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Bits and Bobs 49
https://www.beexcellenttoeachother.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11060
Page 23 of 60

Author:  Bamba [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 15:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

RuySan wrote:
What i think is that the default difficulty in most AAA games is completely wrong for me personally.


Fixed. There's nothing like an objective measure here so any definitive statements are completely pointless; as are any attempts to point to a specific factor. That said, it seems especially odd to point the finger at varying difficulty settings given that those have been a staple of games for as long as I can remember so if their presence was somehow the core issue then this 'problem' wouldn't only be affecting recent AAA games surely?

Author:  MaliA [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 15:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Yeah, but console games are generally set to be easier than PC games, because the console need to sell the units regularly to a less skilled demographic, whereas PC difficulty is a lot higher as the gamers there spend 9/10th time optimising screen resolutions and their skills level is higher because of keyboard mouse headshots and they tend to play one game for years as they have less cash as gfx cards be spendy.

Author:  Bamba [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 15:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

MaliA wrote:
Yeah, but console games are generally set to be easier than PC games, because the console need to sell the units regularly to a less skilled demographic, whereas PC difficulty is a lot higher as the gamers there spend 9/10th time optimising screen resolutions and their skills level is higher because of keyboard mouse headshots and they tend to play one game for years as they have less cash as gfx cards be spendy.


I don't believe a word of that. Or, at least, have never heard any of it said and a lot of it sounds like bollocks on the surface of it. The only thing in that area that I know is true is that there are certain changes made to controls* to make up for the way control pads work vs 'mouse and keyboard'; changes that also exist if you play the same game on a PC using a control pad so it's not even about 'PC vs console' and just about 'one control method vs another'.

*e.g. when aiming with a control pad I read about some FPS doing stuff like almost imperceptibly slowing down the cursor as you move it over an enemy to give you a better chance of hitting without slowing down general navigation.

Author:  RuySan [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 15:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Bamba wrote:
RuySan wrote:
What i think is that the default difficulty in most AAA games is completely wrong for me personally.


Fixed. There's nothing like an objective measure here so any definitive statements are completely pointless; as are any attempts to point to a specific factor. That said, it seems especially odd to point the finger at varying difficulty settings given that those have been a staple of games for as long as I can remember so if their presence was somehow the core issue then this 'problem' wouldn't only be affecting recent AAA games surely?


Well, of course that's my opinion. I could write "IMHO" every time i start a new post if you want.

As for the rest. The problem is the default difficulty. The designers put those extra difficulty settings as an afterthought with some variables changed and it never gets satisfying in any settings.

Sometimes is even weirder. In The Witcher 3, in the default difficulty anyone can brute force through the game just by button mashing. But there's a button to dodge and another to roll, which are almost pointless in the normal difficulty. It's like you're missing much of the game if you play at the intended difficulty.

Author:  devilman [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 15:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

If you're bored, there's a collection of Idiosyncratic Difficulty Levels on TV Tropes. Some are less flattering than others, like Loaded's 'Players are fairies' easiest level.

Author:  Bamba [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 16:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

RuySan wrote:
Well, of course that's my opinion. I could write "IMHO" every time i start a new post if you want.


Obviously I don't expect that in general but your previous post made such a sweeping statement about the design of these games as if it was an objective fact that it felt worth pointing out. If you say something is badly designed then you're saying it's wrong, broken, poor, whatever; but if it's produced entirely as intended and just doesn't suit you specifically then I don't think you can call it 'bad'. I mean if an inventory is needlessly fiddly or a game makes you repeatedly visit the same unchanged locations over and over or there's great swathes of it with nothing at all to do then that's an arguable bad design. Difficulty level is so much more subjective though.

RuySan wrote:
The problem is the default difficulty. The designers put those extra difficulty settings as an afterthought with some variables changed and it never gets satisfying in any settings.


Wait, I'm confused, is the problem the default difficulty being badly designed or the extra difficulty settings being an afterthought?

