Various video game stuff not deserving its own thread

[rusty_shackleford]

GW1 is one of the best games ever made btw. My only gripe with it is I wish they didn't design it for PvP but instead made it more of an RPG. Worth playing if you don't like PvP ofc, but that part just aged like milk and drags the rest down due to its effects on overall design.

[Vergil]

I don't understand why Paradox is so married to this ugly as fuck gook mobile game UI design they have in all of their new games. This is from an EU5 dev diary and it looks just as app store abortion-y as Vic3.

[Irenaeus]

I don't understand why Paradox is so married to this ugly as fuck gook mobile game UI design they have in all of their new games. This is from an EU5 dev diary and it looks just as app store abortion-y as Vic3.

LMAO EU5 is going to be so shitty

[Oyster Sauce]

[Vergil]

What sort of nasty nigga changes the armor lights to yellow

[Oyster Sauce]

I do not remember the reapers having access to dragons

[Acrux]

The Ashes of Erebus mod-mod-mod (Fall From Heaven 2 -> Rise of Erebus -> Ashes of Erebus) for Civ4 just had a new, really big update. The last one was from last summer.

https://sourceforge.net/p/ashesoferebus/code/HEAD/tree/

Patch notes, if anyone is interested

Modules
-all modules now get a ModuleId entry. This helps to reference the module whenever a dependency needs to be done in python code or in another module.
-Moved Module Art to Pak file for faster initial loading

-Updated Arachnophobia (by Leastcraft), City Guards (by FoxXavier), Ljosalfar Expansion (by FoxXavier) , NewTraits (by wuxiangjinxing),
-Fixed a bug with Churel Module where Graveleeches could feed on themselves
-Fixed a bug with Churel TraitTriggers interefering with similar triggers for other traits
-Started Dural Rework with an art change. Instead of neo-classical, their units now look regular classical, though with a color scheme that match their flag and buildings style
-Added Help Techs to Religious Traits and Techs for DynRel Module
-Saila doesn't duplicate equipment on death anymore
-Frozen module doesn't cause Duplicate Auric Ascended anymore
-Frozen will now ally with their summoner if Illian, Doviello or White Hand Follower
-Fixed Mahon not showing up as a Calabim Leader
-Jotnar : added trait triggers for Blacksmith trait (from wuxiangjinxing)
-giving access to fishing boats to Jotnar
-MagisterAshes : Adding a new UF ( the Whispering Woods) with half a dozen unique results ( see Once Elves)
-Full Noggomortha Code Rework and Rebalance by TiberiusW

3 New Modules :
Goblin : A new civilization of green people organized in a clannic society. Makes heavy use of the new CityClass System
NotYetEmergentLeaders : The remnant of 25Hour's More Leaders mod.
The Blight by FoxXavier

Art :
-Art Revamp part 1 : all civs got a look at, from minor tweaks to changed unit lines, to new units, to full rework.
I'll not detail everything to leave some surprise, but highlights include not naked lizards, more horses on the hippus, and so on...
Some spawns got a new look too.
Part 2 will include more spawns stuff, a look at heroes and buildings

-A number of fixes were provided for large models taking way more empty space ( making it hard to click around them) than expected . Thanks TiberiusW for the help. ( Also, if someone is an experienced modder, we made this not knowing what we were doing so a second look would be appreciated)

-A number of new icons were made by TiberiusW for various promotion sets, in keeping with the standard promotion artstyle ( Races, Naval Crews, SecondaryUnitCombat, and more)

-In terms of tools for modders :
-UnitArtstyle now allow for an additional promotion parameter ( allowing the same unit to have two or more designs based on promotions it gets) (see Mounted)
-BuildingArtStyle is now a thing, allowing civs to get unique looks for standard buildings without having to make a new one ( currently unused, models are welcome)
-two new art-related effects on promotions ReplaceArtType that replaces the art of a unit (without resorting to an ad-hoc UnitArtstyle) and ExtraArtType which adds an additional model to the unit ( if you have three people in your unit, you now have 4, with the fourth one being controled by the promotions)


