Month: February 2016

Video Games

Smite further thoughts

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Interesting experience however has been negative in some respects. Negative from the community gotten hate mail which failed to explain how I should improve.  Just told me to learn the game which is not that useful.  Worse still the game fails to explain half the mechanics. Tutorials however allow players to practise whatever god they want or gamemode.  Design point of view his is good but fails to fix the problem of the tutorials not explaining half the game.   Studio could do far better job explaining the game being engaging so players get most out of it.   Game expects players to understand half the terms used within the game.  Terms like mid, solo and carry often used but never explained.  Worse still game even uses these terms as communication method between players. Failing to cover various topics or doing poor job explaining it.

Tutorials fail to cover the following items or does poor job explaining it.

  • General terms – Examples can be found here , various people have used the term CC.
  • Damage – Game fails to explain protection numbers how each bit of damage works.  Difference between magical damage/physical.
  • Class/God roles – Tutorials does cover classes what they meant to do using text but that it.
  • Gamemodes conquest – Not even covered within the tutorials but you can practise it.
  • Item builder –  Not explained how it works how can be useful
  • Ability builder – Again not explained just given the option to auto tune it.

I like smite but…

Game is not very new player friendly even if from design point of view does feel causal friendly.

Video Games

Smite Closed Alpha – First impressions

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Smite is third person multiplayer online battle arena created by Hi-Rez Studios.  God mythology provides the theme for the game rich in lore.   Arena style games have had comeback in recent years multiplayer online battle arena games, holding biggest player counts.  Maps are simple with only one or two ways to fight somebody no hidden corners or hiding spots.  Smite is easy to pickup but hard to master.  Tutorial does okay job at explaining the gamemodes with game mechanics.  Gods are grouped together into classes each having own playstyle according to strengths or weakness.   During the tutorial games explains the basics behind this idea giving you access to basic set of gods.

First impressions

Smites makes me remember the days of real time strategy, arena style games and map design. Surprising amount strategy with depth allowing you to be flexible due to builds.  However game does fail to explain to you ability builder, item builder system.  Tutorial allows you to practise using various different gods and gamemodes.  Overall I like the smite looking forward to learning the game.   Smites appears to come down to gods, build and little bit of awareness.

And the community is toxic

 

Journal

Decision time – Grief

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Emotive subjects often cloud your judgement and decision making process the result is decisions can be weighed. I am now face with just a decision emotionally painful towards my self. Conflicted I’m now of having to make the decision within a limited time frame . The decision is not knowing whether an that is in my favour or against me . Making a choice on a subject even more harder as I cannot rationally guess which was the correct choice . In the process of trying to understand which would be the best course of action however this is pretty difficult for myself.  Fancy some of mental illness that makes my decision process even worse . The most frustrating thing about the whole endeavour is it may not even reward you with something that actually worth the pain . Currently I am deeply conflicted which this solution to make as I am writing down my thoughts to try and understand . This bring me up to a very interesting point which is why is it taking so long. But this point is actually a distraction from whether or not this should be done . Have to make a decision within a limited time frame and convince someone to make a similar decision. This saga has what about questions regarding my own procrastination . I have been exceptionally vague  far and the reason for this subject is  personal . As I said I was conflicted and I still am however I feel that I have made my decision. The reason for this is because I don’t potentially want to open up old wounds but I understand why others would . Closure is often a such often a device which is rather hard to completely have . I understand why people want to see closure but at the end of the day does it really bring closure after the event more often than not no full stop maybe I have already made my mind up my confliction is more due the invisible individuals involved . The key problem here right now is the fact that I can’t make a decision do you have that the individual and missing from the equation .  Information I’m going to give you is it in regards to my mother’s passing . This subject is something that I’m not going to get over anytime soon and I won’t . Time does not heal grief it just carries on love does not disappear which makes the whole process easier . If I become more inactive it’s because mental health issues have popped up and this subject has had a negative impact on me. I won’t lie I had poor mental health for the past couple years and this object has tortured me during that period as well . However I am more than willing to talk about it compared to some was in my family as I feel offers more closure than not talking. I’ve also been using Google’s speech recognition software to write this. The reason for this is because I wanted to test it out and is often quicker for me to talk than type full stop now I must get back to the task at hand which is to find my self employment . I must as well that this task on someone with mental health issues is incredibly depressing and thank you for your patience if you have decided to read this.

