vili's recent activity
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: February 2026 Nominations Topic in ~games
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: February 2026 Nominations Topic in ~games
vili LinkNomination: Space Rogue I will tell you why in the lobbying topic. But in short: it's a major game that was highly rated at the time of its release and sits at an interesting juncture in the...Nomination: Space Rogue
I will tell you why in the lobbying topic. But in short: it's a major game that was highly rated at the time of its release and sits at an interesting juncture in the history of space sim gaming, yet is largely forgotten now.
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Comment on CGA-2026-02 🕹️🚗 REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ Racing Lagoon in ~games
vili LinkIt’s been a bit of an insane start to the year for me, and with Nioh 3 out this month and taking all of my very limited gaming time (Nioh 2 is my most played game on Steam), I found neither the...It’s been a bit of an insane start to the year for me, and with Nioh 3 out this month and taking all of my very limited gaming time (Nioh 2 is my most played game on Steam), I found neither the time nor the energy to figure out how to play this one.
Sure, I could have tried to acquire it form somewhere, spent an evening to get it running, play it for an hour or so, and say that at least I tried it. But everything that you guys wrote about it, and everything that I have seen elsewhere, really makes me want to give this game a proper try one day. So, I didn’t want to just dip in. I feel I didn’t give The Wind Waker the time that it needed in January, since it’s been, like I said, a bit of an insane start to the new year, and I regret that a little.
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Comment on What do dreams mean? in ~science
vili LinkI am a total layman, with no background in the field, but there is a recent theory of dreaming called NEXTUP (Network Exploration To Understand Possibilities), which I find interesting. It was...I am a total layman, with no background in the field, but there is a recent theory of dreaming called NEXTUP (Network Exploration To Understand Possibilities), which I find interesting. It was originally developed by the Harvard Medical School professor of psychiatry and sleep researcher Robert Stickgold.
In a nutshell, and as far as I understand the theory, it proposes that dreaming is a form of memory processing that uses memories to extract new knowledge. According to the theory, when in sleep state, the brain processes recent emotionally salient memories by combining them into narratives that explore how they could potentially connect with other memories, concepts and outcomes. The brain basically takes something that has happened recently, mixes things up, and asks “what if this happened?”, then observes its own emotional and cognitive response, and tries to learn from it. By running through different hypothetical scenarios and variations, it tries to see how they could change its understanding of the world.
According to the theory, one major difference between a dreaming brain and a waking one is that when in sleep state, the brain is particularly interested in weak associations, ones that under normal waking circumstances it would not consider. This is to seek out previously missed information, and also why dreams are so often so wild.
The theory has laid quite a bit of groundwork to suggest how this all might work in terms of our biomechanical system, why dreaming requires a level of consciousness, as well as how the different stages of sleep (non-REM stages, REM stages) differ in terms of the type of memories that the brain selects to work with. I have no way of evaluating how plausible NEXTUP is as a theory, or how well it is backed by hard research. It’s just something that I find an interesting idea, albeit not necessarily more convincing that something like the Activation-synthesis hypothesis, the Reverse Learning theory, the Threat Simulation theory, or other major theories of dreaming.
If you are interested, this Nautilus article is an ok starting point, and I can also recommend the 2021 pop science book When Brain Dreams: Exploring the Science & Mystery of Sleep that Stickgold authored with Antonio Zadra. It reads well.
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Comment on Looking for casual hotseat game recommendations in ~games
vili LinkDeath by Scrolling by Ron Gilbert (of Monkey Island fame) is a fun pick-up-and-play title from last year where you constantly run upwards in purgatory until you either reach the ferryman or get...Death by Scrolling by Ron Gilbert (of Monkey Island fame) is a fun pick-up-and-play title from last year where you constantly run upwards in purgatory until you either reach the ferryman or get killed again by something. A single run takes a couple of minutes and it would be possible to hand over to a different player in between levels. The progression, humour and goal design could work well in a group setting.
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Comment on Patterns of worldwide religious affiliation, participation, and belief in ~humanities
vili Link ParentIf I may push back a little against the use of the term "misleading": You can find out more about the data set's methodology here, including their sources (Danish figures seem to come from ten...If I may push back a little against the use of the term "misleading":
You can find out more about the data set's methodology here, including their sources (Danish figures seem to come from ten separate studies), why their numbers can differ from other surveys, and also how they estimate the religious composition of children (as I understand it, it's not based on church membership, but in practice quite similar to what you suspected).
As always with these things, precision also matters. Being religious is different from believing in god or believing in a higher power. As the article that you linked to also says (if I parse the Danish correctly, particularly the term troende): although the number of Danes believing in God is dropping, it doesn't necessarily mean that the population is getting less religious. ("Men selvom færre danskere tror på Gud i dag, betyder det ikke, at vi er mindre troende, siger religionssociolog Brian Arly Jacobsen fra Københavns Universitet.")
