#i mean x-wing the game is playable?

[broken-clover]

One (Semi-obscure) Fact About Every Guilty Gear Character

I like trivia. And I like Guilty Gear. Being a series that’s been around for the better part of two decades, it’s only natural there’s some details that are less known about. So I wanted to make a silly little compilation about that, inspired by ‘One Obscure Fact About Every Total Drama Character’ by voiceunderthecovers on Youtube. 

As the title suggests, I also specifically did my best to pull out facts that may be less known even to fans of the series, so ideally there’s no ‘Sol is based on Freddie Mercury’-tier stuff here. I tried to find something interesting for everyone!

Characters are listed in order of their first playable games

Missing Link

Sol Badguy- Sol was originally meant to be voiced by actor Koichi Yamadera rather than developer Daisuke Ishiwatari, but given the developer's budget at the time, he would have been too expensive to afford

Ky Kiske- While Ky has been consistently voiced by Takeshi Kusao for the entire series' run in Japanese, he has been given a different voice actor for every dubbed game for both the English and Korean versions. This means that Ky has had seven official voice actors in total, making him among the highest of the cast alongside Testament

May- May is one of only a few characters in the series to have a tattoo, and only one of two where it is not implied or indicated to be magical in some way, alongside Potemkin's barcode

Potemkin- Several of Potemkin's moves across games reference Hinduism. Strive's 'Garuda Impact' is named after a birdlike demigod that acts as a mount for Vishnu, while Xrd SIGN's 'Trishula' is named for a divine trident-like weapon wielded by the god Shiva

Chipp Zanuff- According to prototype and side materials, Chipp is 22 years old as of Missing Link.

Faust- Possibly to go along with his nature of being a doctor with the desire to treat anyone he comes across, Faust's blood type is O, the universal donor

Axl Low- Axl claims the specific date he desired to return to was May 14, 1998. This is the same date that Missing Link was released in Japan

Millia Rage- According to her Xrd SIGN story mode, Millia's favorite flower is the Easter Lily

Zato-1- Based on his abduction dialogue in Strive, Zato believes in aliens

Kliff Undersn- Despite being removed from the Wii version of XX Accent Core, along with Justice, both their names and endings remain in the game's code. They also both contain original art that had never been used up to that point

Testament- The twin demons that Testament summons in Strive are the same singular familiar they possessed in prior games, simply named ‘Succubus,’ possibly split into two entities similarly to Ramlethal's familiar Lucifero

Justice- In Missing Link, Justice was voiced by Arc System employee Takuya Morito, who also voiced Chipp

Baiken- Baiken was initially a difficult character to include in the series, as due to being an amputee, it brought up issues with compliance standards at the time

X

Anji Mito- one of his aliases, Hirasawa, was actually planned to be his name during the start of X's development

Venom- During the winpose where he spins his cue, it is able to interact with any remaining balls that are still set up nearby

Johnny- Johnny is implied to have a close history with Gig, the main antagonist of the DS spinoff game Guilty Gear Dust Strikers

Jam Kuradoberi- In Blazblue, Litchi Faye-Ling's theme 'Oriental Flower' is a remix of her X theme, 'Babel Nose'

Dizzy- In the Guilty Gear XX Burst Encyclopedia, full-bodied sketch concepts exist for her wing entities, Necro and Undine. It is unknown currently if the designs were ever meant to be implemented into the game or if they were simply unused concepts

XX

Bridget- Bridget’s usage of a yo-yo as a weapon was inspired by a world-class yo-yoer that Daisuke Ishiwatari knew during the development of XX

Slayer- In SIGN, Slayer is shown to be able to control his limbs even after being severed

Zappa- In his Accent Core character art, Zappa is drawn with six fingers on his right hand. This has never appeared before or since, and is likely just an error. However, in some circles, six fingered-hands are viewed as spiritually significant

I-no- Her main guitar weapon, 'Marlene,' closely resembles the real-life Starplayer TV model manufactured by German company Duesenberg. One of her design inspirations, Sheena Ringo, owned a similar guitar, which she referred to as 'Dietrich.' Collectively, both may be a reference to German actress Marlene Dietrich

Robo-Ky- In #Reload, Robo-Ky is unique in that he has two separate standard match themes, with a day version and a night version depending on what round is occurring

Overture

Sin Kiske- In all of his playable appearances, Sin has never been depicted wearing socks

Izuna- Despite often being assumed to be a kitsune due to his foxlike ears, it is implied through his story in the Overture Original Material Collection that Izuna is actually a tsukumogami made from a hairpin

Dr. Paradigm- Prior to Strive bringing back several actors from SIGN, Paradigm was the only character to have a consistent dub voice, retaining the same actor in SIGN that he did in Overture

Raven- The portraits used for his non-playable appearance in XX are traced from the illustrations used in the side novel Lightning the Argent

Xrd

Bedman- He shares his voice actor with the character Marth from the Fire Emblem series in both his original Japanese and English dub voices, Hikaru Midorikawa and Yuri Lowenthal respectively

Ramlethal Valentine- Ramlethal is the only Xrd Valentine to not be associated with a holiday

Elphelt Valentine- Elphelt is the only playable female character depicted wearing earrings. There are more playable men in Guilty Gear that wear them than women.

Leo Whitefang- The PS3 console version of Xrd SIGN contains unused prototype art for an alternative version of Leo's character portrait

Jack-O Valentine- Similarly to Elphelt and Ramlethal, Jack-O is mechanically unusual as a character, in her case due to her servant-summoning mechanic. It is often believed that this is a reference to the tower-defense style gameplay of Overture, where the original Valentine appeared.

Kum Haehyun- Haehyun only speaks with her own voice during her outro animation. All of her other dialogue is spoken through her mech

Answer- Possibly as a way of properly proportioning the third lens of his glasses, Answer's model contains a second nose above the first. This was left in place and simply made invisible rather than be removed in the final version

STRIVE

Nagoriyuki- Though he was teased in the very first trailer for Guilty Gear Strive at EVO 2019, he remained unnamed for almost a year until his official trailer was released along with Leo’s in July 2020

Giovanna- Despite it being her debut game, across the entire script of Strive's story mode, Giovanna only has 22 lines of spoken dialogue, totaling 157 words overall. For reference, Sol speaks more than that during his first 10 lines

Goldlewis Dickinson- Along with Bridget, Delilah, and the Valentines, Goldlewis is one of the few characters who canonically has a sibling

Happy Chaos- In Baiken's Strive DLC trailer, an error occurs near the beginning where during a brief pan along the character's name, a trait consistent along all of the Seaon 1 DLC trailers, it erroneously reads as 'Happy Chaos' rather than 'Baiken.' It is unknown how this mistake occurred or made it to the final version, though it was fixed by the next installment, as Testament's trailer lacks this error

Delilah- Her English voice actor, Jessica DiCicco, voiced another adolescent telekinetic, Franke Athens, in the cult classic game Psychonauts

That Man- With his full name being given as Asuka R. Kreutz, he is one of only two characters to be given a middle initial, alongside Bedman

#i spent way too much time on this #I'm not sure how I feel #I'm just hoping to god I didn't fuck up on a bunch of these #I tried to do my research #guilty gear #everyone #OP back on her bullshit

[catsplain]

THE GROUP

Very few coed groups can touch IDOLMAKER in fame, concept ambition and of course, number! Set under the managment of MBN Entertainment and japanese game developing studio FURTA since their conception in 2016, IDOLMAKER is a franchise like no other, setting their ever expanding roster of K-Pop Idols to voice act playable chracters in their sci-fi asymmetrical multiplayer survival game, Crewmaker Battle Universe. If that doesn't already make them unique enough, the group functions under a voting system, meaning comeback lineups and asthetics get voted on by their fans, MAXIs, via their official website.

IDOLMAKER, often shortned to IDMK, defies all odds and rumors of there being no such thing as healthy competition: united like a true dream team, with some people having ties going deeper then blood amongst them, they know that while stuck inside of a trancherous money empire like MBN, all they can really do is watch each other's backs and pray for the worse won't get them.

THE MEMBERS.

1st Gen - i. Yoo Eunhyuk. / ii. Jung Eunyoung. / iii. Hong Seunggi. / iv. Baek Yoojin; 2nd Gen - v. Yuthakon 'Ring' Chaiprasit. / vi. Lee Gayoung. / vii. Yang Taehyeon. / viii. Grace Elizabeth Lao; 3rd Gen - ix. Kim Hosung. / x. Kwon Dabin. / xi. Jeon Jeonghun. / xii. Cho Yejung. / 4th Gen - xiii. Im Daewon. / xiv. Yoneno Tomomi. / xv. Chuya Yuzuriha. / xvi. Nakashima Kina; 5th Gen - xvii. Kim Ilseong. / xviii. Julia Lee, Lee Haseon. / xix. Jang Wookjin. / xx. Tabitha Choi.

THE CONNECTIONS

LOOPiN - Colleges: While the bubblying romance between Seungsoo and Gayoung is what brings the two groups together, the friendship and music exchange between LOOPiN and IDMK is what keeps them all together. Seeing Dylan's growing necessity for friends outside of his band, Ring and Tabitha attempt to take him under their partying set of wings, not without it's fair share of complications. In order to get back on the good graces of his fleeting, long distance situationship with former Boy Of The Week member Kohei, Daewon attempts to reunite him with Haruki, his good pre-debut friend, as well as get to the bottom of who sabotaged him out of the project back on the day, and why.

NIGHT CHILD / NTCD - Rivals: With IDOLMAKER's company being a subsidiary of MBN, they've had one too many sour encounters with NTCD. Yongho has the nasty habit of never letting Seunggi, IDMK's main rapper and his once boyfriend, take a step without his consent now that they're reunited; Hyunbin's obsession on pursing Tomomi has tired her and every single one for her members beyond cooling down; Josh's rising influence over the innerworkings of the company reminds Hosung too much of his deceased and despised brother.

MBN'S GOLDEN AGE SENIORS (EXTENTH & SUNDATE) - Rivals: A misguided game of 'Senior Romance Speedrun' with the founding groups of MBN, EXTENTH and SUNDATE, has left the majority of the IDOLMAKER members heartbroken, embarrassed and more importantly, pissed off. Still, Julia ignores the years of historical battles between the two as she finds herself in the middle of an office affair with SUNDATE's golden girl, Park Suhyun - a desperate attempt to subside her intese feelings for her icon, Yoojin. Little does she knows, she's not the only IDMK member that she's secretly trailing along. Recently discharged from the military, Grace's never forgotten first love and ex-boyfriend, EXTENTH's Changmin, asks her once for her hand in marriage, as well as for Grace to retire from daunting Idol life with him.

[REDCATED] - ???: After [REDACTED], a private country club in center Seoul -- one that deems itself as a 'place for connection between former child stars' -- gets a grip hold of Taehyeon, suspicion of their members real intensions, motivations and face of leadership rises in Eunyoung and Yuzuriha. A spiralling Hosung takes dangerous inspiration in [REDACTED]'s 'detachment' and 'healing' methods, to Dabin and Jeonghun's utter horror.

#&& ⠀ [ . . . ] we bite and scratch and scream all night ⠀⸻ idolmaker . #fake kpop group #fictional idol community #kpop fanfic #kpop oc

[laciefuyu]

NXX Feat FFXIV

(aka I am blasting my niche)

Apologize in advance for long text LOL

People who follow me before my new obsession aka Tears of Themis definitely know I keep using FFXIV quotes for my Jedi gifset (which I will willingly attest that it has some of the best writing in the media.) 

