I just went through Portal, HL2 Ep 1, and Ep. 2 again-- this time with the commentary on. If you have _any_ desire to be a creative person, they're pretty much mandatory to listen to. If you have any interest in how humanity interacts with the world, they're a fascinating look at how our species behaves.
If you haven't played Halflife2 and it's episodic squeals, dude, you're nuts...
Reently I've picked up CoD4, Assassins Creed, Timeshift, and The Orange Box for my 360, and NWN2:Mask of the Betrayer for PC.
And I'm still working on Mass Effect, just not as much time in the day as I'd like.
Kevin, the turian achievement may be related to Garrus subplot, which is mainly a Renegade option. I'm going strictly Renegade for now, but even so I still got some Paragon on me. . .
Kevin, the turian achievement may be related to Garrus subplot, which is mainly a Renegade option.
You talking about the organ harvesting doctor subplot? If so I completed that. If you look at the requirements for the turian achievement it says you only need to complete the majority of the game with Garrus in your party. I did that!
But, it's no big deal. I loaded up my old career, started up a new game, and I'm partying with Wrex and Tali.
How much time a week would you honestly estimate do you spend playing games? I'm of the opinion that the significant decline in crime is due to the fact that would be criminals now have creative outlets for their minds and bodies thus reducing the likelihood of being involved in criminal activity.
Sorry, I'm not insinuating that you are a criminal Kevin. Just asking.
As much as I'm sure you hate to hear it, Val, video games are as much apart of the lives of the under-35 crowd as movies / tv used to be for other.
And with the technology where it is (and where it's going) it's evolving into a wholly new art form -- one which hasn't ever been explored. Art in which the "viewer" has a direct effect on the art itself through his decisions.
How much time a week would you honestly estimate do you spend playing games?
On average? I'd say maybe 4 or 5. Unless it's a really great game I'm very casual about my gaming. Look at my post again. See how many unfinished games I have?
Before Mass Effect the previous game I beat was Fable. Before that? Maybe the first Knights of the Old Republic. I'm sure I polished off a shooter or two in between but most RPGs demand at least 30 - 40 hours of play time. Shooters? 8. Maybe 10.
Could video games be an outlet for violent behaviour? Perhaps. I'm sure there are some that will make that connection.
Speaking for myself, I get much more pleasure losing myself to a story than shooting a computer controlled enemy. Or even another person's avatar in "Gore Shooter Xtreeeeeem!" I can get just as sucked in by a book as by a video game.
So, it's very hard to draw distinct lines between gaming and curbing real-life violence. I suppose one would need to look at the types of games people play and the environment in which they live.
However, as Jesse points out, video games are a much a part of life of the 35 and under crowd as television and movies were for previous generations.
If you ask me, I think whatever popular media is consumed is a good indicator of the moral direction of a society. But I will not say that the consumption of that media is a catylist for change, for good or ill.
Playing GTA, listening to gansta rap, watching The Sapranos will not make you kill someone. However, I believe that a violent personality will take in violent media. Cutting off the media doesn't address the underlining issue of violence in the individual though.
There is no video game that will replace a father in a child's life. There is no video game that will make parents stop abusing one another. There is no video game what can nuture a child.
To blame violence on video games, or any other media, ignores the real root of violence in life. People were killing people long before some nerds at MIT made it possible to manipulate pixels on a monitor.
Bioshock and Crysis are on my list. I've got the Orange Box (Portal- Best. Game. Ever. They haven't even begun to exploit that gameplay mechanic) I'm curious about Far Cry 2, but it sounds like it will have relation to Far Cry, so I'm only moderately interested.
Warning -- acting like a complete tool with Ashley /will/ mess her romance plot up. Ashley's defenses against being hurt (again!) by the rest of the universe are considerable. If you want her to come out of her shell, you've got to be gentle. From your first meeting with her.
With her, at least. The few paragon points you pick up for being nice to her will in no way prevent you from being as much of a raging jackass as you feel like to everybody else in the universe.
After she's part of your crew, only conversations you have with her on the _Normandy_ should be significant trigger points for furthering or advancing romance supblot. Although you can get some flirting out of her if you have her and Kaiden in the party, and go to the scenic overlook in the upper Wards.
12.11.2007 12:12am
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
Link here
If you haven't played Halflife2 and it's episodic squeals, dude, you're nuts...
Yep. I read that one. Penny Arcade is an everyday-must-hit site for me.
And I'm still working on Mass Effect, just not as much time in the day as I'd like.
Kevin, the turian achievement may be related to Garrus subplot, which is mainly a Renegade option. I'm going strictly Renegade for now, but even so I still got some Paragon on me. . .
You talking about the organ harvesting doctor subplot? If so I completed that. If you look at the requirements for the turian achievement it says you only need to complete the majority of the game with Garrus in your party. I did that!
But, it's no big deal. I loaded up my old career, started up a new game, and I'm partying with Wrex and Tali.
Sorry, I'm not insinuating that you are a criminal Kevin. Just asking.
And with the technology where it is (and where it's going) it's evolving into a wholly new art form -- one which hasn't ever been explored. Art in which the "viewer" has a direct effect on the art itself through his decisions.
On average? I'd say maybe 4 or 5. Unless it's a really great game I'm very casual about my gaming. Look at my post again. See how many unfinished games I have?
Before Mass Effect the previous game I beat was Fable. Before that? Maybe the first Knights of the Old Republic. I'm sure I polished off a shooter or two in between but most RPGs demand at least 30 - 40 hours of play time. Shooters? 8. Maybe 10.
Could video games be an outlet for violent behaviour? Perhaps. I'm sure there are some that will make that connection.
Speaking for myself, I get much more pleasure losing myself to a story than shooting a computer controlled enemy. Or even another person's avatar in "Gore Shooter Xtreeeeeem!" I can get just as sucked in by a book as by a video game.
So, it's very hard to draw distinct lines between gaming and curbing real-life violence. I suppose one would need to look at the types of games people play and the environment in which they live.
However, as Jesse points out, video games are a much a part of life of the 35 and under crowd as television and movies were for previous generations.
If you ask me, I think whatever popular media is consumed is a good indicator of the moral direction of a society. But I will not say that the consumption of that media is a catylist for change, for good or ill.
Playing GTA, listening to gansta rap, watching The Sapranos will not make you kill someone. However, I believe that a violent personality will take in violent media. Cutting off the media doesn't address the underlining issue of violence in the individual though.
There is no video game that will replace a father in a child's life. There is no video game that will make parents stop abusing one another. There is no video game what can nuture a child.
To blame violence on video games, or any other media, ignores the real root of violence in life. People were killing people long before some nerds at MIT made it possible to manipulate pixels on a monitor.
On the contrary, I love video games. I'm partial to sports games like Madden, MLB, and Tiger Woods golf, however, I do enjoy MOH.
Ryan
With her, at least. The few paragon points you pick up for being nice to her will in no way prevent you from being as much of a raging jackass as you feel like to everybody else in the universe.
After she's part of your crew, only conversations you have with her on the _Normandy_ should be significant trigger points for furthering or advancing romance supblot. Although you can get some flirting out of her if you have her and Kaiden in the party, and go to the scenic overlook in the upper Wards.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.