runekn's recent activity

  1. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    runekn
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    Recently discovered Vintage Story. Another blocky survival game that spawned out of Minecraft's windfall. Actually I think I discovered it years ago, but I never gave it much thought until...

    Recently discovered Vintage Story. Another blocky survival game that spawned out of Minecraft's windfall. Actually I think I discovered it years ago, but I never gave it much thought until recently. I have fond memories of Minecraft from back in 2010-2014, but any attempt to try it again has always left me very quickly bored. My problems with it has always been that the progression mechanics are quite simplistic. And while the block sizes allowed for much creativity in my young mind, it just feels too coarse now.

    Vintage story looks the same in screenshots, but it plays very different. Take the progression from start to copper tools as an example.
    In Minecraft (note my knowledge of Minecraft is very old, so this might be outdated or misremembered):

    1. Punch a tree to create a wood pickaxe with crafting table
    2. Mine some stone to get stone pickaxe with crafting table
    3. Mine some copper to get copper ore
    4. Use the stone to create furnace
    5. Smelt with wood to get copper ingots and create copper pickaxe with crafting table

    In Vintage Story:

    1. Pick up loose flint stones and sticks to create a flint axe with knapping mechanic
    2. Cut down half a small forest (and burn through many flint axes) to get enough firewood for charcoal (wood wont burn hot enough to melt copper)
    3. Knap a flint knife and use to gather dry grass for firestarting.
    4. Dig a charcoal pit and get it burning with a firepit and firestarter. Quickly bury the pit and wait an ingame day for it to burn.
    5. Find and gather clay. Use the clayforming mechanic to create a pickaxe head mold and ore crucible.
    6. Dig a pit kiln to harden the raw clay forms with more grass, sticks, firewood, and time.
    7. Gather small copper amounts by finding rare surface stones or panning sand. (No wood or stone pickaxes in this game! Need a copper pickaxe to mine copper ore.)
    8. Smelt copper ore in crucible on a firepit with charcoal as fuel. Wait for full melting, then pour the copper into the mold using wooden tongs.
    9. Wait for pickaxe head to cool. Then remove from mold and combine with stick to create copper pickaxe.

    What I like about vintage story is that the crafting and progression is focused on mechanics. There is still a 3x3 crafting table that must be used for some things. But it is clear that the overall vision is to gradually move crafting recipes from the 3x3 to immersive mechanics. And that is precisely what I have wanted from the genre way back then.

    Okay lets talk about chiselling. I mentioned a knapping mechanic and clayforming. There is also a smithing mechanic, and the system all these use is called chiselling. Basically 1x1x1 blocks can be subdivided into individual pixels. Knapping uses this to require you to remove pixels to create the outline of the tools head. Clayforming has you adding pixels in layers to build up the clay form. Smithing has you moving pixels around with a hammer to beat an ingot into the desired shape. And with smithing you can create the chisel tool, which allows you to do this freely with nearly any solid block to create custom decorative pieces. And the absolute star of the mechanic is the fact that you can combine multiple materials into one chisel block! This allows for very granular and detailed builds for a blocky game without any mods.

    And that's about as far as I have come. I am currently in the process of stocking up food for my first winter (online discussions make winter sound like a significant challenge if not properly prepared), finding more copper to advance my tech level, and building my first proper house with lots of chiselling. There are still way more differences that can be mentioned in the other areas of the game, but hopefully this small slice gives a taste. I also want to give a shoutout to the great modding community who has replaced many of the remaining 3x3 recipes with more immersive mechanics.

    And I hope this doesn't come too much off as a critique of Minecraft. The simpler progression will probably stay more appealing for the wider audience.

    3 votes
  2. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    runekn
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    MENACE! I'm not super into turn based tactic games, but I really vibe with menace's way of doing things and atmosphere. Picked up the early access expecting to play a bit but mostly just wait for...

    MENACE! I'm not super into turn based tactic games, but I really vibe with menace's way of doing things and atmosphere. Picked up the early access expecting to play a bit but mostly just wait for release, but it grabbed me and had me continue until the end of the early access campaign.

    Now I'm back to Helldivers 2 to help liberate Cyberstan from some cyber-abominations with my super-democratic flag-waving.

    4 votes
  3. Comment on Helldivers 2 – Galactic Offensive | Trailer in ~games

    runekn
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    It does have neutral steering for turning in place, just takes a few seconds for it to kick in. Though I agree that it still feels more like it has wheels overall than tracks.

    It does have neutral steering for turning in place, just takes a few seconds for it to kick in. Though I agree that it still feels more like it has wheels overall than tracks.

    1 vote
  4. Comment on Wired vs. wireless mouse and keyboard? in ~tech

    runekn
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    I switched from wired keyboard (Cherry MX 10.0N) to wireless (Keychron K5 Max). It's kinda nice to have more space on the desk not taken up by wires. I do move my keyboard back and forth on the...