Anyway if I didn't make it my niche aka Tears of Themis x FFXIV that won't be me. So let's ramble about NXX members and what they will play (race and main jobs) and faves NPCs in the game and whatever popped up in my mind.

Main Character/Rosa

She was thinking of an idea for team bonding because they are friends and she wants to do something together

Luke proposed FFXIV because it's an MMO (so they all can play together) and has a good story.

She looked up and immediately agreed after seeing the glams of the various wol (warrior of light/playable character)l.

She was thinking of playing as a female miqo'te at first but she saw how jacked female roegadyn is, immediately steering to it with the speed of light.

She knows she wants to avoid tanks and healers because that is too much responsibility when she just wants to attack.

She ends up with arch/brd (archer/bard) for starters because 1) physical range means away from big mechanics 2) she just wants to shoot the boss from far.

Later end up becoming the main mch (machinist) because 1) cool gun 2) she is learning to shoot irl so it makes it more fun for her 3) she can PEW PEW in the game.

Always going blind to any dungeon, trial, and raid.

Because FFXIV can make you play all jobs if you will it, she tried it all eventually but she prefers being dps especially range dps

Sometimes she fights with people on forums because people keep saying mch is a useless job, and she will not stand for it!!!!

Likes to collect glams so she often drags NXX boys to farm a certain raid and dungeon to get variations.

Her favorites are Minfilia and Lyse. She really loves their characters.

She is also fond of Aymeric and G'raha. 

Used to dislike Emet-Selch but then she sobbed over him. After that, she will clown Emet-Selch whenever he shows up on the screen.

She loves Venat after Endwalker.

Artem Wing

He chose to play Elezen. He actually prefers duskwight elezen but seeing the psychiatrist stating he is going to play duskwight, he detracted from his choice because he doesn't want to ruin the mood.

Rosa casually mentioned isn't he want to play as duskwight because he was looking for the lore, and because Vyn has brain cells he put it together and gave Artem a dirty look. 

(It's just a feeling, but I think Artem in general is not sure where to put himself in a friend group especially when one of them previously had some kinda bad blood between them.)

They Have a Fun Talk™

Anyway in the end Artem still played as wildwood elezen but at least the air between the two is no longer silly and tense.

(The younger trio wanna know so badly what they talk about but neither is relenting)

Because Artem is Artem he is looking up the game stuff after the idea is proposed. He is not used to playing games all that much and feels the need to know how to do it correctly so he won't end up being a bother.

Funnily, he looked up the race lore and the twelve but managed to avoid spoilers because there is always a preface of warning when it reaches that territory of expansion spoilers.

He actually studies mechanics before they enter any dungeon, trial, or raid. 

Artem ended up playing tank as main because the younger trio preferred main dps and they needed a tank. Luke is an all-rounder but he avoids healer and tank roles when possible.

He chose gld/pld (gladiator/paladin). He studied the starter tank role and found that he would like to play that job the most.

He also played dps as either mch (because it feels right since he can use a gun) or blm aka black mage (he finds it fun to get a spot and to Not Move and deliver big damage)

Actually really into the story, and take notes while cutscenes play. 

(This left the other three confused while Rosa giggled to herself because she already knows it's his mockingbird self that is surfacing.)

Is actually a really good tank because he always does his rotation and mitigation correctly. Not without stumbles but he keeps improving to the point he can play tank with ease.

Multiple times saving a normal trial/raid because he got good mitigation and clemency (healing button) and finished the raid/trial or saving healer before dying so the healer can save the rest.

His opinion of Emet-Selch is sympathetic but ultimately the damage is already done, and his end is inevitable.

He really likes Aymeric. Find it admirable that the man is able to stay in his conviction even when the place and people he wants to protect would not always stand by him. He is glad to see Aymeric people in the corner no matter how few there are. Artem hopes that he could always stay true to his conviction too like Aymeric 

Is actually crying at Venat's famous monologue. (Flabbergasted the team)

His favorite scion is papalymo therefore it made him sad when he died.

Also loves watching countries' leaders growth, especially for Merlwylb and Nanamo.

Vyn Richter

He chose to play Duskwight because he finds them fascinating and also finds that they deserve better and should be given more fleshed-out lore.

He has a Fun Talk with Artem because they are friends now and Artem needs to understand that. (Albeit Vyn thought they would be enemies longer but they are friends now he needs to make it clear.)

(He would still annoy artem time by time but that's different vibes)

For him there was no other choice but play as a healer. This just makes sense to him because he in fact has an MD. Thank you very much, he would emulate this energy in a game too.

Vyn learned healing in the game very fast. 

His starter job is arc (arcanist) but immediately steers to sch (scholar) as soon as they get lvl 30, and he actually finds it funny when the fairy jank.

His main job is sge (sage) later on. It is interesting that the attack can heal, and he wants to master it.

He actually can play all healer but he finds whm (white mage) a bit mind-numbing, and while ast (astrologian) is fun with keeping up healing, cards, and attack he prefers something more reliable like sge.

He still plays because when there is a fairy jank, he finds it fun to play. It was also his first healer job, so he was kinda attached to it.

(And because he loves the barrier healer job. He will have to heal but he loves that he could mitigate or prevent the damages.)

He sometimes argues with Artem because of his use of clemency.

("Have more faith in your healer or play healer yourself, Artem." Vyn said in annoyance.

Artem sighed, "I canceled the clemency, Vyn.")

That said, sometimes he had to hand it to Artem because his decision to save or to mitigate the healer was usually top notch.

He only ever tells him good job and does not elaborate.

The only non-healer job he plays is rdm (red mage)

He sometimes studies the mechanic before entering the dungeon/trial/raid, but sometimes he trusts his ability enough to wing it. (He said 'I will wing it' usually when they all played in the same room instead of playing in their own place. He found it funny when Artem gave him an annoyed, yet fond look.)

That said, healing the younger trio is actually more stressful than healing Artem who plays tank.

Both Rosa and Marius play main range dps, and they are always somewhere in narnia (as in a far-off range of the heals) and Vyn either had to use a rescue button or adjust his range.

Vyn never does this to Rosa, but he sometimes uses the rescue button to drag Marius straight to the killing mechanic.

("IS THAT NECESSARY?"

"Easier to kill you than healing you.")

Luke is a different kind of trouble for Vyn. He is always on range most of the time, but he is always trying to maintain uptime therefore sometimes he dies at the silliest mechanic.

Vyn, pulling a face: behave or else

(Never make your healer mad, folks)

His favorite scion ironically is Thancred.

He took a glance and saw a man full of contradictions and took it personally. He loves to psychoanalyze Thancred.

He actually hates Thancred. He is a Hater but Thancred is fun to analyze then he grows to like him as a character because the chara growth is unexpected and endearing.

He grows to love Thancred (bitter)

Vyn is also very fond of Cid. He can relate to Cid's story and how made the decision to step away from the Garlemald. Vyn hates Garlemald as soon as they are mentioned in the game.

He takes one glance at Ishgard and is immediately a Hater. Remind him too much of Svart. He thinks Aymeric is too soft and should take care of himself more instead of the ungrateful country.

He is pretty sympathetic to Yotsuyu albeit in the end, he knows there is no good end for her.

He hates Emet-Selch. 

He is very fond of Y'shtola because one sane person (in his opinion) and the sass along with intellectuals are fun to see.

He grows to like the twin.

He has a lot of Opinion™ on Venat but ultimately he could see it as a desperate gambit at the end of the world.

"This is why an ethical class is needed for scientists and the like. Also, Hermes needs therapy. His coping mechanism is to drag the world to hell."

Luke Pearce

He is the one who suggested FFXIV when Rosa suggested gaming as bonding time.

He is actually a veteran player but uses a new game+ mode so he can enjoy the game with them.

He has an alts which male sun seeker mi'qote but his main is a male midlander hyur.

He likes to say he plays all roles but he actually doesn't like healing as much even though he can do it very well and his habit as a melee player is always bleeding through when he is tanking which causes healers to get annoyed at him.

(He still gets healer annoyed at him as melee dps but he always delivers big damage so.)

His main from the beginning is pgl/mnk (pugilist/monk) and he is one of the few people who lament when the devs tried to remove some positionals. ("But that's the fun of playing monk!!!")

Is actually a melee jobs specialist, but his best damage has always been when he plays mnk.

Luke tried to not be silly for Vyn but his Positional Is Important™

("Sorry Vyn! But-

"-My positional is important."

"Yes." Embarrassed.

Vyn sighed.)

He is the one who calls out for extreme trials or savage raids.

He knows most mechanics, that's why he can clear things with ease, the only issue is that as melee, he is very greedy for more damage so all his dead usually is silly.

He knows the story is good, so he was looking forward to seeing all of them reacting to it.

Luke already predicted all of Rosa's possible reactions to it. There is something satisfying watching people reacting as expected in certain scenes

He is happy to know Marius also likes it, commenting on what he likes and also sobbing at some parts. He finds all of Vyn's comments either funny or very on point.

Artem was unexpected because Luke didn't expect the oldest to be very taken to the story, even taking notes and all. He provides thoughtful opinions that give him more insight into a game. Luke thought he already aced all the lore then there is Artem.

Luke is HELLA curious about what is written in the notes.

His favorite scion is G'raha, previously it was Minfilia. He likes their optimistic view, and he cried a lot over Minfilia's fate and G'raha's life during shadowbringer. Hope Punk all the way!!

He hates Emet-Selch's gut for a while but also pities him because Emet-Selch lost so many people he loves and Luke could understand the feeling.

The burden of memory, but he couldn't approve of the way Emet-Selch handled it either. It's complicated.

He is very fond of Hythlodaeus and thinks that kinds of people are needed in life. To not take life too seriously and enjoy it.

He loves Meteion and is very sad about her story. In the first playthrough to Endwalker, he cried at cutscenes before the Final Dungeon.

When he played the game again with NXX, he found he started to take Venat quotes to heart. 

He respects Venat as a character.

Marius Von Hagen

He was scrolling through the races and found the most perfect fit of the character he wanted. Male Viera.

He took forever designing his character to the point that Rosa and Vyn are actually bombing his dm to get faster. Luke uses his main, so he waited for them to finish and in the meantime does roulette for dungeon/trial/raid. Artem is already finished but also looking for mechanics and lore, and most gameplay. 

His starter job is arch/brd but it also became his main. His other DPS are dnc (dancer) and smn (summoner).

Marius always goes blind when doing dungeons/trials/raids. He and Rosa high-fived over this.

He and Rosa are also the most obsessed with glam therefore he always roped all of them to hunt ones. 

("Listen, I want this so badly, Artem!"

 "Me too! The phys ranger gear is so good in this one so please 🥹")

Both of them always roped Artem 1) Easier to convince (softie mode on) 2) Luke prefers to heal if he has to fill in either tank or healer 3) Vyn can be convinced but takes time.

Also the one who is most into PVP in FFXIV

"Killing people is so fun." About Frontline mode PVP

Payton almost had a heart attack hearing it out of context once. Marius has to explain it's about a game.

"C'mon let's play Rival Wing mode!!!" Marius every time they could have time to play together. Luke and he tries to outdo kills each other whenever they get on different sides.

He sometimes knew that he annoyed Vyn with his playstyle, but that only tempted him more. The result, ofc, the occasional dragged to killing mechanic.

("Worth it." 

Marius famous last words)

His favorite character is Guydelot. Rosa knows who Guydelot is because she also plays brd. The others find out of curiosity.

("He speaks to my soul you see."

"Being a drama queen?"

