Profile for Nick Ringer

Error message

Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /var/www/pied-piper.ermarian.net/includes/common.inc).

Recent posts

Pages

AuthorRecent posts
Skills and Levels in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #4
Parry does have a sound effect. It's pretty slight, like a blade scraping another.

quote:
Originally written by Randomizer:

Your way would result in powergaming where most people would concentrate on what is usally perceived as the more powerful skills that are currently separated.
You're probably right about that ... I just finished reading that month-old "Insidious Infiltrator" thread for Geneforge 4, and realize that powergamers aren't above downright raping a game.

Say the skills shouldn't be clumped together. As is, does it bother anyone that there are skills you can't spend Skill Points on (Vampiric Touch, Stealth)?

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
That's my baby! in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #19
I'd like to get my hands on the 3-D sprite for the old Shaper graphic. I bet it's just the robe colored black inside.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Skills and Levels in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #0
Okay, the Geneforge boards are a little quieter than I'd like, so I'm inciting discussion. I am of the opinion that Geneforge games (and the other Spiderweb RPG's if I'm not mistaken) have too many skills.

As of Geneforge 4, the skills are:
Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, EnduranceMelee Weapons, Missile Weapons, Quick Action, ParryBattle Magic, Mental Magic, Blessing Magic, SpellcraftFire Shaping, Battle Shaping, Magic Shaping, Healing CraftLeadership, Mechanics, LuckThat's nineteen. I'm not feeling very academic this summer, but I still think it's too many. Besides, the organization is strange. Healing Craft is under Shaping Skills, and General Skills include infiltrator stuff instead of Strength and Dexterity. I'm okay with all the resistances
I would do it more like Super Mario RPG. The best game for the SNES, by the way. I made a screenshot special for this thread:

IMAGE(http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3554/supermariorpgu00008jl7.png)

That's it. You level up, you get a little stronger, and you pick your specialization. Attack, endurance, or special attacks. Now Spiderweb games have a little more than three skills could cover, but if it were up to me (and I respect that it isn't) I'd dramatically bring down the number of skills. Might look a little more like this:
Strength (carrying capacity, weapon attack power)Speed (turn order, dodge chance)Dexterity (mechanics, stealth)Intelligence (leadership, diplomacy)Magic (includes healing magic)ShapingI don't expect most people would like that, reducing Shaping and Magic to single categories. But I think you can specialize within the skills by studying certain spells and creations. And screw Skill Points. Each level, you get 5, right? A lot of skills cost that much! By level 20 you have to save up for the ones you specialize in. I say give one skill upgrade per level, just like that. I guess my way doesn't leave much room for creativity though.
I also composed a list a while back that reorganized the skills a little for class specialization and changed subcategories. It looked like this:
Endurance (Hit point capacity. Protects you from poison.)Strength (Carrying capacity and damage in melee combat. Protects you from being stunned.)Intelligence (Essence and spell energy capacity. Protects you from mental attacks.)Dexterity (Chance of dodging an attack. Makes your blows more likely to hit. Helps you act sooner in combat.)Melee (Damage in melee combat and chance to hit with melee weapons.)Projectiles (Damage in projectile combat and chance to hit with ranged weapons.)Defense (Resistance to damage taken, especially in melee combat.)Casting (Ability to deal magical damage.)Blessing (Ability to bless and protect magically.)Charming (Ability to confuse enemies or magically loosen locks.)Influence (Aptitude in conversation. Opens better options.)Mechanics (Ability to operate, fix, and unlock things. Increases efficiency of living tools.)Stealth (Ability to go unnoticed. Makes stealing things easier.)Creation (Ability to Shape a Creation.)Infusion (Ability to infuse a Creation with essence.)Aura (Ability to control a Creation.)Crafting (Your ability to work with enhancements and forge. Improves effect of items.)Healing (Ability to heal and cure yourself and your allies.)Luck (Chance of certain events occurring. Helps in many special encounters.)I'm afraid I like both of my lists better than the existing one. Uh, granted, the descriptions rip off Geneforge. What do you think? This thread sure as hell won't change future games, but I'm curious nonetheless. I feel a little mean putting down . I'm particularly interested in the opinions of the jaded RPG players like Kel, Synergy, and D-Vlish.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
That's my baby! in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #17
Ugh, yep. That seems to be just it. All I needed was a gemstone. Jeweled Wand, would've been good.

