James

[color=royalblue]I don't know if anyone has heard of this yet, but an Italian company called RayLight Studios has engineered a 3D engine for the GBA and the results are absolutely stunning. First, I'll list the technical performance of the engine:[/color][size=1] - Thousands of polygons in a single scene - More than 3000 polygons per second with a 60% of screen coverage. (Note this performance are computed in an average situation of playing, - also considering input, AI and the needed processes for a game!) - Motion capture animation - Affine texture mapping - Camera animation - Skeletal animation - Skinned characters - Particle systems - Texture animation support - Possibility to mix 2d and 3d together having 3d polygonal scene with custom 3d sprite technologies already used in our current projects [/size][color=royalblue] That comes from the company's website. Want proof of how damn awesome this engine looks on GBA? Take a look at the screens below: [b]Survival Horror[/b] [IMG]http://www.raylight.it/images/ros3dagb_4.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.raylight.it/images/ros3dagb_5.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.raylight.it/images/ros3dagb_7.jpg[/IMG] As you can see, these images are absolutely amazing. Not only do they eclipse any current GBA software, but they come very close to exceeding the PSOne's capabilities. [b]Racing[/b] [IMG]http://www.raylight.it/images/ros3dagb_1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.raylight.it/images/ros3dagb_1a.jpg[/IMG] This racing scene is particularly impressive. Pop-up is obviously an issue, but this engine demonstrates that games like Wipeout are a reality on GBA. Moreover, a game like Mario Kart would make really good use of such an engine. [b]Aircraft Demo[/b] [IMG]http://www.raylight.it/images/ros3dagb_2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.raylight.it/images/ros3dagb_3.jpg[/IMG] Yet another cool demo. This scene shows an aircraft flying over the Earth. The detail in the aircraft is incredible given the GBA's apparent limitations. [b]Rally Car Demo[/b] [IMG]http://www.raylight.it/images/ros3dagb_6.jpg[/IMG] These are of course all demos, but they demonstrate the GBA's ability to process more complex environments and objects. I am particularly excited about the survival horror demo. I would love to see a GBA Resident Evil use visuals like that. I'm not sure if I'd want all GBA games to be 3D though. For those of us who love 2D games, the GBA is really a great system in that regard. I mean, apart from GBA, there are really no other consoles which continue to support new 2D software. So I think there is a place for both on the GBA. If you want to download video of these demos, just visit this link: [URL=http://www.raylight.it/blueroses.htm]BlueRoses 3D Engine for GBA[/URL] What do you guys think of this new game engine? :)[/color]

[i]Satoru opened his eyes. His head hurt. He felt like he'd been hit by a truck. He sat up and looked around. He appeared to be in a jail cell. The walls were old and dirty with pieces chipped out of them. The door was merely an opening in the concrete wall -- with no bars on it. There were three beds in the room, including the one he was sitting on. Satoru was surprised to find that he was still wearing his suit. He laid back on the bed and looked at the ceiling. It, like everything else in the room, was worn and damaged. This place was like hell...it was so different from what he was used to. Just as he began to collect his thoughts, a man in a prison uniform walked in. He was tall with a shaved head and Satoru noticed that he was smoking a cigarette. He took a long, deep puff on the cigarette and sat down on the bed opposite Satoru.[/i] Man: Hey...nice suit. Satoru: Thanks... Man: What are ya in for? Satoru: Murder... Man: Whoa...pretty big crime. Why are ya in a suit? Satoru: I don't know...I guess I was too out-of-it to change. Man: Yea...that happens. [i]The man extended a hand. Satoru sat up and shook it, forcing out a modest smile.[/i] Man: My name's Don. Who are you? Satoru: My name's Satoru. Don: Ahh, always good to see new faces around 'ere. It can get very borin'. Satoru: Yeah I can imagine. Don: Aren't ya gonna ask what I'm in for? Satoru: Erm...what are you in for? Don: Heh, I'm a political prisoner. Satoru: Oh? Don: Yea. I set off a bomb at a Mako Reactor in Midgar about four years back. Heheh...killed a few of 'em Shinra bastards while I was at it. Got me put in here for ten years...but hell, it was worth it. Satoru: Oh I see. So you were charged with terrorism? Don: Yea, tha's right. But heck...it ain't terrorism. It's freedom fighting. D'you really think people out there are happy with them reactors and their drainin' the earth's power? Satoru: But they don't do that anymore... Don: Heh, yea, that's what Shinra will have ya believe. But it ain't true. None of it is true... [i]Satoru sighed and lay back on his bed again, with his arms crossed behind his head.[/i] Don: How long ya in for? Satoru: I don't know. I haven't gone to court... Don: Ahh...man...they put ya in here without a court proceeding. It rarely 'appens, but when it does...man...they only do that to big crooks. Who'd ya murder? The President of Shinra? Hahaha. [i]Satoru decided it was best not to tell Don who he really was. If Don had been here for the last five years or more, he wouldn't have known about Satoru becoming the new President of Shinra, after Rufus' death.