Off Topic Thread too point uh

thomond2006 · 15-01-2015 1:46pm

awec wrote: »

I must have completed the first MGS about 20 times when I was younger.

Remember ye had to change discs at one point?

Also, for GTA I think San Andreas is the most expansive one of the lot.

Good times! Too many memorable moments in that game to mention. I had gone off games for a few years but I bought a PS3 just to play MGS4 and I was delighted that the pack came with MGS1. I think it set the standard for voice acting in a game too.

Pudsy33 · 15-01-2015 1:49pm

Metal Gear Solid is an absolute masterpiece. Snake Eater is my favorite game ever.

thomond2006 · 15-01-2015 1:51pm

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Metal Gear Solid is an absolute masterpiece. Snake Eater is my favorite game ever.

The End boss battle was amazing. The terror you felt at making the slightest move in the forest!

molloyjh · 15-01-2015 1:59pm

Molester Stallone II wrote: »

To compare Kevin Spacey in that, acting by numbers gig, as opposed to The Usual Suspects, or GG Ross is not on.
Actors bring out the best in their craft when interacting with others and it enhances the viewers pleasure. You know you're watching a masterpiece...games, while they have nice graphics, and lots of bang bang noises, aren't even close to being the same thing

There are a handful of games that go beyond that. I remember Max Payne being released in 2001 and thinking at the time that video games needed to start moving in that direction more. It had a noir style and a character that had real motivations and story line that got you interested. Looking back on it there wasn't that much to it at all. It was really just a series of small story developments in between a lot of "bang bang" as you say. But it was a move into something more story driven.

I mentioned Heavy Rain earlier and I think that's a great example of where gaming could go if there was the demand. Completion of levels wasn't mandatory. If you failed to complete a level it would just change how the story panned out. There are multiple endings to the game depending on what happened while you played. And instead of running around shooting hundreds of "bad guys" it actually plays more like a movie. In fact outside of a few punch ups there's very little "action" in it.

Teferi · 15-01-2015 2:00pm

Zzippy wrote: »

It probably is a generation gap thing - I was never into gaming and am a bit old now to bother. But I just chuckle when I hear gaming and art in the same sentence... I don't call it art when I go fishing, even though I'm out in beautiful landscapes and casting a beautiful line - Brad Pitt in A River Runs Through It was rubbish by comparison - it's just fishing, a hobby. Gaming is a hobby and the platform is digital code - I fail to see how that could be construed as art.

I don't think your analogy holds up. Fishing for recreation can't be compared to gaming as an art form. I think your definition of what gaming is far too narrow. It's like I said in my last post, some games are created to be time wasters - halo, cod etc. while some games are also created to be pieces of art - braid, limbo, bastion etc.

Tox56 · 15-01-2015 2:00pm

Zzippy wrote: »

It probably is a generation gap thing - I was never into gaming and am a bit old now to bother. But I just chuckle when I hear gaming and art in the same sentence... I don't call it art when I go fishing, even though I'm out in beautiful landscapes and casting a beautiful line - Brad Pitt in A River Runs Through It was rubbish by comparison - it's just fishing, a hobby. Gaming is a hobby and the platform is digital code - I fail to see how that could be construed as art.

Playing the games isn't art obviously but the creators of the best games could reasonably be described as artists, I don't see why not anyway

errlloyd · 15-01-2015 2:03pm

Some are more art than others. Arguably GTA is very arty, relies a lot on dialogue, visuals and music, skyrim is similar. I think it's because there are large mundane elements.

In contrast, fifa, counter strike are much more games. Csgo is a masterpiece of competitive team gaming.

RuggieBear · 15-01-2015 2:07pm

quite enjoying Shadow of Mordor at the moment

irishbucsfan · 15-01-2015 2:10pm

Yes, but what IS art?

awec · 15-01-2015 2:22pm

I spend most of my time on the Xbox at the moment playing Destiny.

molloyjh · 15-01-2015 2:24pm

RuggieBear wrote: »

quite enjoying Shadow of Mordor at the moment

I have to say that's one I got for Christmas that I just can't get into at all.

irishbucsfan · 15-01-2015 2:41pm

I used to play a lot of games. Then I stopped for a while because of time, now I just play 1 game, Dwarf Fortress, and I can't explain why, but it's amazing and I don't need any others.

Also coincidentally there was an exhibit about it at New York's Museum of Modern Art, so it's relevant: http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/6/5973295/dwarf-fortress-is-changing-how-moma-preserves-art

.ak · 15-01-2015 2:50pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

GTA 5 was my first GTA game. I was blown away at the level of detail. The effort and budget for the game must have been insane. Brilliant characters, storyline, humour etc.

It was very clever by rockstar to wait a year before releasing the current gen versions. I'm sure millions, like me, have both previous and current gen releases.

GTA 5 is my favourite game now, but MGS is still my favorite series! For a storyline within a game, nothing beat MGS1.

Storyline wise I think The Last of Us is something of a masterpiece. Nothing comes close to it within the last decade. Infact, I struggle to think of any end-of-world tv/movie that beats it for storyline.

