Honestly annoying af like if you order some shit then just pick it up yourself or consider yourself lucky if other people do this service to you from time to time. Pick a mailman if you are too lazy
cross-postowane z: https://lemm.ee/post/62076262
Holy shit, I need to rant about this because it’s driving me insane. Lately, it feels like every new show drops a single episode and then forces you to wait months for the rest.
Who actually enjoys this? A whole week for one episode? That’s an eternity in real life. By the time the next episode airs, I could be a completely different person—new job, new hobbies, maybe even a new brain—and suddenly, I don’t even care about the show anymore.
It’s like some 80-year-old corporate exec is sitting in a boardroom, smashing a big red button labeled "FEED THE MASSES" once a week, doling out TV like it’s fucking rations.Some more reasons why it sucks:
You forget the plot (and the whole vibe) between episodes.
If an episode sucks, you just wasted a week of anticipation for nothing.
It’s like walking out of a movie halfway through and coming back seven days later for the rest. Who does that?
How I cope? I refuse to watch until the entire season is out. I want to enjoy the story properly, on my own time, without this drip-fed nonsense.
Back in the day, TV was just cheap filler for people with nothing better to do—endless soap operas where the most exciting thing that happened in a week was somebody’s amnesia curing or a long-lost twin showing up. Who had time for that?
But now? TV has evolved into something better than movies. We get deeper storytelling (no rushed 2-hour limits), higher production value (some shows look more cinematic than blockbusters), actual character development (instead of cramming arcs into a single film)
Yet studios still release episodes weekly like it’s 1985 and we’re all waiting around for Days of Our Lives. Newsflash: We’re not.
Holy shit, I need to rant about this because it’s driving me insane. Lately, it feels like every new show drops a single episode and then forces you to wait months for the rest.
Who actually enjoys this? A whole week for one episode? That’s an eternity in real life. By the time the next episode airs, I could be a completely different person—new job, new hobbies, maybe even a new brain—and suddenly, I don’t even care about the show anymore.
It’s like some 80-year-old corporate exec is sitting in a boardroom, smashing a big red button labeled "FEED THE MASSES" once a week, doling out TV like it’s fucking rations.
Some more reasons why it sucks:
You forget the plot (and the whole vibe) between episodes.
If an episode sucks, you just wasted a week of anticipation for nothing.
It’s like walking out of a movie halfway through and coming back seven days later for the rest. Who does that?
How I cope? I refuse to watch until the entire season is out. I want to enjoy the story properly, on my own time, without this drip-fed nonsense.
Back in the day, TV was just cheap filler for people with nothing better to do—endless soap operas where the most exciting thing that happened in a week was somebody’s amnesia curing or a long-lost twin showing up. Who had time for that?
But now? TV has evolved into something better than movies. We get deeper storytelling (no rushed 2-hour limits), higher production value (some shows look more cinematic than blockbusters), actual character development (instead of cramming arcs into a single film)
Yet studios still release episodes weekly like it’s 1985 and we’re all waiting around for Days of Our Lives. Newsflash: We’re not.
Inspired by movie Conclave 2024 we post here info and leaks, gossip drama and rumors about Cardinals and discuss forerunners and bettings
🏳️🌈 Luis Tagle (Philippines): Alberto Melloni, a historian based in Rome, told The Washington Post that Tagle, 67, was once considered to be Francis’ “rising star” while serving as pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Philippines, and Tagle has previously criticized “harsh” and “severe” rhetoric used by clerics to describe the LGTBQ+ community, divorced people and unwed mothers.
🇨🇳 Pietro Parolin (Italy): Parolin, 70, was appointed the Vatican’s Secretary of State by Francis in 2014, and he will likely be seen as a candidate to succeed Francis because of his respect among secular diplomats, including for his negotiations with China and several Middle East countries, according to Vatican analysts. Parolin was involved in reaching an agreement between the Vatican and the Chinese government in 2018, though the Vatican was criticized for “selling out” to China’s communist government.
⛪ Robert Sarah (Guinea): Sarah, 79, is a prelate from Guinea and the former head of the Vatican’s liturgy office who has been considered a possible successor to Francis for years. Sarah is among the more conservative-leaning prospects and has opposed blessing same-sex couples, referring to the blessings as “heresy” and same-sex couples as “irregular,” while he has also reportedly called abortion the “greatest tragedy of our time” and previously warned about the “threat” of Islam.
⛪ Fridolin Ambongo (Congo): Ambongo, 65, the archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was named a cardinal by Francis in 2019 and has since been considered one of his possible successors, The New York Times reports. Ambongo is one of nine members of the Council of Cardinals, an advisory group to Francis, and he led an opposition to Francis’ ruling in 2023 that churches should bless same-sex couples, writing “unions of persons of the same sex” are considered “intrinsically evil.”
🏳️🌈 Matteo Zuppi (Italy): Zuppi, 69, became the archbishop of Bologna, Italy, in 2015 and is known for his similarities to Francis, including a focus on migrants and the poor, Reuters reported, and he has defended Francis’ decision to bless same-sex couples. Zuppi is among the more progressive candidates for pontiff and is known for a “street priest” persona, like Francis, because he supports the poor and disenfranchised, though he opposes ordaining women as deacons and priests.
⛪ Peter Erdo (Hungary): Erdo, 71, the archbishop of Budapest and Hungary’s primate, is among the top candidates for pontiff, the Associated Press reports, after he was named the head of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences in 2005 and 2011, an earlier role that could help him draw more votes among voting European cardinals. Erdo has said there are “absolutely no grounds” for considering same-sex marriages “in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family,” and Erdo appeared to oppose Francis’ call for churches to support migrants in 2015.
