Fable

I don't spend a lot of time playing video games anymore. I used to! Back in college I spent a TON of time playing Civilizations (2+3) and then Galactic Civilizations while working on my Masters. Before that it was Super Mario Brothers on my NES, Super Mario 3 on SNES... Aside from that, it's mostly been flirtations. I tried WoW, played through Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire, and very once in a while I'll play some Halo or Star Wars Battle Front and shoot up some aliens or Imperials... but mostly, I spend my time not playing or even thinking about video games.

But sometimes I have the urge to play something that I don't have to think too much about that's a little more than just shooting alien scum. My options are somewhat limited though. I've already played KotOR, and Jade Empire. My other option is Fable. I've briefly played it several times and never got very far into it. Then every time I put it down, I forget everything, and have to start over. It wouldn't be so bad, but the tutorial/intro to the game takes a couple of hours by itself.



Well, I've started up yet another instance of the game. We'll see how far I get this time. As long as I can keep at it, and I use the online walkthroughs so that I don't miss anything important, I should be able to actually finish my play through. For once...



So far I've gotten through the intro, completed several missions, bought a couple of houses, and got married. Only failed at one quest so far, mostly because escort missions suck.

Assassin's Creed

Well that was a waste of 2 hours.

And it wasn't like I went into the movie with high expectations. But with an actor of Michael Fassbender's caliber, not to mention Jeremy Irons who can chew scenery on a level unmatched by any other actor I can think of (see the first D&D movie for a prime example) I had hoped I would at least enjoy it.

I didn't. It was dark, and grim, and boring, and oh so serious. They seem to have forgotten the fun. They never let anyone crack a smile, and kept Jeremy Irons mostly standing around silently looking down on the action. What a shame...

Now, it was pretty, and seeing people doing medieval parkour in cool looking costumes was great.... And that's the only good thing I have to say about the movie.

It really wasn't terrible, but it never held my attention, but inless you've got a thing for seeing Fassbender topless, or really love the game, I recommend skipping this. There are so many much better ways of spending your time this Christmas weekend.

Grimrock

For a while now, I've been thinking about building a new computer for myself. It's something I've never done before, but after looking at some tutorials online, it seemed doable. And, really, my 3 year old e-machines PC could really be retired without much reluctance. It did what I needed it to do, namely get me through my masters degree, but it doesn't have the power for much more than surfing the net and playing really old games (Civ III anyone?). Unfortunately, I really wanted to play a game I bought when it first came out, Legend of Grimrock. It's a neat old-school dungeon crawl game, but even it's rather minimal requirements were a bit too much for my poor computer. In order to be able to play it at all, I had to turn all of the graphics options down to their minimum, and even then it wasn't really a pleasant experience.

Before ordering all new parts for an all new computer, I talked to Erik, one of my Friday night D&D players who knows his computers. After asking me a bunch of questions about what I've got and what I want to do, he suggested that I didn't really need a new computer so much as needed to upgrade my current one with more RAM and a graphics card. So, off to Amazon...

Once the parts were in, I went to work installing them. The RAM wasn't a big issue, but the graphics card proved to be a little more effort, and since I didn't really know what I was doing, Erik helped me out. Not only did he get everything installed, but he also did some software cleanup, helping to get rid of some of the bloatware that sucks up memory and slows the computer down.

So now I've got a computer that can run Grimrock, and earlier this week, I actually had some time I could sit down and play it. I made a party consisting of a human and minotaur fighter, an insectiod wizard, and a lizardman rogue. Together they defeated numerous giant snails, a skeleton warrior, some fungus creatures, and numerous puzzles and traps before both gaining enough XP to hit 2nd level, and descending to the second level of the dungeon where they were killed by a combination of a poison spitting fungus and a larger melee fungus.

Sadly, I'd forgotten to save my game... I don't mind too much, since I want to make some tweaks to my next party anyway. I'll probably get some more game time in this weekend! 

Diplomacy in Neptune's Pride

One of the best parts of Neptune’s Pride is the interaction with your fellow players. Below is a selection of messages from my current game.I'm the orange in the bottom right corner.

