# The Game Room **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=187 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 188 --- ## [Steam, does it have to be loaded to play a game bought there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-does-it-have-to-be-loaded-to-play-a-game-bought-there/744974)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-does-it-have-to-be-loaded-to-play-a-game-bought-there/744974 "2016-02-03T03:38:16Z")
There is a sim game that available, unfortunately it’s available on Steam. Last time I tried that, Steam wanted to load their program on my PC and log me into Styeam to use the game. I really didn’t have any need for… --- ## [No, Really: tiny electric motors inside the bike frames of professional cyclists.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-really-tiny-electric-motors-inside-the-bike-frames-of-professional-cyclists/744885)
**Author:** [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-really-tiny-electric-motors-inside-the-bike-frames-of-professional-cyclists/744885 "2016-02-02T16:33:24Z")
It sounded so far-out at first. Then, a few years ago it starting seeming possible, and now it is confirmed. Inside the bikes of one of the top contenders at the world cyclocross championships, no less. Cookson confirms… --- ## [Anyone else love the Command and Conquer series?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-love-the-command-and-conquer-series/744848)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-love-the-command-and-conquer-series/744848 "2016-02-02T15:15:23Z")
Hi SD, Just sharing love for Command and Conguer, Red Alert and Tiberian Sun, games which were pretty awesome back in the day. There was nothing quite like beating a difficult mission and getting rewarded with a movie … --- ## [The San Diego Raiders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-raiders/744152)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-raiders/744152 "2016-02-02T11:43:06Z")
Spanos (Owner, SD Chargers) wants to take his kids to LA and share a stadium with the Rams, or at least, that’s the rumor. That leaves San Diego teamless, at least that’s the rumor. Spanos says moving to LA is a good… --- ## [Are higher order derivatives relevant in pool?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-higher-order-derivatives-relevant-in-pool/744860)
**Author:** [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-higher-order-derivatives-relevant-in-pool/744860 "2016-02-02T03:26:48Z")
Consider the break: what is the importance of position, velocity, acceleration, jerk, snap, crackle and pop. Relatedly, why don’t pool players use MUCH heavier cues on the break? --- ## [Model ship builders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/model-ship-builders/744089)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/model-ship-builders/744089 "2016-02-01T22:34:18Z")
I am looking for some plans to build my grandson a container ship out of wood. I want the finished product to be somewhat realistic but more toy like. About 100th scale I am guessing. I found some plans on line but not e… --- ## [Getting lost in a cave in minecraft](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-lost-in-a-cave-in-minecraft/723440)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-lost-in-a-cave-in-minecraft/723440 "2016-02-01T21:08:55Z")
I I just started playing and was overjoyed to find a cave system full of iron and coal. Problem was I didn’t mark how I got down and couldn’t find the way out. I eventually died when I was mining and released a lava spil… --- ## [Bill Johnson dead at 55](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-johnson-dead-at-55/743926)
**Author:** [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-johnson-dead-at-55/743926 "2016-02-01T18:46:17Z")
Sad story after his 84 gold. --- ## [Death of a Championship Team](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-of-a-championship-team/744808)
**Author:** [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-of-a-championship-team/744808 "2016-02-01T17:49:04Z")
There have been various stories over the years of teams that have been killed while travelling to events. What would a professional league do if this happened on the way to the championship game? Would they cancel the … --- ## [Do you accept fictional or defunct answers in Scattergories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-accept-fictional-or-defunct-answers-in-scattergories/744489)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-accept-fictional-or-defunct-answers-in-scattergories/744489 "2016-01-30T16:19:10Z")
I was playing with my dad last night. For companies, I said “Datadyne” which is the evil empire from Perfect Dark. He said “DaimlerChrysler” which no longer exists. We argued about it and decided to not count either o… --- ## [So who wins the super bowl?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-wins-the-super-bowl/744624)
**Author:** [@davidlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidlee)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-wins-the-super-bowl/744624 "2016-01-29T23:33:17Z")
the panthers in a blowout!:smack::smack::smack::smack: --- ## [NFL Coaching carousel, who stays and who goes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-who-stays-and-who-goes/741921)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-coaching-carousel-who-stays-and-who-goes/741921 "2016-01-29T19:07:04Z")
It’s that time of the year with Black Monday approaching. Philadelphia, Tennessee, and Miami have already fired their coaches during the season. Here’s my list of coaching hot seats: Buffalo Bills-Rex Ryan gets anot… --- ## [NBA All Star Game Halftime Show: Sting!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-all-star-game-halftime-show-sting/744589)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-all-star-game-halftime-show-sting/744589 "2016-01-29T17:54:03Z")
The NBA’s All-Star game is taking place in Toronto soon, and to lay down some awesome jams during halftime, they’ve chosen… uhh… Sting? Like, mad props to Sting and The Police. I loved “Dream of the Blue Turtles” but t… --- ## [NFL Playoffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471)
**Author:** [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Replies:** 571\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2016, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471 "2016-01-28T06:24:42Z")
A whole thread for the NFL playoffs up to the Super Bowl. Saturday 1/9 KC -3.5 @ HOU PIT -3 @ CIN Sunday 1/10 SEA -5 @ MIN GB @ WAS -1 Strange that only 1 home team is favored in the wild card round, and them by o… --- ## [Fallout 4, Should I Get It?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fallout-4-should-i-get-it/744212)
**Author:** [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fallout-4-should-i-get-it/744212 "2016-01-27T22:12:02Z")
…for PS4, that is. I don’t have much of a gaming history, but I’ve been having a blast with GTA 5. I bought the PS4 solely for that reason, and I think it was worth it. I don’t play games online- just the story mode. I … --- ## [ID an early 2000s game?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-an-early-2000s-game/743675)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-an-early-2000s-game/743675 "2016-01-27T05:55:33Z")
