Sunday, 9 July 2023

New, old, same'ol....

With the Steam Summer sale on I've been questioning why some games are still on my wish-list.
Hope of a good game I guess.....
 
Company of Heroes 3 - A fully released game that according to players is more of an Alpha than it should be. Even with the Steam -10% sale(standard €53.99 to Premium 71.99 editions) for it, it's still a pricey game given it's 'condition'.
 
Boundary - A game that has a lot of potential and great gameplay in it Alpha 'condition'(so they say); Seems to be brought down by what players are calling 'blatant cheaters'. Until that issue is cleared up the game will stay on the Wish-list.





Sims 4....

I get the gameplay, I get why I should be into it more than I am; I get why my wife's into it(with her nostalgia for 3 etc) and I get it even more if players don't really play other games..... 


There are so many options/dlc's and so much content that it's too much to even keep caught up on(Sims 4 playlist on LGR).
It's just not a game I can really put the time into to get the most out of. Sounds like a lame excuse. I have so many other games that are time-sinks. I get more form the likes of Cities Skylines and Two Point Hospital.... 
 
Sims 4 is just not for me.. At least I tried.





World of Warcraft....

No gameplay in the last week but the information on upcoming content is interesting. Interesting to see the new changes; But none of which make me want to play or at least pay to play(good as some of the new patch content will be). 


It all sounds good. Time Rifts(Public events) killing dragons on the wrong side of the quests. Whelp Daycare dailies cos not all dragons are bad(I'm sure it will be suitably 'adorable'). New Evoker Spec(which reminds me I've not done a thing on any Evoker spec). Kalimdor Cup (Dragon Riding in the old world(whats not to like)).
 
My wife's subscription is open to me when she isn't using it so there is that...... Who knows what content will be interacted with!
 
The Warlock updates to improve and enhance playable races/pets and customizations are the most interesting to me. Really, really interesting. Good thing I leveling up my wife's lock just in time.... 
Now I get to keep reminding her about her new lock and the new things she can do..... 
I'm sure it wont' take too long till she points me towards my own warlock; That if  X is so good then why am I not playing it myself  'discussion loop'.





Star Citizen....

A game that's as much a time sink as Eve Online in regard to trying to organize and enact group content(in game and out). That said I have no motivation to endure it's quirks. Weather that content is worth it is another thing. Of course I'm gonna complain about stuff that's not fully working....
 
As I've said before the game is not a game, it's a development platform/test-bed with an idealized far off in the distance dream future of what it 'could' be.....
 
Although I have waffled on about it in the past. I do find it hard to talk about this as it's been in development soaking up so much cash, time, yet delivered nothing...... 
 
I keep saying it's cash-flow is half a billion but I was reading the other day that it's closer to 800 Million. Even in it's current 'state' it still takes in over 120,000 cash a day! That's a lot of players looking for a lot of promise. No wonder I'm sarcastic/condescending and skeptical with. Is it an investment bubble, in it's own bubble maybe? Will it deliver or crash and burn in a bankruptcy as a woopsie. Either way I think it's safe to say for me and my friend the bubble burst a long time ago.


The Foundation Festival is on in game.... Free try/fly is on; I have no motivation as I can't be bothered to try and fly what I have already never mind anything else.
 
It's not as shiny in person as it's promotional art shows.....

Given the nature of the 'game' and it's 'mechanics' I'm really struggling with what is being talked bout as 'gameplay'. Maybe it was the time of day but there was only 6 streams I could see for it on Twitch yesterday. Of those 6, 4 were talking heads theorizing concepts, 1 was an afk cockpit with no activity and the other was a ground mission that was confusing even for the group streaming it. In my view all things that could have been done better in other games....

Squadron 42; It's still out there, make of it what you will....






Eve Online....

Another week where my only 'gameplay' was peripheral viewing of login's at best.
 
So that said I'm gonna waffle about non game 'things', who know if it'll make sense.

