Latest Comments by scaine
Classic Roguelike 'ADOM' is getting a revamp named Ultimate ADOM
16 Nov 2017 at 7:00 pm UTC
There are random monster encounters in ToME, but they're almost always achievable and should be reasonably clearly marked by their purple outline. There's a temptation when you see one to either plow in, or run like mad, but if you inspect the monster, you'll usually get enough information to make an informed decision. Basically, you shouldn't be playing the game unless you have an exit strategy... or strategies. I usually play characters that can Phase Door and Teleport. I usually also have a speed rune, or equipment with jump, or nimble. Stone wall is helpful too. They can only kill you if they can hit you!
I can attribute pretty much every one of my many, many deaths in ToME to impatience, or failing to notice a named character (those purple dudes I mentioned). Despite that, I'll always be back for more ToME.
16 Nov 2017 at 7:00 pm UTC
Quoting: TheSHEEEPI've got nearly 200 hours in ToME, but have never finished it on Adventure mode (you get lives). Not sure what you guys mean about random OP monsters though, perhaps you're playing an earlier version, or maybe there are mods that are killing your experience that I'm not using - I don't use any mods.Quoting: KelsThat's true, but in ToME you have lives to offset this randomness. Three to start with and you get a new life every 10 levels or so, it is simple but really a brillant little thing that can safe your playthrough from the odd overpowered enemy (and would work with traps if ToME had dangerous traps). And it is not so "strong" that it would make the game easy, you can still make plenty mistakes yourself that will cost you one life too much.Quoting: TheSHEEEPDoing great, entering the fourth dungeon already, ready to explore? An enemy spawns that is just vastly overpowered for the region you spawn in. It just one-shots you.I had that problem in ToME too. The worst it got was when they dropped a level 20 troll into the intro dungeon, designed for level 1-3 or so. Even if I got away from it, I was prevented from progressing further and would have been unprepared for the next dungeon anyway. But lesser versions of that happened with distressing regularity.
I wish every roguelike had that, especially ADOM ;)
There are random monster encounters in ToME, but they're almost always achievable and should be reasonably clearly marked by their purple outline. There's a temptation when you see one to either plow in, or run like mad, but if you inspect the monster, you'll usually get enough information to make an informed decision. Basically, you shouldn't be playing the game unless you have an exit strategy... or strategies. I usually play characters that can Phase Door and Teleport. I usually also have a speed rune, or equipment with jump, or nimble. Stone wall is helpful too. They can only kill you if they can hit you!
I can attribute pretty much every one of my many, many deaths in ToME to impatience, or failing to notice a named character (those purple dudes I mentioned). Despite that, I'll always be back for more ToME.
X-Plane user data shows Linux usage holding steady
14 Nov 2017 at 6:28 pm UTC Likes: 7
I'll go even further and note that my PSN+ subscription gave me access to The Swindle and I liked it so much, I did some research and discovered a Linux beta was available - I bought the game again, for Linux.
And while I get your argument about dual-booting and Wine gaming and so on, you have to remember that many people wouldn't be using Linux at all if it weren't for those options. Everybody will find their own path to Linux and that's fine by me. I'll help and encourage them where I can, advocate its use, but not everyone will be bought into the ethos and prepared to sacrifice huge percentages of their games library when they embrace the penguin.
14 Nov 2017 at 6:28 pm UTC Likes: 7
Quoting: g000hPossibly, but I'm in the same boat as wojtek88 and I'm lucky enough to have enough disposable income that what little money I spend in Sony's store won't affect my purchases on Linux.Quoting: wojtek88@g000h While I love Linux and I love playing games on it, I am not going to forget about Sony titles. I have PS4, I play on it all the time. The only rule I have is: Never buy on PS4 games that are already released on Linux. I can't see how would I help Linux gaming if I weren't buying Uncharted series games...Well... two obvious ways to me:
1) You spent your money on a PS4 game rather than an Linux game. One less Linux game being bought and going into the analytics.
[You don't feel you would be doing more Linux gaming, if you hadn't bought a PS4 and PS4 games to use on it?]
2) You're playing a PS4 game instead of a Linux game. Hours of Linux gaming being lost in the Steam/publisher analytics.
I'll go even further and note that my PSN+ subscription gave me access to The Swindle and I liked it so much, I did some research and discovered a Linux beta was available - I bought the game again, for Linux.
And while I get your argument about dual-booting and Wine gaming and so on, you have to remember that many people wouldn't be using Linux at all if it weren't for those options. Everybody will find their own path to Linux and that's fine by me. I'll help and encourage them where I can, advocate its use, but not everyone will be bought into the ethos and prepared to sacrifice huge percentages of their games library when they embrace the penguin.
VP's ARMA 3 1.76 beta now out, compatible with Windows for now
14 Nov 2017 at 5:36 pm UTC
I also follow news about Foxconn, funnily enough, although mainly tracking their business practices and suicides. It's some grim reading usually, although pleasingly things seem to be a bit better after the big Apple/Samsung expose a few years ago.
