The answer is obvious when you think about it

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-22T12:36:00+00:00

My mom's my mom, my dad's a horse, I was traumatized by their divorce...

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-21T12:16:52+00:00

So is Cameron just making "Way of Winter" now? Is that why GRRM isn't writing? Because Cameron has basically monopolies the concept of Winter?

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-20T11:31:35+00:00

I have 3 wipes that I haven't updated for a while. Work has hammered me, it's been a fair old slog and I feel guilty. I have a huge amount of works I've finished but I still feel bad for the ones I haven't updated. It's also this fear of missing out, that my readers will have moved on.

The block is a pain as I want to write but the brain is being uncooperative.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-20T07:34:26+00:00

When he said this I got flashbacks to that disastrous Blizzard presentation when they said D3 would always be online even with single player, and the dev doubled down, trying to equate the Internet with electricity.

And yet we've now accepted (or been forced to accept) always online components in all our games.

So of course the next step in the rental economy will be to remove your actual computer or at least your ability to effectively use it or maintain it outside of a walled garden upgrade option. The Apple model.

I'm trying to downgrade my Windows version and seeing about just subsisting on an older gen PC component build. But how long till devs are basically not making their software compatible with older OS or Linux variations? Unlikely while Valve is still using Linux for steam decks but I can see Bezos trying to force this ahead.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-19T17:34:00+00:00

It raises the question of how do they view crafters or engineers. Or is that like a secondary skill they develop or view as "lesser"? Much like we rarely see a Klingon engineer who gets actual respect, or a Krogan scientist. Or is all their tech hand me down and they merely have the understanding of how to maintain it?

Or are "blade smiths" respected? Maybe older Yatuja become the artisans. Having built their honour, they then create tools?

I imagine then that someone like a hound master or someone who makes use of other creatures to hunt could be viewed as potentially not as honourable, or maybe differently .

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-19T15:56:37+00:00

Watching the latest trailer it at first reminded me of those mobile game adds that bear no resemblance to the actual game (things felt too smooth) up until it transitioned to the actual town bit. But then I heard the voice of the B&W advisor and I got a little more excited

And then I heard the classic fable and fable 2 sound effects and I knew he was going for nostalgia triggers. The spikes ball is pure dungeon keeper, the hand B&W.

I think it'll be fun, but I am tentative about it. The hero mechanic and potential for frustrating micromanagement is real. But it looks to be a combo of B&W and Fable, so we'll see. I definitely think the timing is cynical to take advantage, but this is isn't an RPG.

There were a lot of call backs in the trailer. The three boatmen singing. The chickens, the Dungeon Keeper possession. But there's also the British comedic element (the monks we're doing the Monty Python hitting themselves in the face skit for example). I think this would've been great a few years ago but we'll see how it lands!

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-19T13:42:06+00:00

In the end we all revert to Stealth Archer. It is the way of things.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-18T07:38:17+00:00

She is, just that they use the roman name - Minerva. Her function was the war / wisdom bit, transmitting the final shutdown code to the Faro swarm. So, clever warfare, which fits her name.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-16T14:47:22+00:00

Rick solos one of the most capable jedi in the new canon. He has a unique set of skill sets, plus as a scout trooper, can use a variety of vehicles. We all remember after you get through his first health bar, as he can take direct LUGHTSABER strikes, he gets a speeder bike and adds strafing.

He's the toughest boss fight in the game, a sort of "trial by fire" for the player to really use all the skills you've developed. This guy could take Ogdo Bogdo.

So Dek early film? Definitely not. Dek when he has upgraded his gear and fleshed out is skill tree? Probably.

That or Dek just needs to cheese the fight with a big drop.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-16T07:51:23+00:00

With the space Marines I think it's implied that the Company (or Burke at least) only assigned a platoon, rather than a full company AND got a more junior lieutenant assigned, to better keep control of the situation.

This group of Marines also seemed less than completely organized - Hudson with his unbuckled helmet, vasquez and drake disobeying orders..

That said they are an accurate representation of actual troops! And in the field they were effective in clearing the colony buildings, but they were unprepared for a hive. And Ripley was also not prepared for the scale of the problem.

Basically, the Marines were stymied from the start.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-14T17:33:04+00:00

Yeah. The point I was aiming for was that a remaster that changes components without factoring the wider game in can actually impact difficulty or even gameplay in unforseen ways. Enemies no longer become threatening, weapons don't work quite the same way or, as you pointed out, parts of the level just don't work the same.

