Let's Play Skyrim [Roleplay, Mage]

Slow-paced role-play with a Breton mage (pure mage). Difficulty: Master. Permanent death (on death, this let's play is over).

Can a Breton goods peddler find his inner hero, his destiny, or will he die trying?

Start watching now from the start: Let's Play Skyrim Part 1 (HD 1080p)

Yngvarr

Yngvarr is an average chap. Not a hero by any means, unless picking flowers or buying and selling goods makes a man heroic. He is a Breton goods peddler and a recreational alchemist who, before arriving in Skyrim, isn't aware of all the powers hidden within him.

His father was a Nord caravan guard and mother is a Breton healer. Yngvarr was born in Elinhir, a town in Hammerfell, but he never really had a place he or his family called home, as he became a travelling merchant like his parents were.

Yngvarr came to Skyrim looking for an adventure, for a new beginning for his life, but he barely made it past the mountains when he ran to an ambush by the Imperial forces and was knocked out before he had the chance to talk.

Skyrim Roleplay Part 1 - Introduction and Character Creation

About this let's play

This is more "serious" role-play than most other let's plays. I also play with a slow-paced style that is not for everyone.

Yngvarr needs to sleep, drink and eat, and he can't be running all the time. Unless there's specific reason to run and sprint, Yngvarr will walk, like a normal person would. Yngvarr can't reload the last save if things don't go his way, so if he dies, he dies.

I'm recording and uploading all videos in Full HD 1080p (1920x1080).

Mods and Tweaks

As of now (around part 97), I'm using about 135 different mods and/or texture replacers. I have ~50 esm-/esp-files active (I haven't done Bashed Patch) - some mods add multiple files, so there's roughly 40 real "mods".

Since the mod list is mile long, I have a Google Doc up where I list all the mods (and my Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini): http://goo.gl/TYPWx.

It's not a guide, just a list of mods I'm using. I won't answer ANY QUESTIONS about how to install mods, how to fix if Skyrim crashes, etc.

I'm using several graphical enhancements mods and HD textures that enhance the looks of the game while staying true to Bethesda's designs and Elder Scrolls lore and keeping the game playable as I'm recording in 1080p.

At first, I used STEP - Skyrim Total Enhancement Project as a guideline (compilation of many, many mods, mostly HD Textures, but also other graphical tweaks). Later, I started removing mods and adding other mods too.

I'm using Nexus Mod Manager to install and update all the mods, you should too. (or use Wrye Bash if you want hardcore)

Another NOTE: Overmodding your Skyrim will make it more and more likely to crash. Know your computers and graphics cards limits before tweaking the graphics settings and adding HD textures and such. In case you're interested, my rig is i7-2600K (Overclocked @4.5Ghz), SSD drive and Nvidia GTX 590 (3GB) as listed in my FAQ.

What Are People Saying? (Comments from the videos)

Leave a comment in any video of this let's play and tell me what you think of it, and I might add your comment here :)

"Its the best looking lets play iv'e seen to date. Have only just joined your channel and already loving yngvarr." -ANGRYLADmedia

"this is how Skyrim is meant to be played! Great series my friend!" -ModernNorseman

"How can you take this silly game so seriously!" - one of my favorite comments :)

"Loving the series so far" -TheHeadlessMonkey98

"i love this roleplaying instead of every 1 is full armored and killing dragons ur playing it for real i LOVE IT" -HoroSc0pe

Playlists

Show: Skyrim Roleplay

Playlist (all parts): Let's Play Skyrim (Roleplay, Mage) (The Elder Scrolls V).

Channel: http://www.youtube.com/TheZemalf

Skyrim Archery Tweak: More Like Real Archery Now

Learn how to make the archery in Skyrim feel much more like real archery and medieval combat.

This post and the video below shows a Skyrim archery tweak making bow and arrows work much more realistically and intuitively. Tweak makes arrows fly thru the crosshair and then fall (as in Oblivion and most other games), and not over the crosshair like it does by default, and make the archery feel a lot more like real archery.

As far as I know, this tweak is safe (doesn't break save games) and you can "uninstall" by removing the lines you add, and arrows behave as by default again.

By default, bow is automatically tilted up and arrows fly over the crosshair, making the bow to work a bit like gun (you hit where you aim). This is usually fine, especially in close distances, but if you want to "snipe" from a distance, it comes really hard to figure out where to aim.

Plus, I think it's just better that the archery works more the way it works in other games and in real life - Thus, I like really liked how this tweak changed how archery works.

