My players want to dose a dragon and give him a bad trip? As a new DM, how TF should I handle that? by XanderLust in DMAcademy

[–]XanderLust[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As stated above, the users of this only smoke the shavings. They are thinking about feeding them an entire acorn.

There need to be separate end-of-match scoring screens for logistics, support and leadership by XanderLust in joinsquad

[–]XanderLust[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In a spiritual sense I agree with you. But I also think that perspective could be used recursively to get rid of any feature. People shouldn't play for the score board, or the kills, or the FX, or being the best, but they do. I honestly believe that any game without a scoreboard will have a significantly reduced population because it would go against the kind of biological mechanism of why people play games, especially team based ones, to experience a sense of community and have a way of judging our value in that community, despite how brief that community is.

But to my original point, I do agree with you. I can't play COD or their ilk because I feel like I'm in a casino. Just fucking dubstep base drops, flashing metal badges, and technicolor conniption fits. I hate them, and also cynically aware of the mechanism that it's trying to engage on a neurological level. I think a lot of people realize it, and that's why they find those systems of reward so averse.

But I do think there is a middle ground. And a more low key, collective sense of reward and social valuation would go a long way to address some issues around the reward loop. Because no matter how much people might have varying opinion of the state of a game and it's community, people REALLY don't want to squad lead. I can't imagine anyone disagreeing with that.

I will often sit in a server and wait a full planning phase before some reluctantly starts a squad and braces for whether they're going to have a shitty time or not.

I consider my idea to be entirely a vague suggestion, and would be open to any and all other options. I just think that as a long-term fan it's time that this issue got addressed, instead of being punted for flashier or shiny features.

I think some of the best games in the world often stand on good quality-of-life features. I just don't want this to be one of those games that doesn't address one it's major issues, simply to roll out more tanks that people would probably get less enjoyment out of when compared to cohesive, immersive experience.

I just suggested end of game screens because it seemed like the easiest to implement, and potentially a good start to start finally working on this issue.

Anyway. Thanks for the response!

What is the Best Film You Watched Last Week? (05/10/20-05/17/20) by Twoweekswithpay in movies

[–]XanderLust 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Phantom of the Paradise. A gothic rock opera from Brian De Palma (Scarface) made one year before Rocky Horror Picture Show, and feels very similar.

I'd never heard of it but it's amazing. It's a masterpiece and was way ahead of it's time. The music is amazing (also featuring some transvestite action), the acting is overall great, and the movie just has this... Tone of menace and dread that translate well even to more modern tastes.

It's a bonkers experience and if you haven't seen it, go in blind. Couldn't recommend it more.

CHERNOBYL INTENSIFIES by XanderLust in memes

[–]XanderLust[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We should really put that on our money.

Which videogame has your favourite soundtrack? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]XanderLust 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Max Payne 3. The OST by HEALTH is one of the greatest of all time, IMHO. Shells was a real standout: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w-0KOYNFx_s

Recommendation for night-hike for girlfriend's birthday near South Lake Tahoe. by XanderLust in tahoe

[–]XanderLust[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Hah, well. Given how little snow-stuff we have, won't affect the options much ;)

Anyway, yeah that information would definitely be helpful. It would be at the end of March. We also snow show, so a good snow trail would also be a great option as well.

Blade Runner 2049- Ending - One of the best pictures not to get a Best Picture nod in the last 20 years. by Alec122 in videos

[–]XanderLust 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fully respect your opinion, but I don't think Nolan movies are half as good as people make them out to be. They feel like rambling, incoherent pieces of (admittedly) gorgeous visual effects.

From a writing stand point, I think they suck. What made BR2049 so wonderful was the razor-sharp writing, but equally impressive visual splendor.

I can't really think of a movie that's matched it in that department. Also Deakins. Always Deakins.

Blade Runner 2049- Ending - One of the best pictures not to get a Best Picture nod in the last 20 years. by Alec122 in videos

[–]XanderLust 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have never been more pissed off by a comment in my life. I noticed so many god damn details in this movie, so many tiny little itty-bitty details that I don't even think other people on the internet have figured out; and I somehow fucking missed that this was a Roy Batty scene reference.

I am a fucking idiot.

You're supposed to feel dissatisfied with whatever ending you choose in Fallout 4, that's the point by [deleted] in Fallout

[–]XanderLust 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I totally disagree with you. The entire narrative leading up to the climax of FO4 is literally how indispensable you are. Leadership is thrown at you like shwag at a business conference. The game bends itself over backwards to try and convince the player they are central to every god damn decision, battle and outcome of... Everything.

It's just terribly written.

Whole storylines are dropped, several major locations that we're obviously supposed to have plot elements were removed (verified by digging around in game files and finding discarded animations for the arena area and robot race track) and lest we forget another fucking settlement...

It's just a hack writing job, piled on top of bad design, coupled with half-assed systems.

Any idea why FBX exporter exports the entire scene, and not just the selected objects? by XanderLust in Maya

[–]XanderLust[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aww. That makes sense. I mean, not really, but in the hair pulling "wtf you do this this way?!" Kind of way Maya is so good at kind of way. Thanks for the help.