# The Game Room **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=145 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 146 --- ## [Marc Laidlaw just released his synopsis for Half-life 2 Episode 3](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marc-laidlaw-just-released-his-synopsis-for-half-life-2-episode-3/794634)
**Author:** [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marc-laidlaw-just-released-his-synopsis-for-half-life-2-episode-3/794634 "2017-08-25T13:17:52Z")
Marc Laidlaw, if you’re not aware, was the lead writer for the Half-Life series and left Valve last year. It’s written in a form of a letter where Gordon Freeman describes what happened after the death Eli Vance. I think… --- ## [Went to the strangest baseball game I've ever been to this weekend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-strangest-baseball-game-ive-ever-been-to-this-weekend/792034)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-strangest-baseball-game-ive-ever-been-to-this-weekend/792034 "2017-08-24T16:17:02Z")
This is about as MPSIMS as you’ll find in the Game Room, but I figured it’s more Game-y so I’ll put it here. A couple weeks ago I saw the news that Tim Tebow was promoted from the Florida League to the still Florida-bas… --- ## [Administrator (Windows 10)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/administrator-windows-10/794475)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/administrator-windows-10/794475 "2017-08-24T00:26:29Z")
I’ve bought a new computer with Windows 10. First I installed ‘Civ 4: Colonisation’ and played it. Then I loaded ‘Civilisation 4’, but when I try to run it I get the message: "Login as Administrator.’ I’m the only us… --- ## [Alternative scenarios for Tyson-Holyfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-scenarios-for-tyson-holyfield/794365)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-scenarios-for-tyson-holyfield/794365 "2017-08-23T23:36:34Z")
For those who don’t remember the exact circumstances of the first Tyson-Holyfield fight, 538.com reminds us today in an article about McGregor-Mayweather, that Holyfield was considered washed up and was a HUGE underdog h… --- ## [Size of billiard balls and queue balls with coin-op tables.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/size-of-billiard-balls-and-queue-balls-with-coin-op-tables/504229)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/size-of-billiard-balls-and-queue-balls-with-coin-op-tables/504229 "2017-08-22T19:10:47Z")
Many places in the US have a pool table where one puts in several quarters and gets the 15 colored balls and a queue ball. Upon pocketing a colored ball it is gone until one pay again. Upon a ‘scratch’ the queue ball i… --- ## [Strange play in yesterday's Cubs game--how was it scored?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-play-in-yesterdays-cubs-game-how-was-it-scored/794276)
**Author:** [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-play-in-yesterdays-cubs-game-how-was-it-scored/794276 "2017-08-22T12:48:24Z")
During the Cubs’ 10th-inning rally against Toronto yesterday, there was a play I’ve never seen before. Javier Baez struck out swinging on a pitch in the dirt, but he made it to first base because the Toronto catcher fai… --- ## [2017 PGA Majors Champions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-pga-majors-champions/793597)
**Author:** [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-pga-majors-champions/793597 "2017-08-19T16:20:59Z")
Sergio Garcia, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have what in common? Other than obvious answers like, they all play golf, won majors or dress funny, can you guess what it is? --- ## [Board games online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/board-games-online/794129)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2017, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/board-games-online/794129 "2017-08-20T23:39:05Z")
Bottom line is this: my wife and I enjoy playing board games (particularly the two-player variety, of course), but we’re often too lazy to be pulling out the games, going through the setup and—because too much time has a… --- ## ["The Witness" - playthrough thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-witness-playthrough-thread/790067)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-witness-playthrough-thread/790067 "2017-08-19T17:18:48Z")
As I mentioned in the Steam summer sale 2017 thread, I picked up a copy of “The Witness”. Spice Weasel is also playing, and suggested opening a thread so we can discuss as we play through. Mahaloth was also interested in… --- ## [Is this Neymar to PSG deal for real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-neymar-to-psg-deal-for-real/791935)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-neymar-to-psg-deal-for-real/791935 "2017-08-19T14:06:42Z")
I swear, 90% of soccer transfer news must be fake. But this ‘news’ about Neymar going to PSG seems to have some legs. Except that Neymar played a friendly for FC Barcelona yesterday and scored 2 amazing goals. Why wou… --- ## [Recommend a board game to me.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-board-game-to-me/790399)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-board-game-to-me/790399 "2017-08-18T12:57:18Z")
