<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MadMac_5:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Maxer:<BR>In response to the DVD optimization, any reason that they can't just copy parts of the game to the HDD on the XBOX (of course it's be great if they just let you slap in a SATA drive and be done with it, then you could copy the whole damn game over) </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>That would be the easy way of doing it, but unfortunately Bioware can't count on every 360 having a hard drive installed on it. This is the reason why the Core shouldn't have existed in the first place, in my opinion. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I agree completely, however, that doesn't mean they CAN'T opt to cache to the HDD when available for <I>better</I> performance. Something they'll hopefully do.
Mass Effect
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Oblivion caches to HDD if the HDD is available. It also can load entirely off the DVD.
dont know if this has been posted, but here is a video about mass effect from e3.<BR><BR>pretty informative.<BR> click me
Holy god, I want to murder this interviewer.<BR><BR>The movie, aside from the sound, is Bad Ass, however.<BR><BR>This goddamn game is making me buy a 360. It's official.
-- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif --<br><br>Ignoring the annoying gamespot video guys (gamespot has the best reviews but by far the worst personalities IMHO) that is *so* awesome.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Semi On:<BR>I don't know whether to laugh or cry that the President of Bioware has a feaux hawk. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>...Yeah, I think the faux hawk is immediately out if you have a doctorate.
One thing I hope they add is more extraneous detail to make the scenes look more realistic.<BR><BR>Like for example in the space station. You see computer consoles.<BR><BR>But there are no chairs anywhere to be seen. Or any "accessories" someone might use to work.<BR><BR>Just makes it look a little less believable to me.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by benInMa:<BR>One thing I hope they add is more extraneous detail to make the scenes look more realistic.<BR><BR>Like for example in the space station. You see computer consoles.<BR><BR>But there are no chairs anywhere to be seen. Or any "accessories" someone might use to work.<BR><BR>Just makes it look a little less believable to me. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>maybe they don't use chairs or "accessories" in the future
Chairs get stolen by nomads who want something comfortable to sit in! Who wants to travel 1000 miles. and only have dirt and rocks to rest your butt on? -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif --
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by daishi:<BR>anyone know if the mass effect MMO rumor is credible? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>KotOR MMO all the way, baby!
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by daishi:<BR>anyone know if the mass effect MMO rumor is credible? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Half of it is. Bioware has created a studio in Austin to create an MMO. The Mass Effect part is speculation.
Chairs were outlawed in the great war of 2029 where they rose up against their masters.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John_Keats:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Semi On:<BR>I don't know whether to laugh or cry that the President of Bioware has a feaux hawk. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>...Yeah, I think the faux hawk is immediately out if you have a doctorate. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>No Ph.D. -- the founders/co-presidents are medical doctors.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by benInMa:<BR>One thing I hope they add is more extraneous detail to make the scenes look more realistic.<BR><BR>Like for example in the space station. You see computer consoles.<BR><BR>But there are no chairs anywhere to be seen. Or any "accessories" someone might use to work.<BR><BR>Just makes it look a little less believable to me. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I thought the same thing the first time I watched it. Watch it again, there are more chairs than you think. (They are just hard to notice while you are paying attention to all the other awesomeness.)
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by daishi:<BR>anyone know if the mass effect MMO rumor is credible? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>It's not a Mass Effect MMO rumor, it's a KOTOR MMO rumor. (It has been rumored for some time now but Bioware will not confirm or deny.)
So just so I can get this straight:<BR><BR>The game's BIGGEST flaw at this point is that people aren't <STRIKE>wearing enough hats</STRIKE> using enough chairs?<BR><BR>I wish more games had these problems these days (oh please don't let this game suck...)