⛪ Marc Ouellet (Canada): Ouellet, 80, was reportedly among the top candidates for pope in 2005 and 2013 and will likely be another contender in 2025, according to the Associated Press, as Ouellet has controlled the Vatican’s bishop office for over a decade. Ouellet leans conservative and opposes same-sex marriages and ordaining women as deacons, saying in 2021 that men and women should not be “placed completely on the same level from the point of view of ministry.”
❔/🏳️🌈 Mario Grech (Malta): The secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, Grech, 68, shared largely conservative views before Francis was elected pope in 2013. In 2014, Grech called on the church to be more accepting of LGBTQ+ members, saying at the time Catholic rhetoric was harmful to LGBTQ+ members, and later expressed support for women as deacons.
❔ Jean-Marc Aveline (France): The archbishop of Marseille, France, became a cardinal in 2022 and holds similar beliefs to Francis, despite having cautioned about blessing same-sex couples. Aveline, 66, is known among French media for his resemblance to Pope John XXIII, and Francis quipped in 2021 his successor would be named Pope John XXIV in 2025.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/04/21/these-cardinals-are-the-top-candidates-to-succeed-pope-francis/Open linkView original on lemm.eeWith the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, the Catholic Church is preparing for a transition that will determine its direction for the foreseeable future. As the first Latin American pope, Francis brought significant change as Bishop of Rome, focusing on social justice, environmental issues and a more inclusive Church.
Now, the College of Cardinals prepares to gather at the Vatican for a conclave that will shape the Church's future. Their choice won't just name the next leader of 1.37 billion Catholics—it will set the course for doctrine, transparency and the Church's outreach to its flock.
Will the next pope continue Francis's progressive reforms, or will the cardinals pivot back toward theological conservatism? The answer will be clear when the symbolic white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel. Francis's Influence on the Election
The next pope will face a Church shaped by Francis's appointments and reforms. His tenure saw major structural changes, including the decentralization of the Vatican's power and the appointment of more non-European cardinals than any of his predecessors.
However, his governance style has also left the College of Cardinals in an uncertain position. "He selected the majority of the cardinals who possess the right to vote," said Ulrich Lehner, professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame.
"However, his approach to governance, characterized by unilateral decisions made without consultation with the College of Cardinals, has made it impossible to form interpersonal relationships among them." Pope Francis presides over a Mass Pope Francis presides over a Mass on the Jubilee of The Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel at St. Peter's Square on February 09, 2025 in Vatican City. Franco Origlia/Getty Images
A key issue for the conclave will be Francis's handling of sexual abuse cases, which has divided Church leaders. "Most importantly, can the voters trust that the person they elect is not a sexual predator who could be exposed?" Lehner asked.
According to Michelle Dillon, dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of New Hampshire, "Francis was consistently trying to bring much greater transparency and professionalism to the Curia." Yet, she also noted that some cardinals remain skeptical about his openness to secular engagement, fearing that the Church could lose its unique identity.
#How the Next Pope Is Chosen
The election of a pope follows centuries-old Vatican traditions. The College of Cardinals, composed of those under 80 years old, will vote in secret ballots inside the Sistine Chapel. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope. If no consensus is reached, additional rounds of voting will continue until a candidate emerges with the necessary support. When a round of voting does not reach consensus, ballots are burned and the black smoke that appears from the Sistine Chapel chimney signals to those watching on television and in St. Peter's Square that the conclave continues.
When white smoke appears, a new pope has been chosen.
Dillon emphasized that the days leading up to the conclave will be crucial.
"There will be plenty of time and many face-to-face interpersonal opportunities during the mourning period for bishops and cardinals to informally confer with one another about their goals and desires for the conclave and its outcome," she said.
#Who Are the Leading Candidates?
As speculation builds, several high-ranking cardinals have emerged as top contenders. According to Vatican observers and bookmakers, the following candidates have the strongest odds. Here is a closer look at each of them.
Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines)
Currently the betting favorite at 3:1 odds, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, is considered a strong contender to continue Pope Francis's progressive agenda. Tagle, an advocate for inclusion and evangelization, has significant experience leading the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and was a trusted figure in Francis's inner circle. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle attends a Mass with newly appointed cardinals presided by Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica on December 08, 2024 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis on Saturday, presiding at Holy Mass... Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images
"Overall, I think the fact that by my count over 100 of the eligible papal electors were appointed by Francis could have a profound effect on the outcome," said Cristina Traina, a professor at Northwestern University. "That is, we may not get a pendulum swing away from Francis' priorities."
Tagle's Asian heritage also makes him a compelling choice, as Catholicism is growing rapidly on the continent, particularly in the Philippines.
Pietro Parolin (Italy)
At 4:1 odds, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, is one of the most experienced Vatican officials. In his role as the Vatican's Secretary of State since 2013, he has played a major part in diplomatic affairs, including sensitive negotiations with China and Middle Eastern governments. Pietro Parolin Cardinal Secretary of State of the Vatican Pietro Parolin arrives to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (unseen) at Schloss Bellevue on June 29, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. Germany and the Vatican are celebrating the... Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images
Parolin is seen as a moderate theological candidate, someone who could provide stability while still maintaining some of Francis's reforms. His deep ties to Vatican bureaucracy make him a strong contender for those who favor continuity. Peter Turkson (Ghana)
Currently at 5:1 odds in betting markets, Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, is a well-known figure in the Church's social justice circles. As former head of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Turkson has been vocal on issues such as climate change, poverty and economic justice. Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson Ghanaian cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson waits to exchange Christmas greetings with Pope Francis at the Clementina Hall on December 21, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Photo by Franco Origlia/Vatican Pool/Getty Images
Turkson's election would mark a historic moment as the first African pope in centuries. The most recent African pontiff was Pope Gelasius, who served from 492 to 496 AD. Born in Rome to African parents, Gelasius was known for his extensive theological writings and strong advocacy for charity and justice for the poor.
