AussieMcBucket

@Zeeba We need laws and regulations to protect us. The companies don't care that you don't care. They never will. They'll find other ways of making money off of you.
We should demand that we get future-proof access to digital media as well, not just kick and scream for physical prints to continue when it seems like that will be difficult to do.
I got confused about your part about them using humans. Human labor with fair work practices, steady work, comfortable wages (which everyone should have), and workers' rights and protections costs more money. And since eternal "growth" causes the cost of everything to increase, labor costs go with it. So, they don't want to pay us, and if they need humans, they find cheaper ones without all the things I just mentioned. It's unethical exploitation, and it should be illegal. I just think we're fighting the wrong fight. Boycotting such games hurts the lower level people that are legitimately working on them and trying to make ends meet. We can be sure that the execs making the decisions to use gen-AI will make money either way. At least for the big companies. Then they either cash out or find other comparable jobs. The lower level people usually have to settle for less.
I appreciate you having a civil debate on your arguments. It seems like you're forcefully stating your case but not being inflammatory or mean.

@Yosher Yeah, these are strong points. Totally agree. I just think this was inevitable in the way our economies are structured. And it's also not like someone invented this overnight. They've been warning us about this type of AI for decades. We tend to wait until the water is up to our chins before we demand someone fix the leak. And I also think we are directing our behavior in the wrong ways. The only way this gets reined in is through mass regulation and a collective decision on the path forward (or not) with this technology. I don't know, kind of like with human cloning, I guess.
And as for the continual evolution of tech, I hear you. I'm sort of mixed, as I do enjoy some of it. But at some point, we are doing more harm than good and reaching a carrying capacity. It seems we are truly destined to meet the same fate as Icarus, despite many people being familiar with the moral of that tale since its original telling nearly TWO THOUSAND years ago. 🙄

@King_MFW Hahaha, you make some excellent points. Really hit the nail on the head!

@JohnnyMind Right, I think that's why Nintendo seems to somewhat charge more for their games or definitely maintain a price point in perpetuity. I guess I'm trying to point out that we seem to want to have it both ways: we demand lower prices and ever-plummeting sales, but we also want companies to keep their staff and not cut games or shut down servers or whatever. I think it's a silly structure to have an endless climb in profit. And I also am tempted and give in to dramatic sales. We've all been conditioned to expect that. I think price/cost transparency could go a long way towards mending some of this. I think food is another great example where we should not place such a small value on it. It cheapens the end result, we get what we pay for, and producers/distributors try to find any way that they can to make prices as low as possible while maintaining profits. This usually leads to automation or a consolidation of labor, or even building a workforce made of individuals that are forced to work for less either because of political/legal risks or because of less regulations and labor rights.
I know I'm talking about something other than gaming, but I'm trying to point out parallels. In the gaming industry, we see "crunch" development, mass layoffs, AI workforce replacement/supplementation, role consolidation, and "de-aging" of workforce (replacement of more senior staff for early-career recruits who will accept smaller salaries).
The complaining is frustrating and tiresome to me. But anyway. I've probably said enough.

@IronMan30 Yeah, I would have been so lost without the tutorials. I'm glad to hear about variety. I'd be interested to see what else they do with this. The one game I played had an event - starfall or something - but I didn't locate it. It's cool that it will have those kinds of random events.

I think I only played one casual match, sadly. But I had no network issues for any of my time with it. I think I'll almost certainly get demolished, especially as others improve their skills, but it was rather intriguing and enjoyable. I could see myself figuring out a better approach as time wears on. This was my second FromSoft experience after a brief try with the Dark Souls Switch demo. It was definitely gruesome and weird. And difficult. But it didn't feel too frustrating even when dying. Like, you just respawned and tried again or did something else. I kind of wish it could all be co-op, at least as an option. But only because I don't think I stand a chance against others. Still, I feel like I could buy this and have fun with it. I'd like to support the endeavor, too. We don't know price. I guess I also don't know what all will be available in terms of modes, progression, all that kind of stuff. It really does feel like City Trials or Smash Run for FromSoftware.