This does suggest that people's relationship with religion and spirituality is changing, but that is not something that this dataset shows that well, as it is not something that it specifically focuses on. That would require a somewhat different approach and methodology.
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Comment on CGA-2026-01 🕹️⛵🛡️ REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker in ~games
vili Link ParentAnemoia is a term coined to refer to being nostalgic for something that one never actually experienced first hand. While semantically not quite what you are looking for, I would argue that...Is there a word for something that you would be nostalgic for now if you had first experienced it as a kid?
Anemoia is a term coined to refer to being nostalgic for something that one never actually experienced first hand. While semantically not quite what you are looking for, I would argue that etymologically it fits The Wind Waker perfectly: the word combines the Ancient Greek words ἄνεμος (ánemos, or "wind") and νόος (nóos, or “mind”).
As the linked article mentions, nostalgia in general seems to be a creative process that utilises imagination, and while it can be based on memories, it doesn't necessarily have to be.
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Comment on Patterns of worldwide religious affiliation, participation, and belief in ~humanities
vili LinkNote that you can add and remove countries for each interactive chart.Note that you can add and remove countries for each interactive chart.
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Patterns of worldwide religious affiliation, participation, and belief
23 votes -
Comment on Save Point: A game deal roundup for the week of February 1 in ~games
vili LinkNot sure if it qualifies, but I thought I'd mention that the action rpg soulslike Nioh 3 has a free limited time demo on Steam and for PS5. The demo covers the beginning of the game and it takes...Not sure if it qualifies, but I thought I'd mention that the action rpg soulslike Nioh 3 has a free limited time demo on Steam and for PS5. The demo covers the beginning of the game and it takes roughly five hours to play through the missions and a few more hours to explore the open world and do side missions, so there is a fairly good amount of content there. Once you are past the tutorial, you can also co-op with a friend or two.
The full game comes out next week and the save file should carry over. That said, the price of the game at launch is certainly not save point material.
I played through the demo and quite liked it. I loved Nioh 2 so I'm happy to see that it's still Nioh, just with fresh new takes on things. It seems a bit easier than previous games in the series, but I'm curious to see how the systems develop as the game progresses.
If you enjoy soulslikes like Dark Souls or Elden Ring and/or action rpgs like Ninja Gaiden, Ghost of Tsushima or Bayonetta, you might like Nioh.
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Comment on David Bowie on the Internet in ~tech
vili LinkThere is quite a bit more in the original interview from 1999, in terms of both depth and width. Here's a timestamped link to where the subject comes up in the BBC Newsnight programme. Bowie...- Exemplary
There is quite a bit more in the original interview from 1999, in terms of both depth and width. Here's a timestamped link to where the subject comes up in the BBC Newsnight programme. Bowie starts by talking about the historical role of rock music and how the Internet is taking its place as an agent of change, subversion and rebellion.
For context, Bowie was one of the first major musicians to embrace the possibilities of the internet. He launched his own ISP BowieNet in 1998 and his 1999 album hours... was released digitally before its physical release.
It was an exciting time. hours... was actually the first Bowie album that I got (I was a bit late to the party, I know), and I was intrigued by his internet presence. My other big favourite, Prince, had also been building an internet community and distributing music online through the late 90s, later opening his somewhat BowieNet-like subscription website and distribution channel NPG Music Club. Both artists had also appeared in video games: Bowie in Quantic Dream's first game The Nomad Soul (1999), while Prince released his very own Myst-like game Prince Interactive in 1994.
Interestingly, both BowieNet and NPG Music Club closed in 2006. The same year Spotify was founded and Facebook became available to everyone. Both men seemed to know that things were changing. Again. In hindsight, you could perhaps argue that the internet's rebellious, inventive and subversive era was coming to an end, as monolithic corporations and platforms were increasingly starting to take over.
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Comment on Terry Pratchett’s novels may have held clues to his dementia a decade before diagnosis, our new study suggests in ~books
vili LinkThe published paper can be found here. It’s an interesting study, although like the study itself also notes, it is a case study with no control data, leaving the question open how much of...The published paper can be found here.
It’s an interesting study, although like the study itself also notes, it is a case study with no control data, leaving the question open how much of Pratchett’s stylistic changes were the result of his illness and how much was due to an artist’s natural stylistic change. I have no data to back this up, but it often feels to me that as artists get older, they drop unnecessary complexity. Young artists try to be clever, older ones wise. In Pratchett’s case, the fact that the change specifically targeted his use of adjectives might perhaps be related to a conscious attempt to tighten up writing.
