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 you don't talk to him you can avoid it. Oh, and Bethesda actually supports a modding community. But SAM is so much more constant and in-your-face than Preston. Actually, right now SAM is the ME character I hate the most across ALL games. ...and I've started to almost become aggressive about it...out of game. As in, actually snarking, swearing and rolling my eyes at SAM whenever he talks (which is a lot). Tell me I'm not the only one swearing at their computer every time SAM butts in with another reminder, or hand-holding us through the game?

The worst part about SAM is during the romance scene. "You are entering a warm environment" "Body temperature returning to normal" "You are entering a warm environment" "Body temperature returning to normal" "You are entering a warm environment" "Body temperature returning to normal" "I suggest using a mint, pathfinder"

I'm either ok and non ok with SAM. It's like having this relative we love, but that sometimes is annoying? Same difference really.

My biggest problem is the way he keeps telling me "Pathfinder.. you have new email at your terminal." And I never do! That and the constant barking about Mining Zones. I get it when you're low level.. it's there to introduce you to the mining mechanic in the Nomad, but does he really need to persist through the entire game? If you're level 80 wearing all crafted gear.. I think you know about how to get resources. I don't understand why he has to speak so often.. it's really annoying.

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 🙂

There could have a DLC that would change SAM for GLaDOS. If you don't know who GLaDOS is, you can watch this and weep. She would really prompt Ryder to Renegade and Ultra Renegade and Genocidal Renegade modes. With humor. Or maybe an AI version of Cave Jonhson?

Starting to aggressively dislike SAM

36 Replies

jpcerutti1
9 years ago
@pyrion wrote:

@VitesseLumiere wrote:

@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.

Yeah, Drack specifically says he's okay with SAM so long as the communication is in his radio. He thinks Ryder is nuts for having an AI rummaging around in there. Harry thinks the whole deal is weird, but a good kind of weird. Jaal is interested in it, but more from a tinkering standpoint - he wants to know how it works, but there's no indication that he wants an implant for himself.

Harry was on the pathfinder team so I thought he had an implant already. Lexi does talk to SAM in cryo before she's a team member. I pondered that and decided it as likely an anachronism as it is intentional since she gets on the team almost immediately anyway.

I figured if Drack was getting micced at least Peebee and Jaal were micced - and implanted if that's what they want. I think everyone on the Tempest can hear/talk to SAM, which kinda makes talking to the bubble on your desk more than redundant. Whoever goes with you on the Archon ship mission can hear/talk to SAM no matter who they are; it's pretty clear that it is a four way conversation.
Anonymous
9 years ago
i just figured sam patched into coms to carry on conversations with the non-implanted.
jpcerutti1
9 years ago
@CasperTheLich wrote:

i just figured sam patched into coms to carry on conversations with the non-implanted.

There's also got to be some way to figure out what is public and what is private, besides just guessing. Suggested above is tone, and maybe that's right, but if it is some combination of hearing loss, background noise, and only laptop speakers is keeping me from picking up on that. Maybe it is that he says "Pathfinder" whenever it talks to you and others can also hear?
Anonymous
9 years ago
It might be easier when playing with their Default names. I think when he speaks only to you, he calls you by your first name. But I haven't really tested the concept.
dragonofnrvnqsr
9 years ago
@PandaTar wrote:

There could have a DLC that would change SAM for GLaDOS.

If you don't know who GLaDOS is, you can watch this and weep.

She would really prompt Ryder to Renegade and Ultra Renegade and Genocidal Renegade modes. With humor. Or maybe an AI version of Cave Jonhson?

I'd love to hate that :P

Re that vid - anyone who finished P2 should be able to realize who Glados really is... All the clues during the game, plus that ending song should make it a dead giveaway.
jpcerutti1
9 years ago
@PandaTar wrote:

It might be easier when playing with their Default names. I think when he speaks only to you, he calls you by your first name. But I haven't really tested the concept.

I changed the names, since they never used the first one in the original series (even when it would of only been some simple letterboxing on the hero wall at the end!), so it has always been David Allen Coe time for me. 😃

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Starting to aggressively dislike SAM

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