[Steam] Thread XXXIII: The only winning move is not to play

[Trixie]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sidZwBNfgTE/UrlueRwqeAI/AAAAAAAAC_U/jQqudCzw500/s404/SGN.png
Thread XXXIII
Sales!

⏎ Steam Groups

There are several Steam groups for different groups and games:


Giant in the Playground (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/gitp)
Chocolate Hammer (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/chocolatehammer)
GitP Competetive (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/gitpcompetitive)
GitP Borderlands (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/gitpborderlands)
GitP Left 4 Dead 2 (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/GitPL4D2) and GitP Killing Floor (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/GitPKF)
GitP Waaaaaaaaaaaagh (Dawn of War)
GitP Pony General Group (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/gitpdawnofwar)


⏎ Servers

★ Team Fortress 2
Team Fortress 2 is a team-based first-person shooter multiplayer video game developed by Valve Corporation

Interested in trading? Spreadsheet (https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0As_s6rBJ9TGedGFTZlJGX3cycXNqLXlKYlY5TDd2e lE&hl=en&authkey=COrp9Rw#gid=0) mostly inactive, go here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=259463) for now.
Want to report bad behaviour on either server? Follow these steps (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9682446&postcount=923) to get their Steam ID.

★ Minecraft

Minecraft is a game about placing blocks while running from skeletons. Or something like that. The game involves players creating and destroying various types of blocks in a three dimensional environment. The player takes an avatar that can destroy or create blocks, forming fantastic structures, creations and artwork across the various multiplayer servers in multiple game modes.


The server uses a whitelist to allow only certain individuals entry. To add yourself, or any questions, ask Saposhiente (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/member.php?u=49194).
Minecraft server thread can be found here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242521).


★ Terraria

Terraria is a game about placing blocks while running from skeletons, but in 2D! Well, okay. There's more of a focus on exploration, finding rare weapons and materials, and battling increasingly powerful foes as you carve out a home or two on the side.


Server only online upon demand. Contact Archonic_Energy if you want to play.

☆ Colloquial

After the loss of the Chocolate Hammer TF2 server the community split in two general directions. Mumble and IRC. Everyone is welcome on both.

⏎ Mumble

Used as a lounge area for people to meet up and talk to each other. If you want to play a competitive game such as LoL, DotA2, T:A, or SC2, this is the place to be.

⌘ IP: fish.mumbleboxes.com:36003

⏎ IRC

IRC is the general all-day hangout for many people, even while at work or roaming on their phones. Subjects of conversation shift everywhere, games of L4D2 are arranged, and PbP RPG's happen right in the channel.

There are many ways to connect to and enjoy IRC, either by using a web client (simply click this link and you are done (http://widget.mibbit.com/?settings=81db94460c51e6dd6344525c357535fe&server=irc.sorcery.net&channel=%23chocolatehammer%20chha)), a traditional desktop client, or by using a plugin for your browser / game. A quick how-to join the channel can be found here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9461438&postcount=777). If you already have some experience using IRC but would like to know more, once you're inside the channel, any questions you might have should be answered by those already present.

⌘ IP: irc.sorcery.net ; #chocolatehammer ; Password is “chha”


Admins for the various servers


⏎ Chocolate Hammer

Currently known Admins and Moderators

⏎ Minecraft *
Saposhiente

⏎ Mumble *

Djinn_in_Tonic (GitP (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/member.php?u=19501))
Darth Mario (GitP (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/member.php?u=6675))
Neftren (aka, Polytonic; GitP (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/member.php?u=18851))



Older Steam Threads:
The Orange Box Thread: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58949
TOB 2: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97854
TOB 3: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112339
TOB 4: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118059
TOB 5: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121135
TOB 6: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123753
TOB 7: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127092
Then Shadow_Archmagi screwed up the numbering...
6: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132975
7: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136376
8: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142969
9: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147236
10: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150549
10+1: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152630
XII: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155491
XIII: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157809
XIV: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159943
XV: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167840
XVI: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163546
XVII: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172636
XVIII: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177656
XIX: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10025844
XX: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186561
XXI: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194272
XXII: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200544
XXIII: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205631
XXIV: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208646
XXV: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213652
XXVI: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220121
XXVII: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225732
XXVIII: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229401
XXIX: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247083
XXX: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253659
XXXI: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266603

Older Steam Threads (new):

TOB 1:Orange Box (possible spoilers...eventually) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58949)
TOB 2:Open the release [Valve], let out the [Steam] (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97854)
TOB 3:Valve: Weaponized Urine and other strangeness (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112339)
TOB 4:Team Fortress 2 and you. (and by "You" we mean any other game on Steam). (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118059)
TOB 5:How about that Valve and/or Steam, eh? (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121135)
TOB 6:Valve Thread (OR: The Great Hats-for-Food Scandal) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6857223)
TOB 7:Have Steam, Will Travel (OR: Team Fortress 2 is Ruining My GPA) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127092)
Then Shadow_Archmagi screwed up the numbering...
6: Left 4 Half life 2 Fortress 2 Episode 2, [Steam Thread 2] (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132975)
7: [Steam] Thread VII: Maybe this one is made of [Chocolate] (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136376)
8: Hot [Steam]y Love for those Crits (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142969)
9: Getting [Steam]-Rolled 9 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147236)
10: New [Steam] - New RAAAAAGE 10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150549)
10+1: Survivors Vs. Blu Team Vs. Gordon Freeman Vs. Little Babies Vs. GLaDOS (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152630)
XII: Cheaper by the Dozen (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155491)
XIII: The World's #1 Forum-Themed Hat Acquisition Simulator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157809)
XIV: Dr. Steamlove (OR:How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Poosh ze Cart) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159943)
XV: Crazy Gabe's Discount Game and Knife Emporium! (In Space!) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167840)
XVI: The biggest in-joke in gaming (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163546)
XVII: /sm_rename "Steam Thread": da]mexitt hr[a vise (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172636)
XVIII: We have a PhD in Russian Literature (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177656)
XIX: It's a Kritzmas miracle! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10025844)
XX: Hey, Could You Vote For Me? Go Here, Thx (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186561)
XXI: 65% More Thread, Per Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194272)
XXII: This Next Thread May Involve Trace Amounts Of Time Travel (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200544)
XXIII: Thread XXIII is now Free to Post. Forever ! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205631)
XXIV: This is the thread where he yells at you. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208646)
XXV: Jibgamesh, King of Steam (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213652)
XXVI: Our Distribution is Augmented (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220121)
XXVII: The True Meaning of Australian Christmas (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225732)
XXVIII: Friendship is Coupons (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229401)
XXIX: Brace yourselves. Summer is coming. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247083)
XXX: [Steam]-y Thread 30: Throwing titles out the window! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253659)
XXXI: Hot Medic-Heavy Action! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266603)
XXXII: Children's Card Games on Video Games! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299064)

Other Threads of Note:
ChHa TF2 Server Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200755) - Here we try to arrange evenings of gaming, and plan our weekly semi-competitive 6v6 matches.
General Gaming Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224383) - Exactly what it says on the tin.

[Bayar]

Gaben's beard has grown to such a degree that he now no longer needs one to be edited into a picture when he is dressed as Santa.:smallbiggrin:

[Trixie]

To everyone:

http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/360/2/e/tf2_christmas_by_silsol-d5p7hsf.jpg
Just this http://i.imgur.com/N2nfK.jpg


Gaben's beard has grown to such a degree that he now no longer needs one to be edited into a picture when he is dressed as Santa.:smallbiggrin:

Indeed, but that was the only photo with BMOC, All Father and Kringle Collection :smalltongue:

[Volatar]

Oh hey, new thread to mark.

I have yet to actually buy anything myself this Christmas sale. I have most of the things I want by this point.

[IthilanorStPete]

Oh hey, new thread to mark.

I have yet to actually buy anything myself this Christmas sale. I have most of the things I want by this point.

Almost the same here - Recettear's the only game I've picked up.

[tonberrian]

Long Live the Queen for Community's Choice please happen.

[Volatar]

Almost the same here - Recettear's the only game I've picked up.

Man, I still need to get around to playing that game.

[Qwertystop]

So, there's those cards (which can be sold for credit) that are only available if you're level 5 or over.

I am not.

Anyone willing to do a pointless trade to help me get that last Community thing for the badge for the last little bit of XP for level 5? I have a TF2 Frying Pan and an assortment of nonmarketable Spiral Knights stuff, none of which I want. Or if, as is likely, you don't want it either, we can just trade equally worthless stuff.

[Volatar]

So, there's those cards (which can be sold for credit) that are only available if you're level 5 or over.

I am not.

Anyone willing to do a pointless trade to help me get that last Community thing for the badge for the last little bit of XP for level 5? I have a TF2 Frying Pan and an assortment of nonmarketable Spiral Knights stuff, none of which I want. Or if, as is likely, you don't want it either, we can just trade equally worthless stuff.

Done.tenchars

[Pendulous]

Why did my mom have to give me a $50 Visa gift card? Right during this sale? I don't have room for these games!

Seriously, Dragon Age Origins is 24 GB by itself, and I have a very small hard drive. 148 GB total, with less than 30 of that remaining.

[XiaoTie]

"Sword of the Stars: The Pit" was the only one I got during this Christmas Sale. I guess I'd get Project Zomboid if it was on sale, or maybe State of Decay if I knew my computer could run it.

[Dumbledore lives]

I think I've reached the point where there are games I want, but none I'm willing to pay for because I know I won't play them. It's quite nice actually.

[Krade]

Does anyone know if it's likely for the Bioshock Triple-Pack to go on a better sale than what it is right now? Twenty bucks for all three games sounds pretty sweet, but I'll feel stupid if it goes lower than that in the next week.

[Legoshrimp]

Does anyone know if it's likely for the Bioshock Triple-Pack to go on a better sale than what it is right now? Twenty bucks for all three games sounds pretty sweet, but I'll feel stupid if it goes lower than that in the next week.

There is a decent chance it will go down to 15 again. So I would wait until the last day to buy at 20.

Also if you are willing/able to buy on amazon it is $15, still comes with steam keys.

[MLai]

I think I've reached the point where there are games I want, but none I'm willing to pay for because I know I won't play them. It's quite nice actually.
LMAO, same here. Also, me stubbornly sticking with Win XP while all games are graduating to Win Vista/7/8 helps in that regard.
Seriously, if it weren't for games, who the **** really needs/wants to go beyond Win XP?? I hate the Win 7/8 interface; I can't find anything I usually use. I wouldn't want it even if someone gave it to me for free (aside from being able to play X-Com).

Edit: Gaddammit I think I'm gonna get suckered into buying the Pinball FX2 tables and end up spending $10 USD on it... I don't think I can resist all those tables at $0.75 each...

Edit 2: **** it. I just spent $7-8 on a McDonald's breakfast supreme, why shouldn't I buy 14 tables for just $9-10 (classic rationalization #1). **** you Pinball FX2 you rock! :smallbiggrin::smallfurious::smallbiggrin:

[Trixie]

Seriously, if it weren't for games, who the **** really needs/wants to go beyond Win XP??

It's faster, far more secure, has actual well designed interface, offers quite a lot of stuff XP just doesn't have? :smallconfused:

Microsoft is dropping XP support, once some hole in security gets found it will cease to be safe to use at all. I switched to 7 years ago, there is literally nothing XP does 7 doesn't do better, 7 even has full XP emulator in case I feel nostalgic or want to use something designed by programmers, not GUI experts :<

EDIT: And if you want concrete reason, anyone with more than 3.25 GB of internal PC memory (ram/vram) needs Windows 7.

[Neftren]

Oh hey, FFVIII on flash sale!

[Cogwheel]

Sacrifice on community sale. Strongly recommend it to pretty much everyone.

[Rawhide]

Many thanks Aragehaor!


Oh hey, FFVIII on flash sale!

For only 33% off. :smallfrown:

---

Ok, here goes, steam snow globe collection time!

{table=head]Globe|Have|Spare
1|Y|1
2||
3||
4||
5|Y|
6|Y|
7|Y|3
8||
9|Y|2
10|Y|[/table]

Looking to trade for missing cards to complete first set.

[Geno9999]

I have a copy of Snow Globe Card #3, looking for #2, and #5-10

[XiaoTie]

Recently got a Terraria booster pack with the Minishark foil in it. Does anyone want it?

[Krade]

Recently got a Terraria booster pack with the Minishark foil in it. Does anyone want it?

My limited experience in the foil cards (I've found one) taught me that unless you want to actually craft the badge with it, you're better off selling it on the marketplace. I think mine sold for ~$3. pretty decent.

