James

[i]Alice lowered her head.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] Karu is a strong boy. I think I can tell him the truth. He'll find out of his own accord anyway... [b]Mara:[/b] You sure, hun? [i]Alice nodded.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] Yes, I'm sure. [i]A few moments later, Karu entered the house once more. He sat down at the table with Mara and Alice. Alice looked noticeably shaken, whilst Mara was doing her best to appear calm.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] Karu, I need to tell you something... [b]Karu:[/b] I know. [i]Alice and Mara looked at each other, then at Karu.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] You...know? [b]Karu:[/b] Yeah, I know. I saw that man who came here today...and...I've noticed the changes around here...I know that Father Time is in trouble. [b]Alice:[/b] ... [b]Karu:[/b] But mum, I don't know what we can do...none of us are powerful enough to stop that group of Time Mages. [b]Mara:[/b] I told your mother that I would investigate. [b]Karu:[/b] What's there to investigate? You'll only get killed if you try anything... [i]Mara sighed and tapped her fingers on the table, thoughtfully.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] I know....I know. I'm a time mage myself, but it's going to take more than my powers to overcome these villains... [i]A lightbulb went off in Karu's head.[/i] [b]Karu:[/b] Well, why don't we go and talk to my grandfather? [b]Mara:[/b] You mean...Mahl? [i]Karu nodded and smiled.[/i] [b]Karu:[/b] He is one of the wisest men in all of Glorethroth. He's also a powerful white mage...I'm sure he'll have an idea about what to do. He lives in the mountains behind the city, so he's out of the villains' reach... [i]Alice smiled and put her hand on Karu's shoulder.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] Sometimes you amaze me... [i]Karu smiled at his mother and turned back to Mara.[/i] [b]Karu:[/b] Well? [i]Mara glanced at Alice for a moment, before looking at Karu. She knew that Karu was a special child...and she was well aware of his grandfather's abilities. She realized that it would be pointless to investigate this matter herself and it would be most wise to talk to the most powerful white mage in Glorethroth.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] Sure, let's see him. :) [i]Karu grinned and hopped off his chair. He walked down the hallway toward his room, talking as he went...[/i] [b]Karu:[/b] We're gonna need supplies to get up there! So you should probably stay overnight, Mara...and we can leave tomorrow... [i]Mara and Alice laughed.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] That kid's got some fire in him... [b]Alice:[/b] He takes after his father. He's strong...stronger than me. Mara, I'd really appreciate it if you stayed here tonight. We can give you dinner and breakfast...and you can take Karu with you. A good night's rest and a good, hot meal is the least you deserve for all your efforts. [i]Mara smiled and nodded.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] Thank you, Alice. :)

[color=royalblue]I don't know where you're getting it from, but it is [i]physically impossible[/i] to travel faster than light. The only way to travel faster is using some kind of subspace travel, like wormholes...and even that is merely a theory at this point. But I certainly support having the International Space Station up there.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Jesus Chicken: It doesn't surprise me. People love to make snap judgements just because someone's opinion rubs them up the wrong way. What can I say, I'm used to it. Though I don't extend that same judgement to Cloricus, of course. So yes, the immediate passing of judgement would also probably be something I dislike. [/color]

[color=royalblue]I agree 100% with wrist cutter. Too many companies have been focusing on graphics, rather than gameplay. Sony actually sent a memo to its third party developers last year, saying something to the effect of "we want you to make your games shorter, but with better graphics". This was done in order to compete with the more powerful GameCube and Xbox platforms. It's kind of sad... And it's great that games like Mario Sunshine are focusing purely on unadulterated fun...rather than trying to render every blade of grass in perfect detail.[/color]

