Comments 76

Re: Nintendo Defends Switch 2's Perceived Lack Of Innovation

WarpSpawn

The problem with expecting innovation for innovation's sake is that it often ends up forced and gimmicky. Moreover, some manufacturers seem to be held to a different standard and are more likely to be criticised if they are not seen as innovating. But when you already have a polished and popular product, iteration makes far more sense than innovation.

I mean, most games consoles have been following a fixed formula for years now. Motion controls have been done. Mouse and keyboard are old news but it would be nice to see them more standardised on consoles at this stage (though incoporating mouse into a controller is a neat trick). Motion tracking via camera is not original. Rumble has been pretty well refined. So what are people looking for? Full 3D hologram projection? Direct neural link?

Re: Mortal Kombat 1's New Update Adds The Kameo Fighter Janet Cage

WarpSpawn

@Ryu_Niiyama I'm not familiar with the issue either but I think what you are describing does tend to happen quite a lot. Presenting male characters as vulnerable tends to result in pushback from those who wish to project their own insecurities onto others and gatekeep "manliness". At the same time though, I don't think that fears of vulnerability being used against us are entirely unfounded either.

Re: Mortal Kombat 1's New Update Adds The Kameo Fighter Janet Cage

WarpSpawn

@LadyCharlie Basically, yeah. I'm not really able to do a show of hands to see how many women do appreciate the buff male shirt off moment in a movie. I suspect it is greater than zero but less than any men involved would like to believe. Which does really lead back to my reason for asking what I did in the first place. If someone is in favour of portraying male characters in a comparable way to female ones, what do they think that should look like? What would they find appealing? Using the same logic as above, its possible that a lot of the male characters are already intended to be sexualised. But on the assumption that this is what women will be drawn in by, instead of actually asking. On a side note, I wonder how the work of female artists compares to that of male artists, when drawing their own gender versus any other.

As for getting back on topic, I don't see any issues really. Characters in fighting games routinely look like they have absolutely business being there but this one looks relatively down to Earth and believable. Maybe a bad think in an MK game but with Johnny Cage as the starting point its hard to complain too much.

Re: Mortal Kombat 1's New Update Adds The Kameo Fighter Janet Cage

WarpSpawn

@Ryu_Niiyama I am absolutely not going to even try and excuse such behaviour or dispute your experience. The issues do clearly run much deeper than how video game characters are portrayed. But these societal expectations and judgements do certainly feed into the differences in how such characters are perceived. There may also be a bit of a disconnect between how it works for video game characters and those in other media. For example, I’m pretty sure that the gratuitous shirt off scene for a Henry Cavill or Chris Hemsworth is intended to have a sexual element to it. But I don’t think that translates very well to male states of undress in games.

Re: Mortal Kombat 1's New Update Adds The Kameo Fighter Janet Cage

WarpSpawn

@nessisonett If that is what you think would do it, maybe submit a suggestion to Rockstar for the next RDR instalment.

But that is kind of the point though, isn’t it? You would probably struggle to find a suggestion that is not going to be too explicit for most games. And even then it will probably be derided by many for homosexual themes.

Re: Mortal Kombat 1's New Update Adds The Kameo Fighter Janet Cage

WarpSpawn

@Megaz23 I promise I’m not trying to be argumentative here but I’m genuinely curious, what would that look like? We already have plenty of examples of men in video game with hyper stylised physiques and in various states of undress. That or dressed in such a way as to emphasise physical attributes. I think a big part of the issue is more the different ways that society views male and female sexuality. But if you want more sexualised men in games, I’m not saying it would be a bad thing. I just think it might require a bit of input from those who are sexually attracted to males as to what sexual features they would like to be on show, that we do not already see.

Re: Rumour: Immortals Fenyx Rising Spin-Off Will Be "Less Of A Copy Of Breath Of The Wild"

WarpSpawn

Personally I think "copy" of BotW was always overstating it by quite a bit anyway. Overall the game has a very different feel, especially in terms of the combat. The stamina system is similar but it omits many features that make BotW what it is and also borrows from Ubisoft's existing catalogue in other areas. Fenyx is far from perfect but to keep suggesting that it is little more than a Zelda clone does it a disservice.

