Misagh

I feel like i should clarify some stuff here about Linux. It might even be useful for the follow up. Unlike Windows, Linux is not at its core, a desktop environment. It's only an operating system. People don't realize this, because they confuse Linux with the distribution they use (Ubuntu, Fedora, Manjaro, so on and so forth). Linux at its core, is only two files: the linux kernel and the linux headers. Now you can absolutely use only these two "packages" to interface with machines, but realistically, you will have to add on additional modules to gain the functionality you need. For example. you are going to need to install network-management packages to be able to access the internet. This monolithic-kernel philosophy means that the user has choices in every single aspect of the operating system. You can literally decide on the way the core functionality of the system works. So when you say that Linux desktops have the same bad GUI design philosophy as Windows, well that's just because you are using the default packages shipped by distributors. If you don't like them, you can just rip them out entirely and replace them with whatever alternative you'd like - and nothing will break. There are hundreds if not thousands of different packages that you could mix and match to achieve your desired GUI. And if all else fails, you could always get someone to code it for you from scratch. Just wanted to clarify this because I read a lot of ignorance about Linux in this thread. Also the video sadly does not feature the Linux situation in the correct light. I firmly believe that your desired GUI can be easily achieved in GNU/Linux. I'd even imagine that there are already several projects that do all that you want, it's just a matter of finding them on places like Github and linux package repositories.

I apologize for the strong wording, didn't intend to exactly attack your preferences. Regardless, I have a hard time imagining how the pie system or the gesture system would be more efficient compared to keyboard shortcuts. I just get the impression that you have not really unlocked the power of shortcuts, and that is because despite what you might think, Windows just does not have the capability to utilize them properly, even with added on tools. In a Window Manager environment, a single keypress can bring up your entire video production setup, load all the appropriate modules/settings and even interface and modify all your hardware to your exact needs. None of this is exaggeration btw. Anyways, if you haven't already, take a look at heavy rain's vision of a VR desktop. In general I think your gesture-driven design would work the best there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsQT3mbvVWY

This was a very difficult video to watch. I feel like all of Ross's problems here are self-inflicted, and mostly due to trying to fit to his model an operating system that really doesn't want to. I should also say this: I'd hate for Ross's standards in GUI design to become the industry's standard. His choices are so alien and unappealing to me that I'd probably stop using GUI entirely if they were to become the norm.

I use XMonad window manager + Polybar on Arch Linux and i don't have any of the problems you mention in your video. You should really abandon Windows if you have so much trouble with it. I get it that it's famialiar and all, but really there's nothing Linux can't do better nowadays, even gaming is getting there. My entire setup is made in such a way (as in I wrote the config file in haskell) so whenver I choose a new wallpaper, a program generates a color pallete out of it, and then applies in a smart way to all the GUI elements so the whole thing has a uniform appearance. Not trying to brag, just explaining the power of Linux with custom Window Managers. Btw, if you are on Linux and use Ubuntu... you are just using the Microsoft of Linux. You are doing yourself a disservice by not really learning GNU+UNIX. Also pre-made Desktop Environments can't really satisfy the individual. Peace.

Hmm anybody got a YouTube url to the title music? It's been credited by Paul Muzea but i can't seem to find it.

Conarium (Zoetrope Interactive, 2017) Conarium is a first-person horror adventure game heavily inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness". It is very short at only 4 hours, features highly rudimentary puzzles, and in all fairness is not all that scary outside of a few jumpscares. Really, the strength of this title is in its representation of Lovecraft's mythos. The game looks and sounds beautiful and features a lovingly crafted world which although linear, is nevertheless a joy to explore. The secnary and architecture are bizzare and just as alien as you'd expect them for something out of this universe. The biggest downside of the game is how it actively works against itself to take away player immersion through contstantly taking away your control, having a voiced protagonist, and UI elements constantly reminding you that you are playing a game. Awards Time! 1. Non-Silent Silent Mode. This game features a 'silent mode' which the devs added in a patch. It's supposed to reduce the protagonist's excessive commentary to improve immersion. Well the guy still talks frequently, and whenever he does, it immediately ruins said immersion. His accent is... goofy to say the least, and he never seems to provide any actual value to the story. Really, they should have eliminated his lines entirely, but I guess they didn't want to for some reason that is beyond me. 2. Look at me! The game loves to constantly take away your control to focus your attention on things it doesn't want you to miss. For a game which takes place entirely in first-person view ala Amnesia, it really works against its intentions of immersion. 3. Aline Aliens. In most media involving extraterrestrials, the aliens are really re-skinned humans. Not with Lovecraft. There is no mistaking an Elder God for the average Joe.

Alright I have another one: The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay - Director's Cut (Starbreeze Studios, 2004) 1. Some Bones are Better Left in the Closet: When I played this game back in the day it blew my mind hard, and quickly became one of my all-time favorites. Playing it again in 2019 however really shattered that image of perfection for me, as my trained gamer-sense was able to see all the blemishes and flasws on its surface. Replaying your childhood favorites can be dangerous guys. Don't do it. 2. Fully Realized World: The moment you set foot in this game you immdiately get the sense that this is a real world, with real people doing real people things. Even though the area you explore in the game is is ironically limited to a single installation (a prison no less), the game world still comes of as highly expansive, detailed and believable. 3. Vin Disel Life Simulator: DANGER! If you play this game in VR you will transmogrify into Vin Disel, and this process is irreversible. The game features one of those 'look down and see your body' type views, and you really get to feel as if you are a 250 pound killing machine.

^Haha I love that. Very creative. That game is on my shortlist. Looks highly interesting.

I really don't know how well received this'll be, but I LOVE how Ross gives games unique awards at the end of each episode. So much so in fact that I've started giving this type of award to every game I play. I'll start first, but i'd love to see some of the awards you guys could come up with! CONTORL (Remedy Entertainment, 2019) 1. House of Leaves: The worldpsace this game takes place in is one of the closes representation of non-eucledean geometry I've seen. If aliens ever build a house on earth, it'll look like this. 2. Hottest Creepy Super Model: This game expertly walks the line between total chaos and autistic order, and this dichotomy is found in every aspect of it, whether it be characters, story, or art design. 3. REDACTED: Seriously, it's redacted.

Srry everyone but i win Ross's birthday. This is the best song on this thread: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUBoo0gw3-g

This game has a fantastic setting and bleeds atmosphere, but it sadly suffers greatly from janky and repetitive gameplay. A real shame.

Just my own two cents: I also wanted to make a new account the other day (because i thought i lost access to this one) and i didn't receive a confimratory email (a separate email address than the one tied to this account).

I really enjoyed this game when i played it back when it dropped. In 2019, with most of the bugs ironed out, this is a real gem of a game. Sure, it's not as good as Gothic 2, but nothing is. Not even water.