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Latest Comments by kaiman
Microsoft's new Recall AI will take screenshots of everything you do - freaky
23 May 2024 at 5:11 pm UTC Likes: 4

Saw some headlines and was hoping (against all odds) that Microsoft was finally recalling Windows. Bummer ...

EA want to put adverts in your video games to squeeze you for every penny
13 May 2024 at 6:22 pm UTC

Quoting: tfkWho wants to play some Command & Coca Cola?
I'd rather go for Pepsi, Please

Quoting: pbI don't like the idea itself, but to be the devil's advocate: it *can* be done right.
The statement is a bit vague, but the way they talk about "many billions of hours spent [...] creating, watching [...] where much of that engagement happens [...] on the bounds of a traditional game experience, [...] advertising has an opportunity [...] of growth for us.", that sounds to me as if the ads will be shown to the people watching on Twitch, not to the guy or gal streaming the game.

But of course, once the viewers are used to it, might be best to give them the same experience when they turn to play the game themselves :-).

SDL 3 will prefer Wayland Over X11, if certain protocols are available
28 March 2024 at 6:11 pm UTC Likes: 1

Quoting: nwildnerWayland is being around for the last 15 years so, need to push it hard or it will never replace the already bloated and hard to maintain X11.
Sounds to me that it doesn't really have a benefit to the end user, otherwise it would have been adopted much faster. I understand it's a necessity for developers, because X11 is dated and the code is in bad shape, but for everyone else it's apparently doing the job just fine.

So to me the question is, is there anything I'm missing out on when using X11? HDR support, maybe? (not that I'd have a HDR-capable display). In short, what's the incentive to switch from a user perspective?

GOG begin funding indie devs with Loco Motive releasing this Summer
26 March 2024 at 5:48 pm UTC

Yeah, the game jam version was really well done, so I'm glad the full release is coming to GOG, Linux or not.

Not quite sure I see the benefit for GOG, however. If they just sell the game, they make some profit (perhaps), but if they invest into the game before selling it, I can't really see them making more profit (unless without investment there would be no game). And that in addition to the news we had some time ago that GOG wasn't that profitable to begin with.

The only thing I could imagine is that they want to get more indie devs to release their games on GOG as well. I've seen a lot of really good games that can be found on Steam only, and I don't think it's just because GOG is so picky.

Mini Airways is like Mini Metro / Mini Motorways but for aircraft
25 March 2024 at 5:19 pm UTC Likes: 2

Quoting: PinguinoI was interested at first, but just watching the video got me so stressed I'm probably better off steering clear of this one.
Actual gameplay is a bit hard to read from the video, but I get the same impression.

The great thing about Mini Motorways is that you can pause any time you want, add or modify your streets, then resume and see things unfold. While traffic inevitably will collapse, until it does the game can be such a chill experience, with an equally chill and calming soundscape. And at the same time it's also highly addictive ... one of the "just one more round" variety.

Founder of Baldur's Gate 3 developer blasts publisher greed
23 March 2024 at 10:02 am UTC Likes: 2

Quoting: pbMuch, much earlier there were "data disks" that gave you a set of new levels for the game.
The one that comes to mind are the various add-ons to Test Drive II (new cars, new tracks). That must have been around '89 or '90.

The first game expansion I remember was The Forge of Virtue, for Ultima VII, '92.

Quoting: JarmerI do find it interesting that Larian themselves have a history of doing expansions and then "definitive editions" or whatever they call it.
I'd expect at least a definitive edition for BG3, as they are still working on fixes and patches. Though maybe the changes won't be as radical as supposedly with D:OS or D:OS2. (Hard to judge what changed in those games, as I only played one version of each. Initial one for the former, final one for latter.)

Quoting: ArehandoroI'm tempted to get a second copy of BG3 to support Larian just for these comments...
I pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition to get a physical box to accompany BG1 and BG2. Given the amount of time I spent with the game, and the apparently nice behavior of Larian, that are 100€ well spent!

Founder of Baldur's Gate 3 developer blasts publisher greed
22 March 2024 at 4:18 pm UTC Likes: 1

QuoteLarian also confirmed that no DLC expansion is coming for Baldur's Gate 3
I've just seen an interview, where Vincke also announced that their new project is neither BG4 nor something else D&D. My bet is they'll be returning to their own IP, but I also would not be surprised to see something completely new from them.

Horizon Forbidden West system requirements up, devs mention 'portable gaming devices'
7 March 2024 at 4:55 pm UTC Likes: 1

Will give it a go if they bring it to GOG. I picked up H:ZD to test my (then) new GPU, and I rather liked how simple and streamlined it was. To quote Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” And I think there wasn't much you could have cut from the game and still have a game.

I fear the sequel may have added features on top that break that simplicity, but if they kept most of the formula intact, I guess it should not ruin the overall experience. And the visuals surely do look nice again!

Baldur's Gate 3 hits over half a million Steam user reviews - ranked 19th most popular
13 February 2024 at 5:08 pm UTC

QuoteHow many hours have you put into Baldur's Gate 3? What's your opinion on it?
GOG says 270h for my single playthrough. I guess you can subtract 50h for reloading / afk.

I must confess it did outstay its welcome halfway through act 3. Being max level and decently outfitted, there just weren't any rewards for completing quests anymore. OTOH, being able to make use of the best spells and weapons for a prolonged time was nice, too.

Guess the best moments came often after reloading, when I figured how many things I had missed the first time exploring an area, or talking to an NPC. I also really liked the die roll mechanics, even though they likely contributed another 25h to the playtime ;-). Most memorable, however, was the reaction of Karlach after defeating Gortash. That was ... unexpected.

Overall, it's not quite the best RPG I've ever played, but it sits comfortably somewhere within ranks 5 to 10.

Crusader Kings III is about to get a lot of extra exciting content
7 February 2024 at 4:47 pm UTC Likes: 3

Seems more expensive than the last Chapter, but might also offer a bit more content.

Quoting: Purple Library GuyI'm generally fine with the Paradox approach to DLCs, but I could buy a major game for that money, or more likely three indies.
I guess I'm okay paying €30 to €50 a year, then play a single 100h campaign to sample the changes and additions. But if I were starting new and faced with a €200+ investment to get the full game ... I think I would pass.