Re: Review: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition - Three Classics In One Shocking Package

WarpSpawn

Holding up the PS2 version as a justification for the state of the remasters is strange in my opinion. If it was just a straight port of the PS2 versions then sure, fine, whatever. But it isn't. Its supposed to be better. Its marketed as being better. And one of the bare minimum things that you would reasonably expect from the remasters is HD graphics, even setting aside all of the other "improvements". On that basis I would think that the old PC versions running on maxed out settings would be a more suitable baseline comparison. Scale it back to 720p for handheld on the Switch.

Now that is not to say that the PS2 version was not fun and that the remasters would not also be fun if they ran at least as well as the PS2 version. But that is not what we are told we are buying and so any criticisms of how it falls short of what we were promised remain valid. Would it be worth a 4/10 if it were on par with the PS2 version (which the review contends that it is not anyway)? That I don't know. Maybe more a 6-7/10 on account of the broken promises but I'm not sure.

Maybe if they can sort the framerate issues out a bit I'd be tempted if it shows up at a steep discount, though it is not especially compelling as it stands.

Re: Metroid Dread Studio Hit With Allegations Of Poor Organisation And Management

WarpSpawn

I have worked in a toxic office environment and suffered for it in the past. My current situation is not entirely stress free but it is much, much healthier.

I do not understand those who are pushing the "just suck it up" argument here. There is often a difference between inherent stress of a job and toxicity created by poor management or even (in more extreme cases) outright malice. Conflating the two does nobody any favours and normalises the latter so that change becomes more difficult.

I'm not assuming that we have the full story or that all of the accounts given are accurate but equally there is not enough information to simply dismiss it as "just the way it is" and former employee sour grapes.

Re: Random: Uh-Oh, Nintendo's Switch Online 'Expansion Pack - Overview Trailer' Is Generating A Lot Of Dislikes

WarpSpawn

I'm sure there has to be something extra that they can offer for the price, if they are unable or unwilling to reduce that (talk of Sega and others' licensing fees suggested one possible reason). The Animal Crossing thing seems like a desperate attempt to do just that but it is not really sufficiently valuable and is no use at all to many.

I don't suppose they would want to get into something like discounts on eShop purchases but even just a relatively token gesture like double gold points for subscribers would be better than nothing (which would also encourage additional purchases, so Nintendo wins as well).

Re: How To Use Bluetooth Headphones On Switch - Connect AirPods To Nintendo Switch

WarpSpawn

So far I've tried an AKG set and had pretty significant latency. Probably not going to notice in a pray and spray situation but could make things a little disjointed when sniping. I suspect it could be annoying in voice acted cut scenes with lip movement as well. Rhythm games are likely to be a non-starter.

Its nice that they finally added the feature but I can't see me using it that much unless I can find some headphones that lag less on it.

Re: Transformers: Battlegrounds Is Out Today On Switch, Here's The Launch Trailer

WarpSpawn

@Xiovanni It is not listed on their website as being available for Android or iOS. There is a mobile transformers game of the free to play persuasion, though this looks to be a different one.

It looks more like Xcom-lite or a Mario Rabbids sort of thing. I do have some hopes that it will manage to be a decent facsimile, though I have not yet seen any reviews of it so I'm kind of sceptical.

A decent Transformers game would be a welcome addition but the Cyberverse setting that they have chosen for it really does not strike me as the franchise's best work.

Re: Switch Indie Sale Offers Up To 40% Off, Including Some Games From Yesterday's Showcase

WarpSpawn

@Sinton Europe gets a sale and a bunch of Americans complain that the US never gets the good stuff. The US gets a sale and apparently it works the other way around too. Fairly sure that the grass is really not greener though.

And as others have pointed out, we are getting basically the same damn sale in Europe in this case. I'm not sure which games specifically but the European version even claims discounts of up to 65%, instead of the 40% cited for the US.

