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  1. Ars Nova
    This isn't necessarily a request for help, I'm just curious if anyone (staff or members) have worked with forum tech before and found a particular favorite. I've had a lingering interest in managing a forum myself, and I've started to get the itch again so I thought about looking around for a good service. If this isn't the place for this feel free to move it :v

    inb4 misty says xenforo
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 26, 2014, 4 replies, in forum: Technology
  2. Ars Nova

    Yeah so, basically the premise is you go into an emulator and screw with game data to make it look like your old unplayable NES cartridges. Some of the most hilarious s██t I've ever seen, personally.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 25, 2014, 3 replies, in forum: Gaming
  3. Ars Nova
    Yeah, title pretty much says it all. Ever heard something really friggin' weird and wanted to share it?



    Here's mine. Igorrr is a freak, man.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 25, 2014, 15 replies, in forum: Music
  4. Ars Nova
    This will be a repository for all of my short stories and things of that nature. First off is a little something I wrote for fun. CnC welcome and appreciated, will probably revise a few times. Enjoy~

    Walk on Wind

    Adela had never spoken to a dragon before. She didn't know for sure that they could speak. But her father, Archduke Bartók, would allow her no guests, for she could not walk—Any attempt was met with searing pain—and thus he worried for her safety and shut her away. Her only companion through the years had been a lone wind dragon, enslaved to watch over her since her birth; and she would not spend her whole life in the mute stillness of her bedroom, trapped by her own frail body.
    One night, when her father and all the guards had gone to sleep and only she remained awake, Adela crawled out of bed and into her wheelchair. An advanced machine for the age, and one of the few luxuries she truly appreciated. With much effort she twisted and righted herself in the chair, and slowly rolled it towards the silky curtain on the opposite end of her room. Beyond that veil, on her balcony, a great silhouette stirred. She spied two dots of light, like gleaming emerals, peering at her through the veil.
    Adela would never forget the grim look on her father's face—the closest he ever came to fear—as he taught her of the dragons. Before their eyes, he'd said, all secrets are laid bare. Our intentions can never be hidden from them. Still, the reality of it startled her. The dragon's beady eyes bored into her, and she froze in place. A lump formed in her throat, and for a time the two sat in silence, eyes locked, one unable to speak and the other unwilling.
    Cʜɪʟᴅ. Yᴏᴜ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ sᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇʟʏ. The words did not pass through her ears, but rather pulsated in her mind. Her head set to pounding.
    "...I cannot walk. I am ill."
    Mᴍ. The dragon paused but did not move, nor did it avert its gaze. Yᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀғʀᴀɪᴅ.
    "No," she lied, and tried her best to look like a proud noblewoman. "Only if you would harm me. And why would you?"
    Wʜʏ ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ. The dragon's eyes flickered. Hᴜɴɢᴇʀ... Sᴘɪᴛᴇ... A brief pause. Fʀᴇᴇᴅᴏᴍ.
    "Would you... permit me to ride on your back?" The words spilled forth before Adela could stop them. At this the dragon growled, rustling the curtains between them. Adela gripped the arms of her chair 'til her knuckles drained of color. What was she thinking? She may as well have asked to be torn to shreds. But when the dragon's voice came again, it was softer.
    Yᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴀsᴋ ᴘᴇʀᴍɪssɪᴏɴ. At last it looked away. Iғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ sᴇᴇɴ...
    "It's worth it." This time Adela felt the words coming and did not stop them. Another agonizing silence came between them, echoes lingering in her mind, and then the dragon's eyes glided from sight, and its silhouette began to shift. A second later it pushed through the curtains, making her jump, and came to rest beside her chair.
    Cʟɪᴍʙ.
    Adela stared blankly for a moment, unable to make sense of it all. Her stomach churned. She expected any moment now something horrible would happen, as if the instant she laid a hand on the dragon she'd be snapped up and eaten. A thunderous snort awoke her from her gruesome dream, and she edged towards the dragon's hide, groping for scales firm enough to grasp.
    Satisfied with her grip, she poured herself into her arms and pulled. A sharp spear of pain ripped through her legs immediately, and she stifled a groan. She wrinkled her face and pulled once more, this time coming out of the chair and onto the dragon. Her hands trembled and her breath came in short, haggard bursts, but still she climbed.
    Aʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ ᴘᴀɪɴ?
    "I'm... fine," she grunted.
    Yᴏᴜ ʟɪᴇ.
    Fool, she scolded herself, reciting her father's teachings. Dragons only ask questions to uncover lies. At last she came to a resting point and collapsed, lying awkwardly at the nape of the dragon's neck. She took a moment to recover and breathe deeply before replying.