Peter Erdő (Hungary)
A leading conservative candidate, Cardinal Peter Erdő, 72, is currently at 6:1 odds. A respected canon law scholar, Erdő has been a strong advocate for traditional Catholic teachings and doctrine. He previously served as head of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences and has emphasized theological orthodoxy. Peter Erdo Hungarian cardinal and archbisop of Budapest Peter Erdo attends the Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass at St Peter's Basilica, on March 12, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images
For those seeking a return to the conservatism of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Erdő would represent a major shift away from Francis's approach.
Angelo Scola (Italy)
At 8:1, Cardinal Angelo Scola, 82, is a long-standing papal contender. He was among the favorites in the 2013 conclave that ultimately elected Pope Francis. Scola, a former Archbishop of Milan, has deep theological roots and appeals to those who support a more centralized and hierarchical Church. Milan Angelo Scola Archbishop of Milan Angelo Scola speaks during his speech at the inauguration of the Accademiuc Year at Cattolica University on November 5, 2015 in Milan, Italy. Catholic University of Milan, is a university of Catholic... Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
His traditionalist stance makes him a strong candidate for those looking to pivot away from Francis's reforms, but his age may work against him.
#What Happens Next?
A papal conclave typically begins between 15 and 20 days after a pope's death. That time allows for the funeral rites, a nine-day mourning period known as the novemdiales, and provides time for cardinals worldwide to travel to Vatican City. The outcome will remain uncertain until a pope is chosen behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, as ideological factions within the Church will weigh their options between continuity and a more conservative shift.
The next pope will inherit a Church at a crossroads—one grappling with declining influence in Europe and North America, growth in the Global South and ongoing internal debates about its future.
https://www.newsweek.com/pope-francis-dead-papal-conclave-frontrunners-2035569Open linkView original on lemm.eeHereby, I, the dignified Emmie, Person of Land, present to you my humble rendition of our hymn."
https://soundcloud.com/bacta-tank-no-7/hymn-of-the-people-of-landOpen linkView original on lemm.eeor do if you are filming a one cup video
No earthly being could've crafted that thing with such total disregard for comfort and human anatomy. It’s giving Area 51 Home Goods Collection – Model Zeta Reticuli.
I have slept on it once and I felt shitty whole day after. It think it isn’t calibrated for human neuroelectric frequencies but it boosts my WiFi signal so hey.
I have long had a need to have this kind of private hiding place that no one knows about and they can never find me even if they really want.
I have such an old shed thingy where I sometimes go and close myself up for a day and just enjoy being out of everything and anyone’s reach.
Sometimes it’s low key scary because let’s say something happened to me then no one would ever find out but such is life eh.
Such hiding spot is very good for my mental health as whenever pressure gets too high I just disappear.
People may not understand why or why would I do it this way but I don’t try to explain or elaborate. Obviously I pick up the phone and tell them some lie that I am shopping or whatever and will be later or something important showed up thought it would be nice if they didn’t call either.
I can’t explain it fully but since couple of years I have this constant feeling that something big is about to happen that is going to change everything.
It’s a bit like being a WW1 soldier waiting in the trenches for an inevitable attack that doesn’t come.
I have adhd so I know the ‘waiting mode’ and this is sort of similar. Honestly I just want it to happen already so we can get this over with no matter what it is.
There is this atmosphere that no matter what you plan for or what you intend to do will ultimately not matter because of some future big changes.
It’s really annoying and only fully cured temporarily by brain muddying amount of weed or to a lesser extent various absorbing hobbies. Or making many hasty and bold decisions in spirit of “now or never”.
Maddening stuff to be honest. I hope whatever must happen will get on with itself already and rather sooner than later.
cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/58639571
One of my favorite hobbies is following a game development project called Star Citizen.
Why would this be interesting, I don't care about some Vidya games you ask? Let me paint the complete picture of this exhilarating decades long saga.You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
To understand the full picture we must go back 30 years ago to the year 1990 when nerds of all continents stared at the little screens of their eye destroying cathode-ray monitors frantically shooting enemy ships in a game called Wing Commander.
This was the Mecca of your dads and various weird uncles that turned out to diddle little children in community kindergartens.This space flight title released on MS DOS in the good old days before anyone had heard of COVID or Kanye West. It has garnered much praise and attention from the so-called video game critics. Awarded by them titles such as "1991 Game of the Year" "nr 7 best PC game of all time"
In fact it was so good that EA released a port to PSP in 2006 and even to PCs in 2011, 30 years later. Suffice to say there's probably still a gigantic cult around this game even if half of original players died already from the old age or marriage arguments.The maker - Chris Roberts, at the time working for a game company named Origin Systems - creators of Ultima series, followed up with Wing Commander II and Strike Commander in 1993 which were also successful. Wing Commander III and IV solidified his position as an immortal God of the space nerds.
In 1996 he left origin and founded his own studio together with his brother because in short - big publishers were limiting his creative freedom.
For some reason the first project of a new studio was not a game but a movie that took 25 million 1999s dollars of that sweet founding cash and probably loans. Great plan, you can see the first glimpse of cunning genius that is Chris Roberts.