Journal, Labour, Politics

Thoughts EU referendum Part 2

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Previous post Thoughts on EU referendum part 1

Thoughts EU referendum Part 2

Given the narrow focus of the reforms still highly skeptical about the process.

Europe faces many challenges during very difficult period, world is reshaping with lack of global leadership.  Economic situation within Europe is weak, facing migration problem, geopolitics problems from eastern border to middle east. European area is largely at peace but faces winds which could cause serious damage.  Backdrop within United kingdom many are still yet to recover from 2007-08 recession with some measures only just turning positive.  House prices still increasing, wages are still lower, employment is less secure.  Large part of British voters are sceptical voting for whoever they feel can get one with fixing problems.  Loud minority has blamed many of issues facing Britain towards Europe and immigration.  Narrow focus of the debate is the result of British voters ignorance towards European union structure. Instead of answering the important questions we have narrow focus on immigration, regulation. Feeding off the failure to discuss issues facing Britain for decades.

Most Britons are largely unaware how many things work the same case with Europe works/institutions at home.

Ignorance towards Europe

Willing to admit that have degree of ignorance towards Europe mainly how the structure now works.  European union how used to think it worked the following institutions doing the following roles.

  • European parliament – Members of parliament puts forward regulation votes on it passes towards the commission.
  • European commission – Given regulation begins to work on finer details before passing it towards national governments to include.
  • European council – European leaders discuss direction should go Europe  along with ideas facing European union have no real say.

Until today was unaware of most of the institutions or the roles they offer.

How the EU works

Little bit of research you can find how the European union works. Following information is from these links, link just condensed it.

European commission – 28 EU commissioners, one for every state focus on each policy area. Commission President leads the commissioners, Commission job is to draft EU laws and act as  “guardian of the treaties”

Council of ministers – Represents governments of the member states, ministers meet regularly according to their policy area.  Detailed negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament help EU laws become part of the national legislation.  Examine draft laws from the commission and make recommendations.  Final text is often compromise after weeks or years of work.

Voting within Council under system called qualified majority voting (QMV). UK has 29 votes each with Germany, France, Italy. Unanimity is required on various subjects no way of forcing things on others. 

European parliament – Only directly elected EU institution overseers of European union.  MEPs now have  “co-decision” powers in nearly all policy areas.  Helping to shape EU laws on equal basis with the Council.   Parliament still has to vote on any legalization, signs off on EU budget signs off on commissions decisions.

European External Action Service – EU “one voice” internationally, helping to push common EU foreign policy.

European court of justice –  Court which makes sure all nations follow EU law and settles disputes.

UK government structure

Little curious decided to look at how UK government structure goes.  Source from Gov.uk

  • Prime minister head of the UK government – Oversees the Civil Service and government agencies, appoints members of the government. Ministers are members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.  Responsible for the departments.  Departments and their agencies are responsible for putting government policy into practise.
  • The Civil Service does the practical and administrative work of government. Coordinated and managed by the Prime Minister, in their role as Minister for the Civil Service.
  • The Cabinet –  Senior members of government. Every week during Parliament, members of the Cabinet/ministers/secretaries of state. Discuss most important issues for the Government.
  • Devolved government – Devolved administrations are responsible for many domestic policy issues, and their Parliaments/Assemblies have law-making powers for those areas.
  • Local government – Councils often county councils and district, borough or city councils. Councils make and carry out decisions on local services.
  •  Parliament – Role look at what government is doing , debate issues and pass new laws.

Comparing European union and United kingdom

Okay it hard to make compared directly but going to try due to being curious.  Oversimplification I know but given one or two arguments against the EU decided it worth thinking about.

European commission shares some cross over Civil service within United kingdom.  Elected officials work with unelected officials keeping Government machine running. Various departments linked together working with civil service to complete the same goals.    Both are the central of Government with unelected officials with elected working together.  Central point of European Union handling many of the same tasks as the civil service does. 

Council of ministers = Cabinet/house of lords/civil service?

Made up of 28 permanent ministers, national governments select a representative often somebody with experience within Civil service. Meeting regularly according to their policy area. Detailed negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament help EU laws become part of the national legislation.  Examine draft laws from the commission and make recommendations. Final text is often compromise after weeks or years of work.

Like United Kingdom has it own Departments which focus on various topics.

Council of ministers is like the Cabinet apart from not made up of elected officials.  More like administration committee/political committee.

European parliament – House of Commons?

MEPs now have  “co-decision” powers in nearly all policy areas.  Equal power to the Council, parliament can block legalization/decisions.

