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#1
Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...
Last post by OttoVonBismarck - Today at 03:33:40 PMI've always viewed British people as intrinsically somewhat dishonest so that vibes with my views on Starmer.
#2
Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...
Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 03:04:43 PMYeah. For me it is very, very much a punishment vote. Also bluntly on a purely local level I live in a one party state of a borough - I think there are 60 councillors, 58 Labour and 2 Greens (who have both defected from Labour in the last twelve months). In the entire history of the borough there have been a couple of coalitions but they were led by Labour. I think there's only been one period when Labour weren't in charge (when the Tories won in the late sixties). So I can't say they've necessarily done a bad job locally but I think that type of dynamic in local poliics is unhealthy and giving the alternative a go isn't a bad idea - and it does look like the Greens might win the borough
I think the context also matters if Labour had a different leader than Corbyn beteen 2015-19 I think the punishment vote for the Tories would have come earlier. Our system is designed to produce two party politics and what that normally means is there is a see-saw effect so one party does badly the other party is normally there to do well. But we've had both main parties discrediting themselves in such total fashion that I think it's a big part of the rise of Reform and Greens (which will in turn eviscerate the main party's structural advantage in activists, councillors, local government). But I think there is now a similar punishment mood to the public around Labour and particularly Starmer who is loathed.
I should also flag I got this wrong and BarristerBoy was right both on the lack of detail around Starmer and the lack of enthusiasm for him being huge issues. I thought they were surmountable and reflected realism from the electorate in looking at what was the most effective way in their constituency to punish the Tories. I think that was true but I hugely underestimated the lack of preparation that Starmer and his team and the Labour had done for government over the last 14 years and the degree of antipathy towards Starmer.
I slightly wonder if part of it is the American thing again. Because I think Starmer's whole strategy makes sense in American politics. You run to the left/right in the primary and then pivot to the centre - but I don't think it's common in the UK. Every party leader I can think of basically ran the party (and government if they won) as they basically said they would in their leadership campaign. I mentioned shortly after he won that the Left were already attacking Starmer as spectacularly dishonest based on his pivot from a Corbynism without Corbyn pitch for the leadership to the Labour right - it was picked up by the Tories very early as an attack line. And it is striking that Starmer as a liar, this government as to its core dishonest is something that is really broadly picked up (you go to literally any football match in the country and there will be a "Starmer's a liar" chant at some point).
I think the context also matters if Labour had a different leader than Corbyn beteen 2015-19 I think the punishment vote for the Tories would have come earlier. Our system is designed to produce two party politics and what that normally means is there is a see-saw effect so one party does badly the other party is normally there to do well. But we've had both main parties discrediting themselves in such total fashion that I think it's a big part of the rise of Reform and Greens (which will in turn eviscerate the main party's structural advantage in activists, councillors, local government). But I think there is now a similar punishment mood to the public around Labour and particularly Starmer who is loathed.
I should also flag I got this wrong and BarristerBoy was right both on the lack of detail around Starmer and the lack of enthusiasm for him being huge issues. I thought they were surmountable and reflected realism from the electorate in looking at what was the most effective way in their constituency to punish the Tories. I think that was true but I hugely underestimated the lack of preparation that Starmer and his team and the Labour had done for government over the last 14 years and the degree of antipathy towards Starmer.
I slightly wonder if part of it is the American thing again. Because I think Starmer's whole strategy makes sense in American politics. You run to the left/right in the primary and then pivot to the centre - but I don't think it's common in the UK. Every party leader I can think of basically ran the party (and government if they won) as they basically said they would in their leadership campaign. I mentioned shortly after he won that the Left were already attacking Starmer as spectacularly dishonest based on his pivot from a Corbynism without Corbyn pitch for the leadership to the Labour right - it was picked up by the Tories very early as an attack line. And it is striking that Starmer as a liar, this government as to its core dishonest is something that is really broadly picked up (you go to literally any football match in the country and there will be a "Starmer's a liar" chant at some point).
#3
Off the Record / Re: STAR TREK
Last post by Syt - Today at 01:26:38 PMOk, the first season of Academy is over.