I'm going to rag on the game some more.<BR><BR>It looks sterile. Commander Shepard is a generic action hero from the looks of it, I mean, wow, he has a shaven head and a chiseled face, he looks like something out of the "army of one" commercials. <BR><BR>The combat looks too easy. He runs up, shoots a water pistol, and the dude dies. They don't go for cover or exhibit any intelligent AI routines. I don't see chaos like in FEAR or Half Life<BR><BR>As I mentioned earlier, the bar scene looks like your typical urban techno yuppie dive. <BR><BR>Basically, the art style that I see is lacking in imagination. It's all too serious, there isn't any ironic relief or comical characters. <BR><BR>I mean, it's bioware, they made KOTOR, one of the best games last gen, but this looks like a generic space sci-fi environment
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Basically, the art style that I see is lacking in imagination. It's all too serious, there isn't any ironic relief or comical characters. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>They should have sourced Chris Tucker's character from Fifth Element.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hello world:<BR>I'm going to rag on the game some more.<BR><BR>It looks sterile. Commander Shepard is a generic action hero from the looks of it, I mean, wow, he has a shaven head and a chiseled face, he looks like something out of the "army of one" commercials. <BR><BR>Basically, the art style that I see is lacking in imagination. It's all too serious, there isn't any ironic relief or comical characters. <BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Just picking up on these two issues--<BR><BR>1) You customize your character in this game, so you don't have to look like generic Shepard.<BR><BR>2) No comic relief doesn't bother me at all, personally. I could use a well written serious sci-fi. <BR><BR>I personally don't feel like it looks like as generic as you do, some of the alien designs are (blue skinned race?) but not all of them look that generic to me (the big guys). So mixed bag on the generic part from me.
While I'm all for serious, I still want my games to have a bit of Boo and Minsc, though, it needs to be in strictly controled doses and not get in the way of the "real" game.
while i like my game more serious, there will probably be a character like HK-47.
Scott Tarr
Ars Praefectus
How could anyone <B>not</B> love a character like HK-47?<BR><BR>Oh, and I can't wait to play this game.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Commander Shepard is a generic action hero from the looks of it, I mean, wow, he has a shaven head and a chiseled face, he looks like something out of the "army of one" commercials. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>You can customize his appearance. The one appearance you've seen so far has been partly a marketing decision and partly to maintain secrecy.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">It's all too serious, there isn't any ironic relief or comical characters. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>You want Jar Jar?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hello world:<BR>I'm going to rag on the game some more.<BR><BR>It looks sterile. Commander Shepard is a generic action hero from the looks of it, I mean, wow, he has a shaven head and a chiseled face, he looks like something out of the "army of one" commercials. <BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>He's a soldier.<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"><BR>The combat looks too easy. He runs up, shoots a water pistol, and the dude dies. They don't go for cover or exhibit any intelligent AI routines. I don't see chaos like in FEAR or Half Life<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>It's an RPG.<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"><BR>As I mentioned earlier, the bar scene looks like your typical urban techno yuppie dive. <BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I don't recall any yuppies wearing combat armor, pressure suits or space helmets in recent memory. But as far as looking like socialites, they are supposed to. The "Citadel" is basically the "New York" of space. In real life there are more kinds of people than just action/comedic characters. (As we all don't live in Disney movies. Well at least, I don't.) There are yuppie socialites, drug dealers, politicians, terrorists, priests and many other types of scum.<BR><BR>Every space port in KOTOR had ACTUAL yuppies. Remember this in the cantina on Taris?<BR><BR>"How DARE you talk to me like that. When daddy hears of this YOU WILL PAY!" Or, "Get away from me, can't you see I AM OF THE NOBILITY!??"<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"><BR>Basically, the art style that I see is lacking in imagination. It's all too serious, there isn't any ironic relief or comical characters. <BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>It's not Anime. If you want comical characters go play Blue Dragon. It's an RPG with "comical" characters. However I am sure Bioware will put some humor in there where it belongs. (Like HK-47) He was funny, but not so much that it changed the entire tone of the game. Humor doesn't have to be completely over-the-top to be funny. You wouldn't want Darth Vader to start making knock-knock jokes while the Emperor is trying to torture Luke Skywalker would you? Or, Agent Smith and Neo are in the fight in the train station and just as Agent Smith puts Neo in a headlock and is ready to deliver his famous "inevitable" monologue, Neo cuts one. Instead of fighting him off as before, this time Neo says, "Hey, you like THAT one? Silent But Deadly biatch!" (Smith recoils) There's some "humor" for you. Sci-fi is hard enough to make believable as it is. Humor is something that requires finesse to work right in the genre.<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"><BR>I mean, it's bioware, they made KOTOR, one of the best games last gen, but this looks like a generic space sci-fi environment<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>As far as looking generic goes, every cantina on every planet in both KOTOR games looked essentially the same. The Pazaak table, the Dancers, the obligatory Hutt-Gangster "backroom." If you want to get REALLY technical though: Doesn't EVERY sci-fi bar look pretty much generic? Or hell, EVERY CURRENT DAY BAR for that matter. But just so you know, the bar footage of the game was the EARLIEST playable footage of the game that was released. (About 6 graphical iterations of revisions/improvements ago.)