Skyrim.ini Edit

1) Find Skyrim.ini (not SkyrimPrefs.ini), which is located in 'My Documents/My Games/Skyrim' after running Skyrim once.

2) Backup Skyrim.ini before editing (take a copy of it).

3) Add to Skyrim.ini (or edit the lines are already there) [1]:

[Combat]
fMagnetismStrafeHeadingMult=0.0
fMagnetismLookingMult=0.0
f1PArrowTiltUpAngle=0.7
f3PArrowTiltUpAngle=0.7
f1PBoltTiltUpAngle=0.7
f3PBoltTiltUpAngle=0.7

The latter two (*Bolt*) lines are for the crossbows added via Dawnguard DLC.

4) And if you want the arrows to fly really far (not in use on the video), add this to Skyrim.ini as well [2]:

[Actor]
fVisibleNavmeshMoveDist=12288.0000


Because of gravity physics, arrows fall as they fly, this tweak doesn't change that.

As a result, with the tweak arrows behave more intuitively and you can compensate longer distances by aiming higher without guessing how high the arrow will fire - and on shorter distances, hit exactly where you aim.

Here's a video I made showing how the archery works by default (0:00) and how it changes and works after the tweak (3:35 onwards):

Skyrim Archery Tweak: How to Make Arrows Behave More Intuitively

Watch the video in YouTube (HD): Skyrim Archery Tweak

References

I couldn't find who came up with the tweak first to give proper credit, but I found it from Bethesda Forums when the tweak was posted by spookyfx.com:

• [1] Tweaking arrows to behave more like Oblivion? (Bethesda Forum)
• [2] Archery / Magic Range Limit Fix (Bethesda Forum)

Let's Play Deus Ex: Human Revolution

My Let's play Deus Ex Human Revolution begins. I take the role of Adam Jensen in this amazing sci-fi RPG and I welcome you to the journey to enjoy the game and the story with me.

YouTube



Watch in HD (YouTube Playlist): Let's Play Deus Ex: Human Revolution

The game can be bought via Steam (PC) and or via Amazon for example:

How to Beat Barrett in 60 Seconds or Less - Deus Ex Human Revolution

To defeat Barrett:

1. As soon as the battle begins, throw a EMP granade on Barrett (if you have one)
2. Strafe/turn right, grab one of the gas canisters on the right
3. Throw the gas canister on Barrett
4. Run to the left or straight down the right side, grab the explosive barrel, throw it on Barrett
5. grab next gas canister or one of the fire extinguishers, throw it at him
6. run to another explosive barrel, grab it, aim, throw it on Barrett
7. repeat 5-6
8. (if you run out of things to throw, Barrett should be damaged enough for you to finish him with any gun)

See the video below for visuals...

Video Walkthrough of the Barrett Fight

Here's quick video showing how to defeat Lawrence Barrett, elite member of a secret mercenary hit squad, and get The Bull achievement.

I used over 45 minutes on the first boss battle of Deus Ex Human Revolution, trying to win the fight with guns, which I hadn't used at all before that as I was playing "stealthily", avoiding enemies by sneaking past them, or taking them down without killing them...

Anyway, after almost an hour I had to give up and I looked for help on how to win Barrett. I found an easy way, which got the job done (even that it was a bit "boring" way to win the fight), but at least I was able to continue this awesome game.

And here's a video I made to show you how to do the same...

Deus Ex Human Revolution Barrett Boss Battle Guide



Watch on YouTube (HD 720p):
How to Beat Barrett in 60 Seconds or Less - Deus Ex Human Revolution - Boss Battle I

Deus Ex Human Revolution - Balls Achievement / Trophy (How to Shoot Hoops)

Learn how to shoot hoops in Deus Ex Human Revolution and get the Balls achievement on PC or XBox 360, or the Balls trophy on PS3.

Deus Ex Human Revolution - How to Shoot Hoops (how to get the Balls Achievement / Balls Trophy)



Watch the video in YouTube (HD 720p): Deus Ex Human Revolution - Balls Achievement / Trophy

Let's Play Minecraft Survivalism Mod

Alone in the wild - With no hope of rescue, I need to find food & water, eat, drink and rest to stay alive... If I'm not eaten myself first by the bad things that come out at night...

Let's Play Minecraft Survivalism Mod

"Extreme" Minecraft survival with survivalism mod (need to eat, drink and rest), hard difficulty, one life and hardcore mode (save file is deleted when out of lives). The playlist features long videos, all in HD 720p.

