Dustfinger's recent activity
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Comment on What websites do you visit for your niche interests? in ~hobbies
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Comment on What websites do you visit for your niche interests? in ~hobbies
Dustfinger Link ParentFunny, I was just talking about the absolute state of Modern with an entrenched Yugioh player today. Luckily I never got into the format just due to the upfront cost which, as a returning player,...Funny, I was just talking about the absolute state of Modern with an entrenched Yugioh player today. Luckily I never got into the format just due to the upfront cost which, as a returning player, I can't really justify. Maybe if/when Nadu is banned and maybe The One Ring gets either banned or limited it might become more accessible, but as is I can't blame anyone for dipping out of the format. It'll be interesting to see what happens when the B&R window finally arrives.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Dustfinger Link ParentThe original Cat Quest is decent, but I will forever sing the praises of Cay Quest II. Besides improving on a ton of the first games flaws, it's got splitscreen co-op! My wife and I blasted...The original Cat Quest is decent, but I will forever sing the praises of Cay Quest II. Besides improving on a ton of the first games flaws, it's got splitscreen co-op! My wife and I blasted through the game and are eagerly anticipating doing the same for Cat Quest III. If you've got a buddy to play with I highly recommend CQ2 and expect I'll feel the same way about CQ3.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Dustfinger LinkI always lurk these threads but thought I'd contribute this time. I've been playing a bunch of stuff, but most notable are Cult of the Lamb, Dark Souls (the Prepare to Die edition) and Magic: The...I always lurk these threads but thought I'd contribute this time. I've been playing a bunch of stuff, but most notable are Cult of the Lamb, Dark Souls (the Prepare to Die edition) and Magic: The Gathering. I've also been running my regular ttrpg games, two with D&D 5e and one using Savage Worlds Adventure Edition. Both of my 5e games are approaching their terminus, and I'm pretty excited to leave 5e behind and move on to other systems soon.
Cult of the Lamb has been really enjoyable. The games loop is fantastic, and the balancing of crusading and colony management is very unique. There's a surprising feeling of time pressure that comes from knowing the cult continues to develop in your absence. I often feel I can't take my time or be cautious because I'm worried something will go wrong while I'm gone. The enemies feel fair, with unique flair, and the weapons are fun. I do wish my follower had a bit more personality, as I don't feel they're much more than another resource and I lack much connection to individuals. That might be intentional given the nature of the game though; why would a cult leader treat pawns as anything special, after all?
With the Shadow of the Erd Tree releasing and me not having even picked up the base game yet, I decided to see how the original game felt. I never actually gave Dark Souls a real shot and keep bouncing off DS3, but the guys at Second Wind were talking about the genre as a whole and remarked that playing DS1 felt like easy-mode these days. Frankly, yeah. There's none of the nonsense FromSoft has had to do like making enemies track your character perfectly, reading your inputs, or making enemies that flail so much you can't predict them. It's hard, but actually enjoyable. And still beautiful despite its age.
Lastly Magic. Oh boy, Magic. MTG is in a really weird spot these days. WotC just released a new direct-to-Modern set which basically soft-rotated the entire format, meaning many of the $1000 decks people had been playing for nearly a decade became worthless overnight. Two weeks later they're shoving an Assassin's Creed set down our throats, then the next week releasing info for not only the upcoming Standard set Bloomburrow, but the next two sets as well! Feels like they've really just opened the floodgates. Maybe a fire hose is a more appropriate metaphor.
On top of all this, Wizards has also gone hard on the power creep with all these new cards. For me it's been interesting to see the community reckon with WotC's clear intent to drain as much money as they can out of the player base. There's a ton of conversations happening about whether this relentless stream of more and more powerful product is acceptable and what we can do about it. Many Commander/EDH players have been talking about making a new version of the format called PreDH. I've been looking at putting stricter limits on my brews, playing Standard in small quantities, and looking to play more community-made formats like Pauper or Dandân. The trouble, and danger, is that WotC will no doubt try to squeeze everything they can out of the game in the short-term with no regard to the long-term health of the game and community. Ultimately, if no one plays MTG anymore then the game is dead, but for now the marketing plan is working.
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Comment on I'm looking for a suggestion on how best to organize my ideas for my weekly RPG in ~games.tabletop
Dustfinger Link ParentI've considered this for my own oceanic game, but I tend to write in longer-form prose than quick bullet points so I've been hesitant. How much do you actually put in to each of the individuals...I've considered this for my own oceanic game, but I tend to write in longer-form prose than quick bullet points so I've been hesitant. How much do you actually put in to each of the individuals nodes and branches?
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Comment on New Music Fridays: Kacey Musgraves, Four Tet, Tierra Whack and more in ~music
Dustfinger Link ParentI've listened to Deeper Well three times through, maybe searching for something to love about it, and found myself humming a few songs on repeat. In particular Lonely Millionaire and Moving Out...I've listened to Deeper Well three times through, maybe searching for something to love about it, and found myself humming a few songs on repeat. In particular Lonely Millionaire and Moving Out have stuck with me, and I love the concept and subject matter of Sway.