European External Action Service close to the foreign office but each nation has it own foreign office.  More like action group getting things done which everybody agrees on goal wise.

Conclusion – European union stops national governments from doing whatever it wants and that good thing.  Can stop Britain becoming a tax haven with rock bottom taxes or protecting sugar farmers.  Very much like the current system within the UK designed to stop the Government doing whatever it wants but stronger.

Don’t want johnny foreigner making my rules complaint

Often a common complaint but UK does have major say at various stages.  Has various veto power, seats on various committees, bodies and anything else.  Very large voting block when comes to MEPs, council of ministers.  When you ask what is wrong with current system most can’t answer and just repeat.

This common complaint pretty irrational when you compared to the United kingdom system which devolve decisions making from citizens towards officials.   Therefore people who dislike johnny foreigner would like to see breakup of United kingdom with governments being setup in every town. Complaint could be applied without much effort towards current united kingdom structure. 

Eurosceptic vs europhile?

Skeptical of both the United Kingdom Government, European project.  On balance would be pragmatic Europhile that wants serious reform of the European Union and Eurozone.  Would like pragmatic reform splitting European Union andEurozone.  Beginning to deal with migration issues and economic issues facing the Eurozone.  Concern over the transparency of many decisions. Even some minor changes with transparency would be useful and helpful.  However understand that want within political landscape for far-reaching reforms is unlikely.  Failed economic policy has caused far more citzeens to be skeptical. 

European union allows nations to work together for common goal blocks governments from doing whatever it wants.  Price is degree of lost national sovereignty for influence and power. European union is very much conservatism at heart.

Some of the biggest moment within history has come as the result of political unions.  America created global institutions which allowed it shape the world it own direction.  Europe holds the same opportunity to the same thing.   We can set the rules with others who agree with us or follow rules set by somebody else.  Rather set the rules with others who agree with us and share the same goals over follow.

Within the best interests for the United kingdom to stay within European union.  Loss of sovereignty much like devolving decision-making towards elected MPs.   Required to make Government work many don’t want to hear that but it true.  System needs more transparency, much like westminster hidden away is bad.   Okay to have some skeptical towards the Union or Government.  Idea behind European Union is deep-rooted conservatism in my eyes.  Concern the vote ends up being about vague idea behind Union, David Cameron reforms, vote of no confidence and economic troubles. Over the potential outcomes from both sides of the argument.

European union an opportunity not something to fear, was born out of shared goals.

Writing this out has made my place clear we must stay within Union and reform it.

Concern

Referendum ends up being vote on David Cameron’s conservative party running of the United Kingdom.  WIth people protest voting against the advice of David Cameron.  Fear that general ignorance lack of knowledge feeds into this whole campaign.  Wrong conclusion drawn when comes causality.  Britain has often rejected radical extreme viewpoints very conservative which why the term centre ground exists.

Black Ops 3, Call Of Duty, CoD, Video Games

Rethinking Black Ops 3 Design

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Rethinking Black Ops 3 Design

Following blog post is how I would have designed black ops 3.  Make no mistake think this one of the most interesting designed call of dutys we had in some time.  Even the minor changes have small impact in how the game plays.  Take this as my constructive criticism towards black ops 3 and decided to avoid any major changes to the formula.

Specialists – Each one has it own associated weapon class and perks. 

Basic list what you could do following this idea….

  1. Assault rifles
  2. Light machine guns
  3. Snipers
  4. SMGs
  5. Shotguns
  6. Pistols
  7. Knife

Each one getting access to various perks having own specialists perks which suit the class.  Assault rifles get versatile perks due to being versatile weapons.   Could even give certain perks bonus for using it with certain weapon.  Example Flak jacket LMGs gain -90% on explosive compared to -30% with pistols.

Player picks Offensive/defensive perk line say for example you pick Flak jacket can’t pair it with light weight.  Perk example Dead silence could be given to close range weapons like pistols, shotguns and knife. Awareness could be given to defensive classes like LMGs and snipers.  Depending on the weapon class certain perks could be stronger.

Could even have another specialist which allows you to pick any weapon but everything is costed. Example M8A7 costs 4 points out of 10 within pick 10 system or could change to pick 100 system.

Shotguns for example may have limited range but could be given super powerful perks to help with the class.  Snipers could be impossible to use at close range but given long range style perks with no counter. Bunch of interesting design choices which could be made some examples.