[Cogwheel]

My limited experience in the foil cards (I've found one) taught me that unless you want to actually craft the badge with it, you're better off selling it on the marketplace. I think mine sold for ~$3. pretty decent.

I'm still hoping my Bionic Dues foil sells eventually. It's been a whole month.

[Antonok]

So.... it seems Left 4 Dead 2 (http://store.steampowered.com/app/550/) is currently free.

[Krade]

So.... it seems Left 4 Dead 2 (http://store.steampowered.com/app/550/) is currently free.

Ooh. Neat.

Also: Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director's Cut for $4.99? Yes, please.

[Triscuitable]

Ooh. Neat.

Also: Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director's Cut for $4.99? Yes, please.

I picked that up, along with Payday 2's new Armored Transport DLC (and some Warframe promo items) using the $11 I made selling all my trading cards yesterday.

[Forbiddenwar]

So.... it seems Left 4 Dead 2 (http://store.steampowered.com/app/550/) is currently free.

So it seems Steam has melted into oblivion.
Glad I got sacrifice on Gog then :smalltongue:

[Triscuitable]

Green Man Gaming has the Valve Complete Pack for $25, redeemable on Steam.

Amazon has Injustice: Gods Among Us: Ultimate Edition for $20, also redeemable on Steam.

[Trixie]

So it seems Steam has melted into oblivion

Well, this happens when you invest money into gimmicky controller, not more servers http://i.imgur.com/N2nfK.jpg

So, what changes are there in DE Director's Cut, exactly? Steam page is very quiet on details :smallconfused:

[Cogwheel]

Green Man Gaming has the Valve Complete Pack for $25, redeemable on Steam.

Amazon has Injustice: Gods Among Us: Ultimate Edition for $20, also redeemable on Steam.



Cogwheel Gaming has Hellsinker, Kamui and Sacrifice for free, not redeemable on Steam.

So uh, let me know if anyone wants that. About all I can offer this year, I'm afraid.

[Forbiddenwar]

Well, this happens when you invest money into gimmicky controller, not more servers http://i.imgur.com/N2nfK.jpg

So, what changes are there in DE Director's Cut, exactly? Steam page is very quiet on details :smallconfused:

If memory serves, it includes both of the added missions dlc integrated in the game and revised boss battles.

[Gamerlord]

So, what changes are there in DE Director's Cut, exactly? Steam page is very quiet on details :smallconfused:
I've played a considerable chunk of it (Got distracted by other games around the middle of the Missing Link equivalent.) From what I can remember, they altered the color scheme to cut down on the yellow, improved the lighting, added hacking/sorta-stealth routes to the boss fights (Although if you're looking for 100% sneaky stealth option or nonlethal option you will be disappointed), and merged the weapon DLC and storyline DLC more naturally into the main game (Although they forgot to get rid of the "Previously on..." section from Missing Link, which is kind of awkward because you literally just did the stuff it talks about 5 minutes ago.) Some people have claimed bits of it actually look worse then the original, but if that was the case I never noticed it.

[Triscuitable]

So, what changes are there in DE Director's Cut, exactly? Steam page is very quiet on details :smallconfused:

Boss battles give non-lethal players more options to deal with them that don't involve carrying around a gun specifically to kill bosses. In addition to that, there are some stat tweaks, commentary (like Portal or Half-Life 2), and a massive graphical update that includes tweaks like better shaders (dynamic lighting, so the environment casts shadows from light sources) and higher-resolution textures.

Oh yeah, and all the DLC is included. The Missing Link has now been merged with the main story so as to improve the flow of the plot.

[Silverraptor]

So it seems Steam has melted into oblivion.
Glad I got sacrifice on Gog then :smalltongue:

So is that why I can't buy CoH2 with the steam gift card I got for Christmas?:smallamused:

[MLai]

What exactly am I supposed to do with all these "snow globes"? Sorry I'm not well versed with Steam schemes.

[Gamerlord]

What exactly am I supposed to do with all these "snow globes"? Sorry I'm not well versed with Steam schemes.
Craft them into a badge when/if you get a full set, or sell them for a few cents. Or trade them for other stuff.

[Rawhide]

Does anyone know if it's possible to gift the free copy of Left 4 Dead 2? If so, I need someone to gift it to me to legally bypass the low violence restriction.

Or, now that it's free, if anyone has an extra full violence version from before, can they gift it to me?

P.S. It's not about the violence, games don't need to be gory to be fun, it's about the immersion, and what they did to the Australian release totally crippled it and made it un-fun.

[Antonok]

So a friend gave me a couple steam key codes for christmas and as they aren't my type of games (Wasteland Angel (http://store.steampowered.com/app/46520/), Metal Drift (http://store.steampowered.com/app/32200/), and Death Track: Resurection (http://store.steampowered.com/app/7840/)) I was wondering if anyone had a spare Terraria key they might want to trade for them (or just about any other game for that matter).

If not, I might just end up giving them away.

Just ended up giving them away.

[Triscuitable]

Does anyone know if it's possible to gift the free copy of Left 4 Dead 2? If so, I need someone to gift it to me to legally bypass the low violence restriction.

Or, now that it's free, if anyone has an extra full violence version from before, can they gift it to me?

P.S. It's not about the violence, games don't need to be gory to be fun, it's about the immersion, and what they did to the Australian release totally crippled it and made it un-fun.

Sorry, no. :smallfrown:

[Qwertystop]

Is the store completely inoperable for anyone else?

(okay, I can look at what's availible, but trying to buy anything breaks it)

(also: Europa Universalis IV or Endless Space? One is much cheaper, of course, but I'm not sure whether it's actually worth getting. Like I said before, I'm looking for a game that's like a 4X or an RTS but with minimal micro - Civ V is good for that, for example, except that I can't seem to figure out what I'm supposed to do to succeed because the intuitive thing to do always leaves me close to a victory when either time runs out or someone else wins (in a non-military way).)

[MLai]

(also: Europa Universalis IV or Endless Space? One is much cheaper, of course, but I'm not sure whether it's actually worth getting. Like I said before, I'm looking for a game that's like a 4X or an RTS but with minimal micro - Civ V is good for that, for example, except that I can't seem to figure out what I'm supposed to do to succeed because the intuitive thing to do always leaves me close to a victory when either time runs out or someone else wins (in a non-military way).)
Sounds like you want Sword Of The Stars Complete Collection to me. I don't know how much it's on sale, though. But all non-special-sale games seem to be 50% off currently, and its base price is already very cheap these days.
As for ES, I keep reading about how it's devoid of personality and is just dry and rote beneath the pretty graphics on the surface. Caveat to that is now it has a lot of DLCs out, which should be giving it more flavor.

[JeminiZero]

So it seems Steam has melted into oblivion.

So is that why I can't buy CoH2 with the steam gift card I got for Christmas?:smallamused:
AND why I can't redeem Left For Dead 2? :smallannoyed:

[Grif]

Is the store completely inoperable for anyone else?

(okay, I can look at what's availible, but trying to buy anything breaks it)

(also: Europa Universalis IV or Endless Space? One is much cheaper, of course, but I'm not sure whether it's actually worth getting. Like I said before, I'm looking for a game that's like a 4X or an RTS but with minimal micro - Civ V is good for that, for example, except that I can't seem to figure out what I'm supposed to do to succeed because the intuitive thing to do always leaves me close to a victory when either time runs out or someone else wins (in a non-military way).)

Europa Universalis isn't a 4X or RTS. It's a historical sandbox. Probably not what you're looking for, although it is fun in its own way.

As for Endless Space, it's... bland. Just bland. It has the most pretty UI I seen implemented for a 4X game, but it lacks the charm GalCiv II had. Or even Sword of the Stars for that matter.

Speaking of which, yes, Sword of the Stars is good and you should grab it. :smalltongue:

[MLai]

Speaking of which, yes, Sword of the Stars is good and you should grab it. :smalltongue:
This game is responsible for making me scared of 4X games. Steam tells you how many hours you spend on any one game, and the numbers I've sunk into SotS frightens me. I probably could have raised a child with that many hours. I am staying away from all 4X games forever.

(And I still want to play it. :smalleek:)

[Eldan]

Is Endless Space any good? I haven't heard much about it.

[Grif]

Is Endless Space any good? I haven't heard much about it.

Lemme list down what I liked about it:
Pros:
-Quite decent graphics (But who plays 4X games for purty graphics)
-Very pretty and functional UI
-Decent 4X game, as far as its mechanics go
-Combat is slightly more interactive than GalCiv II. You get battle cards to choose what your fleet will do during combat
-Customisation options are quite diverse. Building your own race can be fun. Ship-building are also important. Whether or not this is a plus, YMMV.
-Races are slightly more diverse than merely a difference in stats.

Cons
-Lacks charm. Where GalCiv races had quirks and are quite distinguishable, ES races feels rather bland. Even the planets seem empty. You get a list to build on each system/planet, but you hardly see any visual result from that. Lore-wise they seem to have quite a diverse universe going for it, but somehow that fails to transfer to gameplay.
-Diplomacy is just bad. A step down from GC II.
-Ground/Planetary invasions are even more soulless than GalCiv was. You basically watch a percentage score tick up to 100%.
-Combat can become tedious. Since the Disharmony DLC, they allowed you to automate battle cards, so it's slightly less tedious now.
-Real-time simultaneous movement on the same turn. I cannot tell you how much this breaks immersion for me. it's also very annoying. Basically, every player gets to move in real-time during the same turn. It leads to utterly moronic situations where the AI will see your fleet incoming and quickly escape without you having a say in it. (How this affects multiplayer, I don't know. I do know I much prefer the Sword of the Stars turn based strategic movement.)

[MLai]

I checked Sword Of The Stars Complete Edition for you, 4X seeker. Currently it's -60% for a total of $3.99 USD. This is all expansions included.

If you're looking for a "4X/RTS without too much micro", and you don't have the above game, trust me you want the above game. Your description might as well be an advertisement for it.

@ Grif:
Sounds like you have the Disharmony expansion for Endless Space. Does it drastically improve ES, the way SotS' expansions drastically improved the base game?

[Qwertystop]

Um. That's Sword of the Stars 1, not 2?

[Trixie]

If memory serves

I've played a considerable chunk of it

Boss battles give non-lethal players

Ah, thank you all for the responses.

*sigh*

So, I got Deus Ex collection on Summer sale. Not only it feels like I will be playing subpar version now, it was discontinued in store so I can't even check what DLCs I have or anything, I just get a blank page. Why it couldn't have been 'graphic upgrade' DLC instead? :smallfrown:

Speaking on DLCs, I just love how Skyrim, BL2 and Dishonored early adopters get shafted by game of the year editions of these having all DLCs, for less than DLC alone cost. Despite having base game, too. Steam is perfectly capable of giving discounts to these who bought these games before GotY came out, having game+dlc being a bit cheaper or at least equal to GotY for early purchasers is art lost these days, it seems...

I am this close to never buying a game before their GotY is 75% off on Steam from these publishers ever again. Of course, my and others decision to not buy will probably be as always blamed on piracy :|


Does anyone know if it's possible to gift the free copy of Left 4 Dead 2? If so, I need someone to gift it to me to legally bypass the low violence restriction.

All you need is 30 seconds and location swap trick in browser? :smallconfused:

[Eldan]

I am this close to never buying a game before their GotY is 75% off on Steam from these publishers ever again. Of course, my and others decision to not buy will probably be as always blamed on piracy :|:

Been doing that for years, with very few exceptions. Mostly adventure games that I know won't be getting any DLC. For several reasons.

First, of course, cost. Waiting two years to buy a game means it often costs a lot less. New games in stores in Switzerland are prohibitively expensive, coming in at around 100 US dollars. On steam, I get them for fifty Euroes, which is about two thirds of that. IF I wait two years, I get them for twenty Euroes.

And more time in general. That means mods, patches and DLC. There's a good chance a lot of the early bugs have been solved. Since companies seem to think shipping unfinished games is cool.

[Morph Bark]

So, marking the thread before I force myself to sleep. I require sleep before work, not starting up another 8-hour game of Crusader Kings 2 or Europa Universalis 3.

[Triscuitable]

So, I got Deus Ex collection on Summer sale. Not only it feels like I will be playing subpar version now, it was discontinued in store so I can't even check what DLCs I have or anything, I just get a blank page. Why it couldn't have been 'graphic upgrade' DLC instead? :smallfrown:

The Director's Cut was discounted for those who owned Human Revolution, and further dropped for owners of The Missing Link. It's to compensate for it being two years old. Plus, you kinda bought a two year old game when the Director's Cut was known to be releasing soon.