This is my let's play Minecraft Survivalism mod on hard difficulty, just one life and hardcore mode (save file is deleted when out of lives).

The survivalism mod adds energy, thirst and hunger meters to the game, forcing me to drink, eat and rest regularly in addition to the normal Minecraft survival.

Update: This let's play was first pending and then, after waiting for months, cancelled as the survivalism mod wasn't updated after Minecraft BETA 1.7.3 version. Feel free to enjoy the episodes that are there, but it ends after 4 episodes, with 5th being "the end".



Watch let's play Minecraft Survivalism mod in YouTube or check out all videos on the playlist: let's play Minecraft Survivalism mod

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel for more: http://www.youtube.com/TheZemalf.

Mundane Minecrafting World Save

Old series, old version of Minecraft. Save-files are no longer available.

How to add the save-files into Minecraft

The zip-files have been created as a backup with Minecraft Backup Assistant. If you're using that, you can throw the zip-file into your backup folder and "restore" the world with the Minecraft Backup Assistant like it was your own backup.

Or you can manually unzip the contents of the zip into a new folder (e.g. 'World1' or 'Zemalf's World' or anything you want) in your Minecraft save folder.

More good stuff

• My Facebook-page: Zemalf Plays
• My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/TheZemalf
• Watch all Mundane Minecrafting videos.

The Witcher 2 Tutorial - Magic Signs and Traps - Advanced Combat Techniques

How to use magic (the signs) and traps in The Witcher 2 combat - Tutorial on the advanced combat techniques in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings.



Watch this tutorial in YouTube (720p HD): The Witcher 2 Tutorial - Advanced Combat Techniques - Magic Signs and Traps

Watch the combat basics tutorial : The Witcher 2 Tutorial - Combat Basics - Striking and Parrying

The Witcher 2 Signs & Magic

In The Witcher 2, Geralt has the knowledge of signs from the beginning.

Aard – a telekinetic wave that can throw back, knock down or stun an opponent. This sign can also be used to destroy obstacles, for example crumbling walls or stacks of barrels.

Igni – fire magic, throws flames that wound opponents & make gas (from bombs) explode. Upgraded Igni sign has a chance of incinerating opponents and also has a larger area of effect.

Yrden – a magical trap placed on the ground (wounds & immobilizes opponents when triggered). The sign's basic level allows you to place 1 yrden sign on the ground (With upgrade, up to 3 yrden signs at a time).

Quen – a protective shield that lasts for 30 seconds at the sign's basic level. It is a sign that Geralt uses on himself – quen absorbs all damage directed at Geralt, and the upgraded version reflects 50% of the damage back toward to enemy. While quen is in effect, Geralt cannot regenerate vigor.

Axii – charm an opponent. When the charm is successful, the enemy becomes an ally for a short while, fighting for you.

Heliotrop – not available immediately, needs points in the magic skill tree. The Heliotrop Sign creates a temporary immobile circular force-field area around Geralt, which considerably slows down everything inside the field except himself.

Reference: Sign, The Witcher Wiki

The Witcher 2 Traps

Clawer - Wounds and causes bleeding. Damage: 30 – 55

Rage - Causes foes to attack each other.

Biter - Wounds with shrapnel. Damage: 10 – 30

Talgar Winter - Slows foes down. Damage: 20 – 30

Conflagration - Incinerates foes and detonates other traps within range. Damage: 20 – 50

Snare - Wounds and causes bleeding. Damage: 30 – 50

Harpy trap - Effective against harpies.

Kayran trap - Effective against a kayran.

Nekker trap - Effective against nekkers.

Used trap - No longer usable

Reference: TW2 Traps, The Witcher Wiki

The Witcher 2 Tutorial - Combat Basics

How to strike, parry and block with a sword in The Witcher 2 - Quick tutorial on the basic sword combat in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings



Watch the video in YouTube (720p HD): The Witcher 2 Tutorial - Combat Basics

Watch the advanced tutorial: The Witcher 2 Tutorial - Advanced Combat Techniques - Magic Signs and Traps

Mundane Minecrafting

This let's play playlist and the videos show Minecraft at it's core. Mundane Minecrafting shows the "boring", mundane things and the hours that go into the game: the mining, chopping trees, etc.

The videos on this playlist are among the longest Minecraft videos in YouTube (the length of them doesn't make'em "good" or anything, it just is). There's no editing, there's no fast forward, everything is shown.

I hope you enjoy it, and if you don't, just don't watch it, that's cool too.



