BTGBullseye

The Martian - An astronaut dies, then colonizes Mars, becomes a space pirate, causes a ship to mutiny, and finally becomes an instructor at NASA.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - The 1971 classic with Gene Wilder. One of my all-time favorites.

Deadpool - Because Deadpool. And Deadpool. Did I mention Deadpool? Deadpool.

Canadian Bacon - American hicks played by Canadian actors dis Canada, and America at the same time. Plenty of guns and politeness.

Dragnet - A 1987 spoof of the classic TV series, starring Dan Aykroyd.

The Hobbit trilogy - Is a fairly accurate portrayal of the book, with some added stuff that doesn't detract in any way.

Terminator Salvation - A murderer resurrected as a cyborg, ends up redeeming himself. It's actually quite good if you don't bother with any preconceptions.

The Narnia series - Either the original movies, or the new remakes... They are very good stories, and even better books.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum - Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Buster Keaton, and an accurate portrayal of classic Roman culture in a true comedy.

Star Trek - Wrath Of Khan, The Search For Spock, The Journey Home, The Undiscovered Country, Generations, First Contact, Nemesis, Star Trek (2009) despite the lens flare, Into Darkness, Beyond.

Phlebotomy.

In my temporary return to the FFA section... I'll say to Jeb: Don't let depression get the best of you. I have been struggling with it for a while, and it does get easier to push the darkness away. If you need to talk, I'm just a couple of clicks away. (though I'm kinda awkward when dealing with emotional stuff, I do know my way around depression quite well)

I'll also go back on topic and say: Working out some of the mechanics for my Tabletop RPG. (http://www.accursedfarms.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8417)

The game itself is pretty fun as it stands, even if it isn't the old WoW.

I'm sorry, but don't compare the two. They aren't even close to the same as far as gameplay goes. (not anymore, Pandas completely removed all the challenging gameplay)

and the world is HUGE

Not really... It's actually the smallest open-world game listed here.

Open means there are no restrictions at all... Closed means there is something restricting access. If there is a required payment, then it isn't an open Alpha, but a closed Alpha.

Ok, here are the two writings I currently have on the universe... These are not final, just 1st drafts, (and missing quite a few names that I'll be asking for some help with) as I wrote them this morning between 6 & 7AM, just before heading to bed.

THIS IS NOT AN ANIME UNIVERSE!!! (I loathe anime-type universes, there's simply no grounding in reality with them)

The main thing you need to remember is that there is practically no magic outside of the Mage Tower. There are 6 total "wild wizards" outside of the tower, and you will never meet them, nor hear anything more substantial than 4th-hand rumors of rumors about them. There is magic, but the most powerful you will ever be able to use as a player inside The Kingdom is being able to light a campfire without any tools. (but only if it's in very dry wood and lots of tinder) Any magic more significant than this becomes a matter for the Mage Tower, and they will begin to take notice of your actions. It doesn't matter how good you are at concealing your magical abilities, because they can feel every use of magic within the borders of The Kingdom. Magic used in The Wilds is undetectable to the Mage Tower, simply because The Wilds are naturally filled with magical beasts, locations, and artifacts.

 

When the Mage Tower begins to take notice of you, they will begin to send small search and surveil teams to locate and investigate if you are a wizard that they feel should be in the Tower. If there is a S&S team in your vicinity, and you perform any higher-order magic, they will attempt to detain you, and return you to the Tower. No one who has been taken to the Tower in this fashion has ever been seen or heard from again. The teams are composed of at least 1 Mage Hunter, 2 Paladins, 4 Knights, and 10 Elite Soldiers.

 

Mage Hunter: A mage of significant power and training. Equivalent of a NAVY SEAL vs a bunch of pineapples if you ever get into a confrontation with him/her.

Paladin: Excessively well trained in martial arts, and all melee weapons. Always heavily armed and armored.

Knights: Very well trained in swordplay, and uses very heavy armor.

Elite Soldier: Well trained in both crossbow, and swordplay. Leather or scale armor, very fast and agile. Likes to hit once with the crossbow, then engage in melee combat.

 

After a short while (a couple months) of searching for you, if they can find no significant magic, or they don't see you commit any crimes, (or find reason to suspect you of any crimes) the Tower will recall their team, and lose interest.