The 1999 movie turned out to have zero redeeming qualities and was widely considered a 3/10. Main reasons were: bad casting choices, terrible special effects, uninspiring plot and ameteurish, unexperienced direction. In other words pretty good for your first movie ever but maybe start with 20 dollars?
Desperated to keep things afloat he decided to quickly release a game Starlancer in 2000 with his old and tried formula but it was a new millennium. People, tech moved on and everyone already done better and more interesting things.
It wasn't a commercial success that Digital Anvil badly needed.Shrewdly Microsoft said hello and bought the barely surviving studio for some pocket change in 2000. This is very important in the context of the next game from Digital Anvil.
Chris Roberts had a very ambitious plans. A space trading and combat video game - Freelancer. In fact so ambitious that the game wasn't any close to materializing or feasible for year, second one... third... It was considered a vaporware.
At a point Microsoft came to the rescue and booted him out of the project completely.
The game was able to release in 2003 although in very different, limited scope than crazy plans of Chris Roberts. It was a success nevertheless, known for its gorgeous graphics and art style.Let me briefly describe the substantially cut version features versus Chris Roberts vision:
Feature Final Freelancer (2003) Chris Roberts’ Original Vision Universe Simulation Mostly static, scripted NPC behaviors Fully dynamic, AI-driven world where factions trade, fight, and evolve Space-to-Planet Transition Pre-rendered cutscenes for docking Real-time, seamless landings on planets Flight Controls Mouse-based, arcade-style combat Joystick-based, more realistic space sim Economy Partially dynamic with fixed trade routes Fully dynamic economy affected by player actions Ship Customization Limited upgrades to a single ship Deep ship customization and ability to own multiple ships Multiplayer Server-based multiplayer with limited persistence Large-scale persistent online universe (proto-MMO) Graphics & Engine Good for the time, but somewhat dated due to delays Cutting-edge visuals with procedural planet generation Story & Campaign Linear single-player story with side activities More open-ended story with player-driven choices Faction Interaction Reputation system but largely static faction wars Factions dynamically evolving based on player and AI actions Player-Owned Assets No stations or fleets, just personal ship upgrades Ability to build and own stations, fleets, and influence the world As you can see the og scope was several times that of an 2018 X4 Foundations and lovely words 'MMO' also appear.
Meanwhile, Chris Roberts dissatisfied, quit the company altogether. In his mind sown the alluring seeds of Freelancer gargantuan full version.
After leaving he founded another company that aimed to produce films, shows and games. However 0 projects ever came out of it. Zero. Null. Nada.
That 'success' somehow prompted him to make another company - Ascendant Pictures this time entirely MOVIE publishing. What's going on with this guy and movies? Anyway, It funded 8 Hollywood movies one of them Lord of War. nice
But... they were almost entirely financed by a loophole in the German tax laws that was closed in 2006. 💀 After germans fixed their law Roberts' activities as a film producer ended as the funds raised by his controversial financing scheme depleted. Pay attention to financing scheme.
It was even sued by Kevin Costner in 2005. I would very much like for a Kevin Costner to sue me 🥵Anyhow, the business was eventually acquired in 2010 by Bigfoot Entertainment
a small production company from Philippines.Roberts getting a taste of tax avoidance and funding schemes hired a world renowned entertainment media attorney and in 2011 founded a company named Cloud Imperium Games together with his wife Sandi Gardiner - an actress (There's a funny side drama to her involving attempt to strangle Chris Roberts and some kids stalking). Nicknamed Strangli.
In October 2012 Cloud Imperium Games launched a crowdfunding schem... I mean project that was essentially Roberts long unrealized dream of full version of Freelancer that Microsoft cruelly demanded him to release, on time.
Wing Commander and Freelancer had a cult following and there were tons of sucker... I mean players who wanted to see what happens if you let an ambitious middle aged man that haven't released a single game since 2000 do whatever.
This amounted to 800 million dollars financial schem... Ahem crowdfunding as we speak.Roberts discovered a gold mine.
To be continued...
cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/58639571
One of my favorite hobbies is following a game development project called Star Citizen.
Why would this be interesting, I don't care about some Vidya games you ask? Let me paint the complete picture of this exhilarating decades long saga.You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
To understand the full picture we must go back 30 years ago to the year 1990 when nerds of all continents stared at the little screens of their eye destroying cathode-ray monitors frantically shooting enemy ships in a game called Wing Commander.
This was the Mecca of your dads and various weird uncles that turned out to diddle little children in community kindergartens.This space flight title released on MS DOS in the good old days before anyone had heard of COVID or Kanye West. It has garnered much praise and attention from the so-called video game critics. Awarded by them titles such as "1991 Game of the Year" "nr 7 best PC game of all time"
In fact it was so good that EA released a port to PSP in 2006 and even to PCs in 2011, 30 years later. Suffice to say there's probably still a gigantic cult around this game even if half of original players died already from the old age or marriage arguments.The maker - Chris Roberts, at the time working for a game company named Origin Systems - creators of Ultima series, followed up with Wing Commander II and Strike Commander in 1993 which were also successful. Wing Commander III and IV solidified his position as an immortal God of the space nerds.
In 1996 he left origin and founded his own studio together with his brother because in short - big publishers were limiting his creative freedom.
For some reason the first project of a new studio was not a game but a movie that took 25 million 1999s dollars of that sweet founding cash and probably loans. Great plan, you can see the first glimpse of cunning genius that is Chris Roberts.
The 1999 movie turned out to have zero redeeming qualities and was widely considered a 3/10. Main reasons were: bad casting choices, terrible special effects, uninspiring plot and ameteurish, unexperienced direction. In other words pretty good for your first movie ever but maybe start with 20 dollars?
