Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the Giant Bomb Community Spotlight and I, @zombiepie, am honored to once again be your host this week. It was a relatively calm week outside of the influx of Korean speaking robots that seem to be hitting Giant Bomb. As you can read in my housekeeping notes, the influx of spam is a known issue and the engineering team is working on it. Regardless, the weather seems to be improving in the Northern Hemisphere and I have all of my limbs still attached to my body. So, without further ado, let's jump right into the housekeeping!
- The engineering team is exploring ways to remedy the spambot situation. They are aware of the recent flare-ups in the past week and are working on it.
- If you were not able to attend PAX East 2018, don't worry! Moderator Marino took hundreds of photos while at the event, and you can check them out in the image gallery he curated for the event.
- It's not really gaming related, so I placed it here, but if you want to discuss the NHL or NBA playoffs with the Giant Bomb community, do we have the thread for you!
Community Activities
Giant Bomb Community Endurance Run VIII (By: @thatpinguino)
The 8th Giant Bomb Community Endurance Run is ONLY ONE WEEK AWAY! For those who do not know what that is, it's the spring-time Giant Bomb community charity effort for "Pencils of Promise." Here's a link to the team page, and it's populated by nothing but wonderful people! For example, I HAVE A PAGE!
Tweets Of The Week
@giantbomb Congrats on 150 episodes Giant Beastcast! I drew up you all gave yourselves. pic.twitter.com/GWMdXmCDOx
— ?Chris Nichols? (@dramastikator) April 11, 2018
Thanks to @danauer I now have a nice reminder of impending doom right over my computer monitor pic.twitter.com/ixSMvS5wjT
— Will Carle (@Will_Carle) April 14, 2018
I think I found out who voiced the ducks for @duckgame_@DanRyckert ??? pic.twitter.com/xsXy3GuVxh
— Jeremy Medina (@JeremyRMedina) April 9, 2018
Giant Bomb Galleria
Animal Versions Of The Giant Bomb Staff (By: @dramastikator)
Over on Twitter, dramastikator really hit it out of the park with these adorable animal-versions of the Giant Bomb staff. If you haven't seen the animated version, which I included in the "Tweets of the Week" section, do that NOW! I promise you will not regret it. And remember, try to support artists whenever and however possible.
Dan's 13 Deadly Sims Death Portrait (By: gingerXsnap)
It's a bit late, but gingerXsnap made another great death portrait for the victims of Abby's 13 Deadly Sims series. This time, she created what I think is her best work yet, for Dan. And remember, try to support artists whenever and however possible.
Spooky Luchadeer, Winking Luhchadeer & Extinguished Giant Bomb Logo (By: @danauer)
Site design lead Dan Auer had some free time and managed to create these three fun and beautiful Giant Bomb and Luchadeer logos!
Best Of Blogs
The Council - "Too Much Graphics" Adventure? (By: @eloj)
eloj comments on why they think the episodic adventure game, The Council, tries to accomplish too much in terms of technical design in a single game.
The Next Trillion Dollar IP (By: @themist997)
TheMist997 expresses a level of skepticism about Cliff Bleszinski's newly announced game, Radical Heights, and developers desperately trying to find the "next big thing."
Video Games Can Be More Than Toys (By: @shivermetimbers)
shivermetimbers comments on why Far Cry 5 should have aspired to be more than a fun playground full of "toys" and mayhem on their latest blog.
The inFamous 2 Karma By Committee Run... For The Kids! (By: @danielkempster)
User danielkempster is committing to an inFamous 2 marathon playthrough for the Giant Bomb Community Endurance Run! Learn how you can support them in their charity drive.
Rosebud: Homes in The Sims (By: @gamer_152)
Moderator Gamer_152 wrote about how the original The Sims has characters and a user-friendly home creation interface, and how it ties its many modes together.
I Played Gods Of Warses (By: @werupenstein)
In preparation for the new God of War game, Kidavenger played all six mainline games in a month. Read their overall impressions of the series.
Saturday Summaries 2018-04-14: Angler Wrangler Edition (By: @mento)
In his usual weekly periodical, Mento talks about fishing mini-games in open world RPGs, meets The Cat Lady, attempts to discern the recipe for Final Fantasy XV's appeal, and embarks on a Mondays-hating A Link to the Past randomizer playthrough.
Join The Discussion
God Of War (PS4) Reviews Discussion Thread (By: @glots)
What do you make of the critical reception and reviews for God of War? Share if the generally positive reviews have you excited to play the game.
Are You Ready To Give Kratos A Chance? (BY: @ntm)
Speaking of God of War, is it time to reconsider Kratos as a "character?" Does the most recent God of War game prove that he was a "decent" character all along?
Cliff Blezinski's New Game. Early Access: 80's Inspired Battle Royale Game (By: @samfo)
What's your take on Cliff Blezinski's new game, Radical Heights? Have you played the early access version of the game? Is there a fun time to be had in the game even in its early developmental state?
Billy Mitchell Kicked Out Of Twin Galaxies (By: @malawi1321)
What do you make of the INSANE news about hot sauce magnate, Billy Mitchell? Does the recent hubbub shed new light on the documentary, The King of Kong?
Sounds Like More Bioshock Is Coming Down The Pipe (By: @rorie)
Are YOU excited to possibly play a new BioShock game? Does another studio deserve to have another go at the franchise, or should it be laid to rest?
Expansion 2 Releases May 8th, Randomized Weapons + "Weapon Slot Changes" In September (By: @tds418)
Some big changes are coming to Destiny 2, and you can join our discussion if this is exactly what Destiny 2 needs. Will the new Warmind DLC inject new life into the game, or will it fracture the Destiny community? You decide!
Jade Empire, Panzer Dragoon Orta, KOTOR 2, And More Coming To Xbox One BC (By: @babychoochoo)
Whether it be Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords, Jade Empire, or Red Dead Redemption; some real heavy-hitters are coming to Xbox One backward compatibility! What are you most excited to replay?
Let's Talk Extinction's 60 Dollar Price Tag, Aaa Game Pricing, And The Open Market(By: @soulcake)
It appears Extinction released recently, and plenty of people are buzzing about how it looks and plays, as well as its sixty-dollar price tag. Share where you stand on the game in our discussion thread.
How Do You Feel About Far Cry 2? (By: @beachthunder)
It's almost ten years old, but how do YOU feel about Far Cry 2? Were malaria, weapon degradation, fire propagation, respawning enemies, and gory healing animations exciting mechanics or endlessly frustrating?
Lovable Lists
Scattered Thoughts March 2018: The Utterly Average Game List (By: @riostarwind)
Whether it be Goemon's Great Adventure to Garfield: Caught in the Act, moderator riostarwind played an odd amalgam of games last month.
Useful User Reviews
- @riostarwind's review of SteamWorld Dig 2 highlights how the game can be really fun to control once you unlock a few upgrades.
- @infinitespark recently gave the North American release of Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] a shot, and shares their incredibly positive thoughts about it.