[/i] Satoru: Nah, someone went on a killing spree and I happened to be on the scene...the cops thought I did it. Don: An' you didn't? Satoru: No. Don: Heh, I believe ya. What crim' would lie to another crim' about somethin' like that? You got nothin' to gain by lyin' to me. So yeah, I believe ya. Satoru: Thanks. Don: 's no problem. [i]Satoru sat up again. He felt a little better after talking to Don; just a little though.[/i] Satoru: So what do you do around here for fun? Don: Well ah...not much. Usually we jus' kill time by undergoin' target practice or by watchin' TV. Satoru: They let you have guns in here?! I also noticed that there weren't any doors on the rooms...aren't they afraid of you escaping? Don: Heheh...man, we're in the middle of a desert! What the hell would be the point of escapin'? Two guys already tried it this year...but it ain't done 'em no good. Their dehydrated corpses were brought back 'ere for burial only last week. Satoru: Oh... Don: Yea...escape jus' don't work here. Satoru: Anything else I should know? Don: Yea...only one way outta here. Satoru: What's that? Don: Chocobo racin'. Satoru: Oh? Don: Yea. Chocobo racin' is the only way of gettin' outta here...apart from waitin' out your prison term. Problem is, they only choose the best of the best...so it's not like anyone can jus' get in. Satoru: Oh. :( Don: Heh, dun worry 'bout it. The time will fly...as long as you dun get on people's bad sides in here... Satoru: Okay, I will remember that...

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Delian [/i] [B]Although I understand where James is coming from, I do agree that America definitely has alterior motives. I mean, look at the distruction they've caused the Middle East in the past 2 decades. Please... they don't want peace...they want complete control of the Middle East and it's natural resources, one of the main, which happens to be oil. Gosh sometimes it makes me so mad as to how they can show the horror and destruction of 9-11 so that it's constantly in people's minds. They don't want them to forget or get over the shock of the WTC attacks...but they will never show all the gory details of the destruction and horror that they have inflicted on the Middle East, because they will look like terrorists themselves. That's why, although it's sad that people died, I don't care much that two of their precious buildings got blown up. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]America only became involved in Operation Desert Storm to protect its oil interested in the Middle East. I think that is common knowledge; the USA wasn't truly interested in protecting Kuwait from invasion. Having said that, I am reluctant to sink the boots in straight away. I think we all have to recognize that dictatorships like Saddam Hussein's need to go. And really, who else is going to do it? The USA would have to lead such an offensive because the United Kingdom and others are much more consultative in their approach. In some ways, you could say that America doesn't care what people think -- it will do what it wants. That isn't always a good thing, but sometimes it's necessary. The simple fact is, the USA makes others' business its own, when that business is in its own interest. But the USA can't have a double standard -- if it is to do that, then it must be more responsible for other affairs that it becomes involved in. Still, the bombing that has gone on in the Middle East is 100% justified. And I think that had it not occurred, we would be even more overrun with terrorism and threats of nuclear war. So I guess I can see both sides. And perhaps non-Americans are able to see both sides because our education systems (and really our entire media system) is built more around world affairs, while the American education/media systems are built around a very self-centered point of view. That is why sometimes when I hear the rhetoric coming out of America, I think "if only they knew what we know". Anyway...it's something that could be debated nonstop. But I think we can all agree that removing violent dictatorships (whether done by the USA or someone else) is going to be necessary if we [i]ever[/i] want to come close to something like world peace.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Jabroni3:16 [/i] [B]You know i haven't been having any problems with the controller, it looks to me that the Japanese controller would be more awkward than the American one. The controller isn't as bad as people are trying to make it out to be. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Well, that's subjective. You must obviously have fairly large hands, as even here in Australia, a lot of the magazines have been critical of the controller due to its size and poor functionality. Anyway, let's get back onto the topic. I haven't seen any Australian gamers posting here yet...[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Crazy White Boy [/i] [B]Hey James, are the Australians getting the improved Japanese controller designs or are you stuck with the awkward American ones? [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]We're getting the pathetic American version. :( However, thankfully there are a number of great third party alternatives coming out. Though even the Japanese controller is pretty poor from what I've read...oh well.[/color]

