General Discussion [ Page 46 ]

Mario 64 remake in the works, using Blender Game Engine

Aryok Pinera is doing an amazing job so far in creating a remake of Mario 64, using the free Blender Game Engine. Looks like he's keeping a running development roadmap on his Twitch page http://www.twitch.tv/aryoksini .

Looks quite impressive. Hope Nintendo doesn't...intervene.

GOG.com to support Linux in the Fall

In the best-news-of-the-week department, GOG.com has announced that they will be adding a slew of Linux games in the fall. When Linux support launches, expect at least 100 games with Ubuntu and Mint supported fully (which means Debian and its variants should work as well with a little encouragement). More games and a wider base of supported distributions will be added later.

It's important to note here that they will be bringing in games that already have a native Linux version, as well as porting new games to the platform.

For quite some time now (years?), Linux support has been the #1 requested feature on GOG.com. Good to finally see the "in progress" badge on it.

For... Read All

Valve unveils the new Steam controller

The new model seems to address some of the complaints people had with the last version. There are now traditional buttons next to the touch pads.

I was worried with how some games would work with the new controller, but at the same time I was looking forward to seeing how the strange and unique layout would work for PC games that, by default, only use mouse and keyboard.

So good and bad, I suppose. I'm still intrigued by it and can't wait to get my hands on it.

More details at Ars: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/03/valve-replaces-steam-controller-touchscreen-with-new-analog-face-buttons/

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/14/2014 at 10:29pm

This looks great, I love the addition of the new buttons. According to the video at Steam Developer Days them taking off the touch screen reduced the overall price and let them use standard batteries that the user can replace.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 03/14/2014 at 10:57pm

Yeah, the Dev Days talk on the controller was super interesting. I really enjoyed hearing how they've come to this design. I can't wait to try one out!

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/16/2014 at 06:41pm

I think if I had one bequest for the Steam controller it would be a headphone jack.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/16/2014 at 06:42pm

We are Linked from this article: http://journal.wearebunker.com/post/79765816778/this-is-a-beautiful-evolution-in-a-product-design

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 03/16/2014 at 08:55pm

A headphone jack would be perfect.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/16/2014 at 10:20pm

It really would be.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/17/2014 at 03:23pm

Is this the final design? I agree with a headphone jack addition. Since the Dualshock 4, it's annoying that all controllers don't come with it.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/17/2014 at 05:10pm

I don't know about final but this is the latest for sure.

If you want to join this conversation you need to sign in.

Free Money on Steam!

http://gameaxis.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/steam_community_market-1024x576.jpg

So I'm still getting the hang of all things Steam, and last night I realized I could sell my steam cards! I listed about 50 of them, most for about $0.05, but some more and some less(there's a handy pricing graph, so you can see what has sold for what price). I woke up this morning to find 35 emails from Steam, one for each card sold lol. So far I've made $2.29. Not a ton, but it's free money!

Is Dark Souls the Future of Videogame Storytelling?

"Videogames generally suck when it comes to storytelling. Their stories are often ineffective, clumsy, or just plain unnecessary. And so many cutscenes!!! We're disengaged, and it breaks our immersion. WE want to play the game, not have it told to us. Enter Dark Souls: the plot may seem threadbare, but when you dig in, whole new backstories and depth begin to emerge as you interact with the things you find. Is this the future of storytelling? Or should games even be TRYING to tell stories?"

This episode of Game/Show is pretty interesting as it brings up a point that was made in a recent Cheerful Ghost Roundtable, typically games contain pretty bad stories. Jamin talks... Read All

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/14/2014 at 09:16pm

It seems that there are two things being discussed here: Games with poor story material (Far Cry 3, per the video), and games that tell their stories poorly (a majority of games). I do love it when games introduce story elements through discovery, but I don't think that Dark Souls is the first to do this (Ico, Portal, Bioshock?). Dark Souls uses diagetic elements to tell it's stories, but there is a balance of the mimetic, as well (cut-scenes, npc dialogue, allowing player notes, etc). Bioshock did this to a great degree, though it was heavier in the dialogue department. Both of these games, and others, lend themselves well to the silent protagonist, which, as we might remember, has also been a topic of critical debate. The point, I think, is to make the game you want to make. Asking whether games should even be trying to tell stories, seems ridiculous. Some people make games that have stories. If your game has a story, you should certainly try to tell it, in whichever way suits the play of the game. There are many ways to tell a story. I don't think that video games should have one specific way.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/15/2014 at 04:40pm

