The penguin seeks advice.

[gridlore]

Now that we have the shiny new computer up and running, I've encountered a rather serious problem. Vista simply will not allow Nethack to run in full screen mode.

bother.

But I was thinking that it might be time to expand my options a bit. I'm going to get Madden '08 (the current version does not allow for playing in coach mode) but am looking for other experiences.

Here's what I like:

• strategic games


• historical simulations


• opportunities beyond combat


• world building

Here's what I don't like:

• first person shooters


• games requiring fast reflexes or excellent keyboard/mouse skills


• anything with overly graphic graphics (PTSD, y'know.)


• games that railroad options

So, any suggestions?

• Athlon 64 X2 (W) 5200+ 2.6 GHz processor with 2000 MT/s (mega transfers/second) and socket AM2
• GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 chipset
• 2GB PC2-4200 MB/sec 240 pin, DDR2 SDRAM, upgradeable to 4GB (32-bit OS) or 8GB (64-bit OS)
• 500 GB SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec), 7200 rpm hard drive
• 16X DVD (±)R/RW 12X RAM (±)R DL LightScribe SATA drive
• Integrated 10/100 Base-T networking interface with 56K bps data/fax modem
• High Definition 7.1 audio with ALC 888 chipset
• Integrated 15-in-1 (4 slot) memory card reader
• 6 USB 2.0 ports, 2 in the front and 4 in the back
• Windows Vista Home Premium with Windows Media Center

Comments

[john-appel.livejournal.com]

A little bit off the wall and not exactly lining up with your stated interests, but that you might find interesting, are some of the various "virtual tabletop" tools. In the freeware realm, VASSAL is a great program for playing a traditional board wargame with remote opponents (it got it's start as VASL, built explicitly for ASL). Cyberboard is another freeware (or perhaps shareware?) program - I used this to run the double-blind game of Fifth Frontier War PBEM a few years ago. (Aide de Camp is a commercial alternative.)

There's a host of similar programs for pencil-and-paper RPGs, and while many have a DND focus, they're easily adaptable. I actually use a commercial program called Fantasy Grounds for the Castles & Crusades game I play in, while other folks swear by the free alternative MapTools.

And while I do play MMOs occasionally, I class myself as a "recovering addict" in that category. If you're really looking to ramp up your writing then I strongly suggest staying away.