Octopus Overlords

Paingod wrote:This wrongness makes me kind of sad, like a little piece of my gaming heritage is being abused in an alleyway by men in sharp looking suits.

TiLT wrote: the presence of orcs will make the setting unappealing to the Asian market by default.

The mostly white Free People's of Middle-Earth doing battle with the hordes of beast-like orcs is seen by some as an indication of racism.

Of the orcs, the Uruk-Hai are described as "black" and a smaller orc, a tracker, is described as "black-skinned". All orcs are often described as "slant-eyed" and the Uruk-Hai at least refer to the Rohhirim as 'white skins.' In one of his letters, Tolkien described Orcs as "...squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes; in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely Mongol-types."(Letter 210)

While Tolkien's statement comparing Orcs to the "Mongol-types" is undoubtedly insensitive given today's standards, he does put a disclaimer, "(to Europeans,)" before "least lovely", at least recognizing Western cultural bias and also points out that they were "degraded and repulsive versions" of "Mongol-types", not actual "Mongol-types". It is worth noting that some Orcs use crooked or bent swords (Tolkien also uses the term scimitar, which are historically associated with the Middle-East).

Orcs however, are not men. Unlike the wicked men who serve the Enemy, who might have been enslaved or beguiled, orcs are portrayed as irredeemably evil, or at least having a redemption outside the scope of the narrative. The origin of orcs is not clear, but they may be products of Morgoth's sorcery, or the descendants of tortured and ruined elves. Regardless of their origins they are not presented as a natural race, indeed there is no mention of orc women, children, villages, or culture. Perhaps inspired by his Roman Catholicism, Tolkien's orcs may have more in common with demonic armies than foreign ones.

Unagi wrote:

TiLT wrote: the presence of orcs will make the setting unappealing to the Asian market by default.

OK, I feel like an idiot here... What's this all about - is that true? and , why?

Bethesda Softworks® and ZeniMax® Online Studios today announced that beta signups are now open for The Elder Scrolls® Online at ElderScrollsOnline.com. Interested gamers simply have to go to the website and register for a chance to play. Selected beta registrants will be granted early access to beta test the game. They will be among the first to experience this epic world with others in one of 2013’s most highly-anticipated releases. Timing and details of the start of playtests will be provided at a later date to those who register.

“We’re really excited to get the game into players’ hands,” said Matt Firor, game director of The Elder Scrolls Online. “We receive invaluable feedback through the beta process, and that helps us ensure that the game will be one of the best online gaming experiences ever offered -- one worthy of The Elder Scrolls franchise.”

Texian wrote:I signed up for the Beta. This could be good.

Texian wrote:I signed up for the Beta. This could be good.

Smoove_B wrote:Well, I do remember one of the posts lost during the last OOutage -- the fact that they're planning on charging a $15 monthly fee to play after the customary 30 day trial.

As I said when I originally posted that news -- good luck.

coopasonic wrote:As I didn't say back then but others did, some of us are perfectly OK with that. I just hope they don't offer a lifetime sub! If it doesn't work they will go to F2P or turn it off just like everyone else who isn't named Blizzard.

Daehawk wrote: i've been in many dozens of alphas and betas so I know the ins and outs of testing.

Daehawk wrote:Really? A third post? Is there a hidden message in there????

Alefroth wrote:

Daehawk wrote:Really? A third post? Is there a hidden message in there????

Just trying to make my point

That's weird. The times are so far apart. This happened yesterday too, but at least they were all together.

Ale

naednek wrote:

Alefroth wrote:

Daehawk wrote:Really? A third post? Is there a hidden message in there????

Just trying to make my point

That's weird. The times are so far apart. This happened yesterday too, but at least they were all together.

Ale

do you hit the back button when going back to the subforum? So when you make a post, you hit back, and you are back to the part where you enter in your response, hit the back button it takes you to the forum? That's what I do and I get the same issue.

soulbringer wrote:Still havent picked me so I will be frustrated by proxy with you.

Bad Demographic wrote:I've never beta tested (nor alpha, either). I hope that if I ever get to I have the ability to be at the computer when needed (instead of, say, at work).