Desperated to keep things afloat he decided to quickly release a game Starlancer in 2000 with his old and tried formula but it was a new millennium. People, tech moved on and everyone already done better and more interesting things.
It wasn't a commercial success that Digital Anvil badly needed.Shrewdly Microsoft said hello and bought the barely surviving studio for some pocket change in 2000. This is very important in the context of the next game from Digital Anvil.
Chris Roberts had a very ambitious plans. A space trading and combat video game - Freelancer. In fact so ambitious that the game wasn't any close to materializing or feasible for year, second one... third... It was considered a vaporware.
At a point Microsoft came to the rescue and booted him out of the project completely.
The game was able to release in 2003 although in very different, limited scope than crazy plans of Chris Roberts. It was a success nevertheless, known for its gorgeous graphics and art style.Let me briefly describe the substantially cut version features versus Chris Roberts vision:
Feature Final Freelancer (2003) Chris Roberts’ Original Vision Universe Simulation Mostly static, scripted NPC behaviors Fully dynamic, AI-driven world where factions trade, fight, and evolve Space-to-Planet Transition Pre-rendered cutscenes for docking Real-time, seamless landings on planets Flight Controls Mouse-based, arcade-style combat Joystick-based, more realistic space sim Economy Partially dynamic with fixed trade routes Fully dynamic economy affected by player actions Ship Customization Limited upgrades to a single ship Deep ship customization and ability to own multiple ships Multiplayer Server-based multiplayer with limited persistence Large-scale persistent online universe (proto-MMO) Graphics & Engine Good for the time, but somewhat dated due to delays Cutting-edge visuals with procedural planet generation Story & Campaign Linear single-player story with side activities More open-ended story with player-driven choices Faction Interaction Reputation system but largely static faction wars Factions dynamically evolving based on player and AI actions Player-Owned Assets No stations or fleets, just personal ship upgrades Ability to build and own stations, fleets, and influence the world As you can see the og scope was several times that of an 2018 X4 Foundations and lovely words 'MMO' also appear.
Meanwhile, Chris Roberts dissatisfied, quit the company altogether. In his mind sown the alluring seeds of Freelancer gargantuan full version.
After leaving he founded another company that aimed to produce films, shows and games. However 0 projects ever came out of it. Zero. Null. Nada.
That 'success' somehow prompted him to make another company - Ascendant Pictures this time entirely MOVIE publishing. What's going on with this guy and movies? Anyway, It funded 8 Hollywood movies one of them Lord of War. nice
But... they were almost entirely financed by a loophole in the German tax laws that was closed in 2006. 💀 After germans fixed their law Roberts' activities as a film producer ended as the funds raised by his controversial financing scheme depleted. Pay attention to financing scheme.
It was even sued by Kevin Costner in 2005. I would very much like for a Kevin Costner to sue me 🥵Anyhow, the business was eventually acquired in 2010 by Bigfoot Entertainment
a small production company from Philippines.Roberts getting a taste of tax avoidance and funding schemes hired a world renowned entertainment media attorney and in 2011 founded a company named Cloud Imperium Games together with his wife Sandi Gardiner - an actress (There's a funny side drama to her involving attempt to strangle Chris Roberts and some kids stalking). Nicknamed Strangli.
In October 2012 Cloud Imperium Games launched a crowdfunding schem... I mean project that was essentially Roberts long unrealized dream of full version of Freelancer that Microsoft cruelly demanded him to release, on time.
Wing Commander and Freelancer had a cult following and there were tons of sucker... I mean players who wanted to see what happens if you let an ambitious middle aged man that haven't released a single game since 2000 do whatever.
This amounted to 800 million dollars financial schem... Ahem crowdfunding as we speak.Roberts discovered a gold mine.
To be continued...
cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/58639571
One of my favorite hobbies is following a game development project called Star Citizen.
Why would this be interesting, I don't care about some Vidya games you ask? Let me paint the complete picture of this exhilarating decades long saga.You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
To understand the full picture we must go back 30 years ago to the year 1990 when nerds of all continents stared at the little screens of their eye destroying cathode-ray monitors frantically shooting enemy ships in a game called Wing Commander.
This was the Mecca of your dads and various weird uncles that turned out to diddle little children in community kindergartens.This space flight title released on MS DOS in the good old days before anyone had heard of COVID or Kanye West. It has garnered much praise and attention from the so-called video game critics. Awarded by them titles such as "1991 Game of the Year" "nr 7 best PC game of all time"
In fact it was so good that EA released a port to PSP in 2006 and even to PCs in 2011, 30 years later. Suffice to say there's probably still a gigantic cult around this game even if half of original players died already from the old age or marriage arguments.The maker - Chris Roberts, at the time working for a game company named Origin Systems - creators of Ultima series, followed up with Wing Commander II and Strike Commander in 1993 which were also successful. Wing Commander III and IV solidified his position as an immortal God of the space nerds.
In 1996 he left origin and founded his own studio together with his brother because in short - big publishers were limiting his creative freedom.
For some reason the first project of a new studio was not a game but a movie that took 25 million 1999s dollars of that sweet founding cash and probably loans. Great plan, you can see the first glimpse of cunning genius that is Chris Roberts.
The 1999 movie turned out to have zero redeeming qualities and was widely considered a 3/10. Main reasons were: bad casting choices, terrible special effects, uninspiring plot and ameteurish, unexperienced direction. In other words pretty good for your first movie ever but maybe start with 20 dollars?
