Mark the 4K Ninja is still great!

Turns out I got this for free for having the 5 dollar DLC for the OG game.

Still plays like a fresh, groundbreaking, unique 2d stealth stabber that really does benefit from the the QHD Treatment I can give it and I assume the 4k looks great as well.

Backgrounds and animations especially look better than ever. Sound and voice draw you in, it's a fantastic package.

jdreyer wrote on Oct 18, 2018, 11:28:

Frijoles wrote on Oct 18, 2018, 11:05:
Got over 200 hours in this game making it my top game in Steam. The mods are amazing, and I look forward to whatever Tynan does next.

I heard that the next thing he's going to do is hire an artist.

BADUM-PSSHHH!

I'll be here all night, folks.

I mean, he could, but the style works for this game in a genre where we are used to ascii art. He probably values the freedom to do and change whatever he wants without upsetting any employees/co-workers.

I wonder if he will even make a game next. I'd be thinking it's time to live on a yacht once I pass 5 mill. If he wasn't already super well off after Irrational you would hope he is now. Not sure what the sales breakdown works out as with regional pricing and all that but a million copies of a game that never went on sale is a lot of mulah. If he has any contractors I hope they negotiated a percentage!

jdreyer wrote on Oct 18, 2018, 02:38:

eRe4s3r wrote on Oct 17, 2018, 22:03:
The joy of 100gb+ games

They're doing the preload a week early, since that's how long it takes to download.

I feel bad for anyone with a 500GB console, though I think they all take externals now. I don't know what it's like in Trumpistan but the fresh account amazon discount brings the disc version down to less than half the online price here, 47AUD, which is 33.5 USD and probably a sign that neoliberal economic policy has devastated our consumer purchasing power (it certainly hasn't helped the AUD value). Apart from gross, snapable discs this is too good a deal to pass up.

For a couple of bucks extra get it release day. But internet is starting to get good here, we have some solid communism bringing 80-100d/30u Mbps, or more accurately, 2007 Korean speeds to vast amounts of even the rural parts of our sparsely populated clump of dirt the size of the contiguous US. Get the download going before work (Xbox seems smart enough to do it without prompting sometimes) and all those sweet 4k assets and horse testicles will be waiting for you when done.

CJ_Parker wrote on Oct 17, 2018, 23:50:
CONSLOW GARBITCH

1GB conslow pixel puke soup a.k.a the "game"
99+GB Rockstar Social Club spyware + monetization features

This is the most jealous ass shit I've read from what I assume is a grown ass man I can remember. I bet if the exact same game had a PC version you'd hail it as the second coming of baby jebus or at least the equivalent of a Witcher 4.

Creston wrote on Oct 17, 2018, 21:06:
Unbefuckinglievable. The WEB ENGINEER gets busted, but the asshole CEO and CFO who did millions (and were responsible for the whole fucking thing in the first place) get diddly jack shit.

Fuck this bullshit. It's time for another revolution. Where do we sign up?

It kind of makes sense. Your constitution was put together by rich dudes who didn’t want to share anything with the king/home country. They needed the support of the masses which along with their fear of each other ensured there was some sensible stuff on that rag but they have been pretty good at keeping the rabble locked down while they extract wealth from the environment/slaves/wage earners and they rarely ever go to jail.

I bought this because of you fuckers raving about it and it never really bit. I love how the people have minds of their own but they are still so fucking stupid I feel like I have to babysit them constantly which sucks.

But that was a year or more ago now. I'll give it another whirl as it seems like it should be my jam.

Otherwise I'm going to fume about that 30 bucks or whatever it was I spent on it for the rest of my days.

...not as bad as the 50AUD I spent on Friday the 13th on PS4 because a mate at work wanted to play, that and IGN's Brute Force review that got me to buy that bland garbage fire are still my biggest fuck ups.

Edit: Ok if the only joy I ever get out of my purchase is the knowledge I helped fund that brilliant launch trailer then I am more than OK with that.

Still the king of the waves. Had a good sesh today, with mandatory daytime rum consumption included.

Betrayed some poor guy for the lowest value chest in the game for lols after helping him find and dig it up, then later got in a fight where the same guy turned our alliance against us (He must have convincing explained the earlier encounter with them! So happy for his revenge, it did seem like proper pirate justice) and it all ended in a delightful clusterfuck of a 3 way ship battle that the meglodon showed up to in a flurry of blunderbuss crew wipes and screams of "ramming speed!" and Scottish insults where despite commandeering the enemy fleet's sloop and brigantine at different times, ended with my daughter going down with our ship (She did well on her fist solo command to last that long) and spawnpoint and game over for us but damn it was a good time.

Earlier in the week we got 2 squad wins out of 6 games, a personal best ever. Automatically put into right region with 30ms ping, no wait for games, everything was gravy.

