...if you don't want me to take notice of the excise issue, I have some advice for you: [b]don't mention it in the first place[/b].[/color][quote][b] Australia introduced harsh new anti-piracy laws yet all pirates since then have been found and charged under the old laws which even to now have much more power than they need yet we have another set of laws for piracy that sit on top of these that are a lot more powerful again. What?s the point, really? I believe it's the same for anti-terrorism which had a new set of laws past after 2001 yet the few people so far have been captured and charged under the old laws. *I got that last bit from ABC news about half a year ago so I don't know if it's still true.[/quote][/b] [color=#707875]Wait a minute. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me. You're saying that despite newer anti-terrorism laws, nobody has been captured or charged under [i]old[/i] laws? What kind of logic is that? If people had been captured and charged, you'd probably only complain and point out that this is an example of the Government controlling everyone. It's a no-win situation.[/color][quote][b] My main thing I?m trying to point out is why law makers make laws that are over powerful for what?s needed and will most likely never be used and could be open to abuse. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#707875][i]Why[/i] are they "over-powerful"? You haven't explained that to me. Nor have you explained specific instances of these laws being used unwisely. More importantly, you're assuming that you know what is needed. You're a senior in high school. Are you privvy to classified intelligence documents or something? Do you meet with the Prime Minister's office on a regular basis? Do you see what I'm saying here? People don't just sit down and say "Oh gee, let's try and find a way to screw with the public! Oh, I know! Let's curb their civil rights! YAY!" The laws are created for a reason. And as demonstrated with various specific articles of the Patriot Act, [i]the vast majority[/i] of these laws have absolutely nothing to do with "limiting" anyone's rights. In fact, there isn't even an attempt to limit someone's rights here. The Patriot Act has [i]only[/i] provided extensions to existing security laws and the majority of its reach relates to international security and banking issues. A large portion of the act relates to identity verification as well. Are you going to tell me that these are a bad thing? Again, I see so many conspiracy theories here and so much needless distrust. If you're telling me that these laws [i]can[/i] be abused, I'd agree with you. Of course they can. Nearly any law can be abused by an individual or a group. But to then say that we should not attempt to develop new laws because they'll "most likely" be abused, is absolutely laughable. It's also naive and overly-suspicious. And it's ignorant. What do you mean by "most likely" be abused? You have absolutely no idea what the chances are that these laws will be abused! It's just such a typical response coming from a student -- I could get the same cookie-cutter response from just about any high school or college student anywhere in the world. It just strikes me as both presumptuous and naive. In any case, I don't know what else I can say about this subject. If I'm going to be answered (in general) with a link to Michael Moore (knowing full well that he has an axe to grind), I don't know how far I can go. I could then very well sit here and go through Michael Moore's history and the perspective that he comes from. It's not that I completely disagree with everything he says; I think he makes some valid points now and then. But I am definitely aware that he has an agenda with most of what he says. So, that's probably about it for me. We'll see how it goes. As long as the debate remains civil (regardless of whether I'm posting here or not), there are no problems.[/color]

[color=#707875]Hopefully we can create a very simple ratings system and accompanying rules in order to guide the creation of these new RPGs. If "mature" RPGs are going to be popular, they're going to have to be held to mature/adult standards. That is, I think it would be unreasonable to have a "mature" RPG and then to write three line posts throughout the entire thing. I think I mentioned somewhere in that forum; if you're going to write an adult/mature story, you will be held to adult/mature standards. I suspect this means that many more RPGs than usual will be closed and that people will need to think more carefully when attempting to write something mature/adult. That seems reasonable to me.[/color]

[color=#707875]I think that the definition Mitch provided really hits the nail on the head. Wisdom is something that one acquires through maturity and experience. I also think that knowledge and wisdom are intertwined; intellectualism [i]isn't[/i] the same as knowledge. You can have a high IQ, you can read a text book and quote it all back to me, but I think your comprehension and application of knowledge and information is more important than whether or not you remember it. It's about understanding, interpretation and appropriate use. There are so many ways to look at wisdom. I guess that's my most brief thought on the subject.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by cloricus [/i] [B] I personally don't like the door way the Patriot Act opened, I mean look at it. It is a law aimed at giving the people who hold it more power which they have no need to use now and possibly not in the future. It was snuck in because people were afraid to question it. At the time (just after the attack on WTC/Pentagon) if any one had stood up and said "This is bad!" the government would have just called them unpatriotic which would cut out anything they said after to most Americans like in so many other cases. Just look at its name, the whole thing was put together (as I recall) to act as if it was in the interest of all the people without adverse effects. [/quote][/b] [color=#707875]Why do they have no need to hold this power? I don't know why you would think that. Of [i]course[/i] there's a need for measures of this kind. Had some of these security measures been in place previously, events like September 11 (and maybe even the first WTC bombing) could have been prevented. And, in particular, potential biological attacks and so on could also be prevented. I also urge you to read through the act itself. Or at least, what I've posted up there. It isn't nearly as subversive as many would lead you to believe. As I mentioned previously, most of it relates to communication between agencies, first responders and international intelligence and financial systems. Secondly, it wasn't "snuck in". It was [i]voted[/i] in and approved by the United States Congress. And thirdly...yes, I do disapprove of the idea that you can be called "unpatriotic" for being critical of your Government. I can be critical of my Government, but still be very proud of my nation and her achievements. But I just don't like these conspiracy theories. This isn't about giving the Bush Administration "more power" in general. Just take a look at the particulars of the act. As I said, most of it relates to functional improvements in security and other civil agencies.[/color][quote][b] Though back to the implication, if a government can bring some thing in like that it's going to. Don't believe me? Look at the aptly named "Son of Patriot" which gives the American government stupidly large amounts of power over its own citizens and people over seas! Still not convinced; look closer to the Australian Anti-Spam Bill which gives the Government the right to search a victim?s house and take equipment without a warrant and with only consent from basically any one who has something to do with the house all because some one sent them a single spam email. It also without fully explained definitions allows the laws in the act to be used in cases of other offences, even possibly to by pass our "phone tapping guidelines". [/quote][/b] [color=#707875]I found this paragraph difficult to read. It's a bit jumbled. I recommend breaking things up a bit more...or slowing down a little when you type your posts. My only comment on this is simply, again, there are too many conspiracy theories floating around. If I had one cent for every student who thinks that the Government is harvesting our brains while we sleep, I'd be a very rich man. ~_^[/color][quote][b] So there might not have been anything to bad in Patriot but it gives an amazing test case to prove that that way of sneaking laws in works and if done right can get anything in.[/quote][/b] [color=#707875]So you're not arguing against the Patriot Act...but you're using it as an example that "unwanted" legislation can be snuck through? Again, the Patriot Act wasn't "snuck" in. Laws don't just sneak in from nowhere and take everyone by surprise. Laws have to be debated and approved by a Congress/Parliament. So, no...that's not at all accurate. Secondly -- especially in Australia at the moment -- most laws of this nature are [i]unlikely[/i] to get passed, because the minor parties band together to block this sort of thing in the Senate. However, it's interesting that many of those said parties [i]did[/i] support the Anti-Spam bill and others, when they could quite easily have blocked such legislation. [/color]