@JohnnyMind Agreed. It feels like every game announcement or anything has this massive purity test where, if it fails, everyone supposedly boycotts the game and developer and etc. At least, that becomes basically the entire discourse around it. And then others are seemingly shunned for buying into "such a sham." As you say, we have no real way of being sure that this or other items are definitely AI-generated. I mean, the people said it was not. Maybe they are lying. But how are we supposed to know that? They made it. They could just as easily not be lying.

I'm just really annoyed and bored with nearly every comments section containing a majority of comments bailing on a property because among other things, it:

• is on a GKC
• used gen-AI
• does not have a physical release
• is priced "too high"
• has DLC planned
• has online features
• has a patch planned

Good grief. This is exhausting.
Also, what do we think the alternative is to gen-AI? If we do scare them away from these practices and they use only human-created assets, we can expect to pay more for games. Or see less creative risks. Or more stories where a game sells yet the studio is closed. This is the way most businesses are run in a capitalist system. I know that is generating eye-rolls, but I'm saying that this is how this economic structure is incentivised. I'm not advocating for gen-AI, nor am I saying we should just shut up and support everything, vocally or otherwise. But are we prepared to pay more for games, as one example? Because things are always going to trend in this direction unless we change the overarching issues. I hope we are all as discerning with things that have a far greater impact on people's lives and livelihoods.

@WhiteTrashGuy Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. I assume they didn't bother with a GKC because it's slightly more expensive.

@Ichigoichiego You're right. Because the American government gives them billions of dollars, whereas you or I would be giving them $70 each.

@Tasuki Ah, okay. And they couldn't patch games back then. Haha. Interesting!

@Tasuki Strange it was only that one. I don't think I ever played any of those.

@SonnyBonds That's funny. Well, if they ever release it for Nintendo Classics, I bet they'll add it.

Although, thinking on it, it was already a feature for Mario Paint. So, they didn't really add it per se, just configured a control scheme for it.

SIIIIIIIM CITYYYYYYYY!!!
That's how I read the western cover. Did this have SNES mouse support?

@ThriftyMutt But that's the wrong answer.

Wait, what? My comment got removed? I don't remember what I said. Unless it was the thing about it being collectible cards, which I was connecting to the recent DK announcement. And it was a joke. Not sure how it's off-topic, since I was talking about this announcement. Whatever. It was just a stupid comment.

I tried some of Duskbloods last night! But just the tutorial stuff so far. It seems cool though. This is basically my first FromSoft experience. Looking forward to checking out the main event when I can.

Oh, and still chipping away at Bananza. Not sure I can pull off all the challenges by the end date. I've just learned Ostrich. D;

Looks good to me! Looking forward to trying it in beta. Which, like some others said, is not a final look. So, this could still improve. I'm still jumping in on this game. Excited to finally try it with a seat at the table. And not the "kids' table." And without a booster chair.

Ohhh. I tried signing on to play for a few minutes before it ended, but I kept getting that message. Glad I thought to check here. Thanks, Nintendo Life!

This is pretty cool. I was interested in this game. Although vague details - is that an oxymoron? - are silly. 32 FPS is "higher" or "more" than 30.

That's pretty cool that Nintendo has helped them in that way. And it's interesting that Nintendo found this to be so innovative. I'm curious to see what it's like.

@Grumblevolcano Oh, haha! I was not aware. Thanks for telling me!

Cool. But only in Classic Graphics Mode?? Come on.

@OorWullie Never say [that], never again. If it takes the skyfall(ing), if it takes me returning as a spectre, I will make sure you are silenced. Sigh. What am I saying? This is no time to die. How about we allow this little spat to live and let die. Maybe I should speak with a doctor. No, I'll be fine.

~ From Russia (me), with love

This is sweet! I remember liking the demo.

"It's going up."