[color=royalblue]I agree with CWB somewhat here. We are at a stage where the hardware is growing -- but really, all we can do now is improve graphics. And for many less talented developers, this leads them to a dilemma; they can't improve graphics much further, yet they have no gameplay ideas. And gameplay is where it's at, plain and simple. That is why I am so excited about games like Metroid Prime and Eternal Darkness -- both of these games are pushing the boundaries when it comes to gameplay design. And really, that's what it should be all about.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B]Jesus, please don't let this turn into some religious deabate crap again.... What annoys me is people debatring over something thats been debated on 18 THOUSAND F-ING TIMES! And that doesn't do anything but make everyone look dull.... hence why I don't bother to debate it anymore.... [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]I agree. And that is why I will take strong action against [i]anyone[/i] who perpetuates this silly and pointless debate. I'll let the topic stay open if it continues in its original course.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i] [B] It's not naive. You're just not very familiar with Christianity. There's no in-between: you're either with God or against him. And thus, you are Satanic because you have given into Satan. You might not worship him and set up shrines, but you're doing exactly what he wants you to. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]That is one of the most idiotic comments I have read in my entire life. You are not automatically Satanic for not believing in God. I think many people over other religions would take issue with this comment. Your post is simply an assumption that Christianity is right and that everyone who takes issue with it is wrong. And that is just as bad as someone who bashes religion without any sound reasoning. In any case, I advise you not to post on this subject line again. I don't think that this is really in the spirit of the thread and I feel that it could only stir up a pointless, self-defeating debate. Let's keep this thread on track.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Even your reference to Banjo-Kazooie and the like is way off. These games are aimed at all ages, not just young kids. I can sit down and play a game like Banjo-Kazooie and thoroughly enjoy it -- and find challenge in the more complex parts of it. To dismiss the console because you think that some games are aimed at children is in itself childish. If you enjoyed the SNES for its wealth of third party games, then certainly, I can see why N64 might dissappoint you. But in terms of the Nintendo classics, N64 was up there with SNES. I'm sorry if I sounded a bit harsh, but I am [i]really[/i] sick of this whole "kiddie" nonsense...as soon as someone uses that as a way of dismissing an entire console, it becomes obvious that they don't really understand games at all.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ZeroG214 [/i] [B]Hmm....Nintendo finally taking their time again to make great games. Nintendo has finally grabbed my interest. I haven't bought a GCN yet because I don't want another "N64" lying around my house. Seeing how they made numberous children's games for the N64 (man, you can lose count on how many games have an animal as the main character), I have lost faith in them. If they proved the GCN is worth buying, then they have regained my trust. It would be great if this does turn out to be as great as the SNES and besides, I wonder what kind of 'new' games they spoke of. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]As a long time game player, this attitude really pisses me off. Nintendo finally taking their time to make great games again? Are you kidding? The Nintendo 64 was home to many highly innovative and groundbreaking games. If you deliberately didn't buy N64 just because a [i]few[/i] of its games contained animals, then you shouldn't be playing games at all. You clearly don't know a great deal about games (or the history of games). If you had actually spent some time with some of N64's greatest titles (there are too many to list...Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Pilotwings 64, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Goldeneye 007, Perfect Dark, Super Smash Bros...there are [i]heaps[/i] of them) then you'd realize that you were seriously missing a major part of gaming history. I recommend that you put your silly, childish bias aside and go out and buy an N64 (they are cheap as hell now anyway) and sit down for a few hours with some of its classics. If you don't come back here with a different view, then you don't deserve to play games at all.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Okay Dr. Crane, that's enough. Let's keep the thread on track, shall we?[/color]

