RIP-Felix

The DCDigital (Formerly DCHDMI) doesn't interfere with analog/VGA output of the console. So it'll still output as normal. The lightconn plugs into the controller port for power and bluetooth, grabs sync from a tiny wite running out of a VGA adapter, and a wii sensor bar provides the InfraRed light sources for triangulation of the wii sensor in the lightgun. If I remember correctly, the VGA just needs to be plugged into the console. I'm not sure if the other end needs to hooked up to a TV or not. I always have mine hooked up to my OSSC via VGA and from the DC Digital out port to my TV via HDMI. That works, if you're far enough back from the TV for the IR camera to see the whole screen and calibrate. There is lag, just like a Wii remote. So don't expect a miracle. If you need a wider angle, you can use a cell phone wide angle lens. It affects accuracy, but allows you to get closer to the screen.

You're welcome. I was wondering about Cline signing off on the changes too. I'm sure some of it was down to a fanboy agreeing ton anything his god says (hero worship) - "Yes Mr. Spielberg, whatever you say Mr. Spielberg, I'm just so happy you've graced my story with your golden touch Mr. Spielberg." That kind of thing. Other things were cut for time. Many thing were cut for licensing reasons. One concession leads to a need for a plot-line change, which requires this be cut, that be changed, and then editing for time does the rest. Cline being involved, was privy to the rationale for each decision from the picture/script writing perspective, and was probably influenced by that bias. Whereas for them it was an adaptation of a difficult to translate to the silver screen accomplishment, the end result for fans is a disappointing departure from what we expected. I for one am not one to believe in the "you can't pleas all the people all the time" argument. It's a cop out. I have seen good and faithful adaptations and bad ones. This one was closer to the bad side IMO. Definitely not faithful, major characters were changed to the point of disservice, and plot-lines were deviated aggressively. They managed to take the idea and translate a different story on scree. One that taken on it's own is good, but if you were hoping for anything faithful too the book you'd be dissapointed. Once I let go of that, I was able to see the movie for what it is, not for what it isn't. I have the book for that. So I'm over it now.

And now you can enjoy the book! Man I'm so jealous that I didn't see the movie first. Your in for a treat. All your gripes with the movie are explained in detail in the book. As for the home town bit, I get what you mean. That's why I like Armada. It took place in Beaverton Oregon, my hometown (as a kid anyway). It's fun to picture your hometown as the center of events in stories you like. I think that's why there's so many movies that take place in New York or LA. Simply alot of people will get that nostalgia hit and it's a cheap trick to get more views. I thought it was cool that Cline includes some lesser used towns. Columbus isn't exactly small, but it doesn't get that many movie references either. I've been holding off telling you this for years (I didn't want to ruin it for you)... Worth it!

Give it another 5 years.

2013 became 2014. Then another year went by. And another. And another! Then finally, after 8 long years the thing everyone had been waiting for, and which many believed was a giant hoax, finally happened! Suddenly everyone was interested in the contest again. But after the inevitable disappointment... ...a few more years went by and nothing else materialized. Interest again waned. That brings us to this day. Just a mere 2 months away from READY PLAYER TWO being released a full 9 years after the first book. I just wanted to reiterate these fine words... Meanwhile, in the Tron thread: Tron review = Paid. Ready Player One review = past due! So I hired a debt collector for his talent in motivational villainy... Did you think you were off the hook?

