Comments 108

Re: Feature: How Do Game Developers And Artists Feel About The Rise Of AI Art?

Platinum-Bucket

I have zero experience in any sort of legal or ethical fields regarding art, but I did try out some of these things just to mess around, so I guess I’ll give my view on it: It can produce beauty, but not intention. That’s kinda vague, so let me explain. Most of these bots are capable of making some really stunning art pieces, be they landscape shots or sometimes even real-looking people, but most of it is either merely surface level or completely abstract. You won’t see any of the images telling a story or giving a complete representation of the thoughts that a real artist would put into their work, and when you look deeper into almost any of the images, things get weird; Hands are of course a common issue, but you’ll also find wonky eyes, textures not being correct, or geometry just making zero sense at all, like the first image showcased in this article. It definitely feels like an uncanny valley most of the time, so it doesn’t seem like it’ll steal jobs from anybody, at least not to me. Not to mention that when working with an AI, it’s like sending a vague message to an artist to interpret as they choose whilst only taking from existing things, whereas with an actual artist, you can be in constant communication with them to get exactly what’s in your mind, instead of using an AI, getting an unexpected result, and going “This’ll do, I guess.”

However, something I like the most about AI art is something that isn’t talked about too much, and that is that it can act as a base for improvement by real life people. Like, you put in a phrase to the AI, get a cool piece, but it’s still wonky and doesn’t make sense, though it has potential. Then, you pay an artist to remake the picture as a proper piece, with all the nonsensical bits ironed out. I’ve seen this quite a bit in the Midjourney discord, and it’s always a treat to see. So in conclusion, it might be a threat, though with my limited experience, it just seems like a cheap or free alternative to actual quality at worst (until people make pics of actual humans committing crimes with it, which might be a bit of a problem at first, considering how new this all is) and a tool for improbable base images at best. I could be completely wrong about any and all of this, but these are just my immediate thoughts.

Re: Jump Force Update For Nintendo Switch Shuts Down Online Services

Platinum-Bucket

I liked Jump Force a lot, but objectively, was it a good game? No, that’s just facts.

However, the game that came before it, J-Stars, was pretty dang awesome. Unique character gimmicks, varied stages, good music, and a fanfic-like story mode, it was awesome! Henceforth, I’d love to see the next Jump crossover game take a similar route to that.

(Side note: J-stars is awesome, but it’s biggest issue is that a lot of the series in it have gotten new content since then and made much of it feel outdated, which isn’t its fault. Jump Force has this new content (at least for 2019), but very little of it was as creatively implemented as J-Stars’ things were. Now, since Jump Force’s release, a bunch of the same series’ have gotten cool new things [Ultra Instinct, Adult Naruto stuff, other spoilers for One Piece and sorta Bleach…], making Jump Force begin to feel outdated a bit too, not to mention new series like Jujutsu Kaisen and [Probably not because Bandai Namco doesn’t own the rights] Demon Slayer showing up since then.

I think the time between releases for these games has been five years since the DS one? So we’ll probably get a follow up around 2024ish, which is plenty of time for things to change in the current big series’s even more… Like Bleach coming back pleaseijustwantBleachtocomeback

Re: Raunchy Rhythm Title 'Massage Freaks' Delayed Indefinitely After Online Backlash

Platinum-Bucket

Everyone has things they like that they can’t discuss in public, nor would ever do because, y’know, somethings ya just don’t do, especially if it involves other people. Any jokes and reasoning aside, I’m pretty sure most of us could agree that you don’t involve other people in your fantasies non consensually, that’s just common sense and nearly everyone in society agrees and understands that… But that doesn’t mean the fantasy goes away. Sometimes you can’t help feel how you do, and make believe scenarios can help relieve those built up feelings.

“No violence in public, regardless of stress.” “Alright, I’ll get a punching bag then.”

“You have to be yey age to get a gun license, fulfill these criteria to be able to fire at live targets, and must do so only in certain circumstances or risk your life on the battlefield for your country.”
“Ok, I don’t really wanna die or kill a real person, so I’ll play laser tag or COD.”

Things like that. That extends to many genres of various intensities and mediums too. Too socially awkward (or are in an area where there’s no other humans around for miles) but still want a romantic partner? Well there’s books, movies, and games to fulfil that desire. Wanna feel like a monster chasing down victims that can do nothing but fear you? Check out horror games where you play as the monster, or put yourselves in the shoes of villains in movies and books that do the same. Now, in the event that all of these alternatives would deter someone from ACTUALLY DOING THIS STUFF IN REAL LIFE, then that’s kinda amazing. If it inspires them, on the other hand, then they probably had a flawed sense of morals to begin with; no normal person becomes a hardened criminal after having only held joycons prior. Thusly, I think games like this are in that same vein. Not everyone likes it, almost nobody would do it in real life, but there are still some people who would fantasize about it and not get others involved.

