I 2nd the SSD recommendation. Cinematics plays much smoother and load super fast compared to a HDD.

Wow, you did a lot! I hope it works better too.

I optimized my drives today but it only took a couple seconds which surprised me. I was thinking it wasn't working right. I did a search and a SSD doesn't need to be defragmented because it writes files back to the same location, whereas a HDD doesn't. The only thing that optimizing a SSD does is consolidate free space.

If you don't have a second drive in your computer, then you can get a 1 TB internal SSD for as low as $39.99 at Best Buy. Make sure to get the correct interface (SATA or PCIe). You can get an external 1 TB SSD for as low as $54.99 (USB-A or USB-C). Some have both connectors. I''ll never go back to HDD after switching to SSD. It makes a big difference for gaming.

I spent some time today cleaning up my computer. Below are the steps I took

disabled fast startup. Apparently this can cause the startup to be slower than normal for some reason
defragged the hard drive. Only 4% was fragmented before and after
Adjusted the paging file settings. They were higher than recommended before
updated the graphics drivers. There was a new update from 9/12/2023
Disabled a couple of startup programs
Uninstalled some software and games I haven't used for a while
Cleared the cache from all web browsers
Ran "CHKDSK c:" found no errors
Ran "SFC /SCANNOW" found some errors and fixed some system files

So far, it seems to be running a better. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it works better next Saturday

Glad you figured that out. Hope it helps

I had something strange happen with my internet for 2 days. At first I thought it was Comcast, then I thought it was my modem. It was connecting to the internet for 10 seconds and disconnecting for 2 minutes. It kept repeating this pattern. The problem was I used a splitter to connect both my cable box and modem to the same wall outlet. I didn't have a problem with this setup for 5 1/2 years. I moved my modem and router to an outlet next to my computer. My computer has a much better signal now. Maybe the splitter and modem/router location was causing the lag in Space Hulk: Deathwing because I was the host.

That's good. I hope it's fixed. Lag and stutter are annoying.

Thanks. I'm keeping this handy. My router is only a few feet from my laptop in my office which is pretty central in the house. I tested the speeds plugged in and on wireless and they are both about the same. Since Sunday morning, it has been good so hopefully they fixed the issue

If you use a wi-fi router, then the first thing you should do is plug your computer directly into the router. If the speed stops flucuating wildly, then the location of the router could be the problem. Obstacles, such as walls or objects, or other signals, such as radios and microwaves, could interfere with the wi-fi signal. If the location isn't the problem, then the article I posted has other possibilities.

Internet Speed Fluctuates Wildly: Causes and Effective Solutions - https://www.onecomputerguy.com/internet-speed-fluctuates-wildly/

I use the Game Booster at the top and Auto-Boost.

This could help with game performance. https://www.razer.com/cortex

The Steam chat has a voice chat too.

It looks like the co-op mod works as long as you don't have too many other mods installed. In the article, the users had this mod and the alternate start mod installed, so instead of them all going through Helgen with the dragon, they all start at a random spot in the world as a prisoner, thief, guard, etc and then had to find each other. I don't think other players have map indicators, so it takes some communication. Also, since there isn't a built in chat, I think they opened a private Discord chat room to talk to each other

Cool.

Cool! We should try it some time.

There was a co-op mod for Skyrim released recently, although it's a little buggy.
https://www.pcgamer.com/co-op-skyrim-is-finally-real-and-works-almost-exactly-how-i-hoped/

That's good to know

Also, from what I read, the cost to go up in Infamy is $200 million for Infamy levels 1-5, although I thought the first one cost only $100 million. After that, it sounds like there's no cost and we get to keep our spending cash too.

From what I understand from what I read, gaining Infamy pool XP only happens at reputation level 100. Going up in Infamy requires 30 million XP earned at reputation level 100. Otherwise, it's 23 million XP to go up in Infamy and reset to reputation level 0. Any XP in the Infamy pool will still count when going back to reputation level 0. I think I had 1.3 million XP. The first time going up in Infamy using the Infamy pool XP seems to require 53 million XP (23 million to reach reputation level 100 and 30 million at reputation level 100). After that, it would be 30 million because we would already be at reputation level 100. Also, if we carried over 3 million XP each time we reset, then after 10 resets we would have enough Infamy pool XP to go up 1 additional Infamy without resetting. I think it's better to reset back to reputation level 0 as long as we do easier jobs at first. We've already done it 3 times and we leveled up fast.