[i]Mara swung around. Standing a garden infront of a modest elfin house was a slender elfin woman. She was wearing a green dress which almost touched the ground and around her neck, she wore a silver chain with a tiny heart-shaped locket on the end. Her long, deep brown hair was partly obsucring her face, due to the wind, but Mara recognized her immediately.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] Alice!! [i]Mara ran across the pathway and embraced Alice warmly. The two stared at each other for a moment. They hadn't seen each other in at least eight years; the two had been childhood friends in Glorethroth.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] Mara, you look wonderful! You don't look a day older! [b]Mara:[/b] Nor you, Alice! It's wonderful to see you again. [b]Alice:[/b] Please, come inside... [b]Mara:[/b] Thank you. [i]Alice led Mara through the entrance of the modest elfin house. She took Mara's long, white cloak and hung it on a hook behind the door. Mara sat down at the wooden table in the middle of the kitchen and brushed her hair out of her face. She looked around the kitchen slowly and smiled.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] This place hasn't changed a bit. You're still a neat freak, Alice...everything here is so tidy and clean. [i]Alice smiled and sat down opposite her.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] Well, I only have one son as you know...and he isn't very messy. [b]Mara:[/b] Ahh yes! Karu! Where is he? Don't tell me I missed him! I haven't seen him in eight years at least! He must be...what...twelve now? [i]Alice nodded.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] Wonderful! Where is he? [b]Alice:[/b]He's in his room getting dressed. He and his friend Calya are going to be hunting for tree gnomes in Glorethroth Gardens. [i]Mara smiled at Alice, but didn't say anything more. The pair waited in a somewhat awkward silence until they heard rustling in the hallway. Karu opened the door and entered the kitchen, wearing his traditional elfin tunic and holding a bug catching net and a slingshot. He looked a little startled to see Mara sitting there.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] Karu, this is Mara. She's an old friend of mine. She hasn't been here for several years. [b]Karu:[/b] Hello, Ms. Mara. [i]Mara laughed[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] Oh, just call me Mara, young Karu. I last saw you when you were a toddler. How time flies! [i]Karu smiled.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] Well, I'm sure I'll be here long enough to see you again. Don't let me keep you; your mother and I have plenty to catch up on. Go and enjoy your trip! [b]Karu:[/b] Okay, bye Mara. Bye mum! [i]Alice and Mara both said goodbye as Karu exited the house.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] What a handsome young man he is. You must be proud. [b]Alice:[/b] Yeah... [i]Alice's voice was shaky. She seemed reluctant to talk. Mara leaned forward a little and put her hand on Alice's. Upon doing so, Alice began to cry softly. She looked at Mara with her large, green eyes, but didn't say a word.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] Oh Alice...whatever is the matter? [i]Alice tried to gather herself together. She didn't want Mara to get involved, but she knew Mara would find out soon enough.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] They're...they're looking for money... [b]Mara:[/b] Who..? [b]Alice:[/b] The time mages...they want money... [i]Mara had a puzzled look on her face.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] I don't understand what you mean... [b]Alice:[/b] Father Time is ill...he's been sick for the past few weeks. Nobody knows why and nobody is allowed to see him. But because he is ill, he is unable to control the flow of time...and a group of time mages from within Glorethroth stormed the Church of Time and locked the Father in the basement with his handmaidens. Now they are calling the shots... [b]Mara:[/b] Oh gosh...hasn't someone done anything about it? [b]Alice:[/b] No...what can we do? They posess the Stone of Time...it is used by the Father of Time to control time across the whole planet. And while he is sick, nothing can stop them...so each week, they send mages to our houses to take our money...I don't know what they're using the money for, but it can't be good. [b]Mara:[/b] So why give them the money? Are they threatening you? [i]Alice nodded.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] Yes...they are threatening us. They say that if we don't pay them a certain amount each week, they will make time flow faster over the entire city...causing everyone to age at several times the normal speed. And as you can imagine, if they speed up time significantly, that could spell instant death for the entire city... [i]Mara looked shocked.[/i] [b]Mara:[/b] Oh! That's horrible! :( [i]Alice nodded and stood up. She poured herself another glass of goat's milk.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] I don't know what we can do about it. The children in the town are all unware of what's going on...we don't want to scare them. But at the same time, we are powerless to stop this from happening. [b]Mara:[/b] Well, what if the Father of Time gets better? Can't he stop them? [b]Alice:[/b] They say he will never get better. I think that these time mages made him sick in the first place...I think someone cast a spell on him to make him ill. And he is the strongest time mage in the entire world. No other time mage can stop this group from what they're doing; they are a group of Glorethroth's most powerful time mages...and they are combining their powers together. [b]Mara:[/b] Oh I see. Well, I would be happy to take you and Karu with me when I leave the city. I am here on some business, but I would very much like to help you out. [i]Alice put her milk down and smiled.[/i] [b]Alice:[/b] But our whole lives are here...we can't just leave. And I'm kind of hoping that one day... [b]Mara:[/b] Your husband will return? [b]Alice:[/b] ... [b]Mara:[/b] I understand, Alice. I really do. I know you are attached to this place for your own reasons. What if I just take Karu with me? [b]Alice:[/b] Would you?! He doesn't deserve this...not at all. [b]Mara:[/b] I would be happy to, old friend. :) [i]Mara stood up and embraced Alice. Alice felt incredibly relieved by Mara's offer and she hoped that Karu would not find out the true reason why he was to leave home...[/i]