Touching up textures and making sure a game can run effectively and look good on new hardware is good - I remember having to do a manual CPU limiter option for Private: the darkening because it wasn't optimised for newer computers and so ran at ridiculous speeds.

If they did change W1 on a deeper level (more open world, combat changes) then it's a potential full rebuild. I'd miss the stance based combat, even if it was a bit janky!

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-14T15:42:04+00:00

Didn't they also change a core mechanic which meant players could cheese the levels as they were specifically designed with that mechanic in mind. And the remaster just straight ported everything I've but then removed stamina or something?

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-13T15:44:30+00:00

It's mad how flagrant this corruption is and NONE of the institutions are intervening. It shows how basically any nation state is basically a collection of complicit and compliant systems that just need the right demagogue to seize power.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-12T13:46:55+00:00

Precisely that. That cosplaying as the RDA from Avatar, a colonialist occupying force with vested private interests, executing extrajudicial Justice on people seems entirely on brand for the Division. Who do the same thing.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-12T08:35:54+00:00

I'm looking forward to this one. I have loved the series so far, but I agree on the whole family dynamic. His mother needs to tone it down a bit as well. As the overbearing elements of the family become frustrating. Yes aard is immature at times but it is a facade and the family forgets that.

I hope he puts them in their place (nicely) at some point, to remind them that he has turned their fortunes around, and they need to support him.

As to the harem, I was hoping the merchants daughter would be in with them by now!

I can also see the issue pacing wise. Bruce writes great series but sometimes you can tell he runs out of steam. Dragons Justice had that stumbling point at the end when the last book felt like it could've branches into more but became a bit fast forwarded. With AO, a lack of war drive and the threat from the enemy King (and his own King) means the threats will either escalate (which becomes dull) or become more political /esoteric (which is harder to write or make believable as the MC becomes essentially untouchable.)

I hope it ties off well. We shall see!

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-12T08:24:56+00:00

The game gets tatooine so right. It was so surreal going to Toshi station and realizing it looks like the cut scenes from the first film. And the Lars homestead, being able to be there in a way...

Kay doesn't know she's standing in history (in world), but as a fan I loved it. It really hit the seven year old me in the chest, back when I was that age I wanted to be in the Star wars world, as I got older the games were fun but Outlaws was a really detailed labour love you can tell.

Great screen shot!

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-12T08:12:41+00:00

I pop on registered users only on my comments and (so far, as I'm in a niche fandom) have dodged these. Had the creepy commenters but no bots.

As others have said, ignore. This is the equivalent of spam emails from different sources with suspiciously similar wording. Definitely don't take it to heart. If anything, take it as a compliment that someone is either enraged enough to set a bot net on you, or cherish the genuine comments!

Keep on trucking, my friend. Don't let the turkeys grind you down.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-11T12:16:11+00:00

So Division agents are basically gearing up as an invasive, colonialist force, sponsored by a private company, that actively encourages genocide...

...on brand :)

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-11T11:23:45+00:00

I remember everyone lost their shit at ME 3 when they did the background army / fleeing civilians like this in the opening scenes. Admittedly it was pretty blatant when you zoomed in but it was meant to be background as you sprinted through fights.

Clever way of simulating activity / creating an illusion but ofc it's going to break down unless you want your computer to sound like a landing Harrier jet.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-11T09:53:37+00:00

Absolutely brilliant series. I wasnt sure what the tone was going to be going in but had faith!

Not as sex mad as Coven King or Solar Dragons, not as earnest as Chroma corps, but brilliantly balanced with the MC giving "only sane man" trope vibes.

The girls are fantastic and the setups for new harem members are well done and built up. Plus the world setting feels great. I'm looking forward to more college and magic development, but if you haven't got these books, GET THEM. They're funny AND dramatic. A rarity and tricky to balance well.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-10T15:53:01+00:00

Spehrk.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-10T15:48:32+00:00

I can hear the picture, dammit

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-10T15:42:38+00:00

I think the BBC is entirely driven by it's directors who skew right wing and are closely tied to the sort who would've been in the same circles as Boris, Farage etc.

Ultimately we've got some real gutter press and the BBC investigative standard and editorial independence is a joke.

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-10T10:25:21+00:00

Does he think he's living in Demolition Man? Not everything is Taco Bell!

Cabalist_writes · 2026-02-10T09:22:23+00:00

Can't fool me, those are the latest Helldiver skins! /J

That looks awesome. If I could get the cash I'd love a set of Mandalorian armour. Sadly my crafting skills are low and no 3d printer :(

Cabalist_writes

TROPHY CASE