 

BEWARE!!! Do not venture into The Wilds without first gaining a few levels and learning the basics by dealing with bandits and the like within The Kingdom. If you aren't at least level 5, and equipped very well, you will die a slow (or very fast) and painful death in The Wilds. The Wilds are also the only place to gain the fortune, adventure, or power your character seeks. (and the only way to gain any significant magical ability whatsoever)

This 'history' is supposed to be all that is known of the history of the universe that is available to people outside of the Mage Tower.

This planet was once a colony of the planet Earth. Earth had sent a huge generational colony ship to the planet, and even terraformed it for the planned expansion of the United Earth Alliance. However, the star Sol was targeted by a terrorist attack, and the vast majority of the human population of the galaxy was wiped out, and all knowledge of the colony ship lost.

 

Upon the arrival of the ship, it was discovered that they were alone, and a breeding program was put in place to ensure the survival of the colony. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen illnesses and injuries, the colonial population maintained a constant decline for the first 15 generations. It was decided that genetic engineering was to be employed to introduce significantly different genetic patterns into the gene pool.

 

After a few generations of this, it was discovered that there were certain electromagnetic fields that could easily be manipulated by a properly engineered mind. (the root of all modern magic, the ability to manipulate electromagnetic fields with nothing but the mind, enough to cause movement, heating, or other effects remotely) The scientists in charge of the alterations began extensive experimentation, ranging from altering animals, to human trials.

 

About 50 generations passed before 'magic' was ubiquitous. The colony began to expand, scientific discovery flourished, and offspring were plentiful. This continued for several millennia, eventually covering the entire landmass of the planet with giant cities of crystal, and gardens that many would consider to be paradise.

 

Then disaster struck. A scientist began working to try and improve the magic centers of the minds of the population, but these alterations were illegal for a reason. There was no warning, just a giant wave of electromagnetic energy that wiped all computers, destroyed all the power generators, and fried the minds of all but the least powerful magic users.

 

The Disaster had reduced the planet's population from nearly 12 billion, down to under 100 million, and many had become insane. The sane ones moved south, to the most temperate and fertile land on the planet's main continent, and started building towns and farms. The insane ones destroyed anything that resembled the technology that had destroyed them, and left nothing but ruin in their wake.

 

The Aftermath lasted for nearly 100 years before the first Mage Tower was built, and all the towns were slowly gathered into The Kingdom by the Archmage. Nearly 1000 years went by before the first experiments started taking place, all on the edge of the civilized areas of the continent. Alterations to animals and plants first, then convicted murderers. The Forge Serpent, the Mountain Rhino, the Roc, the Drakes, and the Death Bloom were all creations of this time.

 

Disaster befell the world yet again, this time in the form of a plague. The plague started in the Mage Tower, and caused the loss of most magic ability in most of the people it infected, and death to some. Nothing could stop it, and the Mage Tower ended up being destroyed as a last ditch attempt to stop it. It didn't work. The Kingdom's population dropped down to under 1 million people, and the few remaining mages built a new Mage Tower, designed as a quarantine, and forbade any higher-level magics from being used outside the tower without special dispensation from the Archmage.

 

It has been almost 3000 years since those events, and the population of The Kingdom is now around 10 million people. The Mage Tower has total authority in all things, and they are tasked with preventing another devastating magical disaster from ever occurring.

Please tell me what you think so far, I really need the feedback.

Yet another reason to not bother with renewing my WoW subscription...

OT: It may not count, but I've been 'playing' my custom tabletop RPG in my head, trying to work out some of the kinks in the story and mechanics. I'm posting some of the background content in another thread momentarily.

Just Cause 2/3... JC3 has a literal 25km x 25km map, and it is FULL of shit to blow up. (only able to go to about 10km vertically though)

The Saint's Row series. (starting at 3)

The Grand Theft Auto series. (starting at San Andreas)

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor.

The Batman: Arkham *whatever* series. (apart from Arkham Asylum apparently)

The Far Cry series.

The Borderlands series.

The Assassin's Creed series.

Brütal Legend.

The Dead Island series.

Mass Effect.

The Prototype series.

Rage.

Red Faction: Guerilla.

These are all open world games with minimal or no fast-travel requirements. (and I only looked at my Steam Library to get this list)

I can't seem to find that 'open alpha' you were speaking of... They're charging at least $45 just to download on their site.

I'm still an INTP-A...

