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Thread: Resistance is Futile
Kultan

Replies: 3
Views: 86
Resistance is Futile 12-10-2021 16:40 Forum: Games


In some disturbing news Electronic Arts has bought BioWare and Pandemic. I fully expect these creative game makers to be absorbed into the EA assembly line and start churning out bland, buggy, rushed games soon enough (a la Origin and others). The cycle continues.

I was in Vancouver last year and walked by some major EA office complex downtown... didn't have any C-4 on me though, sorry.
Thread: So, what weird Ultima loose-end do you want tied?
Kultan

Replies: 108
Views: 8,466
Specific Characters? 02-10-2021 18:28 Forum: Ultima IX: Redemption


In past Ultimas only the super long-lived NPC's made it from one Ultima to another (those from earth, powerful mages, etc.) because of the amount of time that took place in between. Serpent Isle was an exception to the 'time' reason, but, of course, it took place in a whole new setting.

Redemption takes place around 19 years after the Avatar arrived in Britannia at the beginning of The Black Gate (and about 17 years before he left for the Serpent Isle). This leaves the door open for several recurring, albeit older, Black Gate NPC's.

So, are there any characters from The Black Gate who were memorable to you and whom you would like to see again in Redemption? I'm not really speaking of major characters from several past Ultimas who are pretty much guaranteed. I'm speaking more of minor NPC's who happened to strike a chord in you for one reason or another. If there are, who are they and what aspect of them made an impression on you?
Thread: Diary: 2021-09-21 Moonglow development part 1 (Spyder)
Kultan

Replies: 26
Views: 675
RE: Diary: 2021-09-21 Moonglow development part 1 (Spyder) 22-09-2021 00:00 Forum: Developers Diary


quote:
Originally posted by Corv
Btw: the big secret model he is talking about is really something HUGE in every possible way. We decided not to spoil it by showing you screenshots. It should be something you discover on your own when playing the game Wink



I hate to keep smearing on the anticipation, but Corv ain't kidding. Out of nowhere Spyder plopped down the results of his big model a few days ago for the team to see. My jaw literally dropped. It's gorgeous.
Thread: new member: Kultan
Kultan

Replies: 7
Views: 383
07-09-2021 22:11 Forum: News


Thanks, Corv!

At first I was going to add a greeting and some details on myself here. But I like Thanatloc's idea of putting some info down in a Dev diary.

As you can imagine, I am currently in "absorption mode." There is a lot of material to go over. I need to have a good understanding of my environment before I can choose any kind of direction to take. DH has given me some good options on where I can go, and I like the choices. Once I have my bearings I'll write something up to let everyone know some details about myself and what I will start focusing on in writing for Redemption.
Thread: Oh Bioshock. Some. Some Day.
Kultan

Replies: 5
Views: 142
06-09-2021 23:55 Forum: The Blue Boar


And the weird thing is I love Fallout and the 1950's retro element to it. It just works there (fantastically).

A game I played for two minutes and hated was Command & Conquer: Red Alert. The similarity I draw to Bioshock is that it blended sci-fi and technology in a setting that takes place in the past. Whereas Fallout takes place in the distant future where anything technologically more advanced than today is easily explained.
Thread: Oh Bioshock. Some. Some Day.
Kultan

Replies: 5
Views: 142
06-09-2021 16:58 Forum: The Blue Boar


I've been a huge fan of System Shock since '95, but the theme, setting, and storyline for Bioshock really have me at an impasse. The backstory and the types of mutant characters all seem a little too out there/implausible for my tastes. I don't think I like the retro element either compared to the cold, streamlined SS.
Thread: The breed of Smith the horse?
Kultan

Replies: 6
Views: 168
31-08-2021 17:39 Forum: Ultima 7 part 1 + 2


I don't know much about horse breeds, but I do remember there is precedence for Britannian horse breeds that comes from Ultima V. I looked it up and here is the dialogue:

Kraw the stable master (in the Castle):
"Yes, we have a good stable of thoroughbreds."