I agree, there can be many ways to how a video game tells a story. One recent example of a really unique game was Little Inferno. I don't want to spoil it, but it had one of the best narratives and total switcheroos in recent memory. In fact I rank the few hour experience I had with the game up there with one of the best movie or book experiences of all time.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/15/2014 at 08:45pm

I really like Little Inferno. It has that same kind of Portal depth to it, where you have this fairly simple, somewhat comfortable, beginning that leads you into a deeper, unsettling mystery. They are both very linear games, but the timing used to give you, or allow you to find, certain pieces of information, grant the illusion of independent discovery.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/15/2014 at 09:01pm

Another story that I really like is Beyond Good & Evil. Most of it's story progression is told through cut-scenes (If I remember correctly. It's been a while), but there were areas that you could walk around and listen to conversations, or radio broadcasts, or observe objects that would give you a greater sense of the whole story. Plus, the musical score went a long way toward doing that, too.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/16/2014 at 10:24pm

I've heard really great things about Beyond Good & Evil but I have only played the Beyond Good & Evil HD demo when it was re-released on the PS3. The game was fun but I never picked up the full version.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/17/2014 at 04:17am

It's good. Really good. I'll totally let you borrow it anytime you like, if you have the ability to play Gamecube games.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/17/2014 at 05:09pm

I can play Gamecube games on my Wii. That said, I have a few console games I want to play before it. Like Read Dead Redemption. I've heard great things about that one.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/17/2014 at 06:28pm

I've only made it as far as the path opening up to Mexico in RDR, which, I hear, is where it really gets good. It's a beautiful game, and a lot of fun to play. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/18/2014 at 03:12am

Awesome. I have heard so many great things about the game I doubt I will be. My only gripe is that it isn't available on PC, it would be much more convenient to play it that way.

If you want to join this conversation you need to sign in.

Valve bringing Direct 3D to Linux

Valve has pulled code straight from the belly of the beast (by which I mean DOTA2) to bring ToGL to the world. ToGL is a translation layer to convert Direct3D code to OpenGL.

The code is being released as-is, and isn't necessarily ready for prime-time, but it can hopefully be used by other game developers to bring their D3D-only code into the OpenGL world, enabling future porting to Linux.

This is great news for the gaming community looking to get a Steam Machine, and obviously a good decision for Valve. It's nice to see a developer contributing back to the community with good code. I hope to see more games building on this to expand the Steam Linux library, as I'm... Read All

CRYENGINE Comes to Linux: Steam Machines Rejoice

"During presentations and hands-on demos at Crytek's GDC booth, attendees can see for the first time ever full native Linux support in the new CRYENGINE. The CRYENGINE all-in-one game engine is also updated with the innovative features used to recreate the stunning Roman Empire seen in Ryse – including the brand new Physically Based Shading render pipeline, which uses real-world physics simulation to create amazingly realistic lighting and materials in CRYENGINE games."

Valve should be letting us know the publishers that will be coming to SteamOS soon and I hope this signal from the Cryengine folks is a recipe of what is to come. The Cryengine powers games such as:... Read All

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/12/2014 at 02:09am

Very good news, indeed! What other 3D game engines support Linux now, besides Unity and Source? Any hope that Unreal will make that step? Frostbite?

Travis Admin wrote on 03/12/2014 at 02:17am

As far as major engines go, those are the biggies, I think. I'm hoping for the Skryim/Fallout engine, but perhaps I'm getting my hopes up.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/12/2014 at 07:04pm

@scrypt Many. Recently though Torque and when Ryan Gordon ported Dungeon Defenders to Linux, now Unreal 3. But historically Unreal and Unreal 2 engines were on Linux because of... Ryan Gordon :D

iD tech all the way up to 3 had Linux ports. Since they ported Rage to Mac, the port to Linux shouldn't be much harder.