Buildings
-Shipyard is now available at Optics, not Iron Working
-Fixed Wall of Force not causing level block (it was applied in python directly to the plot before)
-Added a number of new Strategy texts, including for Master Buildings ( thanks TiberiusW)
-Fixed an issue with the Mechanos palace producing less commerce


Civilizations:
-Amurites :
-Fixed an issue with Kahd not being able to be built
-Archos :
-Phalanx is not a blocked unit anymore
-Austrin :
-Windsword is now the Berserker UU instead of the Phalanx one
-Bannor :
-new Beastmaster UU : the Demon hunter
-Clan :
-Boss Line is now their own unit line, with the Recon line having new UU, focused on pillaging
-Elohim :
-Verdandi is now the Berserker UU instead of the Phalanx one
-Illians :
Auric has decided to show up to help his priests.
-Infernals :
-New Commander UU : the Salamander
-Researching Infernal Pact now lets you choose your poison, errr the demon lord who'll gladly sign the pact with you(r blood).
-Luchuirp :
-Gargoyle is now the Spearman UU instead of the Longbowman UU, Luchuirp get no Longbowman
-Siege Golem is the new Cannon UU
-Malakim :
-Anubite is now the Phalanx UU instead of the Berserker one
-Mercurians :
-Four new Angel units, the Solar, the Runewyn, the OathBound and the Dovoveo.
-Mercurians get no "Alignment units" : Paladin, Druid, Eidolon, Shadow
-Mercurian Champion replaced by Champion of the Einjerhar

-Scions :
-Honored Band is now the spearman UU instead of the Axeman UU

-Sheaim :
-New Portal unit : the Colubra
-Unique Veil priests unit : the Emrys
-Phalanx is no longer a blocked unit

-Dtesh :
-Watchers, Sentinels, Death head and Hand of Dtesh are no longer Disciple Units but Defensive Melee units, and they're no longer their own thing but Warrior, spearman, pikeman and phalanx replacements

-One new summonable civilization, the Once Elves, led by Haerlond Gosam. Focused on death mages and heavily armored units, they have almost no recon or archery ones.



Leaders :
- Several new leader diplomacy texts written by Angel : Kane, Blackheart, Mordmorgan, Casin Loveless, Braeden and the Three Illians Priests
-Vanedis is now Defender instead of Spiritual
-fixed an issue with Veraato music being wrong

Traits :
-Craftmaster is finished. with XP gained by focusing on Golems, the craftmaster will obtain new way to empower those units.


Events :
- All non-random events that were implemented using the event systems now use Popups, meaning they don't block players from gaining an actual random event ( Thanks TiberiusW)
-Six new random events
-The Plot on which the Godslayer spawns is indicated by a sign and revealed when the event triggers ( Thanks TiberiusW)


Civics :
-Replaced the SpecialistValid tag by two :
-SpecialistValid which indicates which specialist gain the bonus effects of the civics
-SpecialistUnlimited which indicates which specialist numbers are unbound by that civics

-Scholarship only gives Science Boost to scientists
-Mercantilistm only gives Gold Boost to Merchants
-New tags for civics : ForeignTradeYieldModifiers, CommerceChanges, ForeignTradeCommerceModifiers, SpecialistCounts, bOverflowProduction by Volrath. Currently Unused, will be used in upcoming Civic Balance Module by Volrath
-Overcouncil has stopped diverting funds to send Assassins to help. They're back to sending Radiant Guards/

Options :
-No Religion Options are now visible in Custom Games ( no more hidden deactivated Veil)
-Huger map is now a different map size, with huge reverting to its old size


Lairs :
-Nine new Lair results
-The lair result breaking the Bair now gives a reward ( thanks TiberiusW)

Projects :
-Ascension doesn't need Omniscience anymore

Resources :
-One new Resource, the Hyapon, a lategame kind of Horse linked to Tali and available with Stirrups. it gives +2Prod and +1Comm by default, and grants access to bonuses for Mounted units.
-Nightmares don't automatically provide the Nightmare promotion anymore

Improvements :
-Forts, Castles, Citadels and Citadels of Light are now valid Airlift targets
-Staeddings spawn Huscarls, not Reavers
-D'tesh Pyres also burn drugs
-You get a reward from breaking the Bair of Lacuna ( though Gabella is not happy about it).
-D'tesh will not remodel the Tower of Eyes any more.


