# The Game Room **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=412 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 413 --- ## [Shaquille O'Neal retires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaquille-oneal-retires/584000)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shaquille-oneal-retires/584000 "2011-06-03T18:24:59Z")
Link Well, he’s one player who I have followed for his entire career. He’ll be missed. --- ## [Punchlines Only, Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punchlines-only-please/583272)
**Author:** [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punchlines-only-please/583272 "2011-06-03T18:18:05Z")
“If I could walk that way, I wouldn’t need the talcum powder!” --- ## [Dallas vs Miami today. Why no foul?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dallas-vs-miami-today-why-no-foul/584190)
**Author:** [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2011, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dallas-vs-miami-today-why-no-foul/584190 "2011-06-03T15:20:50Z")
I happened to drop into the TABnear work at lunchtime at the end of this game. You can watch but most of the TVs are pumping out racing coverage, so no commentary. The Heat have Chalmers take an unguarded 3 to draw leve… --- ## [Pokemon Black and White](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pokemon-black-and-white/573753 "2011-06-03T13:38:21Z")
So we have just returned from a weekend trip to New York. To see a musical? An opera at the Met? An exhibit at MOMA? No, no. The release of Pokemon Black and White, and a chance to buy the game a day early. Bricker Jr w… --- ## [Prisoners forced to farm gold in online games..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-forced-to-farm-gold-in-online-games/583364)
**Author:** [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-forced-to-farm-gold-in-online-games/583364 "2011-06-02T23:07:20Z")
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/25/china-prisoners-internet-gaming-scam WoW, that is just surreal. --- ## [Your favorite and least favorite conferences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-and-least-favorite-conferences/583794)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-and-least-favorite-conferences/583794 "2011-06-02T19:23:35Z")
Outside of the conference your alma mater plays in or is based in your area, which college conferences do you like or dislike? And why? Outside of the Pac-10 or West Coast Conference, the conference I like the most is … --- ## [Which is easier](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-easier/580501)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-easier/580501 "2011-06-02T17:19:22Z")
explaining cricket to an American, or baseball to a Brit? I’m an American FWIW. --- ## [Pavel Bure in the hockey hall of fame? I vote yes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pavel-bure-in-the-hockey-hall-of-fame-i-vote-yes/583735)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pavel-bure-in-the-hockey-hall-of-fame-i-vote-yes/583735 "2011-06-02T15:31:39Z")
Good story here. Yes, Bure was injured more than I’d like. I agree with the above article that he was the most exciting hockey player I’ve ever seen. I’m usually a goalie fan, but watching Bure was an amazing experience… --- ## [Post the joke you posted the punchline for.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-the-joke-you-posted-the-punchline-for/583970)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2011, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-the-joke-you-posted-the-punchline-for/583970 "2011-06-02T09:03:07Z")
A couple of people asked for this thread, so I figured, why not just start it? - Do not post a joke here if you haven’t already posted the punchline in this thread. Thank you. --- ## [Atari shedding Cryptic Studios](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atari-shedding-cryptic-studios/582282)
**Author:** [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atari-shedding-cryptic-studios/582282 "2011-06-02T00:00:07Z")
After continuing losses, Atari is selling off Cryptic Studios, the makers of Champions Online & Star Trek Online. For 2010/2011, Cryptic had losses of $7.5 million; better than the $17 million losses of the previous yea… --- ## [MLB: May 2011](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2011/580379)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 273\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2011/580379 "2011-06-01T23:17:15Z")
Yanks are rolling along. The offense is relying heavily on the long ball but most of the team is beginning to hit now. Hughes is on the DL and no one knows for how long but Garcia and Colon are making this a lot less … --- ## [FIFA World Cup Hosts 2018/2022](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-hosts-2018-2022/562652)
**Author:** [@mittu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mittu)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2011, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-world-cup-hosts-2018-2022/562652 "2011-06-01T21:45:33Z")
Who’s going to get them? Final presentations are being made at the moment. In the running: Host 2018: Netherlands-Belgium Spain-Portugal England Russia Host 2022: Australia South Korea Qatar USA Japan Ideall… --- ## [What is the most difficult sport to figure out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-difficult-sport-to-figure-out/582333)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-difficult-sport-to-figure-out/582333 "2011-06-01T20:45:54Z")
Back in the early days of satellite TV I liked to find totally unfamiliar sports on the foreign channels and see if I could figure out the rules just by watching (I watched with the sound off, as the commentary was eithe… --- ## [No Indy 500 thread? I'm glad I stuck it out.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-indy-500-thread-im-glad-i-stuck-it-out/583724)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-indy-500-thread-im-glad-i-stuck-it-out/583724 "2011-06-01T17:50:16Z")
OK, the telecast was almost unwatchable. It was one long string of ads. Mushheadburger just added to the crappy telecast. At least it was in HD. Although I didn’t start watching from the beginning, I almost turned it of… --- ## [My new game idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-game-idea/581913)
**Author:** [@FarmerChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChuck)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-game-idea/581913 "2011-06-01T13:58:32Z")
Ok, so just like most i grew up on command and conquer, starcraft etc etc… Then i discoverd diablo and i liked that… but the grinding aspect kinda wore on me. Then Halo came and playing the library on legendary kept me a… --- ## [Champions League: Man U v Barca](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/champions-league-man-u-v-barca/583287)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2011, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/champions-league-man-u-v-barca/583287 "2011-06-01T09:13:37Z")