[size=1]Uhh, Steven...please clean up the spelling and grammar of your posts. Otherwise you will be removed from this RPG. Also, you don't seem to be intertwining your character with the story very well...so perhaps you could make an effort there too.[/size] [i]The airship was docked on the roof of the Shinra HQ building. It very much resembled a boat, though it was fitted with anti-gravity engines at the rear, which emitted a light blue glow. Satoru Shinra had blacked out after his encounter with the guards in his office. They had used a powerful tranquilizer shot on him and escorted him to the roof. Though he was a prisoner, he was treated with a strange kind of respect, no doubt due to his position as President of Shinra Corporation. He remembered only a few blurry images: some of the faces surrounding him as he was carried onto the airship; the bright blue lights of the anti-gravity engines and the sounds of shuffling feet and aggrivated mumbling around him. As he was locked inside his prison cell on board the airship, he could hear some of the guards' comments.[/i] Guard 1: Who'd have thought our own President would murder two people? It's just insane... Guard 2: I know. What is the world coming to? We trusted President Shinra so much...and now here we are, taking him to Corel Prison. Guard 1: Do you think he'll cope at Corel Prison? Guard 2: I dunno. It's a pretty scummy area. Full of murderers and rapists...it's such a nasty, filthy place. Guard 3: Yikes! I'd hate to go there! :nervous: Guard 1: Yep, me too. It's gonna be rough for him. But my question is...who is going to be the new President of Shinra? Guard 3: I have no idea... Guard 2: I heard Miss Scarlet talking earlier. She said something about having plans regarding a replacement. Guard 2: Do you think she had anything to do with the murder? Guard 3: Oh I doubt it...she's so innocent and pretty. :smooch: Guard 1 & 2: HELL YEA! :blush: Guard 3: Okay...well, you two should stay here and guard Mr. Shinra. I'm going to start my patrol around the deck. See ya! Guard 1 & 2: Bye!

[color=royalblue]Some advice: [b]Don't open your PlayStation 2[/b]. This not only voids your warranty with Sony, but it also can be damaging to your system...as you've now found out. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]Yep, not long now, folks. March 15 is the official launch date for the Xbox in Australia. Microsoft will ship around 100,000 units to the Australian marketplace and the console will sell for $645AUD. The launch lineup for Australia will be huge. We'll be getting everything from Halo and Project Gotham Racing to Jet Set Radio Future and Dead or Alive 3. I'm just wondering who is planning on purchasing an Xbox on March 15...and what games are you planning on buying? Also, what do you think of the Xbox advertising in Australia? Funnily enough, most of the advertising seems to have taken place during the last two months of 2001...when there was an Xbox ad on TV nearly every five minutes. Things seem to be much quieter in March so far (as well as in February), where hardly any Xbox ads were seen on TV. Rather, Microsoft Australia seems to be focusing on in-store advertising and promotion. However I am sure that we will see some huge Xbox advertising around launch day. For those who haven't seen many Aussie ads, I've included a small magazine ad from this month's Hyper (Hyper being Australia's largest multiformat gaming magazine). It's subtle, yet very cool. Note: It looks a bit awkward because I tried to squash my magazine inside the flatbed scanner. lol[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by D. Dark [/i] [B]But really, there can be no such thing "Unbiased media" or "Unbiased propoganda", can there? It's basically a contradiction of terms, and media is used a sounding board for brain washing and seducing people into the thoughts others want them to have... Information comes a cost... [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Why is everyone so cynical? I don't subscribe to all of this conspiracy-style thought. Any intelligent person can clearly see when a media report is biased. To suggest that we are somehow "fed information" is pointless. A person who can think for themselves has the obligation to consider their news sources and to make judgements about how biased the media is. There is [i]plenty[/i] of unbaised news/media out there. For you to suggest that there isn't makes me believe that you don't know a lot about media...or you simply don't read/watch a lot of news. Sometimes you have to dig a little to find it, but it's there. And sometimes it's just staring you right in the face. As I said though, it's up to the individual to discern what is right and wrong...and how biased their chosen media is. To blindly follow media is to be as bad as the biased media it self[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Delian [/i] [B] Anyhow, America has bombed the crap out of Afghanistan and no doubt Osama Bin Laden has perished in those caves, along with his followers. They've killed their target, so why are they targeting Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries now? They weren't involved in the bombings. I'll say the American Govt. is just using their "War on Terror" statement as an excuse to destroy other Middle Eastern countries. They don't want to be considered as barbarians or terrorists themselves so of course they have to have something to hide behind. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]I think the fact is, the bombing of innocent civilians is wrong -- if it's on purpose. In a wartime situation, it is hard to avoid innocent death, but by the same token..I believe that the end can justify the means. If the military tries to avoid casualties of civilians, yet they are either able to liberate a nation (Afghanistan) or oust a violent dictator (Iraq), then it can only be seen as a good thing. Having said that...with regard to Iraq, I think it is a well-known fact that the Iraqi people are sick and tired of living under UN sanctions. But those sanctions were brought about by Saddam Hussein, because he kicked out weapons inspectors. Iraq has continually threatened its neighbours (remember, it tried to invade Kuwait in the early 1990's) and thus, I think that removing Saddam's regime would be of huge benefit to Iraq and the middle east as a whole. The countries surrounding Iraq would feel more at peace and Iraq itself could have sanctions lifted and would once again be able to prosper and become a fully free and democratic nation. I hope that this happens in the future. Even though I agree with the war on terrorism..and even though I agree with removing Saddam Hussein from power and making sure that countries such as Iran and North Korea are contained and unable to threaten anyone...I am not blind to the fact that the United States often acts for its own interests and is often hypocritical in what it says and what it does. But in the grand scheme of things, I think it is important not to lose sight of the fact that this war on terrorism could be a huge catalyst. It could allow us to FINALLY get rid of the world's dictatorships...and to finally install democracy around the world. People will die, certainly. And loss of life is always tragic. But if you aren't targetting civilians deliberately...if you are targetting miltary and Government structures, you are on a higher moral ground than those who bombed the WTC. They deliberately wanted to kill as many innocent people as possible. That isn't payback to the American military or Government...it's just cold-blooded murder. If they'd wanted to pay back the American Government, they would surely have hit military bases or something like that. That is why a distinction has to be made about what their true intention was.[/color]

[i]As they climbed the large staircase with red carpeting, they came across a long hallway. At the end of the hallway was a modest-looking wooden door.[/i] Mahl: This is my office...[i] He pushed the door open and walked inside. Karu and Calya followed. The inside of his office was absolutely gigantic. Either side of the room was filled with old-fashioned shelving, crammed with books. At the end of the room was a large stained-glass window with a modest looking wooden desk underneath it. Mahl sat down in a chair behind the desk and motioned for Karu and Calya to take a seat. He waved his staff and two small chairs appeared on the opposite side of the desk. Karu and Calya sat down. Karu looked nervously around the room; he'd never seen someone so important before.[/i] Mahl: Do you know why you don't have a staff? Karu: Not exactly. My parents abandoned me in the Great Field to the north west of here...and I was adopted by Windhyte parents. Mahl: I see. Well, creating a staff is a very difficult thing. The staff of a Quart represents everything about that individual. It represents his history...his family...and the inner-most desires of his heart. That is why it is the job of Quart parents to produce the staff. A ritual is performed upon a baby Quart so that a staff may be accurately produced. Karu: Oh...does that mean there is no chance of me getting a staff? Mahl: Well, there are alternatives. I can make a staff for you myself...the problem is, it will take a while to "meld" with you. That is, when you first try to use it...you will only be able to perform simple magic. As time goes by, you will be able to level-up and perform stronger magic. The staff will in effect have to "learn" to work with you. Do you understand? [i]Karu nodded.[/i] Mahl: Good. First and foremost, you will need to fill out this form.[i] Mahl reached into the desk drawer and pulled out a piece of parchment. It was completely blank, except for a black line down the bottom.[/i] Karu: Err...what does it say? Mahl: Oh, well...it can only be read by a Quart. You just have to touch the paper with your hand and you'll be able to see the words.[i] Karu ran his fingers over the parchment and the words began to appear. He read over it carefully (the parchment talked about the responsibilities of using magic and general Quart behavior) and he then signed at the bottom.[/i] Mahl: Excellent! Your staff will be ready by tomorrow! Karu: Tomorrow? But I need it now...I need to get back to my friends... Mahl: Oh. Well...we can send the staff to you if you wish to leave now. Karu: You can?! Mahl: Yes! We'll just attach it to a Chocobo and send it. Karu: Oh, wonderful. :) Mahl: Is that all? Karu: Yep...that's all I needed. Mahl: Okay...have a good trip and good luck! Karu: Thank you :)[i] And with that, Karu and Calya walked out of Mahl's office. As they exited the gates of the Royal Palace, Karu took one last look at the white building. It was so beautiful. For once in his life, he felt like he belonged somewhere. This was is true home...