The pros: I really like the cast and characters. There were some really decent episodes (Come Let's a Way, Vox in Excelso). Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti were absolute standouts. Enjoyed the amount of Jett Reno. Not enough Lura Thok overall.
The cons: Some low episodes (Kozeine). Please, please stop with the "galactic stakes" for EVERY Star Trek show. Especially a show like Academy feels much better suited to keep the stakes smaller and personal. Have Nus Braka be a small time criminal maniac. I don't think you need these big stakes to resolve the conflict of Caleb - His Mom - Nus - Nala.
I'd give it 6.5 to 7 overall, with the better episodes going to 8, the lower ones to 6.
The pros: I really like the cast and characters. There were some really decent episodes (Come Let's a Way, Vox in Excelso). Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti were absolute standouts. Enjoyed the amount of Jett Reno. Not enough Lura Thok overall.
The cons: Some low episodes (Kozeine). Please, please stop with the "galactic stakes" for EVERY Star Trek show. Especially a show like Academy feels much better suited to keep the stakes smaller and personal. Have Nus Braka be a small time criminal maniac. I don't think you need these big stakes to resolve the conflict of Caleb - His Mom - Nus - Nala.
I'd give it 6.5 to 7 overall, with the better episodes going to 8, the lower ones to 6.
#4
Off the Record / Re: Star Wars Megathread
Last post by Syt - Today at 01:19:15 PMThere were in-universe non-fiction books of Star Wars in the past, so I'm fine with this. The "lore" books that came with X-Wing and TIE-Fighter come to mind, or the "phrase book" by Ben Burtt that was written as one of those travel phrase books (mostly Huttese, obvs), released between Ep. 1 and 2, I think.
I'm sure there were other examples (including from other franchises) but I'm drawing a blank. I think there was an "autobiography" of Janeway, maybe? And of course one of Lucas's original ideas for Star Wars was that it was a story told by the Whills.
When I was still thinking of writing, one of the concepts I was really into for a while was a travelogue that also told the history of the visited towns and countries.
Star Wars is always in a weird cross-section. On the one hand it started as a modern day sci-fi myth with Hero's Journey, big archetypes, good vs evil etc. (and where the "small galaxy" syndrome is more excusable), but it's also attempting to be grounded (Andor, the "used universe" look ...) or at times explain itself in a scientific way (midichlorians, gazillions of technical manuals ... ). Personally I like this tension (and it lets me handwave inconsistencies or convenient coincidences), but I think it can also lead to a lot of frustration if you prefer more one or the other.
I'm sure there were other examples (including from other franchises) but I'm drawing a blank.
I think there was an "autobiography" of Janeway, maybe? And of course one of Lucas's original ideas for Star Wars was that it was a story told by the Whills. When I was still thinking of writing, one of the concepts I was really into for a while was a travelogue that also told the history of the visited towns and countries.
Star Wars is always in a weird cross-section. On the one hand it started as a modern day sci-fi myth with Hero's Journey, big archetypes, good vs evil etc. (and where the "small galaxy" syndrome is more excusable), but it's also attempting to be grounded (Andor, the "used universe" look ...) or at times explain itself in a scientific way (midichlorians, gazillions of technical manuals ... ). Personally I like this tension (and it lets me handwave inconsistencies or convenient coincidences), but I think it can also lead to a lot of frustration if you prefer more one or the other.
#5
Gaming HQ / Re: Victoria 3
Last post by Syt - Today at 01:07:22 PMWas looking at the screenshots to see if anything was hidden in there, but the only thing I found was that agitators have additional stats:
Prominence: Noteworthy - maybe Japan-specific?
Also, Home State. Not sure how that will tie in. I guess I you own the home state of an agitator who spawns they will spawn in your country?
Prominence: Noteworthy - maybe Japan-specific?
Also, Home State. Not sure how that will tie in. I guess I you own the home state of an agitator who spawns they will spawn in your country?