Slugman254 (Light Blue Circle) ~

As the empire of the abdicated D3stroy3r234 (Yellow Circle) crumbles before the onslaught of my starships, my gaze turns inexorably to the north. I hope that you will not flee like a coward as he did when my ships cross into your territory. While it can be difficult facing such an overpowering foe, I can assure you that your stars will become like jewels in my ever expanding empire. Your people, when they kneel before me, as they surely will, shall enjoy all of the scientific, economic, and political benefits that you have been unable to provide.

I look forward to your reply, be it by pen or by blaster.

David
Emperor of Jib
Tyrant of Dheneb
Conqueror of Syrma
Lord of the Star-lanes

---

David -

Know one thing. My people may bow down to your every command. But they will spit on your footprints as you cross into my empire. Sure I may have not been able to provide my people with the economy they deserved but they enjoyed the simple liife. Enjoy your life where your own people hate you tyrant!

Slugman
- provider too the people

---

Slugman ~

You spit “tyrant” as if it was a curse. My people love and fear me. I bring them wonders your people dare not even dream of. I bring them victory, and the spoils of war.

The hatred of your people will not last long, as they begin to reap the benefits of my rule. Those who resist will die. Those who submit shall enjoy great improvements to their lives. All will fear the turning of my gaze upon them.

As it should be.

I urge you to submit. Save your people the ignominy of defeat and join me willingly.

David
Emperor of Jib
Tyrant of Dheneb
Conqueror of Syrma
Despot of New Altair
Lord of the Star-lanes

---

ha gay

---

Really? Gay? That's the best you can do you spineless worm? Just because your species eats it's own chunky mucus and excrement, and can't even compete in a competitive fashion in an online game, you resort to "gay"?

You know what would have worked? "Nuts" that at least would have had historical precedence outside of internet trolls.

Also, within the next day, my troops will be parading down the main streets of Raw. (His home system)

I dare you to try and stop me.

David
Emperor of Jib
Tyrant of Dheneb
Conqueror of Syrma
Despot of Raw
Lord of the Star-lanes

---

Lady Elspeth (Dark Blue Circle) ~

Our two great empires finally share a border. Spanning across brilliant light years, our ships speed to-and-fro bringing commerce, communication, and when necessary force to those who would shield themselves from the obvious benefits to be achieved by joining us as we spread across the face of the galaxy.

When two mighty forces, juggernauts of stellar proportions, come into contact so often the result is mutual annihilation, as they slam into each other over and over, allowing those on the edge to nibble away at the weakened whole. Our fates are not sealed, and this result isn’t written in the stars.

As beings of obvious intelligence, let us use logic and reason and an understanding of mutual benefit to forstal a colossal conflict that would ignite across the face of the galaxy.

What say you?

David
Emperor of Jib
Tyrant of Dheneb
Conqueror of Syrma
Lord of the Star-lanes

---

Due to feeling unwell I'll keep this brief - I've received several messages from others asking for an alliance against you. Purple circle being the biggest. I have no desire to fight with you, it will just weaken us against the others and neither of us will benefit. I suggest an alliance and maybe trade agreement. Now I'm off to lie down in a dark room and hope I don't get attacked

(seriously hope that makes sense my head is killing me and I've read it 5 times and I'm not sure!)

---

Lady Elspeth,

The stress of managing such an expansive empire can weigh heavily upon the head that wears the crown. I wish you a speedy recovery.

I agree completely that hostility between our two great stellar nations is to be avoided. We both have smaller fish to fry. Master Jessopp (purple circle) certainly has a right to be fearful, but I still have Slugman (light blue circle) and Destroyer234 (green square) between us.

Sjeng (Light Blue Square) is currently debating going after you, and from what I can see is sending his ships your way.

Would you like to exchange Terraforming for Range?

David
Emperor of Jib
Tyrant of Dheneb
Conqueror of Syrma
Despot of New Altair
Lord of the Star-lanes

---

Sjeng (Light Blue Square)~

As sapient beings, it is imperative that we understand that actions have consequences. While it is inevitable that stellar nations that share a border will eventually come into conflict, it is not necessary that such misunderstandings result in open hostility.

