SpacyAce2012

Thanks sketchley. I have heard something alongs those lines, just wasn't sure what the details were. I sure hope that's true. As for the last, I suppose I had better get off of my ass, and get the couple of Macross games I saw on PlayAsia while the gettin's good.

I second that motion. I like the work done by op4_delta so far.

Xenophobe. What would the greatest whore-dog in the Galaxy, Captain James T. Kirk, say? He'd say "I'd hit it!!!", is what.

It was my understanding that Isreal was all eager to get a hold of the F-22 and F-35. And as far as getting "monkey" versions, the IDAF/AF will just install the ("home grown") equipment that best suits their needs.

I'm definitely going to get a PSP. Just for Ace Combat X and Killzone: Liberation, if nothing else.

One of the biggest reasons for me to pick up a PS3, in the near future, was the rumor that import PS1 and PS2 games would play on the system without modding. It would beat having to find a modded PS2, or have one shipped from Japan. Well, now that little fantasy was crushed. So, I'll just wait until sometime next year. Still looking forward to Killzone 2. And hoping for an Ace Combat release on this system. Not to mention the first Macross PS3 game.

As many of my Rowboatech-lovin' friends can attest to, I'm a big-time HG/RT hater. However, despite my Macross Purist derived instinct to puke (or urinate) on anything RT, I decided to give Shadow Chronicles a fair shake. The early trailers looked promising. I especially liked the battle scene where two fleets were exchanging fire (massed tracer/beam barrages in space are just plain cool). And the idea of huge knockers on alien chicks is also cool ( something that would make James T. Kirk grin ). However, the latest Funmation/HG trailer has left me somewhat disappointed. Plus, the fact that the overall plot was ( it seems) heavily borrowed from End of the Circle and the first part of the movie is a rehash of the Mospeada ending, has made me skeptical. I suppose that it was too much to ask from HG to cook up an original storyline. That would have made me change my opinion of them a little, despite the continued use of Mospeada mecha designs (i.e other people's hard work, as opposed to their own). And I agree that the CG is a bit dated. If it were on the same level as M0 or Yukikaze, I would give it a thumbs up (but only one since it's Robotech we're talking about here ) So, I doubt that I'll rush right out on release day and buy it, even for the extraterrestial D-cups. But when the price comes down, I might pick up a copy for the hell of it. One more animated flick in the collection never hurts.

That's pretty much what happened. And your point on why the good Major was distracted in the middle of a fight makes sense to me. Your last point is interesting. It should be noted that,apparently, a lot recruiting among the civvies took place during the voyage back to Earth. I would guess that a lot of the U.N. Wars vets didn't survive the return trip. They were just as green as the newbies when it came to combat in space. An arena that the Zentreadi were experienced in. Another point that interests me in all this is why Roy didn't seek medical attention after landing. It would make no sense unless one sees Macross Zero, with the extra background it gives on Roy Focker. My guess is the Roy was just tired. And I don't mean "sleepy" tired, either.

The episode was titled (in Macross) Pineapple Salad.

I don't believe that Millia shot down Major Focker. I always assumed, from the scene where he was hit, it was just some random Quaedlunn-Rau that happened to be in the right place, at the right time. And it also seemed that Roy was distracted for some reason. A sure fire way to get shot down, even for an Ace.

Thanks for the info!

So, the Palladium Robotech RPG is coming back into print,huh? Pity. Considering how much Siembieda (and Crew) failed to do their homework regarding the Macross portion of the Robotech RPG, and Macross II RPG, I don't expect much of this new game.

I speculate that Protoculture "passive" AIs on automated facilities did operate autonomously to a degree. They would have to in order to do the jobs that they did. However, I agree that such systems weren't developed to the level that the bio-neural AIs were in Macross Plus. And I would guess that some degree of Zentreadi intervention was required in various operations. And evidence (although flimsy) suggest that the automated factories had a complement of Zentreadi personnel stationed on them. I agree with your analysis on the AFOS. It makes more sense than the idea that it was some magical/occult BS. Or that it was something that had nothing to do with the ancient Stellar Republic, which would contradict the still-official canon timeline.

Overall, Macross Plus was enjoyable. In fact, I'm a fan of both versions released. I would daresay that it was one of the top sequels to SDFM, in terms of animation and action.

I wouldn't completely write-off the possiblilty of ultra-advanced AI in the Macross universe. AI has that "cool" factor that appeals to many sci-fi fans. And it makes for interesting stories. In the world of Macross, AI took a great leap ahead with the fall of ASS-1. I'm guessing that the ship's main computer was a form of "passive" AI, built with Protoculture-level tech, by the Supervision Army. Which means it was centuries ahead of the most sophisticated (experimental) results achieved by Earth up to that point. And it would stand to reason that a great deal was learned while tinkering with this system to get it operational again. Then there is the systems aboard Zentreadi warships and the Automated Factories. While the giants weren't completely ignorant when it came to technical issues (the efforts of the three agents, aboard the Macross, to prep their modded Regult is proof of that), much of the more complicated stuff was seemingly beyond them. They were basically grunt troopies, after all. It would, once again, stand to reason that some form of highly sophisticated "passive" AI system ran the tech side of things. With the acquisition of this much alien tech, aided by limited Zentreadi imput and theories developed during pre-Fall Human research in that area, it would only be a matter of time and effort before a "super" AI would be developed. Sharon Apple was the result (although a seriously flawed end product) of that. As was the dangerous (and presumably flawed) bio-neural chip. The problem, I gathered from Macross Plus, was that Marge wanted to (and did) jump the gun, so to speak. Neither system was fully developed and it seemed that far more research was needed before that next big step could be taken. I don't believe that the Ghost X-9 was a complete failure from an "in-universe" standpoint. It was simply a logical evolution of the "passive" systems that were used in the previous Ghost combat drones. It was the experiments with the bio-neural chips, in those nasty mechanical beasts, that was the failure. It was too much, too soon. I am of the opinion, however, that AI will not become an overwhelming factor in future Macross additions. One of the centerpieces of the genre, is the VFs and their heroic pilots. And the appeal of "Mecha Anime" is the robot vehicle, operated by a hero/heroine. To take away that, would turn Macross into another generic robot themed science fiction saga. But it wouldn't hurt too much as window dressing. Just my thoughts (and ramblings) on the matter.

A quick question for you guys. Can any of you point me out to a good, reliable Japanese source for PS2 Macross games? One that will ship overseas to personal use customers? I wouldn't bother with it, but I have it on good word that the PS3 will be region free. If true, the days of modding my be over with.

I use Mozilla Firefox as my browser. And the funny thing is, I don't have this problem on other message boards. Only the ones using Invision Power Boards (Macross World and Macross Nexus). I would upload/link an avatar from my Photobucket gallery. But when going through the normal method of doing so, it doesn't work.

Well, I'm back. I'm having trouble changing my avatar. When I select the pict I want from my browser, the only result is that my old avatar simply changes pixel size. Any help will be appreciated.

The ADF-O1F Falken appeared in Ace Combat Two. I don't know if it ever showed up in AC3, since I got bored with it and quit. But the cockpit of the AC5 Falken is modeled on a similar concept to the "coffins" used in Electrosphere. I wonder what the X02 Wyvern is doing in this game? I thought that was a new Erusian design developed toward the end of the Continental War on Usea, a decade later. I fully expected it in AC5, but not in Ace Combat Zero.

I want to offer my apologies to all if I came across sounding like a snob. It wasn't my intention to do so, nor was I taking anything personal. I enjoy all installments to the Macross saga. Even Macross II and Macross 7. And I do like the MII mecha designs, particularly the VF-2SS, VF-2JA, and the updated Destroids (yeah!). So, I do tend to be a little zealous in defending them in debates. Once again, my apologies if I came across as an ass. And Mr. March, I agree that the CF-105 was one spectacular and beautiful bird. It's a crying shame that it never entered service.

They better hope HG doesn't find that site.

Please read my criticisms carefully, especially when contrasting Mecha vs. Story. Spirita, mysticism, and any other fantastical story elements Kawamori and co. have created in Macross 7 or Macross Zero have nothing to do with the fictional rules created to govern what mecha can or cannot do in the Macross universe. None of the Macross variable fighter mecha use such fantastic story phenomena as spirita, mysticism, or anything else to power, manuver, or propel the craft AS DESIGNED. They rely on OT fusion engines with set limits and abilities. Until mystic phenomena are built into variable fighters that power their flight, enable them to counter gravity, defy g forces, ignore the need for lift, et cetera, et cetera, my original criticism stands. 379336[/snapback] I fully understand your criticisms and even agree on one or two points. I fully respect your opinion on the matter. It wasn't my intention to wander off-topic here. The point I was making was regarding the "suspension of disbelief". Macross, being hardcore science-fiction, has no true "rules" or "limits" regarding how Mecha operate regardless of the hypothetical tech or fantasy magic behind behind them. Even with the Variable Fighters, powered by plausiable power sources and operated by real-world principles, limits can be pushed,thrown out the window, or disregarded outright from the beginning by the designers or story writers. You don't need magic robots or anti-gravity to "break the rules". So, IMO, the Valkyrie II is a perfectly plausable machine for Macross. Just as much as the VF-1 or VF-4. It's a science fiction saga,after all.

While I disagree with you on a few minor points (not all of Basara's songs,or the character himself, were that bad), I tend to agree with you in general on the issue of the Valkyrie II. As I have pointed out in a previous post, I'm not too crazy about the Zentraedi-style VFs either. I don't hate them outright, they're just not at the top of my list of favorite Variable Fighter designs. But I do like the YF-19 and prefer it over the "production" version seen in Macross 7. I don't see nowhere near as much Zentraedi design attributes in it as seen in the VF/VA-14, VF-22,etc. In fact, if looked at from different angles and compared to the basic VF-2SS (without the SAP), the YF-19 and Valkyrie II share some startling similarities in design (in Fighter and Gerwalk configs). I still feel that the VF-2SS and -2JA would have been in the logical evolution of the appearance of VFs had the designs remained canon and the Zentraedi influence hadn't become so prevalent in Kawamori's later designs. And his designs would have been more aerodynamically practical when compared to the Valkyrie II. But the Valkyrie II would have no problem fitting in with this hypothetical batch of VFs if, as you pointed out, fans would excercise a bit of "suspension of disbelief". How much required will vary from veiwer to veiwer. Therfore,my opinion still stands regarding the Valkyrie II.

Other than Macross, my Top Ten other "guilty pleasures" would be: 1-Patlabor (all except WXIII) 2-The Professional (Duke Togo kicks major ass). 3-Dominion: Tank Police (the original) 4-Project A-ko (the first installment. The sequels sucked) 5-Gundam (Universal Century timeline only) 6-Appleseed (both versions) 7-Ah! My Goddess! 8-Yukikaze 9-Vampire Hunter D( both installments) 10- Fist of the North Star(original) Honorable Mentions would be Steamboy and Akira. There are other titles and series I enjoy, but these are on top of the list. And I mostly lean toward the Classics. I enjoy most anime in general, except the kiddie stuff like Salior Moon. And I tend to avoid Hentai in general, unless it is well done.

LowViz Lurker makes a valid point. Macross has lost a great deal of "realism" in recent years due to Kawamori's seemingly New Age turn in regards to the story. If magic, monsters, and song based super-powers (Anima Spiritia) can be accepted in Macross, then minor details, such as the scientific realism and practicality of the Valkyrie II, is a minor issue and Kawamori's realism regarding VF design is largely moot. Therfore, I disagree with Mr. March's point that Macross is less "magical" than most other science fiction genres. If anything, it has become more so than others, such as Gundam. Not that I have problem with this. In fact, I don't. But if I can accept the off the wall mysticism, then I can accept the largely "impractical" Macross II VFs.