#6
Gaming HQ / Re: Victoria 3
Last post by Syt - Today at 12:58:06 PMScreenshots of the upcoming Japan DLC:
Seeing the screenshot of the ship designer it feels actually a bit basic even for my tastes?
Seeing the screenshot of the ship designer it feels actually a bit basic even for my tastes?
#7
Gaming HQ / Re: Victoria 3
Last post by Syt - Today at 12:53:54 PMNew expansion pass coming.
Plus the (currently) planned free additions from the January Dev Diary:
Not sure how I feel about all this.
A ship designer (if it gets anywhere close to HOI4's) seems way too micro for this game.
I hope the Russian Revolution DLC will overhaul revolutions overall and maybe add some cabinet system ("appointing favorites"?, China DLC also mentions "unique cabinet interactions"). Maybe make playing reactionary/conservative states more of a challenge of either staying the old course and trying to keep up vs. modernizing against internal resistance.
And I hope that the China DLC doesn't make the country ahistorically powerful.
QuoteVictoria 3: The Great Wave - Expansion
Command the waves in a time of ambition and upheaval. Design mighty warships, guard the world's straits, and employ gunboat diplomacy to bend lesser powers to your will.
Use the power of your navy in order to dominate local rivals and keep foreign threats at bay.
Guide Japan through the last days of the Shogunate, navigating turmoil at home and pressure from abroad as you forge a modern power ready to challenge the greatest empires of the day.
Victoria 3: The Great Wave includes new content related to:
Ship Designer: Design and construct a fleet according to your country's strategic needs. Build powerful but expensive ocean-travelling warships to influence other nations, or build an efficient fleet designed to keep your coasts safe.
Flagships: Customize your very own pride of the fleet and let it lead your navy to prestigious victories.
Ship purchase treaties: Sell your ships to other countries across the globe, and draw profit from your ship building capabilities.
Gunboat Diplomacy options: Use your fleet to influence other countries in new diplomatic actions.
Narrative content:
- Steer Japan through the social and political tumults of the late Edo period, characterized by increased challenges to Tokugawa samurai rule. Adapt to or revolt against a changing domestic and international landscape, and reform the country to see your vision through.
- Contend with the entry of Japan onto the world stage, and best the Western powers at their own game. Use your navy to extend the reach of Japan beyond the home islands, and compete for land and influence with your powerful neighbours.
New historical characters.
Art: New clothing assets, a Japanese building style, UI skin, map, and table assets.
QuoteVictoria 3: State and Revolution - Immersion Pack
Steer the vast Russian Empire through an age of autocracy, revolution, and rebirth. Guide the ambitions of the Tsars, and suppress or unleash growing national aspirations.
Confront the spectre of epoch-defining civil war, and impose your post-revolutionary dreams in the aftermath.
Victoria 3: State and Revolution includes new content related to:
- A dynamic Journal Entry that updates based on the Tsar in power. Make use of different actions depending on the Tsar's traits and other factors in order to achieve their ambitions.
- Deal with a flexible Russian revolution based on the Tsarist Governments, and the legacy of your predecessors.
- Fight through the Russian Civil War, following the collapse of the state.
- Build up the post-revolutionary Russia depending on its outcome. Make way for a communist government, or bring about your designs for an altogether different post-revolutionary regime.
- A new Journal Entry dealing with the pursuit of Russification.
- Narrative content for Poland and other nations vying for independence from Russia.
- Exile unwanted dissidents to Siberia to ensure power stays with you – though the outcome may not always be what you expect.
- As an autocratic ruler, appoint favorites, adopt their ideological stances, and engage in narrative content around their newfound powers.
- Experience Ukrainian and Belarusian cultural renaissances.
- Visual effects for seasonal changes across the globe.
- New historical characters.
- A new building style, character assets, interface and map skin, and table assets.
QuoteVictoria 3: Century of Strife - Immersion Pack
Shape a bright future for China by advancing wise reforms, strengthening governance, and utilizing the vast potential of the nation to resist western encroachment and avoid the Century of Humiliation. Decide the fate of the examination system, support modernization, and forge unity at home while securing influence abroad.