[/i]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Lady Macaiodh [/i] [B]i didn't read this whole thread, but the answer is.. hell no! my mom is [I]in[/I] the media & she's told me about the kind of stuff that gets twisted or covered up. i even saw it first-hand when i worked for PBS. also, my mom was told to make the stories she writes as much like hard copy as possible. [i]hard copy!!!!!!![/i] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]I think it depends on the media though. I'm involved in the media myself, and I've never witnessed any attempt to cover up undesirable information. Sure, I'm not involved in what you'd call the [i]mainsteam[/i] media...I'm involved in entertainment media. But the fact remains, some publications you can trust...and some you can't. For example, take a look at various gaming websites. On one end of the scale, there is IGN. IGN reports news items with total objectivity...I've never seen an IGN report which includes editorial comment. Then there are sites like Nintensity and TeamXbox. Both of these sites are incredibly biased and they lace their news items with unfair/untrue and speculative editorial commentary. Editorialism is [i]not[/i] news. And that is why I dislike the news on Fox News...because they often throw in their own little comments, or they add rhetorical questions as a footnote. So basically, even though they're reporting on a factual news story, they are also leading the viewer down a certain path of thought. And that just isn't news: it's editorialism. Editorialism is fine as long as you [i]say[/i] that you're editorializing. But editorial comment is often combined with news, which is a shame, because it is passed off as 100% news. I mean, when the Xbox was released...TeamXbox.com took the facts and then disorted them in ways which made the end result entirely untrue. This is a common occurrance on their website. Sure, this is only an entertainment website...and not a political affairs site or something...but this demonstrates that in every area of media, there are always biased and unbiased news sources. It's up to thoughtful members of the public to use their own judgement when deciding which news to watch and how seriously to take it.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by BabyGirl [/i] [B] [color=deeppink]That was my point, though I didn't make it clear. I thought [i]she[/i] had a great point...why were we so upset about the WTC when her entire city was being destroyed?[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Ahh, I read your post as though you were criticizing the Afghan people...sorry about that. But yeah, it's definitely something to think about. Now Americans know what it's like to suffer from terrorism...and I think that fact may actually help countries who have suffered from it for decades, in the sense that America might be more willing to assist them now.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ~Gohans Gurl~ [/i] [B] yes james but it is still murder every time the don't hit somthing they want but i guess it is a matter of opinion!! [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]You can't call it murder. Murder is pre-meditated killing of someone. If it's accidental, it's not murder. And frankly..what would you rather...having the Taliban regime still in place, oppressing its own people and allowing terrorism to flourish (which would potentially make 9/11 look like child's play)...or would you rather go in there and fix the problem (even IF a few people are accidentally killed). I know I'd rather the latter.[/color] [QUOTE][B]I see where you are coming from since I tend to see both sides of situations, but I think you may be highly bias toward Afghanistan. While we aren't exactly innocent of irritating their country, neither are they. They made a not-so-wise decision to destroy something very dear to America, knowing full well that our military power far exceeds theirs. You also have to understand that the Afghan people have basically been brought up to hate Americans, and any country that helps us out. The Taliban didn't allow any televisions, radios, or computers while they were in power, just so that people couldn't think for themselves about what was going on in the world outside of Afghanistan. I do remember once seeing a newscast on CNN about a woman in Afghanistan who was interviewed shortly after 9-11. A reporter asked her if she understood what happened in New York and she didn't know. The reporter informed her that two buildings had been hit and had collapsed. The woman responded, "So? Look at all of these buildings behind me. They have all been destroyed too!" Refering to the bombed buildings of Kandahar. Both sides are guilty of doing things to destroy the other country. The only justification we have is that ours is during war-time, and their action of flying planes into the WTC was not.[/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]I'd have to disagree with that. The Afghan people had nothing to do with the WTC attacks -- those who attacked the WTC were arabian (and not Afghani). Furthermore, the Afghan people are victims of their own regime...which they did not elect. The Afghans are as innocent as the Americans when it comes to being attacked personally. So I wouldn't say that Afghanistan has any fault at all in what has happened -- the Taliban doesn't respresent Afghanistan...and therefore, the Afghan people have no responsibility for the WTC attacks. Also, many Afghan people sympathize with the USA...but it's no surprise that the woman said "so?"...I mean, her ENTIRE nation has been destroyed by fighting. I don't think it's arrogant of her to care more about the well-being of her own nation. I mean, I doubt she would be happy about the WTC attacks...but I can understand her saying that Afghanistan is in a much worse state than the USA[/color]

