James

[color=royalblue]Okay, I've already been to Remiem Temple and fought Belgimine's first summon (and defeated it). I also did the Chocobo race there. What is Defender X? Is that the big robot that you fight right after you exit the Calm Lands?[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by SuperSayian [/i] [B]-__-;;; Did you people all forget how to recognise JOKES while I've been at school or something? I mean, christ, I dog on everyone like that, and just because I bring some comedy into my rants, you people jump down my throat. If it makes you feel any frickin better, I'll just bounce. Would you like that? Would that make you all get off my joke-making back? [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Whoa there, calm down. Look at your post again. It looked serious and not "jokey". So sue me. lol If it was a joke, then I apologize. :) But if you read it again, you may find that it wasn't very clear. I certainly didn't realize it was a joke. lol[/color]

[color=royalblue]SuperSaiyan, I think your allegation that Raiha cheated was pretty low. I didn't visit OBB that much, but I remember voting for her myself. You shouldn't be so quick to accuse people like that. Especially since she doesn't appear to have said anything nasty to you in the first place. Anyway, as far as restrictions go...Flash is the "event master" here. So if he chooses to enact restrictions, he can just PM me with the details and I'll organize it. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]Okay, right now I'm at the Calm Lands. I've hung around there for a while (captured the fiends required to open the Arena) and I've fought once at Remiem Temple. Right now, I want to try and level up as much as I can. I already know what I want to do with most characters, but there's a problem -- none of the enemies in the Calm Lands gives me enough Ability Points to really get some good levelling up. I foresee myself spending 20 hours or more in that one place, fighting over and over, just to get anywhere. So with that in mind, does anyone have any useful advice? I would really like to take this opportunity to backtrack and build up my characters a lot more before I continue. That way, I'll be able to focus more time on finding secrets later on. So, yeah. If anyone remembers this part of the game well...some advice would be most appreciated. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]It depends what you mean by destiny. Destiny implies that we have a specific course mapped out for us. Unfortunately, there's simply no proof to back that up. Sure, there is anecdotal evidence out there. But you can use that type of evidence to prove that someone walked on water or crushed a car with their bare hands (if someone says they saw it, then it's anecdotal evidence...regardless of how dillusional they are). I don't believe in destiny, because it there are just so many basic elements of life that do not coincide with that idea. But having said that, I think there are some aspects of "destiny" that affect people. For example, if you have a particular talent...(say, you play the guitar or something), one might say that it is your destiny to be a great guitarist. It's not that you are preordained to do this, it's simply that the aforementioned path is the most logical for you. I mean, if I ever become a video game designer, it would be tempting to sit back and say "well, this is my destiny". But that wouldn't really be true. I'd only be there because I showed an active interest in that area and pursued that course of action. Of course, different things can happen in your life...coincidences can happen and circumstances beyond your control can shape what happens in your life. But really, frankly, there's no way to back up that this is "destiny". It really comes down to whether or not you believe in things that aren't proven, or whether you have a certain definition of destiny. Remember, it's not necessarily the same thing for every person.[/color]

[color=royalblue]I think a love for basic human principles is most important; a love of life and a love for helping others. That is surely far more important than a more selfish form of love, like love for your country or something like that.[/color]

[color=royalblue]I guess we can make exceptions for people in RPGs...since you're "signed up" to those. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]Um...so? Otaku Big Brother is temporary. Half the fun of Big Brother is that people are kind of locked away in one area for others to watch. I think it makes sense. I mean, if the people who apply agree to that (and understand the temporary nature of the event), then what's the problem? If they agree, it's their choice. Plus, people will be voted off over time. So obviously, they won't be in there forever...they'll be exiting at regular intervals.[/color]

[color=royalblue]We are still in the process of deciding how to approach avatars on OtakuBoards. Our old 50/50 gallery is somewhat redundant now, because the standard avatar size is 80x80. And most people will use a custom avatar...so I guess that there is less and less need for our own avatar gallery as time goes on. Also, we do have an avatar/banner request forum that you can use when people request a certain kind of avatar. As far as our own gallery goes...I won't make any promises at this point. We'll see how things go.[/color]

[color=royalblue]It's possible that if we go down this route, staff would need to be excluded. But I don't think that's too much of a problem. We'll see what Flash decides.[/color]

[color=royalblue]I REALLY love the idea of restricting housemates to the Event Arena forum ONLY. That way, they can't access what's "outside the house". And it makes things more interesting for visitors to watch as well. What does everyone else think of that idea? [/color]