I’m looking for a table top board game for our family to play. We’ve burned through, and aged out of, Clue, Monopoly, and many of the old standards. Its me, my wife, and our 3 teenaged daughters. We’ve had a ton of fun … --- ## [How long can Usain Bolt remain fast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-usain-bolt-remain-fast/763191)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2017, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-usain-bolt-remain-fast/763191 "2017-08-17T23:48:39Z")
Let’s fast-forward 20 years or so, when Usain Bolt is around the age of 50. Assuming a healthy body, would he still be able to outrun the average 25-year old American with ease? What about when he gets to 55, 57 years … --- ## [Solitaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solitaire/793467)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2017, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solitaire/793467 "2017-08-17T15:20:32Z")
What am I doing wrong? What is the definition of ‘winning’ this game? I know how to play it but I am making wrong moves sometimes and running out of potential moves without undoing something. Anyone have any tips? --- ## [What happened to Angry Birds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-angry-birds/793691)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-angry-birds/793691 "2017-08-16T16:14:18Z")
I was sick last week and thought I’d play Angry Birds while laying in bed. What the heck happened to the original game? It’s a complete mess with tickets to play and only scoring points, not just destroying all the pigs… --- ## [Digital Distribution Summer Sales 2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-distribution-summer-sales-2017/788964)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2017, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-distribution-summer-sales-2017/788964 "2017-08-16T04:13:53Z")
Good Old Games started their summer sale a few days ago. Steam’s summer sale is rumored to begin in about a week. Uplay, origin, humble store and others will probably cover the same time frame. GOG is a good company and… --- ## [Bats and balls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bats-and-balls/793695)
**Author:** [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2017, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bats-and-balls/793695 "2017-08-16T01:27:27Z")
From this thread. Just bringing this comment to a place where I can comment. Now, now. That was a long time ago, and he did save baseball from the disastrous strike. Him and Sammy. Mostly him. --- ## [The rules concerning "bench clearing brawls" need to change. (Spoilers for "Last Chance U" season 1)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-concerning-bench-clearing-brawls-need-to-change-spoilers-for-last-chance-u-season-1/793039)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rules-concerning-bench-clearing-brawls-need-to-change-spoilers-for-last-chance-u-season-1/793039 "2017-08-14T00:57:19Z")
I’ve recently binge-watched Netflix’s “Last Chance U” about a Mississippi Junior College football team. I’ll spoiler exactly what happened but you’ll be able to get the gist of it from the rest of the post. Unfortunate… --- ## [NFL implementing new Helmets.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-implementing-new-helmets/793488)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-implementing-new-helmets/793488 "2017-08-13T23:29:44Z")
I’m impressed by the former players on the advisory board. Men like Jerry Rice, Tony Dorsett, Roger Staubach understand what changes needed to be made. Hopefully we’ll see these implemented for all levels of football. I… --- ## [What factors govern whether a 2D game should be vertical or horizontal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-govern-whether-a-2d-game-should-be-vertical-or-horizontal/793192)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-govern-whether-a-2d-game-should-be-vertical-or-horizontal/793192 "2017-08-13T17:25:22Z")
There are 2 types of 2D games, ones where you have a bird’s eye view and ones where you see a cutaway from the same altitude. What factors determine which direction is best? Also, shouldn’t there be a third kind of 2D g… --- ## [so did barclays financial save english football](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-did-barclays-financial-save-english-football/793457)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2017, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-did-barclays-financial-save-english-football/793457 "2017-08-13T11:12:35Z")
I was going to check my aunts Barclays card and I typed it wrong and got the uk site and they had this “aint we great” article on how after the soccer riots they saved major league football football I wondered how muc… --- ## [Games featuring Black Magic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-featuring-black-magic/790683)
