thatKamGuy
@thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works
- Comment on 'Death Stranding 2' proves more video games need to get weird, experts say 1 week ago:
We need both; even if passionate developers are put in charge of projects — they are still likely to be stymied by an overly conservative C-suite.
Successful ‘weird games’ in conjunction with indies would lead to a positive feedback loop in the industry and allow for more creativity across the board.
- Comment on It is what it is 1 week ago:
Yeah, one would have hoped that’d be the case - but apparently not.
I just remembered reading this a while back (start of last year, it seems?), and it honestly felt like a tacit admission of wrong-doing - so they’re likely going to be facing an uphill battle, or at least are expecting one.
- Comment on It is what it is 2 weeks ago:
- Comment on So um, america just started another war in the middle east. We're going to need a shit ton more memes to americans from the nightmare they are enduring. Thanks in advance... 2 weeks ago:
A Wild Matt-o appeared!
- Comment on YouTube’s new anti-adblock measures 2 weeks ago:
Why not just use Brave, which blocks ads and allows for picture-in-picture and background play?
Do you need to download for offline play or similar?
- Comment on Apple to Australians: You’re Too Stupid to Choose Your Own Apps 2 weeks ago:
How has it been “proven” that all app stores are equally safe?
Heck, just comparing Google Play and Apple App Store - every article over the past year covering malicious apps (including the recent cross-platform SparkCat) mentions at some point or another that these occurrences are significantly rarer on iOS given Apple’s stricter policies and guidelines. Policies that could not otherwise be enforced on 3rd party app stores.
Realistically, no one who purchases an iPhone is doing so under the assumption that they aren’t going to be within the wider Apple ecosystem and ‘walled garden’. Those that do want that additional freedom, and associated risks, have Android and other FOSS options available to them already.
Think of it this way: There are plenty of Android-based devices that are faster, better or have unique features that iOS doesn’t; Apple’s USP is iOS. We were ‘free’ to choose this ecosystem, and by trying to impose your own definition of freedom onto us, you are instead depriving us of our own.
If you choose not to see the inherent risks associated with this, so be it - but I am wary enough to know that if/once the genie is out of the bottle, there is no ability to go back when the shit inevitably hits the fan.
Don’t think of me as a blind Apple fanboy, either: I think there are plenty of valid criticisms of Apple’s handling of the App Store that legislation would be much better suited to targeting - namely their egregious fees and arbitrary policies regarding directing users to their own websites for alternate payment methods.****
- Comment on Apple to Australians: You’re Too Stupid to Choose Your Own Apps 2 weeks ago:
Well you weren’t very specific, so I wasn’t sure which point(s) you were disagreeing with.
I’m sure there are a number of apps which were only available on one storefront (Google, Samsung, F-Droid etc.).
China is in an even worse spot, as Google is outright banned - there are a dozen or so competing Android app stores; however their saving grace is that literally every digital transaction goes through either Weixin or AliPay - so there’s a somewhat lessened risk of credit card fraud.
Why would smaller, niche apps move to alternative stores on iOS? To (rightfully) avoid the excessive fees charged - so yes, a restaurant would be a prime example of someone not be willing / able to give 30% to Apple (nor should they, it’s downright extortion).
- Comment on Check your energy rates! 2 weeks ago:
If you are in Victoria, you should be using the comparison website every year:
compare.energy.vic.gov.auIt will find the cheapest plan based on your usage over the past year.
In general, you can usually lock in a rate for ~12 months - after which point in time you will switch to the default rate (which will be higher, but is still capped versus how bad things used to be).
- Comment on Apple to Australians: You’re Too Stupid to Choose Your Own Apps 2 weeks ago:
Just because you aren’t aware of it, it doesn’t med it’s not happening already.
- Comment on Apple to Australians: You’re Too Stupid to Choose Your Own Apps 2 weeks ago:
I respectfully disagree.
If I’m out at a restaurant with app-based ordering, or my Real Estate agent requires payment through their gateway, or to track my utilities usage, or am required to use any other number of niche apps that become only available through alternate app stores? Then I very well risk being put in a situation where I am otherwise forced to.
Let alone the headaches that will inevitably come from the older, less technologically savvy, and more vulnerable having their default app stores highjacked, and spoof apps stealing their credentials/credit cards.
Then we get into the more general issues of allowing unsigned code to be loaded and run on our smartphones - it will lead to the era of viruses, Trojans and ransomware.