Units :
-Two new unit lines
-The Defensive Melee Line, which splits from the melee line and goes Spearman->Pikeman->Phalanx
-The Rogue Line, which splits from the recon line and goes Thief->Assassin->Shadow

The intent behind those two lines was to better clarify the standard role of each line :
-Melee : your standard offensive force, but open to being counterattacked
-Def Melee : Standard defense, get promotions to better fortify, defend cities and improve perception
-Recon : Exploration and patroling in the wild
-Rogue : glass cannons using invisibility to pick off weak targets, also get sabotage promotions ( think our Muris friends)
-Mounted : Hit and run tactics
-Archery : good at defending cities and at using ranged attacks to soften troops

Balance towards those new roles is ongoing. Unit ai has been tweaked to match.

-Mounted also get new toys. you can now select the mount your unit uses amongst available ones. Three standard ones are available from resources, Horse, Nightmare and the newest Hyapon. Malakim also get Camels and Austrin Pegasi. The units recruited in a city will automatically get the "best" one available to the city, but you are able to buy another one if needed. This is not only a gameplay effect as most mounted units get art to match their newest mount. (Thanks TiberiusW for the help with the artsuff and the new mount icons)

-When trying to add a unit to a commander, you can choose between available commanders instead of one being selected automatically. (Thanks TiberiusW).

-Siege Units no longer fear the Haunted lands
-Flesh golems are no longer good archmages in the making
-Erebusian birds have stopped acting like wizarding world owls. They don't carry items around anymore.
-you can no longer steal the pieces of the Mechanical Dragon from the Mechanical Dragon. it needs them to walk around.
-Archosian Spiders are no longer forbidden to eat Bison.
-Mana Guardians should not one-shot your settler before turn 1 anymore.
-Angels f***
-as do Demons


-Alazkan is now a Rogue Unit
-Auric starts with Winterborn
-Coatlann doesn't require Arcane lore anymore
-Gaelan gets his own archmage upgrade instead of upgrading into a standard archmage. He also starts with Dimensional 1 (as per lore)
-Gibbon Goetia gets the Rogue secondary unit line
-as does Harmatt
-and Korinna the Black Lady
-Losha Valas Alexis is now a Rogue Unit
-Maros is now a Defensive Melee unit
-Mizquitli is a Rogue unit with secondary Disciple line
-Pelemoc is now a Rogue Unit
-as is Rathus
-and Thanatos
-Yvain gets a lore-upgraded look
-Pyrelord no longer dies twice when deleted
-AI doesn't consider Bambur to be the Khazad hero anymore.
-and more ...


Spells :
-Dispel is no longer powerful enough to annihilate a fort.
-Incite Fervor no longer requires your state religion being your state religion. It does require that you have a state religion though.

Interface :
-Unit interface tweaked to show an additional line of promotions (thanks TiberiusW)
-There's now an indicator if a unit is invisible, and if it's been detected (thanks TiberiusW)


+ A large amount of miscanellous bugfixes, text fixes ,....

[rusty_shackleford]

No game actually needs a more in-depth tutorial than Fallout's help screen:

[Anon]

No game actually needs a more in-depth tutorial than Fallout's help screen:

This screen gave me heavy nostalgia

[Vergil]

[rusty_shackleford]

modern gamedevs don't understand the concept of a palate cleanser

[Envergence]

Dagoth Ur Narrator for Baldur's Gate 3, boys.

[KnightoftheWind]

No game actually needs a more in-depth tutorial than Fallout's help screen:

TLDR, I fell asleep by the time I reached the cancel icon .

[rusty_shackleford]

The primary casualty of the shift from 4:3 to 16:9 was the circular HUD. RIP.

[aweigh]

[KnightoftheWind]

If I had a dollar for every indie game that was "inspired" by Resident Evil and Silent Hill, I could buy a very expensive dinner for 4.

[LemonDemonGirl]

If I had a dollar for every indie game that was "inspired" by Resident Evil and Silent Hill, I could buy a very expensive dinner for 4.