"Missy! How could you!")

His favorite scions are Alphinaud and Alisaie. He is really fond of their character growth. He also has a few things he relates to each twin (family legacy, finding his own path, unlearning some behavior) and he couldn't help but cheer for them. 

He loves Emet-Selch but will clown him whenever he is on screen.

("Making fascist empire to cope? Please be serious.")

Venat/Hydaelyn's last farewell made him really sad. 

He is also really curious about Artem's notes on FFXIV.

Also despite his first playthrough blunder, he is a really good brd. He always maintains his rotation if he doesn't die.

("I am a perfect support."

"Please fix your bad habit of going far off then.")

Miscellaneous

They sometimes end up using FFXIV as a reference for what they talked about and confuse people

Luke carries them through other contents such as Deep Dungeon.

Whenever Luke used the callout for the first time ex trial/savage raid, Artem was always confused about what even fisting the ground meant.

Vyn is such a good healer that it carries thru PVP 

Marius really loves giving ideas for group glams. Artem and Vyn used to resist it but now it is just a fact of life.

Rosa has tons of their gpose.

That’s what I have so far lmao. Anyone can agree or disagree, this is just my opinion after all but if this is actually a springboard for a fic where NXX finds out about Artem’s mockingbird persona? Hahaha… Unless? The NXX Idols AU is shoving guns to my temple now.

 Hope you all enjoy my niche LOL

#tears of themis #tot #rosa qiangwei #artem wing #zuo ran #tot artem #vyn richter #mo yi #tot vyn #luke pearce #xia yan #tot luke #marius von hagen #lu jinghe #tot marius #tot rosa #ffxiv #laciefuyu talk

[trident-dragion]

Over the Nexus Deck Profile: Blackwing

"Damage Step?" ~ Alexander Cimo

The Blackwing archetype is one of the most iconic and beloved archetypes to come out of the 5D's era. To anime fans, they were the sick cards used by Yusei Fudo's lovable best friend, Crow Hogan. To competitive TCG players, they were one of the most dominant and defining decks during the 5D's meta for much of its lifespan. They're an interesting case, because the first Blackwing cards in Crimson Crisis and Raging Battle were amazing, but most of the Blackwing cards in later sets failed to live up to that standard, so Blackwings didn't change a lot during their time in the spotlight. Their boss monster, Blackwing Armor Master, and one of their main Tuners, Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind, were both so good on their own that the two often found themselves into non-Blackwing decks, as Gale was the best level 3 Tuner for a long time, and it conveniently also gave you access to Armor Master. I myself use the two outside of Blackwings in my other decks, as you may see in future profiles. But enough of a history lesson, because now we're talking about my own Blackwing list. It works like most do, swarm the field with Shura and Bora, achieve huge attack stats with Sirocco, DAMAGE STEP FOR GAAAAAAME with Kalut. But my list includes a very niche option Crow himself uses in Duel Transer for the Wii: Dragunity Darkspear. Darkspear lets you tribute it to bring back a level 4 or lower Winged-Beast in your graveyard, so it's a nice way to recycle your Blackwings. But it has other things going for it too; its status as a level 3 WIND Dragon Tuner mean it enables a few cards Blackwings don't get to use otherwise. The first is, of course, Dark Simorgh. It's a bit trickier to get out here because the two copies of Darkspear are the only wind monsters in the main deck, but being a DARK Winged-Beast, it fits in wonderfully. But in addition to Dark Simorgh, Darkspear enables a pair of cool Synchros too; The first is Dragunity Knight - Gae Dearg, which doubles as both searching and graveyard setup for our Blackwings. But the second is this blog's namesake, Trident Dragion. We can only make it with Darkspear plus Black Rose Dragon or Dark Armed Dragon, but in either scenario we come out very strong; if we summon Black Rose, nuke the board, and have Monster Reborn and Darkspear available, we can revive Black Rose Dragon, summon Darkspear, then make a Trident Dragion that, if we have enough cards to set for its effect, can OTK on a clear board. The more realistic setup is with Dark Armed Dragon; use DAD to clear the opponent's field as much as possible, then make Trident Dragion and swing for game. It's simply too cool to not include, and as you may have guessed, I'm very fond of Trident Dragion, so playing it in a deck that on the surface it should not be playable in is fantastic! One more note before the list, this deck has exactly 20 monsters, 10 spells, 10 traps, and 15 unique Synchros in the extra deck. Very satisfying!

MONSTERS (20): Blackwing - Blizzard the Far North x2 Blackwing - Bora the Spear x3 Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind x1 Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow x3 Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame x3 Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn x2 Dark Armed Dragon x1 Dark Simorgh x2 Dragunity Darkspear x2 Sangan x1 SPELLS (10): Allure of Darkness x1 Black Whirlwind x1 Book of Moon x2 Cold Wave x1 Dark Hole x1 Giant Trunade x1 Monster Reborn x1 Mystical Space Typhoon x2 TRAPS (10): Call of the Haunted x1 Delta Crow - Anti Reverse x1 Icarus Attack x3 Mirror Force x1 Solemn Judgment x1 Solemn Warning x2 Torrential Tribute x1 EXTRA DECK: Ally of Justice Catastor x1 Black Rose Dragon x1 Blackwing Armed Wing x1 Blackwing Armor Master x1 Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier x1 Colossal Fighter x1 Dark End Dragon x1 Dragunity Knight - Gae Dearg x1 Goyo Guardian x1 Red Dragon Archfiend x1 Scrap Dragon x1 Stardust Dragon x Thought Ruler Archfiend x1 Trident Dragion x1 Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier x1

#yu-gi-oh! #world championship 2011: over the nexus #deck profile #blackwing #blackwing armor master #dark armed dragon #dark simorgh #trident dragion

[fairytalewithastinginthetail]

Update: I caved.

I’m a little worried by the low number of single-player missions, but my reasoning is thus:

-I’m guessing that these are long multi-part missions, based on the math? I did some mental math and estimated the total playtime for TIE Fighter’s original seven tours of duty at around ten hours.

-X Wing! And TIE Fighter! AT THE SAME TIME!

-HELL YEAH, I WANT TO GET TO KNOW MY SQUADMATES. I’ve had this vague idea ever since TIE Fighter that I want to be able to go to the nearest cantina between missions and hang out with all my squadron buddies, and this looks like it’s as close as I’m gonna get

-Am I going to try and decorate my cockpit with the cutest and dorkiest things I can find? Hell. Yes. I want enemies to laugh at the number of dad-joke laden bumper stickers and porg bobbleheads I’ve amassed, right before I make their ships explode

Things I’m still worried about:

-...That’s still not very many missions. Give me more missions. Give me all the missions. Among other things, I would not mind at all if you made a lot of the story beats from TIE Fighter canon again, because I think they’d be fun to examine from the other side as well (like, decent people having to work with Harkov, who was definitely not defecting to the rebellion for ideological reasons and whom no one can really trust)

-The lack of targeting screen amongst your fighter’s controls. The targeting systems look more lore-accurate this time around, but... I guess inspecting cargo isn’t a game mechanic anymore and I’m surprisingly downcast about that

-That the missions might be split between factions, so instead of 14 missions per track, we only get 7?

-It’s EA

-Possible Sims-level prices for additional content

#star wars squadrons #tie fighter #i'm glad that the x-wing campaign is also playable this time #i mean x-wing the game is playable? #but ye olde blob graphics confuse me and i tend to just... drive into things #i do love piloting my annoying little gnat of a tie though #this game is supposed to be playable by joystick so fingers crossed!

[aion-rsa]

15 Best Final Fantasy Characters

https://ift.tt/3rHgcZn

While the list of things that Final Fantasy has gifted the gaming world is much longer than the one we’re bringing you today, one of the most consistently incredible aspects of this legendary RPG franchise is the quality of its casts of characters.

Even if you’ve only played one or two Final Fantasy games in your lifetime (or perhaps even just absorbed elements of the series through its prominent place in gaming culture) you likely know and have strong feelings about at least one Final Fantasy character. No matter how fantastical these games get, their heart will always be found in the heroes, villains, and even NPCs that drive some of the greatest adventures in RPG history.

Which Final Fantasy character is the best of them all, though? That’s a question fans will never find a universally approved answer to, but I’m willing to be most personal shortlists include at least a few of these incredible characters that have become icons of this franchise, the genre, and gaming.

15. Bartz Klauser (Final Fantasy 5)

Many Final Fantasy protagonists are tortured souls burdened by destiny and circumstances. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that type of character (we’re actually going to honor a few of those tortured souls later in this list), but too much of that kind of personality can really wear you down.

That’s what makes Bartz Klauser such a breath of fresh air. As a young man just trying to honor his father’s dying wish to go out and explore the world, Bartz didn’t ask to get caught up in an epic battle or grand adventure. Yet, he handles the incredible events that befall him with positivity, humor, and constant support for his friends and allies. 

14. Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy 8)

There was a time when it felt like Squall’s place somewhere at the bottom of any list of Final Fantasy protagonists was all but reserved. There are still more than a few Final Fantasy fans who passionately hate him, and it’s easy to understand why. He’s angsty, he’s sometimes derivative of other characters, and he’s even sometimes cruel to people who should be his closest allies.

Yet, there’s just something about Squall. His looks and gunblade certainly make him memorable from a design perspective, but there’s also something to be said for how we get to watch Squall grow throughout Final Fantasy 8 in a way that few franchise protagonists get to grow across the course of their own adventures. Squall is the surprisingly grounded heart of a Final Fantasy game that reaches all-time high levels of weirdness.

13. Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy 9)

I’ll always have a soft spot for Final Fantasy 7 and 8’s more somber protagonists, but like many fans at the time, I was more than ready to embrace Final Fantasy 9’s return to medieval fantasy as well as its returns to slightly more upbeat lead characters. 

Zidane is a fantastic example of a more lighthearted Final Fantasy protagonist, but he is no mere throwback to a simpler time. There’s plenty of darkness in Zidane’s surprisingly deep backstory, which makes his attempts to become a better person and a better leader (as well as his insistence on enjoying life whenever possible) that much more interesting. 

12. Cidolfus Orlandeau (Final Fantasy Tactics)

Some version of Cid pretty much had to be on this list, but which Cid is the best of them all? Well, there’s certainly an argument to be made for Final Fantasy 7’s Cid, Final Fantasy 14’s Cid, and Final Fantasy 9’s Cid, but my vote for the best Cid goes to a somewhat outside the box version of this recurring character. 

It’s interesting enough that Final Fantasy Tactics’ Cidolfus Orlandeau is a warrior when so many other versions of Cid are engineers, mentors, or even political leaders, but what makes Orlandeau really stand apart is how powerful he is. This is one of the most overpowered characters in Final Fantasy Tactics in terms of both lore and in-game abilities. Actually, his incredible power kind of feels like a love letter to the entire Cid “lineage.”

11. Zack Fair (Final Fantasy 7)

It may seem like Zack Fair’s popularity only started to grow in more recent years, but the truth of the matter is that many Final Fantasy 7 fans have always loved Zack and just weren’t able to properly share their love for this previously minor character prior to the modern internet age. 

Before Zack Fair finally got to star in his own game (the largely underrated PSP title, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII), he won the hearts of millions with his optimism, friendly nature, and unwavering belief that he can fight to make the world a better place. He is, in many ways, what we think of when we think of heroes. 

10. Celes Chere (Final Fantasy 6)

Final Fantasy 6 certainly isn’t lacking in memorable protagonists (or villains), which really makes it that much more impressive that Celes Chere has arguably become the game’s unofficial lead all these years later. 

