Messages

[Best Idea]

Best Idea - Flosk - I was thinking of entering but became disheartened when every idea I had for it was done better by somebody else already.  Flosk's was a new spin I hadn't had in mind.

Best Design - Rel - Great detail and quality, but more importantly, great planning and implementation.

Best Functionality - Neutron.  Drooled over the Fallout-esque BG for awhile.  Could be used quite easily, for regular sprites or isometric ones.

Best Technique - Darth - Solid background using some admirable technique to make texturing look like tiny details but still keeping the color count low.  Having a low count with a sky and environment that gorgeous shows the best technique IMO.

[b]

I don't have a right to choose who lives and who dies, but if I were forced to choose between a mother of two and a ganster who had killed non-gansters, the gang-banging asshole dies, no question.  Wait! He said he was sorry?  Definitely the mom then. 

Death is an inequitable punishment regardless of the target, but justifying defense because of theoretical repentance and presumed slate-wiping?  I call bullshit.  Aside from that statement, I have difficulty not smiling when someone uses half-assed "Gansta" speak yet still insists upon calling the gang, "The Cribs" (versus Crips). 

I don't think he should've been executed either, don't get me wrong.  I don't think he should've been killed even though I consider gangsters to be some of the lowest forms of life.  It's testosterone rampaging gone awry, introducing an overblown solution to a very real problem, resulting in more loss of life.  If there were only gang-members involved, fine.  Let 'em shoot it out until they're eventually extinct.  Of course, since I've got more chance of dying from a gangster's bullet than from anything else while at work (due to the average 1-per-day homicide rate in the city) while at work, I'm probably a tad biased. 

By the way:

"I think there's quite a difference in penalting a serial killer like the Texas Chainsaw Murderer who just liked to kill without a cause"

New York Times write-up: "He and three friends had been driving around during the predawn hours. At about 4 a.m., they spotted a 26-year-old clerk named Albert Owens sweeping the parking lot of a 7-Eleven. Court records describe Williams herding Owens into the storeroom and ordering him to lie face down on the floor, before shooting him twice in the back. At some point, one of the men took $120 from the cash register. Two weeks later, Williams broke down the quadruple-locked door of an L.A. motel and shot Yen-I Yang and Tsai-Shai Yang, the Taiwanese proprietors.

When their daughter Ye Chen Lin heard her parents' screams and came out of her bedroom to investigate, Williams shot her too, leaving only one survivor from the immediate family, Robert Yang."

So, the difference being that a stereotypical serial killer never repents or gets a book deal? 

I'm not saying it's right to take his life in retribution.  He's probably really sorry and wishes he could take it back and remove the stains he's made on society.  I'm just saying that differentiating him from a psychotic killer isn't so cut-and-dry an argument.

Windows Security Center.FirewallDisableNotify: Settings (Registry change, fixed)
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\FirewallDisableNotify!=dword:0

Windows Security Center.AntiVirusDisableNotify: Settings (Registry change, fixed)
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify!=dword:0
That doesn't sound good? I had 36 tracking cookies I think.

It's not necessarily bad.  It's just Windows registry's option of whether or not you want to be notified if the firewall or anti-virus is disabled.  People shut it off usually due to annoyance (and Windows' frequent bloody-mindedness).  However, the dword 0 means that the notification is not disabled, so all is kosher.  In either case, it's not frequent that spyware would manipulate that, but it's not a bad precaution for the scanning software to take.

I can't honestly argue for or against it.  While many families struggle to make ends meet and keep their children fed while still paying taxes, is it fair for them to have to support a prisoner's expenses?  A murder in prison can expect regular mealtimes, a roof over his head, medical and dental care, while many families can't afford these things.  That doesn't seem just no matter how life-loving you claim to be. 

[edit: Removed paragraph too off-topic]

I don't agree with the death penalty.  If my family were killed and the death penalty was required to be carried out by the victims' family, I don't know that I could administer the killing blow.  I would be angry, sad, bitter and confused, but I don't know that I'd be able to claim the right to take a human life.  Maybe I would, under the circumstances, but I can't determine that unless I were in that state. 

I don't believe in killing for vengeance's sake, but I find it harder to argue against it being a deterrent or (and this seems cold and callous, but) as a cost-saving measure. 

What I do believe, however, is that all life is not equal.  We choose our value by the choices we make.  Regardless of being rich or poor, a person's worth is what they make it.  We're saddened, but not shocked, by the deaths of thousands of our military personnel.  We're saddened, but not surprised, at the deaths of police officers.  They did, however, make a choice to enter a career that carries with it a risk of death.   As a gang member/founder, Williams was fully aware that there was a risk of death, and he acted accordingly.  His victims had no such conscious choice.  The number 4 has been bounced back and forth as a measurement of his sin, but what about all the lives taken as a result of the gang he helped to found?  What about the enrollment in the rival gang (The Bloods)? What about their victims? 