This, but with Indie Games inspired by Earthbound that are about depression, being gay, and having a name with a pun

[aweigh]

pisses me off too because none of those games are anything like Earthbound. they're always gay no-combat not-rpgs, just tumblr-ware. muh pacifist path... fuck off

[KnightoftheWind]

pisses me off too because none of those games are anything like Earthbound. they're always gay no-combat not-rpgs, just tumblr-ware. muh pacifist path... fuck off

It's not so much the gameplay they attempt to replicate, but the concept of a "quirky" game featuring pop culture references and millennial humor which Earthbound seemed to popularize in the indie scene. Earthbound even had a gay character, or at least one that was hinted to be a fag.

[Segata]

[maidenhaver]

The long ghost of the white man mocks them from the past.

[Breathe]

This is what I've been pointing out on Gaf. Before a few recent additions, most online games on steams top list were old as hell. There really aren't any mainstay games that have come out in recent years. And Helldivers, Nakara I don't think will even stay as high as they are.

[KnightoftheWind]

This is what I've been pointing out on Gaf. Before a few recent additions, most online games on steams top list were old as hell. There really aren't any mainstay games that have come out in recent years. And Helldivers, Nakara I don't think will even stay as high as they are.

Man I haven't browsed NeoGAF since 2011. I remember that place being just as bad as Resetera is, not sure why you'd frequent there unless things have improved.

[Breathe]

This is what I've been pointing out on Gaf. Before a few recent additions, most online games on steams top list were old as hell. There really aren't any mainstay games that have come out in recent years. And Helldivers, Nakara I don't think will even stay as high as they are.

Man I haven't browsed NeoGAF since 2011. I remember that place being just as bad as Resetera is, not sure why you'd frequent there unless things have improved.

Well they're definitely not as bad as Era. You can kind of skirt the line there and be fine. But feeling like I had to police what I said still made me search out other places which is why I ended up finding the HQ.

[Kowe]

Played the Heartworm Demo before, it is an okay game. Hardly any jump scares as can be seen in the video above. Combat is also disincentivized since it takes a good amount of camera shots to beat one of these apparitions. Like 6 for the normal ones, not red which require more. Add to that the ranged slows and it can lead to some tricky situations when at the wrong spot. May be a pleasant surprise when they release it or not, will have to be seen.

Echoes of the Living and Post-Trauma look way more promising. Unfortunately, the Devs removed the demo for Echoes some time ago.

[rusty_shackleford]

This takes me to another part of the level. BUT, if I go straight and walk down these stairs instead,
then I end up in the exact same place in about five seconds. Huh.
Is there a reason for any of this? I don't know! One thing I hate in a lot of modern games especially
is when a game world feels kind of fake because it's trying too hard to accommodate the player,
rather than feel like something more natural that doesn't care if the player is there or not. It's usually difficult to point to any one thing specifically,
but I think there can be such a thing as too much polish in a game.

I think a lot of modern games suffer from this, especially anything that was designed as a console game. The games just feel too designed around the player, you feel like you're in an experience made specifically for you which robs you of a certain feeling of being in someone else's world.

[wndrbr]

but I think there can be such a thing as too much polish in a game.

what living in Poland does to a mf.

[Tweed]

I think a lot of modern games suffer from this, especially anything that was designed as a console game. The games just feel too designed around the player, you feel like you're in an experience made specifically for you which robs you of a certain feeling of being in someone else's world.

I blame Bethesda for this bullshit. From Morrowind onward the game world revolves around the player, everything is about the PC and the PC is always the hero no matter how much they LARP or play pretend in the sandbox. At least Daggerfall started you out as a friend of the Emperor, trying to do him a solid before it blows up into a political war over a killer golem.

[aweigh]

The games just feel too designed around the player, you feel like you're in an experience made specifically for you

this is the brilliance of Larian and Swen, they make Shadowheart cuck you and Karlach peg you so that you really feel like this was not made for you.

[gerey]

The more I hear about Baldur's Gate 3, the less I want to play it.

Considering it's the most popular cRPG ever, I can safely say that the genre is dead.