    I switched from wired keyboard (Cherry MX 10.0N) to wireless (Keychron K5 Max). It's kinda nice to have more space on the desk not taken up by wires. I do move my keyboard back and forth on the desk a lot depending on what I am doing, and that would often mean the wire getting bunched up on the desk. The charging is infrequent and fast enough that it really doesn't bother me, so I don't otherwise ever use it in wired mode. It 2.4Ghz wireless, so latency should be minimal. I don't notice any latency, but I honestly doubt I have have even if it was bluetooth wireless.

    1 vote
  5. Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games

    runekn
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    I don't even know if it even counts as playing, but I've been using Sprocket a lot lately to build tanks. There's not even much that you can do with them ingame. I guess I just like looking at...

    I don't even know if it even counts as playing, but I've been using Sprocket a lot lately to build tanks. There's not even much that you can do with them ingame. I guess I just like looking at them. I publish them on the subreddit sometimes. Started on them 4 years ago, and decided to go back and give them a makeover after the game's long awaited 0.2 update that overhauled the whole tank editor system. Think I have become quite decent at it, though nowhere near "Blender-level" that some seem to be.

    Since COVID I've been very attracted towards games that let you build things with little restriction or guidance. X4 station builder, Starfield spaceship builder, Sprocket tank builder. Also coincided with my proper venture into modding.

    1 vote
  6. Comment on Youtube channel recommendations 2026 in ~tech

    runekn
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    Adding my favourites that have not been mentioned yet. BobbyBroccoli - Long documentaries on mostly the history of physics. Alpha Pheonix - Guy doing genuinely interesting physics and engineering...

    Adding my favourites that have not been mentioned yet.

    BobbyBroccoli - Long documentaries on mostly the history of physics.

    Alpha Pheonix - Guy doing genuinely interesting physics and engineering related stuff.

    CGP Grey - How has none mentioned this guy?! One of my favourite channels deep diving into obscure subjects. Should definitely watch "Someone Dead Ruined My Life… Again." and How New York Stole Staten Island from New Jersey.

    Defunctland - History of amusement parks. Mostly Disneyland. Especially during the last 3 years has his documentaries increased in quality and scope.

    Jacob Geller - Video game essays.

    MegaLag - Investigative youtuber exposing big scams.

    Paralogical - Few videos so far, but seems to focus on interesting statistical analysis. Hasn't uploaded in a year, but his last video was so good I hope for more.

    TheMovieRabbitHole - Started with a 4 parts series (turned into 5) on debunking "No CGI" movie claims.

    The Thought Emporium - Crazy biology and gene editing. Is trying to create a meat brain that can play Doom.

    Tod's Workshop - Medieval engineering and weapons. Has a series testing period-accurate bow effectiveness vs armour.

    Alternative Cuts - Entertainment rather than educational. Just funny high-quality edits of movies and TV shows.

    3 votes
  7. Comment on The most fragile gif on the internet in ~tech

    runekn
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    Ironically the GLI.TC/H link has died, but it doesn't seem to have affected the gif.

    Ironically the GLI.TC/H link has died, but it doesn't seem to have affected the gif.

    5 votes
  8. Comment on What's your current PC wallpaper? in ~tech

    runekn
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    It rotates through a collection of wallpapers scavenged from /r/spaceengine Link Link password: Tilde12345!

    It rotates through a collection of wallpapers scavenged from /r/spaceengine
    Link
    Link password: Tilde12345!

  9. Comment on Special announcement about “Hollow Knight: Silksong” soon in ~games

    runekn
    (edited )
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    Scope creep is generally considered mismanagement. It's just that when you have none to really answer to, and a near infinite money machine (relatively), then I guess you don't have to care much.

    Scope creep is generally considered mismanagement. It's just that when you have none to really answer to, and a near infinite money machine (relatively), then I guess you don't have to care much.

    3 votes
  10. Comment on Gamescom 2025 megathread in ~games

    runekn
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    Second KCD2 dlc releasing 9th september. Three weeks until I can allow myself to finally play it. Or hell, I have managed to hold back this long, maybe I'll even wait for monetary dlc for the...

    Second KCD2 dlc releasing 9th september. Three weeks until I can allow myself to finally play it. Or hell, I have managed to hold back this long, maybe I'll even wait for monetary dlc for the church interiors.

    3 votes
  11. Comment on ITA was a 1960s schools experiment that created a whole new alphabet – and left thousands of UK children unable to spell in ~humanities.languages

    runekn
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    Yeah I was also confused whether it was supposed to be difficult to read. Non-native speaker aswell.

    Yeah I was also confused whether it was supposed to be difficult to read. Non-native speaker aswell.

    10 votes
  12. Comment on Ukraine stages major attack on Russian aircraft with drones in ~news

    runekn
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    I get most of it from /r/CombatFootage and /r/UkraineWarVideoReport. They in turn probably get it from Telegram which is usually the primary source for war footage and on-site coverage.

    I get most of it from /r/CombatFootage and /r/UkraineWarVideoReport. They in turn probably get it from Telegram which is usually the primary source for war footage and on-site coverage.