There was a gut spill of information last Friday about the new Collectors Edition items which has me confused and wondering about it all.


Confused that it's so racially specific for a general collection. It's items all seem leaned towards the Gallente race; And I'm wondering why about pretty much all of the items inclusion(not the art, art is art). 
CCP being CCP I can't wait to hear that the new collectors edition has outsold the first in it's first year of sales. I'm also sure it'll be resold and resold and resold at every opportunity(tweaks/changes included). 

"   PLEASE NOTE: There is no purchase limit on this item. This item is currently in manufacturing and artwork is subject to change. Products are typically not expected to ship until 8-9 months after the preorder window closes. Future production updates will be visible on the product page and your account page. All orders are considered final and can not be canceled.   "
Artwork subject to change? Does that mean the promotional artwork or the actual artwork items in the collectors edition? Probably both.

I don't think it will come as any galloping surprise that I have neither faith nor trust in CCP's word in or out of game so I question everything with sarcasm and condescension.


The collectors edition seems to me to have a lot of items that CCP thinks players will want. I have many doubts about that. Some are good but as a whole they do not, at least to me, justify the entire 'edition'.

Overall (to me) this collectors edition is so very 'Meh'. There's nothing special about it except for the art prints. More that they are somewhat unique than that I actually want them. Then again given the  "PLEASE NOTE: " disclaimer they 'may' be a changeable 'thing'; Which is not that a 'collector' wants to hear. Besides, that there are only cosmetic ship skins is a 'little' disappointing.

Lets see what else it says... 


PRODUCT DETAILS
EVE 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition - Game Not included

PRE-ORDERS CLOSE ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 AT 11:59 PM EASTERN TIME.

EVE 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR'S EDITION INCLUDES:

Deluxe 8" Megathron Ship Model  
6" Fedo Plushie
Megathron Art Print by Lloyd George
Premium Blueprint Poster
The New Eden Soundtrack CD
20th Anniversary Enamel Pin
Empire Emblem Pin Set
Signed Certificate of Authenticity

Digital Content

Exclusive Megathron SKIN designed by T'Amber
Two new exclusive SKINS
Set of Genolution Implants 
Five SOCT ships
Metamorphosis BPC - run of 3

PLEASE NOTE: There is no purchase limit on this item. This item is currently in manufacturing and artwork is subject to change. Products are typically not expected to ship until 8-9 months after the preorder window closes. Future production updates will be visible on the product page and your account page. All orders are considered final and can not be canceled.


At least the Megathron is a somewhat iconic ship(some self nostalgia fomr CCP? Not as iconic as a Rifter imho). Not my favorite ship in or out of game and had I been 'interested' in this collection and seen the model I'd be 'meh' about it's inclusion. More than likely it would have stayed in the box as I don't have room for it, and am not into it, so not gonna make room for it just for the sake of it. I don't even think I've ever used the ship in game for anything(incursion fleet that never happened maybe).
Safe to say this new edition is not for me. Nothing in it is screaming 'buy me'.

Rifter good, Yoda says......

A Fedo Plushie is also 'meh' to me but I've said more on that last week.
Megathron art poster is nice I'm sure but again it's specifically not for me. Something I'd place inside the art book of the previous collectors edition.
Soundtrack is fine, does not say it's special or live right? But it's not like I can't get the music a million other ways.
Enamel pins for the empires and the 20 anniversary pin are fine;  Again, not that I'd use them, but 'grand'(as in 'OK'). There are ways to show them on a shelf....
In game Skins are 'good' as an in game item but do not give any feel of 'special' like a gold skin pod. If you get my drift.
Genolution implants set. Generic 'Meh' in game items that've been seen/given away a lot before. Far from unique. Surprising they didn't also give the Genolution suits/goggles as well.
A set of the SOCT ships in game. Also specially generic, so very very specially generic as they were given away as seasonal/event gifts(even the new one).
A SOCT Metamorphosis 3 run blueprint copy(yea the new one), The newest and more special of the SoCT ships, pity it was given away with the anniversary already(here's what the players say). More to sell in game for the owner than anything else. So not like it's 'exclusive' or unique'.