Victoria 3: Century of Strife includes the following:
- Walk the tightrope of reforming China, striking the right balance between necessary change and the country's stability.
- Decide the fate of the imperial examination system, reforming or abolishing it to achieve your ambitions.
- Resist foreign encroachments and safeguard Chinese interests, such as in Korea.
- Support the Self-Strengthening movement to reform the Empire, or bring about its end through revolutionary action.
- Foster social and economic change in post-revolutionary China.
- Make use of unique cabinet interactions for China.
- Strengthen imperial power, or seek to end dynastic rule and establish a new base of legitimacy.
- Engage with new content for the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
- Experience events around the attempted opening of Korea by western powers from Korea's perspective.
- New historical characters for the involved nations.
- Art: New clothing assets, a Chinese building style, UI skin, map, and table assets.
Plus the (currently) planned free additions from the January Dev Diary:
QuoteMilitary�
Planned:
- Make generals/admirals into more meaningful and noticeable actors in countries and reduce the micromanagement of large numbers of commanders.
- Make sure that supply is an important and meaningful part of the military system that can win or lose you wars.
- Make navies more important for projecting global power and securing control of coasts.
- Turn individual ships into proper pieces of military hardware that can be built, sunk and repaired rather than just being manpower packages.
- Improve naval combat and make it mechanically distinct from land combat.
Economy�
Planned:
- Make Qualifications into a more impactful system and improve the logic & UI for building hiring/firing to be more consistent and transparent.
Diplomacy�
Planned:
- Rework the War Exhaustion system from one where a single uncontrolled war goal can stalemate wars towards one where war goal control and war outcomes are more dynamic and interesting (and much less frustrating).
- Make declaring and holding onto diplomatic Interests a more rewarding and challenging aspect of global empire-building
Internal Politics�
Planned:
- Turn legitimacy into a more interesting mechanic, where the strength of a government depends on their successes and failures, and highly legitimate governments can't simply be ousted at a whim but have to be undermined first.
Other�
Planned:
- Improve the way we simulate important historical conflicts such as the Opium Wars to make them play out closer to the way they did historically.
Not sure how I feel about all this.
A ship designer (if it gets anywhere close to HOI4's) seems way too micro for this game.I hope the Russian Revolution DLC will overhaul revolutions overall and maybe add some cabinet system ("appointing favorites"?, China DLC also mentions "unique cabinet interactions"). Maybe make playing reactionary/conservative states more of a challenge of either staying the old course and trying to keep up vs. modernizing against internal resistance.
And I hope that the China DLC doesn't make the country ahistorically powerful.
#8
Off the Record / Re: Star Wars Megathread
Last post by garbon - Today at 12:28:01 PMQuote from: celedhring on Today at 12:12:50 PMQuote from: garbon on Today at 10:28:09 AMQuote from: celedhring on Today at 08:23:52 AMHeh, this touches so many of my nerd kinks that I think I'll get it. Is the Empire history book any good?
I enjoyed it but I think it is important to go into knowing it is a fictional history written by a historian. So it has much more of an academic sort of bent to it than say GRR Martin's fake history.
Yeah, that's what draws me in. Reading academic history books is one of those kinks
Perfect, then it should suit. As I'd gone to his academic talk, I knew what I was getting is what I wanted but I know some more just Star Wars fans online had been a little disappointed.
#9
Off the Record / Re: Star Wars Megathread
Last post by celedhring - Today at 12:12:50 PMQuote from: garbon on Today at 10:28:09 AMQuote from: celedhring on Today at 08:23:52 AMHeh, this touches so many of my nerd kinks that I think I'll get it. Is the Empire history book any good?
I enjoyed it but I think it is important to go into knowing it is a fictional history written by a historian. So it has much more of an academic sort of bent to it than say GRR Martin's fake history.
Yeah, that's what draws me in. Reading academic history books is one of those kinks
A fake oral history from Star Wars starfighter vets is also another great concept. Goddamn, back in the time I read the mini-novels from the Star Wars flight sims from cover to cover several times.
#10