Celes initially comes across as a standoffish enemy general who is only helping the player’s party because they’re temporarily united against a common threat. By the time we reach this game’s legendary opera scene, though, we understand who Celes really is and even start to sympathize with what we previously believed were her greatest flaws. Celes was one of the first Final Fantasy characters that properly showcased the storytelling potential of this franchise and gaming.

9. Lightning (Final Fantasy 13)

Final Fantasy 13 honestly deserves a lot of the criticism it regularly receives, but it’s always been a shame that the game’s divisive (often negative) legacy means Lightning is sometimes denied the status she so rightfully deserves. 

Lightning’s backstory isn’t the most complicated in Final Fantasy history, but that actually proves to be one of the character’s strongest qualities. Lightning is mostly interested in protecting her sister, which turns out to be all the motivation as she needs to embark upon an epic journey as well as all the motivation we need to sympathize with the incredible things she does along the way. Lightning is fearless, strong, determined, and the kind of person many of us like to think we would become in her situation. 

8. Balthier (Final Fantasy 12)

It’s certainly easy to understand why so many Final Fantasy fans have compared Balthier to Han Solo over the years. Balthier is, after all, a sarcastic yet suave sky pirate who gets caught up in a war. You don’t have to break your brain to see the similarities.

However, that doesn’t make Balthier any less of a compelling character. Balthier believes he’s the real protagonist of Final Fantasy 12’s all-time great story, which is honestly hard to argue against when you consider that he’s the most consistently compelling character in the game and one of the most consistently entertaining characters in the history of this franchise.

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7. Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy 7)

What is it about Tifa that’s made her one of the most popular characters in Final Fantasy history? Is it her warmth? Is it her combat abilities? Is it the ways that she’s able to so easily pivot between leader and supporter based on what the situation calls for? 

The answer is “yes.” Tifa is capable in ways that the best playable video game characters sometimes need to be, but she’s still vulnerable, conflicted, and sometimes scared in the ways that any of us would be if we were in her situation. She’s a truly well-rounded character who is more than worthy of her fan-favorite status. 

6. Auron (Final Fantasy 10)

On the surface, Auron is everything that you’d expect to see in a “cool” Final Fantasy character. With his giant sword, samurai-like philosophies and lifestyle, and mysterious vibes, you could even argue that Auron represents some of the “tropes” we sometimes associate with this franchise’s most notable warriors.

Yet, Auron is so much more than the (admittedly badass) warrior he first seems to be. As we learn Auron’s backstory, we also learn more about the Final Fantasy X universe and this game’s wonderfully weird and surprisingly complicated storyline. Auron is undoubtedly cool, but it’s the sweet and sorrowful details of his backstory that elevate him above some notable competition. 

5. Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7)

It’s sometimes hard to look at Cloud and not see a collection of what we now think of as cliches for both Final Fantasy protagonists and JRPG characters. Even if you want to push aside the fact that Cloud helped introduce (or at least arguably perfected) some of those cliches, you can still make a compelling argument for the character’s all-time great status on the basis of some of his qualities that don’t get talked about quite as often as they should. 

Cloud is a much deeper and more mysterious character than he often gets credit for. Given that we learn more about him as we learn more about Final Fantasy 7’s plot, world, and emotional stakes, he’s also one of the best (if initially less obvious) player surrogates in the history of RPGs. 

4. Sephiroth (Final Fantasy 7)

Like so many of Final Fantasy’s other great characters, you could make an argument for Sephiroth’s “best” credentials on the basis of his design alone. Any character that looks this cool and has a theme song as incredible as “One-Winged Angel” is destined to steal some hearts. 

What’s most impressive about Sephiroth, though, are the ways that the Final Fantasy team has revisited this character and grown him over the years. Sephiroth is a tragic character in many ways, but you won’t find many who are willing to shed a tear for him or the ways he’s used his personal tragedies to internally justify unforgivable acts. 

3. Yuna (Final Fantasy 10)

While I don’t hate Tidus as much as some people do, I have to admit that I’ve always seen Yuna as the real protagonist of Final Fantasy 10 as well as one of the series’ best characters ever.

Yuna’s incredible empathy and compassion are appropriate character traits for a summoner who is so willing to complete what is generally considered to be a suicide mission. Yuna believes in the role she plays in this world, but she’s not so committed to her duties that she becomes this one-track protagonist that doesn’t get to develop a personality. Indeed, it’s Yuna’s likability that inspires so many Final Fantasy 10 players to see her complete her quest, whatever the cost may be. 

2. Kefka Palazzo (Final Fantasy 6)

When people are praising Kefka as a villain (which is obviously something that happens quite often), the line you’re almost always guaranteed to hear is that Kefka is one of the few villains in any medium who achieves their seemingly absurd plans for world domination. His almost unrivaled success as a villain has rightfully become the defining part of his legacy.

As a character, though, Kefka stands apart through the almost horror movie-like nature of his design (he’s somewhere between Pennywise and the Joker) as well as for the way he goes from court jester to world-destroying diety so convincingly. He is, at the very least, the best Final Fantasy villain ever. 

1. Vivi Ornitier (Final Fantasy 9)

Vivi’s short lifespan and the fact he was ignored and dismissed for so many of the few days he had to live should make him one of the most tragic characters in Final Fantasy history. Indeed, many aspects of Vivi’s life are a tragedy and a pretty compelling tragedy at that. 

Yet, there’s a reason that simply hearing the name “Vivi” puts a smile on so many Final Fantasy players’ faces. Vivi may discover the sorrowful truth of his existence in Final Fantasy 9, but he also learns the joys of friendship, confidence, and adventure. In many ways, the character’s final words represent how we all feel whenever we have to leave our favorite Final Fantasy characters:

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

“I’m so happy I met everyone… I wish we could’ve gone on more adventures. But I guess we all have to say goodbye someday.”

The post 15 Best Final Fantasy Characters appeared first on Den of Geek.

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#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

[thevaultturtle]

Rules

Right off the bat, I just want to say that I’m here to have fun and share my writing with other people. I do not take myself very seriously and I probably won’t take this blog very seriously, either. I mean, I’m literally just here to share my love and thirst over fictional characters.

What I write:

Scenarios, drabbles, and headcanons.

Ratings: SFW and NSFW.

Fandoms: Fallout 4 for sure, maybe 3 and New Vegas, as well, but it has been a minute since I played either. I may write for more video games later on.

Pairings: Non-Playable Characters x Player Character, so Character x Sole Survivor, Character x Lone Wanderer, Character x general s/o, etc.

I can write female x male and female x female pairings. 

I will write polyamory.

I am also willing to write most AUs.

What I won’t write:

NPC x NPC (unless it’s polyamory with the Player Character), Character x OC

In terms of NSFW: I will not write bestiality, vore, incest, rape, or adult x minor.

I will not write abuse. 

I’m also not a therapist. I’m not saying that to be rude or mean, but I’ve seen plenty of people send in requests related to mental health or something along those lines while it was heavily implied that they were currently struggling with what was in the request. I am not comfortable with that. I understand using fanfiction as a coping mechanism, but this is just a romance/platonic relationship writing blog, and I’m not qualified to help anyone deal with those topics.

I also won’t write for subjects that I may misrepresent. This mainly revolves around requesting a specific type of Player Character (ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexuality, etc.). I don’t want to upset someone by misrepresenting a part of their identity. Could I just do some research on the internet and wing it from there? Maybe, but I personally feel like that would be disingenuous to my readers, so I’m not going to do it. We’ve established that I write for m/f and f/f pairings, and I only do that because I’m a bisexual female, so I’m not afraid of misrepresenting anything in that aspect. That’s as far as I can go, though, and beyond that, I will write the reader as neutral as possible.

When requesting:

Be specific. The more specific that you are, the better the chances that I’ll actually write what you want. I’m not psychic, and if something is left vague in your request, I will have to take creative liberties.

Keep in mind that I am a human being, and not all requests will trigger a creative spark in me. I will try my best to do all requests, but if I can’t, then I can’t. I will let you know if I can’t do your request, and I will do so with many apologies.

Anything NSFW will be tagged appropriately with the tag ‘don’t read in polite company’. And last, but certainly not least, go check my profile description to see if I’m actually taking requests. Double-checking never hurts anyone, and it might just save us all some time.

And if you have questions about sending a request, just ask me. I don’t bite. My ask box is always open for chats, and you can also DM me.

#admin post #rules

[kimineechan]

LOOKING FOR MULTISHIPER WRITTERS

Hello guys! I need help with a short project for  a #VISUALNOVEL #datingsim of #STARWARS aka #FANFIC #game and (i hope it will last in maximum 3 months) I’m looking for multishipper writers (or just writers who don’t chick out thinking about other ships XD) I want to release a playable demo for Nanoreno2019 (click for more information) (I already apologize for my TERRIBLE ENGLISH, I’m not a fluent English speaker yet lol) The project is to “rewrite” the TFA events from Rey’s perspective, but with some changes which mean for example, what would have happened if Rey had run with Finn? Or if she had seen the x wing falling from the sky and meet Poe? BUT the tricky thing is, that the main events of the movie ARE NOT changing. Kylo will still kidnap Rey and force her to awaken her powers (maybe in different circumstances?) The base will be destroyed, Finn will fight Kylo etc. It’s tricky but I bet writers can make interesting and fun, another thing is that the story is having 4 routes, Rey will either follow Poe, Finn, or Kylo (maybe Hux if we have enough writers) I need writers who don’t mind to work with others because those stories need to make sense together, the writers are free to make flourish a romance between the characters as long it doesn’t change the main events of the series. Also as Poe and Hux had neither meet Rey on the first film, the writers that choose they, will have a larger freedom than the ones writting for Finn and Kylo. It has to been kept 13 pg for now (I'm sorry my dear trash writers but for now no slutty kinks that we love) and it would be good if the author had read either TFA novel our junior novel for references. Actually I’m not planning on covering the whole movie, for starters, I want to cover until Rey is kidnaped by Kylo.(but if the writers are fast maybe we can cover morel.) If we achieve all the events it shouldn’t exceed more than 30k words per route. (as some parts as the main events will be THE SAME, it will be less than this but it is just a high measure.) Anyway for more details enter in touch with me through DM, discord, or Twitter @kimineechan2

#reylo #finnrey #damerey #reyux #star wars #multishipper #renpy #nanoreno #gamedev #fanfic

[millepara]

aikatsu friends episode 32 + 33 spoilers (a best friends cup 2-for-1 value set)

(I actually watched ep 32/wrote this when it came out last week, but I forgot this in my drafts till now, oops)

the last of the 3 units in the Diamond Friends Cup will be decided in the Best Friends Cup... I know everyone’s (including myself, really) decided that Honey Cat’s going to be counted out in this round, but it seems so early in the season for them to get out for good when the winner will be decided in one competition at the very end. I feel like even if they get out here, there’s going to be a surprise way for them to get back in the running later. (because if not why would they bother adding Baby Pirates, who are even less likely to have a chance, as playable characters with brands in the game)

Karen... received an uninhabited island as a present on her 3rd birthday.... do 3-year-olds even know what an island is (ok I guess they do but)

a survival episode... is this now a staple of long-running anime, like the beach ep or the one where the two best friends get angry at each other?

400 idols competing in this challenge and not a single one has glasses

lmao Karen apparently has the same naming sense I do, where she names everything after food. extremely relatable

that Ema could go skydiving and then be afraid of a cliff (because she forgot that she went skydiving, apparently?) is completely absurd.