[Bayar]

Portal 2 is 75% off today. Unfortunately my bank is derping up for some reason and I cannot purchase it for a friend of mine. Would someone kindly help me out in exchange for either reimbursment of funds, your choice of game from monday onwards or a copy of The Witcher on GoG ? :biggrin:

[XiaoTie]

Dammed be steam bugs! Saw the price for "Don't Starve" 92% off so I went ahead and bought me the 2-pack copies. And when I confirm the purchase it charged me the normal promo price (92% apparently was a bug).

Long story short, I have an extra copy of "Don't Starve" to trade. Anyone interested?

[Forbiddenwar]

Portal 2 is 75% off today. Unfortunately my bank is derping up for some reason and I cannot purchase it for a friend of mine. Would someone kindly help me out in exchange for either reimbursment of funds, your choice of game from monday onwards or a copy of The Witcher on GoG ? :biggrin:

Sure, what's your steam account?

[MLai]

WOOT!!! Assassin's Creed Revelations 75% off! $5.00 USD! This is the Steam sale I've been stalking for the past 2 years and now it's mineeeee!!!! :smallbiggrin:

Um. That's Sword of the Stars 1, not 2?
What SOTS2? That game hasn't come out yet.
Repeat after me: SOTS2 has not come out yet.
:smallamused:

[Qwertystop]

What SOTS2? That game hasn't come out yet.
Repeat after me: SOTS2 has not come out yet.
:smallamused:

Point taken. Is it rubbish, or just not as good?

EDIT: Well, I'm certainly glad I got it on sale, because I can't make heads or tails of it. Endless Space was at least comprehensible.

[endoperez]

5 hours left on Fallen Enchantress. I've already spent a lot, I probably shouldn't... but I might. :smallredface:

[Triscuitable]

What SOTS2? That game hasn't come out yet.
Repeat after me: SOTS2 has not come out yet.
:smallamused:

SOTS2 is out, The Matrix has two sequels, and M. Night Shamylan directed The Last Airbender.

[Rawhide]

SOTS2 is out, The Matrix has two sequels, and M. Night Shamylan directed The Last Airbender.

Sorry, I've been looking, but I've been unable to verify any of these claims.

[Rawhide]

Officially breaking the double post rule, because I'm an admin and thus allowed to. :smallwink:

Thought you might all like to know that Valve has accidentally posted the next two days of sales: http://store.steampowered.com/news/

[Neftren]

Officially breaking the double post rule, because I'm an admin and thus allowed to. :smallwink:

Thought you might all like to know that Valve has accidentally posted the next two days of sales: http://store.steampowered.com/news/

Strange. No Day 10...

[Rawhide]

Strange. No Day 10...

Actually, correction, not the next two days, the two days after tomorrow. Tomorrow is still not posted (day 10 as you noted), but what appears to be the day after tomorrow and the day after that are posted.

[Grif]

Point taken. Is it rubbish, or just not as good?

EDIT: Well, I'm certainly glad I got it on sale, because I can't make heads or tails of it. Endless Space was at least comprehensible.

Sword of the Stars has a barebones, but fully functional UI. It just takes some getting used to. (The 3D strategic map always does people in. :smalltongue: )

As for SOTS2, well, there were a certain number of design decisions that made it an inferior product to SOTS Prime, IMO. Couple with an extremely buggy release (think Battlefield 4 or X3 Rebirth but worse), it soured many off the sequel.

[Forbiddenwar]

Well, I could say I'm looking forward to the Mass Effect 2 sale, but since I know that won't apply to the DLC, I think I'll just take the next two days off.
Still hoping to see A Brothers: Tale of Two Sons Flash sale though.

As far as I can tell Gone Home is the award winning universally acclaim, universally despised piece of garbage worst game of the year ever, based on on a casual internet look into it. So which is it? The game everyone hates to love or the game everyone loves to hate?Please don't just say "Yes"

[MLai]

As far as I can tell Gone Home is the award winning universally acclaim, universally despised piece of garbage worst game of the year ever, based on on a casual internet look into it. So which is it? The game everyone hates to love or the game everyone loves to hate?
Seeing as how I loved both Dear Esther and To The Moon, I have a feeling I'd love this. Onto The Wishlist!

[Bayar]

Sure, what's your steam account?

I should use a more sensible name (http://steamcommunity.com/id/meepownd/).

[Brother Oni]

As far as I can tell Gone Home is the award winning universally acclaim, universally despised piece of garbage worst game of the year ever, based on on a casual internet look into it. So which is it? The game everyone hates to love or the game everyone loves to hate?Please don't just say "Yes"

Yes. :smalltongue:

Given that I've succumbed and picked it up while on sale, I'll be able to tell you in a couple days when I get home.
From the looks of it, it's a slow paced exploration game based in the 90s. If you're of the right age to remember the period (and I am, although of wrong culture), you'll probably get more out of it.

I expect all the negative reviews are from (possibly younger) gamers expecting something else and all the positive reviews are from casual gamers and the older reviewers.

[Rawhide]

I almost bought Gone Home until I realised that this wasn't even the best sale price it had been on.

[Forbiddenwar]

Snow globe trading:

Duplicate Cards:
1

Cards Needed:
2,3,6,7

Sorry, I'm not creative enough to know how to create a chart.

And I did actually end up buying Gone Home after seeing some video reviews. One review said "if you like the genre, buy it, because it does it well. If you don't like the genre, then avoid it like the plague, because it doesn't do anything else."

I do enjoy the genre of exploratory storytelling with few if any actual game mechanics.
And I was a teen in the nineties, so there's that. Just hearing the music . . .

[Fan]

Yes. :smalltongue:

Given that I've succumbed and picked it up while on sale, I'll be able to tell you in a couple days when I get home.
From the looks of it, it's a slow paced exploration game based in the 90s. If you're of the right age to remember the period (and I am, although of wrong culture), you'll probably get more out of it.

I expect all the negative reviews are from (possibly younger) gamers expecting something else and all the positive reviews are from casual gamers and the older reviewers.

The problem with the game is that through basic exploration of the first area (literally the first bookcase like object you see.) contains the key that gets you to the second to last area with the key to the last area in it. Which just so happens to be right beside the place where you get the key.

You beat it. It's done. There's no slow paced exploration. 5 minutes of your life wasted. Actually the whole game.

[Forbiddenwar]

T
You beat it. It's done. There's no slow paced exploration. 5 minutes of your life wasted. Actually the whole game.

I see. So for people who only play games to get to the end, who play for the challenge, it's a waste of time. But for others its a great experience. That explains why everyone seems to either love it or hate it. Thank-you.

The Stanley Parable is only 20-30 seconds long. That's right, you can beat the Stanley Parable, a $15 game, and get to the end in 20-30 seconds, and that's counting the cinematic. But that doesn't make it a terrible game.

[Morty]

Is the Brothers game as good as people say? I'm considering picking it up.

[Triscuitable]

Snow globe trading:


Sell the cards you don't want on the Steam Market and buy the snowglobes you need. Frankly, you're better off just buying the items for the F2P games that you want to get, if that's your goal. Otherwise, the snowglobe prices have been on a steep decline this past week, so your best bet is to buy them near the conclusion of the sale.

[Starsign]

Out of curiosity, does anyone think that there may be an encore sale coming after the end of the Holiday Sale? I'm curious as I won't be able to get Steam Gift Cards here in Canada until Monday, which by then Saints Row IV will be back to -33% off. I'm hoping an encore sale might make it drop to 50% off or better so I can purchase it for both me and my friend. :smallbiggrin:

...Out of curiosity, does anyone know where these gift cards can be bought at? I know they can be bought at Gamestop (which isn't in Canada) but I've heard they stock at EBGames and BestBuy too. Can anyone confirm this please?

[Forbiddenwar]

Sell the cards you don't want on the Steam Market and buy the snowglobes you need. Frankly, you're better off just buying the items for the F2P games that you want to get, if that's your goal. Otherwise, the snowglobe prices have been on a steep decline this past week, so your best bet is to buy them near the conclusion of the sale.

True, but with each "Sell a card buy a card" you lose about 5 cents. It's better financially to do a straight trade.

I did sell all my cards for the first 3 days before the price plummeted.

[Dumbledore lives]

Out of curiosity, does anyone think that there may be an encore sale coming after the end of the Holiday Sale? I'm curious as I won't be able to get Steam Gift Cards here in Canada until Monday, which by then Saints Row IV will be back to -33% off. I'm hoping an encore sale might make it drop to 50% off or better so I can purchase it for both me and my friend. :smallbiggrin:

...Out of curiosity, does anyone know where these gift cards can be bought at? I know they can be bought at Gamestop (which isn't in Canada) but I've heard they stock at EBGames and BestBuy too. Can anyone confirm this please?

EBGames is Gamestop in most countries, so they should be available there. Some googling reveals they are also available at Bestbuy.

[Triscuitable]

True, but with each "Sell a card buy a card" you lose about 5 cents. It's better financially to do a straight trade.

I did sell all my cards for the first 3 days before the price plummeted.

Not always. A lot of those cards have varying prices. Besides, if 5 cents matters that much to you...

[Kris Strife]

EBGames is Gamestop in most countries, so they should be available there. Some googling reveals they are also available at Bestbuy.

And Wal-Mart.

[NeoVid]

Out of curiosity, does anyone think that there may be an encore sale coming after the end of the Holiday Sale? I'm curious as I won't be able to get Steam Gift Cards here in Canada until Monday, which by then Saints Row IV will be back to -33% off. I'm hoping an encore sale might make it drop to 50% off or better so I can purchase it for both me and my friend. :smallbiggrin:

I'd recommend getting SR4 right now while it's 60% off, like I wish I had...

[Triscuitable]

I'd recommend getting SR4 right now while it's 60% off, like I wish I had...

I wish I had $20 to get it at 60% off! :smallbiggrin:

[Aragehaor]

50% off flash sale on Long Live The Queen (http://store.steampowered.com/app/251990/)? Well, i suppose my wallet can always do with some additional lightening.

[Pendulous]

Picked up Dust: An Elysian Tale and so far totally not disappointed. Fidget is awesome, and hilarious. Game seems like it might be trying to do too much for a side-scroller, but it's really fun. Well worth the price I think.

[Morph Bark]

50% off flash sale on Long Live The Queen (http://store.steampowered.com/app/251990/)? Well, i suppose my wallet can always do with some additional lightening.

Remember to save often.

Seriously.

[Forbiddenwar]

Well looks like I got the wrong sword of the stars, the one that comes after one, which is as beginner friendly as a bashing your head against a brick wall.

Did the first one start off with a tutorial? I know it's possible to watch several hours of video to learn how to play, but I kind of prefer to learn how to play a game by playing it.

[Volatar]

Boss battles give non-lethal players more options to deal with them that don't involve carrying around a gun specifically to kill bosses.

Playing Stealth myself for my first run. I didn't prepare for the first boss battle at all and just beat him by running away and shooting him in the face with my pistol a bunch of times.


Well looks like I got the wrong sword of the stars, the one that comes after one, which is as beginner friendly as a bashing your head against a brick wall.

Did the first one start off with a tutorial? I know it's possible to watch several hours of video to learn how to play, but I kind of prefer to learn how to play a game by playing it.

The first one has a semblance of a tutorial that works pretty well actually and gets you started. The game is simple enough to figure most things out yourself.

[MLai]

Well looks like I got the wrong sword of the stars, the one that comes after one.
You can rank this as your personal "Dumbest Decision/Mistake Ever On Steam." :smalltongue:

Unless there was one time when you somehow bought Duke Nukem Forever for $50.00 USD on Steam, despite it never having been listed at that price.

[Dispozition]

Unless there was one time when you somehow bought Duke Nukem Forever for $50.00 USD on Steam, despite it never having been listed at that price.

Going better than me. I managed to preorder that, and Brink, for $90 each in stores (:

[Triscuitable]

Going better than me. I managed to preorder that, and Brink, for $90 each in stores (:

Even Tak Fujii is shocked. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU2d_Pld3w8#t=65)

[Pendulous]

Unless there was one time when you somehow bought Duke Nukem Forever

You could have just stopped here, makes the same point.

[Cristo Meyers]

As far as I can tell Gone Home is the award winning universally acclaim, universally despised piece of garbage worst game of the year ever, based on on a casual internet look into it. So which is it? The game everyone hates to love or the game everyone loves to hate?Please don't just say "Yes"

Gone Home's...interesting. I spent about 3 hours on it front to back. The first issue is that the replay value is exactly 0.

It's definitely a game in the same way To The Moon is a game: it's really all story. Anything that might qualify as a puzzle is pretty easily solved, there are no enemies or anything like that: it's just you, the house, and the things that have been left behind.