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hello world:<BR>I'm going to rag on the game some more.<BR><BR>It looks sterile. Commander Shepard is a generic action hero from the looks of it, I mean, wow, he has a shaven head and a chiseled face, he looks like something out of the "army of one" commercials. <BR><BR>The combat looks too easy. He runs up, shoots a water pistol, and the dude dies. They don't go for cover or exhibit any intelligent AI routines. I don't see chaos like in FEAR or Half Life<BR><BR>As I mentioned earlier, the bar scene looks like your typical urban techno yuppie dive. <BR><BR>Basically, the art style that I see is lacking in imagination. It's all too serious, there isn't any ironic relief or comical characters. <BR><BR>I mean, it's bioware, they made KOTOR, one of the best games last gen, but this looks like a generic space sci-fi environment </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>While most of the people have already picked apart the most ridiculous parts of these statements, I'm curious as to what you feel would make a sci-fi game non-generic?<BR><BR>Oh, and every Bioware game has always had at least one character (often more) that provides comedic relief at different times. The best examples include Minsc & Boo, HK-47 (really, has there ever been a better NPC? Meatbags.) and Sir Roderick Ponce von Fontlebottom (ok, I'm a huge fan of John Cleese, which is why I include him here...). Even beyond the characters who explicitly offer comedic relief quite often, the interplay between NPCs often leads to some more subtle humour. The one thing I've felt that Bioware does very well is their NPCs tend to be well done. Most of the time you care for them (or want them to die. I'm looking at you whiny Jaheira), which is far more than I can say for most games.
I'd very much agree. One of the reasons that I let the NWN single player stuff die on the vine was the fact that I didn't care about my party members... because I had no party members... only hirelings who just... kinda... yeah.<BR><BR>What did they do again?<BR><BR>Then, enter KOTOR stage right, a game filled with memorable NPCs that forced me to play through it three times just to experience every aspect of the game.<BR><BR>If an RPG maker wants my dollar, they need to give me a hook, like great secondary characters.<BR><BR>That's one of the reasons why Deus Ex: IW fell down, IMO. Nothing felt as fleshed-out as in the original, where you got to know various bit players and feel like they added to the world.<BR><BR>Like the Hong Kong level... looking back, Hong Kong isn't as excellent as I originally thought it was. But! I will always remember that little shit named Louis Pan threatening the shopkeeper and then threatening me. <BR><BR>That little asshole brought that level to life for me.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hello world:<BR>It looks sterile. Commander Shepard is a generic action hero from the looks of it, I mean, wow, he has a shaven head and a chiseled face, he looks like something out of the "army of one" commercials. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>In one of the videos they talk about Sheppard's appearance. The devs clearly state that the appearance of your character is customizable.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hello world:<BR>The combat looks too easy. He runs up, shoots a water pistol, and the dude dies. They don't go for cover or exhibit any intelligent AI routines. I don't see chaos like in FEAR or Half Life </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Since you mention KoToR as an example, they don't do this in KoToR either. I'll give you this, I do think it's a little bit of a failing. If you can have your own squad duck and cover, then the enemy AI should know enough to dodge as well. The combat is mostly projectile/beam combat, so I would think that kind of thing could be present, even in an action RPG. But I'm guessing that party AI and enemy AI is going to pretty well suck, since in most of these games the devs never give the NPCs any kind of combat intelligence whatsoever.