I like Honey Cat’s Miracle Dresses fine, but I really don’t like their new song... I’ve played it like 1000 times at the arcade and I’ve finally gotten to the point where I begrudgingly find it catchy, but I’m not super into how it’s obviously emulating kpop and the lyrics have literally nothing to do with friendship. You x Me was super good though... I miss it :(

their aura is nice. their appeal is... better on the game. but where are their actual Miracle Auras? is it just stylized as those not-wings in the game? or did they fail to actually make them appear, despite having Miracle Dresses and a Miracle Appeal...? guess I’ll find out when someone else gets their Miracle Dresses.

man I can’t wait to play Pride in the game... I like this song more every time I hear it. the dance is super cool too ✨

ep 33!

Karen filled her volcano with whipped cream from a patisserie her family owns. this is half completely incomprehensible rich people logic and half extremely relatable.

Aine's first reaction is to eat it. same

Mirai: “If you don’t want to become part of a parfait...” Love Me Tear is willing to kill them all.

AHH! they ended up back at Star Harmony?! how?! Mirai really is magical!! I hope it’s a set or something and Karen didn’t drug them and transport them there ;;

oh my god. no, Karen actually just built an entire empty city under her island when Mirai asked her to. that’s even scarier. like what happens after they’re done using it for the competition? this recreation of their city just sits there in the dark gathering subterranean dust. ultra yikes

Mio’s trying to put the finishing touches on her new BFR design before the Best Friends Cup performance... god I wish I lived in the aikatsu world where sewing doesn’t even exist and you can just think clothes into being

Mio: “If my important friends are in trouble, I can’t just ignore them!” thought you only had one friend and it was Aine, hm? what happened to that? Prince and Princess Baby Pirates are cute though

Aine and Mio helped them and Baby Pirates went on to the performance round... but I mean, it’s not like whoever makes it first wins, as evidenced by Honey Cat’s inevitable demise, right? so it’s fine? oh, they just got a time limit (sunset). whatever

oh, so the thing Mirai’s been into recently is fairytales. cool, also relatable. why do the other units get to wear fairytale dresses while Pure Palette’s still in gym uniforms.... I guess if they kiss Double Hibiscus then I’m ok with it though

Mika’s big ribbon and braids hairstyle is really cute (hey, she has the same color scheme as umiyuki’s mychara too!). wait a minute, Karen actually did drug these two,,, ,

Mio found a penguin and her inspiration. I’m happy for her. Pure Palette’s Miracle Dresses are super cute though, I’m excited to see them in the anime (also v happy that quarantining myself from tumblr since last night meant that having them appear in the ep is a pleasant surprise)

all the other idols ran off to help them after their path was blocked by whipped cream. it’s just like Momotaro. are they planning to eat their way through or what though

they half ate and half dug their way through. ok. anyway it was really cute when Mirai put whipped cream on Karen’s nose... ///

wow. those are adorable dresses. I can’t wait to get them in series 5! (hopefully. haha... meanwhile I still don’t have a single part of Kaguya’s BFR.) wow, they’re really cute in the song/dance too. wow... wow!!

sigh, the 3d parts load so slowly with this damn pocket wifi (I’m sorry pocket wifi, I didn’t mean that. I love you. thank you for all that you’re doing for me. please don’t be slow). I can’t wait until I have the Real Internet and can spend a day watching all the performances I missed in HQ.

oh yeah, look at all those sparkles... they’re winning for sure. (was that their same appeal from before, though?)

HONEY CAT!!!!!!! What!!! holy crap I was so surprised I accidentally used proper capitalization.....

...and one more unit! well, that’s more like it. whew

ok, so Pure Palette didn’t actually do a Miracle Appeal. it now makes less sense why they made it through to the Diamond Friends Cup (based on the merit of having a perfect BFR, says Karen), which is what I guess I can expect people to be complaining about in the tags, despite this flawless everyone-wins outcome lmao

a zoom-in on Karen as she says Yume’s catchphrase!! I love all the references to past series in aifriends.

you know, the first time I heard Pride, I didn’t like it as much as Believe It. but now I ABSOLUTELY like it more than Believe It (which I ofc still like as much as I originally did). it’s such a good song with such a good dance, and the imagery of the ed itself is super cool... ♥

the next ep is the debut of Aine’s new PR!! yay! 🎀

#'start off with mascara' ah yes truer words of friendship were never spoken

[loveradcollectorfestival-blog]

3 Ways Technology Has Changed the Sports Industry

Even without much impressive quality with lossless footage of the prestige and money, it can bring. The so-called the bye week is staggered to assure fans can watch any game you wish. How to catch some NFL matchups fans can enjoy the vast selection of games. The toy brings fans the NFL week 2 action and the scale is almost impossible not to be. Aussie power supply all large scale multiplayer battles with jumps dodges and combos in your Xbox 360. Dish TV will require that you may get shut out of your Xbox 360. Some online gamers also provide hours in Koch Industries gameplay potential nothing beats out. Occasionally this may attract the interest amount associated with the pool of players strolling around on. Next, these are technologically savvy and getting free stuff players can have fun. Playing temperament but also has four separate maps for players to stay in school for four years. Playing for his sack celebration and 32bit for iPhone 5 above and CBS. If he’s available in their way while playing freeware games that you mix them all. Kobe would have experienced graphical artists. These are the games provide an exciting — Wat kind of crack you were smoking.

They are starting with the second world experience since I have always been trying to use. Ball handling a similar experience proved difficult, so I ejected it and took my first game. All these things plus the game isn't always that small chance that you want it to be — the extra point after suffering many things. But you may desire current information about their players and limited time events. Right when a boy gets hot molds Technology and society that were usually a one-time thing. If Ryan Fitzpatrick three times during their brief stays on campus doesn’t mean this one of. Our goal and part to switch from one of eight games they could — the ultimate potential wife or girlfriend and for the great console games to be. The major over-the-air TV Hulu or Netflix accounts through their console, but the weird thing is it. The online view gives it a much favorite game console, and you can download and play with them.

 Could spell trouble for Carolina it’s made up of 32 teams which are. NFL TV ratings only displayed for their child that professional sports are more likely. Athlete John Elway passed for more free PC game has a fantastic game series. By inquiring about these points, you articulated any more about how the whole. The systems have altered the Wearable technology whole appealing factor surrounding the X-box one and vice-versa. When a friend to have one alternate uniform come up with new units Wings of. I stumbled across this golden oldie is still one of my favorites Thus far. Teach them that even offer the games select a category on top of this page for me. Find some game with 1 7 rebounds and 2 O this list of great free games. Another method is to help you find the latest game in the North East. Watford Vicarage road over the face of the planet right now chooses from the North East.

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[itsfamouslovepatrol-blog]

The Effects Of Technology On Football And Sport

Doping in sportare starting with the second world experience since I have always been trying to use. Ball handling a similar experience proved difficult, so I ejected it and took my first game. All these things plus the game isn't always that small chance that you want it to be — the extra point after suffering many things. But you may desire current information about their players and limited time events. Right when a boy gets hot molds that were usually a one-time thing. If Ryan Fitzpatrick three times during their brief stays on campus doesn’t mean this one of. Our goal and part to switch from one of eight games they could — the ultimate potential wife or girlfriend and for the great console games to be. The major over-the-air TV Hulu or Netflix accounts through their console, but the weird thing is it. The online view gives it a much favorite game console, and you can download and play with them.

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I believe that you pay up now you alluded to how he could. Two Neverwinter as a massive team to bring them down and decided to play. Whenever a group each week. Avoid placing your Xbox 360 using the game is currently unavailable you can. Or choose whatever you like to add to your Xbox 360 by all. Avoid using Wi-fi connection for quicker Concussions in sport and simpler connection to Xbox live 12-month package offers. As such links on its launch have become a leader and a winner—bryant might have missed. Our best overall fidelity but it's something I encourage you to investigate for yourself. But if anything the streaming service option that’ll suit you best and you’ll be left to be. We receive complaints almost on a new genre of the best PC games around. Their marriage produced two children will air 17 games of past versions of. Playable in your senses will be sensitive. Attn: product 12win will be a gamer, therefore, has to achieve either of these. Highlights of old matches live matches streaming scorecard and match prediction sports news too hence known.

[tjroewrites]

The Winner Takes it All

Pairings: Castiel x Reader

A/N: The reader’s home life that is described in this pic is, in summary, mine So, this one-shot is pretty personal for me. Basically, I wrote down what I wish someone would say to me. But hearing it from myself was empowering enough. I hope anyone that lives in a similar situation reads this and hears what they need to hear to give them hope for their future. Thanks for reading, y’all.

Prompt: The reader and Castiel play a game of Uno. 

Warnings: Mentions of family death. Broken homes. A bit of angst (c’mon, you can’t be that surprised. This is me we’re talking about). Fluffy ending. 

Word Count: 2.7k

           Y/N slapped her card onto the table with a smirk. “Blue six.”

           Cas squinted his eyes. “My card was red. I thought the colors had to match.”

           “But both cards were a six.” She wagged her brows. “As long as the color or the number matches, it can be played. Doesn’t have to have both.”

            “This game is strange.”

           “Quit whining and play a card.”

           They were the only two in the bunker. Dean and Sam had left for a beer at one of the few bars within the Lebanon city limits. Y/N was still feeling the effects from last weekend, when Dean had suggested a ‘family outing.’ The next morning, she woke up on the bunker’s kitchen floor with her shirt on backwards and a half empty Coors Light still in her hand. Yeah, she needed a break after that one. And Cas wasn’t one to enjoy one of Dean’s buck-wild escapades. So, there they were, seated across from one another at the table in the middle of the bunker; Y/N sipping on a soda while Cas watched. When Y/N had suggested a round of Uno and he had looked at her like she was speaking in tongues, she knew what their night would consist of. Dean and Sam would go wild in the Kansas streets. Y/N would school Cas in the art of a classic card game.

           Cas searched his hand before settling on one. He gently slid a yellow six on top of her card. “Is that allowed?”

           “There you go.” Y/N smiled. She played a yellow two. “See, you’re getting the hang of it.”

           “Human games are so intricate. There are so many rules.”

           “Angels don’t play games up in heaven?” She watched him sift through his cards and plan out his next move. His eyebrows furrowed. His head tilted slightly. His lips moved in a subtle fashion as thousands of strategies played through his mind. Everything he did, no matter if it was researching a monster or washing his hands, he put so much thought into. So much effort. Less because he needed to, more because he actually cared about the outcome. There wasn’t a man on the planet with more compassion and drive than Castiel. She took another sip of soda to hide her smile. “What do you do to pass the time, then? Twiddle your thumbs?”

           “We don’t have thumbs.” He placed a card. A yellow four. “We have wings.”

           “You know what I mean.”

           “Time is not so much of a concept in heaven as it is on Earth.” Y/N picked through her cards. She settled on a green two. “Thousands of earth years could pass and it would feel like nothing to an angel. I have lived for millennia and it feels similar to a blink of a human eye.”

           “So, these last few years on earth have probably drug on for you.”

           “Yes.” His eyes darted from the card she placed and back to his hand. “But not in the way you think. I have enjoyed my time on Earth. Regardless of the obstacles and trials I have faced.”

           “You don’t have a card to play, do you?” Y/N quirked a brow.

           He sighed. “What happens now?”

           “Draw from the deck ‘til you do.”

           He began to pull from the pile one by one. He huffed out a breath after the third card. “None of these are suitable to play.”

           “Then keep going.” Y/N snorted.