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Terry Pratchett’s novels may have held clues to his dementia a decade before diagnosis, our new study suggests
36 votes -
Comment on German chain Aldi bets big on cheaper groceries as US shoppers feel squeezed in ~finance
vili LinkIn case someone else was wondering, I believe this refers to Aldi Süd, or the Aldi brand that operates in Southern Germany, as well as countries including the UK, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland,...In case someone else was wondering, I believe this refers to Aldi Süd, or the Aldi brand that operates in Southern Germany, as well as countries including the UK, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary. Aldi Nord, which operates in Northern Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands, is also doing business in the US, but under the Trader Joe’s brand name.
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Comment on Fable | Gameplay reveal in ~games
vili Link ParentI can definitely understand that, although I’m sort of the opposite. I love it when people are passionate, at least as long as that passion is positive and not uncontrollably obtrusive. It doesn’t...the more you love something and want me to give it a shot, the less you should hype me
I can definitely understand that, although I’m sort of the opposite. I love it when people are passionate, at least as long as that passion is positive and not uncontrollably obtrusive.
It doesn’t mean that I believe the hype, of course. I just like to see people enthusiastic about something, even if I know it won’t be for me. And sometimes, especially in the case of creative passion, the love and enthusiasm can filter through in a way that makes me thoroughly enjoy something that, in terms of the underlying experience, or political, philosophical, religious or whatever view, I don’t necessarily agree with.
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Comment on Fable | Gameplay reveal in ~games
vili Link ParentSadly, I don't think Peter Molyneux is involved with the new Fable in any way. So, those who are expecting to be overpromised and disappointed may end up, well... disappointed? But fear not,...if Molyneaux can deliver
Sadly, I don't think Peter Molyneux is involved with the new Fable in any way. So, those who are expecting to be overpromised and disappointed may end up, well... disappointed?
But fear not, Molyneux is working on a game that he has described as the culmination of his life's work. Because of course he has. And to be fair, as far as I'm concerned, with the portfolio that he has created he has fully earned the right to make bold statements and dream beyond what is realistic. I know some see it as problematic, but I just see him as inspirational. We need more dreamers, and fewer PR people, making games.
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Comment on CGA-2026-01 🕹️⛵🛡️ REMOVE CARTRIDGE ⏏️ The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker in ~games
vili LinkI'd be curious to hear what you guys see as the biggest strengths of The Wind Waker and/or other Zelda games. Is it the story? The world? Skill challenges? Intellectual challenges? Aesthetics?...I'd be curious to hear what you guys see as the biggest strengths of The Wind Waker and/or other Zelda games. Is it the story? The world? Skill challenges? Intellectual challenges? Aesthetics? Collectathons? The humour? Are they games that you play to test yourself, or something that you play to relax? If you love The Wind Waker or Zelda games in general, what is it that you love the most?
I'm asking since I've always found it difficult to stick with Zelda games, and it wasn't different this month, either. I didn't complete The Wind Waker. I don't think I even got a third of the way through.
This is not to say that I didn't like the game. I have very fond memories of it. But in the end, whenever I thought about continuing the game, I found something else to do that I wanted to do more. I just didn't seem to be able to find the "hook" that would capture my interest. It's been the same with every Zelda game that I have tried over the years. I think I have played about half of them, yet never completed a single one. As charming as they are, the games in the series don't seem to either challenge me or allow me to be creative, and I don't find their stories all that interesting. I just seem to be moving from one place to another and stuff happens, with relatively little meaningful player agency.
Or that, anyway, is my feeling about the games. And so, I have started to accept that me and Zelda games just aren't compatible. Which is fine. But at the same time, I would love to be able to love Zelda games. There is clearly much to love about them and they are exceptionally well made. Just for some reason, they don't hook me.
I would therefore really love to hear what it is that hooked you in The Wind Waker. And was it different than with other Zelda games? Help me see the game through your eyes.
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No bull: This Austrian cow has learned to use tools
55 votes -
Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv
vili Link ParentThe way I took it is that while they could easily create new art, they could not experience that art as an audience. As a hive mind, they would all be the creator of that art, and an artist’s...The way I took it is that while they could easily create new art, they could not experience that art as an audience. As a hive mind, they would all be the creator of that art, and an artist’s relationship with their own work is quite different from anyone else’s. They also know practically everything there is to know about pre-existing art. Therefore, the only way for them to now experience art as a naive recipient is if someone like Carol creates it.
For me, this was the strongest argument why I’d personally not want to join them.
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Remembering Erich von Däniken, 1935 – 2026
9 votes
Thanks again for taking the time to organise all this, @kfwyre!
I love the idea of a lobbying topic. But I do wonder, are 48 hours and 24 hours enough for topics? Can or should we assume that everyone who is interested will visit Tildes that frequently? I myself don't typically check the website daily. Sometimes less than once a week. But maybe I'm an outlier.