Farlander's solution of sedation (can't help but think of Demolition Man's freezing penalty) might have some merit, but it's purely science-fiction at this point.  We can't keep a person in an indefinite coma and be able to wake them at any time, particularly with the same quality of life they had before, should they be found innocent of their crime.   It sounds much more humane than 25 years in prison only delaying the inevitable death, long after a person becomes something other than what they were when they commited the crime (whether better or worse).  For now, in some places, certain crimes carry a potential penalty of death (and only a small percentage are actually carried out, particularly in California).  If the person doesn't want to die, they probably shouldn't kill people.  Their sentence may not be morally right, and our execution of them is an act of murder in the name of justice, but it's not like this is a sudden change after the fact. 

If somebody wants to rail against California's execution of this man, and become indignant about the loss of a person who weaves a hell of a wonderful feel-good, morality reinforcing novel, try taking a look at Texas instead.  If you really want to discuss the correctness of the penalty, look at the state that uses it the most.  Look at the state that has a fast-lane law that pushes multiple-murderers to the front of the queue (thus putting some weight behind the 1 victim versus 4 victims argument).  Bottom-line: This guy's getting attention and bringing the issue up because he's a) being executed in a state that does so rarely and b) because he's in the spotlight due to an well-advertised repenting novel.  Arguing in favor of this person's right to life, while ignoring others in prisons across the nation, seems pretty hypocritical for a person claiming the sanctity of human life as their podium.  Congratulations upon being manipulated by a PR campaign into voicing your opinion now (rather  than previously).   

As stated, I can't side with either point of view without conceding points of the other.  The one thing I can say I disagree with absolutely is a person claiming to be Christian and quoting the "eye for an eye" passage.  This quotation is not only history inaccurate when taken out of context, but specifically rebuked by Jesus - ""You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, ‘Do not resist injuries, but whoever strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other as well'"  This was in refutation of a law limiting the extent of retribution, not magnification of it.  Maybe Jesus realized the same thing as Ghandi: "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth and the whole world would soon be blind and toothless."

I'm saddened that another human life was ended with William's execution, but I honestly don't have a better solution.  We revere life so much that we argue against the death penalty.  I wonder how much power those with no regard for human life gain over us as a result. 

The movies I tend to prefer in theaters are action/suspense type because of the co-immersion with the rest of the audience.  Everybody is silent, on the edge of their seat in anticipation of an outcome (even if the outcome is glaringly obvious, the environment serves to plunge most people into this state).

On the other hand, I prefer comedies on my home TV with a group of friends.  Laughter builds off of laughter, and at the conclusion (assuming it was actually a funny comedy) everybody's gone through an enjoyable experience together.  Some dramatic films have similar effects, even binding a group together in their feelings of tragic loss or inwardly cheering an underdog's victory against all odds. 

Both of these experiences have been duplicated in the games I've played, the primary difference being that I had something to do with it.  In a movie,  audience expectation as well as motivation to produce blockbuster earnings dictates (to some extent) the outcome.  In an action/suspense movie, we know (at least the vast majority of the time) that certain characters will live.  We know that our hero who is sneaking around a corner, despite a suspicious guard hearing his footsteps, will narrowly escape being caught in order to fulfill his duty.  Yet we are still immersed in the suspense.  How much more of an artform, how much better is the craft honed, in a game like Thief where you're afraid to make a noise on the reality side of the screen for fear of being caught, with no guarantee of a positive outcome.

If movies can be awarded in categories of cinematography, musical score, and acting competence - why not games?  I've seen still and moving artwork rivaling big-budget motion pictures, heard moving musical scores (even from the time before they could accurately be called "music"), and been so engrossed in atmosphere that my physical body responds (with laughter, chills, nervousness, adrenaline rush, etc.).   

For games without a substantial plotline (or one that only slowly develops), the feeling of interactivity leads one's imagination to fill in the gaps and craft their own storyline.  You apply personality traits to a character based upon their voiced words or even written text.  Even in an action game with only the most loose contrivance of a plot, the story has held twists and turns and feelings of vast relief for me. 

