JCPhoenix's recent activity
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Comment on What's your favorite personal gaming memory? in ~games
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Comment on What's your favorite personal gaming memory? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentOh yeah, played RO, too! I never got that far into it, but my brother did. In many ways, he played it like Aion, with the PVP and base raiding and all that. I like RO a lot, loved the look, loved...Oh yeah, played RO, too! I never got that far into it, but my brother did. In many ways, he played it like Aion, with the PVP and base raiding and all that. I like RO a lot, loved the look, loved the music, but god, it was so grind heavy. I don't mind doing some grinding, but not like that.
And FFXIV is legit. I do enjoy it a lot. I play for the story, but I do like the instances, the dungeons and trials and raids.
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Comment on Any fellow XCP-ng users here? in ~comp
JCPhoenix Link ParentWe still use ESXi at work! And uhh...yeah, gloriously large, sure. I do have a rack. So that must mean it is, right? It's only a 12U...We still use ESXi at work!
And uhh...yeah, gloriously large, sure. I do have a rack. So that must mean it is, right?
It's only a 12U...
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Comment on Embracer Group has announced its intention to split into two public companies, with a new spin-off taking over its biggest game IPs, including Tomb Raider in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentSTOP, don't get my hopes up! I NEED the sequel to DX:MD!STOP, don't get my hopes up! I NEED the sequel to DX:MD!
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Comment on What's your favorite personal gaming memory? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentAs someone who's played MMOs since like age 11, I have so many memories from various MMOs. First MMO I ever played was Nexus: Kingdom of the Winds. My older cousin and I stumbled upon it while...As someone who's played MMOs since like age 11, I have so many memories from various MMOs.
First MMO I ever played was Nexus: Kingdom of the Winds. My older cousin and I stumbled upon it while looking up things online for Final Fantasy games. I was amazed that all these people could play together in the same world at the same time. We only did a trial since we had no way to pay for the subscription.
I remember almost having a heart attack in Ultima Online, my first "real" MMO, after somehow ending up in the middle of nowhere with a ratman mob attacking me. I remember not wanting to die because I'd lose some decent stuff that I had on me, but I was still a weak character. I did get away from the ratman, with barely any health left. But my chest actually hurt for like a good 15min after that. And I was only like 12 or 13yo.
Playing Earth & Beyond for the first time was just...cool. Flying my spaceship in space (obviously) and exploring was a blast. I was sad when it shutdown, but then I had a similar experience again when I tried EVE later on.
In WoW, I remember joining this guild where several of us were basically leveling up together. It was just a lot of fun, chatting and running stuff together, trying to see who could get to the next level the first, while also trying to make sure none of us were getting too far ahead. Unfortunately, I think I went on a family vacation for a week, and by the time I got back, they were so far ahead of me that I was basically playing alone again. Kinda killed my drive for WoW =/
Not the best memory, but a memory nonetheless: my brother and I basically failed out of college one semester because we played Aion. We were heavily into the PVP scene. But he was also grinding practically 24/7 for some weapon drop. And it never dropped for him. Until our parents were like, "Come on we're going out to eat!" While we were out, his guildmates ran the instance, and the weapon finally dropped. But since it was BOP, they couldn't give it to him. Womp womp.
I spent years in Planetside 2, an MMOFPS. I met my current IRL friends through the game. We've met up multiple times. Several of us have even vacationed together. Some of us have even worked with each other (or still do) when we tried to help each other get jobs. Never thought gaming would lead to actual IRL friends.
Back to EVE, I participated in some of the largest battles ever in EVE and in gaming history. My friends and I successfully defended a station we owned through quiet intel gathering and not showing our hand too early. Enemies thought they were gonna score an easy ransom and/or kill. They thought wrong. We were the only station owners in that system to not get our station destroyed. One of my proudest moments in EVE as I came up with the plan.
I play FFXIV these days and one of the more interesting and weirdly cool things that I participated in was a literal walk with like 40 others player through the Endwalker expansion, in preparation for the current expansion, Dawntrail. 3hrs of in-game walking, lol. Given that Endwalker was a very emotionally heavy expansion, it was cool to sorta relive and remember some of those heavy moments.
