Comments 966

Re: The Company That "Leaked" Switch 2 Is Being Sued By Nintendo

DTFaux

@Jester676 I suspect it's less to do with short-term financial damages (or pettiness), and more to do with protecting against long-term damages, both financial and PR-wise.

If a major leak from a sizeable 3rd party company is excused, others might start to be emboldened, and it'll be much harder to clamp down on later. Additionally, if they aren't authorized accessory makers, this is probably Nintendo's way to rebuke potential association, should those products run the risk of damaging official hardware, if not worse.

Basically, for as much as we rag on Nintendo for being lawsuit-happy, this is one of those cases that's gonna be REALLY hard to side with the defendant on if trademarks are to be respected and protected across the board.

Re: Editorial: Gamers, Support The People And Sites You Love, Before It's Too Late

DTFaux

@Alaninho I mean, turnabout is fair play, isn't it? If he feels so inclined to give his reasons, then people are in their right to challenge those reasons, aren't they?

To the bigger point: The surface-level, cop-out complaint about "inserting politics" as a point of failure is only exacerbating the issue. People keep alluding to wanting their precious escapism, only to be befuddled when reality keeps finding them.

Between the tariff situation and game prices only getting more expensive (not even getting into sociopolitics that's affecting many in this community and shared hobby), we're kind of out of places to "escape" to. And our inability to actually reconcile with our reality (and IMO, care about the most vulnerable) is only going to see things get way worse for everyone before things get better.

Re: Talking Point: Will You Be Buying Any Game-Key Card Switch 2 Games?

DTFaux

The Cons just outweigh the Pros too much to be fully on board.

You're not only STILL subsidizing hard drive space, but cartridge space as well now. And if you lose that cart, you lose access to the game that's sitting on your hard drive.

This concept seems like it'd be a boon if game rentals were still a big thing, or if the savings were being passed to the consumer with this stuff... But as it is, it seems more to the benefit of publishers and retailers above all else.

Re: Xbox Is Raising The Price Of Consoles, Accessories, And Games Worldwide

DTFaux

@Dazman While your intentions are good, the advice is a bit tone deaf...

I'm sure most folks on this site are already trying to budget responsibly. And the suggestion to just "jump into a better paying profession" is always easier said than done in both the time (and money!) it takes to get a certification + however chaotic an industry is to apply for that isnt also gonna be downsizing due to all this economic turmoil.

It'd be one thing if it was JUST hobbies getting more expensive, but it's a smaller part of a much bigger issue.

Re: EA And Respawn Hit By Hundreds Of Layoffs As New Project Cancelled

DTFaux

@Aurumonado I think we need to be careful conflating the two things. For one, it gives companies still making profits something to hide behind, while the top ranks and investors continue to sit pretty.

Secondly, it speaks to a level of systemic unsustainability if literally hundreds of devs are suddenly without a job just to "keep game prices low".

Re: Limited Run's Atlus Switch 2 Collector's Edition Is A 'Game-Key Card' Release

DTFaux

This might be the biggest testament of LRG becoming too big for its own good.

One can kinda look the other way with them effectively becoming 2nd party publishers for companies that can more than afford to do it themselves, and even the sheer bloat of merchandise bundles that delays orders way longer than it should... but I feel like them specifically getting in on this game-key card stuff just has me asking, "What are we even doing here anymore?..."

Re: Every Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Card Release

DTFaux

I've made a similar comment, but it's ironic that among the entire trend of game prices increasing for every little reason, paying a "Cartridge Tax" that assures the entire game is on a physical cartridge would be one of the more reasonable cases.

Especially in an era where there's multiple Editions and SKUs for the same games, I don't see why we can't do both game key cards for the casuals AND proper carts for the collectors.

Re: Nintendo Delays Switch 2 Pre-Orders In The US Amidst New Trump Tariffs

DTFaux

@Not_Soos I mean, the topic is "political" in and of itself (literally the cause and effect of economic policies). There shouldnt be any concerns of closing the comment section, so long as comments stay on topic and [relatively] respectful.