I like this discussion that came of it though. Robes are imposing. And decorative. You look bad ass wearing a robe. The game is pretty accurate to the fact that they don't provide a ton of protection. They are enchanted as much as other equipment, I guess. You have to admit, they are an effective bluff for armor.

And the Shapers appear as such to everyone because they have characteristic robes. I think they're specified in the game to have an insignia and certain type of robes - Specifically that strange circley thing you see on the walls, and open, hooded robes

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
That's my baby! in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #9
I'm not taking credit either, you know. I'm aware that my thinking of an alchemist's name did not invoke Mr. Vogel to read my mind and steal my ideas.

I just finished the game for the first time, and I have several comments that I will append without thinking about it.

"Shapers are generally fond of ... snappy jackets" ?

I went for a blessing and battle magic-heavy rebel infiltrator, although my melee weapons skill ended up being really high. Anyway, I ended up using ice bolt on everything. All creations seem to be weak against ice. Glaahks and Wingbolts are especially resilient to everything except ice.

I only crafted one item, the purified leggings, essence-infused iron, and blood poison that give you a big melee weapons boost. I tried to make a wand of some kind with a spray crystal and perfect drayk scale, but it wouldn't work! I got the recipe somewhere like Shaftoe's or Eliza's barracks. I was unsure whether to use a stick or board, so I tried both. I couldn't do any two of the ingredients at once, either. Did I just make a mistake remembering what to put in? Spray crystal, perfect drayk scale, stick (or board). I don't even know what it was supposed to make.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
That's my baby! in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #6
Well I had just seen the screenshots when I posted that. Apparently, "infiltrator" doesn't mean anything new. I figured it would specialize in mechanics and stealth.

Anyway, here's another one ... Some characters are named after alchemists from what I can see: Tycho and Crowley, for instance. Now this idea I never put down where other people could see it, but Tycho was the main character's name in an RPG I was writing, and all the other characters were named after alchemists. D'oh! I think Crowley was just a town leader, but damn it he was in there. Other cool names include Agrippa, Aquinas, Dante, Adelard, Magnus ...

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
That's my baby! in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #0
So I haven't been on these boards for a while, but now that I come back to Geneforge 4, I see that it includes "Infiltrator" as a player class. That was my idea! I don't know if that's why Mr. Vogel used it - in fact, it's unlikely - but I'm thrilled that it was implemented!

I may be a little late asking ... Anyone else get what they want?

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Why? in General
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #21
Well-written.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Jeff on programming in General
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #15
I did Space Invaders AND Asteroids.

I like Jeff's writing style. Reading that article makes me want to go and work on something just for kicks.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Outrunning Trajkov in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #9
I meant visually. The Geneforge only looks cool in the original game.

And everyone's names are cooler in GF. Trajkov, Heustess, and Sencia to name a few. The characters are deeper. The language barrier is the best. The whole Sholai concept was a surprise to me. The giant side quests (the Spirit Temple and the Shaper Tombs) were the best. And the spells were simple and effective.

And the Drakons, with all due respect to Mr. Vogel, almost ruin the game for me. "Tyrannosaurs in F-15's" if you catch my drift.

The original Geneforge rules. Long live the Sholai.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Wishful thinking? in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #3
I think there should be a special victory for someone who kills everyone. There was sort of one in Geneforge 2 (Since all the factions were treasonous), in which you killed Zakary and Barzahl as punishment for abuse of Shaping, and you killed the rogues cause they're independent. So for Genforge 4 there should be an ending you can only get if you kill everything that moves.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Lord Raul Boat and Parade in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #8
quote:
Originally written by Spookee Salmon:

Dude!!!

The parade was the best cutscene ever! How did you mangle your game so as to not see it?

I bought that for at least 30 seconds.

Gazers are sort of like scary parade floats. Throw in a pair of Vlish and it's a carnival:
^ ^
You Alwan
Vlish Vlish
Gazer Gazer
Gazer Gazer


--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Outrunning Trajkov in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #4
Is it me or is the first game of the series the only one that makes the Genforge look cool?

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Lord Raul Boat and Parade in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #4
What's this parade? I don't remember any parade.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Future of Geneforge in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #30
Not directed at anyone in particular ... Generally, it won't make a difference. When you pick on someone's typos, it just reinforces that you're a cowardly, pugilistic idiot. I mean, do you expect to change the world if you yell at someone for not capitalizing "Shaper" or criticize their lack of paragraph breaks. Come on, if you can read it, no need to piss and moan about it.