Last night solo and duo put us in Asia with 200-300 ping. Absolute shitshow. Once we went to squads we got the local server again but it was still real rough for some reason, maybe because BLOPS4 or angry Chinese nationals blew up the internet? who knows.

Yes they are taking too long to sort this shit out, but I think it will be worth it. It's a game I enjoy more than the bunnyhop clusterfucks like Fortnite and Blops, but they are taking their time. The user drop off will hopefully put a firecracker up their assess and get them to focus on the QOL shit that will make this game sing.

Red886 wrote on Oct 10, 2018, 00:46:
fuck no.
there are no discounts for the Windows game store.

Damn State of Decay 2 is still exp like shit.

then all the problems of getting games to work properly.

SoD2 is on their gamepass thing. I think, like Sea of Thieves, they are refraining from discounts to push people onto that service.

Worked for me! And if you have an xbox the parent account can share XBLIVE and gamepass privileges with at least one other account that I've tried, so the cross play has been getting a good work out here with Forza Horizon 4 and SoT. Recent games (At least Since Gears 4) have run really well on Windows and work cross platform flawlessly, with voice being the only thing some friends/relatives have had trouble with but that is usually fixed by joining a party.

CJ_Parker wrote on Oct 8, 2018, 22:14:

bigspender wrote on Oct 8, 2018, 20:51:

CJ_Parker wrote on Oct 8, 2018, 20:37:
I wouldn't really call mastering all the radar modes "child's play".
You do in fact not "just lock on". It can be pretty tricky to even spot, identify (IFF was pretty crappy in the Tomcat in so far as the ID capabilities were much shorter range than its standard weaponry *), track and then lock on a target depending on its range, altitude, speed, AoA, size/profile, (E)CM and so on.

Remember if you play the game in sim mode (instead of game mode) then this is DSC World and study level. You don't typically just press 'T' to lock on the nearest enemy target and squeeze the trigger.

You first have to master the skill of getting to the point that allows you to even spot bogies reliably. Then track them. Then lock on. And then maybe squeeze... unless the other guy squeezed first .



* from Wikipedia:

Until the waning days of Desert Storm, in-country air superiority was tasked to USAF F-15 Eagles due to the way the Air Tasking Orders (ATO) delegated primary overland CAP stations to the F-15 Eagle. The governing Rules of Engagement (ROE) also dictated a strict Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) requirement when employing Beyond Visual Range weapons such as the AIM-7 Sparrow and particularly the AIM-54 Phoenix. This hampered the Tomcat from using its most powerful weapon.

The threat management and situational awareness can get very complicated, but I'm talking specifically about the combat capability - using a heat-seeker is as easy as pointing your nose at an enemy, it does auto-lock on and then you just press your trigger to launch the homing missile.

And that's exactly what I would recommend people do if they want to get into this beautiful plane. Like I mentioned, a fuel tanker stands no chance against an F-14


This thing will look just superb in VR too.

Yes, I guess that's the nice thing about DCS being a game. You can just do whatever you want and don't have to OCD about real world procedures . It's true, of course, that shooting the gun or IR AA missiles is easy as pie.

However, one of the Tomcat's primary functions was to serve as an airborne launch platform for BVR VERY long range AA missiles like the AIM-54 Phoenix (effective at 100nm).
The Tomcat's major purpose in that role was to act as a fleet defender that was supposed to shoot down enemy bombers with long range anti-ship missiles or torpedoes.
They weren't supposed to let anyone get even close to within AIM-9 range unless it was a low threat or otherwise necessary.

Anyway, the point is: If you want to master the full plane with ALL of its capabilities then it'll be another module that will take many months to learn about all of its combat/avionics systems and combat/radar modes.

I agree with this. I don't think we should scare people off with the study sim label, it's only that if you want it to be. Anyone can enjoy this within 30 minutes, even in SIM mode. Sooner if going through a checklist and clicking on stuff in the cockpit is as fun for you as I find it.

I like to play this with my old man, a few beers and a Chuck's guide (Free manual some cool dude makes for many planes with cool in game screenshots clearly labeled with most basic procedures) open on a second screen. It's only as much a study guide as you want it to be, the freedom to crash the thing makes it just a game, even in SIM mode. But in spite of my bad attitude you do end up learning stuff somehow and it's pretty amazing. I wish there was a DCS level Battletech/Gundam/Macross game, it would be so good!

We practice doing stuff by the book but that seems way too hard, I am definitely not naval, or any kind of aviator material. Luckily the F18 is forgiving enough that you can plant it on the boat with a little practice and throttle work, the AOA indicator takes care of everything and you just have to keep an eye on that and aim for somewhere on the front of the boat and it often takes care of itself. I don't have the eyesight/monitor resolution/skills/sobriety to actually see the ball properly for some reason.

