Sean

Ok, a lot going on here. First, I hope it don't come across like we were dumping on the games -- as someone who makes games I sensitive to it coming across like that -- and want to say thanks for piping up and saying "hey I worked on that" and providing some insight. While I've never worked on a racing game (at least one that has shipped) did you find that the technical needs for an actual street (ie: it needs to be x wide and have y field of view, etc) was constraining you from making a city that evoked the things that people conjure up when thinking of the streets of SF? (Sharp, downright dangerous hills, tight corners, narrow alleyways, ever-present skyline and landmarks, etc.) Did you guys have any "does this feel like SF" discussions at all? Perhaps the game opens up to feel like SF towards the end (I only played a few hours) but the game's title location didn't make a big statement in the beginning (which seems like the place you would want it to). Anyway, I'm just curious as to how these types of larger budget genre-games get made and what, at the end of the day, is the most important in their execution. Second: are you trying to say that the Driver universe is actually canonical with the Silent Scope universe?! I was making a goof. Important if True.

FWIW, I chose DOTA as opposed to LoL on a lark, but mostly because I was so curious as to why Valve would make the game (whereas Riot, intelligently, built an entire company around the genre). I don't really care of LoL of HoN is better -- like a lot of consumer products DOTA got its hooks into me first so it's the one I play and will stick with. I could see trying the others for the sake of curiosity but I wasn't (an am currently not) looking to find the "best" LM game -- just the one I was willing to let kick my ass for a while.

We're answering your question on the next cast (spoiler) -- but I will say here, which I didn't say on mic -- that criticizing the shit out of something and pushing it to be better probably means you like and care about a thing.

I'll address the other comment about my comments on the cast being hypocritical given my involvement with The Walking Dead as well. What I don't like is single-player narrative experience as platform when executed in a way that undercuts why I picked up the game to begin with (which 99 times out of 100 is "I want to go to a cool place and feel like a person there). Arkham City is the worst example, where trophies and doodads are constantly reminding me that I didn't buy the Catwoman pack. I don't feel like Batman when I see them, I feel like a chump with a wallet. That being said, what GTA did with the DLC chapters and Bioshock did with Minerva's Den (SCOOOOO) was fantastic -- it felt more like content serials: old movies, comics, serial novels, etc. I could imagine, like I said on the cast, a GTA where they just give you New York for free and you buy 10 dollar 2-4hr. episodes. Rad. Concerning The Walking Dead: we are telling a serial and the episodes are 5 dollars. There is no platform you download that is upselling you during the game and content is not walled off during the play experience for non-paying players (because non paying players don't exist. I was simply pointing out that I don't like where games COULD be heading: which is single player experiences aping the free-to-play mechanics of a multiplayer game. That would be shitty and I think most people agree with that. RE: This stuff in multiplayer games that are less about world discovery? Who gives a shit -- I love DOTA and I don't mind it's F2P store model one bit. Also I think achievements are stupid.

Mike Watson and Doug have been made aware of the Dunston Checks In API.

Clockwerk needed more bracers.

we already have a lich player. PLEASE.

WUXTRY: I got Chris and Doug to play their first match ever last night (against bots) and it looks like Chris actually understands how the game works. Also, because minds want to know, he chose Warlock (as he was closest to a wizard).

how dare you

also happening for me in my underground cave (which is out in the middle of nowhere)

I should apologize to Orv and Brave (not int he forums) last night for a horrible 3+2pub match we were in. Yeow.

Orvidos: folks have been inviting ME! Everyone -- make sure you're in the idlethumbs chat channel in DOTA. Also -- is there any interest in Thumbs getting a voice server going? I don't know shit about those but I'd be happy to look into one that folks like.

Mission: Get Jake into DOTA. (I sent him that article as step 1).

I started a project on the server last night -- it's small but Jake and I were talking and I feel like I know what it's going to be. But I need help. ENLIST THE THUMBS

Probably like 11am Pacific time!

Agreed! I'm thinking a Shitty Wizards patch could be pretty damn great.

approved.

YES.

That is not wholly inaccurate.

Yeah, I agree -- this game is free, I don't mind throwing a few dollars at stupid creative content if I'm continually compelled to entertain myself with Dota. But holy christ I just played with the absolute worst trollish, racist, despicable team ever. Killed our courier 5 times for fun. Filled chat with the worst shit. Ugh, it actually depressed me and I'm currently spending mental energy pepping myself to do a bunch of writing I have to get done today. Reported them all but I'm curious to see if Valve brings any of that reporting/commendation stuff to the surface to provide real incentive/dis-incentive for being a certain type of teammate.

I can tell you what I've been doing. 1) Just play a game and get rolled. I dunno, not even knowing how anything works is ok. It will be hilarious and you will get yelled at but you'll see what's happening. 2) Watch some Dota Cinema videos on youtube -- they're brief 3-5 minute intros to the characters and their abilities. Pick a coule lords you think are interesting and learn about them. Avoid anything that seems really advanced. 3) Watch a full match from someone like Purge or "Alan Plays DOTA" on Youtube. Purge is sort of a douchey "pro" gamer whereas this Alan guy I discovered is a hilarious eastern european man who is a lot of fun to watch while he commentates. Know you know what a real game should look like. 4) Play your main lord a lot. Figure out what makes him good and know what you're doing wrong when you're not playing well. 5) Check out DotaFire for user-submitted item and skill builds with (often times) great descriptions. Good luck!

I will just have to wear pants.

Christ! That is tremendous.