RPG:table and computerWritten by Efimov Peter
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Now let’s analyze what we have in computer RPG. From first look everyt5hing is just same-the game system, characters, game world. But all these things are already made, you can see picture with your eyes. Is it good or bad? It depends. By all means, it’s pleasant to see “visual” character, a charming landscape, fire from shots, etc. But your own brains don’t work any longer since there’s no necessity in it. Besides, we won’t see “our own world”. We perceive things as they should be from game developers’ point of view. Their way of perception becomes ours as well. You will never be able to see world with your own eyes and make character really yours, no matter how hard developers tried to improve game. Such a situation has two consequences: 1)Tragic one: your imagination is completely blocked and you don’t like others’ vision.( such a situation is typical for most of projects). 2)Pleasant one: some painters and designers create real masterpieces and we can’t but admire their world vision ( here you perfectly understand difference between your plain brains and a talented professional’s work). But are there many games like that in second point? Frankly speaking, I know only one-Fallout. And I appreciate not graphics but amazing style, exact place of every button, picture, character. Let’s also mention incontestable advantage of computer RPG. It deals with those calculations which make so many table RPG boring. Computer will calculate all fines, bonuses and character’s features in a flash. Strange as it may seem but computer games are based just on table systems and developers of former ones don’t aim to overcharge machines with numerous correlations and parameters. At last we’ve come to a very sensitive problem of computer RPG- opportunities provided in game. Sometimes playing RPG on computer you may suddenly want to act way not offered by plot of game. ( to look into hatch which is pictured on background or to take car you are not allowed to). I am sure that such things are familiar to every gamer. It’s great if plot and locations are well considered. And what if they are not ( as it happens more often)? We must admit that developers of computer games are constantly improving gamer’s opportunities in installed worlds. But if direction is not perfect, game turns into hard work and it makes player take advantage of all improvements (even if he is not willing to). Table RPG is another matter: action there is equal to one word, no talks linearity ( you can communicate with leader way you like), no plot linearity ( you can do what you like until you are killed). Full freedom of decisions and actions provided by table RPG will never be substituted by any perfect program. Here you can act as you like. Besides, standard of game can be easily changed. For example, I can tell you from my own experience that once I started game as a guard (pure RPG adventure) and finished as an emperor (RPG+tactics+strategy). That’s it. It’s for you to judge what is better. What and how to play is also for you. But I’d like to say (from my own experience again) that table RPG develop our brains while computer ones don’t. A friend of mine being an active table player suddenly began reading books( he didn’t use to do it since his childhood). He started to read not classical masterpieces or since fiction. That was fantasy. But anyway he began READING, and that’s point. Another my friend got used to computer and became a real fan and gamer. Now I constantly see black areas under his eyes and our communication is bothered by a turned on PC. Of course, these are separate examples and author must admit, he is addicted to computer RPG . But nevertheless it’s table RPG which gives us opportunity to communicate and improve. That ‘s what all author’s life experience tells about.P.S. I’m ready to an open discussion of topic. You are free to write your thoughts to me. By way, an interesting question: does anybody see opportunity to combine two kinds of RPG described above? What if there is golden mean? What if there is?
About the Author-Efimov Peter is a game designer of White Elephant, a great collection of shareware games. Please, visit his site www.elephant-games.com for only best games for you and your children!
| | Beat The Summer Heat - What Size A/C Should You BuyWritten by Donald Grummett
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Which is best room for placement of an air conditioner? Wherever it gives most comfort is where it should be installed. If you only have one air conditioner then we usually suggest bedroom. This is because most people find that if they can sleep comfortably during a hot summer night then their next days work will be a lot easier. Getting through a hot day at work becomes a lot easier when you know you will sleep comfortably that night. Some people do not like a cool sleeping environment so they will tend to place it in a living room or family room. Or some people will place it in family room because whole family can sleep there. Get out sleeping bags and turn it into an adventure for young ones. Beats waking up in morning to find a dog, cat, and four kids in bed with you. Also window air conditioner can be noisy, which may disturb sleep. Others find drone of fan actually promotes sleep because all neighbourhood noises are drowned out. Some people say air conditioner works as well as a sleeping pill But whichever room you eventually pick don’t expect impossible from you’re A/C. It is not meant to cool more than one room or one open area. Air conditioners will not cool other rooms? This is because blower in a window air conditioner is not very powerful. It is sized to cool one open area, not a number of interconnected rooms. Therefore once again a couple of smaller units may be better for your home than one large unit. Lastly, remember to properly secure air conditioner in window. Once installed a piece of wood to stop window from being lifted up is a good idea. If you have wooden sills simple addition of a wood screw at top of raised window (the one you had to raise to install A/C) will only take a minute. Otherwise an intruder could gain access to house by lifting window and letting A/C fall out. This could result in loss of both your valuables and air conditioner.
Copyright 2005 by Donald Grummett. All right reserved. Service manager of MG Appliance Repair Services in Ottawa, Canada. In the trade over 30 years as a technician, business owner, and technical trainer. For more information about appliances including FAQ, Stain guide, Recycling, and Newsletter visit http://www.mgservices.ca
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