Starting to aggressively dislike SAM
Right now, I think SAM would win a competition between him and Preston Garvey about game mechanics ruining a character. Preston gets a lot of flak for handing out settlement quests. But at least if...
Forum Discussion
I have to say I really like SAM. But then again, I'm a sucker for movies like Bicentennial Man.
Most of us like AI conspiracy theories and their related concerns. But, I never personally had that vibe with SAM. I genuinely like the voice, the way SAM is introduced and paired with the Pathfinder, etc. I believe someone in this thread mentioned something about not being able to converse with SAM (my brief interpretation, possible misinterpretation), but there are actually multiple opportunities to talk with SAM one on one in your quarters and in SAM Node to learn more about SAM, his growth, and related topics.
Of course I don't think anyone here (outside of levity) would say they like the buggy and excessive notifications (like the email bug and the "you're hot, you're cold, you're radiated, you've had an erection for longer than 4 hours" kind of warnings). But that's just bad development, bad QA, or general oversight as the case may be. Those things aside, I don't have any SAM complaints. Also don't have a problem with SAM's role in making the Pathfinder who they are. Although SAM gives the Pathfinder skills, SAM doesn't make choices for the Pathfinder. The Pathfinder chooses how to use SAM.
For those concerned about SAM being able to kill the Pathfinder at any time... what does that even mean? Seriously? My spouse could have a nervous breakdown, stroke, or some other mental disorder and kill me in my sleep. I could trip on a curb and fall in front of a car going 50 mph. Someone could break into my house at any moment in time and slit my throat. My "life" is never 100% in my own hands. The game additionally addresses this concern from the very beginning with the discussion about trust and the importance Alec placed on that concept as he and SAM worked together.
And without SAM, the Nexus would be in shambles. The Remnant tech would not have been operable (excluding Meridian). The entire Initiative would have most likely ended in 80% of people dying or being exalted. But the EXACT same can be said without Ryder. Everything I got from the game screamed that both were required - not mutually exclusive.
I will say the voyeuristic side of SAM always being with you could be a little creepy. But then I think of the ending of Serenity when River is checking out her brother and Kaylee. Creepy? Really, it's more innocent curiosity, which is how I think of SAM.
To sum up, this isn't Tron Legacy and the bugs will eventually (hopefully or I'll be eating a lot of crow) fixed. So, as long as Microsoft didn't code SAM, I'm good with him 🙂
Someone's me. 🙂
@VitesseLumiere wrote:
I have to say I really like SAM. But then again, I'm a sucker for movies like Bicentennial Man.
Most of us like AI conspiracy theories and their related concerns. But, I never personally had that vibe with SAM. I genuinely like the voice, the way SAM is introduced and paired with the Pathfinder, etc. I believe someone in this thread mentioned something about not being able to converse with SAM (my brief interpretation, possible misinterpretation), but there are actually multiple opportunities to talk with SAM one on one in your quarters and in SAM Node to learn more about SAM, his growth, and related topics.
Of course I don't think anyone here (outside of levity) would say they like the buggy and excessive notifications (like the email bug and the "you're hot, you're cold, you're radiated, you've had an erection for longer than 4 hours" kind of warnings). But that's just bad development, bad QA, or general oversight as the case may be. Those things aside, I don't have any SAM complaints. Also don't have a problem with SAM's role in making the Pathfinder who they are. Although SAM gives the Pathfinder skills, SAM doesn't make choices for the Pathfinder. The Pathfinder chooses how to use SAM.
For those concerned about SAM being able to kill the Pathfinder at any time... what does that even mean? Seriously? My spouse could have a nervous breakdown, stroke, or some other mental disorder and kill me in my sleep. I could trip on a curb and fall in front of a car going 50 mph. Someone could break into my house at any moment in time and slit my throat. My "life" is never 100% in my own hands. The game additionally addresses this concern from the very beginning with the discussion about trust and the importance Alec placed on that concept as he and SAM worked together.
And without SAM, the Nexus would be in shambles. The Remnant tech would not have been operable (excluding Meridian). The entire Initiative would have most likely ended in 80% of people dying or being exalted. But the EXACT same can be said without Ryder. Everything I got from the game screamed that both were required - not mutually exclusive.
I will say the voyeuristic side of SAM always being with you could be a little creepy. But then I think of the ending of Serenity when River is checking out her brother and Kaylee. Creepy? Really, it's more innocent curiosity, which is how I think of SAM.
To sum up, this isn't Tron Legacy and the bugs will eventually (hopefully or I'll be eating a lot of crow) fixed. So, as long as Microsoft didn't code SAM, I'm good with him 🙂
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Well written post.
I honestly hope the missus has only ever stopped your heart in the good way, and only then for a beat or two. I am also glad you like SAM. Somebody should, if for no other reason than they went to a lot of trouble to write SAM... I liked 2001: A Space Odyssey though.
First honest questions. I will look again when I replay, but beyond the initial question and answer session I don't remember any of the conversation wheels refreshing. Do they after any specific mission? The one in SAM node stubbornly remained the memory retrieval thing for me except when I did the Virus quest. I hate missing things. When, outside of a poker game, are you given the option to use SAM or not? If there is, it escapes me. I remember being surprised to even find out it was possible to turn him off.
