James

[color=#507AAC]I'm in Zanarkand Ruins at the moment...doing that weird colour/block puzzle thing (very annoying -- the second puzzle isn't making sense to me). I've tried leveling up in different parts of the ruins, but the battles take a long time...and I don't seem to get much in the way of AP out of 'em. For example, it takes maybe three "big" battles for Lulu to get [i]one[/i] ability sphere. Does anyone have some advice in terms of building up ability spheres more quickly? Oh! And...where can I get more lvl. 4 key spheres? I only had two and I've used both. -_-[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Two points. 1) Your topic is a little bit misleading. The bombings discussed here relate to enforcements of the UN-mandated no-fly-zones. These zones have been continually targeted for nearly a decade. So, this is nothing new or different; perhaps simply more of an intensified enforcement to put more pressure on Saddam. Let's try to limit the conspiracy theories as much as possible, and actually gain some perspective (particularly on this question that you raised). 2) I'm not going to say it again; we already have a thread to discuss the war on Iraq issue. I strongly recommend that all future comments about the situation be issued here: [url]http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20271[/url] If another thread about Iraq is created, I'll be responding without any warning. Please feel free to discuss all aspects in the thread linked above.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Well, Nintendo were in development of a second Mario game for the Nintendo 64. From what I remember, they were planning to utilize the 64DD (ala Ura Zelda, which was never released until now). However, since Nintendo killed the 64DD, most of those games never saw release. And as a result, many of the game concepts were bumped up to GameCube (including Flippin' Kirby for GCN, which now has a name like Rollerball or something...I forget).[/color]

[color=#507AAC]I'm watching Fox & Friends right now, as it's happening. Though they seem to be looping video... o_O;; I think that unfortunately the crew are probably gone. The various explosions were massive...and I don't think evacuation would be feasable during reentry (at that altitude). I just hope that no large pieces of debris (or the shuttle itself) hit populated areas and hurt people. :worried: [/color]

[color=#507AAC]I don't know if this shuttle has entirely broken up yet, if any of this video is live (there are certainly no reports of it breaking up entirely yet; just large chunks falling off). If it stays intact, it essentially becomes a large out-of-control missile. So it'll either break up somewhere over the ocean (hopefully), or someone may have to shoot it down to prevent it hitting a populated area. I [i]really[/i] hope it breaks up...[/color]

[color=#507AAC]There isn't much factual information to be provided. Mario 128 is [i]not[/i] the title of the next Mario game. Nintendo has never said as such. Miyamoto has said, however, that Nintendo is already working on the next Mario title. And that's great news, considering that Mario 64 was the only Mario title on N64. It'd be nice to see two or three Mario games on GameCube. The Mario 128 demo itself is not an actual game; it's a tech demo. So there seems to be some confusion about that. In terms of whether or not Nintendo actually makes a "100 Marios" game, well, that's a slightly seperate issue. I believe that Nintendo [i]has[/i] indicated that [i]both[/i] games will be produced. Still, I'd like to see a new Mario game take place in the more traditional Mario locales...Super Mario Sunshine was great, but the fact that it all took place on tropical islands kind of lowered the variety in the environments. It'd be nice to see some snow/fire/night time levels and such again.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Hehe, it's not called "hack dot". It's called .hack//INFECTION vol. 1 And Cyko..the first ten episodes or so are rather boring. When you reach 11 and 12, you'll start noticing that the story uncovers dramatically. This isn't for the average Dragonball lover; it requires patience and attention to understand what's going on. [/color]

