Jade Empire

[Hoax]

But doesn't Linux throw a wrench in that "fact" while we are nitpicking the hell out of things?

If you run Linux instead of windows you can play even less games then Mac users or at least last time I checked thats how it was.  Its a shame too because 2-3 years ago Xwindows was well designed to the point where any joeblow could get a good OS, not deal w/ M$'s bullshit monopoly and operate their computer with little to no inteligent thought required.

[Margalis]

Holy shit wtf are you guys blabbering about?

PCs do get exclusive titles, but they are rarely called exclusive, because the vast majority of PC titles are exclusive. The understanding is that a PC game is exclusive unless specifically stated otherwise. (Although that is changing)

It used to be that consoles and PCs all had lineups that were nearly all exclusive. You certainly didn't see a lot of NES/Sega Master System crossover.

PCs will always have more exclusive games because making console games requires more specialized knowledge, licensing fees, specialized development environments, etc. The barrier to entry is much higher in a variety of ways. I do think that A-list PC titles will be exclusive less and less in the future.

Anyway, about Fable, it sucked, and will continue to suck in slightly-improved form. All hype and no substance.

[Sky]

It's been repeatedly stated that they aren't going to port it to PC.  It's an X-Box exclusive.

Is this true?

If so, that's too damned bad. I cut myself off from buying any more xbox games after Fable. The PC is the only gaming platform worth my gaming dollars, though I guess a new xbox game would be an excuse to pull my old tv (and xbox) out of storage so I can play with lo-res aliased graphics on a 480i screen with a 5 year old gimped pc. Oh wait, that's why it's in storage.

Hey, why not aim lower and make it PS2-exclusive next time? Or N64, since we're going for crappy hardware that's years out of date?

Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
New car, caviar, four star daydream.
Think I'll get me some of that LCD revenue stream.

[Shockeye]

If so, that's too damned bad. I cut myself off from buying any more xbox games after Fable. The PC is the only gaming platform worth my gaming dollars, though I guess a new xbox game would be an excuse to pull my old tv (and xbox) out of storage so I can play with lo-res aliased graphics on a 480i screen with a 5 year old gimped pc. Oh wait, that's why it's in storage.

Hey, why not aim lower and make it PS2-exclusive next time? Or N64, since we're going for crappy hardware that's years out of date?

Don't you need to go dress up for another SCA meeting?

[MaceVanHoffen]

But doesn't Linux throw a wrench in that "fact" while we are nitpicking the hell out of things?

No.

... because 2-3 years ago Xwindows was well designed to the point where any joeblow could get a good OS, not deal w/ M$'s bullshit monopoly and operate their computer with little to no inteligent thought required.

That's still true.  Lots of people like me have silently converted their spouses to using Linux without much fanfair.

But anyway, PC/Mac titles by their very nature tended to all be exclusive titles.  Consoles simply weren't as powerful as your average gaming PC until a few years ago, and no game developer would take a game and port it to a platform that was graphically and aurally inferior.  Current generation consoles have changed that, but the businessmen are still catching up.

[Stormwaltz]

Don't you need to go dress up for another SCA meeting?

If playing PC exclusively and not even owning a console makes you ren faire material, I guess I'm the one wearing the poofy pants today. ¬_¬

Eh, that's okay. I like a woman in a bodice.

[schild]

Hey, Stormwaltz. I'd put a bet on you having easy access to as many Xboxes as you want. I don't think you quite qualify for the camp being pointed out here. Aside from that, it was just a silly jab at Sky. But you probably already knew that.

Edit: I have no clue why I started this with "Hey Stormwaltz" instead of just quoting you.

[schild]

It's been repeatedly stated that they aren't going to port it to PC.  It's an X-Box exclusive.

If so, that's too damned bad. I cut myself off from buying any more xbox games after Fable. The PC is the only gaming platform worth my gaming dollars, though I guess a new xbox game would be an excuse to pull my old tv (and xbox) out of storage so I can play with lo-res aliased graphics on a 480i screen with a 5 year old gimped pc. Oh wait, that's why it's in storage.

Yes, it's true. And me thinks you need to get an HDTV to go with your phatty projector.  :-D

[Riggswolfe]

Holy shit wtf are you guys blabbering about?

PCs do get exclusive titles, but they are rarely called exclusive, because the vast majority of PC titles are exclusive. The understanding is that a PC game is exclusive unless specifically stated otherwise. (Although that is changing)

Murgos thought he was going to score points by turning a gaming thread into a SirBruce style argument about semantics which made no sense because everybody but him knew exactly what was meant by the words PC and exclusive when used in a thread about a console game. I argued because needless bullshit like that pisses me off and makes me want to remove people from the gene pool. In other words, he pushed a button by being some kind of anal retentive freak who thought he was making a point.