[color=royalblue]I agree with Milliardo. If you take a cynical view on the media right away, you're likely to view things through a certain prism. The best way to get the right information is to view multiple media (TV, newspaper, radio etc) so that you have a broader view. For example, I often find it hard to "trust" Fox News Channel because it is so blatantly pro-Republican. Whereas other networks (such as BBC World) are very neutral; they don't seem to lean either way and they "tell it like it is". So you have to take media for what it is. Fox News is more about entertainment value than news...whereas CNN/BBC are more news-oriented and they both tend to spend less time editorializing and providing opinion -- which [i]isn't[/i] news.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by DuoGod of Death [/i] [B]We look stupid to the world all we are doing is striking out hoping we will kill someone....Whats up with that....why is that ok...but murder isn't? [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Bear in mind that International military forces outnumber US military forces in the Persian Gulf. The USA isn't undergoing the mission in Afghanistan alone...there are something like 20 different countries involved. Also, I really don't think you can say that the USA and its allies are striking out with the hope of hitting something...any strike that is performed is very precise and deliberate. I'm glad that the forces are over there and I hope that they totally wipe out any forces which would seek to ruin the country all over again.[/color]

[i]President Shinra arrived at his offices at 3A.M. in the morning. There were still at least 100 staff in the building at that time. He walked up the darkened staircase on the 100th floor to his office. When he opened the doors, he froze. Laying infront of his desk were two Shinra employees...and both had been brutally mutilated. Satoru Shinra had his hand over his mouth. He walked over to them and knelt down over their bodies.[/i] S. Shinra: Who did this to you..? [i] He was in too much shock to realize that he was pulling the knife out of the back of one of the victims. He examined the knife, almost half-consciously. He didn't know what it would tell him about the killer...but somehow he felt compelled to see it. Just as he did so, the doors burst open and two Shinra guards came in with their blasters pointed at the President.[/i] Guard 1: Halt! Put the knife down! You're under arrest for the murder of these two staff members! S. Shinra: B-but...I came in and found them like this! Guard 2: Hah...it looks pretty obvious to us that you killed them. S. Shinra: But why would I kill them?! They're my own damn staff!! Guard 2: You are angry about what happened in the Icicle Area...we heard your voice on the PA system calling these two staff to your office. Both of them were part of the team responsible for coordinating the Icicle Area landing...as you well know. S. Shinra (thinking): .oO(How could they have heard my voice on the PA system?!) [i]President Shinra didn't have much time to act. Before he could say any more on his defence, the first guard had grabbed him and locked his wrists together.[/i] Guard 1: You're going straight to Corel Prison...[i] How could this have happened? The very President of Shinra Corporation being arrested?! It was absurd. Or was it? It seemed obvious to Satoru that someone had tried to frame him. And they'd done a great job, too. He knew his stay in Corel would be uncomfortable at best -- many people who were prisoners there had been arrested by Shinra guards...[/i]

[i]After another half hour, the beetle finally reached the Royal Palace. It was a huge white palace resting on what looked like an enormous, thick leaf. There were Royal Guards standing around the perimeter of the grounds and as Karu & Calya's beetle approached, it had to pass through several checkpoints before it was cleared to enter the palace grounds.[/i] Karu: Will we even be able to see the King? I mean...we're just kids... Calya: Oh yeah, our King is very easy-going...but I have no idea what is up with these checkpoints...something must be different. Karu: Yeah, I have an idea what it might be...[i] The pair were soon standing infront of the large entranceway of the palace. The inside of the palace was huge. The entrance hall was filled with marble columns and gold/red carpeting. The cavernous entrance as also littered with guards, who had their staves at the ready. As Karu and Calya came closer to the entrance to the Royal Chambers, they were greeted by an old Quart man, whose beard was nearly touching the floor. He was wearing long red and black robes and he smiled at them from behind small, round glasses.