Among so many others, in MMOs I don't even remember the names of. Alphas and betas that I played over the years that never released. And games that eventually shutdown or are still up but with no players (anyone remember Shattered Galaxy? It was an MMORTS and it was fantastic). Basically "chasing the tail of the MMO dragon."
I do agree about the "old ways" being better. In many ways, I spent all that time trying in various MMOs just so I could try to relive my experiences in UO. The only game that ever came close was EVE. But these days, I accept MMOs as they are. The times have changed, the mentality has changed. But I'm still enjoying them.
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Comment on What's your favorite personal gaming memory? in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkIdk if it's my favorite, but it's definitely one of my most memorable. It took place in Planetside 2, many years ago. On Indar, one of the continents the game takes place on, there's a base in the...Idk if it's my favorite, but it's definitely one of my most memorable.
It took place in Planetside 2, many years ago. On Indar, one of the continents the game takes place on, there's a base in the very middle of the map: The Crown. It's located on a high-up plateau, and back then, was very much a natural fortress. It's been through at least few iterations over the years, so these days, it's a lot more attackable and less defensible than it used to be.
The faction who controlled it (there are three opposing factions) basically had control of the most defensible hex on the entire map. They controlled the airspace in much of the middle of the map because it was an air tower as well (could deploy air vehicles from it). And players could even "snipe" from the Crown with sniper rifles, anti-vehicle weaponry, and sometimes even tanks themselves, towards the surrounding bases and hexes (territorial units). Which were largely wide open spaces. There was no hiding from The Crown.
Anyway, like I said, back then, it was very difficult to take the Crown. There were only two or three approaches to the base. And they all sucked if you were in one of the factions trying to take it (and sometimes all three factions would be vying for control). It could be a serious meat grinder. These were often massive battles, too. A couple hundred players versus a couple hundred players versus another couple hundred players sometimes. Or more.
The battles there could rage for hours. Sometimes even days. And I mean actual, real time hours and days. Which is highly unusual in Planetside. Territories and bases can trade hands multiple times per day. But not The Crown. Because of how important it was. People would drop everything else to control or attempt to control it.
Hopefully you can see why it was called The Crown.
Anyway, one evening while I was playing, the faction I was in, the Vanu Sovereignty, had control of it. So I ended up fighting there. And it was getting attacked pretty hard. I don't remember which faction was attacking or if both of the others were. There was a lot of enemy air hitting the base. So a bunch of players donned Burster MAXs, which are just small mechsuits fitted with AA flak guns, and posted up on top of the landing pads of the air tower to deter and destroy enemy air.
However, MAXs can be a bit squishy when fighting air and ground vehicles. And they can run out of ammo pretty quick. So a group of us went in as the Engineer class to provide ammo and repairs to the Burster MAXs. Or as medics to revive dead MAXs and Engis. Us engineers and medics were mostly inside the safe are within the tower. If MAXs needed repairs, they came back inside, and we repped them and gave them ammo and they went back out. But sometimes they didn't come back to us for ammo and reps. Or a MAX would die on the pad. There were limited respawns with MAX suits, so it was better to revive them if possible. So we had to run out there among all missiles and bullets raining down upon us to service them. Kinda like that scene in Matrix Revolutions where the Zion's dock was being besieged. I think I was there for at least two hours. Which is a long-ass play session for Planetside.
Now Planetside also has an in-game day-night cycle. Which is cool, because you can get some really neat night battles. And I think a full in-game day lasts about two hours. So this battle started during in-game during the day, then went to dusk, then into evening and into the night.
After about two hours, the battle started to die down. And it seemed we would be emerging victorious. I stepped out onto the air pads, since the air had been "cleansed,"...and the sun was rising over Indar. People on in-game voice comms and text chat were cheering. We fought the enemy "all day" and "all night," and we had won. We had survived he onslaught. We maintained our hold on The Crown. It was such a cool sight to see. In the moment, I felt like I had been in some real life battle and could finally breathe.