Watch all the videos in YouTube (HD 720p): Mundane Minecrafting.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/TheZemalf.

Let's Play The Witcher: Enhanced Edition [BLIND] [HD]

This is my playthrough of the Witcher: Enhanced Edition with gameplay commentary, as played for the first time, without prior knowledge what will happen in the game (thus, it's blind let's play).

As it is blind let's play, I haven't played the game before and I don't know what to expect. This isn't the "optimal" walk-through of the game - just me taking the role of Geralt and playing the game, experiencing the story for the first time. It's slow-paced as I like to take my time through things and enjoy the game to the fullest.



All episodes of this let's play are in HD 720p. The first episode also as Full HD 1080p in YouTube. Here's the link to the playlist in YouTube: Let's Play The Witcher Enhanced Edition [BLIND]

The whole let's play is played and commented by me, Zemalf. Subscribe to the YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/TheZemalf.

Click here for all episodes of this let's play.

About The Witcher

The Witcher is a RPG for the PC developed by CD Projekt RED STUDIO and published by CD Projekt in Poland and Atari for the rest of the world.

The game was released in Europe and North America in October 2007. The Enhanced Edition was released on September 2008 and the Director's Cut in July 2009.

Enhanced Edition basically overhauled the whole game, adding new animations and models, new expanded dialogue, bug fixes, etc. The Director's Cut is the same as the Enhanced Edition, but with all censorship removed, which was originally applied to the North American version.

The Witcher game is based on a series of fantasy short stories (collected in two books, except for two stories) and five novels about the witcher Geralt of Rivia by a polish fantasy writer, Andrzej Sapkowski. (source: Wikipedia - The Witcher)

Game is available via Steam, at GoG.com and other online stores like Amazon.

The sequel, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings was released in May 2011. I will let's play the Witcher 2, using the imported save file from The Witcher when I finish the first part. This will not only import the character, but also carries over the choices I've made along the way.

Click here for all episodes of this let's play.

Mount & Blade: Warband Trading Guide

Trading goods is a great way to make money in Mount & Blade: Warband. In this post, you learn example price ranges and thresholds (to buy under X, to sell over Y) for the most profitable goods. You also learn an example trade route that goes around all Calradia in Warband.

(All information is for the game without any mods, as mods might change the trade/economy/map in the game. UPDATE: This information is valid for game version 1.143. It might work for newer versions too, but newer versions might change the trade routes and economy.)

You can learn all this info in game, by doing trading, using the asses good deals option in the marketplace of the towns, talking to the guild master about trade and production of the different cities, so consider the information below SPOILERS.

Also, there are a lot of trading opportunities in the game I do not list here, because these are the ones I've found working for me. Feel free to experiment and take on the opportunities you see :)

Note: I didn't come up with any of this (although I have "tested" all of this in-game). The hard work has been done by the awesome people and gamers at the Taleworlds Forums. I just put it here on my blog as it's sometimes hard to find stuff from forums.

General Tips

Travel fast:

• give riding skill and horses to all companions,
• invest in pathfinding skill (e.g. increase the skill with one companion and have two points on your own),
• prefer cavalry over infantry (for trading journeys),
• keep the army size small (but high enough to "scare" bandits away),
• keep the morale of the army high,
• have 6 horses in your inventory (as "pack" horses) - the cheapest you can find (quality of the horse doesn't matter)

Put points to inventory management (at least 2) to have more space for goods.

Visit the villages near the towns for cheap goods.

If you increase trading skill with one of the companions, put 2 points in it for your character to get the +1 extra.

Get some experience and levels before you start "heavy trading", as you will run into robbing attempts when entering marketplaces and you'll have a better chance dealing with the robbers if you have some combat skills (and good weaponry, it's good to have a bow/crossbow).

(optional) Do quests for the towns to improve your relations. You'll get better prices this way. To get the quests, talk to the guild master. You get experience while at it, and it's a welcome change to the trading as well. Be careful with bandit quests thou if your low level.

Price Ranges

Here are the price ranges I use in the game.

If I see goods under the threshold I buy. And I only sell if the price is high enough.

If you need to empty inventory, any price over the buying threshold is profit, so it's OK to "dump" inventory if you know that the next cities in your route don't pay well for those goods.