The interesting part is piecing together what's going on by examing what's lying around. The unfortunate part (for me at least) was that I was able to accurately guess what had happened in the main storyline (there is a main and two subs) almost immediately. It's painfully obvious where the main storyline is going once you recognize the signs. But still, the idea where you have to sift through what's been left behind and piece together what's going on is a good one and the experience here didn't disappoint in that regard.

Exploration is fun and it's cool that even though the only living thing in the house is you it still feels a little like a horror game. It can be downright creepy to explore the house: rooms are dark, most rooms are in complete disarray, there's a storm on...

I can't say I was disappointed, I like supporting experiments like this, but I can definitely see where some people probably got the wrong idea about what the game was about.

...and I'd be lying if I said I didn't suspect that much of the hate leveled at the game has to do with the fact that the main storyline is about the main character's sister discovering she's homosexual.

But then again, having no faith in the gamer "community" will do that to someone...

[Dispozition]

Even Tak Fujii is shocked. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU2d_Pld3w8#t=65)

Australian pricing *flitters away into the sunset with magic fingers*

[Volatar]

You can rank this as your personal "Dumbest Decision/Mistake Ever On Steam." :smalltongue:

Unless there was one time when you somehow bought Duke Nukem Forever for $50.00 USD on Steam, despite it never having been listed at that price.

I bought the Collectors Edition ($60) of Hellgate: London... instead of the Orange Box. :smallfrown:

[Eldan]

You can rank this as your personal "Dumbest Decision/Mistake Ever On Steam." :smalltongue:

Unless there was one time when you somehow bought Duke Nukem Forever for $50.00 USD on Steam, despite it never having been listed at that price.

I bought Anno... what was it... 2050 something? When it came out. Never got it to run, despite trying on different computers that were connected to different networks.

[Antonok]

You can rank this as your personal "Dumbest Decision/Mistake Ever On Steam." :smalltongue:

Unless there was one time when you somehow bought Duke Nukem Forever for $50.00 USD on Steam, despite it never having been listed at that price.

Bought Skyrim and all the DLC

And my comp won't play it

[Pendulous]

Bought Skyrim and all the DLC

And my comp won't play it

Wow, really? I don't know much about computers, but mine's like 8 years old, has an outdated processor, and plays Skyrim fine. I mean, unless you're on a laptop, I can't see how it would be completely unplayable.

[IthilanorStPete]

(crossposting here and the General Gaming thread)

I picked up SimCity 4 from a flash sale; its always been my favorite of the SimCity series. I've heard that its somewhat buggy and unstable on newer OSs, though, and I'm running Windows 7. What are the best patches/mods for getting it running without issues?

[Antonok]

Wow, really? I don't know much about computers, but mine's like 8 years old, has an outdated processor, and plays Skyrim fine. I mean, unless you're on a laptop, I can't see how it would be completely unplayable.

My video card is hit and miss. Some games that it shouldn't be able to play, play perfectly. Other that it should play, don't play at all.

[factotum]

My video card is hit and miss. Some games that it shouldn't be able to play, play perfectly. Other that it should play, don't play at all.

That's not an internal Intel graphics chip, is it? If so, I recommend you replace it with a plug-in graphics card from nVidia or AMD--pretty much anything they offer would beat Intel, and would be more compatible with games.

[Antonok]

That's not an internal Intel graphics chip, is it? If so, I recommend you replace it with a plug-in graphics card from nVidia or AMD--pretty much anything they offer would beat Intel, and would be more compatible with games.

Its an ATI Radeon 3000 integrated card. If this says anything, I can play fallout new vegas on medium/high graphics (as long as shadows are turned off), but skyrim won't run at all.

Been meaning to upgrade it, but something else always seems to pop up. Hoping I'll get a good tax check this year and be done with it.

[Bayar]

(crossposting here and the General Gaming thread)

I picked up SimCity 4 from a flash sale; its always been my favorite of the SimCity series. I've heard that its somewhat buggy and unstable on newer OSs, though, and I'm running Windows 7. What are the best patches/mods for getting it running without issues?

It works like a charm out of the box for me and I am using Win7 64bit.

[Morph Bark]

My video card is hit and miss. Some games that it shouldn't be able to play, play perfectly. Other that it should play, don't play at all.

I know that feel. My old laptop can't play League of Legends, but has no trouble with Skyrim. Or at least it didn't back when I still used it to play Skyrim.

[factotum]

Its an ATI Radeon 3000 integrated card. If this says anything, I can play fallout new vegas on medium/high graphics (as long as shadows are turned off), but skyrim won't run at all.

A quick web search suggests it's possible to get Skyrim to run on that chip, but you have to install mods that remove some of the more advanced graphics features in order to do so--frankly, I think you'd be better off with a new card. (You could get a plug-in card that would outperform the integrated 3000 by a factor of 10 for about £50 or your local currency equivalent).

[Trixie]

Frankly, you're better off just buying the items for the F2P games that you want to get, if that's your goal.

Ahem (http://steamcommunity.com/market/listings/440/The%20Smissmas%20Caribou). Double ahem (http://steamcommunity.com/market/listings/570/Genuine%20Scythe%20of%20Ice).

And these 2 aren't even the most expensive things you can get from cards, far from it.

[Brother Oni]

(crossposting here and the General Gaming thread)

I picked up SimCity 4 from a flash sale; its always been my favorite of the SimCity series. I've heard that its somewhat buggy and unstable on newer OSs, though, and I'm running Windows 7. What are the best patches/mods for getting it running without issues?

I've picked it up as well, although won't be able to try playing it until late tomorrow.

Have you tried running it in compatibility mode?

[factotum]

Have you tried running it in compatibility mode?

Sometimes SimCity4 will run OK in software mode but not in 3D accelerated mode, so it's worth trying that as well.

[Lunix Vandal]

(Trigger warning: numbers numbers math math math) :smalltongue:
Ahem (http://steamcommunity.com/market/listings/440/The%20Smissmas%20Caribou). Double ahem (http://steamcommunity.com/market/listings/570/Genuine%20Scythe%20of%20Ice).

And these 2 aren't even the most expensive things you can get from cards, far from it.Yes ... but given that the drop rate on Precious-tier items is around one in six hundred (and each specific one is around 1/6000), if you're really that desperate for one, buying one outright is likely both cheaper and much more reliable. Even if you're getting cards for 15 cents apiece, $150 worth of snowglobe badges would only have a ~15.4% chance of outputting a Precious at all. Specifically getting the one you want is a tenth of that chance (1.5%). Kind of like TF2 Unusuals, then -- awesome when you uncrate one by sheer luck, but it's exceedingly unlikely you'll turn a profit by opening crates en masse.

The pattern continues all the way down to the Commons -- why spend $1.50 on the badge (for a ~1-in-15 shot at the item you actually want) when you could pick it up off the Market for under 50 cents?

[Trixie]

Well, thing is, 150$ spent on badges is going to output a lot of items, that while in many cases will be a loss, in many cases will easily cover many more badges on even tier 2 item. People crunched the numbers and while for incidental opener it's very random, apparently if you have money you're going to profit. Take a look here:

http://puu.sh/63CkG.jpg

Yup, that is hundred thousand XP points on badge level 1001: http://media.steampowered.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/267420/7897153de91027e9fee646656b5bdc830a0fb0c1.png

And that is with today's prices, where everyone is trying to outbid each other. Remember history with 2011 TF2 festives? Anyone who invested would have made a fortune today. I dropped 2x DotA 2 common swords from the badges - these things have unique particles, I can't see demand for them going down in the long run.

Anyhow, I wonder who unboxed the Randolph. If it isn't guy above, the second unique hat in TF2 history probably ended up in the backpack of someone who doesn't play TF2, as it didn't surfaced after three days. Hearing the story "how I was scammed from four digit $ value item" if it ever happens is going to be so depressing :smallcool:

[Triscuitable]

Ahem (http://steamcommunity.com/market/listings/440/The%20Smissmas%20Caribou). Double ahem (http://steamcommunity.com/market/listings/570/Genuine%20Scythe%20of%20Ice).

And these 2 aren't even the most expensive things you can get from cards, far from it.

Looking at how many are up for sale, you're more likely to spend that much money trying to craft them anyway :smalltongue:. Those are slim, slim odds.

The Phased Ankyros in Warframe is selling for upwards of $300.

[NeoVid]

Hey, I only crafted 3 snowglobe badges, and I got a rare!

Which is worth 3 cents.

Speaking of stupidly profitable items, wasn't there someone on one of the earlier Steam threads who said they got a Burning Team Captain unusual? Because I just found out there's only 6 of those in existence. (http://backpack.tf/stats/378/5/13)

Sigh. Wish I'd held onto my Big Kill until after unusuals came out.

[Rawhide]

Does anyone have an extra copy of Crusader Kings II floating around? Perhaps from the Paradox Humble Bundle?

[Brother Oni]

Gone Home's...interesting. I spent about 3 hours on it front to back. The first issue is that the replay value is exactly 0.


Just completed it myself and I pretty much agree with every word of this review.

In addition to Cristo Meyers' theory regarding the hate levelled at the game, I'd think it's also a substantial amount of buyer's remorse - I would be very hard pressed to recommend this at full price.
I picked it up in the sale for £5.09, which I think is about the right price point for the amount of time invested (about 3 hours) and the replay value (none).

[Infernally Clay]

The problem with Gone Home is that it was hyped as something it isn't. Indie horror games are becoming quite popular thanks to Youtubers and Gone Home isn't one, even though it portrays itself as one. So people who went in expecting a chilling atmosphere or scares were left disappointed - and the people who praise the game are predominantly fans of stuff like Dear Esther, which barely registers as a game for most people.

So if you think of video gaming's potential as some form of high brow entertainment, if you prefer style over substance, you'll probably like Gone Home. Otherwise it's a waste of time.

[Volatar]

So if you think of video gaming's potential as some form of high brow entertainment, if you prefer style over substance, you'll probably like Gone Home. Otherwise it's a waste of time.

Or if you enjoy a good story. You don't have to be so derogatory. :smallannoyed:

[Tavar]

Regarding the Holiday Badge: anyone have a spare number 10? It's all I need for the badge. I have a couple #6's, #8's, #1's, and #3.

Names Tavar.

[Qwertystop]

It's not letting me place my vote, but I'll keep that in mind in case it gives me a 10 when it does.

EDIT: Oh wait... one more vote before I get another card.

[Brother Oni]

The problem with Gone Home is that it was hyped as something it isn't. Indie horror games are becoming quite popular thanks to Youtubers and Gone Home isn't one, even though it portrays itself as one. So people who went in expecting a chilling atmosphere or scares were left disappointed - and the people who praise the game are predominantly fans of stuff like Dear Esther, which barely registers as a game for most people.

So if you think of video gaming's potential as some form of high brow entertainment, if you prefer style over substance, you'll probably like Gone Home. Otherwise it's a waste of time.

Alternatively, never listen to the hype and go into a game cold.

I missed all the hype so had no expectations going in aside from the trailer which doesn't mention any horror element (the launch trailer bills it as a 'story exploration video game') and I quite enjoyed it, my caveat of the price tag still withstanding.

While I can see some merit in the complaint of it not really being a game, describing it more accurately as an interactive fiction or a Visual Novel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_novel) gives the completely wrong impression to non-western audiences.

Edit: On a completely different note, is anybody else finding it amusing that the YNAB budgeting software is now on sale in the last few days of the Christmas Sale? :smallamused:

[Tavar]

Valve does enjoy messing with us, doesn't it.

Also, anyone interested in/have Hammerwatch?

[Hiro Protagonest]

Valve does enjoy messing with us, doesn't it.

Also, anyone interested in/have Hammerwatch?

I do! Haven't gotten past Act 1 though... basic thoughts: micro-focused top-down ARPG, but I like it more than a Diablo-style game or an old Zelda game. Also, soundtrack is amazing.

Using a controller gives more fluid movement, but you can still only aim in eight directions...

Edit: ...Unless, of course, you go to controls and turn that off. >_<

[Triscuitable]

So if you think of video gaming's potential as some form of high brow entertainment, if you prefer style over substance, you'll probably like Gone Home. Otherwise it's a waste of time.


Or if you enjoy a good story. You don't have to be so derogatory. :smallannoyed:

Seconded. It's a story-focused narrative, and a great example of why video games are an important medium; you couldn't tell this kind of story as a movie or book. To degrade it (and those who enjoyed it) as "high brow entertainment" as if to say it's only capable of being enjoyed by elitist snobs is unfair to those who simply enjoy a story over hacking people to bits.