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hello world:<BR>As I mentioned earlier, the bar scene looks like your typical urban techno yuppie dive. <BR><BR>Basically, the art style that I see is lacking in imagination. It's all too serious, there isn't any ironic relief or comical characters </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Some of the rooms they've shown in the videos made me think of KoToR. Very similar in style. But the outdoor scenes look very kick ass. While it might not be particularly inspired, it's a good and interesting look and really would not be disappointing.<BR><BR>As far as comic relief goes, again in one of the video they do talk about one of the characters having a lot of funny lines. I think it was one of the female characters. She's a very gung-ho person, and as such, that probably lends itself to some amusing lines. The videos have mostly focused on action or visuals, they could probably do well to show us some character depth, such as humorous dialog, but just because it has not yet been shown I would not discount it off hand. Given Bioware's history it would stand to reason there are some familiar components to the game, such as humour and romance (for those that like that in games), and a lot of story and dialog and side adventures.
More info in this link:<BR><BR>http://gameinfowire.com/news.asp?nid=10794<BR><BR>There are some lightweight spoilers about the story though.
Cool dialog video:<BR><BR>http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/85139.html
I'm getting a chubby for this game.<BR><BR>I would like to state, again, that THIS GAME is the reason I broke down and bought a 360. <BR><BR>I enjoyed the combat video, and even if it looks a little... easy, you can probably ramp up the difficulty... and its an RPG, first and foremost. Expect third person RPG combat and you'll be good.<BR><BR>The conversation system, of course looks awesome. <BR><BR>Humor: I have 0 worries about BioWare and humor. See -> damn near everything else they've made. Humor is never pimped before hand, but it is always there.<BR><BR>In that Gamespot stage demo (if you can ignore Rich Gallup basically spooging on the Doc's face), they said there would be the romance and humor elements you've come to expect from BioWare games.<BR><BR><BR><BR>It looks awesome, the Doc looked like he was having fun playing it, the buzz is pretty good, and BioWare is one of the few developers that I trust nearly implicitly with creating pure gold.
Gears of War and Dead Rising gave me the excuse but Mass Effect was always the reason that I would have to own a 360 at one point or another. I have a thirst for this game.
That new video show so much more of the game. It answered alot of my questions.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John_Keats:<BR>Just picking up on these two issues--<BR><BR>1) You customize your character in this game, so you don't have to look like generic Shepard.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>See, what I'm slightly concerned about is that I might end up playing "Capt. Shepard," or whatever, as opposed to whatever character I've been imagining. Hopefully the whole Shepard thing is just Bioware using a consistent 'face' for their promo materials, rather than something hardwritten into the game.<BR><BR>Basically, I want to feel like I'm actually roleplaying a character of my imagining, not watching Squall or Cloud go through his pre-arranged moods and temper tantrums. The difference in practice might be slight, but it's very noticeable.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Unforgiven:<BR>Hopefully the whole Shepard thing is just Bioware using a consistent 'face' for their promo materials, rather than something hardwritten into the game. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yes you can (Q.13 & Q.14). There was a thread on the bioware forums last year that talked about their deliberate use of a consistent image for marketing purposes.
Gamespot's got an extended version of the E3 trailer up:<BR><BR>http://au.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/masseffect/news.html...m_clk=topslot&page=1
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