Right. Back to the thread topic, how about a game that doesn't even bear the Geneforge title but is set in the same world? I'm talking something like, the origin of the Shapers. I mean, don't the games suggest -- or even explicity state -- that they've been around and in power for millenia? Maybe you should play an ancient peasant (albeit with promise) who has the chance to join the Shapers when they're a young sect, and as you progress through the game, the Shapers gain power over the common populace. I guess this WOULD have to be set on Sucia Island, since the Shapers' origins were there.

That gives me a more specific idea ... suppose your people are violently exiled from Terrestria (or whatever landmass neighbors Sucia) and you are sent adrift. Your fellow exiles take refuge on various islands, and you choose at the beginning who to go with.

One island might be really tough to settle (wildlife or existing, violent inhabitants), and the lot that goes there consists of hardened vagabonds and fighters. They'd have a good chance of taking revenge on those who exiled them.

Another island, I guess Sucia, would be all the educated and skilled folks trying to sequester themselves and study. They discover all those new powers, and there'd be a war with Heustess's people eventually (as described in Geneforge).

And then I guess there'd be a whacked-out religous cult that goes to a miserable, icy rock covered in mountain goats and decides to worship something there. And they'd have to be bent on sabotage of the Shapers' unholy studies, or something fanatical.

Eventually the islands would meet up or something. I mean, they can't be far -- in the Geneforge intro text, doesn't it mention that Sucia Island is one of a chain? Forgive me for dragging the island chain bit again.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
The Mod in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #8
All three games load all their images from one-byte-per-pixel bitmaps. That's 8-bit, in traditional terms, or 256 possible colors (2^8 being 256).

So far I've only "remastered" inanimate objects. Animation reels, I'll think about it. Anyhoo, I'll put up a screenie before long.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
The Mod in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #0
I'm making a graphical mod for Geneforge 3. It'll have a more cartoony look -- dark lines around most stuff, considerably less visually realistic. It might be a while, but I should eventually have a zip file you can drop straight into the data folder. Then you get the ridiculous new game experience. Up to you what you think of it. Everyone tell me what you think of the idea for now.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Geneforge 2 cheat help in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #21
What's the point of playing if you cheat?

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
G3 decison on who to join up with in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #10
Geneforge III was the first in the series that convinced me to remain loyal to the Shapers. It's the only time it seems "fair."

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
batta Gamma? in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #12
My whole computer screen glows.

Does it really bother you (plural, "ya'll") that a question is repeated? It's not like the Geneforge board is overflowing with new threads ...

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Geneforge 2 cheat help in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #18
To elaborate, I'm certain it's in a barrel and I'm fairly certain it's against the west wall of the southernmore room around where Eko Blade was. G'luck.

And yes, this is my first post in months.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Civil Unions disallowed in ACT in General
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #62
I see a lot of brilliant arguments here, things I'd never have dreamt of, things I could never put into words, and some obvious truths. I don't have much to say on the subject that hasn't been said here already.

However, one character did catch my eye ...

quote:
Originally written by a genius
I defy you to find any place in the constitution that says that there should be a seperation of church and state. Go ahead and look. It isn't there.
I thought this was a joke for a moment.
.
.
.
Then I saw the other things you had written.

Can't wait for your next post. Wish I could come up with little jewels like that one! Such a little son of gOD you are with your "infernal666hate" screen name and seventeen years of -- no doubt -- abstinence from sodomy (masturbation qualifying, gOD can see what you do under the sheets).

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
ADV Shaping (Battle Gamma & Co.) in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #64
I wouldn't want a puzzle per se, but I'd like to use some kind of sequence or simple arrangement to Shape. Although it'd suck if, at the beginning of the game you knew exactly how to create a Runed Battle Pi because you found it on the Internet.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
enchantment in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #11
Did you ever consider charging up armor that you intend to sell? It's a total loss of coinage, but hey. A few less times getting acid lanced to death is worth using some common powerup.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00
Why Did the People Die????!!!! Why!!!!!! in Geneforge Series
Shock Trooper
Member # 6754
Profile #19
Hannah may look unarmed, but she has a little knife.

--------------------
One of these words is mispelled.
Posts: 284 | Registered: Tuesday, January 31 2006 08:00

Pages