That said, it's getting increasingly hard to maintain the latter part amid the unecessary headache-induced chaos. And it's getting kind of annoying (putting it lightly) seeing some people trip over themselves to not be frustrated about a man constantly throwing a grenade at everyone's feet despite ample warnings from countless people and professionals... including the man himself.

Some of you guys (generally speaking) would be absolutely livid if this exact scenario happened under a president you didnt like anywhere near as much. But because it's him, he only gets a shoulder shrug at worst.

Re: Samsung Shows Off Its Switch-Inspired Foldable Handheld

DTFaux

In this current era of tech where designs are blurring together, and everything is trying to be sleek and "efficient" to an almost arbitrary degree (AI this, and AI that...), I welcome more attempts at making consumer tech fun and interesting like it used to be.

That said, the button setup looks like a nightmare. Feels like analogue sliders + a concave button setup would accomplish the same thing.

Re: Analyst Fears U.S. Tariffs Could Spell Disaster For Physical Games

DTFaux

Also, kudos to the NL team for keeping this comment section open so far, despite the predictable outcome of some of the comments. I feel like it's more important than ever for people to be able to engage in [socio]political discourse; especially when it pertains to the hobbies and interests that we collectively enjoy.

That said, I can't blame any mod for hitting the Eject button if things start to go a bit too off the rails.

Re: Analyst Fears U.S. Tariffs Could Spell Disaster For Physical Games

DTFaux

@batmanbud2 I really don't want this thread on a video game site to go more off the rails than it already has, but for a nation to re-elect a convicted fraudster and known con man (among so much else) in the hopes of economic prosperity is the worst indictment of the electorate. And to justify it with the hypothetical and intellectually lazy "As if the other guys would've been better!" argument is either grossly misinformed or huffing the purest, distilled copium.

I've heard and seen all kinds of perspectives and opinions in my near-18 years of being politically conscious. And in all that time, I've NEVER seen so many individuals bend over backwards and turn on a dime to defend ONE MAN (who's so transparently self-serving) over actions, rhetoric, and policies no other living politician, much less person, could ever get away with.

It's such an insane chapter in history, and terrifying that so many cant (or refuse to) see it...

Re: Analyst Fears U.S. Tariffs Could Spell Disaster For Physical Games

DTFaux

@batmanbud2 "In order to heal, our nation needs to suffer."

1) Man, that's not helping beat the "cult" allegations...
2) No one who was foolish enough to vote for the man was signing on to take on MORE economic burden for an undisclosed period of time and no tangible goal. This reeks of trying to move the goal post.

Re: Hideki Kamiya Wants Nintendo To Reboot Virtual Console For Switch 2

DTFaux

@-wc- I assume a small part of that is because some 3rd parties that were approached by Nintendo in 2006 have since realized that they could probably take a larger piece of the pie by releasing classic games themselves, on multiple platforms to boot.

There's also the added benefit that when they put in the footwork, classic collections have more QoL improvements and content compared to just dropping old games on VC (Capcom, Konami, and Namco have been doing pretty good on this front in recent times).

Re: Hideki Kamiya Wants Nintendo To Reboot Virtual Console For Switch 2

DTFaux

Outside the moral argument about "owning games", I just don't see rebooting VC as the better option or value compared to an NSO subscription service where you're incentivized to play games you'd otherwise would never buy at old VC prices.

It was a cool concept for its time, but in an era where licenses run out and digital storefronts close, I'd rather there be more pressure for the option to own classics physically. Otherwise, taking to the high seas has never been more accessible than ever, if one is really so inclined to "own" retro digital games.

Re: PSA: 'Nintendo Switch 2 Experience' Invites Are Now Being Sent Out

DTFaux

Got accepted for NYC!

It's funny, because the original plan was for a few friends to apply for different sessions to increase our chances, but Nintendo's guest rules seemed to discourage that. Fortunately, the RNG fates have shined on the few eggs in this one basket!

Incidentally, if I had a nickle for everytime I won a chance to go to NY for an official Nintendo event, I'd have three nickles. Which isnt a lot, but...