    "I mean... that I'll manage."
    The dragon huffed. Dᴏɴ'ᴛ ғᴀʟʟ.
    At once it began to move, and Adela lurched sideways onto her shoulder. She struggled to right herself for a moment, before giving up and clinging tight to the dragon's collar. Her arms did not fit but more than halfway around; she imagined herself being knocked off as soon as they took flight, tumbling through the air like a rag doll.
    The balcony plummeted out of her peripheral vision. A rush of wind howled past her, blowing hair in her face, but she dared not lift her hand to clear it. All she saw was the dragon's leathery hide undulating as it flew, obscured by fuzzy beige curls. It pushed higher and higher, pressing against her and sending waves of fire through the nerves of her legs. Her grip tightened, eyes squinted shut, and she bit her lip.
    After what seemed like a numb, burning eternity, a lightness came over her. She loosened her grip and opened her eyes—It seemed they had leveled out, as the dragon now bobbed gently and the wind, though still loud, brushed past her rather than at her. Tentatively she brought her hand up and swiped away her hair. She tasted salt and wiped her lip; several droplets of blood streamed away from her.
    Adela had expected to have trouble breathing, but instead found the air clear, crisp, and plentiful. The breeze through her hair soothed her. Even her legs felt better under the steady seesaw of the dragon's back. Slowly, almost beyond reckoning, the pain melted away.
    "This... This is incredible," she said, smiling. "I feel so renewed."
    Yᴏᴜ ᴛᴏᴏᴋ ᴛᴏ ɪᴛ ᴡᴇʟʟ, came the dragon's voice. Qᴜɪᴛᴇ ᴡᴇʟʟ. Tʜᴇ sᴇᴇᴅ ᴏғ ᴀ Sʏʟᴘʜ, ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘs.
    "Is this what it's like for you all the time?" She did not expect an answer, nor did she wait for one—but one came anyway.
    Nᴏ.
    Her expression sobered, and she mumbled an apology. When was the last time it had flown freely? Before she was born, most likely. Guardsmen of the lame were as good as lame themselves. Suddenly a strange thought occurred to her, and after a moment's hesitation she spoke.
    "What is your name?"
    There came no answer for several seconds, and she wondered if her last question had offended it. She frowned, rested her head against its neck and stroked it.
    "I'm sorry. You've... been stuck on the ground. With me. All this time."
    Eᴄᴋɪ.
    "Sorry?"
    Mʏ ɴᴀᴍᴇ. Iᴛ's Eᴄᴋɪ. After a moment Adela couldn't help but smile. A warm, brilliant smile that she wished it could see.
    "Ecki. A lovely name." She wrapped her arms as far around as they could go and embraced her first friend. "Thank you, Ecki."
    Adela lost track of time as Ecki flew her through the clouds—but when they began their descent and her father's manor came into view, it seemed all too soon. How many times could she get away with this? How much of her life would she spend wishing she had wings of her own?
    They landed with a faint whush. Ecki coiled its head around to her, and she shuffled off onto it, and from there into her chair. She leaned back and sighed, looking up at the night sky and already longing to be back in it. Her heart had sunk some time ago and didn't seem to be coming up anytime soon.
    Sᴀᴛɪsғɪᴇᴅ? The word awoke her from her gloom. She thought for a moment before answering.
    "I wouldn't say that."
    She shoved against the wheels, turning towards her bed. Then she stopped for a moment and stared blankly into the dark of the room, deep in thought. What bound Ecki to her? She'd overheard her father speak of it before. If only she could remember...
    "Ecki..." She turned towards it once more. "You are bound by my father's word, are you not?" It shook its head in response.
    I ᴀᴍ ʙᴏᴜɴᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴏғ Bᴀʀᴛóᴋ. Yᴏᴜʀ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ.
    Not her father. Just Bartók. Which meant that her word would break the binding as readily as his would. Of course he would never expect her to make use of it; he never took her seriously. But in that moment her mind was made.
    "Then I release you from your duress." Ecki stared blankly at her, at a loss for words. She repeated herself, "I release you. You needn't stand sentry over me any longer." At this it composed itself and spoke.
    Yᴏᴜʀ ғᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴄʀᴏss.
    "You let me taste freedom," she said without missing a beat. "Surely I can endure a bit of crossness for you."
    Again, silence fell between them. Adela shut her eyes as her heart thumped madly in her chest. Images swelled behind her eyelids of the Archduke's furor as he called all the guards to attention, the clomp-clomp-clomp of heavy boots scrambling over marble floors. When she opened her eyes again, Ecki had not moved. She opened her mouth to speak, but it beat her to it.
    Wʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ɢɪᴠᴇ ɪs ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴀ ᴛᴀsᴛᴇ. I ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇ ɪɴᴅᴇʙᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ.
    "...You mean..."
    Ecki leaned forward, reaching its head out to her once more.
    Lᴇᴛ ᴜs ʙᴏᴛʜ ʙᴇ ғʀᴇᴇ.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 25, 2014, 1 replies, in forum: Archives
  5. Ars Nova
    https://www.humblebundle.com/weekly...il&utm_term=0_990b1b6399-bdf38b2f17-117709317