[color=#507AAC]Interesting topic. ^_^ [b]My favorite developer:[/b] EAD (Entertainment Analysis & Development) [b]Why?[/b] Where do I start? EAD has been responsible for most of my all-time favourite games. Everything from the Mario series to Zelda. And more recently, games like Animal Crossing and Mario Kart. EAD is simply the world's finest game developer; the internal Nintendo group has consistently been responsible for some of the most important innovations in the game industry. Whether you're talking about the revolution of three dimensional movement (360 degree analogue control in Mario 64) or the near-perfected 3D interaction model (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) or more recently, a fully-realized virtual world (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker)...EAD is undeniably an impressive group. [b]Super Mario Series:[/b] I don't even need to go into detail. Super Mario Bros. revolutionized video games in ways that we are [i]still[/i] experiencing. Most games of that generation used a single screen space or a verticle movement system. Super Mario Bros. was the first game to create a truly large "world" that could be explored in a variety of ways. The game was also responsible for creating the platforming genre and its sequels have consistently become benchmarks for other games (even some of the latest titles are still borrowing ideas from Super Mario 64). [b]The Legend of Zelda:[/b] Once again, this series needs no introduction. The Legend of Zelda was one of the most innovative games of its time -- it was also the first NES game to allow for a battery save function. The Legend of Zelda demonstrated that even with limited technology, a truly epic experience could be created. Zelda also fully utilzed the concept of exploration and interaction with characters and the surrounding environment. The Wind Waker is perhaps the most realistic game ever, in terms of environmental interaction and animation. The entire world truly comes alive. And with a vastly improved battle system, further refined controls and fresh, innovative gameplay, TWW demonstrates that Zelda as a franchise is still full of new ideas. [b]Mario Kart:[/b] Mario Kart began its life on the SNES and has since become one of the most significant of Nintendo's franchises. Whilst I personally disliked Mario Kart 64, the recent GBA version exceeded my expectations and reminded me how wonderful this series really can be. And with the promise of Mario Kart on GameCube (the demo of which looked gorgeous), I'm already drooling. ~_^ [b]F-Zero:[/b] I never owned the original SNES edition (though it was the subject of much renting), but F-Zero has quickly become a unique and important game. The N64 edition was perhaps the fastest racer ever created and the new GCN version is looking quite spectacular. ~_^ I could go on...but I won't. I'm too sleepy. lol You all know what EAD is by now. ~_^[/color] [color=indigo]Ditto. - Desbreko[/color]

[color=#507AAC]*nods* The lips never moved enough either -- in most cases they were very stiff-looking. But it wasn't so much the lip synching that bothered me. I just hated the way Yuna [i]frequently[/i] paused. It was SO annoying. You'll notice, when she writes that letter (I think that's what she's doing...a letter or a diary, about her guardians), she actually sounds totally fine when she's talking about something humorous or something. I mean, she'll speak in a fluid constant sentence. But when she's talking normally, it's almost as if she's having bowel trouble...and it bothers me greatly. -_-;; I hope they fix it in FFX-2. I [i]really[/i] do. [/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by GinnyLyn [/i] [B][color=royal blue]Beh, I don't know why I bother trying to participate in discussions. Everyone seems to freak when I come on the scene...V_V;[/color][/b][/quote] [color=#507AAC]Now, now. Be calm, Ginny. Nobody was attacking you. :)[/color][quote][color=royalblue][b] Anyways, I still say what James said is nice in theory, but... This is not something brought on by my faith (if that's what's bothering you, James :)), but [i]my opinion[/i]. I have had multiple instances where I had all the answers and everything under control--and I [i]still[/i] get thrown a curve ball. Besides, life is interesting when you don't know what to expect next! Like Deus said, the roughest times are the times that build our character (no matter how much they suck :rolleyes:.). [/color] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#507AAC]No, your religion does not bother me. It never has. :) You and I agree. I do think life is interesting when you don't know what to expect; I never said otherwise. I'm just saying that it would be nice to live my life again with a better knowledge of certain issues. That's all. I mean, this is only a theoretical thread anyway; I don't believe in reincarnation at all. lol So, once again...let's not over analyze it or get too serious. It's just a fun thing to think about -- you know, what kind of life you might choose if you had the opportunity. :)[/color]

[color=#507AAC]I really don't think this is appropriate. The content itself is questionable; but we've already had maybe three or four Iraq threads. Please confine your thoughts to the next most recent Iraq thread. [/color]

[color=#507AAC]At least three people have told me that I look like Elijah Wood... :help: [/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by GinnyLyn [/i] [B][color=royal blue]In theory that could work. But James, there are still some answers that none of us have found yet, and not all answers are ones we like or agree with. And having all the answers doesn't make life perfect, IMO. Like a video game--just because you know everything that's going to happen the second time around doesn't mean that you'll avoid problems--or unhappiness. Just IMO--don't ban me, please! [/color] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#507AAC]I have a feeling there was some underlying message there... Let's not get [i]too[/i] technical here. All I meant was that I could avoid some of the larger mistakes of my life. I used the word perfect because I already love my life; I grew up with a good family, good friends, a good education...but by doing it again, I could avoid some of the nastier events. That's all I meant. Let's not over-analyze anything here. ~_^[/color]