I recommend that we come to an understanding about our border. May I suggest that Albaldah serve as the easternmost edge of your empire, while Giedi will serve as my westernmost edge?

What say you?

David
Emperor of Jib
Tyrant of Dheneb
Conqueror of Syrma
Lord of the Star-lanes

---

[Kkkxxxxxxzzźzzz] .... transmission isnt ....... [zzzzzz] tru. Repeat pl.... [zzzzzzz]
[Kzzzzzzz] armada your way [Kzzxxxxzzzz] so I ha.. [zzzz] better signal [kzzzzzx] Ok?

Sjeng~

---

I am afraid that your last transmission was terribly garbled. My High Admiral thinks that you have suggested that an armada is on the way toward the border. This would be most unfortunate if it were truly the case.

However, because of this potential miscommunication, I have bowed to her suggestion, and have dispatched forces from the Southern Battlefleet to reinforce the current line. It would be just awful if things became unstable, and my forces had no choice but to restore order.

David
Emperor of Jib
Tyrant of Dheneb
Conqueror of Syrma
Lord of the Star-lanes

---

Aloha aloha,

I rerouted the signal and also build an interstellar antenna at Albaldah, so communication has improved. Luckily sound doesnt go that fast and I was able to receive your first transmission a couple of lightyears closer to my home planet.

I must admit your High Admiral had keen eyes. She certainly hasnt her head into her shell.
It isnt a mistake. My complete armada is heading your way. Partly because my commanders aboard my battleships got bored and partly because my wife wants to make some turtle soup for dinner.

Honestly speaking, I am more afraid of my wife then I am for you, so what do you propose?
My 14 lightyear old son suggested you hand me over "Taygeta" so I can bend my armada into north direction. I probably also can suggest my wife not to have turtle soup for dinner. Notice how Elspeth has named all his planets into Earthly fruits and vegetables? Those make fine ingredients for my wifes' soup. If you agree on this you are invited for dinner. If not then you are dinner.......

Sjeng
Ruler of galaxies





"But his wife is the real boss"
"Hey son, I heard that!!!! Go back to your room or I let your mom punish you. Oh shit, I am still transmittin[kzzzzzzzzzzz]

---

Sjeng ~

Your new “antenna” has certainly cleared the signal. Unfortunately the picture it paints is not a good one.

My suggestion is that you focus your efforts from Yay to Mustard, so as to have access to Chili, Onion, etc. Or, alternately you focus on Bilbo (green circle) to the east, who will be a much easier bite to swallow. Rumor has it that hobbits keep very well stocked pantries.

You will find my people’s hard shells, and harder heads unappetising. Difficult to get into, tough to chew, bitter in flavor, and for all your efforts you’ll just end up in the sanitation closet for hours.

As for Taygeta, It does not seem to offer much for you strategically that you do not already have from Yay. You might suggest to your spawn that he spend more time analyzing the real value of various stars. A lone star, far from your main lines is just asking to be picked off.

David
Emperor of Jib
Tyrant of Dheneb
Conqueror of Syrma
Lord of the Star-lanes

---

Ok David.

No turtle soup it is then.
Peace it shall be.
I aim to finish second because at least you talk. Elspeth hadn't responded. Don't know if my antenna was too small. (According to my wife it is)

Anyway. I won't attack that kiddo Bilbo. Every time I am near he hides in his holes and starts whining about being new around here. Made my crazy so I agreed to leave him alone. Won't betray him.
I will help you finish first, for as far as you need any help.

Do with Morse's commander, Cpt. Gige Lo, whatever you feel appropriate. That commander was getting to close with my wife anyway, hebce I send him as far away as possible. In fact, the whole crew seemed getting along fine with my wife, so they are yours.

Sjeng

---

Sjeng ~

The hobbit needs to put on his big boy pants. The game has gone on long enough for him to realize this. Besides, he just asked to trade for Weapons 7. I suppose he might be going after Modern Day Vampire… or he might be going after you. I’d watch your back. Cowards tend to attack when they think you’re not looking.