"Indeed, the finest. Why, we have not only the plough and mountain breeds, but even the purest breed of the High Steppes. We lack only the Valorian warhorse, that we still seek!"

Kurt the stable boy (in one of the three Britannys I think):
"We have some breeds."

"Well.... We have Ploughhorses, the Mountain breed, and those from the Steppes! Unfortunately, we don't have any Valorian purebreds, But they do over in the castle!"

Since Kraw says, "we lack only the Valorian warhorse" it seems safe to assume the three breeds he has plus the Valorians are all the breeds there are in Britannia.

Oh, and I doubt Smith is a Valorian warhorse... my money would be on plough horse.

Of course, one could argue that Smith isn't from Britannia. He is unique and I don't think there has ever been mention of his origins.
Thread: Still Kickin'/Update
Kultan

Replies: 18
Views: 1,111
RE: Mini-Update on Main Plot 24-08-2021 22:27 Forum: Ultima IX: Redemption


quote:
Originally posted by -Direhaggis-
But I promise: I'm trying not to bog down people in dialogue, unless they choose to be. You could solve a quest in 4 dialogue selections but there could be, say, 25 unique selections in various dialogue trees.


Oh great, and I'm one of those OCD players who likes to exhaust every dialogue branch so I don't miss anything.
Thread: Time in Redemption
Kultan

Replies: 8
Views: 335
02-08-2021 22:30 Forum: Ultima IX: Redemption


quote:
Originally posted by Zini
I don't have the time factor at hand right now, but I can look it up tomorrow.

The day-night-cycle is the same as with vanilla Morrowind. That is something we can't control.

There won't be any seasons. The Morrowind-engine doesn't provide this feature and we can't add it in satisfying quality by using the the script language. Sorry!


I thought that would likely be the case, so I'm not disappointed. Is there a way of keeping time on a long term basis? As in, will the interface tell us what the date is?

Also, is there an in-game journal feature of any kind?

Sorry, if any of the questions are elementary if you're familiar with the Morrowind engine. I never played it.
Thread: Time in Redemption
Kultan

Replies: 8
Views: 335
Time in Redemption 31-07-2021 22:07 Forum: Ultima IX: Redemption


In helping DH kick up some activity again...

What will the flow of time be in Redemption? For example, U7 was right around 10x real time (every 6 seconds real time was 1 minute Britannian time).

At what times do the day and night cycles start?

Will the time of year have an effect on the day/night cycle start times?

Will the progression of seasons be reflected in the game environment? If so, will NPC's dress accordingly?
Thread: Misterious useless isle
Kultan

Replies: 2
Views: 268
23-07-2021 17:43 Forum: Ultima 9


I don't know of any in-game explanation for it, but I only made it to Trinsic in U9 before quitting due to extreme lameness (the awful dialog between the Avatar and Dupre's ghost was the final straw).

This island roughly corresponds to the location of the Isle of Fire, but then Hythloth is located underneath it instead of being located under the Isle of the Avatar where it belongs. So who knows. The U9 map is so FUBAR you just have to take it like a bad action movie; Dispense with any notions of rationality and accept it for what it is.

Sorry, I'm probably not the best person to answer this question... I'm still a little bitter.
Thread: Potions
Kultan

Replies: 12
Views: 623
20-07-2021 17:23 Forum: Ultima IX: Redemption


quote:
Originally posted by -Direhaggis-
Huh..that certainly is a neat possibility. The person themselves could emit something that aids their companions in seeing the surrounding environment; I can see how that'd work out. I mean at it's most basic, the imbiber could literally glow. That wouldn't be out of line with canon, I think.



From The Apothecary's Desk Reference

White potion: This potion will provide a small bit of illumination, much like a candle, for a few minutes.

From this I always just assumed a "general glow" lit up the area around the party with no real indication of a source.