Mario, Link, Samus and Madam Aroma sat on the steps of the train station. They had no idea what to do next. Madam Aroma reached into her dainty purse and produced a small fan. She carefully opened it and fanned her face as she admired her new shoes. Mario sat with his chin resting on his hands. The last day had been one of the strangest in his life; maybe even more strange than his capture by King Boo the previous year. Link was holding his sword and drawing patterns in the dirt. He was stumped. He'd never been to the Mushroom Kingdom before, nor had he fought a Pirahna Plant. Was he losing his touch? He didn't know, but he hoped not. And finally there was Samus. Unlike the others, she wasn't feeling beaten just yet. She stood up and examined the landscape with her visor. Several yards infront of the train station was what looked like a sign post with various arrows on it. Samus began walking towards it and motioned to the others to follow her. [color=teal][b]Samus:[/b] Hey guys...look! There's a sign over there. Let's go and see what it says.[/color] [color=red][b]Mario:[/b] I hope we can find somewhere to sleep for the night. :nervous: [/color] [color=coral][b]Madam Aroma:[/b] Hmph, all you ever think about is food and sleep, Mario! We have a job to do![/color] The entire group turned and stared at Madam Aroma. Her remark was most unexpected... [color=coral][b]Madam Aroma:[/b] Well it's true! I didn't get this rich by sitting around wondering what to do next. I took initiative and married a rich and influential man! That takes serious effort![/color] Link looked at the others and rolled his eyes. :rolleyes: As the group approached the sign, Samus began reading the text on the arrows out loud. [color=teal][b]Samus:[/b] Hm..it says: "East: Donut Plains Junction"; "West: Karni Koopa's Travel Agency [low, low fares to Isle Delfino]"; "North: Animal Crossing"; "South: Donut Plains Train Station".[/color] Samus eyed the others inquisitively. Mario furrowed his brow, thinking. [color=red][b]Mario:[/b] Hmm, I think we should head to the Donut Plains Junction! Surely that'll get us closer to the heart of the Mushroom Kingdom. [/color] [color=green][b]Link:[/b] I don't know, Mario. Maybe we should head to Karni Koopa's Travel Agency. He might be able to get us a ticket by air...so we can get there faster.[/color] Within moments, the entire group began debating where they should go next. Samus was pointing in many directions, Mario was waving his arms around excitedly and Link was pointing his sword west and speaking with an insistant tone. [color=coral][b]Madam Aroma:[/b] STOPP!!!![/color] The group immediately fell silent and turned around. [color=coral][b]Madam Aroma:[/b] Tsk tsk...[i]so disorganized![/i] We need a place to stay for the night, correct?[/color] [color=red][b]Mario:[/b] B-but...you just said...[/color] [color=orange][b]*WHAP!*[/b][/color] Madam Aroma slapped Mario in the arm with her purse and scowled at him. [color=coral][b]Madam Aroma:[/b]Nevermind what I said. It's clear to me that the closest place to rest my poor tired feet is [b]Animal Crossing[/b]. It sounds lovely, don't you think?[/color] For fear of what Madam Aroma might do if they objected, the entire group nodded their heads in unison. [color=coral][b]Madam Aroma:[/b] Good. Now, shall we?[/color] Madam Aroma began walking along the northern path with her nose as high in the air as possible. Mario shrugged and followed close behind. Samus and Link knew it was a waste of time to argue, so they followed close behind Mario. As they walked, Madam Aroma began humming a tune from her native Termina. [color=coral][b]Madam Aroma:[/b] You know, on my [i]many, many[/i] travels around the world, I've come to know many interesting people.[/color] As she walked, Madam Aroma carefully fixed her hair with a gloved hand. [color=coral][b]Madam Aroma:[/b] And I just happen to know someone at Animal Crossing. His name is Tom Nook -- he owns the local General Store. I'm sure he'll give us a place to stay for the night. [/color] [color=red][b]Mario:[/b] Never heard of him...[/color] [color=coral][b]Madam Aroma:[/b] Hmph, that doesn't surprise me! You're always too busy fawning over that silly Princess Toadstool to notice these things, my dear boy.[/color] After another hour of lectures from Madam Aroma, the group finally saw a large sign in the distance: [size=4][b][font=times new roman]Welcome to Animal Crossing![/size] [/b]Population: Growing![/font]

[color=royalblue]Mario Party is one of those weird series. I really enjoyed the first Mario Party...so much so that I bought it. But I felt that Mario Party 2 and 3 were just too similar to the first game. And even now, I don't play the original anymore. It just got too old and boring for me. I honestly haven't read much about Mario Party 4, possibly because I'm half expecting it to be so similar to previous instalments. However, I am aware that the game will have all new mini-games and will feature some significant changes. I'm just wondering if anyone here knows anything about Mario Party 4. There doesn't seem to be much excitement amongst gaming media at the moment...so I'd like to know what the members here think about this game. Are you looking forward to it? Anything you'd really like to see in this new version? [/color]