Not accidentally shooting friendlies and flying tight enough formation to refuel and not be a loser online is very challenging though, and this big bird is probably way harder to do everything with due to size and age of the tech. But at least you don't have to learn any ground attack stuff, I think it's just an air superiority fighter/interceptor.

Hardest thing is binding the right stuff to your stick and throttle in places that make intuitive sense when you need them. Took me a few weeks before I had it perfect but the chucks guide also helps with a few starter setups. Trim/gear/flaps/hook are the main thing to start with (And are probably fine on keyboard if you have glowy lights for them), you work out the weapons/radar/countermeasures/tdc stuff later as you learn those systems.

If you don't unionise you are a slave. I mean, I'm pragmatic, I've chosen to be that slave plenty of times but don't pretend that's not what it is. Sure they are corrupt money grubbing institutions run by those who seek power but at least they get off on making your life better not, as your employer, working out ways to minimise your cost, maximise your productivity and streamline your replacemnt with no concern for any other aspect of your welfare.

That said, I disagree with the premise here. I thank Videogames for not getting the skin cancer that afflicted most my ancestors. It is literally preventing a generation of kids getting cancer, though perhaps what they are getting mentally infected with online is much worse for civilisation.

At this stage, BG3 should be what BG1 was. A fresh go at making a CRPG using the latest technology and DnD ruleset (Playing 5e with the kids, it is a way better ruleset than 2e and I assume better than the junk in between)

Instead of 3 it probably needs a subtitle that denotes a new continuity, as I believe we are a few hundred years past BG2 and it's contemporary Drizzt and Bruenor and co. We've also gotten older, and FR needs to be better than RA salvatores best attempt at middle earth with sex.

What made the first game so good (And the second an excellent expansion of those ideas) was that it was a fresh, ground up attempt at a CRPG in a genre that never managed to evolve past Hillsfar, Eye of the Beholder and and the SSI games as good as they were. But he passage of time has rendered it as stale and quaint as it's predecessors.

The way magic worked, the mechanics worked into it, the open world lightly gated for story purposes. This was cutting edge at the time, and the influence can be seen in Mobas, MMOs and a legion of shallow pretenders to the throne today.

To capture that magic again we need some insane Canadian nerd doctors with dreams, ambitions and financial support to create something nobody else dares consider...

Creston wrote on Oct 4, 2018, 21:12:

Beamer wrote on Oct 4, 2018, 15:05:
Funny. I could tell something prevents it from triggering that, but could never find a repeatable action to prevent it consistently. Hopefully it's not in the new one, but consoles' gonna console.

Anytime the animal you were about to skin was not on flat land or had something essentially clipping its model the animation would be skipped, but yeah, how nobody at R* ever thought "you know, this is going to get shit-ass boring after five goes"...

Maybe they didn't think hunting would be as popular as it wound up being.

Early previews say the skinning/packing out animation for animals is a lot more graphic and detailed now. Not sure if skipable, but maybe you can toggle it in options? As with the guns being cleaned and maintained, hopefully they have reduced the waves of enemies and animal murder parties to compensate.

Osc8r wrote on Oct 2, 2018, 18:14:
Sooooooo much better than the crew 2.

Bit buggy, but enjoying it overall.

Only wish the progression in these games was slower / more rewarding. Within a day i pretty much had a maxed hypercar, which was made even worse by all the 'spin to win' stuff.

I honestly can't believe how bad the microsoft store / xbox live app crap is... geez guys, ever used steam before? You're only about a decade behind the times.

Is the progression really that fast? Feels way to slow for me. It seems like hours before you can unlock it so the kids can play bumper cars with each other online. Am I doing something wrong? I played all night, knocked down mission after mission and a lot of stuff is still locked out, like co-op or any MP at all that I can tell.

Driving feels great though. Set it to pro difficulty as I don't want to mess around with tire wear and damage outside of proper races and it scratches my Project Gotham itch perfectly.

VaranDragon wrote on Oct 3, 2018, 02:19:
Holy crap. I mean "if" those numbers are correct that means that ONE In every NINE players in PUBG is a cheater. Since TPP to FPP ratio is about 80% to 20% in player distribution, or rather its about 5 times as popular as FPP, that still means that in FPP games (which I play exclusively) there is still an average of 1 player in 50 who cheats. This is crazy. Just insane. In 400 hours of PUBG I've encountered maybe 2 cheaters that Im sure of.

Good cheaters don't make it obvious. They do stuff that you would expect someone good at the game could do. But they are able to do it consistently as well as avoid areas where other players are which is half the battle in PUBG. I think the better hacks even allow you to set miss rate and a variable TTK so that it dosn't seem like a laser icing your face but it definitely is that.