[color=royalblue]I can tell you, regarding Super Mario Sunshine, that screenshots and Internet movies just don't do the game justice. In reality, you have to take the game as a whole. The levels are enormous (several times larger than Jak & Daxter, even) and there is constantly something going on in each part of them. The level of activity and objects being displayed is simply amazing. As far as Nintendo goes, I think their philosophy is right. And the GameCube has a much greater chance of surviving long term than the N64 did. GameCube has a virtually ideal media format (with more memory than you would ever need to create a game) and in particular, the hardware is extremely well balanced. And balance is much more important than raw power (as seen in the case of PS2). It's interesting to consider where games are going in the future, too. Shigeru Miyamoto said that at this year's E3, Nintendo were showing updates to a lot of classic franchises, which will be released over the coming year. But he mentioned that next year's show will not focus on these "Game Giants" at all -- infact, next year's show will focus almost entirely on all-new franchises and concepts. I'm very happy to hear this, because I know that Mr. Miyamoto would prefer to develop new types of games, rather than continually update older franchises. Of course, Mario Sunshine, Metroid and Zelda are all more than mere "updates" (especially Metroid), but I am sure that all gamers will welcome some truly new and disctinctive franchises (like Pikmin etc).[/color]

[color=royalblue]Actually, I saw Lieberman being interviewed on Fox News and he said that he didn't want to ban gaming or movies...he said that he just wanted to lift age restrictions, so that under 18's would have no access to [i]very[/i] violent games (games like GTAIII and such). I agree with this philosophy because I think game ratings should be identical to movie ratings. And ultimately, what is more acceptable...having an R rated game that you can play at some point, or having a highly edited game, or no game at all? It's important to make sure that age restrictions are not only used, but enforced. If that is done, then there need not be any limitation on game creators.[/color]

[color=royalblue]All you really need to do is look at my banner. That pretty much covers what I loathe most of all. I also get annoyed when people say stuff like "there were so many horse's there at the farm..." Grr...that annoys me beyond belief. And so many people do it, too! It's BAD English! "Horse's" is posessive...meaning "The horse's hooves were large" "Horses" is plural...meaning "There were so many horses there" I swear, it's not hard to learn...and it makes me wonder if schools have just forgotten to teach it! Other than that...and the stupid "Internet slang" stuff...I get annoyed by people who use religion to further biggotry and ignorance of truth. Those are my biggest annoyances...[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B] He does, which is the sad part. Just prooves what little life he has.... it all revolves around spamming forums. Sigh, some people just can't get it. It just prooves how stupid humans are. Thimoc is the ultimate example in this case, however, there are many more. Someone needs to kill them all off. Maybe they'll get it then. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Ahh, TN...so eloquently putting things in perspective. ;) Heheh. Indeed this is always a lot of fun for me. I like to see thimoc make a bigger and bigger fool of himself each time he visits; I don't have to do anything at all. I just sit back and watch the eyes rolling as he starts to talk. It's wonderful. Anyway, I guess Flash is in the air now...hope he is having a fun trip lol (probably spending hours on GBA)[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by trust fund [/i] [B] James: No, it was a waste of time on your part. I don't see why you keep coming here [b][i]T[/b][/i]himoc, because nobody likes you. Why don't you go some place where you can learn how to be cool like me. But if only it were that simple, maybe we wouldn't have low life scum such as you in this baron world. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]You're not scum, you're just a little boy with one hand on his keyboard. Have a nice day. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]This game is absolutely incredible. Combine Zelda with Resident Evil and throw in some "The Matrix" and that's what you get. It's utterly brilliant. Some of my colleagues spent some time with it at E3 this year. You won't want to rent it, you will want to buy it...trust me.[/color]