Using names of real people is a bit of a different story though, that feels stalker-ish and reaaaaaaally pushing the “not to a real person” part. Definitely coming off as a bit too personal there…

Re: Rumour: Potential Mario Kart Tour PC References Found In Datamined Details

Platinum-Bucket

@Royalblues If they did, they’d need to do a whole lot of polishing and simplifying in order for anyone to buy into it. Cloud gaming needs tons of work to be a better alternative, and PC gaming is noticeably less accessible than on console. For as easy as those who are savvy with it may be, it’s a lot to ask a kid to log onto their computer, navigate a desktop to steam or another website (that may not even be secure), find their account/downloads/owned games section, and then find the games to the want to play, rather than just hitting the power button on switch and clicking on Mario’s face.

Re: Blizzard's Overwatch 2 Launches On Nintendo Switch This October

Platinum-Bucket

I loved the first one, got it a few years back during its fourth competitive season (I think it’s on its 30th or something by now) and loved every second of it. A bunch of modes, seasonal content additions, user made content, good casual and competitive play, some fun lore that even showed up in the stages, all being capped off by having characters that actually play different from each other, which at the time for me, was HUGE when it comes to FPS games. Sadly, the fun didn’t last long, as my current housing is out in the middle of nowhere with pretty sad internet. That said, I’ve gotten to play it a few times since at friends’ houses, and it’s always a good time. With OW2 being free to play, I implore whoever hasn’t played the first to give it a chance. There’s not much to lose, and you could have a lot of fun. I really hope this business model gets more people into it, cuz I know I’m super excited just to get back into the excitement of new content whenever I get the chance!

Re: Poll: What's The Best Warriors Game On Switch?

Platinum-Bucket

I don’t know about the Switch version as I’ve only played it on PS4, but One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 is probably my favourite out of all the ones I’ve played. Tons of variety in move sets, wicked set play, flashy visuals, and a super filled out play style. I’m not sure if it was the first to do it, but the addition of proper jumping and air combos, four different character types that change combo routes, and some HUGE characters that make you feel like an absolute wrecking ball are super fun additions. It doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, and even the side content doesn’t take all that long to plough through, but I do stand by the thought that Warrior’s games are at their best when you really like the series they’re doing for that particular game. And as a huge One Piece fan, I had tons of fun with it.

Re: Rumour: Crazy Taxi And Jet Set Radio Reboots Reportedly In Development

Platinum-Bucket

Hmm… With the mention of Fortnite in here, I can’t help but wonder how they’d attempt to achieve the same level of popularity. These days, it’s all the cross over stuff that people talk about and meme up for it, so I wonder if we could see a similar thing in these? If so, I think it could be kinda cooler, because whereas Fortnite has its own sorta style, some things a just plopped in that don’t align with it. Meanwhile, these games TOTALLY have their own unique style, especially JSR. Thinking about it that way, I think it’d be cool to see guest characters designed in ways that fit these games styles, THAT would be awesome

Re: Rumour: Crazy Taxi And Jet Set Radio Reboots Reportedly In Development

Platinum-Bucket

As long as they have a good base game, then I don’t care if they add additional micro transactions like costumes, characters, or songs. It’s usually not good, sure, but of most games, I’d say that these ones wouldn’t be so much worse if they included them, as long as they aren’t Seasonal Pass type things or NFTs. If it’s just cosmetics and music, then that’d just be adding more spice to the games and their already funky styles, and I’m all for that.

Re: Talking Point: Is It Ever A Good Idea To Start At 'The Beginning' Of Series Like Zelda Or Dragon Quest?

Platinum-Bucket

I don’t find my self getting into new series’ very often, as I’ve been playing my favourites since I could hold a controller and just kinda absorbed everything else I could from their respective franchises that I could; My first Zelda was Wind Waker and my first Sonic was Heroes, which both thoroughly entertained me, but I also somehow had the Sonic Gems Collection and the Zelda collection, both on GameCube. Those helped me get into a bunch of different entries, and I didn’t even have a grasp at what actual time was, so I didn’t know that some of they games were really old or outdated, as they all just seemed “different” from each other and thats it.

What I’m really saying is, I think collections are a good way to go to get into something big and classic. That way even if you don’t like one, you have the chance to try quite a few different ones.

Re: LEGO x Epic Games Announced, Planning A 'Metaverse' For Kids

Platinum-Bucket

Can someone explain the difference between a “Metaverse” and just standing around in an Among Us lobby or ANY ONLINE GAME EVER? I’m not even joking here. Cuz it sounds so significant and futuristic, like some Ready Player 1 stuff, and I’m aware that big companies seem to like using it a lot, but what actually IS it?

Re: There's "No Clear Timeline" For Kirby's Game Stories, According To HAL Laboratory's General Director

Platinum-Bucket

@P-Man Exactly. It isn’t necessary to enjoy the games, but it’s not harming anyone either; I don’t get why everyone is dissing on it. It’s got some fun elements, even if some are explained in games directly, like the hero’s shade in twilight princess being the spirit of Link from Ocarina of Time. A lot of people know that, but not everyone would have picked up on it, and the whole Hyrule Historia is filled with nice little connections and pieces of info that can teach the unknowing and connects the seemingly separate games. My personal favourite is showing the spawn and fate of Ganondorf across the different timelines, especially with aspects like him being the same person in Ocarina, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess. I never would have thought about that, but it was cool to see and think about.

Necessary? Of course not. But fun? Absolutely.