Henroid

Did you die?

Has Nick raised that 'bargo?

I don't have any kids but I am an uncle many times over. One of my nephews was really into video games when he was growing up (as a kid) and I'm pretty sure I just kinda helped push that along. It started with Doom, and then Total Annihilation somehow. TA was kinda funny because while he wasn't like a super expert pro, he grasped the basics of it pretty damn well. I never had to worry about managing how much time he spent on playing games - my step-sister and brother would handle that. I have a one-and-a-half year old nephew who I intend to (properly) engage with via video games. Nothing on the level of what my nephew played, I'm gonna be more mindful of what I do. But adventure games, like Sean's Monkey Island story, are definitely on my mind. It'll be a fun way to work in some problem-solving training. I'll probably do the same for a friend's newborn when he gets older, since I'm a non-family uncle for the first time ever (gosh that was neat to be told).

It may still be. Think about it - they have to have the goods on hand to make it happen. No constrained supply. Sony went into manufacturing hard on this thing and it appears to be paying off. In more ways than one, because on that note, it's being estimated that the console costs $381 to manufacture. It's not a huge profit on each system sold, but it's a profit - usually hardware sells for a loss (big or small). And this would actually be a first for Sony (I'm pretty sure the PSX and PS2 and PS3 all sold for losses). http://allthingsd.com/20131119/teardown-shows-sonys-playstation-4-costs-381-to-build/?mod=atdtweet In other news, Twitch streaming on the XB1 (I didn't know it would have this, did they announce it before or after Sony?) won't be available at launch. They *hope* to have it available in the first part of 2014. http://www.joystiq.com/2013/11/19/xbox-one-wont-have-twitch-gameplay-streaming-at-launch/ Check out this gross thing though:

I forgot to mention indie devs finally getting a ton of support to do their thing this gen and how next gen is opening up to them (MS under protest) even more. Remarkable.

Is Steve still leaning back in his chair? And also breaking Chris' furniture?

This past generation redefined what video games mean as a business. A lot of you already brought up pretty much everything that happened. Mobile gaming, while not taking over the video game medium as mobile business people were claiming, grew into a new arena. Not just the platform but the kinds of games that get made on it. Achievements also helped further along the desire for permanence and recognition that MMOs previously served. Instead of "look at my cool level xx class y" people point at their scores or achievement charting and go "fuck yeah." As much as I don't care for the bulk of achievements out there, I like that they exist because they help fill a part of the hole that MMO style games fill. The most important thing was the rise of monetization. It existed before, but not with the sort of vigor and fucked up displays that has happened like day-one on-disc DLC. But what makes it more important than anything is that, as a business question, it remains unanswered. "How do we monetize x? How do we continue to gain profit?" This is why EA and Microsoft freaked me out when the XBone was initially presented, because it was showing itself to be the next ugly face of nickel and diming consumers for content. And I know they recanted those "features," but do you really think they would do so without a plan B or remaining desire to get more money beyond "product was purchased"?

Sony is tooting its horn that 1 million PS4s were sold in the first 24 hours. Hopefully that's confirmed because man do they need a success as a business.

Is Jake still hearing things that aren't there?

I'm putting this right down there with Sean's "Let's taco 'bout it."

Anyone remember that time Tegan was seeing things?

Video games sold at retail and digitally tend to show their strength via the retail end. Digital sales for those games actually don't mean much. Now, as far as digital-only goes yeah it's not fair because they don't count those at all. But the people selling things digitally have to be willing to play ball and give their data to the NPD group. Nobody is required to.

Sales ratings: 1. Grand Theft Auto V (360, PS3) - 1.1 million 2. Pokémon X (3DS) - 1.7 million combined with Pokemon Y 3. Pokémon Y (3DS) - See Pokemon X 4. Battlefield 4 (360, PS3, PC) 5. Batman: Arkham Origins (360, PS3, Wii U, PC) 6. Assassin’s Creed IV, Black Flag (360, PS3, Wii U) 7. NBA 2K14 (360, PS3, PC) 8. Skylanders: Swap Force (Wii, 360, PS3, Wii U, 3DS) 9. Lego Marvel Super Heroes (360, PS3, Wii U, 3DS, PC) 10. WWE 2K14 (360, PS3) I'm really bothered by the fact that Pokemon X and Y are charted separately, yet their combined sales numbers are disclosed and beat GTA V. In the past I'm like 90% sure that Pokemon games would be on the same line. So really that chart should be 1. Pokemon X / Y 2. GTA V

This is pretty low-ball for this thread but I love this size comparison shot. It makes me think back to the original XBox and how it got slammed for its size. Now you can relive those days with Xbox One! ITZ HUEG

Relevant. Quick aside, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is tremendous, people should watch it.

I love that last week there was a discussion about the 80s being crap (which is false), then this week? Day bow bow.

Uh oh, now I remember something from South Park. "I'm so non-conformist, I'm not conforming with you guys."

This is barely related to the PS4 but it made me laugh and I felt I had to share.

That's a good point. Is Valve continuing their "Steam for Playstation" thing? I imagine this gesture will at least make them consider it if not. Edit - Oh! This is only tangentially related to the VG industry but apparently Netflix is finally launching an interface that's the same across all platforms. I didn't know it was different.

On the one hand, the old-man that I am (I'm going to be 29 in a couple months) thinks the cell-phones-at-concerts thing is really lame. It isn't cool, nor is it any sort of statement about the times changing. On the other hand, I'd rather people wave those around than wave lighters around, because lighters imply they have something to light and things being smoked irritates me (physically, not like a judgment). I am torn!

Sony has a new thing going for them. Amazon has a store for PS3, PS4, and PSV stuff, an alternate to the PSN in case people don't want to have to use Sony. Very counter-culture to what MS has been doing for all their business (route everything through them and them alone). Plus, competition breeds good customer deals, so good move Sony.

This is going to be a vague one and difficult. I have a memory of the hosts talking about some character, specifically the character's voice, and Jake goes into this brief deep-voice imitation that includes the line, "You're goddamn right that's my voice." What episode is that and what game discussion was it?

Okay that's very rad. I was going to be skeptical of new things to buy further cluttering the stores, but they're allowing stores to sell more than 3 of each item type now. Amazing. I must have this.

Earlier tonight I watched a daily challenge video for the first time. Holy shit I am terrible at this game by comparison. Also I couldn't stop watching.

I really wish Nintendo was better at doing things online. They're so hesitant to do things for the sake of "protecting the children" that it just puts a damper on everything. They need to outsource their online infrastructure. Or stop making hardware and just become a software developer. Whichever. In other news I've been seeing some talk about how MS loses about $2 billion on the Xbox division, but they pad it out via patent trolling income. Not sure how substantiated it is though. The only thing I do know for sure is that both Sony and MS are saying these consoles could last for more than a decade. Are you guys ready for 2024, year of the XB1 and PS4?