Re: Poll: So, What Did You Think Of The Switch 2 Reveal?

DTFaux

I think the trailer did the job it needed to show "This exists, is a successor, here's some new features to speculate, is backwards compatible; see y'all in April!" It probably would've been more exiting if the leaks didnt take the wind out of its sails, but such is the curse of people anticipating the follow-up of a highly successful console.

Aside from that, I hope folks dont get too caught up on the Mario Kart clip. To me, it looks more like a placeholder than any definitive first look at a 'Mario Kart 9'.

(Also, double-checking the trailer, the video length is 2:22, and you cant convince me that wasnt on purpose)

Re: Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Trailer Gives First Official Look At The New Console

DTFaux

The fact that it's officially called "Switch 2" shows they're not risking any Wii U or New 3DS confusion this time around.

Also the fact that the Direct is so early in April makes it so transparent that they're gonna squeeze every last penny out of the fiscal year/quarter. But hopefully this also means an official release date isnt too far behind?...

Re: Nintendo's Punch-Out!! Series May Be Dead And Buried For Good

DTFaux

Feels like Wii Punch-Out actually did a decent job finding balance between a stereotype and caricature. And it's not like Nintendo has left the series dead and buried if they're referencing it in the Mario movie of all things (and celebrated in Smash).

This rumor doesnt feel like it has much legs, given how hard it can be to predict Nintendo's next moves. You'd be convinced a franchise was long dead, only to drop out of nowhere during a random Direct.

Re: Xenoblade Chronicles X Fans Are Once Again Discussing The Game's 'Censorship'

DTFaux

@axelhander Yeah, as much as some changes to games can suck, it's frustrating seeing some folks' concern over "censorship in media" begin and end with titillating/inconsequential parts of consumer media that rarely even impacts the greater narrative of a story.

Even entertaining the crusade in a vacuum, it's hard to take "the principal of the matter" seriously when you look closer and it's almost only ever about how a private company opted to make a piece of media [subjectively] a little less "sexy"...

Re: The Entire Tales Of Kenzera: Zau Team Has Been Put On Redundancy Notice

DTFaux

@GarlicGuzzler Unfortunately, we're at the point where that crowd has gaslit themselves into fighting a never-ending culture war, regardless of whether or not the rest of us cares to participate.

And ironically, with "woke" being such an ambiguous word that can be applied to anything they take issue with (despite the obvious pattern), they've effectively become the very "SJW" caricature they used to hate/clown on over a decade ago.

Re: Random: The New Denpa Men Is Getting Roasted For Its Translation Issues

DTFaux

The "Is AI a tool or not?" discourse is a whole other can of worms. There's a lot of valid criticism and concerns against it that I wouldn't consider "hysterical" (doesn't matter if the cat's out of the bag or not), but that's not my point of contention here...

What I'm talking about is how some folks justify the rise of AI tech as a bludgeon against workers and laborers for the pettiest of reasons.

Overzeal saying "Localizers have ruined their industry," implies that bad [allegedly] machine-produced translations are the fault of the localization industry, rather than (more likely), producers and higher-ups looking to sacrifice quality to save some money. It's a talking point that effectively welcomes anti-consumer practices just to stick it to the handful of faceless people they actually have a beef with.

Re: Nintendo Direct June 2024: Every Announcement, Game Reveal, Trailer

DTFaux

The variety of what showed up in the direct helps affirm my mixed feelings during some of the big showcases during SGF last week.

It's not so much that Nintendo was a missing piece to what's effectively E3's successor (for better or for worse), but that this Nintendo Direct fills that niche of diverse gameplay and aesthetics that other mainstream gaming spaces sometimes lack.

On top of that, little time was wasted front-loaded with cinematics and preamble but instead, often got to the gameplay quickly and let them (metaphorically) speak for themselves.

Re: Nintendo Switch Ending Support For Social Media Platform 'X' Next month

DTFaux

@pneumaticgnosis The fact that the new owner started to ban users he didnt like soon after he took over already showed that the whole "free and open debate" talking point was never serious to begin with.