As CCP can't make even a hit at keeping a promise the thoughts of getting anything for the future of any upcoming game never mind Eve itself is a no, no. Nothing regarding the new FPS, no new mobile item etc etc etc.... No not the new mobile game the older mobile game; I suppose the less said about Echoes the better(bottom of this post)....

Overall this new collectors edition is so specifically generic it's off-putting. It's typical CCP, a collection of 'stuff' to sell as if it was special; So that it can be churned out and sold, sold, sold. Harsh but true. Great for anyone out there who wants it and a duplicate; For a price. 
 
So not worth it in my view. Not like the last one(it had promise).One moment as I gaze into the sky with a far off look in my eye and whisper "......mystery code......"


What really gets to me is that this new collectors edition is so very non-essential to play the game.
Overall from that angle why would you bother! Good as Tamber's SKIN designing is! The art overall and ships skin designs are the best parts but not a game-play essential must have reason for buying.
 

I guess this edition is such a climb-down from the first edition that's more telling.

Some sort of collectors edition including special in game items may be a stretch too far. How bad is that!
But what's in CCP's power to 'copper fasten' the hardcore playerbase. Lets take a 'helicopter view' and see what alternative would have been good imho. 
Free game time and/or a discount code that can be applied to an account for in-game time/items. Every player would want that alone!
Generic racial/eve branded items(special/4 race emblems) merch items. All things to all players. Such as the already in their online merch store CONCORD Key Ring, Eve Mug, 20TH Anniversary Mug(for you know the event and the year that's in it!). Items that are useful and appealing to the majority.
Eve Online books.... Like Frigates of Eve Online. Items of actual interest to a collector.
Throw in some art like the Megathron Art Print by Lloyd George. Including the SKINs designed by T'Amber; As well as The New Eden Soundtrack CD
A few tweaks and it's not hard to appeal to more, for it to 'be' more.


Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway as I've no hope of CCP 'making good' on the original collectors edition 'mystery code', I'm ever so slightly biased against CCP....... Just saying in case you've not picked up on that. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more.

Yea the new 20th edition (imho) was made for mass production to sell with a promotional hint of 'it's special'. There are some good elements but it's a poor second to what the first's promise. 
 
Ssssssstrrrrrrriiiiiiiike two.





PowerWash Simulator....

I've played very, very little of the next map.... That white nozzle is a game-play killer.... But that achi is there..... So it will be done..... Slowly..... So very slowly.
 
 
There were issues with the last update but thankfully I was not effected.


Seeing the latest iteration of the roadmap with my thoughts since the previous one has me very 'meh' about all the games forthcoming content. 
 
 
If it's free and it's good then great, I'll play it but otherwise 'meh'. If it's paid it'll have to really be something for me to pay. More than likely I'll wait a year or two and pick up all the dlc for dirt cheap(pun eh eh...). I've paid for the game and I won't feel guilty(said like a true consumer).







Plan B: Terraform...

A new game bought with the summer sale. One game leaves(Sims 4), one game enters..... 


Given it's essentially a complete game(more than some others); Granted in early access one but very playable.... A game that should tick all the boxed in a Sim City logistical kind of way but there's something that has kept me form buying into it. Till now. I don't know why I was so torn about it. I'm into transport/logistic/city builder games! Mini Metro/Mini Motorways/Cities Skylines....  But better late than never. 

Because fun is fun I've sunk a lot of time into this game by just doing it..... A game all about it's processes. A true management sim. It even has diminishing resources; I'm sure late game will be an overload of keeping track of things


It's extremely min/max orientated. It's in Alpha and I'm sure it's gonna get a lot of quality of life improvements. It's developed by a single dev so slack on a number of things needs to be cut; But from what I've played and seen it's got a lot of potential and is heading in the right directions(pun intended?). 





