Play Nice Random Chat Thread VII

[giantroo]

 

[Mr Lloyd Christmas]

Happy to "root" for the anti-hero here!

 

[CharlieMortdecai]

Sad to read of the death of one half of low, Mimi Parker, of ovarian cancer at only 55. One thing I find funny in all the obituaries and reflections on their 30 years of fantastic output - no mention of how important Christianity was to their music (indeed their lives). Every critic will bang on at the drop of a hat about the influence of biblical and Christian themes in the work of Nick Cave, who isn't even a member of any church and is avowedly agnostic. Yet, for Low it is almost as if the centrality of Christianity to their work is embarrassing because they are a pair of committed Mormons.
I say this by the way as an atheist with no affinity to Christianity, but I think it's influence in art should be acknowledged when it is there.

 

[Val Keating]

Just listened to Joe Rogan’s interview with Matt Walsh (the bloke that made the what is a woman documentary).

Despite what you think of Rogan, he absolutely took Walsh apart on gay marriage.

The interview started off pretty amicably but when Walsh started talking about gay marriage, Rogan completely dismantled Walsh’s position that marriage should only be between a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation.

Walsh’s argument just falls apart.

 

[Tas]

 

[Hojuman]

The News = 90% of which is just people whinging and complaining

 

[Mr Lloyd Christmas]

Bud attacked (again) but he was good as the staffy/cross piece of shit (as they are) and owner took his shit dog away.

Terry was watching and engaged- these dogs are a disgrace and I told their owners exactly that.

 

[AnEmptyChair]

Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and now GoW Ragnarok… why are all the big blockbuster PlayStation games this year fantasy titles?
I have a pretty big prejudice against the whole fantasy genre. It’s filled with lazy get-out-of-jail free cards for its writers. For every obstacle that needs to be overcome, the protagonist amazingly has a magical power capable of doing just that. The whole genre feels like a con.


(Yes I’m shouting into the digital ether in an attempt to convince myself that everything every critic seems to be saying about how GoW Ragnarock is amazing and groundbreaking is wrong and won’t justify the cost)

haha nothing against you MP, but as quite a big spec fic fan in general, not just fantasy, i think you're thinking of fantasy of a bygone era

when it comes to literature at least, much of it now is far less about what you described and much more character and thematically driven stories albeit with a fantasy setting -- and the many different flavours that can come in.

as far as video games, i think fantasy/sci-fi settings are natural for big video games. there are far fewer restrictions on what's 'realistic' in terms of capabilities and scope to create immersive settings and beautiful worlds.

I've played the first Horizon and liked it and Ive only played like half of the first GOW in this series and it's okay, but i would not that, again, it's a story that is fundamentally driven by character relationships and themes, rather than the woo woo of traditional fantasy

 

[Makeshift Park]

as far as video games, i think fantasy/sci-fi settings are natural for big video games. there are far fewer restrictions on what's 'realistic' in terms of capabilities and scope to create immersive settings and beautiful worlds

Absolutely. The fantastical worlds of the genre do showcase the power of modern consoles very well.

I concede that I was being a bit brash in that post and it may have to do with how I wrote it on a Saturday night after imbibing some cleansing ales.

 

[AnEmptyChair]

Absolutely. The fantastical worlds of the genre do showcase the power of modern consoles very well.

I concede that I was being a bit brash in that post and it may have to do with how I wrote it on a Saturday night after imbibing some cleansing ales.

haha all good, just saw an opportunity to step in and smash some stereotypes!

lol but nah, i do know where you're coming from. i think bad spec fic does what you say, and while the best that the genre has to offer doesn't do it, there's definitely still rubbish out there that does.

video games are a weird medium in that respect though. it's a delicate balancing act between the thematic weight of the narrative being told and the yeah, let's **** shit up escapism that's traditionally expected

and i do agree that for the most part the writing in games isn't as strong as it is on other platforms and is therefore more susceptible to the failings that you initially identified.

 

[Ligma]

You’re #1 fan

I thought I was but I guess not

 

[AnEmptyChair]

You’re #1 fan

I thought I was but I guess not

 

[Ligma]

View attachment 1550770

So pick me, choose me, love me

 

[AnEmptyChair]

So pick me, choose me, love me

okay, fine, if i must.

 

[Makeshift Park]

video games are a weird medium in that respect though. it's a delicate balancing act between the thematic weight of the narrative being told and the yeah, let's * s**t up escapism that's traditionally expected

and i do agree that for the most part the writing in games isn't as strong as it is on other platforms and is therefore more susceptible to the failings that you initially identified.

You're right that its a particular issue with games. I can't remember ever playing a fantasy game where I've appreciated the writing.

People rave about GoW but I got bored after about 10 hours, the core relationship between Kratos and Atreus just didn't grab me.
Can you give me an example of where writers of a fantasy game have done a good job?

Is there anything that comes close to The Last of Us series?

Though I'm more predisposed to the dystopian side of the spec fic ledger, there is stuff like The Sandman, which I found seriously mindblowing.

It's just that I've never found anything even approaching to that level of serious craftsmanship in the writing for a fantasy game.