Ebert's devotion to the movie industry obviously makes him rather biased this way, and that much is understandable.  What betrays the inaccuracy most is his admission of never having played video games.  What comes to mind for him might run the range of Space Invaders to Super Mario Bros., or Wolfenstein to Grand Theft Auto.  Without having experienced anything within those ranges, it's like a literary reviewer not being able to differentiate between the immersion of Dr. Seuss's One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and that of Grapes of Wrath. 

While I'd agree that a good many games would merit more of a "B" movie ranking than not, they're more akin to the many much-praised independant films for their experimentation and originality than they are to the products of the sequel-factory that is Hollywood.

I thought it was a damned funny strip.  It's only killed by the over-explanation.  If you cut it off at the "good merchant" line I think it'd play better.  Working ed-tv into it seems a bit contrived, maybe if he thought back to an educational skit talking about careers and doing what you're best at? *

*Sorry, I've just come from the Critic's Lounge...

On the second, agree with what you've already stated: with that many objects it becomes a little confusing.  Then again, with a character walking through it might not be.  Working the walk-behinds will be a little painful I would think, in Roomedit, so an alpha-map to import might help. 

While I like the CMI clouds, having your own style be this good is practically screaming for clouds that come from your head instead of Tiller's. 

The glass house background could definitely benefit from Andail's atmospheric desaturation recommendation.  It looks like you've done some of that on the faraway hilltop, but trying an extreme version to see how far you can take it might help find a better balance. 

The outlines are a little more pronounced on the second background and lend to the "cluttered" look.  I find the roundish trees particularly distracting.  The rug on the hillock seems to follow the curve too much.  I would think it'd be rounded a bit more the other way as though it were draped across it rather than being part of it. 

Last nitpick - The tree to the top-right looks like it's ducking.  In fact, all the palms look more natural in this BG than the first, except for that one.  Be wary of trying to fit details into a frame.  If the tree extended out of the picture, it make it look less like everything was shoved into a certain space. 

Grassy-ass Spanish dude.  Al mismo ahora, voy a estar un ladrón.

Franchise ports? The new GBA McDonald's game? 
-----
The reasons mentioned above are similar to reasons I've started and scrapped about 12 projects now.  Either I can't get graphics that live up to my expectations, become over-ambitious with an epic plotline, become inspired by an idea only to decide that it's overdone and dull weeks later, or go head-first into a project and get all the backgrounds or sprites done without time to spare for scripting/writing/animating.  With my next ambitious streak I'll be doing a very simple 1-2 room game, probably rather quirky so it keeps me amused and then I'll be able to determine if I can grind away at a solo project or at least figure out if I can dedicate myself to another's project.

Ah, don't take it as an insult.  Esper's right in that people posting non-communicative threads or posts without little investment are often jumped on and nagged at for some time.  He's making sure that he makes recognition of the improvement.   All the same, I don't think the issue needs to be harped upon any more (positively or negatively).

As far as the Simpson's, I haven't seen many episodes (perhaps 2 seasons worth all together), but I can see why it'd start dying off after awhile.  Animated series can't rely upon attractive actors, or soap opera-esque plotlines to draw the audience into the show's world (seldom done in animation, particularly a comedy series).  Every show has to have something unique.  Even if that special something is a new pinnacle of vulgarity, violence, or just excellent humorous writing.  I still love The Family Guy, but can't watch a marathon of it or several episodes off a DVD season.  The formula stops producing laughter and starts producing monotony when it's repeated that frequently.  Thankfully, The Simpsons had enough variety (and sheer randomity) that it managed to avoid repeating too many "in" jokes or using the same comedic tempo time after time.

Agreed.  I was rather looking forward to this one, and was sorry to hear about the cancellation.  Fortunately, I was wrong in my pessimistic view that pleading with VU wouldn't accomplish anything.  Being a large corporate entity that's militantly been purchasing properties and plunging them into mediocrity, I didn't expect this.  Even if it was to save face from negative press, thanks VU, and -more so - thanks to the fans and makers that kept pushing.

I was playing with the glass in the window (and incorporating a frame), but unfortunately, I didn't use layers so couldn't correct my worst errors due to general laziness.

Anyway:


Clone-brushed opposite wall with high transparency, working backwards to mirror it, filled the shape with very transparent layer of color similar to light, painted in a quick frame for it.  I don't think I ended up doing what I wanted, but it does look a little more window-like this way (definitely went overboard on reflective streaks and not enough transparency so that I mucked up your details outside).

I love the style.  I can't even pinpoint what I like about it, just that it's appealing.  It reads like something in between CMI and various illustrations from children's books. 

As Andail mentioned, some desaturation / atmospheric opaquing of the clouds would both add depth to the image and keep it less confusing.  As an overall critique, the composition seems a bit muddled in that there are so many interesting things to look at and there's no line of action to draw the eye to a specific spot (The muffin stand, for example). 