Desperated to keep things afloat he decided to quickly release a game Starlancer in 2000 with his old and tried formula but it was a new millennium. People, tech moved on and everyone already done better and more interesting things.
It wasn't a commercial success that Digital Anvil badly needed.Shrewdly Microsoft said hello and bought the barely surviving studio for some pocket change in 2000. This is very important in the context of the next game from Digital Anvil.
Chris Roberts had a very ambitious plans. A space trading and combat video game - Freelancer. In fact so ambitious that the game wasn't any close to materializing or feasible for year, second one... third... It was considered a vaporware.
At a point Microsoft came to the rescue and booted him out of the project completely.
The game was able to release in 2003 although in very different, limited scope than crazy plans of Chris Roberts. It was a success nevertheless, known for its gorgeous graphics and art style.Let me briefly describe the substantially cut version features versus Chris Roberts vision:
Feature Final Freelancer (2003) Chris Roberts’ Original Vision Universe Simulation Mostly static, scripted NPC behaviors Fully dynamic, AI-driven world where factions trade, fight, and evolve Space-to-Planet Transition Pre-rendered cutscenes for docking Real-time, seamless landings on planets Flight Controls Mouse-based, arcade-style combat Joystick-based, more realistic space sim Economy Partially dynamic with fixed trade routes Fully dynamic economy affected by player actions Ship Customization Limited upgrades to a single ship Deep ship customization and ability to own multiple ships Multiplayer Server-based multiplayer with limited persistence Large-scale persistent online universe (proto-MMO) Graphics & Engine Good for the time, but somewhat dated due to delays Cutting-edge visuals with procedural planet generation Story & Campaign Linear single-player story with side activities More open-ended story with player-driven choices Faction Interaction Reputation system but largely static faction wars Factions dynamically evolving based on player and AI actions Player-Owned Assets No stations or fleets, just personal ship upgrades Ability to build and own stations, fleets, and influence the world As you can see the og scope was several times that of an 2018 X4 Foundations and lovely words 'MMO' also appear.
Meanwhile, Chris Roberts dissatisfied, quit the company altogether. In his mind sown the alluring seeds of Freelancer gargantuan full version.
After leaving he founded another company that aimed to produce films, shows and games. However 0 projects ever came out of it. Zero. Null. Nada.
That 'success' somehow prompted him to make another company - Ascendant Pictures this time entirely MOVIE publishing. What's going on with this guy and movies? Anyway, It funded 8 Hollywood movies one of them Lord of War. nice
But... they were almost entirely financed by a loophole in the German tax laws that was closed in 2006. 💀 After germans fixed their law Roberts' activities as a film producer ended as the funds raised by his controversial financing scheme depleted. Pay attention to financing scheme.
It was even sued by Kevin Costner in 2005. I would very much like for a Kevin Costner to sue me 🥵Anyhow, the business was eventually acquired in 2010 by Bigfoot Entertainment
a small production company from Philippines.Roberts getting a taste of tax avoidance and funding schemes hired a world renowned entertainment media attorney and in 2011 founded a company named Cloud Imperium Games together with his wife Sandi Gardiner - an actress (There's a funny side drama to her involving attempt to strangle Chris Roberts and some kids stalking). Nicknamed Strangli.
In October 2012 Cloud Imperium Games launched a crowdfunding schem... I mean project that was essentially Roberts long unrealized dream of full version of Freelancer that Microsoft cruelly demanded him to release, on time.
Wing Commander and Freelancer had a cult following and there were tons of sucker... I mean players who wanted to see what happens if you let an ambitious middle aged man that haven't released a single game since 2000 do whatever.
This amounted to 800 million dollars financial schem... Ahem crowdfunding as we speak.Roberts discovered a gold mine.
To be continued...
One of my favorite hobbies is following a game development project called Star Citizen.
Why would this be interesting, I don't care about some Vidya games you ask? Let me paint the complete picture of this exhilarating decades long saga.
You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
To understand the full picture we must go back 30 years ago to the year 1990 when nerds of all continents stared at the little screens of their eye destroying cathode-ray monitors frantically shooting enemy ships in a game called Wing Commander.
This was the Mecca of your dads and various weird uncles that turned out to diddle little children in community kindergartens.
This space flight title released on MS DOS in the good old days before anyone had heard of COVID or Kanye West. It has garnered much praise and attention from the so-called video game critics. Awarded by them titles such as "1991 Game of the Year" "nr 7 best PC game of all time"
In fact it was so good that EA released a port to PSP in 2006 and even to PCs in 2011, 30 years later.
Suffice to say there's probably still a gigantic cult around this game even if half of original players died already from the old age or marriage arguments.
The maker - Chris Roberts, at the time working for a game company named Origin Systems - creators of Ultima series, followed up with Wing Commander II and Strike Commander in 1993 which were also successful. Wing Commander III and IV solidified his position as an immortal God of the space nerds.
In 1996 he left origin and founded his own studio together with his brother because in short - big publishers were limiting his creative freedom.
For some reason the first project of a new studio was not a game but a movie that took 25 million 1999s dollars of that sweet founding cash and probably loans. Great plan, you can see the first glimpse of cunning genius that is Chris Roberts.
The 1999 movie turned out to have zero redeeming qualities and was widely considered a 3/10. Main reasons were: bad casting choices, terrible special effects, uninspiring plot and ameteurish, unexperienced direction. In other words pretty good for your first movie ever but maybe start with 20 dollars?
Desperated to keep things afloat he decided to quickly release a game Starlancer in 2000 with his old and tried formula but it was a new millennium. People, tech moved on and everyone already done better and more interesting things.
