StaceyPowers

So far, what would you say is the weakest game of 2018? Which game have you played that was the worst overall? Which was the biggest letdown versus your expectations (the answer to both questions may or may not be the same)?

If optical discs ever go away in future consoles altogether, what would be the worst consequence? To me it would be having no way to play old games you purchased on disc again even if backwards compatibility would otherwise allow it.

Okay, so I am sure that most of us technically can live without our favorite video games … but which games would your life feel totally bereft without? I adore all the games that I play on a regular basis. But I definitely can’t envision life without Quake III Arena (I am always scared it won’t be compatible with the next iteration of Windows). I’d also be really upset if I could never play Bioshock Infinite or The Last of Us again. The fast movement of technology and the lack of support for old games bothers me. I am all for technology racing ahead … but nothing could make up for leaving my favorite games behind.

A wide variety, but mostly industrial, futurepop, metal, postpunk, darkwave, goth, gothic Americana, trip-hop. What about you? Possibly the third Matrix movie. Great soundtrack though. You?

Best band you've ever seen in concert?

Which games have you found you enjoyed more the second time around, or simply got more out of on your second playthrough?

I have yet to have the experience of virtual reality. Those I’ve talked to or read reviews from invariably either say it is downright amazing or that it is too strange/disconcerting to really “translate” a lot of games into enjoyable experiences in VR. If you have used VR and were not totally satisfied by the experience, what would you change about it or the games you have played to make it more enjoyable?

I have yet to form a crush on a video game character, but one of my friends is head-over-heels in love with a video game character and has been for years. Anyone here have any major video game character crushes?

What is the single most infuriating puzzle you’ve ever had to solve in a video game? For me, it was the awful maze to get out of the Selenitic Age in Myst. Even after resorting to cheating, I found it to be a serious pain.

What are the most tedious dungeons or puzzles you've completed in Skyrim? For me, the puzzle at the bottom of Mzulft is a sure contender. I solved it before somehow, but for the life of me, I can't seem to do it now.

Lots of contenders I suppose, but this guy who secretly built amazing temples underground springs to mind: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-495538/Eighth-wonder-world-The-stunning-temples-secretly-carved-ground-paranormal-eccentric.html

Once in a great while, I hear a line of dialogue in a video game that actually makes me stop what I’m doing for a moment. For example, this one from Red Lucy in Fallout: New Vegas: “When the land hunts you, when fighting for survival is the norm, your neighbors become either saviors, or enemies.” This is something I’ve noticed from my own life experiences (i.e. when dealing with poverty), but somehow it never made sense to me until she said that why life my encounters have often been so dramatic during hard times. I was oddly struck by how profound and elegant her statement was. Are there any lines of dialogue from video games that you found to be profound?

Do you have multiple consoles, i.e. to play old games that aren’t compatible with newer consoles? How many do you have? What’s the oldest console you still use?

My friend is currently on his first playthrough of TLOU, and seems to be struggling with resource management. I've given him my own tips, but does anyone else have any tips to contribute?

There have been a number of studies that have shown increased pain tolerance while playing video games, i.e. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/video-games-may-help-relieve-pain/ I notice I often feel less pain while playing video games than I do during other parts of the day (chronic pain sufferer here), though that could just be because it is late at night, which is the time of day I naturally feel best physically. I also know that nothing can distract me from pain, because I seem to be wired a bit differently than most folks in that respect. But I do think accomplishing video game tasks can produce a dopamine response, and I theorize this may also help reduce pain. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Do you enjoy puzzles in video games, or puzzle games as a genre? Why or why not? What do you look for in a “fun” puzzle? I have to admit that overall, I am not a fan of puzzles. I find them frustrating, and frequently non-intuitive. Often they have less to do with problem-solving, and more to do with hunting around for things. For example, I really dislike Skyrim’s puzzles on the whole. They rarely require “clever” thinking, and usually just involve hunting around in the dark for pictures of animals. They make me feel frustrated and trapped. On the other hand, I don’t mind Fallout’s computer password puzzles at all. You can work through them methodically and logically to get an answer.

Fortnite Durr Burger

What's your favorite poem you've written (if not the one you shared already)?

Spectacular work--strong imagery that really pulled me into that moment in time and the pain of it for both of you. Thank you for sharing that. The fact that a huge percentage of our generation will never be able to retire and will be lucky if they can find jobs.

Is your poem posted anywhere?

Seabound, The Edge of Dawn, VNV Nation :)

Entropy and anxiety. When I realized I'd started a business and that it was thriving. What is yours?

Last night I was checking the USB cord connection on my PS3. All I did was nudge it slightly, and my PS3 shut itself right off. Anyone know what causes this?

Who here dreams about gaming all the time? When I’m asleep, I spend a pretty high percentage of time dreaming about gaming. Not sitting in front of the console, but literally being in the games I play. This is especially likely if I just started a new game, or if I am frustrated with a tough level or boss and haven’t found a way to beat it yet. But it’s also relaxing in a way. I dream of shooters a lot, and they’re always fun and nightmare-free, which is cool. Anyway, it makes sense to me that the brain dreams about gaming a lot, because gaming is honestly a lot like dreaming (only in dreams and video games do people not complain when you just walk into their houses). Who else dreams of gaming a lot?

It’s kind of weird I still haven’t bought the Dawnguard DLC (considering how long I’ve been playing Skyrim). I know I definitely will, but I’m curious what people here think of it? I ask because I’ve heard wildly mixed reviews on it.