Re: Hey Nintendo, Can The Next Switch Update Look Something Like This Please?

WarpSpawn

I don't think that I would personally make much use of folders, though I don't object to them being included as an option. I think potentially a more useful feature would be to be able to separate out uninstalled games and physical ones that are not inserted, so that it is clearer what you actually have on the console at the time.

I can appreciate what they are going for but I personally find that the attempt at a theme in the first image looks quite nasty. Definitely needs work in terms of how the system icons and info sits on top of the background image.

Re: Switch Lite Added To Joy-Con Drift Class Action Lawsuit

WarpSpawn

@JayJ No. I don't. Only that 24% of respondents claim to have a failure. Which does at least raise the slightly worrying possibility that the real world failure rate is relatively high but obviously more rigorous studies would be needed to confirm this.

I have no idea what the actual failure rate is but it is likely to be above 0%. If the Lite has been added to the law suit, it might be reasonable to assume that the lawyers involved have uncovered at least a few credible looking cases with the new console.

Re: Switch Lite Added To Joy-Con Drift Class Action Lawsuit

WarpSpawn

@Peshokinha I wouldn't mistake the poll for scientific in its methodology but the question looks pretty straight forward to me.

I cannot say as I have watched the videos and this is the internet, so some people probably are lying and/or faking it for clicks. But I am sure that anyone with genuine issues will be reassured that it cannot be real because drift is only supposed to show with wear. On the other hand, I was under the impression that dirt ingress was a big part of the problem, not just wear and tear.

Personally I have not tried the Lite but I have had 2 regular joycons with the problem. One may have been my fault due to a poor choice of case, though I am pretty sure I treated the second one a lot better. Third one seems OK so far.

Re: Nintendo Switch Lite Officially Revealed, Launches This September

WarpSpawn

@Kal_el_0724 It looks like it might even still fit in the existing dock. I wonder if they actually changed the hardware for the USB C port or if they just disabled it in software. It would be particularly disappointing if they just arbitrarily turned it off.

I'm sure there will be teardowns very soon after release in any case. If they wanted to be really lazy with it, I suspect the existing boards would fit in the new one with a little rearranging.

Re: Nintendo Switch Lite Officially Revealed, Launches This September

WarpSpawn

@Yorumi I suspect that we are going to have to agree to disagree on this or we will end up going around in circles for longer than would be sensible. But my point is that I don't think you can justifiably feel ripped off if you buy this thing, at least based on what we know about it so far. You are assuming far too much about Nintendo's future promotion of it, especially given that they have started said promotion by putting its limitations front and centre. Why not assume that they will continue to do this? They do not look like they are trying to obfuscate it at all. So why assume that it will not say clearly on the box what features it has? Why assume that an interested consumer will not spare the briefest of glances at the comparison chart on the Nintendo website?

Would you expect any differently of someone wondering why that Galaxy A40 is so much cheaper than the flagship model? Should they feel ripped off when they get it home and find that it is not the same? How about an iPhone Xr v Xs? It happens all the time and sometimes the manufacturer can do more to make the differences clear. But so far, Nintendo appears to be making every effort to educate potential buyers. As long as they continue to do so, you can reasonably criticise the product for its features but not so much their promotion of it.

Re: Nintendo Switch Lite Officially Revealed, Launches This September

WarpSpawn

@Yorumi Then it is up to the consumer to read the box or watch the promo videos or whatever it takes to familiarise themselves with it.

Admittedly the implications for specific games with some of these missing features may be less obvious. But it should not be that hard for the buyer to at least know what the missing features are.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not 100% onboard with this concept. In some ways it seems overly limited, in order to differentiate itself from the regular Switch, where it might have been better to simply leave features in but without accessories to utilise them. I might possibly get one for a child instead of buying another full fat Switch but I'd be happier if I could stick in in my existing dock on occasion. And providing an inferior experience on flagship Nintendo games could come back to bite them. I also think it is weird that they are suggesting getting joycons separately, when doing so eats up most of the saving over the regular Switch.