I am reminded of this piece that Last Week Tonight did on Encryption, which is quite cogent given the topic at hand.
Best security practices involve minimising the number of places your sensitive (financial) data is stored. If a website doesn’t accept a known and reputable intermediary like Apple Pay, PayPal or a BNPL provider - I would refrain from using it.
If this is something that you want - then go ahead and Jailbreak your iPhone, or get an Android - more power to you; but please stop trying to enshittify iOS.
- Comment on Apple to Australians: You’re Too Stupid to Choose Your Own Apps 2 weeks ago:
Unpopular opinion, but if I wanted multiple app stores (and all the associated benefits and risks) then I would have opted for an Android.
The walled garden approach works for me, and I don’t want to be inconvenienced and my data put at risk because a particular, necessary app is only available through a 3rd party platform.
Now, Apple being forced to reduce the % of app sales down from 30% to a more reasonable number I am all for.
- Comment on Opinion: Building our way out of social housing unaffordability may no longer be possible 2 weeks ago:
Correct; it wasn’t one single thing that got us into this situation - and it’s going to take a multi-pronged attack in order to bring things back to sanity.
However, building more social housing should be a priority for all state Governments. Growing up in one of the commission flats in Melbourne in the ‘90s, I can tell you that stability afforded my family and many others a level of security that we have deprived those that came after by doing to invest and develop more.
- Comment on What's an absolutely medium quality game? Not great, incredible or terrible or any single ended extreme. Dead medium quality 3 weeks ago:
In a world where games are scored across a full spectrum 0-or-1 to 10, then yes - anything 4-6 would be considered middle of the road.
However, due to a number of factors - that’s unfortunately not the reality we find ourselves in.
Firstly, “mid” is hard to define as it can mean anything from ‘mediocre’ to ‘fine, but forgettable’.
Secondly, ratings/scores tend to skew upward as people tend to reserve 1s for outright scams, broken games and review bombs. With 2 & 3 often used for ‘asset flips’ and similar non-games - so we end up grading on a curve from 4-10.
This also works well for mainstream outlets as it keeps advertisers happy, due to arbitrarily inflated scores.
Lastly, in a world of cumulative media (new releases don’t cause older ones to stop existing) - even ostensibly good games will fall by the wayside as players have access to 10/10 titles from previous years.
So all things considered, a 7/10 is well and truly “mid” in this topsy-turvey IGN-eque world
- Comment on Borderlands 4 Price Has Been Confirmed 3 weeks ago:
Conspiracy Theory: All that hubbub about an $80 base price was just to deflect from the fact that most sales are likely going to be funneled to the $100/130 editions…
- Comment on Switch 2 Teardown: Still Glued, Still Soldered, Still Drifting 3 weeks ago:
Honest question; was it not possible to mod the original JoyCons to add hall-effect joysticks?
Yes, end users should not be responsible for having to do this - but if a cottage industry exists to repair/upgrade drifting joycons that would be awesome to see.
- Comment on What's an absolutely medium quality game? Not great, incredible or terrible or any single ended extreme. Dead medium quality 3 weeks ago:
Yes, it was developed by Curt Shilling’s 38 Studios - but it was actually largely financed by the state of Rhode Island, and the studio ended up defaulting on payments!
Honestly, the story of the game’s development was more interesting than the story within the game itself!
- Comment on What's an absolutely medium quality game? Not great, incredible or terrible or any single ended extreme. Dead medium quality 3 weeks ago:
Oh no doubt, my (vague) memories of it are definitely in vivid bright colours.
I originally got it as I was looking for a single player World of Warcraft-like experience, and I did play through a significant portion of the main story - but eventually went back to WoW as it didn’t quite scratch that itch enough.
I probably should revisit it sometime in the near future - hopefully on the Steam Deck (haven’t checked compatibility).
- Comment on What's an absolutely medium quality game? Not great, incredible or terrible or any single ended extreme. Dead medium quality 3 weeks ago:
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
Had all the individual makings of an exceptional game (with input from Todd Macfarlane, R A Salvatore and Grant Kirkhope), and while it was definitely enjoyable enough - it lacked any wow-factor whatsoever, winding up an otherwise forgettable 7/10.
