RPG:table and computerWritten by Efimov Peter
RPG: table and computerIt’s not a secret that table RPG games are not so popular as they used to be. However a certain number of amateurs are still fond of them. What is so particular about a pasteboard box or a book with rules? It seems that all advantages have their ” younger computer brothers”: no manual calculations, no bricks ( number of which is from one to almost 20). In general, no additional efforts are needed- just relax, play and don’t worry. But nothing of kind- groups of maniacs with burning eyes run to special shop( if there is any), buy another book, and having met in some dark place in evening, start to crunch with pens and tinkle dice. Why are these poor things so attracted by this desperately ancient way of entertainment? Let’s try to answer this question by displaying most similar and different features of table and computer RPG. Firstly, any RPG is a Role Paying Game, which is supposed to have a character, and a system of his development. This feature is typical for both “brothers”. The character as player’s realization in created RPG world is very important. Your playing capabilities depend on his features. Secondly, any decent RPG is based on some world (sometimes, realistic but more often-fantastic one). The depth of world ( The card details, atmosphere entirety, detailed development of world components) and , so to say, mood (optimistic and colorful or destructive and gloomy, funny or extremely rigid, strict),- all this taken together defines audience of game. These two points have a great meaning, they allow player to associate himself with a certain character and being in his shoes to go through situations which are impossible in ordinary life. All this is very good but let’s return to our muttons: to difference between computer and table RPG. Probably, trite comparison of books and films will be to place here. The former make us use our brains and imagination, latter give us everything ready-made. The peculiarity of table RPG, its strong and at same time weak point is hope for player’s imagination.. In classical table RPG you’ll find a text, some illustrations and… all rest you should imagine yourself. It’s true, that during gaming process everything depends on leader (Dungeon Master, Game Master, etc.) and on players. The leader explains situation, describes characters and events orally (yes, he does it with help of words!!!) and players perceive this information judging from their abilities. What are advantages of such a game play? They are quite evident: everyone perceives game in his own way (with help of his imagination), but at same time, if game is rather good, a special “field” of common perception and mood is formed. It’s not an allegation as author has great experience of playing table RPG and so he knows all ins and outs. When game has a success, players seem to be in same “information field” and sometimes they don’t even perceive events in real life. It’s just like reading a thrilling book. But sometimes such beauty turns into a terrible thing. What is so horrible about it? The trouble is, game may be a complete failure if it’s leaded by a talentless and not very experienced master, or if players turn out to be so-so (that is less critical). In such a case game fails no matter how beautiful original RPG world is. Everything gets wrong when after each word master utters: ”well, eh, oh…” and it takes players 10 minutes to think over each further act. The game reaches a deadlock, a perfect illusion is breaking into small pieces of separate sentences. I must admit, sometimes it’s all RPG developers ‘fault that such failures take place, especially when rules of game aren’t logical or overcharged with unnecessary details. May fans forgive me, but last time author had to play AD&D, there was such a situation: -Player:” I want to kill that Gobline!” -Master: ”throw dice for marksmanship. Uph, you shoot in darkness-that means, fine should be taken into account. Well.. have you got bonus? Aha…I’ll find it, wait a bit… Oh… throw these three bricks on D-20,…Hmmm…where is that table? OK, we are going to count all damages and take into account his armor and spell and that’s all!” I don’t say everything was exactly so, but on whole-just way I described. What absorption into fantastic world can we talk about if you have to remember 20 figures and throw dice dozen times for each act! But not all table games have such a disadvantage. Besides, we may ignore too “hard” rules.
| | Beat The Summer Heat - What Size A/C Should You BuyWritten by Donald Grummett
Beat summer heat - what size A/C do I needWhat size air conditioner do I need? A larger air conditioner will not always provide more cooling. It should be sized for room area. If properly sized it should operate long enough to remove moisture from air. It is moisture removed from room which actually produces feeling of cooling. Unfortunately many people in their rush to purchase a window air conditioner buy too large a model. Too large a unit can actually provide less cooling than a smaller, properly sized unit. This is because with an oversized air conditioner its run time is too short. Consequently it does not remove enough moisture from room to produce a feeling of comfort. If you’re A/C seems to cycle off and then back on every few minutes and does a poor job of cooling, it is probably oversized for room. Air conditioners are rated in BTU’s. British Thermal Units are a measurement of how much heat is being transferred form room being cooled to where heat is dumped out of doors. This is why cooing coil inside room is cool to touch, while part that hangs outside is extremely hot. A window air conditioner used in average household room can be as low as 4000 BTU. While 5000, 6000, and 8000 are most common sizes purchased. How do I determine what size A/C I need? Following is a basic sizing chart for calculating window air conditioner needed for a room. Calculate size of room by multiplying width of room by length of room. Use your room size to determine what BTU's are required to cool that particular room size. room in sq ft--------room in sq m----------A/C size in BTU's 100–250.................9–23...................5000–6000 250–400................23–37...................6000–8500 400–550................37–51...................8000–11000 550–875................51–811..................1000–15000 Based on a room occupied by two adults, having an average insulation, number of windows, and sun exposure.
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