James

[font=palatino linotype]This weekend I've been playing [i][b]Skyrim[/b][/i] on PS3. So far I am absolutely loving it - much moreso than [i]Oblivion[/i]. The only downside is that I'm playing it with a PS3 controller. The interface works really effectively on console, but I simply dislike the PS3 controller itself. Mouse control for aiming/looking would be a lot better. But aside from that, I really have no complaints. The graphics are gorgeous, save for a few little glitches here and there, and the gameplay is fantastic so far. [i]Skyrim[/i] just seems to hit the right beat. I think even the characters and plot are far more interesting than [i]Oblivion[/i], which felt more than a little bland and formulaic to me. I'm also really loving the setting and art style. The Scandinavian feel is incredibly strong and it's really strongly evident throughout the landscape, architecture, costumes and even object design. Really beautiful stuff. And, right off the bat, the variety of quests is fantastic. The game really gets off to a very strong start and draws you in immediately, I think. Plus, all of the peripheral stuff (like enchanting weapons, crafting weapons and armor, and alchemy) are both fun and incredibly intuitive at the same time. This game is starting to rule my life already...[/font]

[font=palatino linotype]I [i]finally[/i] got [b]Fallout: New Vegas[/b] for PC (via Steam). I was really not sure if I should buy it for a long time, due to all the reporting about bugs and such. And I also didn't really know how much I'd like the setting, as compared to [b]Fallout 3[/b]. But so far, so good. I've come across a bug or two, but nothing really game-breaking (well, one kind of was... but it didn't mess up my save game or anything). At the moment I'm not really sure whether I like it more than [b]Fallout 3[/b] or not. The actual world seems a bit more interesting in some ways, but the plot progression - at least so far - isn't as interesting. We'll see, I guess. The whole factions thing seems to have a lot of potential, anyway. I'll see how I go.[/font]

[center][img]http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/1969/jobs1.jpg[/img] [img]http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/8710/jobs2.jpg[/img][/center] [font=palatino linotype]Most of you have probably already read the news, but if you haven't: Steve Jobs passed away today. I've actually been saddened by this news a little more than I expected to be. I think this is because, even though I knew Steve was very unwell, his actual death seems so sudden. The fact that he has been such a major part of society during my lifetime and the fact that he died so young also just compounds the tragedy for me. I thought that it might be nice to make this a kind of tribute topic. I took those screenshots of the Apple web site because I thought that it would be worthwhile to mark this moment on OB, as some other major events have been marked (both happy and sad). Also, I imagine that there are a lot of OBers who probably feel the same way as me regarding Steve Jobs - no matter how people individually feel about Apple itself, nobody can overstate Steve's enormous impact on global society and culture. Some have suggested that he is as important to human history as figures such as Henry Ford and I tend to agree with this. There are some fantastic YouTube videos about Steve Jobs' career and the impact of his work. I strongly recommend seeking these out, if only to remind yourself that this man's importance goes well beyond the (admittedly revolutionary) "i" devices. The very interface you are using to view this message right now owes its genesis, at least in part, to Jobs and his team of Apple co-founders. There is nothing else I really want to add about Steve other than what Apple eloquently said on their web site. I also think that Apple's new CEO, Tim Cook, wrote a very heartfelt and eloquent message today as well. I am thinking about sending a link to this topic to the [email protected] email address on behalf of OB. It just seems like a small gesture that might be nice to do. Feel free to share your thoughts/comments here.[/font]

[quote name='chibi-master' timestamp='1317676036' post='709752'] I'm not insulted at all, silly! XD I try not to make too many grammar and/or spelling mistakes if I can help it... However, I know that I probably mess up a lot without realizing it. [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]I wouldn't worry about spelling and grammar this stage. I'd say you should be a lot more worried if you don't know what "unrest" and "protest" mean. Since you do, then the rest seems to be a relatively minor point, I think. [/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Welcome, guys. Great to see you here. Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions or need any assistance! [/font]

[quote name='chibi-master' timestamp='1317415427' post='709678'] She is in her 3rd year of high school. 11th grade. Today she asked what a rebellion was. The worst part? Everyone in the class started agreeing that they didn't know either. I think I'm going to need some help to make it through the year. [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]Wow, that's crazy. Maybe you should be teaching the class! ^_^ The funny thing is, I know that schools are supposed to impart all this information, but I wonder how these sorts of topics don't come up in people's homes. I mean, if you have the news on TV even and they talk about rebellion... don't kids ask their parents what it means? Maybe the parents don't know either! It's just weird, because as much as knowledge is picked up at school, I think a [i]lot[/i] of stuff is learned at home too. Poor kids.[/font]

[quote name='chibi-master' timestamp='1317349005' post='709673'] "What's a protest?" I thought she was joking. NOPE. This girl had no clue what a protest was. Or what "unrest" meant. [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]Wow, this girl sounds almost Palinesque in her ignorance. What year of school are we talking about here? And where are her parents? I'd like to personally flog them.[/font]

[center][media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PLVFefa3gg[/media][/center] [font=palatino linotype]So, here's a new Skyward Sword trailer from Nintendo. What do you guys think? The more I see this game the more I'm loving the art style. This trailer really makes the game worlds look so imaginative and colourful - I think this looks a whole lot more interesting than Twilight Princess, at least in terms of the overall feel of the world. Some of the art design is really very impressive, including the character animation. And I'm glad to see a broader variety of environments than were shown previously, too. [/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]Wow, I'm impressed by the enthusiasm guys. I discussed this with Shy yesterday and he'd still like to "finish" this story before we make a third. My understanding is that there's literally only one or two posts to go, though. And making a third RPG would require a lot of planning in terms of plot. So, with that said, I might start doing some brainstorming and create a new Backstage topic soonish with the thought that we can start developing ideas for a new story. [/font]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]I did a bit of reading (both this topic and the main RPG topic) and I'm kinda keen to start thinking about a follow-up RPG. Sure, this one didn't exactly [i]finish[/i], but that's OK. We still got through quite a lot in this RPG. Right now I am not planning to start my Evangelion RPG - I'm not too happy with it and I want to make a lot of changes to the concept before it goes ahead. In the interim, I'm thinking about Almagest again. I am kind of keen to know if anyone would be interested in another Almagest RPG. It seems to me that we would have two big challenges with this: [list] [*]Many of the original writers are no longer around, and; [*]It could be intimidating for new writers to join, given the significant history and complex family tree involved. [/list] What do you guys think? Does anyone have another Almagest RPG in 'em? [/font]

[quote name='(â??ï¾?ã?®ï¾?)â??' timestamp='1316999663' post='709597'] [color="#008080"][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"]I really want(ed) to see Lion King in 3D. One of my favorite Disney movies. [/font][/size][/color] [/quote] [font=palatino linotype]Past tense? Has it already stopped playing in U.S. theatres or something? [/font]

[font=palatino linotype]I saw [i]The Lion King 3D[/i] on Saturday. It was pretty awesome - I hadn't seen the film since back when it was on VHS tape. So it was nostalgic and the 3D elements were pretty good at times. Although admittedly, when I watched it I started feeling strong withdrawal pains for the Broadway version. I would [i]love[/i] to see that again.[/font]