BUY under X means buy when the buying price is below X
SELL over Y means sell when the selling price is over Y

Most Profitable Goods

• Iron. BUY under 150, SELL over 300
• Salt. BUY under 150, SELL over 270
• Oil. BUY under 320, SELL over 450
• Tools. BUY under 380, SELL over 450
• Velvet. BUY under 700, SELL over 950-1000
• Wine. BUY under 200, SELL over 300
• Spice. BUY under 600, SELL over 800
• Flax. BUY under 100, SELL over 150
• Linen. BUY under 220, SELL over 350
• Wool Cloth. BUY under 200, SELL over 270

"Filler" Goods

Buy these to avoid travelling empty, if the above are not available.

• Date Fruit. BUY under 70, SELL over 120
• Fish. BUY under 30, SELL over 100
• Hides. BUY under 90, SELL over 100
• Grain. BUY under 30, SELL over 50

If you don't have much trading skill in your party, or the economy in the towns is a bit off because of wars etc, you might not get prices as high, so do drop them by ~10% or so, e.g. SELL iron over 270, SELL salt over 250 etc.

For buying, avoid buying for higher than the threshold. Just move on to another city.

The Trade Route

I learned this route from Floris at Taleworlds forum, from his "after action reports". It's a complete route around Calradia, focusing on the most profitable (small) routes and most profitable goods (only buying "filler" goods in between to avoid travelling empty).

If some goods are not available or not available below threshold price, wait for a day or just move on (I usually just move on). Sell to the other merchants if the goods merchant runs out of money and the price is still high enough (the arms/armor/horse merchant).

1. Ruvar, a village near Wercheg: BUY UNDER: Salt 150
2. Wercheg: BUY UNDER: Salt 150, Hides 90 (although not too much of them)
3. Curaw: BUY UNDER: Iron 150, Tools 380, Sell: Salt 270
4. Ismarala, a village near Curaw: BUY UNDER: Iron 150
5. Fenada, a village near Sargoth: BUY UNDER: Flax 100
6. Sargoth: SELL OVER: Salt 270
7. Tihr: SELL OVER: Iron 300, Tools 450
8. Kwynn, a village near Sargoth: BUY UNDER: Flax 100
9. Sargoth: BUY UNDER: All of the Flax 100 and Linen 220, Wool 70
10. Uxkhal: SELL OVER: Hides 100, Wool 120
11. Suno: BUY UNDER: Oil 320, Wine 200
12. Shariz: BUY UNDER: Date Fruits 70, SELL OVER: Linen 350, Wine 300
13. Durquba: SELL OVER: Flax 150
14. Ahmerrad: BUY UNDER: Iron 150, Wool 70, SELL OVER: Wine 300
15. Bariyye: BUY UNDER: Date Fruit 70, Iron 150, Salt 150, Tools 380, SELL OVER: Linen 350, Wine 300, Wool 120
16. Iqbal, a village near Bariyye: BUY UNDER: Salt 150, Date Fruit 70
17. Fishara, a village near Bariyye: BUY UNDER: Salt 150, Date Fruit 70
18. Uzgha, a village near Ahmerrad: BUY UNDER: Iron 150
19. Tulga: BUY UNDER: Spice 600, Salt 150, SELL OVER: Iron 300, Date Fruits 120
20. Ahmerrad: BUY UNDER: Iron 150, SELL OVER: Spice 800
21. Durquba: SELL OVER: Spice 800
22. Jelkala: BUY UNDER: Velvet 700, Fish 30, Hides 90, SELL OVER: Iron 300, Salt 270, Tools 450
23. Veluca: BUY UNDER: Grain 30, Hides 90, SELL OVER: Fish 90, Velvet 950
24. Uxkhal: SELL OVER: Grain 50, Hides 100, Salt 270
25. Suno: BUY UNDER: Oil 320, Wine 150, SELL OVER: Grain 50, Hides 100, Salt 270
26. Praven: BUY UNDER: Wool 70, SELL OVER: Oil 450, Salt 270
27. Yalen: BUY UNDER: Wine 200, Wool 70, SELL OVER: Salt 270
28. Jelkala: BUY UNDER: Fish 30, Velvet 700
29. Shariz: BUY UNDER: Date Fruit 70, SELL OVER: Fish 100, Wine 300
30. Dhirim: BUY UNDER: Iron 150, SELL OVER: Velvet 1000
(Optional: Visit Narra and Ichamur. Sell according to thresholds.)
31. Tulga: BUY UNDER: Spice 600, SELL OVER: Iron 300, Wool 120
32. Bariyye: BUY UNDER: Iron 150, SELL OVER: Velvet 1000
33. Ahmerrad: BUY UNDER: Iron 150, Wool Cloth 200, SELL OVER: Spice 800
34. Durquba: SELL OVER: Spice 800
35. Halmar: BUY UNDER: Salt 150
36. Dhirim: BUY UNDER: Iron 150, SELL OVER: Wool Cloth 270
37. Reyvadin: SELL OVER: Iron 300
38. Khudan: SELL OVER: Iron 300
39. Rivacheg: SELL OVER: Iron 300

If you have inventory space between towns (could not get enough cheap goods), stop in villages on the route (don't go off it too much thou) and buy cheap items. Also, buy variety of food from those villages (to keep) army fed and morale high). This money will help the economy of the town as well.