.ak · 15-01-2015 2:51pm

RuggieBear wrote: »

quite enjoying Shadow of Mordor at the moment

Yeah, it was surprisingly good. LoTR with a Assassin's Creed engine, but better. Not a GREAT game by any imagination, but still very fun.

.ak · 15-01-2015 2:52pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I used to play a lot of games. Then I stopped for a while because of time, now I just play 1 game, Dwarf Fortress, and I can't explain why, but it's amazing and I don't need any others.

Sounds like something you shouldn't be sharing with the rest of us.

molloyjh · 15-01-2015 2:54pm

.ak wrote: »

Sounds like something you shouldn't be sharing with the rest of us.

His conversion to English rugby is now complete it would seem.

Buer · 15-01-2015 2:57pm

So board games....they're due a big come back, right?

Teferi · 15-01-2015 2:58pm

Buer wrote: »

So board games....they're due a big come back, right?

There are a good few board game cafe/pub places opening up in the States actually...

Tox56 · 15-01-2015 2:59pm

Buer wrote: »

So board games....they're due a big come back, right?

More like boring games am I right

Buer · 15-01-2015 3:00pm

Tox56 wrote: »

More like boring games am I right

.......you're single, aren't you?

:pac:

eyeball kid · 15-01-2015 3:03pm

.ak wrote: »

Yeah, it was surprisingly good. LoTR with a Assassin's Creed engine, but better. Not a GREAT game by any imagination, but still very fun.

Got it for Christmas as well. Finding it a lot of fun.

.ak · 15-01-2015 3:06pm

Buer wrote: »

So board games....they're due a big come back, right?

I actually play cranium quite a bit. With a big group of mates and a load of drink it's quite simply brilliant.

Podge_irl · 15-01-2015 3:09pm

Buer wrote: »

So board games....they're due a big come back, right?

I'd quite the hankering for a game of Settlers of Catan now.

Buer · 15-01-2015 3:11pm

.ak wrote: »

I actually play cranium quite a bit. With a big group of mates and a load of drink it's quite simply brilliant.

Those sort of games are actually brilliant. I'm not too big on actual board games such as Monopoly (it's gone digital, by the way...no cash!) but stuff like Cranium or Pictionary or 30 Seconds are excellent.

We broke out 30 Seconds over Christmas after a few bottles of wine.

Killings.

Buer · 15-01-2015 3:13pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

I'd quite the hankering for a game of Settlers of Catan now.

I have no idea what that game is but Dave O'Gorman conducted an experiment a few years ago and did a book on it where it was featured heavily. It was essentially him asking all his Twitter followers if they'd like to play a game. He got all sorts of invites. Ultimate frisbee, pool, dominoes, darts etc. and travelled all over the UK meeting people and playing games.

Settlers of Catan was completely foreign to him but I recall he got quite into it by the end.

It's an interesting, quirky book with a rather unexpected slant at the end for a non-fiction publication.

.ak · 15-01-2015 3:17pm

Buer wrote: »

Those sort of games are actually brilliant. I'm not too big on actual board games such as Monopoly (it's gone digital, by the way...no cash!) but stuff like Cranium or Pictionary or 30 Seconds are excellent.

We broke out 30 Seconds over Christmas after a few bottles of wine.

Killings.

Linkee and Headsup are good ones too.

thomond2006 · 15-01-2015 3:18pm

Ever play Cards against Humanity?

15-01-2015 3:25pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I used to play a lot of games. Then I stopped for a while because of time, now I just play 1 game, Dwarf Fortress, and I can't explain why, but it's amazing and I don't need any others.

Also coincidentally there was an exhibit about it at New York's Museum of Modern Art, so it's relevant: http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/6/5973295/dwarf-fortress-is-changing-how-moma-preserves-art

Dwarf Fortress is an enigma to me. What is its appeal?

Zzippy · 15-01-2015 3:28pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Yes, but what IS art?

What a load of boll1x!

Yeah_Right · 15-01-2015 3:34pm

The only series of games I ever got in to was HALO. Had some great fun with the flatmates and friends having big multi-player battles. Especially if one of us had brought a projector from work and we could beam onto the wall. All of a sudden you would realise it was 4am and you had to be up for work in a few hours.

.ak · 15-01-2015 3:35pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Ever play Cards against Humanity?

Yeah played it for the first time on Saturday. Absolutely hilarious! Except I don't think there's any point to it?

15-01-2015 3:39pm

.ak wrote: »

Yeah played it for the first time on Saturday. Absolutely hilarious! Except I don't think there's any point to it?

You could get really deep and ask whats the point to anything?

Like you said, its absolutely hilarious!

awec · 15-01-2015 3:39pm

When someone says "what is art" I'm always reminded of that video of the student performance artist opening and cooking a can of beans before fiddling with herself in front of the crowd. :pac:

thomond2006 · 15-01-2015 3:40pm

.ak wrote: »

Yeah played it for the first time on Saturday. Absolutely hilarious! Except I don't think there's any point to it?