Dave the Diver....

Another new game bought with the summer sale. 
 
Art, music, game mechanics are all great. It's such a crossover of styles blended together yet it's appealing in together; A lot of fun to play. Adventure and run a sushi bar, who knew!
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
The game also got my nostalgia going. The last time I checked on the Johnny Castaway screensaver was a good few years ago. Back then the issue was with Windows versions and it not running on 64 bit systems. Thankfully there have been many fans who have put together an installer to run it under dos-box.... Johnny lives again!





Warhammer 40,000 Boltgun....

Shoot detonate and power sword enemies, rinse and repeat. Good gameplay is good gamepaly.


A game that's got cult following(pun or heresy?); But I find the comments from the haters of the game oddly amusing. They go into so much depth on why they think how they think. 
The games just not that complicated a game.... Complaints of poor level design from people who probably complain about too much hand-holding in other games. As if my or anyone else's critique matters; See gameplay online(twitch, youtube), if your into it your into it and play it for yourself.


The last week has seen a nice patch deployed. Always good to see improvements regarding bugs and Quality of life improvements etc.

 
 
 
 

Darkest Dungeon....

So things are slightly better than they have been. Not to jinx it even further but I'm somewhat 'happy' with how it's gone to this point. Talk about a roller-coaster. 
 
 
There's still been plenty of lower level hero loss(I guess in a good way); It's enabled me to do other things. All the while improving the 'better' heroes. I've still been able to level up some mid level heroes(lever 3's and 4's). As well as to finish the last of the standard town upgrades.


I'd say it's coming together but that'll just jinx it! 
 
I've also cleared up a lot more of the issues that some heroes have had.... Not all but a lot. I'm not locking in positive quirks. Controversial I know and I'm probably being a glutton for punioshment. That said I could call my roster 'good' but that might be going too far. 

With all going well(well enough) I've gained more trinkets heirlooms and gold. Again at the expense of 'lost' or 'discharged' lower level heroes. Cannon fodder is cannon fodder.


Given that this is the easiest mode I'm a bit taken aback at how it seems to be harder than my previous more difficult runs in the game. Luck really does make or break a run no matter the difficulty setting is I guess. So the thoughts of getting into the Darkest Dungeon proper never mind Crimson Court or The Farm grind this run are a little daunting..... A real feeling of a grind ahead. I've not felt that since first getting into the game. 

Before all that I still need to defeat some mini-bosses like the Shambler, Hamlet invasions etc..... Ongoing progress is ongoing, for now.






Star Trek Online....

Overthinking, it's what I do(sometimes/oftentimes); But I'm also a creature of habit. So it's no wonder that I hop on a character and do dailies and potter less and less. The bigger problem is to do with the new content. There is so little new content to work on. It's no wonder I've taken up the Xbox version as well. I do like the game but a long time player like myself can only repeat so much of the same content 10th time round. At least with events there is an activity with a reward and an end goal(an end in sight so to speak). Longterm this is more reward 'Fear Of Missing Out' than activity for enjoyment. At least for me these days. Player perspective I guess.  

With the changes to bring advanced consoles to the game and my own meager actions to interact with those changes; I'm left with the thoughts that I don't need to change any of my characters ships or chase after those consoles.
The preferred and currently most expensive advanced console is the 'Isomag'(Isomagnetic Engineering console). As those consoles are akin to the current Fleet Spire advanced consoles(for stats); And that the re-engineering/upgrade costs to a player are less for spire consoles (imho) than doing so on the newer advanced engineering console(due to their sheer RNG involved in re-engineering)..... I'm sticking to not using them but also not using spire consoles either!
In my mind being good enough to solo Elite content to get items to be able to solo elite content is like a self fulfilling prophecy. An eternal loop that I don't need. Pushing that stone up a hill, to be able to push another stone up that hill isn't gameplay for me. As I've said many times I'm not a min/maxer.
I'm sure other players can understand a player like me using a ship thematically with a character to match even if there's a lack of min/max...... Each to their own fun right?
 