Mount and Blade: Warband Trade Route

IMAGE CREDIT: map modified from the original by Floris. (original)

The Warband Trade Route Video

Here's the Mount & Blade: Warband trade route on video. It's an hour long and it's a part of my let's play series, and there's some other stuff in it but trading, but it shows the whole route.



Watch HD/720p in YouTube:
Mount & Blade: Warband Let's Play E024 - Trade Route Around All Calradia

References and Links

• AAR: Me, Floris. Chapter 29, Peaceful Trading. - Warband Forum

Let's Play Mount & Blade: Warband - Violet's Tale

Let's play Mount & Blade: Warband. Mount & Blade: Warband gameplay (PC) with gameplay commentary by me (@Zemalf).

180 hours of slow-paced Warband gameplay from the very start to the very end (controlling whole Calradia). COMPLETE playthrough with a female character (commoner) and using the hardest possible difficulty settings.

Violet's Tale

Violet's Tale: This let's play is the journey of a young nomad woman adventuring in the land of Caldaria, dreaming of her own kingdom and making name for herself, trading and fighting for fame and fortune.

All Episodes (Playlist)

Watch all episodes of Violet's Tale, let's play Mount & Blade: Warband (in HD) on YouTube via the playlist: Let's Play Mount & Blade: Warband (Violet's Tale).

More Info and Discussion: Official 'Violet's Tale' Forum Thread

I hope you enjoy this - I sure enjoyed making it :) If you enjoy the let's play, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to get the free updates and more LPs.

Game Stuff:

I played on the hard hardest difficulty, with settings:

Control Block Dir: auto Manual block
Control Attack Dir: manual
Lance Control: manual (hard)
Damage to Player: Normal
Damage to Friends: Normal
Combat AI: Good
Campaign AI: Good
Combat Speed: Faster Fastest
Battle Size: 150 300 after E046 (with Warband Battle Size Changer)

The early videos on the playlist had auto-block on, but I quickly changed to manual and changed combat speed to fastest.

Difficulty: 125% 131% (with Battle Size 300)

(Not 149% cos I have the "quit without saving" ON instead of 'realistic saves', even that I never quit without saving)

MODS

NOTE! I started this LP without mods, and added mods later. You can have it easy, just download and install the latest Floris Mod Pack, which includes all this and more!

• Alternative crosshairs for M&B, Warband and WFaS
• Diplomacy 3.3.2 ( Since E024+)
• Note: NOT THE 4.x VERSION, and NOT THE 3.3.2+
• Warband Battle Size Changer (E044+)
• Battle Size 300, default 150
• Pre-Battle Orders & Deployment v0.88 w/ Hotfix B (E104+)
• Diplomacy 3.3.2 + PBOD v0.88 w/ Hotfix B
• Floris Basic Mod Pack v2.4 (E104+):
• Floris Basic PLUS (Floris Basic Mod Pack installation on top of Diplomacy+PBOD)
• + Floris Bug Fixes:
• Floris basic "ufo" noise fix
• Fix for battle lag due to dust kicked up by horses
• Movie WB View Texture Pack (E106+)
• Sounds and music updated (E158+) via Floris Mod Pack 2.5 (which I can't use fully as it's not save file compatible). See below:

Music (4 mods):

• Rejenorst Sound Design, Credit: rejenorst
• Utrehd's Music Pack v0.8, Credit: Utrehd and rejenorst
• Warband Live Music v1.0, Credit: CHUR
• Warband Live Music Remixes v1.0, Credit: rejenorst

Sounds (4 mods):

• Cries of War v3.0, Credit: Eisenhouwer
• More Metal Sound Mod V2.2, Credit: Checkmaty
• Official Vocals Sound Pack v7.0, Credit: rejenorst
• Sounds of Suffer v0.8, Credit: __Khanate__

IF you have ANY question about the mods (how to use them, what they do)
GOTO TaleWorlds forums (mod specific links above)

p.s. As said above - If you're thinking about starting to use the same mods, I recommend using the Floris Expanded Mod Pack instead (or the basic/gameplay version if your machine can't run the expanded - it's the same download and installer). It has it all, including Diplomacy and PBOD, and much much more. One install, super simple.