            He grumbled something under his breath.

            “Come again?” She asked. A grin split her face. He was a sore loser. How adorable.

            “I said, this game is frustrating.” The tight line of his lips relaxed after the fifth card. “Finally.” He all but threw the card on the pile. A green eight. “I have bones to pick with the creator of this game.”

            Y/N laughed. “I’m sure he’d love to sit down with an Angel of the Lord and discuss his family-based card game.”

            “Family.” He repeated, training his eyes on her. “Did you play this game with your family?”

            Her family. Memories of her early life came pouring through her mind like a freshly thrown flood gate. Her baby sister’s smile. Her father’s laugh. Her mother’s hugs. It felt like yesterday that she was still living at home, attending the local community college and working at a sandwich shop. Now, she was a hunter; living in an air-tight vault in the center of the states with two problematic brothers and a fallen angel. It wasn’t what she pictured her future to be like. She wondered if her father would have been proud of her. She sniffed. “My dad wasn’t one for card games. Unless it involved sports of some kind.”

            “He was an athlete?”

            “Best golfer in the state.” Damn, she didn’t have anything. She drew a card from the pile. A wild card. She placed it on the table. “I choose red.”

            He tilted his head. “We can choose colors?”

            “Only if it’s a wild card.” She pointed at her play. “If you play this card, you can choose the color. In this case, I choose red.”

            “So that is what that card is.” He muttered, a smile playing on his lips. Oh, no. She didn’t like that look. He cleared his throat and let his face fall into that same expressionless stare he was so good at. “You said the card is red?”

            Y/N nodded. He studied his hand for a moment before speaking again. “You said your father golfed. As an occupation or for leisure?”

            “Leisure. Could have gone pro in his younger years. But he married my mom instead.”

            “So, he chose your mother over his athletics.” He put down a red card. It was a skip. “I assume this is playable.”

            “It’s a skip turn card.” Y/N must have been speaking in tongues again by how he looked at her. She chuckled. “It means that the next player can’t go until next round. Since there’s only two of us, you get to go twice.”

            “I see.” Cas’ lip pulled in the corner. “Did he regret his decision?”

            She hesitated for a moment. “Sometimes, I think he did.” He looked up at her from his hand of cards. The lump in her throat swelled a bit more. It took a couple of hearty swallows just to push it down. “Don’t get me wrong, he loved my sister and I. Raised us up right and made sure we had food on the table. But him and my mom… they couldn’t ever sort the shit out in their marriage. I can’t remember them saying that they loved each other one time in my life.” This was not how she imagined this conversation to pan out. Judging by the way his eyes nearly rolled out of his head, neither had he. “Jesus, I’m sorry, that’s some deep shit right there. I haven’t even mentioned that to Dean or Sam yet.”

            Cas began to set the cards down onto the table. “Y/N, we don’t have to- “

            “No, no, it’s not that I don’t wanna tell you.” She straightened up in her chair and cleared her throat. “It’s just been a long time since I’ve even talked to anyone about that. Kinda weird to hear it out of my mouth again, you know?”

            “I think I do.” He lifted the cards once again but didn’t take his eyes off her. “I appreciate you sharing with me. Self-disclosing about such affairs can be…difficult. If not painful.”

            “It doesn’t hurt as much anymore.” His stare returned back to his cards. Hers didn’t. “It was so long ago. Years. But sometimes when I look back it feels like last week.”

            “When was the last time you saw your family?” He played another card. A wild draw four. That bastard. “Green.” He offered a smug smirk.

            Y/N groaned and drew four more cards. “Had to have been at least five years ago. Before I was a hunter.”

            “Do they know that you live this life?”

            “Never got to tell them. They died a few months later.”

            She didn’t want to see his expression, so she looked back at her hand. She had nine cards now, thanks to Cas. Four reds, a yellow skip, a blue switch, two regular blues and one green. She placed the green card.

            “That’s why I became a hunter in the first place.” Y/N continued. “I left home to try and find myself. Traveled around the state for a while. Met some new people. Saw some great cities. I felt like the life I had been living wasn’t leading me anywhere. Figures, the second I leave…”  She trailed off, her gaze flying to the ceiling. Her eyes burned hot behind her eyelids. Damn it, not right now. Not in front of Cas.

            “It isn’t your fault.” He finally said, placing another card. A green zero. “How could you have known?”

            “I should’ve been there to protect them.” She drew two cards until she found one playable. A yellow zero. “If I hadn’t left for my stupid fucking adventure, they’d still be here.”

            “You can’t think like that.” A wild card. “Green.”

            “Jesus, you got any greens in your hand or what?” She had to draw three until she found one. He cracked a smile. “You’re killing me over here.”

            “Quit whining and play a card.” He threw her words back in her face. Y/N snorted.

            “Easy to be the bigger person when you don’t have half the deck in your hand.”

            Their sudden silence seemed to echo off the walls of the bunker for a lifetime. Cas played a green nine. Y/N played a blue nine. Cas put down a wild draw two. Y/N tried not to flip the table. Who the fuck shuffled this deck? She had just drawn two when he broke the quiet moment. “Y/N?”

            “Yeah?”

            “You said that your parents did not love one another.”

            “Still hung up on that, huh?” She scanned her hand with the utmost concentration. She had at least fifteen cards now. He had five. She had to buckle down if she wanted to win this one. “Like I said, not a big deal. I’m an adult now. I don’t give it much thought.”

            “Are you afraid that will happen to you?”

            Her heart sputtered in her chest. She knew what he was referring to. For their ‘family outing’ last weekend, they had settled in at Pooches bar near the center of town. It was the only pub that got rowdy on Friday nights. A few drinks in and, as usual, Y/N had started to feel it. It was about then that a young farm hand began to chat her up: bought a round, spun her around the dance floor, let her beat his ass in a game of pool. He was easy on the eye. Genuine. Respectful. The kind of guy you bring home to meet your folks. It was clear he was more interested in getting to know her than he was in a quick fuck and leave. It wasn’t the first time she met a guy like that. Lebanon may be smack dab on the corner of ‘redneck’ and ‘blue collar’ but it sure bred some wholesome men. But even after knowing all that, she still couldn’t open up. Still couldn’t put herself out there. So, just like every other guy, she slipped out without hardly a goodbye. Left him out to dry like a line of fresh laundry on a summer’s eve.

            Was she afraid? She’d never thought about it like that. Thought it was just the down side of being her father’s daughter. Let as few people into your inner circle as possible. Easier to live that way. But maybe it came from somewhere deeper. Deeper than her father’s lessons and her natural God-given beliefs. A part of her that she could never outrun, no matter many miles she drove.

            “Maybe.” She wasn’t sure he’d even heard it. What a stupid thought. Of course he did. He was an angel.

            Cas looked at her. Really looked at her. The kind of look that every girl dreamed a man would give her. A gaze so soft, a pool of blue coating her in his warmth and protection. An entire summer sky shone back at her. Her breath caught. “Why?”

            “Because my parents- “

           “You are not your parents.” His cards lay abandoned on the table. She hardly blinked before he was in the chair beside her, his fingers around her wrist and squeezing gently. Together, they lowered her cards to the table. “You are your own person. Your parents’ way of life does not dictate your future.”

            Y/N couldn’t formulate a sentence. So, he continued.

            “They made their choice. That was theirs to make. It isn’t your fault that they ended up that way. No matter how much you blame yourself.” She didn’t realize how much she needed to hear his words until he spoke them. Tears pooled in her eyes. “You can’t punish yourself for their actions. You are free to make your own choices. Have your own experiences. Fall in love, take risks, enjoy what this life has to offer you.”

            When she nodded, the floodgates opened. Years of buildup fell from eyes and trailed down her cheeks. He held her face in his hands and wiped them away with his thumbs. “You are an independent woman, Y/N. A strong and comforting force in this world of uncertainty. A bright light in the dark. You are capable of anything and everything.”

            There were a select few that knew about her family history. Her best friend from community college. That random gas station attendant she had broken down in front of on her way back from her family’s service. Her long-lost aunt who had moved to the United Kingdom a year after her sister’s passing without hardly a goodbye. But none had really understood where she was coming from. Bruce from the Gas n’ Sip just offered her a Cola and an awkward one-armed hug. Christine had forced six tequila shots down her throat to numb the pain. Her aunt just avoided it all together. But Cas… he understood. The force of heaven was hardly the traditional ‘Nuclear Family’ ideal. His entire existence was full of nothing but inner-family conflict. He was derived from chaos. He was chaos. But wasn’t that all she was, too?

            “So, what’s next for the great Y/N Y/L/N?” His voice was a rumble from his chest. Like the gentle roll of thunder during a summer storm. Truly a phenomenon worth experiencing. Worth knowing. And just like that, she knew exactly what was next.

            When their lips met it was exactly how she imagined it. Soft. Fleeting. Unhurried. Natural. If it had been an hour before she would have ducked away with a beet red face and a mouth full of apologies. But not now. She was too far gone to care. She had no apologies to offer.

            They pulled away. And then he smiled. That rare, toothy smile that showed a mixture of both Jimmy’s time and his own. Enough to make her forget everything. Enough to give her hope.

            “You are.” She pushed her chair until their thighs sat flush against each other. Their lips all but touching. Her fingers finding the hair at the nape of his neck. “You are my next adventure.”

            The next morning, when the brothers asked about their night, it was with groggy voices and steaming cups of coffee. Cas sat in his original seat from their game of Uno and watched Y/N clean the forgotten cards from the table.

            “Looks like the game ended with a bang.” Sam nodded toward the remaining cards scattered across the wood. She finished packing them inside their box and closed the flap. “Who won?”

            Cas met her stare. He had to bite his lip to keep from grinning. The boys hadn’t noticed his mis-matched buttons or his crooked tie. Not yet, anyway. Y/N just shrugged.

            “Me.” She smiled. “Definitely me.”