The standout to me, however, is Anime Eyes. It captures what I fell in love with from her earlier music like Dimestore Cowgirl and Family is Family: the fun, self-deprecating humour that made her stand out from other country artists. Also it's such a bold thing, I feel, to put a song like that on the album knowing how Out of genre it is. I always think of country as being old, and Anime Eyes introduces a level of anachronism I want expecting.
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Comment on What is your favorite type(s) of cheese? in ~food
Dustfinger LinkI'm just about finished Dan Saladino's Eating to Extinction, and he dedicated an entire section to cheese! I don't think I have a favorite, but thanks to that book I now want to try cheeses not...I'm just about finished Dan Saladino's Eating to Extinction, and he dedicated an entire section to cheese! I don't think I have a favorite, but thanks to that book I now want to try cheeses not made with starter cultures but instead with native molds. The descriptions Saladino provides in his book are mouth watering to say the least.
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Comment on The Game Awards 2023 nominations in ~games
Dustfinger LinkI haven't been gaming much this year as pretty much all my leisure time has been spent on TTRPGs, but I thought it notable that every single nomination for GOTY and many of the other categories...I haven't been gaming much this year as pretty much all my leisure time has been spent on TTRPGs, but I thought it notable that every single nomination for GOTY and many of the other categories were sequels. Don't get me wrong, every game on that list deserves the praise, but they're also all iterative.
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Comment on Tildes' 2023 Backlog Burner: The blaze has ignited! in ~games
Dustfinger LinkThis is so cool! A great excuse to dive into some of the games I've never played in my library and knock out a few . Decided to try out the Bingo card and got La Mulana like everyone else. I guess...This is so cool! A great excuse to dive into some of the games I've never played in my library and knock out a few
to make room for new ones. Decided to try out the Bingo card and got La Mulana like everyone else. I guess this is the year!Bingo! You can complete in only a few hours You regret buying it From a series you’ve never played You got it on sale Owned for more than five years Arcade game Has number somewhere in the title La Mulana, you wuss From a studio you haven't heard of before You paid full price for it Part of a trilogy Has the letter X somewhere in its title ★ Owned for more than two years You own on physical media Considered a “disappointment” Came out more than 5 years ago You have to tinker in order to get it running Owned for more than four years Came out more than 15 years ago Has punctuation somewhere in its title Has one-word title You've been meaning to go back to You can save/pet/care for animals You wanted to play it when you were younger but never did -
Comment on Video game voice actors are ready to strike over AI in ~games
Dustfinger Link ParentWhile I agree that this is the correct and hopeful line of thinking, AI is not being bent toward those otherwise defunct jobs. The OP is talking about AI replacing voice actors, a job many people...While I agree that this is the correct and hopeful line of thinking, AI is not being bent toward those otherwise defunct jobs. The OP is talking about AI replacing voice actors, a job many people aspire to and one that takes a high degree of skill and training to do well. And obviously VAs aren't alone in being threatened by this new technology.
If you look at AIs proposed use cases in the last year, you'll see it's primarily in the arts. Software like Midjourney threatens career artists and illustrators, even photographers; ChatGPT can write novels, poetry, and academic papers (albeit not well); AI can modulate and mimic voices. Society and legislators are allowing entertainment companies to use this tech to cut the most expensive aspects of their budget, the creative jobs that people actually do want to do, and if we assume a capitalist viewpoint, of course they would. It makes the most financial sense!
I would love to see the supermarket register replaced with an AI, or toll booth operators, or any number of jobs like that, but frankly the labour is likely just too cheap to replace with an expensive machine. In the mean time, why should we let AI make art and write poetry while we're stuck in the monotonous jobs? At the risk of hyperbolising: shall we send AI to the beach next weekend, while we work to pay for its vacation? Perhaps AI would like to sip a latte in a nice cafe while it works? It's silly, but isn't that kind of what's happening now?
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this month? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
Dustfinger Link ParentI read Claymore a long while back and it still hold a special place in my heart. I think at the time it was being published monthly, so once I'd caught up it became very hard to keep up and...I read Claymore a long while back and it still hold a special place in my heart. I think at the time it was being published monthly, so once I'd caught up it became very hard to keep up and remember the story between chapters. I expect it's finished now, so probably a good time to pick it back up again! Thanks for reminding me of it's existence.
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Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
Dustfinger Link ParentI'm always on the look out for new stuff, so I'd love if you shared :)I'm always on the look out for new stuff, so I'd love if you shared :)
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Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
Dustfinger LinkI have a lot of fun with Middle-eastern dishes, and love the flavour combinations in a lot of the North African foods. I just bought a huge bag of rep peppers and plan on making muhammara in the...I have a lot of fun with Middle-eastern dishes, and love the flavour combinations in a lot of the North African foods. I just bought a huge bag of rep peppers and plan on making muhammara in the next couple days.