Author:  KovacsC [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 16:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

MaliA wrote:
Yeah, but console games are generally set to be easier than PC games, because the console need to sell the units regularly to a less skilled demographic, whereas PC difficulty is a lot higher as the gamers there spend 9/10th time optimising screen resolutions and their skills level is higher because of keyboard mouse headshots and they tend to play one game for years as they have less cash as gfx cards be spendy.



:DD :DD

Author:  RuySan [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 16:31 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Bamba wrote:
RuySan wrote:
Well, of course that's my opinion. I could write "IMHO" every time i start a new post if you want.


Obviously I don't expect that in general but your previous post made such a sweeping statement about the design of these games as if it was an objective fact that it felt worth pointing out. If you say something is badly designed then you're saying it's wrong, broken, poor, whatever; but if it's produced entirely as intended and just doesn't suit you specifically then I don't think you can call it 'bad'. I mean if an inventory is needlessly fiddly or a game makes you repeatedly visit the same unchanged locations over and over or there's great swathes of it with nothing at all to do then that's an arguable bad design. Difficulty level is so much more subjective though.

RuySan wrote:
The problem is the default difficulty. The designers put those extra difficulty settings as an afterthought with some variables changed and it never gets satisfying in any settings.


Wait, I'm confused, is the problem the default difficulty being badly designed or the extra difficulty settings being an afterthought?


I would have no problems with the default difficult being easy if there was any care into the more difficult settings. Many japanese developers do put effort in the various diffculty settings but like i said, for most western developers it's usually just doubling enemy HP for example.

Author:  MaliA [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 16:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

The Big One requested a house rabbit, this morning. It is suspected that she has been briefed by Fifth Columnists.

In the interim, I shall consider the purchase of a terrarium with all the stuff and tell her there is a chameleon in there

Author:  Jem [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 17:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

MaliA wrote:
The Big One requested a house rabbit, this morning. It is suspected that she has been briefed by Fifth Columnists.

We had a house rabbit - a Continental Giant - he was fucking ace but I have a scar on the back of one hand where he accidentally bit me in a wee frenzy to get to his food. One of the most painful things I've ever experienced. :S

Author:  Kern [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 17:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

MaliA wrote:
The Big One requested a house rabbit, this morning. It is suspected that she has been briefed by Fifth Columnists.


Real shame about those allergies, eh?

Author:  Squirt [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 17:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

"Accidentally" leave this film playing. They'll soon change their mind.

Author:  MaliA [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 17:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Kern wrote:
MaliA wrote:
The Big One requested a house rabbit, this morning. It is suspected that she has been briefed by Fifth Columnists.


Real shame about those allergies, eh?


Yeah, that card is still in hand.

Author:  Warhead [ Wed Dec 06, 2017 17:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Bobbyaro wrote:
I am staying in a hotel room, and there is some pipe, airlock/Aircon feedback noises going on. It sounds like something from a GSYBE album! It is kinda awesome, but I feel it will be annoying come sleep time.


I used to stay at the Ibis in Stevenage a lot when I was running courses down there, and at night it was like being on the bridge of the USS Enterprise unless you were at the opposite end of the corridor from the lift lobby. The dog damn lifts would go 'Whooosh, clunk' randomly all fucking night long. And apart from that, the Tesco store next door use to take deliveries in the small hours and the drivers would ring the doorbell on the loading bay, which rang just like an old fashioned fire alarm bell. I stayed there so often that I eventually managed to sleep through it all.

Author:  myp [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 9:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Happy birthday Joans!

Author:  TheVision [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

I just had to call a company in France as I've ordered some games that haven't turned up. The guy on the other end of the phone spoke English brilliantly.

I feel a bit dumb now...

Author:  DavPaz [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

TheVision wrote:
I just had to call a company in France as I've ordered some games that haven't turned up. The guy on the other end of the phone spoke English brilliantly.

I feel a bit dumb now...

Tête de merde.