I love this game but something is seriously wrong with the OCE server population and the SEA servers are not much better outside of peak. Tried to get back into it this week and it's still an amazingly fun game but they need to fix their shit or get those old numbers back somehow, but unlike EPIC I don't think they have the talent to do so.

CJ_Parker wrote on Oct 3, 2018, 00:55:
Yeah, it also has tutorial missions like cold & dark startup, taxiing, take-off, straight-in approach landing and pattern landing (the latter is pretty hard to get right). ILS landings are not in yet because I believe the entire IFR stuff is still MIA.

Yeah the systems are pretty thin but you can get started with carrier landings and air to air refueling pretty easily mastering it should take up enough time that you wont notice the missing systems. I think the legit dudes do hundreds of landings in training before they post them to a boat.

There is enough in there now to bomb stuff using ccip and to shoot down the refueling plane when you ragequit. Custom missions are variable in quality but it's all just fun window dressing for practicing flying/starting/landing the thing.

Mr. Tact wrote on Oct 1, 2018, 21:11:

Numinar wrote on Oct 1, 2018, 21:00:
Elitism just hurts yourselves. Even the fanciest of Xboxi is cheaper than a good recent video card. You are missing out!

Maybe, but I'm just a computer guy. The only console I ever owned was the Super Nintendo. I was a little bit tempted by the PS2 and PS3, but never actually bought one. I'm sure there are games I would have enjoyed which were only available on one console or another. But it just doesn't "feel" right to me. Is that logical? No. *shrug*

No, that is a super reasonable position. I’m the opposite as even some pretty rubbish systems (N64, Dreamcast, GameCube, PS3) had games that I couldn’t get elsewhere and even if they couldn’t keep up with the PC in terms of fidelity often pushed their genres forward in different ways.

Elitism just hurts yourselves. Even the fanciest of Xboxi is cheaper than a good recent video card. You are missing out!

It looks like the shooting might still be a little garbage, whenever you have to base it around slow-mo you are in trouble. Hopefully if they tone down the waves of enemies constantly spawning that RDR had it will be even less of an issue than it was there. The attention to detail looks phenomenal.

Currently playing through RDR on XB1x as part of my hype cycle, the resolution bump does wonders for it. Some parts seem more 2010 than others and some come across as unforgivably clunky but it’s still an astoundingly special game. Like Kerbal or Sea of Thieves, whatever flaws and issues it may have cna be ignored given there is nothing else even close to it in terms of scope and style in that setting.

Pigeon wrote on Sep 29, 2018, 21:33:

Creston wrote on Sep 29, 2018, 20:58:
Kathleen Kennedy has dirt on somebody. She has to. She has pictures of some high-up exec at Disney fisting a camel or something, so they can't fire her.

It is unbelievable how in the US the absolutely fucking INEPT just keep being kept on in their positions. Failing upwards is the US #1 motto.

If you talk a good game and make money, nobody cares about the hows or whys. Except Solo the Star Wars movies have been raking it in lack of quality not withstanding.

Either these new movies or age has cured me of my SW obsession. Tie Fighter is still the best thing to ever come out of that property.

I just don't understand the hate. Nothing released by Disney has been anywhere near as bad as the prequels or the directors cut additions. That shit was beyond foul.

jdreyer wrote on Sep 29, 2018, 19:49:

CJ_Parker wrote on Sep 29, 2018, 14:21:
That's a mighty generous demo offer by Eagle Dynamics. Note that the F-18 is not finished yet though. It is missing quite a few systems (2018 DCS roadmap) but in a three days demo you will still only be able to scratch the tip of the iceberg of what is there already.

A good starting point might be the YT channel of Eagle Dynamics' very own Matt "Wags" Wagner who has posted a series of Hornet tutorials and development update videos. Make sure to check out the playlists for a sorted overview.

Not sure it's that generous. It takes months to learn to fly these sims, so you can't accomplish much in a single weekend.

If you have someone who is a bit ahead of you in learning to fly to learn with you can start having fun in less than 30 minutes, and that is with drinking. Compared to a lot of planes the F18c is super pilot friendly and over-engineered so it is super forgiving. Weapons/Nav/ECM/radar take a while to learn and find bindings that work for you but you do that over time. To start with just take off and landing are required and there isn't much to learn there that you wont get by practice, ragequit, quick video tutorial, repeat till success.

Sure doing it properly probably takes hundreds of hours of practice (My attempts at proper case 1 pattern ends in a fireball a quarter of the time, and bolters half the time) but nailing it is exhilarating, even when your approach is courts martial worthy.

Learn the buttons for flaps, hook, gear (F,G,H) and check the carrier bypass switch (Lower front left console), and emergency jettison button to cut your weight down to 33000 pounds (thing will land much heavier believe me) and find a diagram of the on speed indicator and you are good to try and plant the thing anywhere.