SuperEpic: The Entertainment War | A Poignant Parody Of The Pig-Like State of Gaming (PS4)

SuperEpic is a poignant parody of the pig-like state of the pay to play, and pay to win parasite that is a good portion of today's games industry. In it's humor, and quite fun metroidvania platforming experience the game not only opens the gamers' eyes to what is going on in real life, but offers gameplay not ruined by the monetization efforts it pokes fun at. The story that you'll start off playing features a raccoon protagonist named TanTan, and his Llama sidekick. An unlikely duo that dishes out corporate punishment via a trio of weapons that allow for direct, upwards, and downwards strikes that can be delivered from the back of your trusty Llama pal. With this accompanied by RPG gear, upgrades, and abilities tied to meters TanTan is set to join the revolution against Regnant Corp, and it's staff.

Grabbed by the EULA ~ The Coming EULA Apocalypse

Have you ever stopped to think about how many terms of service, and privacy policies you have agreed to on binding legal terms? From simply using a Windows computer to browsing the internet, and even doing blogging like I am now we have all signed our rights away to companies who could, if they deem it necessary, sue us in a court of law. Ultimately sending us off to prison, or fining us to the point of bankruptcy. Between the lines there are so many words, and loopholes that allow for even the smallest companies to secure their business, and even in some cases abuse their ability to conduct business with you. The usual line where it says the company reserves the right to change the agreement you agreed to at any point during your use of their service, or product leaves you open to all sorts of potential legal problems. Stuff, that once you sign on for, will cost you the right to contest said agreement, and anything that is legally binding within it, indefinitely.

Hobby Destroyers The Gaming Industry Dilemma As I See It

While the title of this post is broad I'd like to focus mostly on gaming, and the game industry. I'd like to talk about the key points that would turn me away from gaming should they come to fruition. I'd also like to talk a little about the direction gaming is taking, and what this possibly means for the future of gaming itself ...

In the past several years we've seen mainstay creators in the gaming industry twist, and taint the entertainment offerings thereof in a variety of concerning ways. Both for gamers, and for the developers who create the content said gamers consume. We've witnessed Microsoft, and Sony start a console war in which they each released a few different versions of their new-gen console hardware while completely ignoring how it impacted early adopters, and the fact that it made useless consoles that in previous generations would have had a much longer lifespan where games were the focus instead of the consoles themselves. This race to win over the gaming crowd has cost these companies trust among the gaming community, and lost some dedicated service subscribers that would have possibly stuck around if it weren't for the poor decisions made.

What if games are being created to grief & cheat you?

Did you ever feel like the odds in competitive games were unfairly stacked against you? That certain things seemed so blatantly, and obviously placed in the AI's or other players' favor that it was more than just a coincidence? Well, you are not alone. It has been speculated by many gamers that certain games are being manipulated for one reason or the other. In Destiny, for example an overwhelming community majority thinks Bungie has purposefully ignored complaints about unfair adjustments, and that through their disregard for the gamer have made things purposefully unfair. Some claim the matchmaking is intentionally geared to pair top tier players against players doing questionable things online. Often times it's the gamers who are calling out Bungie on these things in their forums that see the greatest negative impact to their k/d. Not only that, but Bungie moderators also remove posts that make them out to be guilty, and sometimes ban complainers from the forums entirely.

Pre-Orders, Call of Duty & The Gaming Industry

This morning I had the pleasure of carrying on a twitter chat with a like-minded gamer who is also very passionate about what's going on in the gaming industry. We discussed what I, and so many other gaming supporters have said over the years in regards to the business side of gaming. The slogan, "Speak with your wallet" came up as it usually does in such a conversation, and both of us talked about what needs to be done to change things for the better. What one has to understand going into such a debate is that certain marketing ploys that are being put into play via publishers, and the greed driven product pushing that follows suit are ultimately dictating the quality of video games that hit the store shelves as well as the online store listings. One publisher in particular, the one behind the modern-day "Call of Duty" franchise has set the standards that other publishers go by. They think that since the majority of gamers will pre-order the game despite the company's reputation of having released a sub-par game in the past that they can continue to do so, and milk the franchise for what it's worth. This leads to the "Half-Assed" game development that I'm constantly preaching about ...

Staying Socially Relevant & Other Stuff ...