 
I know I 'go on' a bit much when I see a player in a shiny expensive ship and they bring no DPS to the table. I do have expectations of players having some ability other than exploding.... 
I'm a casual player. Having ships setup as such that perform really well in advanced are more than enough for my game-play content. I'm not chasing to min/max the most DPS that can be used. Good luck to those that do. Ditto to those that spend cash on the game for ships they can't fit never mind use.
There seems to be a lot of those players. Their explosions firework the sky's. Pick up groups show this all too well. My own form of leetism when I see players with more cash than knowledge. Each most definitely to their own.

Likewise I'm in STO too deep to stop. Not financially but time and effort wise. MMO's are MMO's!

Getting too used to my own ways while also trying to somewhat mimic the 'in things' leads to a lot of good and bad crossover of knowledge and habits. It's refreshing to see a new 101 for ships fits/Boff setup etc. To try and keep informed without loosing sight of what actually works. Fun is fun but a little efficiency helps. It's not the only video like it but recently I saw this one from MC Stu.

A recent outsider view of a game can be a good refresher as well; Here's one I found informative.


So anyway I've been doing events and it's been more of the same habit on Xbox and PC. I like the summer event but am not fully engaged with it's content this year.

On Xbox the other event(Looming Threats) has 4 days left(time of writing) to grind extra reward Dil. Being so far in it's deployment it's lost a lot of effective players(not that there were many of those to start with in such randoms from my experience).
 
 
Why push forward with objectives when you can kill everything in sight just to then go back and do the objectives...
From a World of Warcarft player perspective the current 'looming' event TFO is akin to WoW players in a dungeon or raid killing every single trash mob then going back to take the next boss.
It's annoying and it grinds my gears. I'll wait here at the end for ye.... Gooooooo 'team'!

 
I've long since given up trying(doing as much as I can). I'll do my part and wait for the 'team' to catch up. Waiting and waiting and waiting till they catch up is irksome in its own right butI'm no educator.... I just waffle on the internet! It's bad when I can go do and complete a TFO on PC as I wait for the Xbox TFO team.
I'm 99% sure that 99% of the players in such a TFO are doing the optional's not because they are needed but because they only understand face-rolling the keyboard in spaceship go pewpew ways. 
It's a pick up group of randoms; Of course it's worth complaining about.
STO can be such a mixed bag with regard to player interactions but this TFO has long since taken the biscuit.
 




If I wasn't into the game I'd not be on it on two platforms; Never mind waffle so much about it online.





Planet Crafter....

The more I thought about it the more I knew I had to 'get into' drones; And because of that the trading. 
 
Me being me and my save having more than enough resources I did it in a tad bit of a convoluted, excessive way.

I doubled up on current resource gathering to make Pulsar Crystals and cloth. So extra, mineral specific miners beside what I already had active. 25 new drones moving those extracted minerals to storage and Two autocrafters to make the crystals(drones to move to trade rocker). Upgraded to T2 drones once I had both the token(cash) and upgrade materials. I was surprised its worked out so well. 
The game can be a bit glitchy with drone activity; But saving and reloading seems to solve all.
 


 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 
 
That is a lot of new storage! 


 
This latter part of the trading is the real grind as so much currency is needed. Thankfully I've been able to leave the game running, letting all the automated processes run; checking back only to cast an eye and allow my character to eat and drink. Still it's gonna be a while to do.
 
It may be coincidence but after purchasing the blueprints there is usually an asteroid event which lands a bunch of crates. These crated have had higher end items and a good bit of cash to loot. Unfortunately I don't think it is a random event and so is tied to the blueprint chip purchase.
 

The new large habitat module is huge. Too big to redo all my previous modules.... Never say never.
 
 
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