Pistos's recent activity
-
Comment on IRC for tildes? in ~tildes
-
Comment on Disney is staring down the barrel of a no good, very bad year in ~movies
Pistos Link ParentWhile I don't go that often, I personally separate in-theatre movie watching from in-home. There's something about going with a group together, nom-noming on overpriced concessions, and walking...While I don't go that often, I personally separate in-theatre movie watching from in-home. There's something about going with a group together, nom-noming on overpriced concessions, and walking out of the theatre together to go grab a drink or whatever.
I like both, and do both.
-
Comment on Is it possible to run a Linux app that requires USB/OTG support from an Android device? in ~tech
Pistos Link ParentHm. I forgot there were people in the world that turned off their PCs.Hm. I forgot there were people in the world that turned off their PCs.
-
Comment on Is it possible to run a Linux app that requires USB/OTG support from an Android device? in ~tech
Pistos LinkHow often are you going to need to run this app? If not often, you can make a bootable Linux USB, and run Linux off there from your main computer.How often are you going to need to run this app? If not often, you can make a bootable Linux USB, and run Linux off there from your main computer.
-
Comment on Monitor recommendations? in ~tech
Pistos LinkA couple years ago or so, I went 4k, and I don't look back. I would be disappointed having to use "just" 1080p for my daily driver. Regarding your question: Text is actually where the main...A couple years ago or so, I went 4k, and I don't look back. I would be disappointed having to use "just" 1080p for my daily driver. Regarding your question: Text is actually where the main improvement is for me, rather than images or video. The letters are noticeably smoother and less "pixel-y" (and therefore better looking, IMO).
There might be some drawbacks. Even though I consider my 4k monitor the best hardware purchase I've made in my life (a BenQ PD3200U PD), it was pricey relative to what I'd usually budget for hardware. Also, it's four times as many pixels, so that means your graphics card has to work harder to get satisfactory frame rates. If triple-digit FPS is a must-have for you, then 4k is not for you, or be prepared to spend even more money on a very powerful GPU. Also, a few applications or websites won't have been tested on and made responsive up to 4k resolution, so I occasionally have to contend with tiny text and tiny UI elements. This is relatively rare, but it's still something. This is probably a Linux problem, and would be less of an issue on Windows and Mac, where system-wide settings could hedge against it.
That all said, if you're on a tighter budget, 4k may not be worth it. You'll have to decide whether you'd be satisfied with plain HD. Perhaps go to a store where you can see 4k and HD side by side for the same source.
Another thing to consider: A poorly-made budget 4k would probably be worse-looking than a decently-made HD monitor.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Pistos Link ParentI still think that statement somewhat applies to GW2, but the journey to the level cap is not boring in this case (in my opinion), unless maybe if you've already levelled up that same class before.I still think that statement somewhat applies to GW2, but the journey to the level cap is not boring in this case (in my opinion), unless maybe if you've already levelled up that same class before.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Pistos Link ParentPre-80 for a class and race you've never played before is not boring. At least the first half or so is new and interesting. Second half, the storyline merges to the same storyline as you did with...Pre-80 for a class and race you've never played before is not boring. At least the first half or so is new and interesting. Second half, the storyline merges to the same storyline as you did with your first character.
I have 800+ hours in GW2, and none of it has been "boy, working towards [game goal] is boring". Even the grindy, crafting-y parts have been livable. I think it's because there's just so much to do. Places, items, crafting trees, game modes (multiple types of both PvE, PvP). So, you can flip around from mode to mode, goal to goal whenever you feel like, and your interest is held. That's been my experience.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Pistos Link ParentPre-80, it almost doesn't matter what you do. The game is mostly easy up to that point, with only medium-level challenges here and there.Pre-80, it almost doesn't matter what you do. The game is mostly easy up to that point, with only medium-level challenges here and there.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Pistos Link ParentMy recommendation is to save it until you get more overall GW2 experience under your belt, because it's beneficial to go through the 80-level climb with any class you don't have experience with....My recommendation is to save it until you get more overall GW2 experience under your belt, because it's beneficial to go through the 80-level climb with any class you don't have experience with. You learn the class mechanics more solidly. You might use a few Tomes of Knowledge or Writs of Experience to skip a level here and there, but a full 1-to-80 jump will somewhat rob you of the learning and training.