Yes, PCs get exclusive titles. But it is not a word commonly used with PC games because most people assume that for the most part a PC game will be exclusive. (Though not as much anymore.)

Can I go to court for permission to remove his feeding tube? Please?

[Astorax]

Don't you need to go dress up for another SCA meeting?

If playing PC exclusively and not even owning a console makes you ren faire material, I guess I'm the one wearing the poofy pants today. ¬_¬

Eh, that's okay. I like a woman in a bodice.

Hey, don't you dare compare SCA folks to ren faire folks, two completely different groups of people.  One of which is silly enough to think strapping a pair of football pads on and beat the snot out of each other with wooden sticks gives them the right to call themselves medival recreationists, and the other thinks overdone shows with pop culture anachronisms is somehow okay in the theme of historical recreation!  Er...okay, so they have a lot in common, but still! :P

As for Jade Empire, I've gotten a lot of play on it via E3, and it's enough to at least make me want to get the game and play through it.  I've been wanting a fighting game RPG every since Mortal Kombat decided to make one and it wasn't an RPG at all, but just a thin story connecting different fights...Bioware has a great track record of creating games with, at the very least, good stories (or the possibility of creating your own, the official campaign for NWN blew chunks).

[schild]

So, uh, if SCA takes itself seriously...and I mean this in the kindest way, how far is it removed from LARPing? Because frankly, I'd never heard about it until about a week ago. All I know is that there's a group of people who meet at a local old monestary type church, throw on some medieval shit, and reenact stuff. We called them the Sunday Warrior Larpers. Well, a friend and I did.

[Shockeye]

They're coming for me. I must hide.

The SCA has 19 Kingdoms (regional chapters) located around the world. The populace in those Kingdoms devote their free time to tournaments, festivals, educational collegiums (classes), feasts, revels, and all sorts of arts and sciences dating from pre-1600s western Europe.  We try to bring the best of the Middles Ages back to life, by making an attempt at the proper clothing (we'll provide help with that), or learning calligraphy, fencing, dancing, or whatever medieval activities you find interesting.

Most importantly, the SCA is not the same thing as a Renaissance Faire, because it is participatory.  There is no audience.  Every person plays a part in creating the atmosphere.  We hold weekly meetings (sometimes called "fighter practices"), and "events" (get-togethers where costumes are required) nearly every weekend.  Some feature armored combat tournaments and feasts, some are orchestrated around medieval pomp and circumstance (audiences or "Courts" conducted by Royalty), while others focus on learning more about particular crafts.

[schild]

We try to bring the best of the Middles Ages back to life, by making an attempt at the proper clothing (we'll provide help with that), or learning calligraphy, fencing, dancing, or whatever medieval activities you find interesting.

If you're a member of the pessimism chapter, they even try to bring back the symptoms of the plague, and scurvy.

[Murgos]

Murgos thought he was going to score points by turning a gaming thread into a SirBruce style argument about semantics which made no sense because everybody but him knew exactly what was meant by the words PC and exclusive when used in a thread about a console game.

Look douche:

Yeah, cause, you know, it's not like any of the other systems have exclusives. PCs don't get exclusives, but that's because there's no market reason for it currently.

Yes, PCs get exclusive titles.

And you're the one trying to use semantics as an argument:

Well, I can tell you about all the hours people spend playing it on their Mac.

What else do you call trying to draw an imaginary line between a Mac and a Windows PC?  It's a bullshit semantic argument that I fucking busted you on, get over it.

Here is simple proof, answer this question, "Is a Mac a Console?"  If not then WHAT THE FUCK IS IT?

[schild]

Here is simple proof, answer this question, "Is a Mac a Console?"  If not then WHAT THE FUCK IS IT?

A designer statue masquerading as a computer worth using? Really though, why are you people having a Mac vs. PC debate? Take it to slashdot.

[schild]

And now to bring it back on track.

Gamespot gave Jade Empire an 8.4. Juiciest quote: "Combat in Jade Empire is fast-paced and fairly fun, but it's actually the game's weak point." That depresses the hell out of me.

I wonder how much IGN charges for those fatty reviews.

Oh wait, I forgot, sluts do it for free.

Edit: After reading the review, it would seem that it's a Fable style letdown. I find that oddly ironic, but don't care much, since I enjoyed Fable.

[Rodent]

It's been repeatedly stated that they aren't going to port it to PC.  It's an X-Box exclusive.

Is this true?