[color=#507AAC]I'm really looking forward to FFX-2. It's looking very nice so far. But I hope that they fix a few things. Namely, the lip synching (which was often pretty horrible). And...I hope. Yuna. Will stop. Pausing. Between. Sentences. It's very. Annoying. -_- When she's excited or something and speaks "fluidly", she sounds great. But that constant robotic pausing...argh. It was very distracting. It made the dialogue sound forced. By comparision, just about all the other characters were done very well. I also hope that the characters' hair is a little less "plastic" this time around. So far, FFX-2 doesn't look to be a whole lot better (visually) than FFX. Although, FFX [i]does[/i] still look beautiful. But, yeah...a huge overhaul is not needed; just a few important tweaks in terms of voices and animation...and that'll make the world of difference.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]If I died...I'd want to go back in time and be myself again. But the second time around, I'd have the knowledge of my former life behind me. That way, I could avoid life's mistakes...and change certain things. Then my life would be perfect, I think.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]It doesn't surprise me that DMC2 received a poorer rating than its predecessor. I'm kind of annoyed that this series has received such publicity; the first game was nice, but [i]way[/i] overrated. I'd have given the first game maybe a 7.5 out of 10...or half a point more than Luigi's Mansion. Not a bad game, but not wonderful. Above average. It was insanely short...very easy and in some ways lacked variety. DMC2, based on the reviews, seems to be even worse in these key areas. So, I think I'll give DMC2 a miss. Instead, I'm going to be looking out for titles such as Viewtiful Joe and Killer 7; titles which seem to really be featuring the best of Capcom's innovation. Even Resident Evil Online is looking very interesting...[/color]

[color=#507AAC]The United States failed to overpower the remove the communist north. What was their objective? To overpower and remove the communist north. That's called a loss. lol It doesn't matter what the reasons are. The United States and its allies (including Australia) failed to meet the prime objective. I don't need to get into the details...I'm aware that there are many complexities to war and that it's not an all-out loss in every way. But the bottom line is that it was a loss. Can we now stick to the topic of the State of the Union address?[/color]

[color=#507AAC]I just used physical attacks and "Water Gem" over and over. Great little tool, that Water Gem is. ~_^[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Final Fantasy IX was a disappointment. Why? Well, it had a great battle system, cool characters and a wonderful visual design. Unfortunately the story was horrible. And Kuja is perhaps the most unthreatening villain I've seen in my entire life. He wasn't nearly as intimidating as Sephiroth...not even as scary as Ultimecia...or however you spell her name. lol[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Well, the United States lost the Vietnam war. And I believe, after the USA pulled out, the economy recovered. So it's about whether you win or lose...and what kind of stability a war creates. War itself can often be a stabilizing force to a national economy and if the outcome is good, there are often significant benefits.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Actually, that's not quite true. Wars traditionally bolster the economy -- especially if the nation involved (USA for instance) is winning. The main reason war bolsters the economy is because it creates a level of certainty. Right now, the US markets are jittery because they are uncertain about the future. They don't know when/if something will happen. When the war finally goes ahead and when the first signs of victory appear, the markets will stabilize and strengthen. In addition, the Government spends a great deal of money during the period of a war. Money is spent on ammunition and fuel in particular (billions of dollars). This is another factor that helps to bolster the market. And finally (especially in the case of Iraq), there is the possibility that the nation's oil will become available to the world market once Saddam is gone. This would mean a higher level of oil production and thus, oil prices would drop. This would also mean that cars cost less to run, which puts more money in people's pockets for other things. It's a big cycle. I'm not an economist, but I [i]do[/i] know that in most cases, war has a positive impact on the markets (though obviously it has many negative effects on other areas of the country as well).[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Actually, wars are traditionally pretty good for the economy...[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Ahh yes, thank you. ^_^ I do tend to swap my characters in and out of battle, to give them all more experience. Though right now I'm focusing somewhat on Lulu, because I'm close to granting her with the most powerful black magic available in the game. And combined with spells like Double Cast, it will really help me later on. But yeah, thanks for the suggestions! I'll go and try him out again ^_^[/color]

[color=#507AAC]Bio and reflect for double the effect? What does reflect do? Casting reflect on myself wouldn't work, because he casts no magic on the party. Instead, he uses ability attacks. Are you saying that I should cast reflect on the boss himself? That way, if he casts curaga...it will reflect onto my party. I'd have to refrain from magic attacks, but it shouldn't be too hard if I'm using Aeons as well... Hm, that might work. Thanks.[/color]

[color=#507AAC]It's that time again. I'm having a little boss trouble. The boss is called Sanctuary Keeper, I believe. He's a boss that you encounter as you head towards Zanarkand (the bit just after the three puzzles in the cave). He uses a laser-type attack that casts multiple status conditions on your party. However, that's not the problem. The problem is that he frequently uses Curaga. Twice in a row, often. And I have no idea how to defeat him. I've tried using dispel...and I've tried drawing as much MP from him as possible. I've also tried using Auron's "Magic Break" over and over. I have tried various strategies...and there's just nothing I can do. Can someone give me some advice on a possible weakeness? ^_^;;[/color]