Author:  TheVision [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

DavPaz wrote:
TheVision wrote:
I just had to call a company in France as I've ordered some games that haven't turned up. The guy on the other end of the phone spoke English brilliantly.

I feel a bit dumb now...

Tête de merde.


I'm guessing that's the only bit of GCSE French you remember as well then?

Author:  DavPaz [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

TheVision wrote:
DavPaz wrote:
TheVision wrote:
I just had to call a company in France as I've ordered some games that haven't turned up. The guy on the other end of the phone spoke English brilliantly.

I feel a bit dumb now...

Tête de merde.


I'm guessing that's the only bit of GCSE French you remember as well then?

Fermé la bouche!

Author:  Kern [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Mon Dieu! Le chat est mort!

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Le singe est sur la branche!

Author:  Grim... [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Le singe est sur la autobus!

Author:  TheVision [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:39 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Brilliant... Also, in fairness to them, they're sending out new games for me today and they're going to include a free gift for the inconvenience which is nice of them. I guess they're cowering in the wake of my bargaining power now that Brexit is happening.

Author:  Doctor Glyndwr [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Grim... wrote:
Le singe est sur la autobus!

...et Sandra Bullock est dans l'autobus!

Author:  Grim... [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Il y a une bombe dans l'autobus!

Author:  MaliA [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Nothing I like more than brushing up on a foreign tongue.

Author:  Kern [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

MaliA wrote:
Nothing I like more than brushing up on a foreign tongue.


Heh.

Thinking of Samantha, I only realised this week the double meaning in the title of the ISIHAC round where they have to carry on singing after a record fades out.

Author:  Findus Fop [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 12:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Can't abide his music, but always admired Dan Le Sac's moniker.

Author:  MaliA [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 12:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/d ... en-to-kill

Interesting article about those two girls that stabbed their friend to get on Slenderman's good side.

Author:  Kern [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 13:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

MaliA wrote:
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/dec/07/slender-man-into-the-woods-how-an-online-bogeyman-inspired-children-to-kill

Interesting article about those two girls that stabbed their friend to get on Slenderman's good side.


Fascinating, thanks.

Author:  TheVision [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 13:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Yep. Fascinating and scary all at the same time.

Author:  myp [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 14:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

TheVision wrote:
Fascinating and scary all at the same time.

Le title de ton "Sex-Tape".

Author:  RuySan [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 16:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

MaliA wrote:
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/dec/07/slender-man-into-the-woods-how-an-online-bogeyman-inspired-children-to-kill

Interesting article about those two girls that stabbed their friend to get on Slenderman's good side.


This was a great read. Especially the twist at the end of Juliet's story.

Author:  krazywookie [ Thu Dec 07, 2017 20:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/lo ... e-officer/

I attended this incident as entry control officer, we were waiting for him to set the place on fire then at about 22:30 the cops flash-banged and stormed his flat. Twas an evening of entertainment.

Author:  Warhead [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

A message from our Big Cheese

Quote:
Dear colleague

Earlier this year, President Supreme Cheese declared that compliance - and, in particular, the prevention of bid-rigging - was one of the most important elements of management. He has now also recorded an interview on the subject, which I strongly encourage you to watch and/or read the English script.

As you know, we operate in almost every country in the world, including areas where bribery and corruption risks are significant. I would like to remind you that we have zero tolerance for wrongdoing, even in areas of high risk where we must be particularly vigilant in our business dealings.

This Saturday, December 9, is designated by the United Nations as “International Anti-Corruption Day”. This day is intended to raise international awareness of the importance of honesty in business dealings, and to showcase innovative ways to fight against corruption.

We are accordingly designating the week of December 11 as “Compliance Week”. We will be launching a refreshed version of our mandatory online compliance training. This training will help you to identify and handle problematic situations, especially those related to bribery, antitrust, and export control. Look out for details on this, and other announcements regarding compliance-related activities, during the week.