[color=royalblue]All topics tend to naturally change direction somewhat. It's a military topic...discussing defence and such. I think that the discussion of the ANZACs can directly move into where this seems to be going. But if it moves too far away from this basic subject thread, then it will need to be closed.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Utena_Tenjou [/i] [B]What the hell happened to my good bye thread? [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Depends where you posted it. If you posted it in Otaku Lounge, it was probably removed. In any case, this thread is not acceptable. If you want to talk to staff, please PM staff. There is no need for this kind of thread in Otaku Lounge. It only creates unnecessary clutter.[/color]

[color=royalblue]Good luck, Flash ^_^ If you don't bring me a present from America in three months times, I'll be very angry...[/color] ;)

[color=royalblue]It's also an issue of franchises...Commodore 64 didn't have the same kind of franchises that Nintendo consoles did. And those franchises (based on their originality and uniqueness) have really become the bread and butter of Nintendo.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i] [B] Ah, but taking money out of space programs would allow us to bribe the governments of other countries into fixing their poverty problems. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]If only the world were that simple. :( [/color]

[color=royalblue]I think it is well worth creating space-based technologies...not only because it allows us to further explore space, but because it always results in the development of technology that can be used here on Earth. This research is also important because one day, we could be mining other planets rather than our own -- thus eliminating much of the environmental threat that mankind poses. There are always people who say "Noo! But there are people starving everywhere!" etc etc. But I find that to be a naive view. And it isn't really a very realistic view either. We are talking about two very different things. Poverty is something which cannot be solved simply by taking money out of the space program and distributing it to other countries. Most countries that are very poor have underlying social and economic problems which, for the most part, require a basic effort on the part of their Governments. And the problem there is that many of these governments are autocratic and non-transparent...meaning that these issues are never sorted out. So trying to say that more money can be taken from space to put into food is a nice thought, but in reality, there are more fundamental issues at stake which money won't actually directly fix.[/color]

[color=royalblue]I think we've heard a rull range of views here. And I'm actually glad that for the most part, this topic was debated well...and managed to last for so long. :) Char!: Erm, thanks for the compliment...I think. Heheh.[/color]

[color=royalblue]I accept everyone's opinions, in the sense that I totally accept that you are able to hold your own view. But I am able to disagree with it just as you can disagree with my views. Just because I can type in English and spell words correctly, doesn't mean that I'm somehow being "proper" and being a know-it-all. You're now telling us to provide proof that bin Laden orchestrated the WTC attacks and you're telling us not to use the video. So, does that mean we can raise issue of the various documents that were recovered in the Al-Qaeda hideouts? Or the advanced information (albeit sketchy) that various intelligence organizations have had for several years? Sorry, but each time you say something like that, you are only making my arguments stronger. I am not putting down people for their views. I am [i]arguing with their views[/i] and nothing more. I don't have anything personally against anyone here. If you read my posts carefully, it's plain to see. And I repeatedly say that I am merely participating in this discussion. You yourself have frequently attacked people over their views and made comments which some may see as a "put down". I have no idea why you think I'm putting you down, when I'm clearly not. This is a discussion. And as such, everyone is entitled to discuss their own views and the views of others. I have just as much right to point out the flaws in other people's arguments as they do with me. So why the double standard? Have you run out of a legitimate argument? I don't know what the answer is, but I would say that it is [i]you[/i] who infact refuse to accept anyone else's opinion. You are trying to put that label on me simply because I'm more than happy to deconstruct your comments. So my message would be: if you want a discussion, this is the place for it. If you want only your view to be heard and if you want to restrict others from arguing their own point of view...then this isn't the place for you.[/color]