It might be interesting to test one aspect of it. In U7 you could take the party and a white potion to a cave. Once inside, have a party member drink the white potion. Then ask them to leave and walk away from them to see if the light fades as you walk away or stays with the party.

If it stays with the party, it could be fit into canon rather than dismissed as an oversight. There are several spells that act on a "party" basis. Therefore this property could be applied to an effect that stays with the party even though the caster/imbiber has left.

I might test it if I can remember to while I'm at home... or am I making this too technical?
Thread: Potions
Kultan

Replies: 12
Views: 623
16-07-2021 23:39 Forum: Ultima IX: Redemption


How about it causes a large lightning bug's tail to sprout out of the imbiber's posterior? The result is a light source that the entire party can see with, as well a good deal of muffled snickering.

"Oh no, Dupre, it IS your turn to drink a white again."
Thread: Dungeon Shame
Kultan

Replies: 1
Views: 221
18-06-2021 17:14 Forum: Ultima 7 part 1 + 2


Well, it's a little confusing as to which dungeon Shame is in U7. When you get to the dungeon at the beginning of the Lost River, Shamino says, "This is Dungeon Despise." But in past Ultimas the dungeon at that location was Shame. Then to the northeast in the Serpent's Spine mountains is another dungeon that was Despise in previous Ultimas, but some consider to be Shame in U7. Personally, I feel they just mixed them up accidentally for U7 and it's a mistake. So I refer to them based on previous Ultima names/locations.

Given that, the Lost River dungeon (Shame) is where the Guardian's blackrock sphere is located. It's the one that was corrupting the moongates. It's also where the lost monk from the abbey is.

Despise is probably the largest dungeon in the game. And actually it is connected to Shame via teleporters. It's loaded with all kinds of monsters and treasure, so it makes a good place to gain some experience and equipment. But there is nothing critical to the plot located there.
Thread: So, what weird Ultima loose-end do you want tied?
Kultan

Replies: 108
Views: 8,466
15-06-2021 22:31 Forum: Ultima IX: Redemption


quote:
Originally posted by Thanatloc
Well, I'd rather think it's a consensual interpretation among most fans.

But according to the first possibility I've suggered, Acardion might be bound to give elusive explanations (because they are not clear at all, and that is why it puzzles many people) to the Avatar in order to close the debate before possible very bad issues. For sure, Arcadion is very ambitious and he protects his existence as well.

Thus, one can imagine schemes inside schemes...
And one can play with the possibilies...
One could even combine the two I proposed since the Avatar does not survey the Thaumaturgist (or his true master) and Arcadion at all time...

Last but not least, it's common for a demon to lie or play with truth, when he find freedom to do so of course...


I thought he was bound to Malchir, since he's guarding the entrance to his cave (there may have been some dialog too). I just assumed he was a sentry daemon like any other a sorceror (including the Avatar) could summon into Pagan; one of the many menial tasks he was summoned for before becoming more powerful.
Thread: So, what weird Ultima loose-end do you want tied?
Kultan

Replies: 108
Views: 8,466
15-06-2021 18:35 Forum: Ultima IX: Redemption


quote:
Originally posted by Thanatloc
quote:
Originally posted by Sunigator
Speaking of Pagan, what about Arcadion beeing there and forgetting about the Avatar and Britannia?


Actually, there can be at least two explanations

- First: the Arcadion of Pagan has been put under control by someone and the new "owner" (Arcadion has really bad karma Evil ) prevent his new puppet to mention anything to anyone but him about the past of the demon.

- Second: Arcadion in the Isle of Fire was summoned beyond Time from Pagan (but after the Avatar met him there...) Thus, in Pagan, Arcadion isn't the older one the Avatar met in U7:BG and freed in U7:SI.

Voila.


I always thought the second explanation was pretty clearly the one that was intended by the writers. I don't remember word for word, but Arcadion (the U8 one) actually says something about how time is different between worlds and perhaps the Avatar is speaking to him at a time in the demon's life before he was imprisoned on the Isle of Fire (i.e. before he met the Avatar in U7).
Thread: Ultima Merchandise
Kultan

Replies: 1
Views: 231
12-06-2021 15:34 Forum: General Ultima Discussion


Yep, there is still a thriving Ultima fan base.

