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Latest Comments by g000h
Feral Interactive are teasing something, again
5 May 2017 at 12:41 am UTC Likes: 1

Well, my preference would be for it to be DOOM (2016) which does have chain-guns in game. A little video example:

View video on youtube.com

However, general opinion is that it is going to be DoW 3, and my bet is on that being the actual release.

Valve have changed how gifting games works
4 May 2017 at 11:55 pm UTC Likes: 1

Something that comes to mind, on reading this:

Assume you have a load of 4-pack game gifts (for instance) lying in your inventory because you haven't gifted them 'yet'. Then under this scheme you gift them to someone, and that person declines the gift. So the rejected gifted game gets put back into your Steam account as Wallet Credit.

1) Is it definitely going to work that way? (Or am I missing something.)

2) If I buy a 4-pack game for £10. The single game is £4 (say). I then 'gift' and get the 3 gifted games rejected by the persons I gifted them to. Then that would mean I get £7.50 of Wallet Credit back in my account instead? Is "that" how it would work? Sounds like a system which is open to "abuse".

7 Days to Die massive update released, Linux version seems to work okay now
3 May 2017 at 2:02 pm UTC

Although this is quite an old article, adding some of my recent experiences (April/May 2017) with 7 Days To Die. I'm playing Alpha 15.2 version.

I have been quite blown-away by the game. In about 3 weeks, I have been excessively playing it (totalling 100+ hours). It is a shame that development has been plodding along fairly slowly for the past 3 years, and it is still considered as Early Access, but despite that the game plays with practically zero crashes (for me).

Quite impressed that the couple of times the game did crash, going back into it took me to the same point in my travels.

So, you might ask, WHY do I think so highly of it?

It is currently a bit of an unpolished diamond. Yes, there are graphical glitches and various minor things could be improved to make it into a more professional product. BUT, its core game play is very good indeed. The game is incredibly immersive and you really feel like you're in this post-apocalyptic setting, doing what you need to do to survive.

You feel like you have lots of choice and freedom to decide how you're going to take things forward.

I started the game not really understanding the controls, not knowing how to begin crafting. I haven't played Rust, Minecraft or similar game. I suppose Dying Light is the closest game I've played to this - But Dying Light doesn't have the base building or resource mining, and there is a lot less strategy, resource, and time management aspects to Dying Light. (However, Dying Light does excel on the other content - fighting mechanics, parkour, 3d graphic models, quests)

You start off with a pretty weak character, and when zombies come shambling over your best bet is to run off. The zombies are the classic shamblers during daytime. So when you're aware of their presence it is easy enough to keep out of their range. But if you aren't watching around yourself, listening for noises, you could miss one and be attacked from behind or even surrounded by a bunch of them. This ties in very well with the scavenging and resource gathering. While you're concentrating on digging for clay (which you need for bricks), and failing to keep an eye around you, then the zombies sneak up and strike (and bam - you're dead). It is one of those immersive aspects of the game.

Similar to the Dying Light game, your character gains ability in particular skills by using those skills. So, running around a lot improves your athletic ability and your stamina and you are able to run around for longer without getting tired. Digging for resources improves your skill in that area, which in turn allows you to mine for resources faster. Your character levels up every so often, and you have a load of possible skills to improve with level-up points. e.g. Improve your archery, your scavenging, your treasure finding ability, your pistol shooting, your crafting speed, your bartering with NPCs. It's a nice progression, and it means that your character gets customised to your play style. Let's say you want to create a cowboy character, then you can aim to develop skills in those directions - i.e. Gun smithing, and pistol and magnum (6-shooter) shooting.

The base building side really comes into play in the evenings in the game world. During evening, the zombies turn from shambling hulks to rather-more-agile awkward runners. They are also a bit better at sensing / smelling you in the evening, which makes it a very deadly time to be out in the woods on your own. So, you aim to build a base during daytime, and hide away in it during the night. While in the base, sorting through your inventory (e.g. putting all your food into this box), crafting items (e.g. making arrows), eating your meagre provisions, planning how you're going to spend the next day (e.g. looking at the map, deciding which way you're going to explore). Also you could be on the battlements of your base, sniping the zombies. All this activity does keep the game very engaging and interesting. Also, the fact that the zombies will sniff you out, and attack the base and break through walls - makes it a very tense and captivating experience.

My very first base was built on the top of a small hill, so I could survey the land around me. It had a locked door in and out, a ladder on the inside leading to the roof. And I could walk around on the roof, with my bow and arrows, out of reach of zombies and somewhere to escape (jump off and keep running!) if they broke the door down. Well, I found out a number of things. The base wasn't up to spec. They broke in. They could climb the ladder and get to the roof. They don't tire, so while you and they run at approx the same speed (at night), they can keep on going where your stamina runs out and you slow down to a crawl.

And that's where the beauty of "7 Days To Die" lies. Once you've been beat, you haven't built a great base, you need to plan how you're going to build a better one. Where are you going to put it. How you're going to fortify it. And doing all this while thinking about all the resources you need to collect, e.g. wood for building, food for nutrition, clean water for safe drinking.

Very immersive. You really feel like you're in the zombie-ridden world, trying to survive, thinking what you're going to do to avoid being killed. Freedom of choice to do things the way you see fit. A big realistic environment - Plains, snow-covered mountains, forests, towns, farms, hot deserts, rivers, lakes. The environment - e.g. Wetness, Cold, Heat - All affect you, so you need to counter those conditions.

Even though it is Early Access, I'm really enjoying it as it is running now. I'm actually surprised at how great this game is. Really addicted by it. Want to play more and more of it.