14 Nov 2017 at 5:36 pm UTC
Quoting: GBeeWere still agreeing to differ then. This is a tech site and Liam has often posted on the underlying company doing the port, their methods, successes and failures. They're important and worth mentioning.Quoting: scaineWell, we can agree to differ. VP released their latest beta. We appear to quibbling over an implied distinction between "released" and "published".iPhones are assembled by Foxconn in China. When a new iPhone is released, you don't see anyone saying that Foxconn have released a new iPhone.
I also follow news about Foxconn, funnily enough, although mainly tracking their business practices and suicides. It's some grim reading usually, although pleasingly things seem to be a bit better after the big Apple/Samsung expose a few years ago.
VP's ARMA 3 1.76 beta now out, compatible with Windows for now
14 Nov 2017 at 5:31 pm UTC
I'd love to hear their reasons for doing this. If it's a passion project as suggested above, they're throwing a lot money into that passion.
I love Arms and I'd like to support them, but I'm not buying a partially supported beta. Really hoping this leads to a fully in sync, supported title.
Edit: Mobile phone spelling...
14 Nov 2017 at 5:31 pm UTC
Quoting: GuestBut they're not selling a Linux version. Their FAQ is clear that you're buying a Windows only game, and you get complementary, partially working Linux and Mac ports.Quoting: cRaZy-bisCuiTSince they don't dedicate to Linux completely I skip Arma. If they can guarantee me version parity with Windows I might consider it.So you're saying you would rather run the Windows version under Wine, because the port is non-native ?
Like this I'd be better of using Wine instead of the non-native port.
Anyone else see the irony here ? :><:
Also, they're not going to dedicate to Linux when people arent buying it!!
I'd love to hear their reasons for doing this. If it's a passion project as suggested above, they're throwing a lot money into that passion.
I love Arms and I'd like to support them, but I'm not buying a partially supported beta. Really hoping this leads to a fully in sync, supported title.
Edit: Mobile phone spelling...
Space Pirates And Zombies 2 releases in full with great Linux support
14 Nov 2017 at 8:30 am UTC
It's not particularly common, but but it's hardly "stupid" and "unimaginative".
14 Nov 2017 at 8:30 am UTC
Quoting: BeamboomThat's very harsh. They were tapping into a long tradition here. Ghost & Goblins, Space Invaders, etc and applying it in the modern age, like many others: Salt & Sanctuary, 7 Days to Die, Tabletop Simulator, and so on. Also, practically every TD game ever includes the word "defense/defend/defence" somewhere.Quoting: Purple Library GuyI suppose. But certainly the first game was about space pirates . . . and zombies . . . so, seems pretty descriptive.Yeah. And Fallout is about loot and mutants. Rocket League is about jumping and goals. Divinity: Eternal Sin is about magic and investigation. Dying Light is about zombies and survival.
Naming a game after two of the main components is in essence just stupid. I mean, how unimaginative is it possible to get?
It's not particularly common, but but it's hardly "stupid" and "unimaginative".
My top Tower Defence games for Linux
13 Nov 2017 at 10:31 pm UTC
13 Nov 2017 at 10:31 pm UTC
Quoting: GuestI wouldn’t call Creeper World a tower defence game; it’s closer to a base-building RTS.Sorry Creeper World fans, but this is how I felt about this game too. Also, despite my righteous pontificating (word of the day!) about focusing on the gameplay, the graphics in Creeper World were just so abysmal, so basic, that I lost interest. I know. SUCH a hypocrite! I played a meagre one hour before giving up...
VP's ARMA 3 1.76 beta now out, compatible with Windows for now
13 Nov 2017 at 10:25 pm UTC
But thanks for the explanation of how VP work. I knew most of it, but you've clarified a lot. That clarification leaves me wondering how they make money on this, then? You're suggesting that each time VP release a new beta, Bohemia are saying "thanks, now here's more money to do a new version"?
Or is it "do a beta, then another, indefinitely, until we're happy - here's a flat fee"?
Cos the former costs Bohemia money each time, while latter is obviously never going to happen! And if it's former, well done Bohemia, right? Because they're not advertising this, and they describe it as complementary service, making it clear that you're buying a Windows game and this is the best they can do [External Link].
Kind of surprising.
13 Nov 2017 at 10:25 pm UTC
Quoting: GBeeWell, we can agree to differ. VP released their latest beta. We appear to quibbling over an implied distinction between "released" and "published".Quoting: scaineHe's saying that VP are just external contractors paid a flat fee by BI to port the game to Linux (and OSX).Quoting: GuestNo, I am saying that it is Bohemias product, and they provide the support. VP is just contracted to do the porting work.Huh, well that's a let down. I know it's Bohemia's product. VP have released several beta candidates since they were first contracted. I have to admit, I'm not seeing why you feel the article needs correcting. You feel that the first sentence implies VP own the IP, maybe?
Also, I wonder how VP are being paid. If this was a Feral release, they'd have an announcement (after months of teasing), then Linux sales thereafter are credited to their work.