Best of luck on your quest to 2nd. That’s where I was initially aiming for, until I managed to snag yellow’s capital system on a longshot raid. It’s amazing how an extra 20 industry can help boost your game.

Cpt. Gige Lo will find that he made a poor choice, though your mating habits are odd. Laying eggs is so much easier.

David
Emperor of Jib
Tyrant of Dheneb
Conqueror of Syrma
Lord of the Star-lanes

Neptune's Pride 2: Triton

Neptune's Pride 2: Triton is a space strategy game that plays at something much closer to real time than most games, spanning weeks instead of hours.

It's a fairly standard setup. You start with 6 stars, and 7 opponents. There are a host of uninhabited stars of various quality that you can capture and develop. Each star is given a base rank, which you can improve through developing your terraforming skill. On top of that you can improve the 3 stats of a star - Economy, Industry, and Science.

Economy gives you money every 24 hours
Industry builds your warships
Science gives you science points every hour to develop various skills: Banking, Manufacturing, Weapons, Range, Scanners, etc.

Improving good stars is cheaper than bad ones, but in the end its total number of stars that will win the game. However, if you have lots of good stars that you've improved, you'll be better off than your opponents if they developed their lesser stars.

Diplomacy and tech trading are very important aspects of the game. Alliances are usually temporary at best, and at worst a ruse to lure you into a sense of complacency from which you will be attacked.

Because of the time it takes to get from star to star (hours) nothing happens in the game quickly. Generally you really only need to check in for a couple of minutes once or twice a day. So while a game may take weeks to play out, it doesn't really rule your live.

Below are pictures from my current game.The first is an overview zoomed out of the whole game. I'm Orange. Purple, Blue, and Yellow have already quit the game, but will be run as non-aggressive AIs for the remained of play.The stars with white centers are ones that are in my scanning range. The ones without color are unclaimed.

And this picture shows where the action is is taking place, at least in my part of the galaxy.

The purple player has quit the game, and I'm mopping up the last of his stars. I'm allied with Red against Green, but he wasn't supposed to attack till Friday morning. At least this should distract green until I go for it tomorrow. That ship in the lower left side with 159 attack ships is 28 hours our of Rastaban, the orange star in the upper middle of the picture.

Things can take an excruciatingly long time to happen.

There are a number of really funny play reports about how the game ruined friendships. This one in particular about the first version of the game made me really want to play. You'll be laughing, I promise!

Get Torchlight for Free!

Torchlight is a diablo-like game, made by some of the same people who made Diablo, and until Thursday 12:59pm GMT you can get it for free!

Now, I'd heard about it before, but never checked it out. No time, really. However, last night I got to see it in action, and if you liked Diablo, you'll like this. It does what the diablo games did so well, letting you run around and kill stuff, smash things, and have a good time without having to worry about much of a storyline.

It also avoids all sorts of unnecessary choices for a game like this. You get to pick one of 3 characters, and one of 3 animal companions that have some interesting options of their own. No picking hair color, or skin tone, or even what sex you are. Pick a class and play!

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/11/4/

Then you go, kill stuff, get XP, better items, and kill more stuff.

It is, in some ways, very old school. And yes, it's a little more cartoony than Diablo, but does it matter in play? Nope. Not a bit.

So go! Download it now! The price couldn't be better, and you also get the soundtrack for free, which I think is a nice touch.

WoW...

While I normally write about Rules Cyclopedia D&D (from 1991 for those keeping track), it's about time I talked about something way more current.. 2004 to be exact...

As I’ve mentioned before, I share my life/house/dogs with a WoW and Diablo 3 player. In spite of this I’ve managed for years to avoid games like Everquest, EVE, Star Wars, Star Trek, Final Fantasy, Guild Wars, etc. and even WoW. I have spent a fair amount of time watching her play, and even have helped her out by looking up stuff for her while she played, but I managed to avoid getting roped in myself.