Other engines are available on Linux like Ogre 3D and the like.

Travis Admin wrote on 03/12/2014 at 10:57pm

Ah yeah, for some reason I put a "major" in your question, scrypt. Yeah there are tons. Disregard my comment.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/12/2014 at 11:06pm

My question kind of implies major engines, but it's good to know all the love that's out there :). Mostly thinking of the environments that would cause the biggest waves for change. For Linux to be a viable, lasting platform for games, it has to have majority support, natively, from the big players. I'd love to see that day come, and it feels like it's right around the corner.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/13/2014 at 03:21am

I think we are mostly at that point now. Most major engines support it, some outliers don't but it wouldn't be impossible to make it happen if the company were incentivized to do it. I kind of think "if the engine supports the PS3, PS4, XBox 360, XBox One, Windows and possibly Mac, the road to Linux shouldn't be impossible."

If you want to join this conversation you need to sign in.

What Are You Playing Right Now?

Curious to hear what everyone has been playing lately? I haven't really been playing anything specific and hope to hear something interesting that I can dig into.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 03/11/2014 at 06:48am

I feel like I've gone old school, but I've been playing a lot of Dota 2 and Awesomenauts, with some NBA 2K14 mixed in.

Travis Admin wrote on 03/11/2014 at 03:19pm

Next to nothing, except Portal 2 the other day.

Speaking of which, we need to get back into that.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/11/2014 at 06:15pm

I'm tiptoeing around my wall-of-shame. Just finished Darksiders and started Darksiders II. If you haven't played, the first is a mix of God of War and a 3D Zelda game. The second is the same but a much more spacious landscape, and deeper RPG elements. It's a sequel progression similar to Arkham Asylum vs Arkham City. I love the art style of Joe Mad in the Darksiders series; moving around within it is like playing a comic book. Highly recommended.

Also, a scattering of platformers, including Intrusion 2 and Capsized. Capsized is pretty, but with frustrating controls. Intrusion 2 seems like a ragdoll-physics Contra game, but, again, the controls can fight against you at times.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/11/2014 at 06:19pm

I agree with you on Capsized. I loved the idea and tone but the controls are super odd. Then again, that might be part of the fun.

Travis Admin wrote on 03/11/2014 at 06:40pm

If you want super odd controls, try out Octodad. I have never had so much fun in such a small amount of time and then completely lose interest so quickly.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/12/2014 at 12:47am

Minecraft! I realized recently that every time the game plays it's music (it doesn't always play), I fall deeply in love with the game again. I think the game is extremely relaxing, I love it!

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/12/2014 at 04:36am

Minecraft is very relaxing. When I play it I really have no agenda and my focus really drops off. I think that's why Terraria is my jam. Not only can you build, but there is progression and boss fights. Sweet, sweet boss fights/

Travis Admin wrote on 03/12/2014 at 01:20pm

And bees.

vdogmr25 wrote on 03/12/2014 at 04:05pm

My copy of The Stick of Truth is arriving today. Also been playing rymdkapsel and Fire Emblem: Awakening.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/12/2014 at 07:05pm

I have heard a lot about Stick of Truth. I might pick that up in a sale, it doesn't catch my fancy for $60 though.

How is rymdkapsel? That looks really neat.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/12/2014 at 07:05pm

@Travis AND BEES! I hope in a later patch we get more with bees. Like a super Bee hardmode boss.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/12/2014 at 10:27pm

LOL I agree with you Jon. In Minecraft, you make your own agenda. I have more to say about both Minecraft and Terraria, but I'm going to say that on my most recent Minecraft post.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/12/2014 at 10:54pm

I've been looking at Stick of Truth, as well. I think it would be a blast to play, especially since Matt and Trey have been really close to the project.

vdogmr25 wrote on 03/17/2014 at 05:34pm

Stick of truth has turned out pretty good. It's a little buggy (Thanks Obsidian), but it's incredibly funny. Definitely worth $40, maybe not $60. Also, rymdkapsel is a blast. Pretty simple TD-esque game. Perfect for the work commute.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/17/2014 at 09:12pm

Adym, what are your thoughts on Dota2? I have it installed, but haven't tried it yet.