Maybe I'll just get the audiobook when I renew my subscription to audible and get Ready player 2 free. I would like to say that I think we're on the brink of witnessing another video game crash. Micro-transactions are creating an industry wide incentive that compete with game design. Game used to last a reasonable amount of time to complete, with expertly balanced game play based upon a fun gimmick that progressed as you fully explore what can be done with it. It used to be simple. Sonic was a platformer that was fast. They wanted a game that felt like a roller coaster, and a speedy ball shaped character was the gimmick. They explored what you could do with a speedy ball. From loops, jumps, twists, spikes, etc. Basically Sonic was the Hotwheels of video games. Genres emerged each with their own flair and as console became more powerful they allowed more immersion. Turn based RPG, JRPG, racing, sports, and 1st person shooter and RPG. Open worlds. Eventually though the push for better graphics reached a point of diminishing returns and the focus on new gimmicks that were fun, balanced difficulty and satisfying length to completion stopped being the focus. Money became the focus, graphics became the feature, and microtransaction became the vehicle to get rich. Now games are too much of a time commitment, employing gambling psychology to keep players performing the same action repetitively for meaningless rewards. Meaningless because they create expansions, DLC, Seasons, SWAG gear, items and such to perpetually move the goal post. Just when you get close to beating the game, they won't let you summit the mountain. That's because your on a treadmill looking at a picture of a mountain. They treat you like a hamster, give you a hamster wheel connected to an alternator, and milk your energy for profit. You're not buying a product they sell, you are the product they sell - to advertisers for product placement. This has already ruined the mobile gaming industry. And the console gaming industry is next. Maybe that's why the retro gaming industry and indie have re-surged in popularity. People are rebelling from over exploitation. If the industry is wise, they'll tread carefully. While Nintendo's hands aren't clean, they like to play the artificial scarcity game to price gouge, and Nintendo Online is a subscription model, they have been the most careful not to overdilute their product (fun games) with modern cash vehicles (micro transactions). They've sat back and let SONY and Microsoft chase each other down that rabbit hole to hell, waiting patiently (wii U) for their opportunity to steal back market share. The Nintendo switch was the time, and now they're selling their entire back catalog for $60 a pop. Not just theirs, but ports of the most popular 3rd party titles too. The gimmick is portability and great old games. And the strategy is KILLING IT! SONY and MICROSOFT need to wake up! Major 3rd party publishers too. If they don't they'll become Atari and Nintendo will be the only one left standing...again.

I mean the pockets for a miniature billiards table. Seems like there would be a way of making them serve both purposes.

Nice work. I like the insert so it's just a table when it's not game time. Just my preferences, but I would change the following: I would soften the edges with decorative routing. Might keep a kid from needing stitches. Looks more professional too. I'd modify the cup holders into miniature pool pockets that double as a cup holders. I'd prefer either distressed white, or red (cherry or slightly darker) stained wood. I'd rather have a green felt game board. Make the legs fold up so it can be stored under a bed or couch. If it were mass produced with the changes above I wouldn't pay more than $400 for it. I don't need this and in truth, If I wanted one, I'd rather make it. Ballpark I think you could sell them for $400. And for that, I don't know that it'd be worth it.

Yeah, I get where you're coming from. That's exactly what I mean, when the fiction hit's too close to home and reminds me of what I'm trying to escape. And yeah, it's hard not to recoil from the constant entreaties from BLM movements, #Metoo movements, climate change scientists, and so on. But like a bowel movement, it's not something that can be ignored. It's not going to feel better until you sit down and pass that shit! Unfortunately, we've been eating a lot of junk food. I think we may be on the pot for while! Politics is society's bathroom. No one likes having to go, but it serves a necessary purpose. I can think of no better metaphor. And like toilet paper, politicians are the tool societies use to get the job done. Let's hope only one flush is needed to get rid of this turd!

While I strongly disagree with statements like this, I don't have to agree with everything you believe to consider you a friend. You're free to believe what you want, so long as you don't try to stop me from doing the same. If we can agree on that, we can be friends. This generation hasn't been taught that ethic. The best way for a couple to divorce is to stop talking. I didn't have to agree with the racist comments my grandparents made to still love them. I just ignored their prejudiced opinions and refused to engage. They were otherwise good people, they just sometimes said ignorant things. That shit dies with them, I'm not perpetuating it. It didn't stop me from enjoying fishing with grandpa. That's how I remember him now that he's gone. He had a hard life and provided for his family. I don't dishonor his memory by condemning the few times in old age when his filter came off. If I just shut out anyone who disagrees with me, then how can I grow? How can I get a feel for the world? What beliefs are still out there? And how big of a problem it is? Talking to real people challenges your paradigm, give you a sense of what's real or not. It teaches you about people and their place in historical context. It's a good thing - communication. Social media makes it possible to see only what you "think" you want to. Truth becomes meaningless when your whole experience is custom tailored by the matrix. Or is it really what advertisers think you want to see, and over time believe (yes)? Or is it what republicans, democrats, Russia wants you to believe (maybe, maybe, maybe)? It's bad enough when algorithms try to pigeon hole us. There's no need for us to to do it to ourselves. Get off that propaganda train and talk to your neighbors. My generation used to say, "Get a clue!" That's good advice for this generation, but they're addicted to something incapable of giving them one. Lucky me, I guess. I saw social media for what it was before they did themselves. I never took part and never will. Make no mistake sheeple, you are being manipulated online. Emotions are easily manipulated, your mind is harder! Wear some technological body armor and defend yourself. VPN, PiHole, DuckDuckGo, adblock, and most of all GET OFF SOCIAL MEDIA! Speaking of trains:

I literally just said, "Oh, give mea a break!", when at the end of the video it said only on CBS all access! My current list of paid Streaming services: Netflix Amazon prime Hulu + Live TV Disney+ ESPN+ Do I really want to add CBS all access to the list? Star Trek "might" entice me. This looks good, but again it's not enough. Breaking up the CableTV monopoly might be good for the economy and promote competition, but this is the fallout. I suppose it's better than being locked into contracts and only having one choice for everything.

I'm melanistically adapted to my latitude, and if I weren't I'd supplement Vit-D. There's really nothing more to it than that! Assimilation has its own backstory (lookup 1950's native American sterilization program. That's a doozy!). No I mean cultural appropriation. When a key person or character is "appropriated" and made to look like another group, it's offensive. I don't need to be a minority to see that. What if history books depicted MLK as white? Why would you do it in the first place? Does skin tone distract from the message? Why is there a need for a white hero in the first place? So a majority group can better identify with him? If that's the case, then there exists an implicit bias that needs correcting. Or perhaps it's cathartic to see a white man be accepted by a group of people often seen as not being accepting. In that case, the perception that another group not accepting is the bias. Usually these biases emerge from a lack of personal association with a diverse demographic. It can result from cultural stratification from a multitude of causes, such as socioeconomics, policy, systemic racism, and probably the most pertinent to our time - propaganda. Try to remember that propaganda is primarily how governments try to influence elections. Usually through social media. Not just each others elections, but their own. In democracies, the goal is to create two political factions then incite them to civil war. During the chaos is a good time for a new political faction to emerge and pick up the pieces. It doesn't just apply to race, but to wealth gaps, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, even dialect or accent. This crap's been going on forever. Unity means putting up with each other AND not letting normal domestic disputes be manipulated against us by foreign or domestic threats who want to incite further division. They want the system to burn, so they can create a new one in it's place. Exploiting existing divisions is the easiest way to accomplish it. When it comes to good science fiction, I want good science and good fiction. Politics is not good fiction! Part of the reason I like Sci-Fi is as an escape from reality. The prequel star wars trilogy, for example, hit too close to home. The politics encroached on my escape from reality. It broke the fiction! Episodes 4-6 was more focused on action and mystery, friendships and danger, good vs. evil, escape and liberation. The politics was only enough (inspired by real political events) to establish a credible fictitious narrative. That is all you need, and it was a good balance. DUNE has more politics than I would like, but it makes sense in the narrative and isn't really the focus of the main character's struggle. I prefer the heroins being carried along by politics outside their control (it's more relatable for non-politicians), rather than being privy to every rationalization, backbiting feud, or political plot-twists. Give me the fiction, not the all too familiar politics I came here to escape. As for good science, the narrative can be woven within a seemingly credible scientific framework (think Jurassic Park or Ready Player One). There is no need for the supernatural if your fiction takes place in a simulation or results from biotech with a seed of plausibility. If good science isn't possible, then good fantasy will work. That's where the "force" can be useful. I like how Lucas avoided familiar religious ties, even though it's obvious that's the inspiration. There's no explanation how "light speed" travel is possible, or how Light sabers work. Kyber crystals were invented for that later, but are unnecessary because it's fantasy. Fantasy adds a mysterious flair that makes the story more engaging, in a way that doesn't require plausibility like Science fiction usually does. My sister rather cogently explained this to me when she convinced me that Star wars was not a Science fiction genre, but was in fact fantasy. That's why she likes it. Whereas ready player one and Jurassic Park had plausibility backing the fiction, Star Wars and DUNE had mystery and fantasy backing theirs. However in each case, good science, good fiction, and good fantasy only establish the story. The story still has to be good. And reminding the audience of everything the came to escape is bad form! Just like the first half of this post :p