It wasn't a commercial success that Digital Anvil badly needed.
Shrewdly Microsoft said hello and bought the barely surviving studio for some pocket change in 2000. This is very important in the context of the next game from Digital Anvil.
Chris Roberts had a very ambitious plans. A space trading and combat video game - Freelancer. In fact so ambitious that the game wasn't any close to materializing or feasible for year, second one... third... It was considered a vaporware.
At a point Microsoft came to the rescue and booted him out of the project completely.
The game was able to release in 2003 although in very different, limited scope than crazy plans of Chris Roberts. It was a success nevertheless, known for its gorgeous graphics and art style.
Let me briefly describe the substantially cut version features versus Chris Roberts vision:
| Feature | Final Freelancer (2003) | Chris Roberts’ Original Vision |
|---|---|---|
| Universe Simulation | Mostly static, scripted NPC behaviors | Fully dynamic, AI-driven world where factions trade, fight, and evolve |
| Space-to-Planet Transition | Pre-rendered cutscenes for docking | Real-time, seamless landings on planets |
| Flight Controls | Mouse-based, arcade-style combat | Joystick-based, more realistic space sim |
| Economy | Partially dynamic with fixed trade routes | Fully dynamic economy affected by player actions |
| Ship Customization | Limited upgrades to a single ship | Deep ship customization and ability to own multiple ships |
| Multiplayer | Server-based multiplayer with limited persistence | Large-scale persistent online universe (proto-MMO) |
| Graphics & Engine | Good for the time, but somewhat dated due to delays | Cutting-edge visuals with procedural planet generation |
| Story & Campaign | Linear single-player story with side activities | More open-ended story with player-driven choices |
| Faction Interaction | Reputation system but largely static faction wars | Factions dynamically evolving based on player and AI actions |
| Player-Owned Assets | No stations or fleets, just personal ship upgrades | Ability to build and own stations, fleets, and influence the world |
As you can see the og scope was several times that of an 2018 X4 Foundations and lovely words 'MMO' also appear.
Meanwhile, Chris Roberts dissatisfied, quit the company altogether. In his mind sown the alluring seeds of Freelancer gargantuan full version.
After leaving he founded another company that aimed to produce films, shows and games. However 0 projects ever came out of it. Zero. Null. Nada.
That 'success' somehow prompted him to make another company - Ascendant Pictures this time entirely MOVIE publishing. What's going on with this guy and movies? Anyway, It funded 8 Hollywood movies one of them Lord of War. nice
But... they were almost entirely financed by a loophole in the German tax laws that was closed in 2006. 💀
After germans fixed their law Roberts' activities as a film producer ended as the funds raised by his controversial financing scheme depleted. Pay attention to financing scheme.
It was even sued by Kevin Costner in 2005. I would very much like for a Kevin Costner to sue me 🥵
Anyhow, the business was eventually acquired in 2010 by Bigfoot Entertainment
a small production company from Philippines.
Roberts getting a taste of tax avoidance and funding schemes hired a world renowned entertainment media attorney and in 2011 founded a company named Cloud Imperium Games together with his wife Sandi Gardiner - an actress (There's a funny side drama to her involving attempt to strangle Chris Roberts and some kids stalking). Nicknamed Strangli.
In October 2012 Cloud Imperium Games launched a crowdfunding schem... I mean project that was essentially Roberts long unrealized dream of full version of Freelancer that Microsoft cruelly demanded him to release, on time.
Wing Commander and Freelancer had a cult following and there were tons of sucker... I mean players who wanted to see what happens if you let an ambitious middle aged man that haven't released a single game since 2000 do whatever.
This amounted to 800 million dollars financial schem... Ahem crowdfunding as we speak.
Roberts discovered a gold mine.
To be continued...
I am too fucking lazy to write this all
Someone pls add the background context in the comments
——— comments 🗣️
Astronauts like: "Oh no, we have to stay up longer in this place we've trained our whole lives to be in!" (12)
Yes, a little while longer, like 9 months. From the planned 8 DAYS. (2)
The press and politicians have been storytelling the crap out of this. This is what facts sound like when you don't do that: Butch and Suni arrived to the ISS with the Starliner CFT mission in June, 2024. It was then decided that due to the issues with Starliner, they shouldn't return on that spacecraft. Starliner undocked on September 6th and returned to Earth safely. SpaceX Crew-9 docked on September 29th. Butch and Suni did not have dedicated seats for an emergency return between September 6th and 29th. In the event of an emergency, requiring the evacuation of the ISS, they would have returned on Crew-8, strapped to a cargo pallette in the Crew Dragon spacecraft. As mentioned before, Crew-9 docked on September 29th, carrying a crew of only two instead of four, hence giving Butch and Suni dedicated seats and duties as crew on that mission with a planned return to Earth in February, 2025. In the event of an emergency, Crew-9 could have returned any time. The planned return in February, 2025 had to be delayed to likely late April, 2025, as SpaceX was unable to complete the new Dragon C213 spacecraft for the Crew-10 mission in time. A direct handover between crew is a high priority, so Crew-10's launch delay would also delay Crew-9's return. Crew-10 launched yesterday, with less delays than initially expected, due to the fact that the Dragon spacecraft was swappped to C210. Crew-10 will be on the ISS for around 6 months. Crew-9 is now scheduled to return no earlier than March 19th. (14)
This guy has been spamming this comment in every post, copy-pasting it. Trying to splurge out technicalities that are irrelevant to make it look different. Just check his profile. (-11)
They’re still up there? Holy Fu** (-11)
They weren’t technically stuck, they turned it into a mission (15)
THEY WEREN’T STUCK, * INHALES * THEY WEREN’T 😡😡😡 🌬️