About Mount & Blade: Warband

Mount & Blade: Warband is a sequel to the award winning Mount & Blade, a mediaval mounted combat game taking place in a fictitious land named Calradia.

The game combines an open-ended sandbox, free-forming game play with action/tactics/RPG elements, and has by far the best mounted combat in any game.

Mount & Blade: Warband is available via its developers website (TaleWorlds), via Steam, and also via Amazon (buying the game via these links will support me, so I thank you for the support if you do):

Mount & Blade: Warband (Amazon):

Click here for all episodes of this Warband LP
Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Mount & Blade Let's Play Episode 10 - Super Special Highlight Reel

Super special Mount & Play Let's Play highlight reel extravaganza, in celebration of the 10th episode.

After the M&B LP Episode 9, I played for about 4-5 hours, but then lost some footage to a crash.

Plus I didn't do so well and the audio quality was quite bad, thus I didn't feel like posting 30 crappy episodes, but instead I salvaged what I could, and made this montage of the journey.

Enjoy!



YouTube (HD):
Mount & Blade Let's Play E010 - Super Special Highlight Reel Episode

Watch all episodes on YouTube (HD):
Mount & Blade Let's Play Series Playlist

p.s. After this tenth episode, it was the time to move into Mount & Blade: Warband! I went and bought it as it improves the original game so much + I can finally have my own kingdom! Watch all episodes in YouTube (HD): Mount & Blade: Warband Let's Play - Violet's Tale

Was Buying a Game From Steam a Mistake? - At Least Their Error Messages Could Use Some Improvements!

Mt first experience with Steam didn't go so well.

When I buy downloadable content online, whether it's an information product or a game, I buy it online because it's fast. I want to play the game right away.

Unfortunately this didn't happen with Steam. Or it didn't happen because the system didn't clearly tell me what was wrong. (basic usability and error management for software).

I bought Mount & Blade: Warband because I *really* wanted to play it today (to continue my Mount & Blade Let's Play Series with the newer game).

I had couple of hours for gaming, so I was excited that I could buy and download the game and be playing within minutes...

Or so I thought :(

Game Activation Failure?

Purchasing OK. Installs OK. "Ready To Play" OK.

Click 'play the game'...

Error message says:
#SteamUI_JoinDialog_KeyRequestPending_Text

Is that's supposed to tell me what's wrong? That's supposed to tell me what to do?

How about explaining in clear English what's wrong... And what me as a customer should do.

How about contact support button? How about sending a support request from the Steam tool itself (with all the technical info required right there, and quite probably in the logs of the software as well).

All very basic user interface and eCommerce design.

But noooo - support site was separate from Steam.

Had to register separate support account to even make a ticket. And copy-paste-write all the technical stuff there, and that weird error message too. And after four and a half hours and I haven't had an answer from the support.

I was frustrated.

I'd never had online purchase fail like this.

-BUT-

It wasn't actually a fail in Steam directly...

It was a support failure.

A user interface / error message failure from Steam.

After extensive search I found out that the problem might be in my computer (even that everything else worked for Steam).

It took a long time, because I could not find anything relevant from support site with the error message "SteamUI_JoinDialog_KeyRequestPending_Text":

0 Articles Matched Your Search: "SteamUI_JoinDialog_KeyRequestPending_Text"

How can a support site not list an answer to an error message in the system?

Anyway...

I did find help with "key server"...

Failed to Contact Key Server.

Apparently Steam tried to connect to a "key server". Starting the game from other part of Steam, e.g. via website, it gave different error message:

Can't connect to key server

Don't you think that's a bit clearer message than the one I got first?

Why it didn't give me *that* error message to begin with?

Well, with the "key server" search I found the answer, or suggestion to check the firewall (and router) - So I checked my firewall and sure enough it was blocking Steams activation request.

This didn't occur to me as everything else was working, and my firewall didn't give a warning that new kind of connection was attempted.

After tweaking the firewall I got the game working.

All this could've been avoided if the error message would've been clearer (e.g. check your firewall). Or even that I'd seen "can't connect to key server".

All in all, Steam's system for support could (and should!) be much better. This happened because the error message was very cryptic and unclear + their support site's search did not bring me relevant results with the error message.