 

[AnEmptyChair]

You're right that its a particular issue with games. I can't remember ever playing a fantasy game where I've appreciated the writing.

People rave about GoW but I got bored after about 10 hours, the core relationship between Kratos and Atreus just didn't grab me.
Can you give me an example of where the writers have done a good job?

Is there anything that comes close to The Last of Us series?

Though I'm more predisposed to the dystopian side of the spec fic ledger, there is stuff like The Sandman, which I found seriously mindblowing.

It's just that I've never found anything even approaching to that level of serious craftsmanship in the writing for a fantasy game.

As i said, i'm only part of the way through GoW and forget some stuff, but i thought there was some potential in that relationship dynamic, but i was put off a bit by the gameplay.

haha TLOU series is my favourite ever (and say it quietly, but i might like part 2 more), so I'm biased towards it, but no there isn't anything that comes close

have you played Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice? It's more historical fantasy, i guess, but if you haven't then i recommend it, and definitely play with headphones if you can.

 

[AnEmptyChair]

and now i think about it a bit more Makeshift Park i think a majority of the best writing in video games comes in sci-fi or dystopian stuff rather than fantasy. my bad for that first response.

i think i just jumped in because i reflexively reacted to the generalisation of fantasy being like that, when it's absolutely not the case as far as literature is concerned at least and I've seen some people say that about fantasy lit so it's like an auto response haha

 

[Makeshift Park]

As i said, i'm only part of the way through GoW and forget some stuff, but i thought there was some potential in that relationship dynamic, but i was put off a bit by the gameplay.

haha TLOU series is my favourite ever (and say it quietly, but i might like part 2 more), so I'm biased towards it, but no there isn't anything that comes close

have you played Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice? It's more historical fantasy, i guess, but if you haven't then i recommend it, and definitely play with headphones if you can.

I find it hard to split TLOU 1 & 2 in terms of my favourite.
TLOU1 is more "enjoyable" but then again TLOU2 is probably the most harrowing gaming experience I've ever had.
The final fight scene was pretty traumatic. It could be the least fun I've ever had in a game. But almost certainly the most powerful.
Druckman's writing is legit daring in TLOU2, I love the risks he took with the sequel.
All up its an amazing meditation on the futility of hatred.
I'm tempering my expectations but I'm still pretty keen to check out the TV adaptation when it arrives.
In the meantime, I'll definitely check out Hellblade on your recommendation.

 

[AnEmptyChair]

I find it hard to split TLOU 1 & 2 in terms of my favourite.
TLOU1 is more "enjoyable" but then again TLOU2 is probably the most harrowing gaming experience I've ever had.
The final fight scene was pretty traumatic. It could be the least fun I've ever had in a game. But almost certainly the most powerful.
Druckman's writing is legit daring in TLOU2, I love the risks he took with the sequel.
All up its an amazing meditation on the futility of hatred.
I'm tempering my expectations but I'm still pretty keen to check out the TV adaptation when it arrives.
In the meantime, I'll definitely check out Hellblade on your recommendation.

lol i could legit write whole paragraphs about TLOU2 and how well it's written. suffice to say that, as you say, it's bold and daring, and such a subversive use of the medium to tell a story that i don't think could have been told any other way, and it's so well executed. Abby is legit one of my favourite characters in anything ever -- and i usually hate the trope of seeing an 'antagonist's' perspective. and as for that final fight scene, i don't think I've ever been more conflicted haha. it's a masterclass in perspective and exploring guilt and absolution and forgiveness and a whole heap of things

your point about enjoyment vs reward or 'the best' is something I've thought about a lot too in relation to TLOU2, as well as literature. Some of the best books I've read are not necessarily my favourites because they're so traumatic and tough, and I'll never go back to reread them. but I'll also never forget them.

yep, check out hellblade. harrowing is a fitting word for that one too.

 

[DesertRoo]

Wtf

 

[Disco Dew]

have you played Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice? It's more historical fantasy, i guess, but if you haven't then i recommend it, and definitely play with headphones if you can.

This was one of the most amazing gaming experiences I’ve ever had. Headphones are an absolute must!

 

[Dan]

 

[Tas]

Wtf

Australian politics, full of golden handshakes and it seems golden showers.

Where do these creepy people come from?

 

[Tectonic]

Another wild night for crypto, 2nd biggest exchange in the world copped a bank run. Bought out by a competitor now it seems, and their coin ($FTT) is going to zero;


This year has been crazy to watch unfold after the events of 2020-21.

 

[Tas]

Another wild night for crypto, 2nd biggest exchange in the world copped a bank run. Bought out by a competitor now it seems, and their coin ($FTT) is going to zero;
View attachment 1550969

This year has been crazy to watch unfold after the events of 2020-21.

Being able to bet on the decline of stocks or currencies is the single worst thing about markets, I've seen rampant negativity and fear mongering from people who have taken wild gambles on things crashing and have tried desperately to sow the seeds of panic for months, it has made these downturns to be self-fulfilling prophecies and then these people come out and act like they are some stock prophet, no mate, you are insidious leeches who hurt retirement funds and investments of average families.