**Author:** [@Oxijohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oxijohn)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2017, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-featuring-black-magic/790683 "2017-08-13T10:08:47Z")
Hi guys Ich am searching for games where you can use black magic. or play the evil sorcorer I was playing Dragon age earlier but I was a bit dispointed due to the fact that unsing black magic and making deals with deam… --- ## [ESPN: The Ocho!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-the-ocho/792714)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-the-ocho/792714 "2017-08-11T21:26:31Z")
For one night only! Coming to a TV near you! --- ## [SDMB Fantasy Football DYNASTY League: Year Eight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-fantasy-football-dynasty-league-year-eight/761259)
**Author:** [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Replies:** 672\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-fantasy-football-dynasty-league-year-eight/761259 "2017-08-10T18:29:05Z")
… AAAANNNND we’re back, for another fun-filled, historic, generation-defining season of the Straight Dope Message Board Dynasty League! I’m your (tardy) host & Commissioner, VarlosZ, here to act as a guide and mentor, sh… --- ## [The Opening Of Your Favorite Author's Undiscovered Novel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-opening-of-your-favorite-authors-undiscovered-novel/793148)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2017, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-opening-of-your-favorite-authors-undiscovered-novel/793148 "2017-08-10T01:03:04Z")
You lucky dog! While out for a pleasant summer drive last weekend, you stopped by an estate sale, and on impulse bought a steamer trunk for 99 cents. Inside, you’re amazed to find amidst the junk, the handwritten (or t… --- ## [Remember the good old days of video gaming, when you could just insert a game and play it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-good-old-days-of-video-gaming-when-you-could-just-insert-a-game-and-play-it/792964)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-good-old-days-of-video-gaming-when-you-could-just-insert-a-game-and-play-it/792964 "2017-08-08T18:40:28Z")
I still have my classic Nintendo systems, NES, SNES, and N64, and they still work. When I feel like reliving my childhood and teen years, I simply insert the game cartridge and flip the on switch. Almost instantly, the g… --- ## [What would an unrestricted single-seat race series look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-unrestricted-single-seat-race-series-look-like/792026)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-unrestricted-single-seat-race-series-look-like/792026 "2017-08-08T17:41:19Z")
I used to really enjoy watching the Formula 1 race series and even went to a couple of Grand Prix but lost interest mainly due to the increasing number of restrictive, and in my opinion nonsensical rules. Teams in F1 an… --- ## [Cricket: South Africa in England, 2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-south-africa-in-england-2017/790638)
**Author:** [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2017, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cricket-south-africa-in-england-2017/790638 "2017-08-07T09:21:24Z")
First day of Joe Root’s Test captaincy, and it’s looking remarkably like Cook’s captaincy so far. 49/3, 90/4 and then a recovery up to the close at 357/5. It would have been a different day if they’d caught Root with eit… --- ## [Should Kurt Warner go to the Hall of Fame?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-kurt-warner-go-to-the-hall-of-fame/473047)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2017, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-kurt-warner-go-to-the-hall-of-fame/473047 "2017-08-06T23:47:48Z")
I am a biased Arizona Cardinals fan. Is Kurt Warner a hall of fame quarterback? He was a great story in the early 2000s. Still, he’s spent a lot of his career as a backup. If he takes the Arizona Cardinals to the Sup… --- ## [The fastest man in the world, last year ends up third in 2017 World Athletics Championships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fastest-man-in-the-world-last-year-ends-up-third-in-2017-world-athletics-championships/792868 "2017-08-06T19:38:15Z")
Bolt was unbeatable for several years. He owned the 2016 Olympics. He was in third place at the 2017 World Athletics Championships. I suspect too many parties, too much booze and so on. Happens to nearly every athlete. … --- ## [MLB: July 2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2017/790373)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 303\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2017/790373 "2017-08-05T19:56:27Z")
It’s July, the Dodgers are leading the National League, the Giants are buried out in the swamps somewhere and all is right in the Land of Baseball. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=144) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=146)