~ Nintendo

@Tyranexx Ohhh, I see. I was trying to understand how this was different. So now, you can just select the multiple franchises you want to show up instead of random, which cycles through them all. Got it.

@Nalverus Okay, sweet! Thanks!

Very interested to see how this is on S2. It will also be my first CoD experience. Do we need to sign up for the beta ahead of time like Duskbloods?

@IronMan30 Haha, good for you. I get it. Totally agree with you. Among other governments and things. Anyway, sorry to drag this out.

@IronMan30 I mean, we technically do in the other case. And I'd argue it's the more important one to protest. Plus, many game companies have Saudi investment now, if I'm not mistaken.
I guess we'll have to remember not to get upset when EA lays off a bunch more staff, possibly because of boycotted game sales.
I understand your point. I'm just making an argument.

@IronMan30 We already do. Lots and all the time. Well, at least in the USA. But I suspect other "western" nations as well.

@kendomustdie Well done. 👏🏻 May she rest in peace.

@uncleMike Who needs a reminder??

@canaryfarmer I hope you can have Trump show up (with half the Cabinet) and get booed.

Wow, this is great to hear! Thanks!

Also, is the subheading a nod to recently departed Hayden Panettiere?

I have no idea what to expect. Only played the Dark Souls demo on Switch. Didn't go well. I'm gonna be so bad at this. 😅

This is a bit sad. I always wanted to play Human Revolution for Wii U - I hear it's still considered the best version- but I don't think I ever bought it. I haven't tried any of his other games, though I think I enjoyed the System Shock demo.
However, I remember when Epic Mickey was announced. I am a huge Disney fan as well, so I was extremely excited. I checked Game Informer's website every day to read up about the development of the game. I think they had exclusivity on the story and published it in staggered installments. He went into not only the process but described his love for Disney and how they allowed him to enter "the vault" and access all their old content. He peppered easter eggs all over the game: stuff from parks, movies, everything. I'm pretty sure he took the first steps towards reintroducing Oswald as a character for the company. Really interesting and fun to read. It built up my excitement so much. I still intend to get the S2 version once that comes out, as I never finished the game on Wii. I think it was also exclusive for Nintendo, at first. I wish him well in his retirement!

So NBA2K was in August for NA. Darn. I would have rather tried this.

@OorWullie So you're wondering if they will heavily scale it back and compress it to make it a smaller file size? Do file sizes deter that many people from making a purchase? I would think most don't really look at that at first.

@Specters Well, if this does well, along with Duskbloods, we may get ports of some others.

@Interneto Right, that's why I said that maybe they took the time to get it right in response to the negative reactions.

Really appreciate the little write-ups for all of these. It certainly helps with decision-making!

I guess we'll wait for the final, more official verdict, but it's nice to see that those early accounts were seriously jumping to conclusions. Or, if not, then at least the devs took the time to really get it right in response to those reactions.

Wait, are Nos. 3 and 2 the same game? I can't keep track of the weird numbering differences between regions at that time.

That's why I don't like GKCs. That little key gets in the way of the cart-art.

I think that stained glass thing should have been made translucent so you could hang it on your window. Think of how beautiful that thing would look with light shining through it.

DAMN. If that holds true, kudos to FromSoft for pulling that off. I may consider getting this just to see what everyone's talking about. Even though I'm not sure I'll be much of a "Souls" player.

Yeah, I never tried this. But I've seen the rave reviews. A 40% discount to then upgrade it for Switch 2 seems like a good time to jump in.

@atmb82 Right? That definitely seems more palatable. And I know we're all spoiled with this price conditioning, especially with mobile, but $14+ for both just felt a bit steep for me. And that little nibble they allowed us to try did not do enough to convince me otherwise.

I wonder if they're not seeing the engagement they were hoping for. And they might be thinking/realizing that they got the price point wrong.

@AGuyWhoLikesNintendo Yeah, could be. I feel like it won't be anything big. Although, it is their own event.