That said, it's not my cup of tea, but if my coworkers (who play the likes of Ni No Kuni, League of Legends, Call of Duty, and every other kind of game) enjoy it, it's damn well capable of reaching a broader audience than what you're stereotyping.

[Cristo Meyers]

Just completed it myself and I pretty much agree with every word of this review.

In addition to Cristo Meyers' theory regarding the hate levelled at the game, I'd think it's also a substantial amount of buyer's remorse - I would be very hard pressed to recommend this at full price.
I picked it up in the sale for £5.09, which I think is about the right price point for the amount of time invested (about 3 hours) and the replay value (none).

Oh, same here. I picked it up on sale I think around Thanksgiving, somewhere around 7$US I believe, and that's definitely the top of what I'd pay for it. If you're unsure and it's not on sale for around $5US, then wait.


Alternatively, never listen to the hype and go into a game cold.

I missed all the hype so had no expectations going in aside from the trailer which doesn't mention any horror element (the launch trailer bills it as a 'story exploration video game') and I quite enjoyed it, my caveat of the price tag still withstanding.


I double-checked the store page to be sure: there's absolutely nothing in there about it being a horror game. At most it's described as a mystery, which is completely accurate. It also flat-out says that there is no combat, no danger, and no puzzles. The only thing that points in that direction is that Gone Home was originally a mod for Amnesia, but again the store page makes it pretty clear that this is not a horror game.

Believe me, if I'd paid full price for it I'd be pretty put-out too. But anyone saying it was falsely billed as a horror game is inaccurate at best and it's compounded by the fact that there is plenty of criticism that could be leveled against the game and story, just not "it's a bad horror game."

Might as well say Assassin's Creed is a bad platformer.

[Volatar]

Might as well say Assassin's Creed is a bad platformer.

>_>

<_<

Assassin's Creed is my favorite platformer...

[Cristo Meyers]

>_>

<_<

Assassin's Creed is my favorite platformer...

Dating Sim, then :smalltongue:

Either way, the point is that saying Gone Home is a bad horror game is criticizing it for doing something poorly that it never set out to do in the first place.

[Tavar]

I do! Haven't gotten past Act 1 though... basic thoughts: micro-focused top-down ARPG, but I like it more than a Diablo-style game or an old Zelda game. Also, soundtrack is amazing.

Using a controller gives more fluid movement, but you can still only aim in eight directions...

Edit: ...Unless, of course, you go to controls and turn that off. >_<

Can you explain what you mean by micro?

Also, how good is the multiplayer aspect?

[Hiro Protagonest]

Can you explain what you mean by micro?

Also, how good is the multiplayer aspect?

Basically combat is just that you've got a button to attack, and a button to do a special attack that takes mana. Your character is fairly fragile though. Your health doesn't regenerate and aside from a finite number of healing items (I'm not even sure if the rare monster drop is random or if it was programmed for that specific one to drop it) it's very rare (although if you get a combo from a combo vendor and then buy the "regen health during combo effect" upgrade that works). You have to kite, a lot, even with the paladin (this is why my favorite class is wizard and my least favorite is warlock).

I have no idea, I haven't done multiplayer. But from what I've seen on videos there appears to be no changes to the dungeons, they become easier but healing is even rarer.

[Tavar]

Sounds interesting.

Oh, and for anyone interested: I have some 1's, 3's, and 6's. They're pretty much up for grabs at this point.

[Grif]

So uh. I have a set of 10 Snow Globe cards. I figured I may as well try to get a badge before the time limit.

Currently have #1, #5, #8 and #9 extra, and looking for #2, #3, #6 and #7.

[Brother Oni]

Dating Sim, then :smalltongue:

Given that you can find Ezio's belt near where the brothel used to be in Monteriggoni, it was probably a fairly simple dating sim of 'pay money and get best ending', at least for that night. :smalltongue:

[Trixie]

Sigh, so I miss several snow cards to 10 now I guess. I wonder if someone doesn't need theirs and wouldn't want to trade for them, or alternatively, if I have any you miss I can swap to help you get your own set. My steam ID in sig if you doesn't have me yet.

[Morty]

Is there any tangible benefit for completing the set of cards?

[Antonok]

Is there any tangible benefit for completing the set of cards?

craft a badge and get xp? only thing I know of

[Rawhide]

Is there any tangible benefit for completing the set of cards?

Not really. You get an emoticon, a wallpaper, and an in game item for one of a bunch of free to plays. You also get 100 XP towards Steam's XP system. Levelling up in there lets you make cosmetic changes to your profile page. It's kinda lame, really.

---

That said, I'm still looking for a couple for people I know.

Need:
2, 4

Have to give:
7, 8

[Trixie]

I have 4 and 6, I think.

[Tavar]

Going up a level does give you better chances for getting some things, mainly getting more cards for games(and if you complete a set you can also get cupons and items). I agree with the idea that it isn't much.

You can sell the cards, and basically get money that can only be spent on steam(cards don't sell for much, but it can add up).

[Infernally Clay]

Or if you enjoy a good story. You don't have to be so derogatory. :smallannoyed:

I feel I actually do need to be. The problem many seem to forget is that these are supposed to be video games. While a great story is something that would never negatively affect a game, the fact is that many developers are so engrossed in telling a good story that they forget to make a good video game as well. It's not just software like Gone Home or Dear Esther, but also big budget titles like Beyond: Two Souls or Spec Ops: The Line - they may tell good stories but they're awful video games and that negatively affects everything. If you're not enjoying the game or getting frustrated with it because there's no substance or actual gameplay, the very story they're trying to tell is going to be lost on you.

That's the main reason Gone Home is so divisive. You literally spend the entire game walking around an empty house. You're paying £15 to walk around an empty house and have a story told to you. The interactivity is minimal, there is no skill required to progress and there is absolutely no replayability because even the story they're trying to tell can really only be experienced in the intended way once. Had they added an actual gameplay element, such as puzzles or an enemy you must avoid while piecing together the story, then it would have been a much better video game.

[Hiro Protagonest]

Actually, the gameplay in Spec Ops and Beyond Two Souls fits them perfectly. Spec Ops: The Line is a perfectly mediocre third-person cover shooter, and is meant to be a deconstruction. It's supposed to be an experience. The idea that you can't have crappy gameplay in a deconstruction of a game genre is like saying you can't have crappy story in a deconstruction of a movie genre. The problem is whether you think of story-affecting choices, like the ones available in Beyond Two Souls or The Stanley Parable, as gameplay. Because you certainly couldn't achieve these in movies, yet it doesn't feel like you're playing a game. We really just need a new name for the medium (one that isn't just bland like "interactive experience").

[Brother Oni]

I feel I actually do need to be. The problem many seem to forget is that these are supposed to be video games.

The problem is that 'video game' is an extremely vague term. The dictionary definition is "a game played by electronically manipulating images produced by a computer program on a monitor or other display", which covers everything from Crysis 2 to a Game and Watch handheld (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_%26_Watch).

As you've mentioned, some people don't think the Gone Home genre are video games, others do. If you feel that the dictionary definition is obsolete, what would your new definition be?


We really just need a new name for the medium (one that isn't just bland like "interactive experience").

You could always use Interactive Fiction if you don't think the already existing Visual Novel genre is suitable.

[Hiro Protagonest]

I don't like Visual Novel. That sounds like a name for comic books or an alternative name for movies.

[Brother Oni]

I don't like Visual Novel. That sounds like a name for comic books or an alternative name for movies.

Yeah, I don't like it much either since it has entirely the wrong meaning in English, even if the actual genre fits things like Gone Home to a T.

Edit: Hmm, I just got a 50% off voucher for vanilla Crusader Kings 2. Given what I've spent in the recent sales, I can't justify another game (nor do I have the hard drive space), so it's going free to a good home.

Edit2: Valid until 1st Feb 2014 08:01:00 GMT

[IthilanorStPete]

I like the term Interactive Fiction, myself; it pretty well encapsulates the genre.

[Triscuitable]

I don't like Visual Novel. That sounds like a name for comic books or an alternative name for movies.

It's literally a novel with pictures. Most of the time with music, some of the time with voice acting. Games like Phoenix Wright (which is a pretty big step away from the genre, in that it's very interactive, but still entirely reliant on text), Saya no Uta (a short but bittersweet VN with only three choices in its entire 3-4 hour duration), and Fate/stay night (the infamous 80-hour epic with three routes the length of a long visual novel and more text than your average Stephen King doorstopper) are good examples of a visual novel.

Calling Gone Home a visual novel is like calling The Walking Dead an action game. The actual elements from the genre that you're trying to argue that are present within the game are so thin, that you might as well just give up. Gone Home is an adventure game. A short one, yes, but it fits the description nicely.

[Forbiddenwar]

TB had a recent video discussing what constitutes a video game. I can't find it now, but I think the heart of it was interactivity and failure states. On that basis, which I agree on, neither Dear Esther, Gone Home nor The Stanley Parable is a game. But whatever they are, I enjoy them. TB called them interactive narrative or interactive art exhibits. Works for me.

[Trixie]

Going up a level does give you better chances for getting some things, mainly getting more cards for games(and if you complete a set you can also get cupons and items).

Actually, you no longer get coupons.

Also, guys, check this (http://steamcommunity.com/id/bUm805/gamecards/267420) out :smallcool:

[Triscuitable]

TB had a recent video discussing what constitutes a video game. I can't find it now, but I think the heart of it was interactivity and failure states. On that basis, which I agree on, neither Dear Esther, Gone Home nor The Stanley Parable is a game. But whatever they are, I enjoy them. TB called them interactive narrative or interactive art exhibits. Works for me.

If in a piece of software, by interacting with something it changes in a way that you directed it to happen, either advancing a story or changing the actors (whether they're beings or otherwise), then it is a game.

You can say Gone Home isn't a game. It is just as much a game as Super Mario Bros. is. It's meant to occupy you while being an interactive medium. Movies can't do that. Music can't do that. TV can't do that. Only video games can do that.

It doesn't matter what TotalBiscuit says. I respect his opinions, but I find it extremely silly when somebody tries to change how something is perceived when it was already clear what it was in the first place.

[Hiro Protagonest]

TB had a recent video discussing what constitutes a video game. I can't find it now, but I think the heart of it was interactivity and failure states. On that basis, which I agree on, neither Dear Esther, Gone Home nor The Stanley Parable is a game. But whatever they are, I enjoy them. TB called them interactive narrative or interactive art exhibits. Works for me.


If in a piece of software, by interacting with something it changes in a way that you directed it to happen, either advancing a story or changing the actors (whether they're beings or otherwise), then it is a game.

But we get into this messy debate of what is and isn't interactive. While TV shows and movies are probably exempt, due to the only interaction being to start it up in the first place, books are technically interactive. You turn the page to read the next part.

I'm with TB on this one. Stanley Parable is a game, it simply wouldn't work in movie or book format (except for CYOA, perhaps, but that would require a ton of pages), while Dear Esther could work in a largely unaltered state. Beyond Two Souls is kinda like a long movie, but there's simply too much cause-and-effect from player choices for it to be transitioned wholesale to that medium.

I loved Asura's Wrath. But I loved it for the story and the action scenes, not for the gameplay (it's actually a dead ringer for the TTRPG Exalted, right down to the fact that enemies don't actually have hitpoints :smalltongue:). I watched an uncommentated Let's Play on YouTube, I didn't play it myself.

Gone Home I haven't actually heard a lot about, so I don't know about it.

[Bayar]

Actually, you no longer get coupons.

Also, guys, check this (http://steamcommunity.com/id/bUm805/gamecards/267420) out :smallcool:

This makes me sad in so many ways. Ways related to money mainly.

[Brother Oni]

I loved Asura's Wrath. But I loved it for the story and the action scenes, not for the gameplay (it's actually a dead ringer for the TTRPG Exalted, right down to the fact that enemies don't actually have hitpoints ). I watched an uncommentated Let's Play on YouTube, I didn't play it myself.

To be honest, it's actually better to watch it since while playing you're too busy hammering buttons or watching out for the QTEs to fully appreciate how completely over the top it is.



Gone Home I haven't actually heard a lot about, so I don't know about it.

It's currently on sale at the Humble Store (https://www.humblebundle.com/store) for 6.80 USD if you feel like indulging.

[Tavar]

This makes me sad in so many ways. Ways related to money mainly.

Depending on the exact method, it could be more like a sockpuppet scheme. He has his main account, and then a bunch of feeder accounts, and uses the feeder accounts to get the free cards. Probably with some automation involved.

[Bayar]

Depending on the exact method, it could be more like a sockpuppet scheme. He has his main account, and then a bunch of feeder accounts, and uses the feeder accounts to get the free cards. Probably with some automation involved.