<snip>
But thanks for the explanation of how VP work. I knew most of it, but you've clarified a lot. That clarification leaves me wondering how they make money on this, then? You're suggesting that each time VP release a new beta, Bohemia are saying "thanks, now here's more money to do a new version"?
Or is it "do a beta, then another, indefinitely, until we're happy - here's a flat fee"?
Cos the former costs Bohemia money each time, while latter is obviously never going to happen! And if it's former, well done Bohemia, right? Because they're not advertising this, and they describe it as complementary service, making it clear that you're buying a Windows game and this is the best they can do [External Link].
Kind of surprising.
VP's ARMA 3 1.76 beta now out, compatible with Windows for now
13 Nov 2017 at 7:18 pm UTC Likes: 1
Anyway, more generally, I'm hopeful that this is the first step to the VP beta becoming an official product. I've been holding off buying it until that happens.
Also, I wonder how VP are being paid. If this was a Feral release, they'd have an announcement (after months of teasing), then Linux sales thereafter are credited to their work. But in this case, VP only have a beta, so I (and possibly others) won't touch it. Seems an odd way to do business, particularly given how quiet they've been otherwise. Just checked their website [External Link] and they have few titles on the go now and I didn't even realise they'd released Putty Squad [External Link] - although that's not on Steam, GOG or Humble, and only features static screenshots on the sales page, so I can't see anyone dropping £15 for that!
13 Nov 2017 at 7:18 pm UTC Likes: 1
Quoting: GuestNo, I am saying that it is Bohemias product, and they provide the support. VP is just contracted to do the porting work.Huh, well that's a let down. I know it's Bohemia's product. VP have released several beta candidates since they were first contracted. I have to admit, I'm not seeing why you feel the article needs correcting. You feel that the first sentence implies VP own the IP, maybe?
Anyway, more generally, I'm hopeful that this is the first step to the VP beta becoming an official product. I've been holding off buying it until that happens.
Also, I wonder how VP are being paid. If this was a Feral release, they'd have an announcement (after months of teasing), then Linux sales thereafter are credited to their work. But in this case, VP only have a beta, so I (and possibly others) won't touch it. Seems an odd way to do business, particularly given how quiet they've been otherwise. Just checked their website [External Link] and they have few titles on the go now and I didn't even realise they'd released Putty Squad [External Link] - although that's not on Steam, GOG or Humble, and only features static screenshots on the sales page, so I can't see anyone dropping £15 for that!
VP's ARMA 3 1.76 beta now out, compatible with Windows for now
13 Nov 2017 at 5:49 pm UTC
13 Nov 2017 at 5:49 pm UTC
Quoting: GuestTo be correct, it is Bohemia's release not VP'sWhat does this mean? Are you saying Bohemia have ditched VP and taken the port in house? If so, that's very bold, but might bode well for a future where Windows/Linux is updated simultaneously, I suppose, rather than waiting for VP to catch up to a new Bohemia release.
My top Tower Defence games for Linux
13 Nov 2017 at 5:45 pm UTC Likes: 2
Liam is tied up this week, so BTRE is holding down the fort while I've been sitting on this article idea for a few weeks and now felt like a good time to post it. I've obviously found a fellow-TD fan in a few of you!
In Sanctum 2, you can't place a tower until you place a wall - the towers land on top of the wall, so I'm guessing that might be what tripped you up. But yes, it's very FPS focused. I still like it because a) maze construction is so rare these days and b) it's multi-player. And kind of c) it's so pretty!
I didn't know about Dungeon Warfare 2! Hopefully it has Linux support on day 1, and like you, I'd be happy to take a punt on that without reading a single review.
As for Fieldrunners - I dodged both 1 & 2 due to my addiction to Robo Defence at the time, but I heard good things about them. Very old school though - maze placement, distinct ground/air units and towers, plenty of options for endless waves. It's a shame they don't hold up to the test of time!
13 Nov 2017 at 5:45 pm UTC Likes: 2
Quoting: stretch611my 3 cents... (yes, I'm odd)How very dare you, sir, for I am not he! :D
As Liam mentioned, you need to know where the enemies will attack from...
Liam is tied up this week, so BTRE is holding down the fort while I've been sitting on this article idea for a few weeks and now felt like a good time to post it. I've obviously found a fellow-TD fan in a few of you!
In Sanctum 2, you can't place a tower until you place a wall - the towers land on top of the wall, so I'm guessing that might be what tripped you up. But yes, it's very FPS focused. I still like it because a) maze construction is so rare these days and b) it's multi-player. And kind of c) it's so pretty!
I didn't know about Dungeon Warfare 2! Hopefully it has Linux support on day 1, and like you, I'd be happy to take a punt on that without reading a single review.
As for Fieldrunners - I dodged both 1 & 2 due to my addiction to Robo Defence at the time, but I heard good things about them. Very old school though - maze placement, distinct ground/air units and towers, plenty of options for endless waves. It's a shame they don't hold up to the test of time!
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