SDMB soccer enthusiasts, I’m considering placing a small bet on the CL Final on Saturday. While I’m not a huge soccer fan, I have seen Man U play about 5 times this year, and Barca around 10 times. IMHO, Barcelona is s… --- ## [Anyone Still Enjoy Microsoft's Flight Simulator X?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-still-enjoy-microsofts-flight-simulator-x/583900)
**Author:** [@minkyhaha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minkyhaha)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2011, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-still-enjoy-microsofts-flight-simulator-x/583900 "2011-05-31T23:24:19Z")
Is is worth buying now, even though is what, seven years old or so? Is there a better/newer alternative? I’ve scoured a few game review websites and it doesn’t look like any well-regarded flight simulators have been re… --- ## [NASCAR Fantasy Racing on Yahoo 2011](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nascar-fantasy-racing-on-yahoo-2011/569811)
**Author:** [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nascar-fantasy-racing-on-yahoo-2011/569811 "2011-05-31T18:04:54Z")
It’s that time again, folks. I will set up the league later this week if nobody else wishes to. So oldtimers and newbies alike- Let’s go racing. --- ## [Any tennis players here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tennis-players-here/583850)
**Author:** [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-tennis-players-here/583850 "2011-05-31T14:33:20Z")
Any tennis players on the SDMB? I’ve played most of my life. I am in a 4.0 USTA league right now. Have played 4.5 before. But everyone in my area tries to play as low level as possible in order to win. It’s pretty insan… --- ## [Does parity matter to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-parity-matter-to-you/583793)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-parity-matter-to-you/583793 "2011-05-31T14:02:54Z")
I was reading a story about the English Premier League that stated only four teams have won a league title in 20 years. That suprised me because in the US it seems to be a given that not having numerous teams being able… --- ## [Civ 5 Graphics Query](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civ-5-graphics-query/583653)
**Author:** [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2011, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civ-5-graphics-query/583653 "2011-05-31T12:24:51Z")
I have noticed in the game (noticeably towards the end game) that I tend to have a problem with graphics. It is as if the outline of a city has been placed on the screen as a transfer and as you scroll around the map th… --- ## [Help me with trivia questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-trivia-questions/582363)
**Author:** [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2011, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-trivia-questions/582363 "2011-05-31T08:46:43Z")
I am hosting a live trivia game.Help me come up with some general knowledge questions. Thanks --- ## [I pit the New York Times Sunday crossword](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-new-york-times-sunday-crossword/583084)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-new-york-times-sunday-crossword/583084 "2011-05-30T21:38:49Z")
Clue: One keeping a watch on someone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . You know, you can put this shit in the middle of the puzzle somewhere …fine. But 1 Across? Fuck you! I’ll hate you from this day forward. Ma… --- ## [Bo-Taoshi (Pole Toppling)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-taoshi-pole-toppling/582540)
**Author:** [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2011, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-taoshi-pole-toppling/582540 "2011-05-30T13:08:03Z")
I want to go back to college so I can start an intramural league of this. --- ## [Nominations / discussion for new game - Epic Song Madness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nominations-discussion-for-new-game-epic-song-madness/582900)
**Author:** [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2011, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nominations-discussion-for-new-game-epic-song-madness/582900 "2011-05-30T07:04:18Z")
I’ve held a couple of these games before - Led Zeppelin Madness, AC/DC Madness, Wack Pack Madness (best to forget that one). I want to find out what would win a competition between “Epic” type songs. These tend to be, … --- ## [Spoil the last third of Final Fantasy 13, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-last-third-of-final-fantasy-13-please/583189)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoil-the-last-third-of-final-fantasy-13-please/583189 "2011-05-29T16:50:39Z")
I bought and played this game extensively but have never been able to get past the second Barthandelus boss fight and have long since ceased trying. I know the story up until then, and I did read the ending of the story … --- ## [Make civ5 better! settlers suck!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-civ5-better-settlers-suck/583388)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2011, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-civ5-better-settlers-suck/583388 "2011-05-28T22:18:09Z")
I think the price of settling a new city is outrageously high. New cities slow the rate at which you gain new policies, drastically increase unhappiness, and make it much more difficult to build national wonders. On top… --- ## [Chinese prisoners used as slave labor--Gold farming in WOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-prisoners-used-as-slave-labor-gold-farming-in-wow/583483)
**Author:** [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-prisoners-used-as-slave-labor-gold-farming-in-wow/583483 "2011-05-28T01:31:56Z")
I guess this story, while bizarre, shouldn’t be much of a suprise. Goldfarming and prison labor. Two great tastes that taste great together. Full story here: --- ## [Astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astro/583455)
**Author:** [@mla1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mla1)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astro/583455 "2011-05-27T23:47:57Z")
How cheap is a hockey Astro in South Africa? --- ## [2011 American Idol Pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-american-idol-pool/573347)
**Author:** [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2011, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-american-idol-pool/573347 "2011-05-27T13:42:05Z")
It’s Idol pool time again! Go to http://www.funofficepools.com/ Pool Name: SDMB 2011 AI Pool Pool password: cecil Boo for them effing with the format so much that now we’re not nearly as familiar with the Top 12 (13?… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=411) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=413)