    Thomas Was Alone, Dustforce, VVVVVV, Cave Story+, Limbo, Mutant Mudds Deluxe, Lone Survivor, Teslagrad

    10 bux

    GIT YOU SOME
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 25, 2014, 4 replies, in forum: The Spam Zone
  6. Ars Nova
    Thread

    Koza Mostra

    [​IMG]
    wikitwitterlast.fm

    Yes, that Koza Mostra. The one that did Alcohol Is Free? They have other music. Phwooooaaaar. Did I blow your mind? Then check out the links below, I promise you won't regret it.


    I'm lovin' these guys so far. They remind me a lot of Gogol Bordello, the way they pretty much use whatever instruments they want to bring out their sound, and sing a lot of quirky songs about good times and the human condition. Just a little more ska-punky, perhaps.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 25, 2014, 1 replies, in forum: Music
  7. Ars Nova
    When I searched for this, the last result came up four years ago, so I'm guessing it's cool if I make a new thread. Funnily enough, Nova made the last one :L

    So let's hear your top five, preferably with a bit of background on each film/why you picked it. You can split them into categories if you want.

    5. Seven Psychopaths (2012)
    So this is a movie about seven psychopaths. And it was marketed in an "Oh those lovable psychopaths!" kinda way, the way you'd expect most movies about psychopaths to be these days. But then you watch the damn thing and they're not lovable. They're not lovable at all. This film wrenched my stomach and snapped my heartstrings, but anything that could move me so much must've really hit home somewhere along the line. Great casting, with a mix of new blood and old classics (who all do some of their best work ever). Check it out if you think you can handle it.

    4. Now You See Me (2013)
    We all love heist films. And we all love magicians. How do you feel about a magician heist film? All-star cast, brilliant use of its premises, and a keen mix of thriller tropes from caper and action films alike, if you get nothing else out of this movie you will get a damn good time. But beyond that there's a constant, potent message about belief and the nature of magic that really speaks to me. It's almost like a non-religious argument for faith in the unseen. The way it's all tied together is what really makes a lasting impression; you don't have to give up pulse-pounding excitement to get something profound and thought-provoking, and this film proves it.

    3. サマーウォーズ (2009)
    This is not a hard film to watch, but it must've been hard to make. Balancing a cyber-terrorism plot along with a family drama featuring a cast of well over twenty, and keeping the morals and themes of each plot in perfect sync... It takes some doing. But the end result is a masterpiece—not a complicated masterpiece that scholars will debate for years to come, but a simple one, one that speaks to all ages with themes that most of us can understand. Those who love technology and find comfort in it, versus those who feel intimidated and alienated by it. The pain of a great loss, and how to carry on afterwards. And finding love in the strangest places. I showed it to my grandmother and she liked it as much as I did; I think that says a lot.