America the Great has lost over $3Tn USD for the stock market in 3 months. How are you all feeling about that? Meanwhile your government spending has increased $36 billion over the same timeframe as your leader's face gets yellower and yellower. Is he a dragon that takes the money from fired Federal workers and absorbs it into his skin or is he just full of jaundice? 0 upvotes Comment View 940 comments
——Selected comment chains—— 🗣️
Says the party dismantling the dept. of education. You people have your heads so far up your own asses you could tickle your own tonsils. (22)
Your tax dollars were used to traffic 325,000 children under the open borders policy. We are not the same.Edit: the flood of comments is both frightening (how fricking uninformed are you people???) and satisfying.PDF link, that's how they published it. Oh, and you have to be able to read and do a little math. https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2024-08/OIG-24-46-Aug24.pdf (-15)
Us rational Americans are unhappy. Trump supporters are happy with whatever Orange Daddy does. (21)
The irrational ones are those that have nothing to say but things like "Orange Daddy". Get educated. (-11)
Typical MAGA logic. If the president is DJ Turd, he made the stock market grow. If it's a Democrat, they over-inflated it. (2)
uhhhh no I give credit where credit is due. Obama didn't over-inflate the economy he let it more or less stagnate not that he had a lot of choices. 8 years of slow crawl was more or less what the country needed something like 1.3 to 1.8 percent GDP growth and something like less than 4000 points of expansion of the stock market value after it dropped to as low as 6400 ish a value that hadn't been around since the EARLY 80s (almost 20 years of gains gone in 6 months) . CLINTON did a heck of a job but had the bad luck that the .com bubble burst more or less on his watch. he didn't over-inflate it as much as sort of let it boil over a bit. Bush inherited that mess and bumbled it. Bush before clinton was a FRICK UP mild depression/recession (I fricking had a heck of a time finding a job during that as a KID) Regan Good and bad Used Military spending to bump GPD but that man had all kinds of shit go down including the Savings and Loan crisis. I will be kind and say Carter was a NICE G... (2)
Never heard of a gish gallop? You're actually telling me that you know the outcomes of other realities, I need not engage with your level of horseshit. Trying to project arguments, trying to paint me into a corner with what you want to talk about instead of admitting that this is an outcome that has been predicted for years, whatever I just don't need it. Before replying again answer this question. The only point I've had so far, so the entirety of the discussion from me. Have economists been predicting both market corrections and very possibly recessions due to inflated markets and over valued stocks for many years now?I'll answer for you. Yes. Glad we can put that to bed. Have a good one. (1)
"You're actually telling me that you know the outcomes of other realities,"No, I'm saying X = Y. Trump starts trade war -> Uncertainty. Trump threatens ACTUAL war -> Uncertainty. Uncertainty -> Layoffs. Go ahead and bring me the economists who say that trade wars and the threat of real wars have no impact on the economy. I'd love to see what kind of fakes you can find to say some wild shit like that. (1)
——Supplemental hilarity—— ✨
I didn't vote for this shit. I spent thousands of dollars to try to prevent it. I argued against it with every fiber of my being. On the internet, in person, I went door to door.
A Redditor going door-to-door is probably converting people to republicans.
"Good afternoon, subhuman filth. I'm here to explain why you're too stupid to vote properly" 🤓
——
It's wild leftoids are harping about stock market and trying to defend the over inflated values for the rich Meanwhile rightoids are buying EVs to own the libs. What a timeline
——
Don't y’all hate the rich? The stock market crashing should be a cause for celebration 🎉
high net worth = billionaires hoarding resources stock market crash = billionaires lose net worth = society is more equal 😎
https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/1jbpw1i/german_army_struggles_to_get_gen_z_recruits_ready/
From the article:
As a podcaster and freelance journalist, Ole Nymoen admits he enjoys freedom of expression and other democratic rights in his home country of Germany.
But he would not want to die for them.
In a book published this week, ✨Why I Would Never Fight for My Country✨, the 27-year-old argues ordinary people should not be sent into battle on behalf of nation states and their rulers — even to fend off an invasion. Occupation by a foreign power might lead to a “shitty” life, he told the Financial Times. “But I’d rather be occupied than dead.”
Nymoen, a self-described Marxist 🤣, does not claim to be representative of Generation Z in Germany. But his stance — and his striking honesty about it — taps into a wider questions facing Europe as it re-arms on a scale not seen since the end of the cold war.
——
Germany’s armed forces commissioner, Eva Högl, this week warned the country was not closer to its goal of having 203,000 active troops by 2031, as the overall size of the armed forces slightly declined last year, partly because of a high number of dropouts. A quarter of the 18,810 men and women who signed up in 2023 left the armed forces within six months.
“This development must be stopped and reversed as a matter of urgency,” Högl said.
A Bundeswehr spokesperson told the FT the military had taken steps to try to stem the outflow of young recruits, including a notice period to avoid “last-minute, emotional” decisions.
But one senior army commander said members of Generation Z — renowned in the business world for their efforts to reshape corporate culture — were also going into the armed forces with different ideas and outlooks. “People are vulnerable, they cry easily,” he said. “They talk about work-life balance.” 🧘♂️
“I understand that,” the commander added. “They grew up in a different time. It’s not a bad perspective. But it doesn’t match that well with a wartime situation.”
——
Are you prepared to discuss work life balance with Sgt during the Russia attack? Sir the conditions are unacceptable, WiFi signal is too weak for TikTok and where is my Yerba mate meditation break? 🧘♂️🧉