By your third or fourth character, you could consider using the 80-level booster.
That all said, we all have different life situations, so if you're the kind of gamer that only has limited time in a day or a week to play games, by all means, go ahead and use it if you want.
-
Comment on In addition to fake music, artificial intelligence has created a big new problem for Spotify – fake listeners in ~tech
Pistos (edited )LinkI didn't mind the article overall, but I feel they could have done without this bit.just filling the internet with synthetic crap.
I didn't mind the article overall, but I feel they could have done without this bit.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Pistos Link ParentSome people consider 1-80 to be training/tutorial :)Some people consider 1-80 to be training/tutorial :)
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Pistos Link ParentI use the mouse-moves-camera mode, too, but only because I have so much FPS experience, and comparatively little experience with games like GW2 and WoW. I believe people prefer the regular...I use the mouse-moves-camera mode, too, but only because I have so much FPS experience, and comparatively little experience with games like GW2 and WoW. I believe people prefer the regular mouse-drag mode because it lets them target things by point and click, which I imagine would be faster for ground targeting. I'm not sure people hold a mouse button all the time. From what I've seen of YouTube vids, they keep the viewing angle somewhat static, and just run and strafe with that angle, and occasionally re-angle the camera with a quick mouse drag, but let go to go back to "static camera" gameplay.
GW2 is extremely videogamey
Yes! I have the same reaction, and, honestly, it's actually one of the things I don't like about the game. The animations of running and attacking look like they belong in Roblox or something. I'm a big fan of realistic physics and realism in general, so after the likes of games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance, the arcadeyness of GW2 is a turn-off for me. It even diminishes the impact of the storytelling because it's such a distraction. Then, when the storytelling isn't done in the game's 3D space, it is just a template model scene of two characters standing on opposite sides of the screen, talking and moving in the same motion-captured ways again and again, no matter which two characters, no matter what dialogue. This makes me tell people that I find GW2's story "meh". I love the world and races that they've created, and I feel like the story could have more impact on me, if not for my issues with the execution and presentation. I also didn't like the cookie-cutter, fetch-or-kill map quests ("quests") all over the game. Far cry from the quests you could do in, say, Skyrim.
it's not that much of a "wiki-game"
Hm. I reference the wiki a lot. Like... a LOT. :) Granted, that's mostly for being try-hard with the numbers in the game, and looking up crafting recipes, things like that.
loading times are more than reasonable, and fast travel is a breeze
For me (on Linux with Proton), I find that this part of the experience is highly dependent on how otherwise strained my system is, particularly with respect to RAM. When I'm nearing my RAM limits, load times can be very long. So, when I play GW2, I make it a point to close other things to clear things up.
There's no need to group, chat, or coordinate in any way.
For harder content, it's necessary. There's some content that you just cannot solo, and also can't succeed without some coordination.
Everyone kinda tanks, kinda DPSs, and kinda heal, so there's nothing unique I can provide to anyone.
Sometimes you do have to specialize your character (build) in one or two roles, though, or else your contribution is just mediocre at all roles, which won't be enough for your group or team to succeed against harder content, or higher-calibre human opponents. Some people call this lack of role RPS a feature of GW2, as it makes every race and class viable, so people can choose what they like, and still contribute (with the right tweaking and tuning).
pleasant but shallow
It can be deep later on, but GW2 is what I'd call very broad. So many things to do, places to explore, items to craft or obtain, currencies to accumulate. I have over 800 hours in game now, and there's still a lot I haven't done or seen yet.