If so, that's too damned bad. I cut myself off from buying any more xbox games after Fable. The PC is the only gaming platform worth my gaming dollars, though I guess a new xbox game would be an excuse to pull my old tv (and xbox) out of storage so I can play with lo-res aliased graphics on a 480i screen with a 5 year old gimped pc. Oh wait, that's why it's in storage.

Hey, why not aim lower and make it PS2-exclusive next time? Or N64, since we're going for crappy hardware that's years out of date?

Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
New car, caviar, four star daydream.
Think I'll get me some of that LCD revenue stream.

Whine more bitch? If the game is good suck it up and play it, or don't. I usually keep my PS2 in storage but I don't shit my pants in anger when something good comes out for it.

[Riggswolfe]

My final post to Murgos. Shut the fuck up. Quit trying to butcher my posts with half quotes. People here can read. We all know EXACTLY what the fuck is going on, so just stop it.You're not proving a point.

 A Mac is a god damn MAC. Is it a personal computer? Yes. Does PC stand for personal computer? Yes. Do normal fucking people, when they say PC mean IBM compatible that is probably running on Windows? YES. Do normal fucking people know that when you say PC you fucking mean that? YES. Do anal retentive fucktards just fucking pretend that they don't know that people say PC to mean IBM compatible? Apparently Yes.

I can walk into any god damn place that has anybody that does something involving computers and talk about a PC. Every fucking person in that room knows I am referring to an IBM compatible. So just shut it asshole. I can also say the word coke and people know I mean soda pop. I can say kleenex and people know I mean facial tissue. It's similiar, and just to head you off at the path, no, PC is not a brand name, but the examples are also cases of language getting changed over time.

As for the whole exclusive dumb fucking "debate." Again, when you're talking console games, exclusive is referring to the marketing term. We were. So just stop trying to act like you're intelligent and deal with the reality of the god damn discussion. If you can't,feel free to leave the thread.

[schild]

......now, why'd you post that? Entirely unnecessary.

[Riggswolfe]

......now, why'd you post that? Entirely unnecessary.

Because he's going the Sir Bruce route in a gaming discussion and it is pissing me off. Every person in the thread knows he is debating something which doesn't need to be debated because he has a board up his ass.

My guess is he is just hoping to be personally responsible for a thread going to the Den. In any case, I'm done.

[Strazos]

Screw online reviews. I enjoyed Fable. Sure, it wasn't the Fourth Coming of the Robotic Messiah, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the game. Me wanty Jade Empire.

Eh, that's okay. I like a woman in a bodice.

Mmmhmm, I sure do like me some women in bodices and garters. Best. Look. Evar.

[Riggswolfe]

Sadly my biggest problem with Fable was the loading screens. It felt like I'd take 2 steps and have a loading screen.

[SirBruce]

Ahh, yes, the infamous Fable "hallway" level.

Bruce

[Stormwaltz]

Aside from that, it was just a silly jab at Sky. But you probably already knew that.

Yeah, I was just funnin' with you. Maybe this was the wrong thread to do that in. ^_^;

[Strazos]

Heh, is that a damn happy face giving a thumbs up?

Heh.

[schild]

Heh, is that a damn happy face giving a thumbs up?

Heh.

I think that's the asian/otaku/anime smile with one of those sweat drops.

[NiX]

Sadly my biggest problem with Fable was the loading screens. It felt like I'd take 2 steps and have a loading screen.

Correction - 1 step. Fable wasn't THAT bad, but I'd never try to convince someone it was what it was being boasted as. Also, I'm really looking forward to the PC port. I'm hoping that's all it needs to make it better. I'm also hoping Jade is really freaking good. I can't justify my XBOX right now, it's really sad.

[schild]

I can't justify my XBOX right now, it's really sad.

Buy Phantom Dust. For $19.99 you have no excuse.

[schild]

For those of you wondering, the demo disc that comes with the LTD Ed. of Jade Empire is total crap:

Demo Disc containing demos for Jade Empire, Forza Motorsports, MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf, and Conker: Live & Reloaded.

A lot more reviews have poured into Gamerankings, and one stands out, heavily:

Site Name / Link Article Date Rating Ratio
Gamespy  4/11/2005 5 out of 5 100.0%
Buzzscope  4/11/2005 A+ 100.0%
IGN  4/8/2005 9.9 out of 10 99.0%
GameSpot  4/11/2005 8.4 out of 10 84.0%
Game Zone  4/11/2005 9.8 out of 10 98.0%
Console Gold  4/11/2005 98 out of 100 98.0%
TeamXBOX   4/11/2005 9.7 out of 10 97.0%
Official Xbox Magazine   4/1/2005 9.4 out of 10 94.0%
Official Xbox Magazine UK   4/1/2005 9.3 out of 10 93.0%
Gamer Feed  4/11/2005 4.5 out of 5 90.0%
GameDaily  4/11/2005 4.5 out of 5 90.0%

Why?