I forgot to mention that the 2nd and 3rd voice samples were from the movie Reservoir Dogs. I didn't recognize the 1st sample. I looked it up and it's from Pulp Fiction. Also, Scooby Snack became slang for Valium, which I didn't know.

LOL

This is our Payday 2 theme song. LOL. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEMjF2n3-SQ

Thank you!

Happy Birthday Steve!

Thank you!

Happy Birthday Steve!

I was really late too

I forgot about Adam's birthday. Happy very belated birthday!

Regarding fall damage on hay bales, I just read that the block immediately above the hay bale needs to be air, so the bottom rung of the ladder cannot touch it.

Here's a link to the official developer diary for Alpha 17. The first post contains a bunch of links to the developer notes plus some video links. The second post has A17 feature list and the A17 Changes and Fixes list.

https://7daystodie.com/forums/showthread.php?74084-Developer-Diary-Alpha-17

I wish you could turn off the markings on the compass. More icons for the map would be nice too. I like how Rising World handles the compass and map. You don't start with either and have to find resources to make them. That makes the beginning of the game a lot more interesting since you have to learn the landmarks and track the direction of the sun.

I'm with Michael. I wish 7DTD didn't have the auto-markings on the compass.

That live action trailer for 7D2D was pretty good.

I'm glad you listed the maps here where they won't disappear like in chat.

A couple more maps I found we could try out if you want.
Reverse Blood Harvest L4D2
Highway to Hell
Day Break (Campaign)

Happy Belated Birthday Steve!

Happy belated birthday, Steve!

Looking forward to it!

I'll remove all player models instead of just unchecked them. That seems to be the main cause of issues for Deadenator.

I started Deadenator on a SP game and I was able to get out of the plane. I stopped playing as soon as I was on the ground. I don't know why it didn't work for us in MP.

Yeah, map memory would make it better. In my SP games, I put my bedroll down where I start the game just to see how far away I build my base. I don't put one in my base, which means I have to remember where it is. It can get scary not being able to find my base near nightfall. It would make the beginning scarier in MP games. We would have to use landmarks to describe where we are, but even then, there's many bodies of water, mountains, cities, traders, etc. We would know direction because of the sun though. More than likely we won't find each other for weeks because we'll be too busy trying to survive.

One feature I like is that you don't start with a map or compass. you have to learn some skills and collect some items before you can craft them. thus would be a welcome feature in 7DTD as it makes exploring more of a skill since you can easily get lost.

Rising World is pretty fun. It's more relaxing than 7DTD and doesn't have many antagonists yet other than the damn bears and gravity but they are working on good and bad NPCs. Crafting is similar to 7DTD but has some nice refinements with the categories and is more immersive. for example, if you want to smelt some iron ore, you have to place each piece in a space in the smelter and then pick them up when it's done. There is limited space in the forge too. food can be burnt when cooking and there aren't any timers. Scenery is beautiful but there aren't very many buildings so far.

The Deadenator campaign sounds interesting and is available on Steam. Each player starts in a different spot

Cool!

Here's a good list of some of the best L4D2 Campaigns.
https://v1.steam.hlxgame.cc/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=625654184

My subscription keeps getting unchecked. I just now saw the last page of comments.

Overkill (Pay Day 2 developers) are developing a new 4 player co-op game based on The Walking Dead!
https://www.overkillsthewalkingdead.com/

I found some of the confirmed changes for A17, which is still a ways away.
New guns and gun system: instead of piecing together parts, guns will be fully assembled and will be upgraded with with accessories
New vehicle physics
New motorcycle
Bicycle
New player animations captured with motion capture.
A few dozen new POI's including several new houses with more of a dungeon crawl feel.