StaceyPowers

What is your favorite open world? I don’t mean your favorite open world game, specifically. I mean the actual world itself in terms of the lore and the environment. What makes it extra well-developed and interesting to you?

When No Man’s Sky came out, I remember everyone got so down about it. Since then, I’ve heard lots of people say it’s actually a pretty awesome game in many respects, but the over-hyping made it a disappointment compared to unrealistic expectations. I still have not played it, but I want to. What are some other games that suffered from that kind of over-hyping?

Did you play The Forsworn Conspiracy quest yet? That convinced me to take their side, which was reinforced when I read The Bear of Markarth (which also shed a lot of light on Ulfric). Plus, there is the fact that the spriggans are hostile to all but them. Seems to me that nature’s vote is cast for them as well. Their permanent aggro thing drives me nuts. I see it as an artifact of the fact that the devs must’ve thought, “Let’s put something other than regular bandits here. We’ll just have angry natives instead!” Total agreement on their fashion sense. I’ve read that technically, it is (or was, in some era) usually accepted military custom that if you wear the uniform of a particular army and act in its name, you are considered a member by foreign powers. So I dress like a Forsworn and do all in their name =D @LadyDay

There were halfhearted attempts to stop us from playing Doom and related titles, but thankfully those were cases where parental attempts at censorship somehow failed (rather surprising, as it was overall quite an oppressive household).

Any and all things Bioshock. I don't shut up about it online or offline.

A game that was a game-changer for me when I was a kid was Myst. First of all, it was ridiculously atmospheric and creepy, and the environments really drew me in. But I also loved the story, and it was what got me interested in cosmology and metaphysics and the concept of a multiverse. I’d say it was among my first all-out obsessions growing up. It was all I thought and talked about for like a year.

That is so exciting! I trust your opinion on games :)

I used to be a very dedicated MMO player, and the community I was a part of was very close-knit and a core part of my life. Most multiplayer games don't offer that though, and I also don't have the time to invest in it. I am looking to relax and disconnect and recharge at the end of the day too, so single player games currently are more useful for me.

In general, no. I grudgingly use some TV streaming services, but I would rather just buy the shows I like. Many streaming shows aren't purchasable at all, and it's easy to imagine gaming going the same direction. I like to own things.

I'm the last person to know how to answer that, since I'm in total agreement with you 100%. I wish that we didn't live in such a culture of obsolescence.

Sweet. I've got Oblivion waiting for me in my pile of recent acquisitions, but haven't gotten around to starting it yet. I'm excited though. I love walking to the south border in Skyrim and knowing that where the road cuts off on the other side, in Oblivion I'll be able to walk on that same road in Cyrodil.

@DylanC Oops, that failed to occur to me. Well, I'm glad you won last time, and it's the thought that counts. You continue to be awesome!

When I start playing a video game, the experience is usually really impersonal for me for a long period of time (sometimes indefinitely). The game interests me and I enjoy it, but it doesn’t affect me in any particular way. But then sometimes, there is a magical moment where the game suddenly feels real to me, and I care about it emotionally, and I feel invested in the characters and outcomes. Usually, I’ve noticed that these factors play into getting emotionally invested in a game for me: -Black and white issues which bother me personally (i.e. bigotry) -Decision-making in morally gray areas -Issues of free will -Tense game play -Followers with interesting stories and goals -Being able to make an improvement in the game world or take responsibility for something (i.e. build a house, improve a city) What gets you emotionally involved in a game?

Have there ever been any times when a character in a video game made a decision which made you really angry, whether it was the character you were playing or a supporting character? Was it ever bad enough to ruin a game for you?

Are there any classic games you can think of which you actually think would not be as powerful if they were made today, either for reasons relating to technological changes or cultural factors?

I am now very close to being finished with my first playthrough of Bioshock 1. I played Infinite first, and haven’t played Bioshock 2 yet. I’ve heard multiple people who played 1 and 2 first and later played Infinite say that to them, Infinite wasn’t really a “Bioshock” game, despite featuring plasmids (as vigors) and familiar sounds/experiences. I’m confused as to why they say this. I know the game is in a different setting, but to me, the parallels and ties between the games go much deeper than gameplay. Both make commentaries on political systems taken to extremes, and both examine issues of free will and free choice. So what is the complaint about?

Oooh, that is pretty awesome. @LadyDay Check this out, free Morrowind for PC.

If you could have one minor/non-lifechanging superpower (i.e. always being able to pick a ripe avocado in the supermarket), what would it be, and why?

I am nominating @xXInfectedXx, @LadyDay, @The Blackangel, @DylanC and @kingpotato. All have provided great contributions in terms of discussion and community spirit.

@LadyDay Wondering if you would like to chime in on this topic :) I know a lot of people hate the Forsworn, but they're like my main interest in Skyrim, so I wanted to know what you make of them.

I avoid checking them unless I am extremely stuck and have no clue how to progress. I do sometimes also consult them if I'm leaving an area/level that i can't return to in order to make sure I didn't miss anything cool.

@DylanC Underwater shark cage sounds amazing!

Currently I have a logitech wireless mouse which was $25, and a wired $10 mouse as a spare. As @The Blackangel says, they have a tendency to die quickly. Mine usually seem to kick the bucket within 1-2 years.

As you all know, I'm stuck on my old system, and thus haven't played anything that realized in 2019. But I'm okay with it, as I save money on games and get to catch up on everything that has interested me for years.

I'm on the same page with you. I usually like to try and find my own way through a game as best I can, but now and again, there's something that's massively detracting from my enjoyment of the game. Usually I either am looking in the wrong place (i.e. can't find those stupid animals or chains to pull in Skyrim), or I don't understand the parameters of the puzzle in order to solve it. When that happens, I will check YouTube.