Socially relevant, I shall stay socially relevant. That's what I keep telling myself. Honestly, though my coverage of gaming is fading due to several different factors. For one thing I find that games worth reviewing, or talking about are becoming fewer, and further between. Most games are half-assed pieces of shite that never live up to the hype. Some are even blatant rip-offs meant solely for cheating gamers out of their hard earned money. In light of these blasphemous gaming developments my review requesting has waned, and rightfully so. I've found my passion for covering such games, and gaming topics dwindling. Gaming in general has become aggravating for me on so many levels. The online multiplayer experience that I once loved is being snuffed the f**k out by hackers, and is leaving a lot to be desired in it's wake. Even the offline only games are leaving a lot to be desired with their half-baked delivery. Seeing as new-gen consoles are mostly built for the online experience the consoles themselves are also posing a potentially threatening problem for the future of gaming. Where does a passionate journalist go from here? What does one do when they've reached a realization of what is truly happening to one of their most beloved hobbies? It's a question that I'm going to have to answer for myself before the new year comes into light as I may, or may not continue on this journalistic path due to the oppressing factors that weigh so heavily on me now. Heck I might even go retro before it's all over.

Let's Talk - DLC, Micro-Transactions & Pay-Per-Play

My stance on corporate greed is probably well known amongst the online gaming community by now. The money gouging, and money grubbing practices that have become commonplace have all but sapped out the fun that the gaming industry was once known for, and I've said so myself several times over. While a majority of these money making schemes are inexcusable forms of bullshittery there are some things that I wouldn't mind forking over my hard earned cash for. The DLC that actually rewards the gamer for their gamble on digital only items would be a prime example of such a noteworthy DLC practice. I for one bought every single piece of costume DLC made available for "Soul Calibur V", and ended up investing more money in the game than I initially sunk into it. The DLC for that game was too good to pass up.

"Online, the Ruination of the Gaming Industry"

Growing up I was privileged to have participated in the best era of gaming to ever grace this world. As a gamer of the 80's, and 90's I got to enjoy years worth of quality gaming content on the offline consoles of yesteryear. What made this experience so grand, and memorable was the fact that every game, and product released by Nintendo, Sony, and the likes were of the highest quality possible. Nintendo, for example knew that as a rising gaming company they would have to pour their heart, and soul into the product, and do so in a single fell swoop. You have to understand that game releases back then were a one shot deal. They were created on cartridges, or CD discs that could not be altered after they hit the store shelves. There were no such things as patches, or bug fixes available to the programmers who helped make the games. It wasn't until later years that the introduction of online features became a thing, and began to become a mainstay in the world of gaming entertainment. As year after year passed the simple cartridge, and CD based consoles that we loved, and admired became more, and more like the PC experience that we hoped they wouldn't be. Game developers were eventually able to introduce online play, online patching, and a digital marketplace that would make going to the local gaming store a thing of the past.

Lets' Talk - "Youtube's Copyright Apocalypse"

This morning while doing my usual Youtube browsing I happened upon one of the most unnerving videos ever related to the gaming/entertainment industry. Boogie2988, the great Youtuber that he is decided to give us fair warning about Youtube's copyright policy change, and did so in a well spoken and professional manner. He was to the point with his argument, and everything he said was relevant. For that I'm truly thankful. I myself have been hit in the past by copyright claims, an would hate to have to pony up a serious amount of dough for legal purposes for my continued inactions. Being hit by a copyright notice earlier in the week was enough I to make me take the hint, and clean out my own Youtube channel this morning. I think deep down I knew this day was coming, especially seeing as the gaming industry as a whole has become one large greedy cesspool. There's no doubt in my mind that game developers, console makers, and entertainment providers alike are going to see this thing through to it's bitter end. All they are concerned about is getting rich, and they don't care how they go about it. You better believe that these creators of the gaming/entertainment industry could care less about the consumer, and more about themselves.

The Fall of the Video Game Industry: "Things That Will Spell Certain Doom For Gaming"

Over the past few years I've witnessed a very concerning trend that has impacted the video game industry, and the potentially fun experiences that it offers. As most of you know by now hacking is all the rage these days. You see Hacktivists like Anon making headlines, and other global hackers advancing to the forefront with their thieving tomfoolery. On the sideline of this ever growing fad are the delinquent little sh*t heads who have nothing better to do than waste legitimate gamer's time with cheap gameplay, and unfair hacks. These fudge packers have ultimately become a prominent part of gaming culture, and use their hacking BS to heckle us honest gamers. As an avid gamer with years of experience under my belt I have come to loathe this situation with a burning passion. Often times I spend $60 for a new online game only to find elementary school, and middle school aged f*cktards bragging about their hacking victories in online lobbies. I report these fools religiously, and as I often as I do I still run into them online. Game developers, and console developers stand idly by letting these degenerate lowlifes dominate the world of online gaming. They could easily implement a proper reporting, and banning system, but instead are so money hungry that they could care less about fixing the problem.