Mount & Blade Let's Play Series

All episodes of my Mount & Blade Let's Play Series:



Watch all episodes on YouTube (HD): Mount & Blade Let's Play Series Playlist

Leave feedback and suggestions on YouTube, here on the blog, or at VoltonArmy Forums Thread if you're a fellow LPer.

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This Let's Play is the original (older) Mount & Blade. The new version, Mount & Blade Warband has multiplayer and other goodies in it. I bought the original when it was in alpha/beta stage, it was self-published back then and I never got around to Warband, so this is partly nostalgia let's play :)

Third part in the series, (Mount & Blade) With Fire & Sword is coming out this year. The original and Warband are available via Steam, and Amazon is selling them as well:

• Mount & Blade on Amazon.com
• Mount & Blade: Warband on Amazon

Minecraft: The Story of Mojang

There's a Kickstarter campaign on-going to fund a feature-length documentary about Mojang, the creators of Minecraft. Watch the videos below for taste of things to come and visit http://www.tinyurl.com/minecraftdoc to learn more.

(Official) Minecraft: The Story of Mojang (Pt. 1/2) - Proof of Concept for Feature-Length



Watch the video in YouTube: Minecraft: The Story of Mojang (Pt. 1/2)

(Official) Minecraft: The Story of Mojang (Pt. 2/2) - Proof of Concept for Feature-Length



Watch the video in YouTube: Minecraft: The Story of Mojang (Pt. 1/2)

Over the past year, the computer game Minecraft has become a cultural phenomenon, drawing millions of players into the unique, low-res world created solely by Swedish programmer Markus "Notch" Persson. When Persson announced that he would invest his Minecraft earnings in founding his own development house, Mojang, 2 Player Productions seized upon the rare opportunity to fly to Stockholm and document the first week in the life of the new studio.

During the editing process of what was only supposed to be a twenty-minute short, it became clear that an important chapter of gaming history was still being written, and that a feature-length documentary about Mojang's first year would make a powerful statement about what it means to create, release, and play games in the twenty-first century.

For the first time, viewers will be given an in-depth look at both the triumphs and the challenges faced by a studio during their first year in existence. 2 Player will analyze the unprecedented success of Minecraft, gain insight into its impact from journalists and industry professionals, and meet the fans whose lives have been changed by the game.

Using the short as a proof-of-concept, 2 Player is turning to the revolutionary fundraising site Kickstarter.com to completely finance the film's production over the course of the next year. By sourcing the budget from the game's immense fanbase, it empowers the consumer to vote for content they want with their wallets and fosters a more direct relationship between themselves and the final product.

- 2 Player Productions, Minecraft: The Story of Mojang

To learn more about how you can help finance the production of a feature-length film to continue the story, please visit the Kickstarter campaign: http://www.tinyurl.com/minecraftdoc

Zemalf's (Un-)Adventures in Minecraft - Mundane Minecrafting

Minecraft gameplay with commentary. Mining, building and mundane Minecrafting ahead. Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey!

Mundane Minecrafting - Minecraft Let's Play



Find all the videos (HD 720p) here on the YouTube playlist:

Mundane Minecrafting - Minecraft Let's Play.

And subscribe to my YouTube channel here: TheZemalf @ YouTube.

How to get started and survive the first night in Minecraft

In this Minecraft tutorial, you'll learn how to get started in Minecraft and what you should do in the first day.

You have about 10 minutes before the sun goes down and the darkness comes. Before that you want to build a shelter and create torches to get light.

Click here to watch the tutorial video in YouTube (HD): How to Get Started in Minecraft (Like a Pro!)

• collect wood by hitting the trees
• collect about 20 wooden blocks
• save 6 wooden blocks and turn the rest into planks
• build a workbench
• turn some planks into wooden sticks
• use the sticks and 3 planks to create a wooden pickaxe
• find a hillside and start digging yourself a simple shelter
• use the pickaxe to get stone
• use the stone to create furnace
• and use wooden planks as the fuel in the furnace to burn wooden blocks into charcoal
• turn some wooden planks into sticks
• combine the sticks with the charcoal into torches
• use the torches to light up your shelter and the surroundings
• and finally, use 6 wooden planks to create a door for your shelter and place the door from outside in for maximum security.

When the sun goes down - get in your shelter, close the door and use the nighttime to craft tools in preparation for the next day and start mining a bit.

If you liked the tutorial and want to see more, subscribe to my YouTube channel and this blog.