5punk

I enjoy games on their own merit. I like simple-seeming games like Towns or Minecraft which have a bit of depth, but get quickly bored of something that's just an arcade shooter or just a 3D shooter for that matter, unless it has a fun gimmick or a gripping story. I do like big titles which interest me in their immersive world and where I enjoy the time I spend in them - how close I come to completing the game is often a contra-indicator to how much I like them, as it hints that I'd rather continue to spend more time in it at some point rather than tick it off as 'done' and put it away.

Bad ports or multi-platform-same-interface release can make things frustrating, but if a game is good enough, it can playably surive even the reverse transistion from PC to console - Fallout and Oblivion, while having admittedly a rather clumsy PC UI are still must-pack games when I go somewhere with only a console. Dragon Age wasn't such a great console conversion, and Dragon Age 2 bled some of that console-isation in the reverse direction, worsening what was a disappointing game to start with. Saying a game is bad just because it has a console release doesn't make sense though, because it's not true in all cases - Minecraft didn't become rubbish when the XBox version came out, infact the console version has a lot of things going for it that the (vanilla) PC version lacks.

I kind of see DP's point about Mass Effect - it is a pretty repetitive experience and while discovering the story is fun, there's not a massive amount to do other than progress through and complete it. I don't think it's a console thing though. The first was an Xbox exclusive for a year, so I'd finished it once, but still got the PC version, then played through it again so I could carry on in ME2. Having done that though, plus all the DLC, I've probably overplayed it and now instead of thinking about punching reporters and sexing blue ladies, I see endless corridors with boxes in and haven't been moved to pick up ME3.

Unfortunately money's going to tight for games for a while, as I've just been made redundant again, but at least I have plenty of unfinished games in my catalogue. It's good I don't mind console titles, but will obviously have to limit my enthusiasm for new titles.

FatherJack wrote:Unfortunately money's going to tight for games for a while, as I've just been made redundant again, but at least I have plenty of unfinished games in my catalogue. It's good I don't mind console titles, but will obviously have to limit my enthusiasm for new titles.

Oh noes! Sorry to hear that FJ.

Boo, sorry to hear that FJ. I wish you speedy re-employment!

Are you after sysadminy type jobs? If so I can keep an eye out at my place for you (what kind of monies are you aiming for?)

Oh dear, that sucks FJ. Does it mean you're going to be doing more writing / game development though?

That sucks What kind of role are you after?

FatherJack wrote:
Unfortunately money's going to tight for games for a while, as I've just been made redundant again, but at least I have plenty of unfinished games in my catalogue. It's good I don't mind console titles, but will obviously have to limit my enthusiasm for new titles.

That's terrible news FJ. If you need any support with 5punky monies just holla at my dog - happy to help in any way I can.

tandino wrote:

FatherJack wrote:
Unfortunately money's going to tight for games for a while, as I've just been made redundant again, but at least I have plenty of unfinished games in my catalogue. It's good I don't mind console titles, but will obviously have to limit my enthusiasm for new titles.

That's terrible news FJ. If you need any support with 5punky monies just holla at my dog - happy to help in any way I can.

This. I will gladly throw money your way if need be, and I will happily fund for your trip to Belgiumbash if you need a bit of time off.

What everyone else said. Hope things pick up soon, but we're here if you need us (just not for sexy time massages).

tandino wrote:

FatherJack wrote:
Unfortunately money's going to tight for games for a while, as I've just been made redundant again, but at least I have plenty of unfinished games in my catalogue. It's good I don't mind console titles, but will obviously have to limit my enthusiasm for new titles.

That's terrible news FJ. If you need any support with 5punky monies just holla at my dog - happy to help in any way I can.

Is your dog rich?

Thanks guys.

Beardbash was the perfect antidote though - just forgetting about it for a weekend. I caught myself alone at times, just staring at the floor with that sickening feeling of vertigo you get when at the top of a big drop of the rollercoaster of life that you no longer control, but I quickly shook myself out of it and just enjoyed the ride. A big thanks to everyone at Beardbash for that, especially Mr & Mrs Joose and Grimmie with all the hard work they put in.

I'm looking for sysadmin type stuff, but don't mind PC Support either, but it has to be relatively close to Cov, travel is almost my largest expenditure. Any money's better than none, but would have to increase with distance. Work might have a few sporadic things I can do for them on contract and my brother's boss might need some website stuff doing. I have a bunch more experience than a year ago, and probably the best reference ever written, with the boss more than happy to sing my praises to anyone who asks, and as it's not 15 years since I was last unemployed this time, it's less scary and I have a much better idea of how to go about getting a job in the current climate.

I have an uncomfortable week at work to finish which I will do professionally, learning anything I don't already know, then a month's garden leave. I'll try and keep to at least working-from-home regular hours for that, so as well as job-hunting, I will definitely put in some shifts doing writing, probably music and hopefully game-designing/programming, as well as voluntary/self-employed stuff that shows I didn't sit on my arse all day. I might play a few games, though.

As far as money goes, I've renewed the domain name for two years, which was to expire in October, but the 5punk hosting is due at the end of the month. We have some rewards I've cashed in mostly I think owing to berk/Joose, but we still need about £65, so I'm afraid I have to get the begging bowl out again.

You can use http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=10378 to contribute directly to the hosting with Paypal, or PM me for alternate methods. If any donators past or present want a @5punk.co.uk email address, would like something small hosted, would like a promo code they can use themselves for almost a year's free hosting, or if anyone wants a promo code which they can give to someone else to earn us rewards, please just ask.

I will gladly pay my new hard earned cash to my favourite website, it's only 15 quid but if you need more I will gladly pay extra.
As for your current situation I'm afraid I can't offer anything besides many manly e-manhugs, and like I said earlier I will gladly help fund your trip to Belgiumbash if you want to come.

I have no income either at the moment, but hopefully that will be rectified soon. If/when it is, I'll be glad to chip in as well.

Donated

Hnnngh, fuck. This only ever happens when I have less than no money. It's uncanny. I was going to donate some of my overdraft anyway but they only seem to use paypal, my account for whom has been deleted. Is there an alternative anywhere?

Chucked a few quid in the pot there FJ. If there's anything else I can do, just say!

Dog Pants wrote:Hnnngh, fuck. This only ever happens when I have less than no money. It's uncanny. I was going to donate some of my overdraft anyway but they only seem to use paypal, my account for whom has been deleted. Is there an alternative anywhere?

Yes, although I don't want to take money you don't have. I can furnish you with my bank sort codes, etc and I'll simply transfer it into the hosting account.

Having said that, though - we have already exceeded the required monies for a further year of hosting. You guys are fucking awesome. Thanks!

I think 79 fucking minutes is a new record.

Dog Pants wrote:Hnnngh, fuck. This only ever happens when I have less than no money. It's uncanny. I was going to donate some of my overdraft anyway but they only seem to use paypal, my account for whom has been deleted. Is there an alternative anywhere?

If you go to donate you can click on "Don't have an account" which'll then let you just process a card payment via Paypal without needing to log in.

Which is what I've just done.

Paypal don't get my bank details ever again. Sorry.

Fuck paypal in the hoop.

FJ - send me bank details and I'll send some monies. Might as well keep that pot topped up.