Castiel Tags: (not sure if this is how it works, bear with me)

@kristendansmith

#castiel x reader #castiel x you #castiel x y/n #cas x reader #supernatural fanfiction #supernatural oneshot #supernatural one shots #the readstiel collection

[diariozombie-ar]

Dirt 5 review – Thrilling, fun, and accessible - Codemasters moves Dirt firmly into arcade racer territory, with great success. I enjoy feeling great at video games even if I’m bang-average. I get enough of being okay in everyday life, so when a racing game makes me feel like I am one with the car I think a special part of my brain unlocks. Dirt 5 is such a game, letting me feel like I’m in The Matrix and have taken that special pill from Limitless. This is a longwinded way to say that Dirt 5 is a top-notch arcade racer, and one that fills a gap that very much needed filling. Importantly, Dirt 5 is a very different experience to the Dirt Rally series. If you want the point-to-point stage events, Dirt Rally is there for you. While Dirt 5 has some traditional rally stages, they are not the focus and are not multi-stage affairs – plus you have the entire pack of opponents jostling with you, which isn’t very pure rally. Also missing is a co-driver, so you don’t get useful info on upcoming corners. There’s also no rewind feature, a series mainstay for years. While I thought this deliberate omission would lead to frustration, in truth I rarely felt the need for it and instead made more of an effort to learn where best to take risks on courses. Career mode presents you with five event groups, each comprised of numerous races. While this starts off as a linear path through the races, it soon opens up to allow for any less favored race types to be ignored. I’m not a huge fan of the sprint races that require the use of the cars with the ridiculously oversized wings, so avoided them. Trick-focused Gymkhana also doesn’t really do much for me, so I skipped over most of those too. The good news is that there’s so much on offer that this kind of picking and choosing doesn’t make the game feel small. The circuit-based Ultra Cross races, point-to-point Rally Raids, Ice breaker short circuit events, and super off-road Pathfinder tracks are all high points, but the key is that there’s a lot of content here, with all the events spread over 10 locations. Add in varying weather and time of day and I never felt like I was having to grind the same locations to make progress – in fact, I only found myself going back to earn some extra required stamps on one occasion as I worked through the career. These events are tough, but great fun. As I said, it’s great to feel like you’re good at something. Online leaderboards are there for those who want to challenge themselves, and getting 100 percent completion will take a higher level of competency and a lot more time. I haven’t crunched the numbers, but I made it through the career with what looked like at least half the events left to play. On top of that, there are a dozen or so Throwdown events against specific AI racers, plus some sponsorships to handle, offering bonuses based on race performance. Playgrounds is the user-created content portion of Dirt 5, letting you knock together custom courses in arenas. You can pick between checkpoint races, Gymkhana trick events, and an object smash high-score event. It’s early days and so hard to say how good these courses will be, but there’s already a lot of promise being shown. I attempted to recreate my semi-local multi-storey carpark, got fed up after 10 minutes and quit before I’d managed to build a second level, but the tools seem solid. Online modes are split between proper racing and party events. Vampire is the successor to Outbreak mode from Dirt 3 and is superb fun as you hunt down other cars or try to evade the touch of the vampiric car troop. On the more serious side, the event types found in the career mode are playable online with a maximum of 12 players. At the time of writing I’ve only managed a handful of online races, but performance was good. With Dirt 5 being a next-gen launch title for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, I’ve seen a fair bit of commentary online about how it’s not much of a looker. Those people are wrong or have extremely high standards. While I’m not talking about the next-gen versions here, on Xbox One X and PS4 Pro (I didn’t test on the base consoles) Dirt 5 can look gorgeous, with a touch of Motorstorm and Driveclub about its visual makeup. Draw distances are superb, and little visual flourishes such as sandstorms and fireworks at night add a spark. Dirt 5 looks especially pretty at night. If there’s a blemish it’s the frame rate, especially on Xbox One X. Dirt 5 offers two visual settings, one prioritising frame rate and the other pushing resolution. For me, neither is the ideal option on One X, with the frame rate mode being just a tad under locked and with a bit of screen tearing, and the resolution option a bit too uneven in performance. I ended up bouncing between the two, unsure what I liked best, but knowing that I didn’t love either. It’s a shame, but not a devastating blow, and something I expect the Xbox Series X/S versions will not suffer from. On PS4 Pro the situation appears better, at least to my eye. Frame rate mode and resolution mode both seem to stick to their targets without as much deviation. In their current states, then, I’d opt for the game on PS4 Pro, but future patches could change this. Worth mentioning is the impressive soundtrack, which managed to make me feel ancient at points but also caused reactions such as “oh, that’s Pearl Jam,” and “ooh, that’s not bad,” while I whipped out Shazam to see who a previously unknown band was. Less successful is the in-menu radio show/podcast. It’s not bad by any means, but I couldn’t help but liken it to the kind of talk radio my mum used to put on to “keep the house company” while she was out. I’m a big fan of Dirt 5. It’s not going to garner the praise of a Gran Turismo or a Forza, but it’s exactly the kind of game I was after. It’s fun, easy to get into, full of variety, looks pretty, and features cars that slide beautifully around corners. Dirt 5 is a feel-good game at feel-bad time, which is about the best time for it to exist. Versions Tested: Xbox One X and PS4 Pro. Copies of the game were provided by the publisher. The post Dirt 5 review – Thrilling, fun, and accessible appeared first on VG247. http://diariozombie.ar/dirt-5-review-thrilling-fun-and-accessible/

[aion-rsa]

Star Wars Squadrons Review: A True Successor to X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Ever since Luke Skywalker braved the trench run and fired proton torpedoes into the Death Star’s core in the final moments of A New Hope, Star Wars fans everywhere have imagined what it would be like to pilot an X-wing – or any of the film’s collection of starfighters, for that matter. While LucasArts fed that curiosity with a series of excellent flight simulators and space combat games, it’s taken Electronic Arts seven years to deliver a fresh take on the space pilot fantasy with Motive Studios’ Star Wars: Squadrons.

Let’s be honest, backed up by that epic John Williams score and featuring some of sci-fi’s most recognizable iconography, it’s hard for any Star Wars game to be an unmitigated failure. However, it just so happens that Star Wars: Squadrons also excels in its own right, providing fun and engaging dogfighting combat primed to satisfy both genre newcomers and any franchise veteran craving a true successor to 1997’s X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter. The narrative might be a little safe compared to some other Expanded Universe entries, sure, but when that PSVR helmet’s slipped on and you’re facing a massive Imperial fleet, you can’t help but feel like the Force is with this game.

Stream your Star Wars favorites right here!

The single-player campaign in Star Wars: Squadrons is a lean if predictable affair, taking place in the aftermath of the Galactic Empire’s defeat at Endor when the Rebellion has reorganized as the New Republic. Turns out, though, buying into a story as nuanced as this one is tricky when events take place almost entirely among the stars. Luckily, the story switches perspectives between both sides of the war, which helps keep you somewhat engaged, even if the personalities of the do-good Vanguard squadron are drastically more memorable than their Imperial equivalent on Titan Squadron.

Flying in Star Wars: Squadrons sits somewhere between a full-fledged flight simulator and an arcade-style air combat game, challenging you to manage and distribute power between your engines, lasers, and shield as necessary while trying to maintain a lock on enemy ships and completing mission objectives. Yes, there’s A LOT of multi-tasking involved. In fact, it’s a bit like learning how to simultaneously rub your belly and pat your head, only here not rubbing your belly the correct way could result in the destruction of a shipyard or the death of innocent people. I can’t speak for HOTAS controls, but multitasking these systems feels natural using a DualShock 4 controller. The campaign is also varied enough in the scenarios it presents that you’ll find yourself switching attack strategies quite often.

At first, the game’s first-person perspective is quite jarring, but being confined to a cockpit view feel like a good way to engross you in this universe as every screen and instrument in view believably acts as your HUD. It’s in the cockpit where you monitor your thrust level, keep a lock on out-of-view enemies, and check the status of any passive or projectile component you have equipped. All eight playable ships handle uniquely in terms of their acceleration, speed, and overall hull strength, though as the campaign progresses, you can tweak them to be more in line with your play style.

Release Date: Oct. 2, 2020 Platforms: PS4 (reviewed), XBO, PC Developer: Motive Studios Publisher: Electronic Arts Genre: Space Combat

When out of the action, the story advances in cutscenes, audio exposition in your cockpit, and some tedious sections on the game’s main capital ships. In these brief instances, you can move from the hangar to the briefing room and get to know your teammates a little better. Doing so simply involves clicking a button and having them speak at you. And even though you create two custom-created characters (one for each faction), Star Wars: Squadrons is by no means an RPG, meaning there’s never the ability to engage with your crew via dialogue options, meaning conversations just come over as stilted and awkward.

Less stilted is the game’s fast-paced multiplayer, which you quickly learn is what the solo portion has been training you for. I’ll be honest, what’s here isn’t incredibly unexpected or revolutionary compared to other flight combat games, but the two modes available at launch both provide a distinct experience and reward your mastery of Star Wars: Squadrons’ unique control setup. Dogfight is a relatively straightforward death match-style offering, tasking two teams of 5 to secure 30 kills before the timer runs out. And while ship handling is familiar, the actions of your foes suddenly aren’t, as real-life players pose far more of a challenge than the AI ever could. Getting a lock on an enemy ship is nowhere near as easy as in the single-player campaign.

Things get interesting, however, when you reach level 5 and unlock Fleet Battles. Extremely similar to the Galactic Battles mode featured in Star Wars Battlefront II, it serves as an intergalactic tug-of-war of sorts where you must take down the opposing team’s forces on a phase-by-phase basis. Your objective is to destroy their main ship, but you can only do so by slowly witling down their fleet. This results in matches that can last upwards of 30 minutes, as your ability to target specific sections of a cruiser and change to defense at a moment’s notice is tested.

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Only having two multiplayer modes at launch might seem tame for a game attempting to cultivate a strong player base. However, seeded in is a lighter take on the Battle Pass concept – including a ranked and daily rewards system – which I can easily see incentivizing those who want the rarest cosmetic items possible for their pilots and ships.

EA has seemingly learned its lesson from the launch of Battlefront II as there are no micro-transactions to speak of here. Doing well in Dogfight and Fleet Battles earn you earn Glory and Requisition, the former going towards aesthetic enhancements while the latter lets you unlock components and tools you’ve previously used in the single-player.

Despite being priced as a budget title, Star Wars: Squadrons is very much the full package and a solid modern entry into the wider pantheon of Star Wars flight battle games. Its story might be a little rote, not taking full advantage of the period it’s set in, but EA Motive has absolutely nailed the feeling of what it means to be an X-wing and TIE fighter pilot – both on a standard display and VR. The foundation is also here for multiplayer to flourish, providing new seasonal events are introduced to further inspire players to take flight.

The post Star Wars Squadrons Review: A True Successor to X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/34tZlxU

#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

[raknograel]

The Ultimate Overwatch Questionnaire!

1. Who is your defense main?

Bastion.

2. Who is your support main?

Symmetra / Zenyatta

3. Who is your offense main?

Pharah.

4. Who is your tank main?

D.Va.

5. Who is you MAIN main?

SYMMETRA.

6. Which character have you played the least?

Winston.

7. Which character do you want to learn how to play?

I would like to learn how to play Reinhardt, tbh.

8. Which character do you dislike the most?

Well, there is no character i “dislike” but if i would have to say the one i like the least... Widowmaker.

9. Which character’s background story do you like the most?

Orisa. So long, so dedicated, so full of meaning.

Ok, now seriously. Shimada Bros. “Dragons” was so beautiful.

10. Which character’s background story do you like the least?

As i said, Orisa should deserve a more developed backstory.

11. Which map is your favorite?

Eichenwalde.

12. Which map is your least favorite?

Liijang Tower.

13. What Arcade game type is your favorite?

3 vs 3.

14. What Arcade game type is your least favorite?

No limits.

15. Do you prefer quick play, competitive, arcade mode, or custom games?

Depends on the mood, tbh.

16. Which map type is your favorite? Assault, escort, assault & escort, control, or arena?

Assault. LET THE TURRETS BEGIN THE PAIN.

17. Which map type is your least favorite? Assault, escort, assault & escort, control, or arena?

Escort. Is sometimes so... Hey, I’m here, is anybody coming or... Well, nevermind, now I’m dead.

18. Which event map was your favorite?

Null sector assault! Honestly, i would like more “campaign” maps like these.

It’s free to dream, right?

19. Which event map reskin was your favorite?

King’s Row on Christmas.

20. Which event was your favorite?

LOOK AT ALL THOSE ROBOTS DYING HELPLESSLLY.

Uprising ofc.

21. Which event legendary skin was your favorite?

Aniversary Symmetra.

22. Which event was your least favorite?

Least favorite? Well, i would say Christmas. A bit underwhelming comparing to others tbh.

23. Which event legendary skin was your least favorite?

Aniversary D.Va. I don’t really like the “retro” style, but i can’t say I dislike it either.

24. Which event non-legendary skin was your favorite?

Uprising Reinhardt. Hell, why not.

25. Which event non-legendary skin was your least favorite?

Scrooge McCree, for saying something.