Glad you've enjoyed your time in GW2.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
-
All Discord users will need to choose new username
19 votes -
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Pistos LinkGuild Wars 2 One thing I have not seen in any other multiplayer game: In GW2, specifically the World vs World mode (abbreviated "WvW"), you can get upwards of 80 to 100 players active in the same...Guild Wars 2
One thing I have not seen in any other multiplayer game: In GW2, specifically the World vs World mode (abbreviated "WvW"), you can get upwards of 80 to 100 players active in the same game region at once. That's not special, of course, but what is unique is that, recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a well-coordinated but large group of players.
In other games I've played, like your typical shooters, you might have 32v32 or even 64v64, but, at best, you'll see only one or two squads coordinating and talking by voice. That might be as many as 10 or 12 players coordinating, but, usually, it's only to 2 to 5 people voice chatting. Otherwise, you can only expect all the other players to just be doing random whatever, every individual doing whatever they like, and usually not contributing to victory, or even small-scale battles.
In contrast, the GW2 group I was in had some 30ish people in voice chat, all listening to one or two commanding players. These commanders would not just issue slow, long-term orders like "okay, let's all go to [region]". They were rapid, real-time orders of a micro scale, like "push right", "fall back", "attack now, bomb bomb bomb", "push on 3...2...1!". Amazingly, the majority of the group (the zerg) would follow orders within like 1 or 2 seconds. The leader would (could!) treat the zerg as an extension of their character, or, perhaps, a giant weapon or vehicle. As such, they could engage in such tactics as baiting, counterattacking, divide-and-conquer(-ing?), and spreading the enemy thin.
It was fascinating to behold, and fun to be a part of. Best of all, I saw it actually work. We would defeat other less-coordinated zergs, or successfully capture fortresses, sometimes very handily.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Pistos Link ParentI never played much Forza, but I always assumed it was more or less as realistic as the Gran Turismo series. Is that not the case? (Or are you even saying that GT is not that realistic?)I never played much Forza, but I always assumed it was more or less as realistic as the Gran Turismo series. Is that not the case? (Or are you even saying that GT is not that realistic?)
-
Streaming sites urged to stop AI from cloning pop stars
7 votes -
Comment on Multi-lingual online keyboard in ~humanities
Pistos LinkCame across this in my studies of an Asian language. With this, you don't have to install or configure anything in your local OS or device. Just visit with a web browser, type out the characters...Came across this in my studies of an Asian language. With this, you don't have to install or configure anything in your local OS or device. Just visit with a web browser, type out the characters you need, then copy paste where you need it. In my case, trying to set up Linux to be able to type non-Latin characters turned out to be a big hassle (and I didn't succeed), so this was a nice find.
It seems to support a very impressive array of languages and writing systems, including all the major Asian ones.
-
Multi-lingual online keyboard
3 votes -
Comment on How hard is it really to create your own video game? in ~games.game_design
Pistos LinkI haven't written a full-blown game, but I am a software engineer. If you want to aim for a reachable, simple target, then using a game-building framework is probably the way to go. However, I'll...I haven't written a full-blown game, but I am a software engineer. If you want to aim for a reachable, simple target, then using a game-building framework is probably the way to go. However, I'll tell you what: as a software engineer, I think a huge part about making a good game is the non-engineering stuff: the visuals and the music. That means 3D models (characters, monsters, buildings, objects), textures, 2D art (loading screens, character imagery, maps), UI elements (windows, buttons, etc.). That means sound effects, and well-written, well-produced music.
I think I have the technical chops to pick up almost any game engine and get going with it, but when it comes to visuals worthy of being in a game that people would spend money on, my skillset is near zero. I honestly think it's easier for good artists to learn to program a successful game than it is for good programmers to make good-enough video game art.
I still use IRC, so I would support having at least a channel on an existing IRC network. A full blown server would require maintenance and combatting malicious activity.
That said, it seems that a lot of communities these days use some modern alternative, like Discord, gitter, etc. I'm not sure how much uptake there would be with tech as old as IRC.