Let's go with the flow and give a nice rundown of their strengths and weaknesses compared to my own perception of myself.

"Strengths"

• Great Analysts and Abstract Thinkers: I can fully confirm that I do have this.
  
• Imaginative and Original: When it comes to getting a job, this is actually a weakness, not a strength. (I do have this one)
  
• Open-Minded: You better believe it!
  
• Enthusiastic: Only on the inside. I've learned the hard way that enthusiasm should be reserved solely for pizza.
  
• Objective: Yup. That's me. Everyone that knows me says it comes across as a lack of feeling, but it's not.
  
• Honest and Straightforward: To a fault.

"Weaknesses"

• Very Private and Withdrawn: I like dark corners and walls... Basements are awesome!
  
• Insensitive: Not really, I just refuse to be dishonest. Most people incorrectly assume it to be insensitivity.
  
• Absent-minded: Only when th... Ooooh, shiny. What was I saying? (just kidding)
  
• Condescending: Same as the "Insensitive" comment.
  
• Loathe Rules and Guidelines: Unless I can see the good in following them, I absolutely agree.
  
• Second-Guess Themselves: Nope. Not even in the slightest. I decide something, and live with the decision. If it was wrong, then it was wrong. There's no point in second guessing something that can no longer be changed. (this one is fully countered by my 100% assertiveness)

Assertive (-A) individuals are self-assured, even-tempered and resistant to stress. They refuse to worry too much and do not push themselves too hard when it comes to achieving goals. Similarly, they are unlikely to spend much time thinking about their past actions or choices – according to Assertive types, what’s done is done and there is little point in analyzing it. Not surprisingly, people with this trait report more satisfaction with their lives and they also feel more confident in their abilities to handle challenging and unexpected situations.

 

In contrast, individuals with Turbulent (-T) identity are self-conscious and sensitive to stress. They experience a wide range of emotions and tend to be success-driven, perfectionistic and eager to improve. They are also more willing to change jobs if they feel stuck in their current one and to spend time thinking about the direction in which their life is going.

 

However, while the Assertive variant may seem more positive on the surface, that is not always the case – for instance, Turbulent individuals perform better in certain roles as they push themselves to achieve superior results, while Assertive ones do not care about the outcome that much. Always feeling the need to do more, to have more, and to be more, Turbulent types often forget how exhausting that can be to both themselves and the people around them – but it is entirely possible that this desire to always push themselves just a little further helps many Turbulent types to achieve what they seek to achieve.

I 100% agree with my 100% assertiveness result.

Mods also have the huge advantage of not having a release deadline... You release when you're done, not when the company you're working for says it wants to make money off it.

Star Trek Online.

I only play with people I know in any multiplayer game, including MMOs. If you're not on my friends list, you can fuck off.

+1

I'll get MD from a torrent before I buy it... I like to test first. (I did this with HR as well)

It's essentially the free version of those purchased things... Besides, it's almost more fun making the trainer than it is playing the game. lol

The microtransactions are just there for lazy or impatient people I guess...

And people that don't know about trainers...

Bullet penetration.

I hate it when you shoot a cardboard box, and it somehow stops an armor piercing .50 high power rifle round that was fired from 3 feet away. I very much appreciate games that not only allow a bullet to penetrate, but also deflect the bullet, and reduce its damage on the other side appropriately, based on the material of what was penetrated. (this system exists in HL2, but you have to use a mod to fully enable it)

Star Trek Online.

In addition, it is blatantly obvious that they weren't really finished building the game, but they had so much hype going for it that they couldn't afford to miss releasing on the deadline.

Just Cause 3.

Just beat the game. Not too bad.

Just Cause 3.

Jetpack wingsuit with missile launcher and machine gun... Nah, this isn't OP at all...

It may have been relatively complete when they showed it, but in implementing the other systems necessary for the game to function as a game instead of a demo, it may have broken something in that content that couldn't be easily fixed... Hence, cut content.

We don't know, so don't be hostile until we find out for sure.

How do you know that that content would even be in a format usable by the current engine? It isn't always cut just to remove it from the game, there can be technical issues with the content.

As I said, we haven't given the devs sufficient time to find out if they're going to let the game rot, or finish it.

Just Cause 3.

Impressive visuals, and it's just as impressive that it can run on my system with SSAO and Global Illumination, and average over 12 FPS. (after a few tweaks, and dropping resolution to 720p)