Reyturner

I stalled out on Pokemon Y a while ago. A Nuzlocke run sounds like a fun way to go at it again. Also, an obligatory link to No Wrong Way To Play on the off chance someone hasn't heard about it.

I think it's a trap to frame bad behavior from those getting called out as hysterical lapses in rationality, revealing weakness of character. Especially when what you are trying to do is make spaces more accommodating and safe for people with different and traumatic life experience. Dismissing things like trigger warnings and engaging in tone policing is rooted in the false dichotomy of "logical" (white straight male) discourse and "shrill" (PoC female gay) ranting.

It's difficult to point to specific examples since, online, you only really hear back from the contrite or the committed shitheels. Having my own privileged nose rhetorically smacked my the rolled up newspaper of social justice in the past (and seeing it happen to others) led me to places like the Idle Thumbs forum, but I've always been open-minded and progressive leaning. However, evidence suggests it drives a lot of people to places like 8chan as well, where they become radicalized and legitimately dangerous. Reactionary groups are fueled by the hurt feelings and bruised egos of the privileged. Sure, it's satisfying to dismiss them as they've dismissed others. But the thing about reactionaries is that they tend to have the tools of power and the vested interests of the status quo on their side. Not really sure what to do with that...

So what happens if you run out? Game Over?

He's on the Regular Features podcast and making you feel as thought you're torn on whether something is brilliant or over the line is their whole thing.

I like these guy's attempt at recovering the word "game" as useful term for describing something more specific than "literally anything" by differentiating between "orthogames" and "idiogames" (applied from Characteristics of Games)

I'm pretty sure the old Fallout games and Planescape showed you options you couldn't select, though not for didactic reasons.

The problem with the Riot comparisons is that Riot is the LoL company but Valve is not the Dota 2 company. Valve is notoriously hands off with the community and the scene beyond TI. If you're talking about the future of Dota 2 esports, arguing the merits of Valve following Riot's model is kind of a dead end (from what we know now anyways). I would actually love for there to be an internationally recognized governing body (that includes player advocates) that can take the esports side of things out of Valve's hands (since they don't seem to want it anyways). If nothing else, I feel like there NEEDS to be a strong player's union. Part of the "over saturation" problem is that the owners ROI in a team drops with every tournament they don't attend, and there is already SO MUCH churn in players and line ups (no doubt part of the reason Valve wants to deal with players and not teams). There'll be a perverse incentive to run players ragged until they burn out if owners are left alone to consolidate and run the show.

BC Thumb reporting.

I remember hearing on the 8-4 Play podcast that there is some weird tax reason why electronics don't come with power cables in Japan. Also, I hope the new Fire Emblem is actually called "The Latest in the Fire Emblem Series" to stay in keeping with Nintendo's naming style guide. I also, hope nobody else made this joke in previous pages because I didn't go back and read them.

WTF w/ Marc Maron is great so long as you skip the first ~10 min of every episode.

My Brother My Brother and Me (or MBMBAM) is great. I can't listen to that at work or on the train for the same reason. They've also started a D&D Campaign Cast called The Adventure Zone, found at www.theadventure.zone with their dad, which is pretty good.

I think the end of Video Games Hot Dog ep 181 might actually be Frog Fractions 2

Vicera Cleanup actually isn't that bad. It does give you a sense of satisfaction when you get everything done in the right order. Buuut then I look slightly to my right or left and see messiness that I actually made and I just can't enjoy my procrastination any longer. I think I'm probably done with Shadow Warrior as well, but only because I'm being petty ruthless with my backlog this year. Got it cheap and I've enjoyed my time with it.

Viscera Cleanup Detail WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE?!?!?!?!?!!?

I think when you're actually into fascism, you don't get to use Godwin in your own defense.

I would have made all the same assumptions based on him being in cosplay at a mall. So no?

Zak Smith recently tumblr'd about The Worst Art Critic In History which is very relevant to the mentality of the gators. NSFWtl;dr guy develops the critical theory "stop liking what I don't like", inspires literal Hitler

#NotAllPilesOfSecrets

Like Madden

If you do end up listening to the Isometric GOTY, you will get some cask strength Danielle RoadIslandeau.

"White guy video game...musical chairs is real." -Stuart

She sounds perfect for Fullbright also, who do I talk to to get that fedora smiley added to the official list?

Saw the credits roll in two video games this weekend. The first was Jazzpunk, which I'd picked up in a Humble Bundle at... some point... I guess? It's funny but in a way that is actually unique to games. Portal is funny, but only because of the writing. Jazzpunk's writing is good, but there's more too it than that. It's funny the way good Gary's Mod videos are funny. Sometimes just throwing a prop at a physics object has a charm to it. The ascetic is hard to pin down but, if you've seen Be Kind Rewind, sweding probably describes it best: a lot of very simple animations, stock footage, chunky models and text too speech. It all feels very DIY and fun. The best part is that it's only a couple hours long so it doesn't overstay its welcome at all. Play it if you haven't. You probably already own it. The second was probably as far on the other end of the spectrum as you can get: Metal Gear Rising: Revengence (Best Title 2013). This was my second run through and DANG but that is a great game. It's like the perfect contrast to something like Jazzpunk. The combat is sooooo smooth and responsive. Every encounter promises opportunity for mastery and challenge. If you don't know, MGR:R is in the Platinum character action school of design like Bayonetta (not having a WiiU and seeing everyone swoon over Bayo 2 was what inspired me to replay this actually). Every Platinum game is like 2 games. The first is when you're learning to play and you're just trying to finish it. You can fumble and mash your way through as long as you engage with the basic ideas of Tue game. The 2nd is when you're chasing S-Ranks in all the battles. The difference is like going for all stars in a Mario game: it's how you're supposed to play it and MGR really stands up to that kind of rigour. The story is pure Kojima, so that that as you will. It is still audacious and dumb in that fun MGS way without the... issues that GZ has. Honestly that isn't why you're here, though that Senator Armstrong speech at the end... Video games are the best.