The other thing I liked was that none of this was necessarily organized. Maybe some were, but not most. Some players realized we needed AA, so they went up there with AA. Others saw and joined. People like me realized they needed support, so we went up to support them. And we kept each other alive and stocked over the next two hours. As others left the battled, logged-off or just got tired, others came into replace them. Totally organic.
I stopped playing a couple years ago, after playing straight for over a decade. But that will always be the coolest fight I've been in Planetside 2.
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Comment on Any fellow XCP-ng users here? in ~comp
JCPhoenix LinkWelcome! This is a surprisingly techy group, even if there's not always a lot of posts about homelabs and the like. But feel free to post and get the conversations started! I'm still running ESXi...Welcome! This is a surprisingly techy group, even if there's not always a lot of posts about homelabs and the like. But feel free to post and get the conversations started!
I'm still running ESXi at home. I've tried Proxmox on another server, and at some point, I'd like migrate to it for real for real (I'm just lazy), but I also wouldn't mind trying something like XCP-ng. Just to see what it's about. I've heard of it, but seemed like ESXi and Proxmox have more documentation and community-level support and experience.
What are some of the main benefits of running XCP-ng over Proxmox or even ESXi?
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Comment on What has changed as you've gotten older? in ~talk
JCPhoenix Link ParentI have an IKEA desk chair for my main gaming setup. But I also have a couple really nice, really expensive office chairs I got from my previous work when we downsized. They're at my other desks...I have an IKEA desk chair for my main gaming setup. But I also have a couple really nice, really expensive office chairs I got from my previous work when we downsized. They're at my other desks that I don't use as much. Maybe I should swap my IKEA for one of those. Good call!
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Comment on The 100 best novels of all time published in English in ~books
JCPhoenix Link ParentI mean there seemed to be some great parties. I for one would go to a great Gatsby party. But I'd probably skip just a plain ol' Gatsby party.I mean there seemed to be some great parties. I for one would go to a great Gatsby party. But I'd probably skip just a plain ol' Gatsby party.
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Comment on What has changed as you've gotten older? in ~talk
JCPhoenix (edited )LinkNeck pain and some back pain. Through at least my early-30s, I could sleep anywhere in any position. Technically I still can (I have no problems falling asleep on a plane, for example), but the...Neck pain and some back pain. Through at least my early-30s, I could sleep anywhere in any position. Technically I still can (I have no problems falling asleep on a plane, for example), but the problem is the back and neck pain that comes with that. And it's not like it goes away in a few hours. No, it lasts DAYS. There was one time, where, because I snoozed my alarm clock for like 15min, I went from sleeping on my back, to sleeping on my side. When I actually got up, my neck hurt if I moved my head at all. And I was shocked. Because when I snoozed my alarm, my neck was fine. Anyway, it lasted TWO DAYS.
More recently, I've also noticed that my neck hurts just from sitting in front of my computer. I need to figure out how to raise my monitors so I'm not so slouched/hunched over.
I've heard from older coworkers and such that when they turned 40yo, it all just went downhill. I'm in my last year of my 30s. Great.
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Comment on Tildes Survey #5: Pineapple on pizza? in ~talk
JCPhoenix Link ParentOK I could see that being good. Like I've been to some places that drizzle honey on like a simple pepperoni pizza and it's REALLY good. But yeah, the places I've had pineapple pizza, like you...OK I could see that being good. Like I've been to some places that drizzle honey on like a simple pepperoni pizza and it's REALLY good.
But yeah, the places I've had pineapple pizza, like you said, just toss it on there and it's wet and mushy...
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Comment on Tildes Survey #5: Pineapple on pizza? in ~talk
JCPhoenix LinkYou're basically asking if war crimes are OK or not!You're basically asking if war crimes are OK or not!
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 3 Discussion in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentSome of my friends tried Generation Zero. And they were really hyped for it. But they quickly gave it up. I was surprised because, again, they were hyped. But I guess they found it repetitive and...Some of my friends tried Generation Zero. And they were really hyped for it. But they quickly gave it up. I was surprised because, again, they were hyped. But I guess they found it repetitive and boring.