[/i] ???: Hello and welcome to the Royal Palace, my young friends. Karu: Thank you. Who are you? Mahl: My name is Mahl. I am the King's Advisor and the Chief Sorcerer of the Great Tree of Ephra. And who might you be? Karu: My name is Karu. I'm here to talk to the King about a staff... Mahl: Oh yes...a staff. You don't have one? Karu: No... Mahl: Yes...that is indeed a problem for any Quart. However, you don't need to speak to the King about it. Karu: I don't? Mahl: No. I am responsible for magic-related matters on behalf of the Palace. I can assist you...please accompany me to my quarters. They are on the fourth floor.[i] Calya nodded to Karu. Mahl merely smiled and began to ascend the carpeted stairs in the entrance hall. Karu and Calya followed close behind. Karu was keen to find answers...and he hoped Mahl would be the man to deliver them.[/i]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ShadowGohan [/i] [B][SIZE=1] One thing that I will miss about it is the lack of the 3rd person view. But you will just have to make do with the amazing 1st person view at the moment :smirk:. I have another question for James, do you know if there are going to be specific missions, or are you free to wander around wherever you are? And, if there are missions, do you know what they will be based on (apart from killing Metroids ;))?[/SIZE] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Well...the game won't "lack" a third person view. It will include a third person view in addition to a first person view. :) As for your second comment/question...I'd say that either extreme would hurt the game. Meaning, a total lack of missions would give the game no point or direction. You'd be wandering around aimlessly wondering what the hell to do. So some sort of guidance and general structure is needed. Having said that, if the game is very linear and the missions are very tightly held together...that would totally ruin the game. So a middle ground is needed. And I suspect that a middle ground is what we'll see.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Cloud [/i] [B] [COLOR=indigo]Good god James! How can you handle that? [/COLOR] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]With great difficulty. :drunk: :worried: [/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by D. Dark [/i] [B] But in the 80's, after the war with Russia, the US helped put the Taliban in power. If that wasn't a bad mistake, and a problem, then what is... [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Hm, the USA did help to put the Mujahadeen (sp?) in power...but they weren't the Taliban. The Taliban were backed by Pakistan and were seen as a force that would bring order to Afghanistan. But of course...the Taliban brought both order and severe oppression. :([/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Panny Chan ;) [/i] [B]Well ppl I've done some thinking and reading and decided that I won't kill myself over that...or ever! As for my friend, we're taked and sorta worked some things out... We're dating now, but not telling our parents...yet! I want to tank all of you for your help. James, thanxs man! And everybody else thank you too! I love all of you!! :) [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]That's great news, Panny Chan. :) I'm very relieved to hear it. If you ever need to talk, you can IM me on JamesOtaku01. And that offer is open to anyone else on OtakuBoards as well -- I now have about 150 Otaku members on my list...so everyone should feel free to talk to me when I'm available. :)[/color]

[color=royalblue]Uhh...let's keep the death-descriptions to a minimum, okay everyone? lol.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Squashed Snail [/i] [B] Well that's where I come into confusion.... my JAPANESE console plays American games [i]without[/i] any illegal mod-chip, or anything.... as far as I know.. :rolleyes: [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]Uhh, nope. Your Japanese console will [i]not[/i] play American games without a mod chip. :)[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by DeathKnight [/i] [B] [color=crimson]"[i]Anyone lying down with a beast is positively to be put to death"[/i] - Exodus 22:19 - [u]New World Translation[/u]~[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] [color=royalblue]There are a few reasons why we can't trust the bible on the issue of homosexuality, as the bible also states that bats are birds (Lev. 11:13, 19; Deut. 14:11, 18); some fowls have four feet (Lev. 11:20-21); camels do not have cloven hooves (Lev. 11:4); a mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds and grows in the greatest of all plants (Matt. 13:31-32); turtles have voices (Song of Sol. 2:12); some four-legged animals fly (Lev. 11:21); and a foetus can understand speech (Luke 1:44). As you can see, when it comes to issues of biology, the bible is unreliable at best. :) As I've said in this thread...I don't want to get into a religious debate, but I do want to point out that Panny Chan shouldn't be told that she's sinned...especially as she is obviously in a fragile state of mind (especially in terms of harassment at school etc).[/color]