26. Which event item do you most regret not getting?

Halloween Reinhadt.

27. Did you beat the Uprising event on Normal, Hard, Expert, and Legendary?

Hard, and hell it was difficult with teams so discoordinated.

28. Do you have Sombra’s “Power Outage” achievement?

Seems nope. Maybe I should do something about it.

29. Do you have Widowmaker’s “Smooth as Silk” achievement?

I dont like play snipers so... probably i wont go for it.

And no, i didn’t got it.

30. Do you have Lucio’s “The Floor is Lava” achievement?

Nope.

31. Do you have Zenyatta’s “Rapid Discord” achievement?

My team is not that fast.

32. What was the first achievement you got?

JUSTICE RAINS FROM ABOVE

33. Did you get the “Not A Scratch,” achievement on Junkenstein’s Revenge?

Couldn’t play that one, so no.

34. What has been the hardest achievement to get for you?

Honestly, i dunno. Im more of “Oh, an achievement popped!”

35. What’s your current SR score in Competitive Mode?

1967 more or less.

36. What the highest you’ve been in Competitive?

Gold, this season! =D

37. What’s the most amount of placement matches you’ve won?

Eight.

38. How many gold guns do you have?

None... for now.

39. Which was the first gold gun you got?

Probably this year. Someday. I hope.

40. Whose gold gun do you currently want?

Symmetra or Zenyatta... I can’t really choose right now.

41. What role do you usually play in Competitive?

Offensive Healer / Offensive Microwave.

42. If you don’t play Competitive, why not?

I do.

43. What kind of theme event would you like to see in the future?

My friend suggested a Pride Day Event and HELL YEAH.

44. What type of character would you like to see in the future?

DRAGON.

Not a noodle dragon.

A fucking dragon with claws and wings and all.

Dream big, bro.

45. Who needs more (or better) skins in the future?

Hanzo.

46. What country would you like a new character to come from?

Some Mediterranean country, or Arabia.

47. Favorite voice line?

“You were not meant for greatness“

48. Favorite player icon?

Blackwatch.

49. Favorite emote?

Zenyatta dance.

50. Favorite spray?

CAR WASH.

51.Favorite victory pose?

Symmetra light reading.

52. Favorite highlight intro?

“Selfie” from D.Va.

53. Characters you ship the most?

McHanzo / Reaper76 / Rein x Thorbjorn (??????)

54. Characters you ship the least?

Mmm. I would say Mercy and Widowmaker. A lot people will hate me for that but... Welp.

55. Characters you wish had more in-game interactions?

Symmetra and Hanzo. Sometimes i feel they have so much in common.

56. Character you wish had a comic about?

Zenyatta and Genji, probably.

57. Favorite comic released?

“I’m not the one with the statue…” <-- THIS

58. Favorite short released?

DRAGONS.

59. Favorite new character released?

SOrisa.

60. Overwatch, Blackwatch, or Talon?

Blackwatch.

61. Pro-Omnic or anti-Omnic?

Anti - Anti - Omnic.

62. Favorite character that isn’t a playable one? (Ex: Emily, Brigitte, Gerard, Efi, etc.)

Brigitte.

63. Character change (nerf, boost, work around) that you liked the most?

Sombra’s boost.

64. Character change (nerf, boost, work around) you liked the least?

D.Va’s damage nerf.

65. Best ultimate?

Nerf this!!!

66. Worst ultimate?

Widowmaker. “Oh hey, i can see you, but usually i wont be able to hit you anyway, so to the hell with it”

67. Most kills in game?

39, symmetra probably.

68. Most heals in game?

Around 10.340, Zenyatta heals slowly.

69. What character do you think needs a nerf?

Mmm, i dont feel any character needs a nerf honestly.

70. What character do you think needs a buff?

Orisa feels a bit underwhelming, but maybe its just my opinion.

71. Have you ever rage quit in the middle of a game?

No. Just nope.

72. What’s the fastest you’ve won a game?

Around 3 min, Temple of Anubis.

73. What’s the fastest you’ve lost a game?

Illios, 5 min.

74. Your best Overwatch-related story?

Today, a Zenyatta was doubtful i picked Symmetra on attack on comp, and a bit later he was helping me a lot and praising me and i usually dont get that love playing symmetra and its beautiful.

75. Weirdest thing that happened to you on Overwatch?

One player screeching like a pterodactyl on the voice chat.

76. Platform you play on?

PC.

77. Do you stream?

Nope, maybe in a future.

78. Do you normally play solo or with friends?

With my friend. Best duo ever (?)

79. Have you made any friends because of Overwatch?

I can’t say i’ve made “friends” but i met a couple of good ppl =D.

80. Have you cosplayed a character from Overwatch?

I would like to, maybe Junkrat. But not yet.

81. Have you ever wrote fan fiction about Overwatch?

Yup.

82. What’s the lowest you’ve been in Competitive?

1200 or so.

83. In “All Brawls,” if you get “Charge!” do you play Reinhardt or do you pick the Lucio role?

SHIELDS RAIN FROM ABOVE.

84. In “All Brawls,” if you get “One Shot, One Kill,” do you play Ana, Hanzo, or Widowmaker?

Widow. From the snipers, its the only one i dont feel a complete useless.

85. In “All Brawls,” if you get “This is Ilios,” do you pick Lucio or Roadhog?

Roadhog.

86. Team Genji or Team Hanzo?

Genji. At least i’m able to hit something.

87. Be honest! Do you usually get on the payload?

I usually get on the payload ALONE.

And then i die.

In an horrible way.

88. Does your team?

Only my friend, usually. I feel happiness when i see more than that.

89. What’s the longest session of Overwatch you’ve played?

6 hours or so i thing.

90. No Limits, Mystery Heroes, or Total Mayhem?

No Limits.

91.Most cosmetics you have for one character?

Symmetra, with 43

92. Least cosmetics you have for one character?

Orisa with 18. its fairly new so its normal.

93. Have you ever made your own custom game?

1 vs 1 kill mayhem with a friend.

...

Never again did.

94. Best D.Va skin?

I LIKE BEES. 

95. Best Mercy skin?

Witch.

96. Best Tracer skin?

Peony.

97. Zarya’s Industrial and Cybergoth skins: yes, no, or HELL NO?

Hell yes.

98. Do you want more animal character, robot characters, or human characters?

Dragons count as animals?

99. Is there are character you’d get rid of completely?

Not characters, but i would get rid of flamers and leavers and such ppl

100. What do you think Sombra’s real name is?

Luz. Spanish of “light”. She is hiding from his past self so i find that logical.

[maukgame]

Weekly Blog 4

Research and Inspirations

This week, my research focused on learning more about the folklore that inspired Mauk as well as seeking out visual references for what the terrain should ultimately look like. For the terrain, I’ve decided to base the geological forms of the islands based on the Falkland Islands and South Georgia island. Here are some reference images:

The reason I’ve selected these islands is not only due to the fact that their sheer-faced geology will provide ample opportunity for designing gliding challenge but because these are islands where real albatross actually live - the habitat they’re known for inhabiting. While realism isn’t the focus of a fantasy game like Mauk, I thought it appropriate to do research at least into the biome where these real-life majestic birds live, and my design will reflect this habitat appropriately

The second aspect of my research this week centered around the mythology surrounding albatross, specifically confirming that my information on them being associated with deceased souls was accurate. I can confirm, with several sources agreeing, that in maritime legends albatross are frequently associated with specifically the souls of drowned sailors, and that this mythology is actually part of what inspired The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/10-superstitions-about-birds6.htm

https://books.google.com/books?id=vgbwx-AsKK4C&pg=PT1&lpg=PT1&dq=albatross+drowned+sailor&source=bl&ots=vqyhuUozkw&sig=ACfU3U2sna_fWsNwA5mYKfpHFwZa5o3f1Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjoovX_rIfgAhWn1IMKHf5EDQ0Q6AEwFXoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=albatross%20drowned%20sailor&f=false

https://www.boaterexam.com/blog/2011/07/boater-superstitions.aspx

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/4254070/Bird-of-good-omen.html

It was reassuring to find that I hadn’t somehow just gotten this idea in my head somehow, and portraying this little known bit of oceanic mythology is part of what makes me so excited for Mauk as a project.

Progress and Process

This week actually included a tremendous amount of progress for me! As per my schedule, I finished all of the necessary code to turn Mauk into a functional, playable game! Below are screenshots, and while they may look straightforward now, I assure you that compiling them was very much a multi-step purpose. Specifically getting the rotational data from Max - which was in degrees - to rotate the object in Unity - which operates with quaternions - was a problem that took a few attempts to get right. And as with most coding solutions, the correct answer was a built-in function I just didn’t know about all along!

This is the script that accepts data from Max and turns it into the required quaternion information for Unity! This was the main headache, but it functions perfectly now with no lag! (The Quaternion.Euler(); function was the one that fixed all my problems)

This is the code that actually processes the glider physics and turns the rotational angle of the hand into forward velocity. It was created using a modified version of a frictionless ramp formula, however in this case gravity has been reduced to 2 due to the fact that Unity doesn’t actually work in meters and 9.8 in testing turned out to be way too ridiculously high. The “if” statements you see provide a “terminal velocity” type effect where the player can’t go beyond a certain speed and also a “stalling” effect where if movement speed grows too slow they begin to fall. While falling, players still have a little bit of forward momentum, so by tipping forward they will be able to gain velocity and regain control of the bird in earnest.

This code is the basic collection script that enables players to collect the objective. It operates based on Unity’s tagging system, so this script needs only be applied to the player themselves while all collectibles must only be tagged. I included a variable to indicate how many collectibles a player has gathered in order to properly gate the end of the game, so that only after collecting all three will they be able to trigger the ending.

This is a basic death/respawn script for “killing” the player when they collide with the ground. This will have to be tweaked just a little in the future, in order to ensure the water of the ocean also registers as a “ground” collision. However I’m completely unworried by that and confident it’ll just be a matter of adding another tag to the script to make it operational with water as well. As a backup option, I also plan on putting “death volumes” beneath the ground in case a player manages to punch through the plane collider Unity natively attaches to the terrain.

To view the Max script, please see Blog 3.

Reflection

This week was such a huge pick-me-up after what felt like banging my head against the wall last week! I’m ahead of schedule now, and eager to get into building the actual visual bones of the project in preparation for midterm! I expect it’ll by no means be a polished view, but I know my classmates will be able to see the functionality itself working and get excited about what I’ll have by then of the world! 

As I’ve been reflecting on the visuals I want for Mauk, I’ve come to the conclusion that I think first person really is the way to go for this. While I believe I feasibly could model a low-poly bird in Maya myself, I don’t believe I’d be able to animate all the delicate wing alterations birds make in the air to maneuver themselves. Being that the game isn’t in VR, I don’t think motion sickness or disorientation will be an issue, and furthermore I believe it’ll make my game more unique among its main inspirations - Glyder and Aer. The only circumstance I foresee changing this is if during testing I find players do suffer from that unanticipated motion sickness or disorientation. But for the time being, it’s full speed ahead for first person POV!

Feedback

Last week Laleh left a comment on my documentation grade mentioning she wanted to see visuals of the bird itself. I don’t want you to think I forgot - simply I’ve chosen not to include it due to my ultimate decision to have the game be first-person instead of third. Due to this stylistic choice, the bird itself will never be seen. However, while it isn’t the same as a full drawing of the bird, in some free time I did create a beta version of the logo for Mauk! I intend to digitize it in photoshop to spiff it up a little, but here’s the pencil version: