SpacyAce2012

Don't mean to cut in on the conversation about VF wing structures. But I've been out of the loop for a while, and want to say that I like what I see on the previews. I can't wait to see the new series. But at the same time, for some odd reason, I can't shake this feeling of dread regarding this new series.

I'm thinking that was part of the problem after my little test on my domestic system. In any case, I purchased another Card and formatted it first (I didn't last time, like a dumbass). I'm having no problems now. I recently located a copy of SDF Macross for the PS2. I'm now confident that I can use my old Memory Cards for that game. Thanks for the responses, guys. And thank you TheLoneWolf for all your help. You guys are the greatest.

Actually, I haven't tried saving any other games with this console (I just got the thing to get my start in import gaming). Another thing is that it reads data saved from U.S. games on PS2 Memory Cards. And it read the U.S. AC3 data that I saved last night on my domestic system (I'm assuming it's that data, but the caption at the top of the screen was in Japanese, rather than in English like the PS2 Cards. And I have the language setting for the system in English). When I tried to play the JP version again today, if offered the "Download" option because that data was on the card. Of course, it won't download because of the difference in the games and region coding (if that was indeed the U.S. data). The card is definitely a Sony manufactured card. According to the seller on Amazon.com, it's a new card. Of course, there is no way to confirm this. It could still be a problem with the card. The real b**tch is that I don't know anyone with a PS1 Card, and it's hard to find them in local stores anymore. I ordered an imported (from Japan) card on E-bay. However, I'm beginning to have a sick feeling that it may be the console. "Hope for the best, expect the worst" as they say.

The problem is that it won't save at all. There was a record of my first attempt of a playthrough. But no actual individual saves were on the files. Only once did I have the option of "Downloading" or "Re-opening". However, when I went back later to play, the data wasn't there. It was asking me to set up a "new account". But the "record" was on the card, just not the saved data (individual mission files). Nor was there anything in the "blocks" (before you get to the "files"). The were just reading "Empty". There is something else. Whenever I went an checked the card on the Browser after a round of saving AC3(JP) data, it tells me the card is unformatted. To the best of my knowledge, it's not supposed to do that more than once. Unless the Japanese consoles are different. I tried the card in my domestic PS2, with AC3(US). It works fine. The saved files showed up. The only thing I can think of is that I'm not saving correctly. There are a few more steps to go thorough than on the U.S. version (I'm only guessing since I can't read Japanese). Plus, there are what appears to be save points between chapters (once again, I'm only guessing). I did play around with the save function (tried to figure it out by feel), and thought I had it licked. Apparently not, it seems. The console itself seems to work fine. And the game itself was in near-mint condition, and plays great. This is the only problem I've run into.

Not too long ago, I got a new Japanese PS2. I went through the trouble so I could play import Macross games. However, I'm currently playing AC3: Electrosphere on it. And I'm having trouble saving data. Do I need imported memory cards too? Or did I just buy a bum PS1 card? Thanks in advance.

May it go on another 25 years!

Happy Birthday,Macross! Long may it live! Huzzah!

And how is this wild supposition, bro? A lot can happen in 500,000 years. While I believe that your theory has validity (that they were another race that subverted the Zents), I feel that the Marduk (within the context of MII canon) had more connection to the Stellar Republic than most think. Odds are good that they were PCs. While there is a possibility that they were another PC "project" (like Humanity and the Zolans), it isn't among my top choices. Or, at least, that's my view supported by circumstantial evidence. The Marduk clearly used PC technology, and are well-versed with it. The fact that PC design concepts are followed to a "T", rather than OT being utilized in "native" design/engineering philosophies (like what was done with Human Overtechnology developments), indicates a close link to Protoculture civilization. If the Marduk were in the same boat as Mankind (or a non-related race that stumbled onto/given the technology), they had to possess a well developed/ established scientific base and tech industry to decipher it's secrets. Which means that it's far more likely that unique mecha/spacecraft would have been encountered, as opposed to obvious evolutionary development of Zentreadi systems. Sure, they may have had a Zentreadi flavor (like some Human VF designs), but that strong non-Zentreadi element would have been there. In Macross II the only "unique" flavor mecha we saw was the Gilgamesh power armors. Another thing to take into account, is the fact we have no hard info on the governmental structure of the Stellar Republic. For all we know, a dynastic government may have existed. Or one where there was a monarchy, but it was largely a figurehead at that time (similar to the U.K. or Japan). Possibilities (from my POV) include: 1- A surviving "militant faction" of the Stellar Republic that evolved a unique culture over the centuries. At some point, their control over the Zentreadi (possibly decendants of SR troops that fought alongside them during the war) became extreme. We know that the rebelling factions put aside their differences with the PC national government, and joined the efforts against the Supervision Army and the Protodevlin. The use of song as a weapon, and means of control, harkens back to the Anima Spiritia. It isn't inconceivable that Anima Spiritia could be twisted to serve a vile purpose, which is what the Marduk seem to do. Plus, we don't know what the agendas of these militant groups were in those days. For all we know, the Marduk faction may have been a group of super fascists or fanatical monarchists. That would explain their social structure in Macross II. In any case, this is my pet theory. 2-The Marduk were another race whose ancestors were "tinkered" with by the PC. And like Humanity, they gained OT at some point in history (since the fall of the Republic). I consider this to be only a fair possibility. The similarities in engineering are too close in my opinion. Of course, the Marduk may have simply played the "copy cat" for the sake of practicality, and simply improved upon these "knock off" designs over time. But their native tech level would have been much higher than Earth's (at the end of the 20th Century) to straight-up mimic Protoculture engineering principles from the get-go. Of course, if the Marduk were genetically "tampered" with much earlier than the Human race (and Zolans), and the Marduk "sub-protoculture" was absorbed into the Republic's sphere of influence, then I could maybe see them having (and maintaining/further developing) Protoculture technology. But considering that the Stellar Republic maintained a slave race to keep order in their little empire, I find it a bit hard to imagine that they would share all their wonders with "sub-Protocultures". Or allow these same "sub-Protocultures" to develop a high level support structure to produce these wonders for their own use. 3- The Marduk were originally a classification of Zentreadi that somehow broke out of the mold, and evolved their own primitive hierarchy-based culture. Some elements of the Marduk's insane goals (destroy dangerous culture), and Ishtar's comments during the night time foray into the Macross, offer weak links to this. Music is something to be feared, and what music that is allowed is elevated to something that may only be utilized a society of select religious personnel (Alus Nova, Emulator priestesses). Anima Spiritia has proven to be extremely useful, so casting it out would be foolish from a military viewpoint (which is how unreformed Zents think). But due to the old Zentreadi fear of culture, it developed "mystical" properties. So, a religion developed around it (allowing the higher-ups to maintain control over music). This is similar to the pre-Reformation Church's policy of preserving, containing, and dissemination of potentially "dangerous" knowledge. However, I consider this to be the lowest possibility on my list. 4-They are a splinter faction of the SA. Some of the elements fits the SA mold. Since the Protodevlin's hold was broken, they developed a culture of their own, one that resembles their previous status (control/rule by a powerful entity, mind control, mental re-programming, etc.). Their weaponry, while similar to Zentreadi systems, are clearly superior (which fits some of what we know about the SA). They harnessed some of the power of Anima Spiritia, but still have an overall fear of it. Hence, their desire to destroy cultures possessing "dangerous" song (the development of music was a criteria to determine the "threat level" of a given culture, from what I gathered from tidbits in the series). 5-The Marduk are a non-PC race that gained Stellar Republic technology. Due to bad experiences with the SR, and/or the SA, the became genocidal xenophobes. If the Marduk were a subject race, this is a possibility. If not, I don't consider it high on my list of choices, for some of the same reasons as #2. Anyway, all I'm doing here is proposing some possible answers to the mystery of the Marduk's origins. None of it should be taken as me presenting hard facts.

I just heard about this today on IGN. I have mixed feelings on a possible RowBoatech movie. However, I'm willing to give anything a fair shake. I suspect (like many others here) that it will be visually different from the animation. If so, then I'll judge it on it's own merits. Even if I hate Robosuck with the passion that only a true purist can.

I'm surprised that the trailer hasn't popped up on YouTube yet. I would've expected some clever fan to have captured the trailer on a small camcorder during the presentation. But it seems we'll have to wait.

Well, it's nice to see some picts. The VF has me curious. I'm wondering if this is a new design trend.

Give it a few days. I expect SOMETHING to turn up.

No one is being a naysayer, bro. Some of us are just taking the "wait and see" approach. As much as I like Macross 7, I would prefer Macross F to take a different route (from all previous series) in the interests of variety. EDIT: Correction, we have one naysayer. See above.

I'm withholding judgement until I see the trailer. Whenever the hell it finally turns up on the web, that is.

Why the countdown? It'll probably be tomorrow before we get any details. Of course, I can understand the anticipation. I'm pretty excited about this, as well.

I'm glad to see the re-release. Despite the silliness, I loved this movie. It was just pure, guilty fun. On the other hand, the new Sci-Fi version doesn't impress me in the least.

Don't forget the SU-47.

Bandai isn't FASA. HG would be incredibly stupid to try it. Shadow Chronicles funding isn't worth tackling a giant like Bandai. In any case, I wonder what Mr. Kawamori has in mind by that statement. I hope it's something new and spectacular. Not more of the same ol'.

I dunno. Motorstorm seems to lean more toward a certain degree of realism. Or as realistic as it gets, and still be a playable (thus, enjoyable) game.

I wouldn't be surprised in the least. This is Robotech we're talking about here.

Which is a mortal sin in Japanese animation. Big boobs should bounce and jiggle. It's an unwritten rule.

Several million? I haven't been to the Compendium in a while, but has this been retconned recently? The last time I checked, it was 500,000 (to approx. one million).

I'm with you 100%. The comic book supervillans in MGS (PS1) and the "WTF?!?" plot/story elements in MGS2:TSOL ruined it for me. If I want to play an actual "tactical espionage" game, I stick with Splinter Cell.

I hope so, since I went with the PS3 (and have no regrets). I can't see myself shelling out cash for a 360 just for one game. And I hope that the port will be a decent one.

Just some random thoughts on my part, regarding this issue. I have to disagree with the evolution bit. I tend to take a similar position to azrael's. However, the only problem with my opinion is the fact that Anima Spiritia, and the spiritial powers of song, hadn't been discovered during time of PC activities on Earth. The issue of AFOS's knowlege of humanity's warlike nature can be easily answered. The head unit was still partially active all these centuries, it seems. Advanced sensors (possibly) allowed it to monitor part of what was was going on in the world since the PC intervention in Humanity's evolution. It's a possible explanation that it picked up on the conflicts that raged in the Pacific in the 20th Century, which alerted it to continuing warfare with higher technology. Early efforts at spaceflight would've have aroused it's interests a little. It's questions to Sara were more along the lines of "fill in the blanks". Humanity now had the potential for interstellar travel, combined with continued war. And I highly doubt that there was some sort of "genocide decree for warmongers" in the ancient legends (in the part of why the head unit was separated from the machine). What is said in the official timeline regarding the reasons behind the efforts on Earth, and the state of the galaxy at the time it was going on, doesn't support this. Nor does it support the "song of destruction" bit in a literal sense. And the PC scientists had to realize that you can expect violence among proto-Human savages, which would be necessary for survival (last long enough to rise to the top, and actually develop civilization). In any case, the Stellar Republic wasn't on the verge of exinction at the time. That would come later. Thus, the extreme "never again" measures wouldn't add up. Then again, it may have acted on Sara's subconscious desires, rather than any Protoculture programming. The "hearing" of the machine's inquiries may have been a subconscious effort to justify what she was getting ready to do. An internal war between her moral nature and her inner rage/desire for revenge. Seeing the "kadun" was her seeing (in her mind, thanks to the machine interface) what she hated in humanity that bought destruction to her people, rather than some goofy bulls**t evil war demons. If it was indeed a "safety valve", then it was the scientists involved who initiated it, rather than an official move on the Protoculture as a whole. The official timeline offers some evidence for speculation, in this regard.