Considering he would need 3400 accounts at the minimum to get all the cards to gain that (not counting the cards you get by crafting the badge, that would drop it by about 212 accounts), it still is mindjarring.

[JabberwockySupafly]

So, globe trading. I've got a bunch of 3's, 4's, a spare 5 and a spare 7. I need 1, 6, 8 and 9 if anyone feels like trading. I've also got a 50% off Crusader Kings II coupon I'll never use, that's good until Feb 1, if that looks appealing to anyone for trade reasons.

Might help if I let you good folks know how to contact me. My Name on steam is the same as here, JabberwockySupafly.

[IthilanorStPete]

So, globe trading. I've got a bunch of 3's, 4's, a spare 5 and a spare 7. I need 1, 6, 8 and 9 if anyone feels like trading. I've also got a 50% off Crusader Kings II coupon I'll never use, that's good until Feb 1, if that looks appealing to anyone for trade reasons.

Might help if I let you good folks know how to contact me. My Name on steam is the same as here, JabberwockySupafly.

Does that CK2 coupon apply to DLC? If so, I'm interested.

[JabberwockySupafly]

Does that CK2 coupon apply to DLC? If so, I'm interested.

From what I can see it's only good for the base game and not the DLC. Sorry.

[Brother Oni]

Does that CK2 coupon apply to DLC? If so, I'm interested.

If it's the same one I just got then no, just the base game.
Edit: Ninja'ed

[IthilanorStPete]

From what I can see it's only good for the base game and not the DLC. Sorry.

Ah, well. Ok.

[Flickerdart]

I got three of the CKII coupons I don't need. Half off crusading for everyone!

[Krade]

Going over the cards I have I realize that I don't care enough to go through the trouble of getting what I need to craft the badge.

So I'll put all my cards up for grabs. First come first serve.

#1: 1 0
#2: 1 0
#3: 0
#4: 3 2
#5: 1 0
#6: 2
#7: 2
#8: 2
#9: 0
#10: 1 0

SteamID is krade2k20

[Rawhide]

Going over the cards I have I realize that I don't care enough to go through the trouble of getting what I need to craft the badge.

So I'll put all my cards up for grabs. First come first serve.

#1: 1
#2: 1
#3: 0
#4: 3
#5: 1
#6: 2
#7: 2
#8: 2
#9: 0
#10: 1

SteamID is krade2k20

I'll happily grab some you don't need, I have a few friends looking for cards. Especially need #2.


I got three of the CKII coupons I don't need. Half off crusading for everyone!

Does the 50% off stack with the current sale, making it 75% off?

Scratch that, even the generic 50% discount we just had has vanished. In fact, the generic discount has vanished on all games.

Ah well, I'll wait until it's back on 75% off, unless anyone has a spare copy floating around.

[Volatar]

Considering he would need 3400 accounts at the minimum to get all the cards to gain that (not counting the cards you get by crafting the badge, that would drop it by about 212 accounts), it still is mindjarring.

Not really. Some simple scripting could do it all quite easily.

[Triscuitable]

books are technically interactive. You turn the page to read the next part.

Tssk tssk, m'friend; books are firmware. Everyone knows that.

[Volatar]

Tssk tssk, m'friend; books are firmware. Everyone knows that.

I write in my firmware.

Take that.

[Triscuitable]

I write in my firmware.

Take that.

Second edition.

[Flickerdart]

Books are a time-based medium, not an interactive one, given that your only control is over the pacing of your use of the object.

[Brother Oni]

Tssk tssk, m'friend; books are firmware. Everyone knows that.

You really don't want to be using the word 'firm' anywhere near the book '50 Shades of Grey'...


Books are a time-based medium, not an interactive one, given that your only control is over the pacing of your use of the object.

What about the old 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books then? They're interactive with failure states so fulfil those requirements. About the only things that differentiates them from certain types of video games is the electronics and display and with the ebook/html versions, even that's gone.

[Triscuitable]

Books are a time-based medium, not an interactive one, given that your only control is over the pacing of your use of the object.

This means Street Fighter II Turbo is also a book.


You really don't want to be using the word 'firm' anywhere near the book '50 Shades of Grey'...

:smallyuk:

[Eldan]

I can choose to read the last page of a book first and spoil the mystery. Clearly, interactive.

[Roxxy]

So, do you think we'll get to keep our holiday cards a bit longer, what with this DDoS attack throwing a wrench in things? How much functionality do you guys have, anyway? Store is back up for me for now, but I'm still locked out of my inventory and can't update any games.

[Trixie]

I dint think so, Valve probably hardcoded expiry date according to that timer in front page :smallfrown:

Pity, one of my friends didn't finished badge, and seeing he needs to work now, will probably lose his cards...

[Psyren]

My poor wallet! But man did I get some great deals! Magicka Collection, Tomb Raider Collection, both Witchers, Resident Evil Collection, some fun looking budgeting software that I will now put to use planning future Steam binges... :smallbiggrin:

[Volatar]

some fun looking budgeting software that I will now put to use planning future Steam binges... :smallbiggrin:

YNAB? tenchars

[Reverent-One]

Out of curiousity, did any spare trading cards disappear at the deadline, or are they simply no longer usable?

[Psyren]

YNAB? tenchars

Yeah, the video pretty much sold me on it. Well, that and the fact that it was 75% off.

[Infernally Clay]

Actually, the gameplay in Spec Ops and Beyond Two Souls fits them perfectly. Spec Ops: The Line is a perfectly mediocre third-person cover shooter, and is meant to be a deconstruction. It's supposed to be an experience. The idea that you can't have crappy gameplay in a deconstruction of a game genre is like saying you can't have crappy story in a deconstruction of a movie genre. The problem is whether you think of story-affecting choices, like the ones available in Beyond Two Souls or The Stanley Parable, as gameplay. Because you certainly couldn't achieve these in movies, yet it doesn't feel like you're playing a game. We really just need a new name for the medium (one that isn't just bland like "interactive experience").

Allow me to ask the opposite - you can't have good gameplay in a deconstruction? I don't see why people justify Spec Ops: The Line's awful gameplay as something that was necessary for the game's message to be delivered. It wouldn't have affected their message at all to make a decent game. I'm not asking for Uncharted, just for a serviceable game. I don't really care if the game is s'posed to deconstruct the shooter genre because it plays so badly that it's almost begging you to actually play the games it's meant to be deconstructing simply because they at least play well.

You mention films, saying that it's perfectly okay to have a deconstruction of a particular genre and yet do so with an awful script. Gamer, the Gerard Butler film, was meant to be a deconstruction of gaming itself, particularly highlighting how gleefully we kill people in shooters or how perverse simulators like Second Life can be... But guess what? It had an awful script, which ruined its message. All anyone remembers it for is the dancing villain at the end. The bad script ruined the message, just like the bad gameplay ruined the message that Spec Ops: The Line tried to convey. It's no real different to that DmC reboot - they tried to deconstruct social media and it might have worked if they didn't botch up the gameplay as well (okay, maybe not, even their attempt at deconstruction was awful :smallwink:).

As for "story-affecting choices", it's all smoke and mirrors anyway. You think you control Jodie's choices, but you don't. You think the choices Lee makes matter, but they don't. You're being told a story any any choices you're given the chance to make are rarely more than cosmetic or inconsequential. The end is always the same. Did anything you do affect anything in Gone Home, either? 'Cause I don't believe it did.

[Flickerdart]

This means Street Fighter II Turbo is also a book.
If all bears are mammals, and all cats are mammals, it doesn't mean that all cats are bears.

[Hiro Protagonest]

As for "story-affecting choices", it's all smoke and mirrors anyway. You think you control Jodie's choices, but you don't. You think the choices Lee makes matter, but they don't. You're being told a story any any choices you're given the chance to make are rarely more than cosmetic or inconsequential. The end is always the same.

Um... Beyond Two Souls has many different ways for the story to play out. Especially the ending.

[Cikomyr]

Is someone else having problem with Steam?

[Brother Oni]

Is someone else having problem with Steam?

Yup. I believe somebody mentioned upthread that there's a DDOS going on.

[Roxxy]

Yup. I believe somebody mentioned upthread that there's a DDOS going on.Link. (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/207977/Steam_Origin_and_Battlenet_hit_by_DDoS_attacks.php ) Some chuckleheads started out with hitting Origin, and somebody else thought it would be funny to hit Steam and Battle.net. So far as I can tell, it's finally over.

[Forbiddenwar]

nope, looks like they moved to attack the store instead of the community now.

Does anyone know what the Star Trek Armada 3 mod for Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion require? the mod forum is unhelpful and there seems to by a lot of very expensive dlc for it.

[Tavar]

5 dollars each isn't what I would call "very expensive"(especially when they're often discounted for sales).

That said, unless they say something, it's probably a safe bet to assume you just need the base game, maybe forbidden worlds. Stellar Phenomena is pretty new.
Checked on the ModDB page, under features. They say that there's support for Random Events, a something only implemented in Stellar Phenomena. It might not be needed, but I wouldn't count on that.

In a Similar vein, people with Sins should totally try out the Sins of the Prophets mod. It's a Halo-Total conversion, and so far is pretty fun, with the races playing very differently: humans have a great economy(TEC, but better) with pretty cheap ships, both in resources and supply(cap ships for under 40 supplies), which they need because their ships can be destroyed in one or two shots at the beginning, and their main guns, while extremely powerful, take a long time to reload. Their defenses are hilariously powerful, often able to one shot attackers. The Covenant don't get the great econ or defenses, but their ships are much more durable, and have better weapons overall. Then you have the non-playable flood, which are apparently a total nightmare to fight against if active, but I haven't dealt with them in that mode. Even if they're not active, you might encounter them, as isolated worlds. In that case, they will obtain ships by killing them, slowly building up forces if your attacks aren't careful.


There's also a version out for entrenchment.

[Forbiddenwar]

5 dollars each isn't what I would call "very expensive"(especially when they're often discounted for sales).


Ah, Thank-you. Sorry about getting the price wrong, with the store down all I could see was the $89.99 pack. I couldn't even see what it contained.

Mostly interested in playing a Borg. Flying a cube and obliterating whole fleets with a single ship sounds great!

[Tavar]

It does, though some of the comments in the discussions don't exactly fill me with confidence.

[Pendulous]

Final tally and opinions on what I've played so far:

Borderlands: Haven't played yet, but watched my friends play a lot of it a few years ago when it first came out on consoles. I'm not big on FPS games really, but adding RPG elements might make me enjoy it
DLC Quest: Terrible game. Not even worth the 90 cents or whatever I paid for it. The humor of "lol, everything you do requires a DLC" fades after about two minutes, and you realize how absolutely terrible of a game it is. 94 minutes, that's how long it took me to beat it.
Dragon Age Origins Ultimate Edition: A game my closest-personality-to-me friend recommends heavily. Have to give it a try soon.
Dust: An Elysian Tale:So far this game is super fun. The story so far is pretty in-depth, and the dialogue is freaking hilarious. Fidget for character of the year. I have a couple complaints about it though. The walls you have to break with bombs gets really tedious, especially if it's a particularly far away wall, and you have to do it over and over. Just a boring and pointless mechanic to me. Also, it gets really hard at times to tell where you are what you're doing in particularly heavy combat situations. Oh, and the touchy movements get annoying. Trying to jump right as you land is impossible, and makes platform areas tough to maneuver.
Giana Sisters - Twisted Dreams: Meh. It's a cool idea, but the transition between sisters gets really irritating, and the controls are not very fluid.
Pandemonium: Haven't played yet, came in a two-pack with Giana Sisters.
Scoregasm: Sucks. It looked like a pretty free-roaming shooter by the trailer, but turns out you're stuck in this small circular area. Also, not big on the whole "use one stick to move, other stick to shoot" controls.
Spelunky: Also haven't played. Was on a good sale, and looked like a decent roguelike game.
Star Wars Battlefront 2: I actually own this on PS2, but my console is really wonky, something about the disc tray not being closed or something. Anyway, I enjoyed the first game more, but I don't remember too much about 2. Should enjoy it plenty.
Super Hexagon: One of those "it's less than a dollar, just get it" games. Played a few minutes with it. Hard, of course, but I think the movements could be more fluid and not jump you to a location.
Super House of Dead Ninjas: Not bad so far. Instead of building gold like in Rogue Legacy, you earn upgrades by achieving certain things. Like, making it x amount of floors down (it's just a giant tower you go down).
Unepic: Meh. Not what I was expecting. Lot of humor with the pop culture references, but gameplay is really lacking.
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition: I've heard nothing but absolute praise on this game. I have to try it at some point.
Ys 1 and 2: My only memory of a Ys game was this really really crappy side-scroller for I think the NES. The trailers for these games definitely is not those games. They look a lot more fun than I thought.
VVVVVV: Was 50 cents in one of the last community votes. Watched a playthrough a while ago by Game Grumps, and I figured it was definitely worth that much to try.