There used to be merchandise. I remember posters of Denis Loubet's box cover art offered in the Origin catalogs that were included with the games back in the day. You may get lucky on e-bay.

I don't have any of that, but plan on framing one or more cloth maps someday to hang in my office at home.
Thread: Fallout 3 Teaser
Kultan

Replies: 3
Views: 320
Fallout 3 Teaser 05-06-2021 23:17 Forum: Games


The first Fallout 3 teaser was released today:

http://fallout.bethsoft.com/

It shows off the engine, let's us know Ron Perlman will be narrating again, and gives us a release date (heh heh... right), but that's about it.
Thread: New Magincia History
Kultan

Replies: 3
Views: 263
01-06-2021 23:04 Forum: General Ultima Discussion


Try here:

http://www.notableultima.com/literal/
Thread: Anyone at all paying attention to...
Kultan

Replies: 21
Views: 921
01-06-2021 23:02 Forum: Philosophical and Political Discussions


quote:
And yet the evidence doesn't seem to agree with that, not entirely. Sadr City, to take just one example, benefited greatly from the troop presence, and what was once a violent pit has become stable and secure. And consider as well the list, above -- that's not a lack of progress, and has been made possible in a large part by the troop presence.


And I can come up with examples to the contrary (and already have), and you can come up with more, and back and forth. Again, seeing the positives is great. I'm not against changing my outlook of the situation. I just don't see any reason to given the current situation and the trend of past developments.

quote:
That is the question, yes...and yes, whatever gets left behind in Iraq will have to be a bit more of a 'strongman'-type government than we would be used to, or accept, or even need in the West.

To take us back to the original topic of the thread, though, it's that exact timetable for withdrawal that's a major issue in this election, and the two schools of thought on the issue are quite clearly delineated. I can't think of a single Democrat candidate that's running on a platform that includes a realistic Iraq timetable, and even some of the Republican candidates have wavered on that issue.

The election will not be completely won or lost on this issue, but it will be affected heavily by it. And ultimately, the side with the better chance of victory is the side that adopts the more realistic view of the conflict...which, as you note, includes the realization that the troops are necessary for now, and that it's almost too premature to talk about withdrawal at this point.


That's the case at this point. We have a way to go before elections though, and there are plenty of successes and failures to go in Iraq. It hardly matters what anyone's position is concerning the issue now. It's a gamble either way. The only advantage I see is a candidate using their current position as an "I told you so" on down the line, which would be irrelevant to me.

quote:
There's a bit of a difference, though...because it is indicative of an intellectual deficit to adopt the accusation of delusion as the default, fallback position in a debate. That's as true when lefties do it as when us righties do it. There's a measure of intellectual laziness in the practice, but unfortunately it seems to be the more prevalent practice in most debates today.


Am I not getting through? It wasn't an accusation as I already stated. Maybe you should read it again. I was stressing my point that a list of facts was not a basis for being labeled defeatist. You apparently took it the wrong way, and I should have left it out. It could have just as easily been misinterpreted as being directed at myself, "If I were to believe otherwise I would be delusional." However, I wasn't implying either. Believe it... or not.

quote:
You're right...merely looking at facts doesn't make us a defeatist or an optimist. It's how we interpret the facts that defines that aspect of our viewpoint. The difference, as far as I can see, is that I look at the facts and see a situation that is still volatile, but definitely improving. I can still see ways it can fail, but I see the successes that have been made as well -- successes that have come about because of the presence of U.S. troops in some cases -- and I can see ways it can succeed. If that's the functional definition of hopelessly optimistic, then I accept the label.


I wouldn't label you like that.

quote:
But that's a long way from saying things will *never* work while U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq. And saying that is a lot closer to defeatism.