Then honest explanation. I never get to ask SAM new questions as he reveals abilities - but I called them party tricks, because I'm both a smartass and I didn't want to write the spoiler of what they specifically were. We all owe a lot to SAM, I owe it my life in this game, and am pushing the edge of being literally nothing without it. SAM carries me through the game while I help it solve Sudoku puzzles from time to time. It is an amazing plot device, that solves quests in ways I never knew it could, with scripted dialogue. I feel like I'm just along for the ride. Me saying "SAM, find me a route through the alien spaceship." automatically when I enter a room doesn't feel like i am actually doing anything, for me, besides driving home the point that I am incapable of doing it myself. They do let you do something without SAM's help (besides simple fetch quests) as the last mission of the game.
Maybe I'm just naturally distrustful, but if somebody told you there's a thing in your head that can kill you at any moment and it has secrets I hope you'd be distrutful of it too. Symbiosis was how its' explained. We don't bond as buddies though. It keeps secrets from me both intentional and unintentional (since I can't refresh the dialogue wheel or ask it anything new past that initial conversation). Besides a handful of lines, SAM's not talking to anybody but me that I can hear, and then it is only dialogue it initiates. Our special bond I never use. SAM has no random banter. I never even ask it the time. They bridged that initial distrust in the first series with a lot more exchanges, with a lot more people, and that AI was not in anyone's head. I am not given anything on the game to hang trust on besides blind faith. That same faith you use to not worry that the missus will kill you in your sleep. I bet you asked her a few questions and had a little time and banter before you did though.
Part of it is just looking for the twist. Part of it is the insistence that I can tie my own shoes and anger that they made me wait until the end of the game to even try. Part of it is distrust of what I don't understand and not being given the opportunity to.
And part of it is that it is Sci-fi cannon pretty much that AI wants to kill you. 🙂
if you talk to sam in your cabin on the tempest, at various points in the story (usually after important events), you'll get those little dialogue exchanges with sam. there's that sam plugin on your desk.
@jpcerutti1 wrote:
Besides a handful of lines, SAM's not talking to anybody but me that I can hear, and then it is only dialogue it initiates. Our special bond I never use. SAM has no random banter. I never even ask it the time.
Just a point of clarification - SAM actually works with everyone on the Hyperion and Nexus. Well, I say "everyone". That's probably too broad of a stroke as I'm sure there are seniority protocols in place as to who can communicate with SAM or not. However, there are several conversations you come across randomly with people speaking with SAM. Additionally, during several quest-related conversations, other characters interact with SAM. To my knowledge, there are only a few scenes overall where SAM only speaks to you on your private channel (and they seem to change the tone of the voice a bit when that happens, like with the down-with-AI first interaction on the Nexus Dock. The crew of the Tempest also regularly speak with SAM at various points in the game.
Good point, VL. It makes me wonder if SAM, at any moment further down our wonder-world, will get detached and grow a different sort of relationship with Ryder. The fact that SAM is that holistic, and that he's learning living with Ryder, makes Ryder also that much more influencing upon everyone else in exchange.
@VitesseLumiere wrote:
@jpcerutti1 wrote:
Besides a handful of lines, SAM's not talking to anybody but me that I can hear, and then it is only dialogue it initiates. Our special bond I never use. SAM has no random banter. I never even ask it the time.
Just a point of clarification - SAM actually works with everyone on the Hyperion and Nexus. Well, I say "everyone". That's probably too broad of a stroke as I'm sure there are seniority protocols in place as to who can communicate with SAM or not. However, there are several conversations you come across randomly with people speaking with SAM. Additionally, during several quest-related conversations, other characters interact with SAM. To my knowledge, there are only a few scenes overall where SAM only speaks to you on your private channel (and they seem to change the tone of the voice a bit when that happens, like with the down-with-AI first interaction on the Nexus Dock. The crew of the Tempest also regularly speak with SAM at various points in the game.
Then it's no wonder your crew thinks you're an idiot-savant. I thought all the SAM prompts were just in my head. As I search around the room for loot they probably think this fool not only can't find the stinkin' door/console but is also unable to follow simple directions. That puts a new twist on the check your mail prompt eh?
From what I understood, everyone on the team has an implant and either the Nexus science team have an open comm channel in the lab or implants. They are the only non-pathfinding team people I remember ever seeing addressing SAM. From the initial confusion on regaining consciousness I have never been able to tell any difference between the ones just for me and as general distribution unless I could guess how they were meant by content or if other people respond.
@jpcerutti1 wrote:From what I understood, everyone on the team has an implant and either the Nexus science team have an open comm channel in the lab or implants. They are the only non-pathfinding team people I remember ever seeing addressing SAM. From the initial confusion on regaining consciousness I have never been able to tell any difference between the ones just for me and as general distribution unless I could guess how they were meant by content or if other people respond.
I can't say this with 100% certainty with my not-so-great memory, but I'm pretty sure only select people like the Pathfinder have an implant. Full conversations with Harry, Drack, SAM, and a couple of other folks flesh that out. Once I have some time, I'll try to replay the exact conversations and confirm.