But I wonder if it's because not in the run and gun kinda game they were expecting. That's not to say they can't be tactical or strategic. But maybe it's just an offset of expectations and reality.
Personally, as someone who loves stealth in games, this sounds awesome.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 3 Discussion in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentGamedec Gamedec Released on Steam/Epic: 2021-09-16 Purchased by me: 2023-01-13 (FREE GAME) Time/Amount played: 43min Developer: Anshar Studios Publisher: Anshar Publishing Theme: Aesthetic (Wasn't...Gamedec
Gamedec
Released on Steam/Epic: 2021-09-16
Purchased by me: 2023-01-13 (FREE GAME)
Time/Amount played: 43minDeveloper: Anshar Studios
Publisher: Anshar PublishingTheme: Aesthetic
(Wasn't happy with the recording, so no Lets Play...sorry!)OK, so this one was on my Steam wishlist for awhile...but thanks to kfwyre suggesting/reminding of platforms other than Steam, I realized I got this free on Epic! So that was a nice surprise.
So Gamedec is a cyberpunk RPG. I chose "Aesthetic" since cyberpunk tends to very visually-oriented, with specific styles from buildings to clothing to speech. AKA, an aesthetic. Look, I call them like I see 'em; no more, no less lol.
That said, I'm not sure about this game. I don't play a lot of "traditional" RPGs. But I've played a few. Like Citizen Sleeper (loved it). On the other other, I tried Disco Elysium and couldn't get into it. But I think that was more not being in the right mood; I'd give it a try again.
Anyway, with Gamedec, there were two "annoyances." Idk if that's really the word I want to use, but we'll go with it.
The first was the technobabble. Well, maybe "cyberbabble." I watch sci fi; I watch Star Trek. I don't have a problem with warp cores and dilithium chambers. But cyberpunk, I'm not as attuned to. So right out of the gate, there was cyberbabble. What is "Realium" or "Omnics" or "Obicoins?" Or "Rendans" or "Mobrium?" I understand every game has its terminology. But it also feels like Gamedec throws a lot of at it at you. I'm trying to figure the game out, but now I have to remember all this cyberbabble, too. Do I need to take notes? I'm not against that, but it seems weird to do so for terminology. I have absolutely taken notes for puzzles and mathematical things (like in Satisfactory or even Minecraft).
And to be fair to Gamedec, it's not a Gamedec "problem." I feel like cyberpunk games are always like this. Cyberpunk 2077 is the same way. I've seen it with Shadowrun Returns. I guess it's just part of the genre.
The other annoyance I had was that it felt like the story "exploded" so quickly. Like most cyberpunk games, there's an element of mystery or noire. Cool, I like mystery in media, as some of you know. Got a phone call, visited the client, and got the first case. But then right away, I felt like the paths and options branched out quickly. I could do it this way. Or I could do this thing. But wait...what am I supposed to be doing again?
I tend to play linear story games. Like JRPGs. Like mystery VNs. I play FFXIV, which even though it is an MMO with lots of sidequests and such, is probably one of the more linear ones out there. So having a lot of options from the get-go triggers my decision paralysis. Is this the right way to go? Did I select the right option? Ah shit, I think messed that up...Reload the last save!
That said, I recognize these aren't issue with the game. I have preferences and Gamedec's devs have their own. They simply don't align. I don't play a lot of RPGs. I think I like the idea of cyberpunk games more than I actually like playing them. For example, I started Cyberpunk 2077, but didn't get more than about an hour into it. Again, I think that was more not being in the right mood, but maybe it's a genre I don't actually enjoy that much.