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Comment on What is something someone has said that stuck with you? in ~life
Dustfinger Link ParentI hadn't heard that full version, but as someone a little esoterically inclined I quite like it! Funny how collective consciousness can so easily twist sayings towards new meanings.I hadn't heard that full version, but as someone a little esoterically inclined I quite like it! Funny how collective consciousness can so easily twist sayings towards new meanings.
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Comment on What is something someone has said that stuck with you? in ~life
Dustfinger LinkI'm not sure if I've ever had someone say exactly this to me, but "distinguish between family and relatives." At the end of the day, the people you're related to by blood are individuals in their...I'm not sure if I've ever had someone say exactly this to me, but "distinguish between family and relatives." At the end of the day, the people you're related to by blood are individuals in their own right, and there's no guarantee that you're going to get along with them. It's good to keep things peaceful but I don't believe it's necessary to be extremely close with all of ones relatives. Additionally, I've actually become much closer with people I'm not related to, more in line with the "found family" concept.
If others has differing perspectives or have found themselves in a similar mindset I'd be interested in talking about it.
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Comment on What is something someone has said that stuck with you? in ~life
Dustfinger Link ParentI've taken that last sentiment and often say it as "finished, not perfect." For whatever reason there have been times when I've been working on a project and try to do it perfectly, even when I...I've taken that last sentiment and often say it as "finished, not perfect." For whatever reason there have been times when I've been working on a project and try to do it perfectly, even when I can't. It's been helpful to tell myself "finished, not perfect" just so I can wrap it up and move on without agonizing too much over the details.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Dustfinger LinkDark Souls III: Been enjoying just casually exploring the world around Lothric Castle at my own pace until recently. Weirdly, a new friend took me through the Cathedral of the Deep really quickly,...Dark Souls III: Been enjoying just casually exploring the world around Lothric Castle at my own pace until recently. Weirdly, a new friend took me through the Cathedral of the Deep really quickly, showing me all the secrets, and it kinda killed a little of my interest. I think I was just having a good time with the discovery aspect of the game, so I expect I'll try to complete rest on my own if I can. I'm fighting my way to the Cinder Lake crossbow next, then I can try to take out the big worm thing.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Dustfinger Link ParentWhat manner of fantasy is it? I find myself much more drawn to sword and sorcery stories lately, rather than high magic fantasy but the way you describe it has me intrigued.What manner of fantasy is it? I find myself much more drawn to sword and sorcery stories lately, rather than high magic fantasy but the way you describe it has me intrigued.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Dustfinger LinkI've just finished The Death of Vivek Oji by Ekweke Emezi and started Eating to Extinction by Dan Saladino. I came on to Emezis work first through PET years ago, which is targeted more at young...I've just finished The Death of Vivek Oji by Ekweke Emezi and started Eating to Extinction by Dan Saladino.
I came on to Emezis work first through PET years ago, which is targeted more at young adult readers but is still very worth your time. Vivek is very adult by comparison, but it's also extremely intimate and sensual. The author highlights such minute details about their characters that give you this very physical, almost erotic feeling for them, from the way sweat mats their hair to the scents noticed in an embrace. On top, Emezi jumps along the timeline of the titular characters life (and death) and between the perspectives of both them and their close acquaintances without ever making you feel like you lost the plot. Instead I felt more like I was reading a mystery novel, slowly piecing together the who, what, and why and I got a clearer picture of who the characters really were. It was beautifully written novel and I absolutely recommend it. I think I'll look to read Freshwater from them next.
I've only just started reading Eating to Extinction but I like the premise a lot. As someone interested in the long term sustainability of agriculture, I have a feeling it will be full of important lessons on the necessity of diversity in what we grow and eat. I'm keen to see where it goes, but given it's size I do worry it might become tiresome around the middle. I suppose we'll see how much I'm able to get through!
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Comment on The rediscovery of circadian rhythms in ~science
Dustfinger LinkThis was a great article,thanks for sharing! I don't think I have much to contribute, but I love that the author presented circadian rhythm as a mechanism that can be manipulated by its host....This was a great article,thanks for sharing!
I don't think I have much to contribute, but I love that the author presented circadian rhythm as a mechanism that can be manipulated by its host. Conscious utilisation opens the door to a lot of health benefits, it seems. I know I myself am very light-sensitive when it comes to sleep, unlike my partner, so I find myself naturally waking up once the sun tarts to come through my windows. I suppose I should try to be conscious of my routines after dark as well, and try to limit stimulation for better sleep.
I totally get that. I got into Standard recently and built a deck on a pretty spare budget that has held up well at my LGS. Of course I have trouble sometimes if I run into a high power deck with all of the most expensive cards, but it feels like the format is really varied right now. I personally think people put a bit too much stock in butting the highest power versions of things, like Sheoldred or what have you. Standard at least feels like there's a really complex game of Rock, Paper, Scissors going on with a ton of viable decks. It's a shame Wizards thought they could rotate Modern though, but it's not like Tarmagoyf and Siege Rhino were going to be viable forever even if they didn't target the format. The increasing power of cards would have affected Modern whether they were printed for the format or not, IMO.