Travis Admin wrote on 03/17/2014 at 10:09pm

vdogmr, I'm absolutely shocked that an Obsidian game is buggy.

... that was sarcasm, yes.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 03/17/2014 at 10:46pm

Dota2 takes some effort to get into really, but is worth the initial effort. I normally skip tutorials, but this is one game where they definitely are useful. I'm really enjoying playing it, and try to get a game or two in a day right now. I am completely brand new to the world of ESports, but think that it would be really interesting to get into someday.

If you do get into it, my recommendation is to start with the Death Prophet as your hero. She's pretty easy to play (ranged, so you're not in the middle of the action) and powerful.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/17/2014 at 11:17pm

Adym, by 'completely brand new' do you mean that DOTA 2 is the only MOBA you've played? Just curious if you've given League of Legends a try.

I'm starting to like DOTA 2 more and more as I play, but it took a lot of getting used to, coming over from LoL, and I still trip over some of the basics, like tower aggro and denying. Taking advantage of the courier was another thing that I had to get over, especially without a default base-return option.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 03/18/2014 at 12:20am

Yeah, I wasn't even aware of MOBA games. I do love RTS, but MOBA was completely foreign to me.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/18/2014 at 01:11am

What is MOBA? I don't think I've heard of that one.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/18/2014 at 02:02am

MOBA = Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, sometimes knows as ARTS (Action Real-Time Strategy), used to describe games like DoTA, LoL, HoN (Heroes of Newerth), SMITE, Awesomenauts, etc. The genre started with a mod for Starcraft called Aeon of Strife. It's like Starcraft, but with just hero fights.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/18/2014 at 02:05am

We should totally start a DoTA 2 group!

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/18/2014 at 05:23am

Thanks for the clarification, Scrypt.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/18/2014 at 05:30am

That's a good idea, too, Scrpyt. I saw Ragnarok Online and Ragnarok Online 2 on Steam. I used to play the first one long ago and miss it. It would be cool if we had a guild in there. I'm getting tired of Minecraft.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/18/2014 at 11:18pm

I gave DoTA 2 a try and passed the tutorial, which is more than I can say about Star Trek Online (the Borg are still kicking my ass and preventing me from finishing the tutorial). It looks interesting, I might try to play it more. I remember the days of playing Ragnarok Online with friends, that was probably the best MMORPG I've ever played (well, I've only played it and FFXI). I was delighted to see it on Steam. I thought I'd check out RO2, but the reviews for it are horrible. So, I've decided to give RO another try. It's been a long time and I still remember gripes I had with the game (people taking my loot from monsters), but I also remember being a bad ass knight, too. So....this is me, tired of Minecraft, looking for something else to play.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 03/19/2014 at 01:55am

We'll definitely have to put together a Dota2 group and schedule a game :-)

If you want to join this conversation you need to sign in.

Game/Show: What Makes NPC's Great?

"NPCs (non-playable characters) are a massively important part of the gaming experience, so we thought we'd show our love and appreciation. Though they're fictional computer-generated characters, we often develop real feelings for these beings. Sure, they serve functional roles, guiding you through the game. But their presence and personality can allow us to form strong bonds and real emotions, leading us to truly care about their wellbeing. So which NPCs are our favorites?"

What NPC's have stuck with you over time?

Nintendo to Drop Wii & DS Online Game Support May 20th

Nintendo will be shuttering online play for its Wii and DS games on May 20th. They are keeping online game support for the Wii U and 3DS however. Whereas I wasn't a huge consumer of the Wii online play, I did use it and find it say they are shuttering it.

Nintendo generally does right by its customers, but this is a bit disappointing. I understand it's impossible to keep a service going forever but in the face of companies like Blizzard still providing Battle.net support for Starcraft, one wonders why everyone can't do the same thing.

There are rumblings that Nintendo farmed out the online functionality to Gamespy and that this has to due with a recent acquisition of... Read All