[SirBruce]

You're obsessing.

Bruce

[Stephen Zepp]

Riggs: NO clue why you are ragging on him about all this, but he's right, and you are wrong. In the context of this discussion, a PC is a Personal Computer, and a Console is Not a Personal Computer.

All the foul language, personal insults, and comparison to others doesn't change that fact. Sorry, but just because you seem to think that a "PC" requires people to fall into your thinking that they mean an IBM Windows machine doesn't mean that everyone else does.

When I go into stores and I say I want a particular game for the PC, they send me to the section that includes boxes for Windows/Mac/*nix (if the store is big enough to serve those markets as well), not the section that has Console games. Often, they even ask if I mean Mac or Windows...but they certainly understand that when I say PC I mean "not console", not that I mean "IBM Windows Machines".

[Murgos]

Really, the whole digression into PC-not-a-PC is moot because the point that many thousands of games are exclusive to the PC market still stands even if WoW wasn't a very good example of specific to Windows (which wasn't what I was talking about AT ALL, talk about getting stuck on semantics).

The whole coversation was about why you should/would want to buy an X-Box just for a few 'X-Box exclusives' such as Ninja Gaiden, or whatever other fag title Schild had brought up, or any other particular console because of 'marketing exclusives'.  In light of that I thought it was a compelling argument that PC exclusives far outweigh console exclusives (even if they don't call them that) so that a PC is really a very good choice for sole gaming platform, particularly due to exclusivity rather than inspite of it.  Riggs apparently feels very strongly that marketing exclusivity as a compelling reason for purchase of multiple console platforms is a worthwhile expenditure, good for him, I still think he is a psycho and sorely lacking in reading comprehension, memory acuity and has a severe case of 'fear of contradiction'.

[Megrim]

Ok, i probably shouldn't derail any more, but i feel i must step up to defend my bretheren: i'm not sure how it is in the US, but here in Aus the SCA definitely does not suck. Having started fencing with them about a month ago i can honestly say that those guys know exactly what they are doing when it comes to both rapier work (they teach the Italian school here), as well as the heavy styles.

Someone mentioned people putting on football pads and going at it with sticks? Every thursday night i am witness to grown men in full plate-mail beating the bejesus out of each other with almost near replica broadswords, spears, maces, etc... It's not for the faint of heart.

Oh yea, and xbox exclusives suck TT (since we are in weird asian emoticon mode)

 - meg

[Trippy]

The whole coversation was about why you should/would want to buy an X-Box just for a few 'X-Box exclusives' such as Ninja Gaiden, or whatever other fag title Schild had brought up, or any other particular console because of 'marketing exclusives'.

Ah no, the original topic was who was going to get Jade Empire until it got derailed by Tebonas who was presumably commenting on my post about buying an Xbox to play Jade Empire.

Riggs apparently feels very strongly that marketing exclusivity as a compelling reason for purchase of multiple console platforms is a worthwhile expenditure, good for him, I still think he is a psycho and sorely lacking in reading comprehension, memory acuity and has a severe case of 'fear of contradiction'.

He has said no such thing in this thread. The closest anybody has come to supporting "exclusive" arrangements is Haemish.

[Furiously]

Ok, i probably shouldn't derail any more, but i feel i must step up to defend my bretheren: i'm not sure how it is in the US, but here in Aus the SCA definitely does not suck. Having started fencing with them about a month ago i can honestly say that those guys know exactly what they are doing when it comes to both rapier work (they teach the Italian school here), as well as the heavy styles.

Someone mentioned people putting on football pads and going at it with sticks? Every thursday night i am witness to grown men in full plate-mail beating the bejesus out of each other with almost near replica broadswords, spears, maces, etc... It's not for the faint of heart.

Oh yea, and xbox exclusives suck TT (since we are in weird asian emoticon mode)

 - meg

I'll add a bit too - I was in the local SCA during highschool for a couple years. They had a pike squad (Got to wear a kilt). So we were at a local mall once for some event. And I ran into a couple girls from one of my classes. I was mortified. But the whole - whats under the kilt thing worked in my favor and I ended up going out with one of them for a while.  So geekout for the win.

Edited to add: The funniest part was to stand as still as possible. People would come up and look at you - thinking you were a statue. Then to move and watch them jump.

Also - my predition - Jade Empire will make you think.. "I think I played this before, only it was more fun when it was called KOTOR."