LLMs are just a tool, and just like all other tools under capitalism, they are owned by the bourgeoisie and thus do what the bourgeoisie demands. Think of them as you would of factories that produce ammunition and weapons instead of tractors and useful everyday items.
Yeah, that’s what I meant. There’s other stuff, like logs from other ships bemoaning having to respond to the distress beacon, because of how notoriously shoddy company ships are
Not entirely sure how to translate the term. Google suggests “troubles”, but it’s missing the notion of unclarity of the original. The historical period is quite interesting, so it’s a real shame the game got panned. We’re talking time between Ivan IV dying and Mikhail Romanov getting crowned (thus starting the now notorious Romanov dynasty). Strange times. Polish invaders, false kings, boyars scheming. And technologically too, it’s early XVII century - gunpowder ahoy, but still plenty of cold weapons, bows and whatnot
Subnautica is a really fun game, atmosphere wise. Even if I don’t really vibe with the whole “corporate space” stuff it has in the background. Good luck with survival!
Funny thing, actually! So a buddy showed me this website that allows one to buy games on steam despite the sanctions (steam currently prohibits purchases from Russia, for the record). If anyone is wondering “why not just pirate” - I wanted some specific games and their pirated versions had compatibility issues.
Anyway, bought myself Sleeping Dogs. Apparently (I didn’t know it originally) it’s part of the True Crime series, which features undercover cops infiltrating gangs and such. I suppose this premise alone might turn many comrades off.
This specific title is set in Hong Kong. There’s some western chauvinism sprinkled here and there (for example, in the club location there’s an ad for “Gulag vodka”). A good amount of characters are westernised, having western names (Jackie Ma, Winston Chu, etc). Protagonist’s boss is white even. That said I feel it’s doing a decent-ish job of not whitewashing either the gangs or police. Aforementioned boss for example is shown faking evidence at least once so far in my progression and is generally a cold git. Gangs talk a lot about loyalty and family, but also murder and steal with no regards to anyone but themselves.
Anyway, regardless of the plot, gameplay is quite pleasant. It’s an open world TPS, similar to GTA and Mafia series, but with less emphasis on shooting (“guns are rare in Hong Kong”, as one character says) and more emphasis on hand to hand fighting. There’s mechanics for grappling, throwing, blocks, kicks and punches. Fun stuff, if you’re into this kind of games.
Overall, it’s obviously striving to envoke action movie feel. Something from John Woo, or perhaps those Van Damme flicks. Not bad to unwind after work.
Question of the week
Admittedly I don’t even know what is coming out this year, and most of it would likely melt my wee potato laptop anyway. I was kinda looking forward to Smuta, which is a Russian game, set in 1600’s. It had a prominent (online) and openly Marxist historian as a consultant. Unfortunately, the game is apparently shit. Mechanically, plot-wise, just in general. Folks are now mocking said historian in comments to his videos.
Probably not. AFAIK the devs are Swedish. Which means they’re too chickenshit to commit to the bit
Why tf is there a “commercial launch sector” to begin with?
In totalitären RuZZia you get five years for embezzlement of government funds.
I’m free, democratic Japan you get five years for modding a game and minor scamming
You don’t “invent the laws of socialism”, just like you don’t “invent” laws of thermodynamics, gravity and what have you
I play NMS, although less so nowadays than before, but I would like to visit
cant recommend you to support them financially
Why not?
How small is relatively small? I live in a standard 33 square meter apartment: one room, balcony, kitchen, combined bathroom (as in, toilet, bath and washing machine in the same chamber). It’s alright, although it’s gotten cluttered over the years. I don’t, however, have any children or other relatives in the apartment (just my partner and the cat). Usually people live in the same amount of space, but with children (often multiple), grandparents and other additions. Now that gets cluttered.
On the other hand, there are new apartments being sold and rented that are 15-20 square meters. Now that’s where things get interesting. 20 or so meter apartments are what’s labeled “studio” here - means they don’t have a separate kitchen (it’s just one big chamber) and no balcony or anything. 15 and below have strange layouts, arguably closer to something like a trailer - storage space under a bed, which also serves as a sofa/chair to sit in. There’s a folding table next to the bed, which functions as both a dining table, working table and whatever else you might need a table for. There are some overview videos on YT, if you’re curious.
Now does that all sound livable? Maybe, if you’re young and single. Except they still cost an arm and a leg. So yeah. How small is relatively small?
Late soviet intelligentsia: “STUPID evil sovok building tiny 33 m2 apartments! They are too tiny! Unlivable! Not like Blessed America, where everybody lives in spacious, comfortable suburban houses!”
Modern day: “Actually 33 m is too much, 15 would be just fine. Even 3 square meters could be alright!”
Semi related, but after updates a few months ago, I can barely read the text in the body of a post - it’s light grey on white. Anyone else has this problem?
Is “Oxygen not included” the one about surviving in space with an immortal chicken?
21 hours in is “not feeling engaged”? It took me less to finish Mafia 2 main story!
Holy cow, Makan returned?!
On topic, I actually have something to say this time. I’ve recently finished Mafia (remastered one) and Mafia 2 (original). And good golly gracious are they something else! I’ve not felt this invested in a story in a long time. Feels like I’ve watched a high quality movie or TV series. The endings don’t pull punches and while you come into the game expecting heartbreak, it still slaps you in the face. Excellent stuff, even without communist themes or anything remotely close
What kinda property owners? Do you happen to have a news link or some such? Were those landowners or what?