So yeah. Probably won't get back and play and play Gamedec, but it's one more crossed off the list.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 3 Discussion in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkJC's Mellow Flow Standard bingo 3/25 Tradition Lost ✅ Gamedec Love Perspective Unlock Dimension Rebirth Adaptation Symmetry Resistance Vulnerability ★ Wildcard Morality ✅ 911 Operator Balance...JC's Mellow Flow Standard bingo 3/25 Tradition Lost Aesthetic
✅ GamedecLove Perspective Unlock Dimension Rebirth Adaptation Symmetry Resistance Vulnerability ★ Wildcard Morality Chaos
✅ 911 OperatorBalance Annihilation Duality Tension
✅ The Hundred Line - Last Defense AcademyIdentity Light Comfortable Survival Progress Brief To be fair...I also did three the first week. I just didn't post the third one until now
because I got lazywas being mellow! I'm just saying...I think that makes both Wes and I still Team Mellow!It's still the weekend. I might do one more game...We'll see. Just playing it cool. Light and mellow.
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Comment on Cara membatalkan pengajuan pinjaman uatas in ~test
JCPhoenix Link@deimos @creesch @mycketforvirrad this spammer has been going at it.@deimos @creesch @mycketforvirrad this spammer has been going at it.
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Comment on Daði Freyr – I'm Out And I Wanna Go Home (2026) in ~music
JCPhoenix LinkThis is like the theme song for people once they hit their 30s.This is like the theme song for people once they hit their 30s.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentI really like Triangle Strategy. Even though I've technically playing it on and off for like 4yrs and still haven't beat it. But it's definitely solid. Much better than Octopath Traveler, IMO. The...I really like Triangle Strategy. Even though I've technically playing it on and off for like 4yrs and still haven't beat it.
But it's definitely solid. Much better than Octopath Traveler, IMO. The story is interesting; I always like games that are about politics and intrigue (which is one of the reasons I play a lot of JRPGs).
I definitely hear you on wanting better integration between the "modes." And for sure the long cutscenes. I've had friends who've complained about that, too.
The other is grinding. I know that's pretty typical for TRPGs, but I feel like Triangle Strategy requires a lot of grinding to level everyone up and get their gear and abilities and all that. I try to keep everyone's levels pretty close, even those characters I don't use often, because there may be times I do need to use them. And that has happened. But that means lots of grinding. Sometimes I'd play multiple sessions in a row where all I'm doing is the training battles in the camp, over and over again. Because you need items or money for upgrades, and the game is kinda stingy with that stuff.
Hmm, I should get back to the game again soon.
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Comment on Tildes Survey #4: What languages can you speak? (Results) in ~talk
JCPhoenix Link ParentMy favorite "bible" verse: “The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil man. Blessed is he who, in the name of camaraderie and...“The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil man. Blessed is he who, in the name of camaraderie and duty, shepherds the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother, and you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee. Amen."
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
JCPhoenix (edited )Link ParentOK so this game went from 0 to 100 real quick. I failed Day 1 of Albuquerque. I got fired =( Though that's the least of the city's issues. At least one officer died, and several were injured in...OK so this game went from 0 to 100 real quick. I failed Day 1 of Albuquerque. I got fired =(
Though that's the least of the city's issues. At least one officer died, and several were injured in gang shootouts. There were structure fires I couldn't put out on time. I had to ignore some medical emergencies and people died. Not very mellow.
I guess what I'm saying is that I shouldn't quit my relatively chill day job for a fast-paced, high-stress job of being a 911 operator.
I played PS1 for a few months at most. Which was why when PS2 came out, I was there Day 1. Anyway, some of the most fun I had in PS1 in my short time there, was just helping defend ANTs to go refuel bases and such. Or transporting the LLU to a base and having to defend it (kinda like a CTF thing).
Unfortunately, trying to playing PS1 on the crappy family computer, over dial-up, was not very conducive to playing the game!
But you're absolutely right: the amount of unique gameplay that arises from relatively organic mass battle...there's nothing like it. There are so many more cool experiences I've had from PS2.
I have come across MMOs that have done it well -- UO, EVE, Aion, Shattered Galaxy (an MMORTS), even New World (at least the first week or two), Last Oasis -- but most MMOs these days don't have that. PVP gets instanced away from the open world into arenas and battlefields. Or even if open world PVP is allowed, players have to flag for it. Not saying it can't be fun, but there's something about true open world, spontaneous battle that's so much more fun.