This may piss off trekies, but who really cares what they think anyway. Star trek was an atheist eco chamber, more than it was a sociopolitically fair. I always felt belittled by their self-righteous perspective. They always place religion in opposition to truth and knowledge. This reveals the writers prejudices more than it makes for good science fiction. It sours my opinion of the show and has aged poorly. There's no need to crap on 95% worlds most cherished core values! It doesn't do anything but divide people. I think the way Dune and star wars embraced religion as a way to enrich the diversity and intrigue of their characters and plots was both more engaging and relatable. Religion isn't the problem, its the mixing with politics and forcing everyone to comply that is. It's devisive, not inclusive. That's the opposite of unity. Unity is tolerance. We haven't gotten this formula right yet, and it underpins all sociopolitical struggles. All good science fiction reflects these struggles, without taking sides or condemning anyone who identifies with a side (besides the classic good vs evil plotlines). The Jedi aren't comdemed for believing in the force, even they have to endure a few disbelieving Han Solo's. They eventually become the heros against the evil dark side, who also have disbelievers. Both sides put up with each other even thought they clash. And the whole balance of light vs dark is an attempt to reconcile the equal but opposite viewpoints. I think it's a bit optimistic and naive to believe that permitting a little evil is necessary to prevent a lot of evil. But it's more believable than star treks "everything would be fine if we were all athiest" message. DUNE is more engaging because of its religious overtones as well. There's just more mystery and destiny involved. Nothing demystifies like science. I think that perhaps its more fantasy than it is science fiction. Space fantasy.

I enjoyed the middle eastern influences. They make it feel more atmospheric/foreign - a good combination for an underdog story. I always appreciated Herbert representing the middle eastern inspired characters as heroes in this story. They're all too often vilified in western literature. The jihad or "holy war" is liberation from oppression. The Kwisatz Haderach brings water to a desert planet, the only planet with the spice melange which enables space folding, and reclaims equal footing in the universe after being exploited for so long. I found DUNE a refreshing parable - a sci-fy retelling of western civilizations clashing with the middle east. A story that's yet resolved. You could say it's a cautionary tale. It's also a textbook example of cultural appropriation. A western white white boy drinks some desert water and becomes the messiah for all the people of DUNE? Give me a break. Whatever makes it palatable for western audience, I guess. It's still another white washing of Jesus.

I saw the movie as a kid and grew up watching it many times with my dad, so I'm definitely biased. I read it, well listened to the audiobook, for the first time a number of years ago. I only listened twice, and it's been awhile now, so the details are fuzzy. Time for another listen I guess. Anyhow, I felt like the book was a nice complement to the movie, tying in all the stuff the movie didn't cover. I mean, they completely ignored the Crysknife, but nod to it in that psycho scene with Alia holding it in a blood lust. They didn't include any of its significance. In my minds eye while listening, I saw all the same characters having the same conversations. I guess that's the benefit of seeing the movie first and liking it. From that perspective, it was pretty faithful. I felt more forgiving of what they didn't include and less annoyed but the stuff that was added... I was like, "What? No weirding modules!" I liked the weirding modules, thank you very much! But it's not like you can be mad at the author for not creating what the movie changed after the fact...lol. It's a completely different experiance reading the book after seeing the movie, I always seem to end up liking both. Almost never seems to work out in the opposite direction however.

DUNE 1984 is one of my all time favorites. It's one I keep to watch on VHS. The score is where it's at for me (Toto made that movie), and they actually did a pretty good job of sticking to the dialog, when they didn't jump around. The extended version on DVD takes something like 4 hours to watch (with conceptual drawings, voice acting and scenes that weren't used in the theatrical release). It's much more faithful to the book. So it takes about 4 hours (2 movies) to faithfully tell the story. My complaints in that movie is how disgusting they made the Barron of house Harkonnan, the heat plug scene, and that creepy blood lust scene with Alia Atredes holding the Crysknife after feeding the "flying fat man" to a worm. She's definitely a psychopath, keep an eye on that one! That's what happens when your mother drinks the water of life while pregnant, I guess. They should put a surgeon general's warning on that stuff! I'm hyped! I actually think that DUNE should be a two parter. No need for a trilogy, A duet is perfect.

Welcome to the forums! I think theres endless potential for the RP universe. At least 4 before the title gimmick wears out. I bet the sequel will be heavily based in the real world and the BIG RED BTN will play a role. I'm excited to see where Cline want's to take it next. I honestly think it'll be a nice expansion of the story. Maybe it's just excitement to get another book from an author I happen to like. We'll see!