- Comment on Nintendo Switch 2 is already running custom graphics through exploit one day after launch 4 weeks ago:
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Largely yes, though there are a number of titles which are currently experiencing issues: Official Compatibility Guide
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Yes: Official Guide to Transferring Data from a Switch to a Switch 2
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- Comment on Weekly Recommendations Thread: What are you playing this week? 4 weeks ago:
Being the usual suspects:
Front Mission, if you like tactical RPGs (ie. where you move characters on a grid game map during battles).
- Comment on Nintendo Switch 2 is already running custom graphics through exploit one day after launch 4 weeks ago:
There’s a lot of noise and disinformation floating out there, here’s the simplest explanation:
The Switch 2 will launch with three different types of physical cartridges denoted by serial numbers to describe their purpose:
LB - The cartridge will work on Nintendo Switch 2 consoles only. LP - Game Key cartridges in which a digital download is required LN - The cartridge will work on both Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.
- Comment on Snap election likely as Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff loses no-confidence vote 4 weeks ago:
Echoing everyone else’s sentiments in saying thank you for the write-up - we really don’t get enough Tas-specific news here, even just across the strait!
What do you think is the likelihood of Labor winning a majority/minority Government as a result of a potential snap election?
- Comment on Snap election likely as Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff loses no-confidence vote 4 weeks ago:
That explains the YouTube short from the ABC? which came across my feed earlier today.
Their coverage is woeful as always, is there a succinct summary of what’s happening for those of us outside Tasmania?
- Comment on Lumines Arise - Announce Trailer 4 weeks ago:
Please, please, please don’t be a micro-transaction laden download only title! 🤞🏻
I loved the PSP versions growing up, and this series holds a special place in my heart. I really hope they do it justice…
- Comment on Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater - Gameplay Trailer 4 weeks ago:
Consider this an opportunity to take the money you could have put towards buying this game, and instead use it to purchase stock in Konami.
Not only as an investor will you have the ability to voice your concerns during meetings, if enough gamers were to do this - they could eventually wrestle controls of the company away from those that seek to monetise every single goddamn thing, while shitting on the creatives that created the work they are now trying to leech off of.
- Comment on EA Cancels Black Panther Game, Closes Cliffhanger Games - IGN 5 weeks ago:
I don’t want the current iteration of EA to succeed; but I do want them to return to help nurture quality releases of Command and Conquer, Mass Effect, Dead Space, Burn Out, Need for Speed, Road Rash, Theme X, Sim City and about a dozen other dormant (or mismanaged) franchises.
Could I get similar experiences from other publishers and developers? Absolutely — but I’d much rather we as gamers have a broader choice in the future of our hobby, rather than continually whittling down our options as quality developers get swallowed up and spat out by the current industrial machine.
- Comment on EA Cancels Black Panther Game, Closes Cliffhanger Games - IGN 5 weeks ago:
Realistically yes, you are correct.
I’m sure we all (at least those old enough) to remember that Boycott Modern Warfare II Steam group screenshot.
Idealistically, imagine that for every release - instead of giving EA that $80 dollars, 10% of gamers put that money towards a share instead.
So that would work out to be ~$200m in lost upfront sales, and up to $540m in lost recurring spend (microtransactions, battle passes etc.).
That would only be enough for gamers to own 0.5% of the company after the first year, but keeping this up for multiple years could have a downward pressure on EA’s stock price long-term as they miss their financial forecasts - increasing gamer’s buying power on shares.
Within a few years, these “Gamers United” would begin to have sufficient stake to influence board decisions (for the better).
The best part being that, the entire time, EA would continue to pay dividends to them (currently at a rate of ~$3.10 per share, per year), while they still technically own that money - almost like a corporate savings account.
- Comment on EA Cancels Black Panther Game, Closes Cliffhanger Games - IGN 5 weeks ago:
I really wish gamers could unite in a way that they buy out sufficient ownership stakes in these terrible publishers that they force them to treat development studios better, and not push out half-finished slop filled to the brim with predatory monetisation.
EA, Konami, Ubisoft would all be ripe for a renaissance if that were to pass.
- Comment on Cyberpunk 2 is now in preproduction, CD Projekt says 5 weeks ago:
I’m going to hold out for Cyberpunk 2222, personally.
- Comment on Developer Interview: my Q&A with The RomM Project 5 weeks ago:
So is the main benefit to this that you could host your totally legitimate back-ups on a NAS, and access them from any on-network device?
If so, can you share save states this way?