I really like XCOM but kept getting stonewalled every time I got to the psychic aliens. They always turned one of my guys, who I never wanted to kill, and I could never develop the technology fast enough to prevent.

Stupid aliens.

So ...there's the original XCOM "Something" which I did not read, but have friend who tell me it fantastic! ...

Then there's the first PS3 release XCOM "Enemy Unknown" ...
Then there's the current XCOM "Enemy Within" ...

The last iteration is a remake of the second; it introduced a new currency, expanded upon the story line a 'bit, and added mechs and augmentations (e.g. deus ex limb clinic). My current A-Team's been through the tubes a few times, but "neural dampening" was first on my list for the very reason outlined above.

I played the first PS3 version, got all p*ssed off b/c mind control and quit. The only thing worse than losing one of your favorite guys, is losing one of your favorite guys because he went batsh*t, shot-and-killed your other favorite guys, and did it over and over again every time you reloaded.

Good news is there's less of that particular flavor of heartbreak in "Enemy Within" thanks to neural dampening ... and there's lots of other cool new stuff as well ... worth the $20 IMHO.

My secret ... straight up f*cking cowardice :-)
I don't research the Hyperwave Communicator until I'm good and ready.

See it just wouldn't feel right playing a Firaxis game on anything but PC. I'm just like that for some games, Skyrim was a "must play on PC" game for me as well, as was FO3 and FO4 will be.

I never really found the Mind Control thing to be so much of a problem, I've killed a couple of my own guys because of it though, I think also you can crit them into unconsciousness and then stablise them. Though I never really bothered with trying to mind control the aliens either.


New topic: Has anybody else got a straight up boner for No Man's Sky?

Llast.

I wonder if the couriers have even found you, yet. You may be a construct at this point, but at least having "someone", or the idea of "someone" to share this with seems to help with my sanity. I wouldn't be the first orc to lose his sh*t and start feeding the stereotypes.

The dead walk, as I've said, but there's a ton of coin down in those old ruined barrows.

I made my way to Whiterun and spoke to the Jarl. Surprisingly easy to get within arm's length of the man. His captain, this "Irileth", is either very foolish or very capable of defending him from any threats. She's a bit abrasive, but I like her. Not bad, for an elf. Anyway, I'm not in Dragonsreach - the keep at Whiterun - long before a guard runs in with a report of a dragon sighting at the western watch tower. Irileth gathers some soldiers and I meet the lot of them at the outpost.

It was in ruins. Dead scattered all about, the flames hazing the sky with thick black smoke. And then it Shouted. Mirmulnir. He seemed to glory in calling his own name. I'm not much for archin', so I didn't land a single arrow. But when the beast alit, I charged him with the fancy, lightning-imbued hammer I found at Bleak Falls Barrow and put a swift end to his savagery. As he fell, he screamed "Dovakhin! No!" I don't know what it meant.

As I began to pick apart the carcass for useful scraps of bone and scale, something... strange... happened. I don't even want to get into it. Then on the way back to Whiterun, that same word, Dovakhin, thundered across the tundra. The ground shook with the force of the Shout. I think something is calling me...

But I need more gold. I think I'm gonna join the Companions.

Also met the franchise at age 10-11. On a 486 Packard Bell (early 90s) ... Westwood Studios did a heck of job with Dune II. Can't believe that House Ordos never appeared in any novels ... they were so cool.

---

Pork Souvlaki (Serves 4)

Ingredients
* Pork Tenderloin (2.5 - 3.0 lbs, cut into 2" cubes, fat removed)
* Red Onions (2, chopped)
* Olive Oil (3/4 cup)
* Garlic (8 cloves, finely chopped)
* Lemon Juice (6 tbs)
* Lemon Zest (1-2 tbs)
* Oregano (3 tbs)
* Red Wine Vinegar (4 tbs)
* Soy Sauce (2 tbs)
* Dried Mint (3 tbs)
* Crushed Red Pepper (1-2 tbs)

Preparation
* Add ingredients to Ziplock bag. Mix thoroughly. Refrigerate sealed for 3 hours (minimum).
* Arrange pork along skewers (example). If wooden, soak 'em for 10 min (or they'll smoke).
* Grill over medium heat; avoid direct flame; baste with excess marinade; rotate often.
* Salt lightly when done; garnish with lemon wedge and fresh mint or dried oregano.
* Plate with pita, tzatziki and side.

Suggested Sides
* Greek Salad
* Halloumi (grilled)
* Vegetable Kabobs
* Rice Pilaf

---

^ Guaranteed to get you into her pants faster.

One of my favorite (and most successful) dates:

I took my girlfriend for a late-night picnic; we picked up some nice designer coffees and pastries at a trendy little shop called Cosi and then walked a few blocks to a little-known spot here in Philly called Drexel Park. It's on the Drexel U. campus and sits a little above the river with an awesome view of the Philadelphia skyline, with these artistic benches... very nice, very romantic.

It came to mind because of the 'tasty and light' thing. This, combined with a new experience (for both of us, i'd heard about the spot but never been there) made for an excellent night and memory :)

(re: Blade Runner)

Saw it many times.. and would always watch again! Awesome film.. Harrison Ford at his peak.