I already addressed that. Again, saying victory can't be achieved one way isn't saying victory can't be achieved. You're turning this into a circular argument.

quote:
Set goals can be a dangerous thing in war, though, if there is too much specificity.


That depends on what you use them for. Setting no goals in a war can be equally dangerous.

quote:
Take the last World War...the set goal in the Pacific Theatre was stopping the aggression of Imperial Japan. Should the U.S. have planned for that to take two years, say, and then called off the war because they got bogged down in the Solomon Islands and the rest of that chain? Should they have withdrawn from the theatre of combat because the victory took almost four years instead?


You're posing a hypothetical for an "at all costs" war. Iraq is not.

quote:
Setting milestones is all well and good, but combat is not a corporate business quarter, and military targets can be set in as firm stone as sales targets can. That is also a reality that we need to take into account in this discussion.

And because it understands, I suspect, that you can't measure the success of a war effort as clearly, or with as sharply-defined metrics, as you can measure...say...an employee's work performance.


That's hardly an excuse to continue beating a dead horse. It would be a way to shed some light on successes and failures, which the Bush administration is opposed to becuase of a preponderance of the latter and accountability. And so far the accountability they've had to accept regardless has been pretty stinging.

I'm already familiar with the official excuse, which saying there is no way to realistically set goals is. Oh, it's easy to measure success in a conventional war. That's not what we have here. That's why a basis for success and failure is needed. They tell the public if the strategy is working or not... not biased news reports.

quote:
What, that I have my biases? It is as you say...everyone does. But people are also capable of reason and discernment, and the trick is to sort out those persons who can report on things in a way that either does not obviously suffer a strong bias, or in a way that at least presents both sides of the story. It is possible to give a report without imbuing the taint of ideological goals into it...if one chooses to do so.

Increasingly, in media portrayals of the situation in Iraq, this dual-sided, non-ideological nature is not nearly as evident.


Yep, on both sides.

I've noticed it more in the number of articles that convey an overall picture of the situation (in either direction), rather than the content of the reports themselves. I don't see any bias in "New Univerity Opens" or "75 Die in Car Bomb Attack."

quote:
x = x? Or did you mean to phrase that last sentence a bit differently?


Conservatism = The Right

"I do in fact have a bias, although it is not particularly left or right in nature" <> "I'll approach it from the conservative angle because a) I am one"

quote:
Well, this was initially a political discussion, and I tend to find that the right side of the political spectrum is a bit of an easier pill to swallow when it comes to reconciling the politics I support with the faith I hold. Even then, it's not a perfect match...but it's a better one than on the flip side.


Nice recovery! Pleased

quote:
The mere use of the word 'Crusader' indicates that these people have a list of reasons for terrorism extending back to...what? The 12th century or so? If the U.S. weren't in Iraq, then we'd be hearing them using Israel's airstrikes against Gaza as justification. And if Israel weren't bombing Gaza, then it would be something else.

Iraq is a convenient rallying point, but the whole point of the jihad is that it has almost a thousand years of 'justifications' fueling it. There wasn't a war in Iraq back in 2001, after all...or in Afghanistan. At least, not a war that the U.S. was involved in.


So you're saying the events in Iraq are having little to no effect on promoting radicalism in the Muslim world, and that radicals could just as easily use other events to stoke the amount of anti-west sentiment we're seeing now?

I would argue that it's having a huge impact on promoting the growth of terrorism, and is swaying those who would not otherwise be drawn in by anti-west rhetoric. It justifies the "imperialist satan" talk they've been spouting all along.

quote:
And yet it works as an example: French is adamantly not involved in Iraq, and yet it too suffers terrorist attacks...because ultimately, Iraq is a convenient excuse for the jihad, not a raison d'etre.


Convenient excuse? It's a fantastic excuse. They couldn't have hoped for better.

quote:
And absent the involvement of a nation in Iraq, terrorism will find other justifications.


But they won't be nearly as compelling as the Iraq invasion. At least, let's hope not.
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