    2. 괴물 (2006)
    Is it a monster movie? A family drama? A black comedy? A political commentary? I think the only correct answer is all of the above. If you can't wrap your head around that, all the more reason to watch this film. Every emotion is blended together in an awkward but ultimately genuine harmony; you will be about to cry, then burst out laughing in the next second, then jump to the edge of your seat in the next. At first the monster will scare you, then you will howl and cheer as it comes closer to defeat. It's a film unlike any other I have seen, and in its short time span it accomplishes so much with such grace and effortlessness that you'll want to watch it again the second it's over.

    1. The Breakfast Club (1985)
    I am never gonna forget this movie, and you shouldn't either. It is arguably on par with a Shakespeare play in the poignance and vitality of its message; it's something people could still learn from some thirty years later, and I bet it'll endure well into the next century. Rare for entertainment media in general, it preaches that the archetypes we fall into aren't who we really are: that we are defined by the sum of our actions, not just the ones people choose to see. And if you work hard enough, you can find a bit of yourself in people you never thought you could relate to. The one blemish on an otherwise perfect film is Allison's little make-over, but even with that in mind I'd still give it a 9.5/10.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 25, 2014, 19 replies, in forum: Movies & Media
  8. Ars Nova
    (coins spill everywhere)
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 25, 2014, 8 replies, in forum: The Spam Zone
  9. Ars Nova
    How do you do it? Do you have a method you fall back on? Or are you searching for one? Maybe you'll find it here :L

    Whether it's breaking bad ones or making good ones, I always try to give myself positive reinforcement. I keep a checklist of things to do (or not do) every day, and cross them off as I achieve them. But I also make it a higher goal to just get at least one productive thing done per day; so even if I don't finish my list for the day, I still feel accomplished and still want to write another one for tomorrow.

    I also recently found this site, which may help those looking for a habit-breaker/former. You keep a log of how many days in a row you do or don't do something, and each time it adds a link in the chain. After a while you start to get a high-score mentality and go for the most consecutive days.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 24, 2014, 4 replies, in forum: Discussion
  10. Ars Nova

    websitesteam

    Remember Burnout? Man, that was fun. Where'd it go? LOOKS LIKE BUGBEAR ENTERTAINMENT FOUND IT. AND NOT ONLY DID THEY FIND IT BUT THEY ENHANCED IT WITH AN ULTRA CUSTOM SOFT-BODY PHYSICS ENGINE. EARLY ACCESS RIGHT NOW, CHECK OUT THE TECH DEMO.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 24, 2014, 2 replies, in forum: Gaming
  11. Ars Nova

    websitesteamgog

    As a warning, the controls in this game are AWFUL—and yes, they're like that by design. Basically your challenge is to perform that oft-cited ur example of the very concept of difficulty: brain surgery (or heart surgery... or kidney surgery. You get the idea), the catch being you are a slack-wristed everyman with no concept of how to properly hold objects. So basically win a wrestling match with an awkward control scheme before you cost your virtual patient his virtual life. Doesn't matter how messy it gets, long as you get the bad organ out and the good organ in.

    Loads of fun and already pumped up with a few extra stages, including one in space (where zero-g is in effect), one using an alien (whose body structure is obviously way different), and one themed after TF2's Meet the Medic video (where you must partially reenact the surgery scene). One of the most entertaining parts of the game for me are the achievements, oddly enough; they range from the hilariously absurd to the jaw-droppingly difficult, and some of them are even little mysteries of their own, requiring a bit of creative thinking to figure out.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 24, 2014, 2 replies, in forum: Gaming
  12. Ars Nova
    Introducing: Divekick Addition Edition, a free update of the original featuring balance patches, revamped characters, and guest-starring Johnny Gat of Saints Row fame!


    websitesteampsn

    Brought to you by Iron Galaxy, now available for Steam & PSN for 10 American buckaroos. Basically one absurdly extended parody of the FGC, its notable members, and its 'isms, but also easy to pick up and a ton of fun for anybody who likes to drive heels into skulls. My main is Jefailey.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 24, 2014, 5 replies, in forum: Gaming
  13. Ars Nova

    websitesteam

    This looks ballin' but I think it might give me headaches @_@ Still, surprisingly rare to see something like this these days, and even then this game seems to bring some interesting ideas into the mix. There are two flying positions, one where you hover in place and one where you fly as you'd expect a jet to, and you can switch back and forth between them at breakneck speed; likewise, you can toggle first-person and third-person view, for accuracy versus awareness.