BUT, one little thing I've noticed now that I've put quite a bit into the game. It gets harder and harder over time, and I'm starting to get frustrated that the threat is too great for me to cope with any more. There are some ways to cheat the game, but I'm not keen to resort to such things. Also, the game is modification rich and there are lots of config settings, so I could probably turn down the threat a bit if I wanted.

Wednesday Madness, a quick look at some good Linux gaming deals
3 May 2017 at 11:47 am UTC

Picked up the full Humble Very Positive Bundle for myself. I was particularly interested in "The Curious Expedition" but the rest were appealing. "Stephen's Sausage Roll" is lauded as a great game.

Also, this deal is still on:

Duke Grabowski, Mighty Swashbuckler at 72% discount, and includes Steam key and DRM-free download. (It is similar to old-skool Lucas Arts point and click adventures.) I bought it myself a couple of days ago (with the Humble Subscription discount, so even cheaper.)

GOG staff state that Galaxy for Linux is being worked on, but still no ETA
2 May 2017 at 12:54 pm UTC Likes: 1

Quoting: Aryvandaar
Quoting: g000hMy feeling is that it is a waste of time for Linux gamers to voice hatred of either of these big Linux supporters. (Better to direct your energy into contacting game developers who are not releasing for Linux 'yet'.)

I don't get all this drama, and I never liked the entitlement from some Linux gamers. The +1 thing on steam forums is pretty lame. If the developers want to make Linux port, they will, if not I don't think there is much you can say to convince them. It's a fool's errand.

The only thing that helps is using Linux and buying Linux games. If you can, from the porter's store.

I think we're better of just ignoring those who don't support Linux gaming. Just focus on those who do.

You're right. Gamers should put their time and energy in the direction of what is available for them already - and there is plenty for Linux. But, if they want to sound their frustrations and not be positive about what they have, then directing it in the correct place is preferable.

GOG staff state that Galaxy for Linux is being worked on, but still no ETA
2 May 2017 at 10:32 am UTC Likes: 2

The GOG Galaxy client for Linux - For me, it would be nice to have but it is in no way necessary for me to enjoy my GOG DRM-free games collection. In fact I tend to prefer *not* running a client and at least having a choice in the matter (i.e. not being forced to use a client).

In Steam's case, the client is being used for game ownership authentication most of the time, and other features like gathering play statistics. It is good that the Steam client offers Offline Mode, which generally allows you to play anything in your library without an internet connection being necessary. Also I understand that quite a number of games which are also available as DRM-free purchases can be downloaded off Steam and then played without Steam client being active.

My own preferred solution to DRM-free goodness is when a DRM-free game turns up on Humble Bundle store. In this case, you generally get the DRM-free download of the game (across all platforms) as well as the Steam key for the game. In fact I'd probably buy more stuff from GOG if I got the game on GOG as well as a Steam key. (Of course it is perfectly understandable why that is not the case: GOG don't want to give part of their earnings to Steam.)

One thing outside of the GOG Galaxy client that bothers me: When the GOG version of the game isn't maintained well by the developers. In some cases, the developers aren't bothering to release the Linux version of the game on GOG, but it is available on Steam. In other cases, the developers are not keeping the game up to date on GOG (while keeping it up to date on Steam).

Regarding the hatred being shown by some people to each game-selling platform (GOG, Steam, others):

GOG DO support Linux gaming. Often they handle repackaging older games so that they run under Linux (via WINE wrappers) themselves. Having a game in DRM-free version is also very much in the Linux spirit (i.e. not being locked into running a closed-source game client).

Steam DO support Linux gaming. If anything, Steam has greatly helped Linux to go forward with gaming. Without Steam, Linux would not be enjoying the quantity and quality of games which are available now. The fact that a game is DRM-free or not is not the fault of Steam, it is the fault of the game developers.

My feeling is that it is a waste of time for Linux gamers to voice hatred of either of these big Linux supporters. (Better to direct your energy into contacting game developers who are not releasing for Linux 'yet'.)

Good deals going this week for Linux gamers, a quick look
28 April 2017 at 4:49 pm UTC

Broforce is on GOG's weekend sale. Fantastic game. Highly recommended. Much fun.

75% off

GOG staff state that Galaxy for Linux is being worked on, but still no ETA
28 April 2017 at 10:06 am UTC

Quoting: Althorion
Quoting: ZlopezI personally hate to manage the downloaded games. I forgot any game, that I don't see in Steam.
You can manually add non-Steam games to Steam to be able to see them.

I didn't know about this. Thanks for mentioning it. Seems there are a number of things you can use it for (other than having a single launcher for your entire game library):

https://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/9616/is-there-any-point-in-adding-a-non-steam-game-to-steam

Good deals going this week for Linux gamers, a quick look
27 April 2017 at 1:06 pm UTC

I'm a big fan of "Heretic/Hexen-style" fantasy FPS shooter - Ziggurat. And at 75% off, that is a good price.

I picked up Beholder in the last few days, which is 55% off on Steam. (Discount lasts until 30th April.) Not played it yet, but it looks interesting.

Two Worlds II to release on Linux in May, along with engine upgrade & Call of the Tenebrae DLC
21 April 2017 at 10:42 pm UTC

Quoting: JudasIscariot
Quoting: liamdawe
Quoting: pete910
QuoteTwo Worlds II to be released on Linux in May

Fixed, in future, please use the corrections box.

Where is this "corrections box"? I don't see one or I am blind...

You're blind. It is immediately above "Comments [Subscribe]" box.