[color=royalblue]I think people have to know how to give good criticism. I mean, as it's been said here...if you just say "that sucks", then what is the point of even opening your mouth or typing on the keys? At the very least, you should specify why you feel that way. For me personally, it depends where the criticism is coming from. For example, I probably wouldn't accept any criticism from kuja because of his history at this site...and I know to take his words with a grain of salt. On the other hand, if someone like Transtic Nerve or BabyGirl or Mnemolth critized me...I'd be much more willing to listen to what they have to say. Why? Because they have a history of being intelligent and they tend to explain what they mean. Those are only three of many -- there are many people on these very boards who I have great respect for. Both members and staff. And so, I'm much more likely to listen to what those people say. If someone comes along and just rants at me and puts me down...well, would [i]you[/i] pay any attention? Probably not. And neither would I. So yeah, it's all how you go about it. If you're someone who is infamous for tantruming and being unfair to people, then nobody will listen to your criticism. But if you're known for being fair and for having reasons behind your opinions...then you're going to be taken a lot more seriously.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Mnemolth, that's probably the best post I've seen explaining the issue. And it's true -- I make mistakes the same as everyone else. And unfortunately it can be very hard to please the majority all the time. It's like with v6. Some people will come up to me and tell me straight out "That looks absolutely disgusting, why did you do it?". While others will say "Hey! The boards look really nice!". In that situation, it can be kind of difficult to deal with everything without being short and sharp with people. So I'm not asking for praise or for everyone to just keep quiet about their problems...but there is always the right way and the wrong way to approach a situation. If you're respectful and you understand these pressures and time constraints, then you're much more likely to become a respected member...both by myself and the other staff and members.[/color]

[color=royalblue]EXACTLY. Geez...how hard is this to understand? The suggestion was for custom titles for everyone, I believe. And I said that staff wouldn't get them, because their current titles are important for members to identify what they do -- and thus, who they can contact if they are having troubles in a certain forum. But anyway...why should I expect him to have read and understood the previous posts? He's being a brat, that's all it's about. lol[/color]

[color=royalblue]Look, I don't want to shame anyone or anything like that. I think the main reason sage is behaving this way is because I moved that thread from Digimon. The thing is, his overreaction is way too harsh. I was only applying the rules that have been in place for who knows how long. Hell, even in [i]version 1[/i] it was obvious that you don't post the wrong thread in the wrong forum. I think sage has to realize two things here. First, both myself and all the other staff take time out of our lives to actually moderate this site. It takes time and effort -- and we all have to deal with the occasional annoying member. This is something that sage never has to deal with. He doesn't have that responsibility. Second, it's not as though I deleted anything that shouldn't have been deleted. People are still allowed to write their fanfics and such, as long as they keep fanfics in the fan fiction area. I mean come on people...how hard is that? Are people unable to click a different link on the page? Considering the [i]hours[/i] of work I have put into this site...I think it's a very small thing to ask that the most basic of rules be followed by members. And then when I get this sort of thing thrown back in my face...well, it's dissappointing. Not to mention ungrateful. What would happen if the boards were not here tomorrow? What would happen if we had shut down the site entirely because of our server troubles in August? Isn't it better to be at a site that has rules...than to not be here at all? Sometimes I think some people are too busy whining about tiny little things that disturb their little selfish universe...that they forget all the other elements I talked about.[/color]

[color=royalblue]I don't think anyone is being rude or ignorant, Sage. Moderators are members too. You must remember that. I've already explained why many of these threads are left there. Many closed threads are also deleted, but some are retained. We are not trying to "shame" people at all, we are merely providing examples of what [i]not[/i] to post. It's mostly common sense and sometimes it surprises me that people either don't read the rules or simply don't practice common sense. So, Sage, I think you need to take some of your own advice. I don't like your tone here at all. All I see here is useless bitching, frankly. If you have something constructive and worthwhile to offer, I'm all ears. Until then, I recommend that you don't offer comment.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Sage, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. If you make your post a little clearer, I might be able to respond.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Heh, that really proves that ABC is a completely left wing organization. Unconditional compliance my butt. lol He said that the inspectors could go everywhere BUT various Government sites. How is that unconditional? Argh...okay, I won't vent any further. lol[/color]

[color=royalblue]Yep, I agree with that. Fighting player vs player would only be suitable in a more controlled environment. There's nothing worse than being new...and being slaughtered by some guy who's been playing for hours and hours each day.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Saying that Mad TV has gone downhill implies that it was uphill in the first place. o_O Hehe, just kidding. It was [i]okay[/i] in the first place...but not great. Many of the skits were painfully obvious and highly predictable. But it did have its funny moments occasionally.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Okay, this is basically spam. Shift, you should know better.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Event Arena is [i]only[/i] for official events. Members are not permitted to create threads in that forum. OtakuBoards will automatically block members from creating threads; however, members [i]can[/i] reply to existing official threads.[/color]

[color=royalblue]This should be in suggestions. And even then...it's still not really appropriate. It's better to PM the originator of the thread than create unnecessary clutter in the main forum.[/color]