We require every one of you, no matter what role you perform, to be familiar with the local laws, internal guidelines and compliance risks in your respective country or sector. Accordingly, all managers should have discussions with their teams, to ensure that everyone has done the training and has the opportunity to ask any compliance-related questions. Please speak with management or the appropriate function (such as EMEIA Compliance, Export Control, Legal & Commercial, Customs, etc.) if you need support.

Thank you for doing your part to embed compliance in our daily business.


The EMEIA Big Cheese


I occasionally get offered a free coffee, fruit or toast on site. Do you think this constitutes an attempt at bribery to elicit a higher priority service?

Author:  MaliA [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:33 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

If I go out with my contact from A Particular Place, I can't even buy them a drink. Not that I would, go out with them.

Author:  Mr Russell [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Warhead wrote:
A message from our Big Cheese

I occasionally get offered a free coffee, fruit or toast on site. Do you think this constitutes an attempt at bribery to elicit a higher priority service?


Well you’d know if you took the training :)

Author:  MaliA [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Old Man Afterthought tells a story of his need to ship 3 new Jeeps from Place A to Place B. Place B was known for the interesting view of import taxes and their application its customs officers held, so he put 4 Jeeps on the boat. All three on the customs checked manifest arrived at Place B.

Author:  Cras [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

MaliA wrote:
If I go out with my contact from A Particular Place, I can't even buy them a drink. Not that I would, go out with them.


That's pretty daft. Normally there's a value figure attached before such things are questioned (for us it's $100) and even then it would have to be viewed as having leveraged attached, such as if they were currently in negotiations to choose a new supplier.

Author:  markg [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

I don't understand, he put an extra one on there to see if it would get stolen and it did?

Author:  Cras [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

markg wrote:
I don't understand, he put an extra one on there to see if it would get stolen and it did?


I suspect he put an extra one on there to make sure the original three made it to their destination

Author:  MaliA [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Cras wrote:
markg wrote:
I don't understand, he put an extra one on there to see if it would get stolen and it did?


I suspect he put an extra one on there to make sure the original three made it to their destination


Yes. 4th probably insured.

Author:  markg [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

I thought it was that they would see that there was an extra one not on the manifest and think "ah free car!"

Author:  MaliA [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

I think they altered it. I'll ask for more details, but I forgot why I told this story now.

Author:  Kern [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 14:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Just received a couple of Christmas cards from aunties. I still instinctively shake them in case they've sneaked a tenner in them, despite that not happening for about 25 years.

Author:  devilman [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 14:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Stop shaking your aunties.

Author:  Kern [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 14:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

devilman wrote:
Stop shaking your aunties.


:DD

Author:  Bobbyaro [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 17:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Shaking down your aunties for a tenner. I thought better of you.

Author:  Squirt [ Fri Dec 08, 2017 17:34 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Giphy "shake it out":
https://media3.giphy.com/media/l3q2AbggwMAE7RFra/giphy-loop.mp4

Author:  Warhead [ Sat Dec 09, 2017 8:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bits and Bobs 49

Mr Russell wrote:
Warhead wrote:
A message from our Big Cheese

I occasionally get offered a free coffee, fruit or toast on site. Do you think this constitutes an attempt at bribery to elicit a higher priority service?


Well you’d know if you took the training :)


I’ve taken the earlier versions and will take this one too, and The Rulez are essentially not very different from the ones we had in the civil service. You may think that an low level engineer might not have anything to worry about respect of bribery, but if I was swapping out a part that had clearly been damaged by a customer, they might offer some kind of inducement not to report it as such to avoid being charged for the replacement, or when it’s a ‘no fault found’ call e.g. they hadn’t checked whether a ‘faulty’ printer was plugged in at the mains, for which they are charged for the uneccesary visit. I haven’t been offered anything yet,but I could be.

I did get given a bottle of single malt by the director of the regional DTI Fraud Team a few years ago, after sorting out a lot of niggling I.T. problems they had, but that was just thanks for a job well done, and after the event, so didn’t infringe any regs.

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