So am I entirely convinced by it? Not really. Do i think there is anything particularly wrong with how it is being promoted? Not especially.

Re: Nintendo Switch Lite Officially Revealed, Launches This September

WarpSpawn

@Yorumi Well now that is simply not true. Countless products keep the same fundamental name over an entire range, potentially even multiple generations and with radically different features across the ranges. Just how many Samsung phones share the name "Galaxy", for example, with just a number to identify the different models? You think the average person assumes an A40 has all of the same features as an S10, just with a different external appearance?

Of course they will put the features on the box. Maybe in smaller print than some would like. But the clear intention of this launch appears to be to big it up as a mobile version first and foremost. It is a bit premature to assume too much about future promotion of it but if they continue as they have begun, it is pretty much on the consumer if they get overly confused by what this is.

Now getting confused about why they should buy it over a regular one, other than to save a few quid? That I can understand.

Re: Nintendo Switch Lite Officially Revealed, Launches This September

WarpSpawn

@Kal_el_0724 I suppose that is one of the pitfalls of naming a product after a key feature of it. At least it was a bit of a no brainer what to call a 3DS when you take away the 3D though. but then I don't think it would have been a lot clearer if they had called it something else and then had to try to explain to people that this "not a Switch, honest" is designed to play most Switch games.

Keeping the TV out feature would have given the branding a bit more credibility. But perhaps one reason they did not is that allowing people to purchase a Lite, with a cheap third party dock and controller, might canibalise sales of the regular Switch.

Re: Nintendo Switch Lite Officially Revealed, Launches This September

WarpSpawn

@Kal_el_0724 I don't think it is false advertising, since they are being very much up front about its limitations. It may also be slightly overly cynical to suggest that they are banking on consumer ignorance on these points, when they have made every reasonable effort so far to state what this product is.

Re: Nintendo Switch Lite Officially Revealed, Launches This September

WarpSpawn

I can't help thinking that they might have been better off just selling the standard Switch without a dock. Sure, they might not have pushed the price down quite as much but you still get the handheld focus without sacrificing the other features.

Though it would be harder to promote the same old Switch without a dock, compared with the shiny, new, "optimised for handheld" Lite version.

Re: Dead Or Alive Xtreme 3: Scarlet Won’t Be Released In Europe Or North America

WarpSpawn

@LilDoggo48 Well no, it was a straw man because of the suggestion that anyone who is opposed to "SJWs" is automatically opposed to any and all equality, decent healthcare, etc. Which is simply not the case. To pick just a couple of people who are notorious in the video game world, does anyone really want to throw their lot in with frauds and professional victims like Zoe Quinn and Anita Sarkeesian? I am pretty confident that I can feel nothing but contempt for people like them and their enablers, without sending off for an alt-right membership card.

Yes, the UK does have its problems. But my reason for thinking that is that things like universal healthcare and gun control are pretty much universally accepted over here, whereas they appear to remain controversial and extreme to even many on the left in the US. I'd be lying if I said I did not see brexit as an uncomfortable shift to the right though.

I have yet to personally see a valid example of cultural appropriate being a genuine problem. Usually it seems to be trotted out by the perpetually offended, when they see a white person with dreadlocks of wearing an outfit that originates in a different culture.

Re: Dead Or Alive Xtreme 3: Scarlet Won’t Be Released In Europe Or North America

WarpSpawn

@LilDoggo48 That is a bit of a straw man you are building there. Careful it does not catch fire on you.

It is possible to be in favour of LBGTQ rights, womens rights. civil rights, better education, better healthcare and better pay (as well as opposing the items on your other list), whilst still opposing some of the more extreme viewpoints espoused by the very far left.

Left and right seem a bit different in America, compared to here in the UK, as US politics seems to be a bit further to the right on average. But I consider myself pretty heavily left leaning and very much in favour of equality and secularism. Yet I still have little time for some of the wingnuts and professional victims who go around bleating about nonsense like "cultural appropriation", etc.

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