I really think that Star wars is so beloved that any attempt to add into the main story line is doomed. Side stories are a different thing entirely, because they don't tread upon the characters of the originals and only flesh out the story already told in those films. I think this is why Rogue One did well, and Solo didn't. Fans are fine with new branches, but there is only one main trunk. Basically fans want this: Lucas and Disney wanted this: It's a difference in philosophy. I actually think Lucas and Disney's metaphorical Oak tree makes more sense in the complicated context of the force and galactic politics, than does the fans desire for symmetry and continuity with the original film...I said it didn't I (oh, dear)! It's really just a matter of adjusting my expectation to the reality of where the story actually went, then accepting it for what it is. I think that's a battle everyone fights when a new entry into their beloved story comes along. And it's really just our resistance to change that we're fighting. I wanted a confer tree, and Star Wars was destined to be an Oak. I just have to accept that! This is probably the best take I've seen. I actually don't disagree from a narrative and movie story development standpoint.

I haven't gone further into the Ender series than the first book, but I think I'll renew my audible membership once Ready Player Two comes out. I should be able to get it for free for signing back up, then I can pick up some of the other books in the endeverse, probably "Speaker for the Dead" (Ender's Game sequel). I didn't realize Ender's game was book 5 in the Enderverse series. If I like the sequel, perhaps I'll pickup the rest of the books in the series and start an Enderverse-athon. I periodically do this with the foundation series (Asimov), and the Old Man's War Series (Scalzi). Of course that's when I'm not alternating between Armada and RPO; I'm currently nearing the end of RPO again for the umpteenth time...it's becoming a problem actually! I want to start the Old Mans war series again after this, but I keep starting one of those two. Speaking of Old Man's War, if you haven't read (or listened) to it yet, get on that!

I didn't read any disagreement there? Basically what you expect and hope for in a movie adaptation is that instead of major changes to story and plot, subtext and character building are all that's cut for time. Like you, I was annoyed about the changes to Enders character, because his ruthlessness was part of the reason he was the right choice. However, Hollywood understandably toned down the violence to keep a PG-13 rating. Can't say I blame them, nor was I disappointed with the movie. I thought it was quite good. I would have liked the more ruthless version (complete with the whole truth about the fight in the boys shower...I think it was the shower room? It's been awhile since I read it). Anyway, the movie had the other kid live, and in the book I think he dies. We watch movie with a moral social lens. Hollywood didn't want Ender to commit man slauter and the government to condone it, but in the book it underpins the desperate military state they live in and lends morbid severity to the importance of their training. They probably had to tone that down anyway, because they didn't have the time to paint the total picture of desperation. Ready Player One, on the other hand, has WAY too many IPs, trademarks, copyrights, and brands to faithfully follow the plot line unchanged. Also there are too many challenges to fit into a movie. I understand the need to change the plot, but I was disappointment by the way they did it and the overuse of CGI on Avatar models inside the OASIS. And Art3mis seems shallow in the movie, a real disservice to her character!

I'm burned out on star trek. Besides the original movies, I can't watch ST more then once. As a kid/teen I preferred Voyager and TNG, but DS9 bored me. I've since sat through it and Enterprise once, couldn't get into them again. I'm not going to buy into CBS all access just for the cash grab ST series, which I assume are bad. I did however enjoy John Scalzi's "Redshirts", a satire novel obviously inspired by ST. "Below Decks" is clearly ripping off the idea. Oh, and it's narrated by Will Wheton (hilarious to hear him reading a ST satire).

That is like saying, "I just saw Star wars episode 1...and hated it. I think I'll pass on the rest." RPO book/movie is nothing like...say, enders game...where the movie tracks the book pretty faithfully. Actually the book makes Ender more ruthless, which they really toned done in the movie. However the 2 are very similar. Same thing with Dune book/movie (a descent adaptation to film). Ready player one book/movie? COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!!! Book is must read, movie is unnecessary!

I noticed they carefully chose to say "you’ll be able to start that new RPG or adventure game"...because the input latency will not be suitable for FPS, fighting, or anything requiring fast twitch controls. Not if Stadia is any indicator of game streaming performance.

Well, they need to make copies quickly. The film stock of the 1970's is known to be of inferior quality to that of earlier and later stock. Whereas it's usually good for 70 ish years, the stock from the 70's is estimated at more like 50. We're coming up on that quick. With a film as historically important as Star Wars, the product managers are sure to be well aware of this. They should get new separation masters made and do a modern 8K digitization while they're at it. Then the originals should be donated to the Smithsonian, or library of congress, or something of equal esteem.

Best narrator for that book, bar none! It couldn't by anyone else. He's the president of the OASIS after all (Inside joke).