  • No perks unlike you get kills with your guns earn perks as you go allowed as many attachments as you want.
  • Knife only specialists which moves faster than normal due to perks and has different movement system.
  • Pistol only specialist
  • Dual wield only specialist
  • No perks specialists but has the best weapons in the game

My specialist list

  1. Assault rifles
  2. Light machine guns
  3. Snipers
  4. SMGs
  5. Shotguns
  6. Pistols
  7. Knife
  8. No perks but has the best weapons in the game earn perks for every kill.
  9. Create a class 100 points to spend.

Scorestreaks could even be part of this change each one getting it own set of special ones.

Abilities and weapons – Biggest problem with the specialists most of the abilities and weapons are designed to kill nothing else.  Only couple which can be used in defensive way.  Plus most are based on timing over anything else given how fast you die not that useful.  Would like to see more useful less timed focused abilities and weapons.   Right most of them are not worth using apart from couple which are super powerful.

Unlock system I feel should be ungated token based don’t understand why game is linear.

On another note google auto completes ‘missed opportunity’ to ‘Missed opportunity with a guy’

Black Ops 3, Call Of Duty, CoD, Video Games

Der eisendrache – first impressions

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Der eisendrache from design point of view rather simple map with loads of fanservice hidden within. Overall I enjoy the map one of the finest pieces of content from Treyarch full of detail and fun to play.   Map simple to play hard to master, does have some little hidden items within it. Lesser skilled players can play the map without much trouble but takes master to learn it.

 

Some random elements within the map but they do have a pattern for example.  Wolf bow quest line paintings have story behind them and order.   Void bow has series of random icons given to various names.

Easter egg is masterpiece in fan service with complex quest ahead for any player.  Looking forward to completing it but finding people to do it <_<

Economics, Journal, Politics, Thoughts

Unemployment

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Wrote a piece on unemployment some time ago, under the title unemployment grandiose of delusion.  Within that post talked about welfare system mainly benefit spending, populist policies, economic and personal experience.  Everybody has experience of unemployment from personal level to knowing others in that position.  Social problem with negative economic outcomes causing issues within the labour market.  Even with basic knowledge you can understand the whole concept.

Curious how measuring unemployment works this link explains the definition.  United Kingdom currently has lower unemployment compared to pre crisis.  Worth noting need to look at the numbers together compared to employment total.   Population has increased messing up the numbers even more this growth does not tell the whole story accurately.  Looking over the numbers you see self employment record high in total, almost the same level as public sector employment. Part time employment was increased, full time employment is down.  Most of the growth has been within London when comes to jobs with everybody else having less jobs growth.  Once you start to factor in these variables things become less good.  Productivity growth is low with wage growth, self employment does not appear to be doing much.  Self employment often means lower average wage compared to everybody else and not included in wage numbers.

Measuring unemployment by Labour force survey could have it own errors within it.  UK is far from full employment instead looks to have loads of slack within the economy.  Bank of England made a blog post on the subject of job market pairing people with right job.  Bank of underground blog post.

Unemployment within the UK looks to bad even worse compared to the official numbers with negative outcomes being major policy problem.  Government however is kicking the tin can down the road.  Lazy people are not holding the labour market back so what is.  Answer lies within basic idea of demand and only one source which can give more demand.  Government fiscal spending

Moving away from the subject of unemployment back to my own personal experience.

Finding a job is not easy and rejection makes you feel worthless.  Decided to keep spreadsheet with detailed information on every job application.  Mental health has taken a hit, serious hit when comes to being jobless. Unemployment is social problem with economic negative outcomes yet nobody wants to deal with it.  Time to talk more about the subject along with update on my personal experience so far.  Who knows maybe I do updates per month on the subject much to talk about from mental impacts to general health. Hoping to hear back from couple jobs soon but who knows.

Black Ops 3, Call Of Duty, CoD, Video Games

Zombies Rage Quit

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Zombies Rage Quit

This me admitting that, do rage quit from zombies on call of duty due to silly stupid reasons.  Most of which are my own fault due to poor decisions end up blaming it on other players.   Noticed gotten into this habit something should stop doing.  If not having fun should stop playing the game simple as that.   Below are the common reasons why I rage quit.

Players can’t revive me

Don’t have enough points after death

Getting stuck on an object

Worth pointing out that easier to blame others over choices you made.  Started to instead ask couple of questions what went wrong and what could I do different.  Do quit games for others reasons like wanting to play with 4 players and laggy lobbies.  Don’t enjoy playing on 100+ms ping for zombies possible to do but don’t like it.