My friend is trying to find this game, as yet with no luck. He describes it thus: Anyone familiar with the game? --- ## [Are there any video games where people agree the writing is good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-video-games-where-people-agree-the-writing-is-good/740750)
**Author:** [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-video-games-where-people-agree-the-writing-is-good/740750 "2016-01-27T02:26:27Z")
I was reading elsewhere about somebody’s recent forays into Skyrim years after everybody else and while they liked it they said the writing sucks. That’s something you get in almost any longer thread about any game that … --- ## [Question on teasers (gambling)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-teasers-gambling/744331)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-teasers-gambling/744331 "2016-01-27T01:38:35Z")
Let’s say that I think the Broncos are going to win the Super Bowl and win big. They are currently at +4. Most of the reading on teasers assumes that you want to buy point to give yourself more chance to win so I may b… --- ## [Does this FPS mod exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-fps-mod-exist/744218)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-fps-mod-exist/744218 "2016-01-26T23:42:41Z")
Last night, I dreamed that I was playing a first-person shooter (a bit odd already, since I very seldom play them in waking life, and not at all recently). The game in the dream was set in a relatively non-descript zone… --- ## [What is the best web site to host this year's Oscar Pool?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-web-site-to-host-this-years-oscar-pool/744131)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-web-site-to-host-this-years-oscar-pool/744131 "2016-01-26T22:25:26Z")
I’ve been running/setting-up the Oscar pool here on the site for quite a few years. I’ve always used Funofficepools.com to manage the pool, but they are not offering it this year. The nice things about funofficepools is… --- ## [Celebrity Death Pool 2015](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2015/705993)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 2280\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2015/705993 "2016-01-26T21:48:47Z")
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!! Well, here we go for 2015! I’m Baker, your Death Mistress, ready to wield the ceremonial scythe for another year. Please read the following rules for how to play and how to … --- ## [NYTimes: No evidence that Patriots deflated balls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nytimes-no-evidence-that-patriots-deflated-balls/744013)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nytimes-no-evidence-that-patriots-deflated-balls/744013 "2016-01-26T02:46:10Z")
I’ve largely stayed away from the whole Deflategate mess here so forgive me if this has already been mentioned. An article in the NYTimes cites various sources to say there’s no evidence that the balls were deflated. M… --- ## [ESPN is reporting no charges for FSU's Jameis Winston.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596 "2016-01-26T00:47:05Z")
A relief for FSU fans. In the future I hope this guy is more careful. Learn from the pro athletes and musicians. Have witnesses around that can verify the sex was consensual. It may be embarrassing to have friends in th… --- ## [Tennis match fixing allegations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-match-fixing-allegations/743483)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-match-fixing-allegations/743483 "2016-01-24T22:40:28Z")
Apparently several current and former players are implicated in it. Is there any fucking sport which is honest anymore. --- ## [NFL Network Super Bowl I rebroadcast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-network-super-bowl-i-rebroadcast/743622)
**Author:** [@jrbor76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrbor76)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-network-super-bowl-i-rebroadcast/743622 "2016-01-23T16:35:15Z")
So did anyone get the chance to watch the Super Bowl I rebroadcast last weekend? I would have myself but I had to work nights all weekend long. From what I gathered about it, the word “rebroadcast” is kind of a stretch … --- ## [Grand Mufti: Chess is the Work of Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-mufti-chess-is-the-work-of-satan/743891)
**Author:** [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2016, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-mufti-chess-is-the-work-of-satan/743891 "2016-01-23T03:54:54Z")
The article includes interesting picture of an almost-Staunton set where the King does not have a cross on top. Just the facts here, more commentary in the Pit. --- ## [Getting to First Base (As In A Baseball Game, Not Sex)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-to-first-base-as-in-a-baseball-game-not-sex/743794)
**Author:** [@twuest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twuest)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2016, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-to-first-base-as-in-a-baseball-game-not-sex/743794 "2016-01-22T21:04:12Z")
Ok, I asked this question of Cecil a few years ago, but it was never used in a SD column: Does it really take longer to get to first base when you slide head-first as opposed to running all the way? Every time I see thi… --- ## [2015 College Football Omnibus Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-college-football-omnibus-thread/729398)
**Author:** [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Replies:** 684\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-college-football-omnibus-thread/729398 "2016-01-22T19:20:48Z")
Didn’t see anyone else start one yet, so here we go! Excited for UW-Boise State, Bama-Wisconsin, hell excited for every single game! Anybody catch that NDSU - Montana game yesterday? Wonder how long Stitt will be at M… --- ## [PC Sales Decline Dramatically](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-sales-decline-dramatically/743061)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-sales-decline-dramatically/743061 "2016-01-22T18:59:55Z")
Link: IDC: PC sales drop to levels not seen since 2007 | Ars Technica The summary is what it says on the tin: PC sales are hella low right now. The question raised at the end of the article is interesting: will the Ocu… --- ## [Anyone want to get back into Diablo 3? New season/fresh start on 4/10](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-get-back-into-diablo-3-new-season-fresh-start-on-4-10/717029)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-get-back-into-diablo-3-new-season-fresh-start-on-4-10/717029 "2016-01-22T16:55:02Z")
Diablo 3 introduced a season system a while back. They run about 3 months, and if you choose to create a seasonal character, it’s basically a fresh start. You only play with other seasonal characters who are also startin… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=186) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=188)