It's great as an ice breaker!

irishbucsfan · 15-01-2015 3:43pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Dwarf Fortress is an enigma to me. What is its appeal?

WHAT IS YOUR APPEAL?!

awec · 15-01-2015 3:44pm

awec wrote: »

When someone says "what is art" I'm always reminded of that video of the student performance artist opening and cooking a can of beans before fiddling with herself in front of the crowd. :pac:

FOUND IT!

My bad though, it was spaghetti hoops, not beans!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9lmvX00TLY

awec · 15-01-2015 3:54pm

Challenge: watch the video above and then tell us all what you believe it symbolises.

Molester Stallone II · 15-01-2015 3:55pm

awec wrote: »

FOUND IT!

My bad though, it was spaghetti hoops, not beans!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9lmvX00TLY

If this is NSFW it's going on my external screen!

awec · 15-01-2015 3:56pm

Molester Stallone II wrote: »

If this is NSFW it's going on my external screen!

Don't think it's NSFW really. You don't see anything really. Can just not watch the end though (but be sure to rewatch later so as to fully appreciate the artistic talent on show)

postitnote · 15-01-2015 4:31pm

We played Cards Against Humanity at xmas. Myself, the wife, the brother and his wife. Oh and my Mum and Dad who used to hit me if i said so much as "fart" as a child.

To hear my Dad say "Motherfcuking Sorcerer" was one of the funniest things i've ever experienced. To find out it was Mum's card was even sweeter!!

It's a great family game!!

errlloyd · 15-01-2015 4:33pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Ever play Cards against Humanity?

Spent hours in Dublin looking for it last week to play with a few friends in the pub (to get the hype) it was sold out everywhere so we ended up downloading the app and four of us playing on our phones.... Not our proudest moment.

Podge_irl · 15-01-2015 5:15pm

Buer wrote: »

I have no idea what that game is but Dave O'Gorman conducted an experiment a few years ago and did a book on it where it was featured heavily. It was essentially him asking all his Twitter followers if they'd like to play a game. He got all sorts of invites. Ultimate frisbee, pool, dominoes, darts etc. and travelled all over the UK meeting people and playing games.

Settlers of Catan was completely foreign to him but I recall he got quite into it by the end.

It's an interesting, quirky book with a rather unexpected slant at the end for a non-fiction publication.

That sounds interesting, must look it up.

Settlers is a German board game (apparently German board game is actually a genre!). It's a reasonable simple premise - you collect resources and build road and settlements. The board changes every time and there is a fair bit of tactics and strategy involved while still having a reasonable element of luck.

I first played it about 5 years ago and was completely hooked. Absolutely love the game.

errlloyd · 15-01-2015 5:48pm

Catan is excellent. Good game length as well. The only problem is that you really need exactly 4 players to have a good one.

Speaking of, game of thrones board game (based on diplomacy) is very good, but requires exactly 6.

dregin · 15-01-2015 5:57pm

Revenue have some pair on em! http://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/2sg15y/landlord_moved_abroad_years_ago_and_hasnt_paid/

irishbucsfan · 15-01-2015 5:58pm

The Battlestar Gallactica boardgame is fantastic. Best I've played anyway.

Podge_irl · 15-01-2015 6:01pm

I don't mind playing with 3, but 4 is definitely better.

I have the 5-6 player expansion which is interesting, but its quite a different game. Prefer the 4 player version.

Podge_irl · 15-01-2015 6:02pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The Battlestar Gallactica boardgame is fantastic. Best I've played anyway.

Bloody difficult though!

irishbucsfan · 15-01-2015 6:29pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

Bloody difficult though!

It's a great game to play if you are a bastard, have underlying bastarding tendencies, or else just intensely hate all of your friends.

molloyjh · 15-01-2015 6:32pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It's a great game to play if you are a bastard, have underlying bastarding tendencies, or else just intensely hate all of your friends.

mfceiling · 15-01-2015 6:38pm

.ak wrote: »

Sounds like something you shouldn't be sharing with the rest of us.

.ak wrote: »

Games are entertainment, media, etc. Not too sure about art, but some game developers certainly take it to that level in terms of what they love, but for the majority it's just a cash cow.

I'm an avid gamer, nor am I afraid to admit it. MSII is just jealous because all they have in the south-west to entertain themselves is real life GTA.

But seriously, I'm not as big into gaming as I once was - it was a good part of my job as I sold PC components so I was very much into it, and I am now what we used to refer to as a 'casual gamer', someone you used to look down upon when you were deep in the world of PC gaming. :P Now adays I find gaming a great form of escapism, and why not? Some people like to shut out the outside world (read: girlfriend) by delving into a book, or watching a movie. Gaming offers the same thing, a chance to shut out the outside world and play through a story or challenge yourself to distraction. After a stressful day at the office it can be nice to unwind for an hour with a joypad in your hand.

An hour? You know it can make you blind and grow hair on the palms of your hands!!

Off Topic Thread too point uh

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