AirWreck wrote on Nov 8, 2020, 12:18:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/07/us/politics/aoc-biden-progressives.html -- depressing article on AOC being undermined by the Democrats. I hope she doesn't quit politics. Would love to see more progressives in government.

It will take a lot more work than people realize though. I mean I personally believe the last chance to salvage the U.S. political system is the take over of a party. The problem is the monumental uphill battle because the duopoly want to remain dominant and to continue the gravy train of the failing U.S. Empire.

jdreyer wrote on Oct 1, 2020, 18:17:
In other news, XWVM has yet to be either abandoned or shut down. That said, 2020 still has a few months to go...

I think they'll be fine. They are going to require an installation of the original game. The main worry to me I think is whether or not they are biting off more than they can chew. Both the original X-Wing and TIE Fighter had at least 50 missions each counting the base game and their expansions.

I'm hoping they provide the games in their original state as well. I can understand why they want to impress new players with a cohesive vision, but I guess for me graphics or gameplay quirks don't matter that much to me.

Well that was unexpected!

I keep flip flopping between either getting the Rift S or the full Valve Index kit. I can certainly afford either, but the price for the Oculus S is certainly a nice entry point for VR. I also want the best looking experience, and most compatible. And ultimately I intend to use it for Star Wars Squadrons in October too.

Can't help on game suggestions from direct experience, but I believe that new IL-2 game is VR compatible if you're looking to fly. Another game I want to try in VR is Ace Combat 7, but you have to use a mod to use it with that game.

I'm curious how ultra fans think a new Halo game is going to be any more innovative than the last campy Halo games.

The sandbag trick still works. Its the only way I've been able to beat most missions.

I'm having a heck of a time trying to beat the last GDI mission. My usual tactic of building sandbags everywhere isn't working. Was this game as tough back in the day? I never played it back then.

I managed to snag a camlink to turn my dslr into a webcam from the UK. Took a month to arrive though, but worth it.

I've watched quite a bit on this and while the delivery of stuff seems interesting, mechanically it seems more than a bit tedious.

I stopped using 'gaming' headphones and switched to some regular, nice Sennheiser cans, mainly because 'gaming' variety ones are too gaudy, bulky, don't sound good, not comfortable, etc. Definitely not going back. I'm kind of surprised Sennheiser didn't really pick up on why people buy nice studio style headphones for all purpose (gaming, music, monitoring) by placing that enormous microphone on that Epos at the end of the video. I would at least hope the audio drivers and pads are good.

I mean as long as they don't take inspiration from Bethesda's story telling... just saying...

Wow I haven't played the original IL-2 in years. I had no idea they were still expanding the new ones with the Moscow one etc., I haven't played the new ones since Dover.

jdreyer wrote on Jun 19, 2020, 04:55:

The Half Elf wrote on Jun 18, 2020, 22:24:

Couple of things that bother me (hope they can be turned off). Starlines (debris from the Xwing Series), the vapor trails on the ships, and a Xwing with a beam weapon?

Maybe in graphics options they can be turned off?

Hmm, who knows. Even so, it wouldn't be a game-wide thing. I think vapor trails are kind of cheaty for a space game tbh.

The one major thing that bums me out really is just the 5v5 thing. I'm trying to wrap my head around why? Maybe they think there won't be enough interest to get servers populated or something. Surely whatever engine that is (frostbyte?) can handle more as it does for Battlefront 2 and Battlefield 5.

Anyways here's a list of other craft missing from the old x-wing/tie games or other games/sources/comics/etc.:

Imperials
Alpha-class Xg-1 Star Wing (Imperial Assault Gunboat)
Missile Boat (successor to the Star Wing)
TIE Avenger or TIE/ad 'Advanced' (improved production version of Vader's X1, flown by Imperial Ace Maarek Stele)
TIE Defender
TIE Phantom (technically dual seater)
TIE Vanguard (Recon)
TIE/sr Starfighter (Recon)

Rebels
B-Wing
BTL-S3 Y-Wing variant (2 seater), top mounted Ion Cannon can rotate in all directions
BTL-A4 Y-Wing LP (recon)
E-Wing
Z-95 Headhunter
R-22 Spearhead (a-wing prototype)
R-41 Starchaser
N-1 Starfighter (if there will be Naboo map)
YT-1300 (support, 2 turrets)
YT-2000 (support, 2 turrets)
YT-2400 (support, 2 turrets)

With only 5v5 they are kinda missing out on making multi-seated craft too, which would pretty cool just being a turret gunner while someone flies like in BFV.

5v5, so sort of like an X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter throwback which was, as everyone knows the "multiplayer" version of those games. Although YES it did have bonus SP missions it did not have a long tour of duty story/fantasy of being an "Ace" Fantasy like X-Wing for Keyan Farlander and TIE Fighter for Maarek Stele.

Gameplay on Thursday, but I'm not finding anything hinting at mechanics of the game yet, except it has VR support and each side tries to destroy the capital ships.

Being a big Star Wars game fan, of course I've been dying for something like this, but at the same time kind of disappointed its not more than 5v5. It would be more epic with bigger battles. And of course there are hints you have to grind to upgrade your ship, which I find highly annoying in MP games these days.

BF2143 would certainly be interesting. Mechs in that engine would certainly be something.

Hacksaw Ridge the game.

Those loot barrels were definitely a chore in W3. I'm pretty sure I gave up on that and focused on quests to finish the game, but it was a way to least get me to explore and look the environment design that I would have otherwise missed.

jdreyer wrote on Jun 2, 2020, 15:13:
Does no one want to talk about the new features in Firefox v77??

Well I read it; I'm not familiar with what goes into my browsers. The pocket rollout for UK?

There will be a second wave. Not an if, matter of when. Spanish Flu had it's second wave in the Fall.