Overall, I think I ended up spending around $40. But I had a gift card for most of it, and a little bit of Steam wallet money.

[Antonok]

~snip

I can only really comment on borderlands and dragon age, both of which are very good games.

I personally prefer borderlands with at least another person to co-op with.

[Volatar]

I got a bunch of games and yet pretty much all my time has been spent building and crashing rockets in Kerbal Space Program. :smallbiggrin:

[Silverraptor]

I myself want to finally finish borderlands 1, but it feels bland doing it by myself and I can't find anyone who wants to play a full team with me.

[Kris Strife]

I myself want to finally finish borderlands 1, but it feels bland doing it by myself and I can't find anyone who wants to play a full team with me.

I'm in the same boat.

[Trixie]

dragon age, both of which are very good games

I don't know. Dragon Age is full of terrible filler. As in, 4 areas where something happens, and 40 where you just grind through enemies. Dwarven tunnels, forest, castle, temple, and especially ending, I am looking at you :smallannoyed:

[Forbiddenwar]

I got a bunch of games and yet pretty much all my time has been spent building and crashing rockets in Kerbal Space Program. :smallbiggrin:

I got a bunch of games, but only get an hour or two a week to play on the family gaming rig.
So i've been playing a lot of short games, like stanley parable and gone home.

I played the Witcher a long time ago and it started fun but the constant fetch questing started to feel repetitive to me. I got as far as the 3rd act, I think. I might just pick it up and finish it at some point though. I heard the Witcher 2 is better, with actual divergent storylines depending on choices made, so I picked that up when it was super cheap.

[Avilan the Grey]

Anybody else having trouble logging onto steam the last 36 hours?

Edit: never mind. Moron trolls are DDOSing it down "Because somebody attacked Origin so they want to get even".

Troll logic is fun. Not.

[Antonok]

I can't access the store but I've been able to log in and play games.

[Silverraptor]

I'm in the same boat.

We should see if others would be willing to form a regular gaming group so we can play through the game.

[Grif]

So. Been spending with with Deus Ex: HR Director Cut recently.

It's pretty fun, though as someone noted earlier, the way the DLC was spliced into the game was pretty ham-handed, with the flashback sequence being replayed just minutes after you done the mission.

But still. A pretty fun game. I somehow managed to nail all but one of the social "boss" battle thing, only failing the one with Sarif.

[Grytorm]

So I have decided to try Team Fortress 2. I'm a little worried about how it will run on my Laptop. Currently downloading it over several days, which might be another problem. Just wanted to ask if my computer shutting down in the middle of the download without using the pause button could ruin the download.

[Antonok]

So I have decided to try Team Fortress 2. I'm a little worried about how it will run on my Laptop. Currently downloading it over several days, which might be another problem. Just wanted to ask if my computer shutting down in the middle of the download without using the pause button could ruin the download.

It shouldn't. Steams pretty good about pausing downloads if there's a sudden loss in connection, and my internet has tested that quite extensively.

And if you turn the settings down it should run fairly well. I can run it with 60fps on my comp no problem.

[Rain Dragon]

So I have decided to try Team Fortress 2. I'm a little worried about how it will run on my Laptop. Currently downloading it over several days, which might be another problem. Just wanted to ask if my computer shutting down in the middle of the download without using the pause button could ruin the download.

I've also had internet connection issues and never had to re-download anything before.

Also, my 6 or so year old laptop runs TF2, so yours should be able to run it as well.

Public games are usually very fun.

[Trixie]

So I have decided to try Team Fortress 2. I'm a little worried about how it will run on my Laptop.

We could say, something, maybe, if we knew anything about it :smallconfused:

As for trying, just make sure you don't walk into some "we hate krits" tryhard server, that won't be fun. Stick to Valve and community ones for now, then as you get better try modded ones.

[Tavar]

Huh. Steam Sale ends, and only now do I get the 50 dollar steam gift card from my Christmas presents.

[Triscuitable]

Huh. Steam Sale ends, and only now do I get the 50 dollar steam gift card from my Christmas presents.

I recommend pre-ordering Metal Gear Rising while it's 20% off.

[Tavar]

I recommend pre-ordering Metal Gear Rising while it's 20% off.

Not really interested in the series/gameplay that I've seen from others. Plus the name is ridiculous, and yet the game isn't mere comedy.

[Gamerlord]

Not really interested in the series/gameplay that I've seen from others. Plus the name is ridiculous, and yet the game isn't mere comedy.
It's a spin-off, much more hack-and-slash-y.

[Tavar]

It's a spin-off, much more hack-and-slash-y.
I know, though I was slightly mistaken: I didn't realize this was the same game released last February, just that this was the PC release. So my opinion isn't based on the previous game, but this game for consoles.

[Pendulous]

Welp, my 360 controller's A button sticks way too much, and I have no way to clean it. That was a waste of money. That, and all the Steam games I can't play now.

[Antonok]

Welp, my 360 controller's A button sticks way too much, and I have no way to clean it. That was a waste of money. That, and all the Steam games I can't play now.

Why don't you have a way to clean it?

Two things you can try is taking it apart, or taking a slightly damp q-tip* and running it around the button a couple times and then pressing it repeatedly.

*An old toothbrush also works as the bristles can get deeper down.

[Pendulous]

Two things you can try is taking it apart,

I can't do that. Apparently, taking it apart requires 'special tools" and I have no tools.


or taking a slightly damp q-tip* and running it around the button a couple times and then pressing it repeatedly.

*An old toothbrush also works as the bristles can get deeper down.

I already did that and it didn't work.

[Antonok]

I can't do that. Apparently, taking it apart requires 'special tools" and I have no tools.



I already did that and it didn't work.

Hmm, try this then, hold the controller upside down while taking a sewing needle around the edge and pressing the button up and down then follow it up with a toothbrush.

Alternately if you're feeling brave, you can take a small piece of cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol using a needle (if you try this, make sure you keep the controller upside down so the alcohol drips out and not inside of it)

[Pendulous]

Hmm, try this then, hold the controller upside down while taking a sewing needle around the edge and pressing the button up and down then follow it up with a toothbrush.


Nope, don't have that either. I did try a mechanical pencil, but while it got in, it did not help.

Does Microsoft just make shoddy products? I've had a PS2 controller for years, and I've never had an issue with it. I've had this 360 controller for less than a month.

[Antonok]

Nope, don't have that either. I did try a mechanical pencil, but while it got in, it did not help.

Does Microsoft just make shoddy products? I've had a PS2 controller for years, and I've never had an issue with it. I've had this 360 controller for less than a month.

Mostly buttons sticking are due to sweat and dirt getting inside of them, or having something sticky on your fingers (like cheetos dust).

Xbox controllers also have deeper set buttons then ps2 controllers so there's more area for gunk to build up in, and it doesn't break up as easy by constant button pressing.

I'd say just try to find something harder to find then graphite to use. If you can't find anything and are at your last end on it, <<< Do this at your own risk>>> try taking a washcloth with some alcohol and run around the button letting the alch run into the controller.

[Tebryn]

Dust: An Elysian Tale:So far this game is super fun. The story so far is pretty in-depth, and the dialogue is freaking hilarious. Fidget for character of the year. I have a couple complaints about it though. The walls you have to break with bombs gets really tedious, especially if it's a particularly far away wall, and you have to do it over and over. Just a boring and pointless mechanic to me. Also, it gets really hard at times to tell where you are what you're doing in particularly heavy combat situations. Oh, and the touchy movements get annoying. Trying to jump right as you land is impossible, and makes platform areas tough to maneuver.

This game looks beautiful and is animated beautifully and that's about all I can say on it that's nice. It shows that it's been made by one guy in a lot of other ways. The story is pretty bland, the heroes not at all interesting nor is the story all that gripping enough to make me want to keep going. Blah racism blah moral dilemma blah sacrifice. If this game had come out ten years ago maybe the story wouldn't have been so bland but now? There are a lot of other games and movies that do it better and in a more adult way. The voice acting doesn't help anything either, being pretty poor through out. Which is to say nothing about the poor controls, repetitive gameplay and level design that is certainly designed to harken back to older games but pulls only the worst of nostalgia to the detriment of how far games have come. The boss fights are probably the only good parts of the game and that only goes until the end boss who is terrible. The entire last leg of the game is terrible really.

[Triscuitable]

This game looks beautiful and is animated beautifully and that's about all I can say on it that's nice. It shows that it's been made by one guy in a lot of other ways. The story is pretty bland, the heroes not at all interesting nor is the story all that gripping enough to make me want to keep going. Blah racism blah moral dilemma blah sacrifice. If this game had come out ten years ago maybe the story wouldn't have been so bland but now? There are a lot of other games and movies that do it better and in a more adult way. The voice acting doesn't help anything either, being pretty poor through out. Which is to say nothing about the poor controls, repetitive gameplay and level design that is certainly designed to harken back to older games but pulls only the worst of nostalgia to the detriment of how far games have come. The boss fights are probably the only good parts of the game and that only goes until the end boss who is terrible. The entire last leg of the game is terrible really.

Jesus man, hatedom. The game's visually brilliant, and has an excellent OST to boot. While the constant game references might be a turn-off to some, there's a lot of charm to how they're incorporated (one healing item you can find is called a "wall chicken", and can only be found by breaking specific walls).

The story is extremely generic, about an amnesiac who does blah blah blah I'm bored now. The gameplay itself is sort of a merger of Metroidvania games and Devil May Cry, with ground and aerial combos involving very animesque battles where you can launch an enemy a dozen feet up, then hack at him a couple of times. It's not very repetitious, but the abilities you receive start off quick then become drip-fed over time. To say the least, the game is oddly paced. You'll find parts where you simply want to put the game down and think, "well it's starting to get pretty dull", then pick it back up and say, "now it's getting good again!"

I'm not a fan of the anthro characters (as in, at all), but I can understand why someone might decide to make a game like that. The game's humor adds to the charm, and the protagonist, despite everyone thinking he's brooding, is actually pretty entertaining.

The game is pretty good, but far from perfect. If you want a Metroidvania-type adventure to scratch that itch, this is definitely the game to get. However, we've seen it drop to prices below $5, so I'd say wait until that occurs once more.

[factotum]

Does Microsoft just make shoddy products? I've had a PS2 controller for years, and I've never had an issue with it. I've had this 360 controller for less than a month.

I've had my 360 controller for years and never had the slightest problem with it, so from this I deduce that Microsoft make brilliant products. See? Anecdotal reasoning works both ways... :smallbiggrin:

[Krade]

I can't do that. Apparently, taking it apart requires 'special tools" and I have no tools.

Literally $0.01 (http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-controller-screwdriver-Torx-T8/dp/B002G9MHY0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388996380&sr=8-1&keywords=screwdriver+xbox+360+controller)*

*Plus $3.98 Shipping

Edit: If you do go this route, remember that one of the screws is hidden under a sticker behind the battery pack (assuming it's a wireless controller. I don't know how wired ones might be different).

[Silverraptor]

Okay, I'm trying to figure this out because its driving me crazy, who was it that gifted me XCOM: Alien Unknown to me last year sometime? I'm trying to figure out who that is, but can't seem to be able to find who did it.

[Triscuitable]

Okay, I'm trying to figure this out because its driving me crazy, who was it that gifted me XCOM: Alien Unknown to me last year sometime? I'm trying to figure out who that is, but can't seem to be able to find who did it.

Do you mean UFO: Enemy Unknown, XCOM: UFO Defense, or XCOM: Enemy Unknown?

[Volatar]

If you can't find anything and are at your last end on it, <<< Do this at your own risk>>> try taking a washcloth with some alcohol and run around the button letting the alch run into the controller.

You keep giving these instructions with disclaimers. Alcohol is exactly what you should use to clean electronics. You could probably bathe the controller in the stuff and it would be quite happy.

[Antonok]

You keep giving these instructions with disclaimers. Alcohol is exactly what you should use to clean electronics. You could probably bathe the controller in the stuff and it would be quite happy.

It is the best thing, but liquid plus a crappy rubber pad is not a safe mix. Lost a few controllers that way and that method is going to put more inside the controller

[Brother Oni]

You keep giving these instructions with disclaimers. Alcohol is exactly what you should use to clean electronics. You could probably bathe the controller in the stuff and it would be quite happy.

With the proviso that it must be bone dry before plugging it back in again.