Aside from regurgitating what's already been said, the round bush on the leftmost side still has its placeholding shading delineator.  I imagine this was accidental as it clashes a bit.  The palm trees in the background could use some depth-cueing as well, but they also look a little too contrived.  They're straining so hard to be cartoony shapes that they've formed angles and have become less plant-looking.   The path leading towards the stand has the same rounded shading found throughout, but here it tends to make the texture undefinable and bulge to an odd degree upwards (appearing to give the dirt a "puckered" look).

Wonderful work, approaching CMI's beauty but of a very unique style.  I almost want to say it feels a little like a more colorful version of Where the Wild Things Are artwork, but it's been too long since I read that.  Can't wait to see more of your game artwork.

Message received vicariously, according to plan.  Thank you.

There are probably only two wires coming from a light-socket.  If it's a normal electrical outlet (at least in the US), there would be 3 (Positive, Negative, Ground), probably colored differently.  Unless, of course, the property in question is from the early 80's or before in which case, it'd have two wires (or two per socket for four wires total in a parallel vs. serial wiring system more commonly found in more expensive older dwellings not yet up to more modern wiring code). 

The only reason you'd have three to four wiring from a light socket mounting like that would be for AC power (used in some fluorescent fixtures or ceiling fan/light fixtures). 

Nero should be able to handle the WMV just fine, depending upon what codecs are installed.  If Nero Vision can't convert it, try loading the WM 9 Encoder from MS.  If it still seems to reject it, you could always try loading it up with Windows Movie Maker and Save File as something in an AVI format (like the DV High Quality option, though it's space-consuming). 

I've been converting OGG video to DVD and have found VirtualDubMod comes in handy.  I'll try to track it (and the WM Encoder) down if you can't find them.

All interviewed sound pretty damned charming.  It more inspires me to have a chummy conversation than to work on a game though.

It's nice to see artificial lighting that doesn't look like a 60-watt bulb from a bedroom lamp, but it still looks like there could be more consistency. 

Contrary to Mr. Graph, I prefer the second as it's got some of the best overall consistent value and would probably show the most balanced composition.  She might look rather pale in it, but in all likelihood - she is pale.  That lighting also serves to portray some accuracy with a slightly angellic glow that people getting studio portraits seem to be fond of.

The first one makes me want to tweak the gamma.  Her eyes look like pools of darkness (the sockets, I mean, not the irises).  Part of the problem is the dark sweater that masks some of the shadow balance. Another small light to the bottom right angled towards the face might show the volume better while illuminating her head a bit more.

The third and fourth ones seem to just be expressionist pieces.  While they might be interesting poses for a full-form picture, their framing seems intent to portray angst and longing (first words that came to mind for 3rd and 4th pic).   

The fifth shows the same problems as the first.  The left half looks great, sharp detail and shows accurately the form of arm and sweater.  I don't care for the pose, but that's beside the point.  A soft, maybe slightly colored light on the opposite side might flesh it out some. 

The 6th one seems to communicate general gothy, teenagey, myspace-ish photography.  While the stark contrast might give a nice look to it, the face being shadowed puts the focus of the picture in the dullest tones.  It seems either intentional or an unfortunate by-product.  Using the reflective white canvas as a secondary illuminator for another casted light would probably cut through the flatness at the center.

Of the next two, I like the tones to the second but the pose of the first better.  This is where the paleness becomes unflattering.  With lighter skintones, having a fully-white face next to a broad white surface only has a tendency to look sickly.  As evidenced by her left hand, there's a nice array of fleshtone colors that could use distribution by rearranging lighting. 

And the last, from a framing/lighting perspective (not costuming or posing, in other words), I quite like it.  The tilt of it does give me the impression that she's slipping off the screen and ought to find it uncomfortable sitting at an angle like that, but otherwise it's pretty balanced.  White skintones seem part of the desired emphasis here, as well as having the skin highlights match the bright white background. 

Overall, if these had been studio pictures I'd requested, I'd be pretty pleased with the results but would toss a couple of the shots.

[Note: The length is due to lighting/photography interest and not because I claim to have any working knowledge of any of this.]

From what I understand, there's some nifty MIDI synchronization doodad that was used.  I shudder to think what would result if it fell into the wrong hands (mine).

Happy opposite day! \o/

Perhaps if you wanted to turn over a new leaf and express the positive side of your yin-yang for a change, you should've snuck in under a new nick (or at least dropped that chew-your-nipples-off-looking pic).