Even ignoring that, the whole "Pay $8/month to have your comments prioritized" also undermines any idea of debates being "free and open."

By all means, you can defend Twitter, but let's not kid ourselves here...

Re: Random: New Pokémon Ad Positions 3DS As 'Retro', And The Internet Disagrees

DTFaux

I feel like "retro" was always a matter of antiquety, rather than any arbitrary number of years or generation gaps. And there's little about the 3DS that feels antiquated in the same way one would feel about older consoles or handhelds.

I'd sooner call the DS "retro", given its harder graphical limitations and fewer controller options. But the 3DS has games that could get away with being console releases, even by today's standards. Heck, the 3DS even got its fair share of games originally released on consoles, while making fewer compromises compared to if a console game was being developed for GB/A and the DS.

Now all that said, "nostaligic" is fair play, as 10+ years is more than long enough to get those feelings for anything.

Re: The Pokémon Company Releases Official Statement About Palworld

DTFaux

@HecateDFO This is why it's so hard to take the discourse seriously... I know it's fun for folks to imagine them being so petty/insecure, but I'm pretty sure TPC's only concern in this case is whether or not any copyright has been infringed.

Temtem, Coromon, Nexomon, Yo-Kai Watch, Cassette Beasts, Digimon, Monster Hunter Stories, etc. have all managed to exist with no real legal concerns, so it's unlikely to be a matter of performance or whatever other superficial thing people want to speculate.

Re: Soapbox: Game Freak Could Actually Learn A Thing Or Two From Palworld

DTFaux

I still stand by an earlier comment in another article where I said it'd be nice if these monster collecting contemporaries could be properly appreciated for what they are instead of as a cudgle against Pokemon (not that criticism cant be lobbed).

This isnt so much saying, "Leave Pokemon alone!!!" as it is saying that the only way for competition to thrive is for there to be sincere and consistent support for the contemporaries.

I just feel like the conversation always veering towards "Here's what Pokemon could learn from [flavor of the week]," is exactly why these games never stay in the public eye for longer than a few months at best.

Re: Oh No, GameStop Is Closing Its NFT Marketplace

DTFaux

Tune in next month when GameStop announces their jump into AI, somehow.

Because, surely, a company desperate to stay relevant but mostly predicates itself on in-person exchanges and online orders will find a way to shove that square peg into a circle hole...

Re: Random: AI GameShark Successor Claims To Know Switch 2 Release Date, Then Backtracks

DTFaux

The main story aside, the idea of an "AI" GameShark successor feels like such a grift, considering the GameShark and its contemporaries have been obsolete for a good while now.

Checking out the press release and supposed official site, it looks like they're just selling basic accessories (mouse, keyboard, controller, headset, and streaming device) while posturing on how their AI tech will help you become a better gamer.

The gimmick doesn't sound like the worst thing in the world, but it feels like such a blatant appeal to court investors, while also selling the idea that "You too can become just like your favorite athletes if you just consume these foods they TOTALLY eat on a regular basis!"

Re: Pokémon TV App Is Being Discontinued Later This Year

DTFaux

They make more than enough money where hosting up the entire series, movies, and specials would be a drop in the water for them compared to any of their other endeavors. But chances are, they likely weighed user retention + however much they get from syndication and distribution.

And while the Pokemon series is designed enough to be viewed within a generational vacuum (for the most part), it really shows the absurdity of the age of streaming when you have to hop around 7 DIFFERENT SERVICES to access an entire series. Even two services is already pushing it for a lesser show!

Re: Soapbox: "Go Outside, Get Some Fresh Air" - Why Won't Outmoded Gamer Stereotypes Die?

DTFaux

I think the audacity and absurdity of that anchorlady saying "Beating Tetris isnt a life goal," is that... you can have multiple goals in life.

As long as you're taking care of your basic responsibilities, who cares what you do as a hobby or in your free time? Considering the amount of depression, anxiety, and existential dread in society, anyone who can find joy in something they love to do [no matter how frivilous] is a blessing not everyone can be so lucky to have.