Given that you've forced a volatile liquid inside a sealed container with no opening to vent the fumes, drying out could take a while.

[Volatar]

With the proviso that it must be bone dry before plugging it back in again.

Given that you've forced a volatile liquid inside a sealed container with no opening to vent the fumes, drying out could take a while.

Just use some heat. Should help dry it out faster. THIS IS A JOKE. DO NOT ACTUALLY DO THIS.

[Cogwheel]

Just use some heat. Should help dry it out faster. THIS IS A JOKE. DO NOT ACTUALLY DO THIS.

You're not the first to think of it. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamb%C3%A9)

[Silverraptor]

Do you mean UFO: Enemy Unknown, XCOM: UFO Defense, or XCOM: Enemy Unknown?

Dammit, did I really mis-type? I mean XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

[Pendulous]

Finished Dust. Didn't like the ending, with the "what if", but it seems that there will be a sequel that ought to be being worked on right now. Last boss was a pain. Four health bars, plus adds on every version of the fight. On Normal I almost exhausted my supply of healing items. I can't imagine that on harder difficulties. I still didn't like Dust's voice. All those "S" sounds getting annoying. But I hope the next one features at least he and Fidget. Given the size of the area of the game, there is a chance for more expansion. Dust pretty much is the strongest thing in the world right now.

[Lunix Vandal]

I've beaten Dust on the highest difficulty -- you quickly learn there that any healing item weaker than the Wall Chicken may as well not exist (and the chicken is still next to worthless). Since your stats increase exponentially as you level, however, overleveling and equipping the best stat-multiplier items you can find goes a long way in increasing your survivability, as does relying on Fidget + Aerial Dust Storm spam* for most of your damage.

*A full Fidget meter will flood the screen with literally hundreds of her default projectile -- just mash both the Storm and Fidget buttons while in the air. 1-2 launch ==> airthrow combos will refill the meter completely, and can be done in relative safety while the missiles from the last Storm are still bouncing around. Go nuts.

If you hadn't otherwise found a way to finish the 1000-hit combo quest, unequip any +Fidget gear you have and bounce around Gaius' army for a bit. Conversely, doing this with maxed +Fidget is a relatively fast way to farm high-end healing items for the final fight.

[Pendulous]

So I wanna play Star Wars Battlefront 2. Problem is, I just spent 30 minutes trying to set up my controller, and failing miserably. There's like a billion commands, but I KNOW that the game works on console, because it's a CONSOLE game. Yet I don't have enough buttons for all the commands. Is there any way to, like, import some kind of control setup because I don't know what the hell I'm doing?

[Tebryn]

Jesus man, hatedom. The game's visually brilliant, and has an excellent OST to boot. While the constant game references might be a turn-off to some, there's a lot of charm to how they're incorporated (one healing item you can find is called a "wall chicken", and can only be found by breaking specific walls).

The story is extremely generic, about an amnesiac who does blah blah blah I'm bored now. The gameplay itself is sort of a merger of Metroidvania games and Devil May Cry, with ground and aerial combos involving very animesque battles where you can launch an enemy a dozen feet up, then hack at him a couple of times. It's not very repetitious, but the abilities you receive start off quick then become drip-fed over time. To say the least, the game is oddly paced. You'll find parts where you simply want to put the game down and think, "well it's starting to get pretty dull", then pick it back up and say, "now it's getting good again!"

I'm not a fan of the anthro characters (as in, at all), but I can understand why someone might decide to make a game like that. The game's humor adds to the charm, and the protagonist, despite everyone thinking he's brooding, is actually pretty entertaining.

The game is pretty good, but far from perfect. If you want a Metroidvania-type adventure to scratch that itch, this is definitely the game to get. However, we've seen it drop to prices below $5, so I'd say wait until that occurs once more.

I did say the game looked beautiful :smalltongue: and I meant it. The sound track didn't strike a cord with me unfortunately and the humor...also didn't strike a cord with me. In fact, the humor was one of the reasons I couldn't stand the dialogue.

[Volatar]

So I wanna play Star Wars Battlefront 2. Problem is, I just spent 30 minutes trying to set up my controller, and failing miserably. There's like a billion commands, but I KNOW that the game works on console, because it's a CONSOLE game. Yet I don't have enough buttons for all the commands. Is there any way to, like, import some kind of control setup because I don't know what the hell I'm doing?

Battlefront II predates the days when everything became a console port, and thus doesn't have the controller scheme available on the PC.

It is great as a mouse and keyboard shooter, though it sounds like that is not what you are used to.

[Silverraptor]

I had a playstation controller that I used on my PC for battlefront and battlefront 2. All the controls I needed worked just fine. I could try to give you my playstation controller set-up, unless you are doing it on xbox.

[Pendulous]

I had a playstation controller that I used on my PC for battlefront and battlefront 2. All the controls I needed worked just fine. I could try to give you my playstation controller set-up, unless you are doing it on xbox.

I'm using a 360 controller. The problem is, the game doesn't allow you to set up the game like it was on consoles. Some buttons are used for more than one action, and in one case, hitting a button twice was used for an action. But the game doesn't allow to set the controller up that way.

[Silverraptor]

I'm using a 360 controller. The problem is, the game doesn't allow you to set up the game like it was on consoles. Some buttons are used for more than one action, and in one case, hitting a button twice was used for an action. But the game doesn't allow to set the controller up that way.

Well, can't help you there. Sorry.:smallfrown:

[Grytorm]

Finally started playing TF2 multiplayer, not choosing servers just using whatever one it sends me to. Pretty enjoyable so far at least partly because I don't really care about winning or losing each game. Unlocked a few items, that I don't really ever use because I normally default to my main weapons. And I'm not that interested with Scout Engineer or Spy. And somehow despite playing Spy for less than a minute I have already unlocked an achievement.

[LeSwordfish]

Hello everyone! I do apologise if this is the wrong place (I couldn't find a TF2 specific thread), but i'm here from tf2maps, the #1 place for Team Fortress 2 Custom Maps. We've just started our tenth major design contest, run by myself and Fr0z3n, and I was wondering if the playground was interested.


It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of BLU, it was the season of RED ... in short, we’re old. Seven years old, to be exact: old enough to head to the workhouses and meet a wealthy benefactor, or something like that. Not only is this the seventh year of TF2Maps.net life, it’s time for the 10th major contest: A Tale of Two Skillsets.

Okay, we’ll admit it. We don’t actually know how the rest of that book goes- (one of the cities is Isengard, right?)- so let’s cut to the chase. This year, the contest is in two parts.
In part one, we want you to design the most fun layout you can possibly manage.
In part two, we want you to take one of the layouts submitted for the first part, and make it as beautiful and as dazzlingly detailed as possible.
You don’t have to enter both parts- if you’re a detailing maestro, you don’t need to make a layout, and if gameplay is your forte you don’t need to do the detailing bit. Each stage will be judged separately, and we’ll have two different sets of winners (And prizes too, don’t worry about that!)

A link can be found here (http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=22065). If you're a fan of Team Fortress 2 and looking to change up the experience, may I humbly recommend our showcase (http://forums.tf2maps.net/forumdisplay.php?f=65)?

[NeoVid]

Holy %$#&, Saints Row 4 free weekend... SR4 is the only game that I've beaten a borrowed copy of, and then bought for myself because it was just that much fun. No matter what you might think about the SR series (I had never played one before, because I normally hate sandbox games), try SR4 while you've got the chance.



Hello everyone! I do apologise if this is the wrong place (I couldn't find a TF2 specific thread), but i'm here from tf2maps, the #1 place for Team Fortress 2 Custom Maps. We've just started our tenth major design contest, run by myself and Fr0z3n, and I was wondering if the playground was interested.

Oh no, this is the right place, we used to have such a huge TF2 community that we were able to field 3 highlander teams.

Damn. If we still had an unofficial GitP server, we'd almost certainly try out some of the entries for this.

[Triscuitable]

Holy %$#&, Saints Row 4 free weekend... SR4 is the only game that I've beaten a borrowed copy of, and then bought for myself because it was just that much fun. No matter what you might think about the SR series (I had never played one before, because I normally hate sandbox games), try SR4 while you've got the chance.

Now I just need to buy it this weekend when I get my money.

[Neftren]

I have a free copy of Strike Suit Zero, and a free copy of Surgeon Simulator 2013. Send me a PM, or post here. First come, first-serve.

[Silverraptor]

I have a free copy of Strike Suit Zero, and a free copy of Surgeon Simulator 2013. Send me a PM, or post here. First come, first-serve.

I would like Strike Suit Zero Please.:smallsmile:

[Rawhide]

Hmm, Surgeon Simulator 2013? Let's give this ridiculous thing a try. :smallwink: Also, darn at Strike Suit Zero already being taken. :P

[Cogwheel]

Hmm, Surgeon Simulator 2013? Let's give this ridiculous thing a try. :smallwink: Also, darn at Strike Suit Zero already being taken. :P

THE DOCTOR IS IN QWOP.

[Rawhide]

THE DOCTOR IS IN QWOP.

Pretty much. I saw a Let's Play of the absolute original with two people, each taking one half of the controls. It looked... ridiculous. :smallbiggrin:

[Geno9999]

Pretty much. I saw a Let's Play of the absolute original with two people, each taking one half of the controls. It looked... ridiculous. :smallbiggrin:

You mean the Rooster Teeth's Rage Quit attempt at the game? That was the most hilarious thing I have ever seen.:smallbiggrin: The only other playthrough I've watched is one done by Markipiler, but he's not co-op with someone else.

[Rawhide]

You mean the Rooster Teeth's Rage Quit attempt at the game? That was the most hilarious thing I have ever seen.:smallbiggrin: The only other playthrough I've watched is one done by Markipiler, but he's not co-op with someone else.

Probably. Can't remember the name of the team. Was very ridiculous though. :smalltongue:


Also, thank you Neftren! I'm going to have a very ridiculous time with this.

[Pendulous]

I don't really know anything about the game, but if anyone's interested in Cities in Motion, here's a bundle (http://www.bundlestars.com/all-bundles/cities-in-motion-bundle/) with what looks like all the DLC and base game.

[Triscuitable]

I don't really know anything about the game, but if anyone's interested in Cities in Motion, here's a bundle (http://www.bundlestars.com/all-bundles/cities-in-motion-bundle/) with what looks like all the DLC and base game.

I apparently own Cities in Motion 2. I just learned this.

[Neftren]

So I just got into the Steam In-Home Streaming beta. Anyone else?


I'll probably give it a spin this weekend, when I have some free time.

[Volatar]

I apparently own Cities in Motion 2. I just learned this.

So uh, what is it?

[Triscuitable]

So I just got into the Steam In-Home Streaming beta. Anyone else?

Yeah.


So uh, what is it?

I have no idea. :smalltongue: I think it's a SimCity style city builder, made during the downtime between SimCity IV and SimCity.

[factotum]

I think Cities in Motion is more Transport Tycoon than Sim City--the idea is to build the public transport systems of a city rather than the city itself.

[Volatar]

I think Cities in Motion is more Transport Tycoon than Sim City--the idea is to build the public transport systems of a city rather than the city itself.

Meh. It can't possibly be more fun than the crazy train networks in OpenTTD.

Have you SEEN an 8 line backbone interchange? So awesome. (Example. (http://wiki.openttdcoop.org/images/d/d0/Psg173_bbh01.png))

I really need to play that game again...

EDIT: OH NO I AM BEING SUCKED BACK IN HELP

[factotum]

I keep meaning to try out OpenTTD and never seem to get the chance...

[IthilanorStPete]

Meh. It can't possibly be more fun than the crazy train networks in OpenTTD.

Have you SEEN an 8 line backbone interchange? So awesome. (Example. (http://wiki.openttdcoop.org/images/d/d0/Psg173_bbh01.png))

I really need to play that game again...

EDIT: OH NO I AM BEING SUCKED BACK IN HELP

Wat. What on Earth is that?

[Grif]

Meh. It can't possibly be more fun than the crazy train networks in OpenTTD.

Have you SEEN an 8 line backbone interchange? So awesome. (Example. (http://wiki.openttdcoop.org/images/d/d0/Psg173_bbh01.png))

I really need to play that game again...

EDIT: OH NO I AM BEING SUCKED BACK IN HELP

Wow. How long did that take? I think the biggest I made was a 2-line interchange. :smalltongue::smallbiggrin:

[Kris Strife]

Wat. What on Earth is that?

It's an 8-line backbone interchange.

[IthilanorStPete]

It's an 8-line backbone interchange.

Google isn't providing much information, so my best guess is that it's an intersection between 4 north-south lines and 4 east-west lines, where trains on any line can be switched to any other?