    9 votes
  13. Comment on Ukraine stages major attack on Russian aircraft with drones in ~news

    runekn
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    The drones got smuggled right next to the airbases by civilian trucks, and then remotely activated. So they didn't need to fly far. The smuggling operation is very impressive though. Yes, all were...

    I'm impressed that the Ukranians were able to build or obtain drones that can reach Russian military bases AND destroy planes once they get there.

    The drones got smuggled right next to the airbases by civilian trucks, and then remotely activated. So they didn't need to fly far. The smuggling operation is very impressive though.

    My guess is that those bombers were on the ground and unmanned so loss of life was minimal.

    Yes, all were on the ground. Planes in the air will be too fast and high altitude for these regular quadcopter drones to shoot down. The only potential human casualties that I have seen so far were few civilians that decided to be heros and stop the drones from launching.

    16 votes
  14. Comment on Ukraine stages major attack on Russian aircraft with drones in ~news

    runekn
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    This is a very early article, so light on details. This seems, in my non-professional opinion, like a very significant loss for Russia. The official Ukrainian number is 40 aircrafts hit, which...

    This is a very early article, so light on details.
    This seems, in my non-professional opinion, like a very significant loss for Russia. The official Ukrainian number is 40 aircrafts hit, which would a be a complete massacre of the Russian airforce. Though the only source of that is Ukraine officials.

    Here's what I know so far.

    • Four airbases were hit, according to the release: Ivanovo, Belaya, Dyagilevo, and Olenya
    • Seems Ukraine has only released footage of one airbase.
    • Russia has no active strategic bomber production. Every loss is irreplaceable.
    • Drone footage show destruction of at least 5 strategic bombers.
    • It shows that this was not long range drones, but rather short range FPV drones launched from nearby containers.
    • The containers were delivered by an unsuspecting Russian civilian who did not know its contents.
    • Thus the operators were not at the containers when drones started launching.
    • After launching all drones, the containers are seen on fire. I've read comments that this was a self-destruct mechanism, but do not know the source of this claim. Could be booby traps when containers were investigated.
    • At least one truck with containers failed to reach their destination.
    • The coordinated attack seem to be broader than just the official release. New footage also shows smoke rising from Severomorsk port, Voskresensk airbase, and Ryazan airbase.
    • Seen unsourced claims that the drones were AI powered, probably in case remote connection was lost. Trained to recognise and target weak points.
    • The drones were flown across the border, picked up by either infiltrators or collaborators, and then packed into the containers within a Russian warehouse.
    • New OSINT satellite images showing another 6-7 destroyed aircraft from Belaya. I think the first 3-4 aircraft are different from the ones shown in the drone footage, since the aircrafts from the drone footage were facing the same direction and surroundings do not match. The other 3 looks to be parked in protected parking spots which we haven’t seen footage of. The other airframes in the pictures could also have been hit, just with no damage visible.
    39 votes
  15. Comment on World Bicycle Relief introduces The Buffalo Bicycle S2 featuring a 'low-tech' dual chain with a dual freewheel system for casual and mountainous conditions in ~transport

    runekn
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    Did they create their own wiki page? It's full of external links in the text itself, and the article reads like it's trying to sell me a bike. It's like it has been copied directly from PR material.

    Did they create their own wiki page? It's full of external links in the text itself, and the article reads like it's trying to sell me a bike. It's like it has been copied directly from PR material.

    1 vote
  16. Comment on An interview with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s president in ~society

    runekn
    Link Parent
    I should probably have mentioned that the interviewer is British, so top-of-the-head examples that seem obvious to Americans wouldn't apply I'd imagine.

    I should probably have mentioned that the interviewer is British, so top-of-the-head examples that seem obvious to Americans wouldn't apply I'd imagine.

    1 vote
  17. Comment on An interview with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s president in ~society

    runekn
    Link Parent
    Asking by way of example in this manner is still asking imo. If Washington is an example then the journalist must believe it to be a possibility.

    Asking by way of example in this manner is still asking imo. If Washington is an example then the journalist must believe it to be a possibility.

  18. Comment on An interview with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s president in ~society

    runekn
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    Is there some basis to asking a Syrian rebel if George Washington is their rolemodel? As a non-american I have heard and read of the guy, mostly due to American cultural influence, but I have...

    The Economist: Can I ask, is there a political leader who is a role model for you? George Washington? Mohammed Bin Salman? Who do you look to for inspiration?

    Is there some basis to asking a Syrian rebel if George Washington is their rolemodel? As a non-american I have heard and read of the guy, mostly due to American cultural influence, but I have never considered him some kind of international revolutionary role model. Let alone a middle eastern one.

    2 votes
  19. Comment on Cherry MX 10.0N mechanical keyboard - A non-enthusiast's thoughts after one month in ~tech

    runekn
    Link Parent
    I looked briefly at more custom keyboards in the very beginning of my search. But it all seemed catered to smaller layout, so didn't stay long. I also easily get choice paralysis :D

    I looked briefly at more custom keyboards in the very beginning of my search. But it all seemed catered to smaller layout, so didn't stay long. I also easily get choice paralysis :D

    3 votes