This changed Friday when I finally joined the ranks of the MMORPG players. Above you can see the picture of my first character - Alveste the Frost Mage. Short in stature, tall in power, narrow of purpose and wide of vision!* Well, not really. You see, I've only played for maybe 8-10 hours total. I’d give you an exact total, but I couldn’t find anywhere that actually logged it. In that time I’ve managed to hit level 21. I haven’t been pushing my leveling quite as quickly as I might since I’ve been playing with the professions and doing a bit of exploring beyond what’s needed to gain XP.

So what got me to play? A special mount. No, not for me, but for my S.O. Plus there are some things that are just easier to do with a couple of people in-game.

So far I’m enjoying it, though of course just after I start, Blizzard does a big patch that changes the whole game in preparation for the Mists of Kung Fu Panda. I expect to see lots of Panda and monk characters running around in about a month.

---

*I actually didn’t much care for Krull when I first watched it. The sci-fi fantasy overlap bothered me, as did the fact that the soundtrack sounded exactly like Star Trek II. While the soundtrack thing still bothers me, I think my other issue has been addressed through my exposure to the OSR and the more classic pulp sci-fi and fantasy

Diablo Dowager

Have you ever heard of WoW Widows? They’re the partners of World of Warcraft players who can't step AFK and spend time in the real world. It isn't just limited to WoW either. Just about every MMO has some. It goes beyond computer games too as evidenced by other examples like football widows.

Now, my partner plays WoW, but it isn’t an addiction. She’s actually a responsible adult, for which I’m very thankful. It probably helps that

However, Diablo III came out yesterday. You might have heard something about it?

What you need to know is that she loves the Diablo games. She's played them through numerous times, with all the expansions, all the classes, and has been waiting for a decade for this game. She's so into it that she got a new computer almost solely to play it!

Earlier today Amazon delivered the game to our doorstep.

Now I have become as much of a victim of Azmodan and Belial as Deckard Cain.

This is as close to it as I'm able to get, and only because she had to leave the house (20 minutes after it finished installing and she started her first character).

Morrowind - Why I Hated The Game of the Year

Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is an award winning, Game of the Year RPG for the PC and X-Box. I bought the X-Box version because I heard that it was such an amazing game, and it is, or at least some of it is.

The world of Morrowind is designed for exploration. The game designers made it an expansive place with lots of interesting things to see and interact with. It seems to be about as much of a sandbox as you can get out of a videogame. The graphics are top notch, at least they were. This unfortunately means that the X-Box has a hard time managing it. Load times take forever, and it has a tendency to be jerky, and even crash.

Character creation is another area where you can tell they put a lot of time into it. There are a wide variety of races and classes to choose from. There is also a lot of customization that you can do with the way your character appears. The options are so wide that it can be hard to pick.

Unfortunately movement and combat show just how much they tried to cram into this game, as these aspects both suffer. Movement is ok, but it’s possible to get your character stuck on things like bushes, a patch of grass, or doorhandles. There is a jumping option, but I can’t say that I ever found it very useful except as a way to become unstuck.

Combat involves getting your target in your cross hairs, and swinging. It’s fiddly, and I really disliked it. There wasn’t any option (that I could discover) for any alternate attacks, and the standing there trading blows was not only fiddly, but boring. At least in many other games where you stand there and wack on each other it at least looks interesting. The lack of a good tutorial didn’t help it any either. I can’t remember the last game I played that didn’t have a solid combat tutorial. The same process of lining your target in the cross-hairs and clicking is used for interacting with things. Be it a door you want to open or an item you want to pick up. The process is still fiddly, but picking flowers or grabbing a torch isn’t likely to get you killed!

Interacting with people generally involves a LOT of reading. The more you talk to people and learn things, the more options you open up for later conversations. Unfortunately there is so much information that it’s hard to keep track of it, even with the journal.

After trying it out several times, reading walk-throughs, and other things online, I was left with the simple conclusion that while Morrowind is a fascinating game, it isn’t the game I’m looking for. What I want is more Knights of the Old Republic. I’ve played both, and Jade Empire, and for an RPG it hits everything I’m looking for. I’m finding Fable to be interesting and fairly engrossing as well. Seeing that I don’t have a whole lot of time to spend playing videogames, I find myself pretty picky about what gets my attention. Morrowind had its chance, and then some.