Sientir's Blog

The Ninth Commandment prohibits the giving of false testimony. This isn't just about lying—it's about trying to twist and distort justice. I believe that this episode demonstrates how the Bible addresses many of the issues we're facing today online, especially with social media. Come check it out! Join my Discord Server: https://discord.gg/s6ajzsg Support me at https://www.patreon.com/Sientir

In the first Guild Chat video for this week, I compare commuting to video games. It definitely deserves the title of "The Worst Video Game" in my opinion! In the second video, I talk about some of the mechanics of capitalism. I try to do this from a game designer's perspective, but I might wander a bit on that over the course of it. The consequence of not using a script, I suppose. Still, I hope you find it interesting. Direct video links: Commuting: The Worst Video Game - https://youtu.be/Jty3M9HVPow Capitalism and Incentive Systems - https://youtu.be/9fUWaXnvPV8

Time to start a new game for the Let's Play series! I'm finally getting around to playing Hollow Knight, for my first time. I'm liking it so far! Direct video links: Let's Play Hollow Knight Ep. 1: It Begins - https://youtu.be/ZMi3UukotZE Let's Play Hollow Knight Ep. 2: False Knight - https://youtu.be/GkXiWDQ-TbY Let's Play Hollow Knight Ep. 3: False Knight Round 2 - https://youtu.be/EUyfPQRmJOA Let's Play Hollow Knight Ep. 4: Lost in the Garden - https://youtu.be/M-TU_VeBcZo Let's Play Hollow Knight Ep. 5: Hornet - https://youtu.be/5Ttp3mqQ3VE

This episode is about the Eighth Commandment, which prohibits theft. In it, I talk about some of the less direct ways that people might commit theft. I also talk about taxes and digital piracy, which are relevant to this topic. Join my Discord Server: https://discord.gg/s6ajzsg Support me at https://www.patreon.com/Sientir

In the first of these, I talk about my annoyance with super powers that only manifest when the plot wants them, and thus get used in an unrealistic way. I also delve some into hard and soft magic, which is an important related concept. In the second video, I talk about the incredible depths of each person's humanity. This is an important subject, I believe, and I'm hoping that this video can help people to view each other as the full and complete human beings we each are. Direct video links: Forgetting The Force—Unless the plot wants to use it - https://youtu.be/7yobFYrBQuY You are you & I am me - https://youtu.be/00IcOxG2024

This is the last week of Stellaris, as I basically reached the end of the game of it that I was playing. At least, I feel like I hit an inevitability point where I would mostly be waiting for the timer to run out and for me to be declared the victor. I could be missing something, but if I'm not, I don't think waiting for that makes for good viewing, so I decided to end it where I did. The last episode contains my thoughts on my experience with the game, so if you're interested in those specifically, you can hear them there! Direct video links: Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 30: Growing Tall - https://youtu.be/6Iwgy-joj_4 Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 31: Taking the Lead - https://youtu.be/YPQMuhC6qxs Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 32: Shrinking the Galaxy - https://youtu.be/8_5RvlhJjGU Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 33: Inevitability Sets In - https://youtu.be/dl4k0_HADIg Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 34: Finale - https://youtu.be/Mhvi6sC9Uyc

There are two races in Guild Wars: Prophecies that are strangely similar in structure. These two races are presented as spellcasters, rather than physical attackers. But let me back up and go over some of the simple structure of the game, for those who are unfamiliar with it. The very first Guild Wars game, later subtitled "Prophecies," was released in 2005 and is a sort of online RPG. It has six classes, called "professions," because why not. Of these six, four were spellcasters: Mesmer (a sort of disruptive caster), Necromancer, Monk (the healing class—analogous to priests in other games), and Elementalists (basically a black mage). The other two professions were physically oriented professions: Rangers (bow users) and Warriors (could use swords, hammers, and axes). Every character in the game has a profession. You can technically use two at once, a primary profession and a secondary profession, but in the base game, this wasn't really used much on enemi

This episode is on the Seventh Commandment, which prohibits adultery. As such, this episode talks a lot about sexual relationships, marriage, and lust. The episode on the 1st & 2nd Commandments:  https://youtu.be/-HgpBX90ks0 Join my Discord Server: https://discord.gg/s6ajzsg Support me at https://www.patreon.com/Sientir

Worldbuilding Thoughts is a new Guild Chat feature that will appear irregularly. I love worldbuilding, so it makes sense to talk about some of my thoughts regarding it. This idea was spawned with what is more or less a two-parter on deities and religion. This pair of episodes was originally inspired by thoughts I'd had about the way faith appears in games, but it grew from that seed idea into something that I think is greater. I hope you all enjoy it! Direct video links: Worldbuilding Thoughts: Deities - https://youtu.be/JXMiwZ-Fn7M Worldbuilding Thoughts: Religion - https://youtu.be/7QFbcrGEOsQ

I had some long episodes this week because I was having so much fun playing that I lost track of time! Probably a good sign. Anyway, this week I found the last remaining empire that I hadn't previously had contact with. I don't think they like me much. I don't think they like anyone much, honestly. I also develop some really useful technologies and spend a lot of time on upgrading my empire and planets and such. Direct video links: Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 25: Deficits Galore - https://youtu.be/kY803SmRYr8 Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 26: Wormholes, ho! - https://youtu.be/FGsTiZWH-Dg Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 27: Business as Usual - https://youtu.be/V9A5POHZ-EE Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 28: Involuntary Expansion - https://youtu.be/xQH_ldZXDls Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 29: Planetary Development - https://youtu.be/SykoLjX0JzY

In this episode, I talk about the Sixth Commandment, which prohibits murder. While that is very straightforward in-and-of itself, I think there's a lot to learn by looking at the line between murder and killing. I do that in this episode by examining what things the Bible indicates are killings, but not murders—which leaves everything else as murders. Join my Discord Server: https://discord.gg/s6ajzsg Support me at https://www.patreon.com/Sientir

In the first Guild Chat of this week, I talk about a pet peeve of mine: when people use "cussing," "cursing," and "swearing" as synonyms. I go into the differences in that video. In the second video, I talk about why I think the way memory works is responsible for the perception that time passes more quickly as we get older. Direct video links: Cussing, Cursing, and Swearing - https://youtu.be/MhzYLzk4zTc Memory and the Perception of Time - https://youtu.be/GZAsM-2pxRo

I had several lengthier episodes this week, as I really got absorbed in playing and lost track of time. Which is a sign that I'm having a ton of fun with this game! Aside from continuing to expand my empire (and holding off the Larongo—again), a couple of significant things occurred. The first is a new sapient species has joined my empire, a type of fungus being. Their ability to effectively colonize arid planets is most welcome. I also have begun helping a gas giant dwelling species with settlement efforts. I'm curious to see where that goes. And finally, I make a bid to reclaim Tatooine from the titanic lifeforms that had taken it over. If you want to know how that goes, watch the last episode. ;) Direct video links: Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 20: Empire Management - https://youtu.be/8958HAa-ti4 Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 21: Fungus Friends! - https://youtu.be/ZKQxeqw3Blc Let's Learn Stellaris Ep. 22: Impregnable Defense - https://youtu.be/SuhnS5v671w Let&