I also read the book :D Way good. I read quite a few of his books. He was a cool nutcase, that Philip.

See it just wouldn't feel right playing a Firaxis game on anything but PC. I'm just like that for some games, Skyrim was a "must play on PC" game for me as well, as was FO3 and FO4 will be.

I never really found the Mind Control thing to be so much of a problem, I've killed a couple of my own guys because of it though, I think also you can crit them into unconsciousness and then stablise them. Though I never really bothered with trying to mind control the aliens either.


New topic: Has anybody else got a straight up boner for No Man's Sky?

http://deadendthrills.com/gallery/?gid=73

This Skyrim discussion reminded me of some folks who mod games and use it to make art. Pretty sweet.
See linky for a Skyrim example. Their Mass Effect ones are great as well, many are on the slideshow for my desktop background.

Companions is for scrubs. The dark brotherhood is the best.

Just asked the wife if she'd heard of Drexel Park (she lived in Philly for ages before I dragged her to the UK). She said that that is near where she heard her first automatic weapon.

I'm not really digging the whole "90% of the character shots are female with and the others are Arnie" thing, but the scenery shots are lovely.

Been there, done that, got infected with vampirism. Time to see what lycanthropy is good for.

I didn't discover the warewolf thing until my 3rd play though (and 200+ hours) I was like... Da Fuk?
Since when was this here?

Its quite fun actually. Good little trick to keep as backup. Some punk comes to rob you... Yeah that was a mistake.
If you get it early on its freaken OP.

Yeah, those ones weird me out too.
Kinda to be expected though, it took modders like 4 hours to make a naked mod when it launched.

Also Google Thomas the Tank Engine Skyrim mod, good for a laugh.

Mate, everything in Philly is fairly close to somewhere you can hear automatic weapons :p Before the city started dumping a lot of cash into rezoning and rebranding certain neighborhoods, especially. A lot of money's been spent on taming the neighborhoods closest to the colleges, but at the end of the day they're still near (and some of them are in) North Philly, which is the sort of place you don't go at night if you don't know you belong there.

Still though, one of the most beautiful sky lines in the country, maybe in the world's top 15-20 or so, all lit up at night... "When the moon hits her eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore!"

yeah she lived in West Philly for a bit, said that was rough, but it's gentrified since then.

Did you watch the Battlestar Galactica remakes? If so, did you recognise Admiral Adama?

Anyone know this guy?
https://forums.dust514.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=2291113#post2291113

I didn't discover the warewolf thing until my 3rd play though (and 200+ hours) I was like... Da Fuk?
Since when was this here?

Its quite fun actually. Good little trick to keep as backup. Some punk comes to rob you... Yeah that was a mistake.
If you get it early on its freaken OP.

I did some work at the philly options exchange.. if memory serves, over on Market and 14th st. I didn't go to any bad neighborhoods, but I did find the exchange there was.. unique.


First thing I notice when I walk in is all the p0rn pictures everyone had as backgrounds on the computers. I was like woah.. that **** would never fly in politically correct california. You would get $500 if you were reported for saying the word bittch. Anything deemed sexist. You could say assshole and fucck all day tho.Then I notice all the clerks are young hot girls. I was a young guy at the time so I was like double WOAH. But now as a wiser and older dude, my god the shenanigans there must have been out of control.

I meet up with my contact on the floor.. An Italian philly guy. My boss at the time had completely hooked this guy up. Brought him up from going out of business to booming in $$. So the guy was super awesome to me in appreciation. Shakes my hand starts introducing me to everyone we see type of thing. Overwhelming to say the least. So I go into the changes I am going to make, and how to get them set up with our dude in NY.. when a floor official comes over and says in a hard philly accent that someone wanted them to come ova and talk to dem about dat trade. So my guy goes from super friendly and jovial nice to me to beet red face and screams into his face that that ************ is coming over to him and he can fuckin eat that trade or he'll beat his dome in.

Third WOAH. A floor official is like a referee. You can get kicked out of the exchange forever for that in california.. but my god to threaten and talk like that.. and before I can complete the thought floor official walks away to obey. That, to me, was epic as ****.

So a day or two later I figure it's time to start checking these clerk girls out and see what's up. Well, first of all they looked beautiful, all done up, etc. Then I was like hey what's up to one, and my god the accent, mouth, and brutality of her. I was like nope! no way am I in her league lol.


edited to make swear words come through for clarity's sake

I had a new experience in DUST today.
I actively chose the Plasma Cannon because it was the most optimal weapon for a map.
******* heavies. I need a working Breach Shotgun, which I do have, in the form of the Allotek Plasma Cannon.

I'm still a bit surprised that heavies aren't calling for a PLC nerf, I killed so many of them with it today

"Hur de durr, an AV weapon shouldn't be able to attack infantry."

Lol... What's a wooden? Didn't pick up on it

Btw- say Guardians of the Galaxy today. Awesome. One of the best buddy action sci-fi movies I've seen since Firefly/Serenity.