[BenjaminBunny]

I'm dead in the water in terms of most PC gameplay anyway these days, being as the only resource I have at my disposal is my dell laptop, which can play stuff like KOTR and Dreamfall relatively nicely at 800x600...but in terms of anything better I'm basically missing out....
If I could afford a 360 and a high-definition widescreen monitor for my dorm room, believe me I'd rather just have that handy than anything else.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Yeah, that's pretty much where I am as well. A new, bleeding edge PC with the very latest graphics card and wotnots is out of the question, and at this point in my life I'm sick and tired of worrying if my setup can run a game. I also chose a laptop so I can take my writing and work anywhere. That's why I invested in a 360 (and a little HDTV), to liberate myself from having to constantly update a PC's guts.

As for whatever PC exclusive games are coming out, screw 'em! I don't care one way or another, I made my choice and stick to 'em. I refuse to be enslaved.

[AFGNCAAP]

Originally Posted by Lucien21

It's the kind of graphics and conversation system I would dream of seeing in an adventure, but never will.

What specifically about the conversation system?

[Lucien21]

The options of what to say next come up while the person is speaking. You don't have to wait until they stop speaking, you can interupt them in mid sentance.

Which although rude could be kinda cool, but it also allows conversations to flow without breaks/pauses which to me seems more fluid and realistic.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

According to the previews you have the option of interrupting characters speaking to you; however, if you do it frequently they'll become upset and refuse to talk further, and you risk not learning useful information.

[Dasilva]

*Eats hat* >_<

I'm so excited.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

You want fries with that hat?

[AFGNCAAP]

Originally Posted by Lucien21

The options of what to say next come up while the person is speaking. You don't have to wait until they stop speaking, you can interupt them in mid sentance.

Which although rude could be kinda cool, but it also allows conversations to flow without breaks/pauses which to me seems more fluid and realistic.

In that case, I don't see why an adventure couldn't have it. It doesn't seem to need a giant leap, technologically nor designwise. In fact, I can think of several AGs which featured it, though only in brief sequences rather than in the whole game (think Grim Fandango in the hilarious getting-the-metal-detector scene, for one).

Regardless, cool feature for the game to have. (Of course, it will be even cooler if the conversation options/outcome actually change depending on the point in time. Otherwise, I don't see much use in interrupting the NPCs, realism or no. )

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Another thing to notice - if you watch the gameplay demo - is the subtle eye movements of the NPCs (and your own character) as they speak. It's as if they're detecting any minute reactions in your character, evinced by the nearly negligible fluctuations of their eyeballs - exactly what happens in reality when someone is talking to you. It simply adds just that much more sweetness in the immersion factor.

Half-Life 2 also did this, but Mass Effect pushes it further using reflections of the environment in the eyes, including the multiple light sources in the gameworld. The eyes of the characters have that 'twinkle' about them! Combined with the subtle facial expressions (brow knitting, lip syncing, frowns, smiles, etc.) it pulls you in even more into that world. Because don't you instinctively look into people's eyes when you speak to each other to try and read them?

I will certainly vanish into this game for weeks when it finally launches.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

"Look, bitch, if I could pull
this awesome game out of my fly
right now I would, but as it stands
you'll just have to til early next year
like all those other whores.
Including The Trep, unfortunately."


Mass Effect Is Officially 2007 | IGN.com, 9/5/06

Bioware's badly kept secret is now official.

It's official: Mass Effect is coming to an Xbox 360 near you in Q1 2007. While this was unofficial news for the last six months or so, Microsoft is finally admitting it, the company told us today...

I can wait.

[Dasilva]

Haha! Yeah, for some reason the only xbox & xbox 360 games are RPGs, every other type of game gets pretty old fast.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Well, I still have Splinter Cell: Double Agent to look forward to, and Rainbow Six: Vegas. Mass Effect and Bioshock don't come til next year, though.

But, whatever happened to Alan Wake?

[Dasilva]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

Well, I still have Splinter Cell: Double Agent to look forward to, and Rainbow Six: Vegas. Mass Effect and Bioshock don't come til next year, though.

But, whatever happened to Alan Wake?

For some reason I thought Just Cause & Alan Wake were the same game.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

WHAT?!!

Spazsilva

[Intrepid Homoludens]

I'm also awaiting Gears of War. I haven't played an all out gorefest in a long time.

[insane_cobra]

Alan Wake is still scheduled for next year, I think. Rare, Bizarre, Bungie and Tecmo are all rumored to be announcing new games at X06, and I believe it's due time we finaly learned something about Fallout 3, too.

[samIamsad]

Originally Posted by insane_cobra

I believe it's due time we finaly learned something about Fallout 3, too.

They better make it 2D, turn and hex based. Or else... Will Gothic3 come to the Box too this time? I'm sure enjoying myself in the second one right now. Wooooooh.

[insane_cobra]

Originally Posted by samIamsad

Will Gothic3 come to the Box too this time?

Nothing announced for now, those crazy Germons have always been so PC-centric.

Here, you'll understand this better than I do.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

crazy Germons

[samIamsad]

Heheh, doesn't look like it. Maybe they'll port in one day.. Oh man, wasn't this the most stylish game intro ever? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRohwBBmE5g The ending, the music, so cute.