    OH YEAH AND IT'S GOT HEALTH PICKUPS WELCOME BACK TO YOUR CHILDHOOD /STREAMERS, NOISEMAKERS
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 24, 2014, 0 replies, in forum: Gaming
  14. Ars Nova
    Assuming KHIII uses the same system as the previous numbered games, what kinds of spells do you want to see? Any returning favorites, or would you rather they be brand new?

    I'd like to see new takes on the classic elements, old-school Magnet & Gravity, and maybe some true light & dark spells as well. It'd be kinda cool if more spells were used not just to attack or defend, but for added mobility or stat boosts or something like that. Maybe you could have an Aero spell that launched you super-high, or a Water spell that let you slide across the ground for several yards. Or a sort of "inner fire" spell that made you attack slightly faster.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 24, 2014, 7 replies, in forum: General & Upcoming Kingdom Hearts
  15. Ars Nova
    [center][quote]Hi thar[/quote][/center]

    equals


    and [right][spoiler=spoilar]Hi thar[/spoiler][/right]

    equals

    Hi thar

    As you can see (unless it's just me), the text inside each window is centered, but the window itself does not move. Is this adjustable? 'Cause this has been excruciating for certain uses where I wanted to align these windows with other forms of content.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 24, 2014, 20 replies, in forum: Feedback & Assistance
  16. Ars Nova
    These guys. These guys are livin' the life ok. They're like fratgeek fusion to the extreme. YOU KNOW THE DRILL, VID SAMPLES BELOW.


    The trick shot videos always get me pumped up for some reason. I think it's 'cause they're all so excited about the stuff they pull off. The badass music doesn't hurt either.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 24, 2014, 0 replies, in forum: Movies & Media
  17. Ars Nova
    I am SHOCKED there isn't a thread for this. You know the drill, sample vids under the cut.

    [media]WuGsRmEEx6s[/media] [media]cH7x-DwaVu8[/media] [media]I1Tk_R5WpYg[/media]
    [media]99Fw69IKQvw[/media] [media]s4PbPFMZuU[/media] [media]Pq3MKQCXsUQ[/media]
    [media]pymfkqPvLdw[/media] [media]tJo7a1mJnuw[/media] [media]LqOas7tmBEs[/media]
    [media]XCUQBL5cKU0[/media] [media]bPfuzEv_pBc[/media] [media]hoaz1B67oo4[/media]
    [media]A1bwBCZQRqE[/media] [media]gTcxtyUhF70[/media] [media]ODrKQ8YpXrM[/media]

    /deep breath I THINK THAT'S EVERYTHING. PANT, PANT. DISCUSS.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 24, 2014, 0 replies, in forum: Movies & Media
  18. Ars Nova
    I think most people on a forum like this can agree, RPGs are pretty damn fun. But sometimes... well, sometimes they're just a pain in the ol' rear. It ain't easy to make all those bosses unique and difficult, and sometimes devs resort to frustrating measures. Bland tactics, stupidly high HP, a list of resistances as long as your arm... So what bugs you the most?

    Me, I can't stand bosses who force you to play a certain way, either by nullifying most of your attacks or just being too fast, too tough, too powerful etc. for certain playstyles to stand a chance. That and I hate overuse of trial-and-error. If you ask me, RPG combat is about strategy, not luck; I should be able to reason out a boss's weakness before he kills me a dozen times, and have a reasonable chance of success once I understand how to win. So with those two combined SMT bosses are pretty much the worst for me :v /brick'd Well, not all of them, but it's pretty common for all bosses past the midway point to nullify Dark, Light, and all status effects, not to mention come packed with Dekunda and Dekaja.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 24, 2014, 3 replies, in forum: Gaming
  19. Ars Nova
    [​IMG]
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 23, 2014, 7 replies, in forum: The Spam Zone
  20. Ars Nova
    Thread

    Rooster Teeth

    [​IMG]

    Yup, these guys are still a thing. Except they don't just make Halo Machinima! I know, crazy right? They also make RWBY /brick'd AND MANY OTHER FINE WEB SERIES. Here are some samples of their other series:





    And that's not even CLOSE to all there is. Most of it is on Youtube but if you want it quicker you should check out their site.
    Thread by: Ars Nova, Apr 23, 2014, 10 replies, in forum: Movies & Media