Never got the point of these awards aside from being a morale boost for the teams that crunched for E3, it's a really safe list of winners that probably could have been picked just by names alone. Fun recap though.
I actually really dug the setup for the live show last night, a bit drier than usual but still casual and effective. Gave the guests a chance to shine and not get lost in the mix, the focus was on the conversation. It also feels like we're about 2 years away from full on Late Show with Jeff Gerstmann, hopefully featuring The Wolf as the wisecracking bandleader.
I don't mind lots of VR headsets in principal.. but I too am concerned just how much market fragmentation we're going to see in the mad dash to stand out from the competition.
Also this one kind of looks like an Alienware device, which is a turnoff off the bat. Impressive specs though.
So glad to see a piece on Giant Bomb that I knew I had to wait until I had the time to take it in properly in order to digest it fully.
I think your approach to criticism is right on. I feel part of the reason controversial articles elicit a visceral reaction is that even when intentions are good and honest, so much about the tone or angle an author takes with a piece says whether or not it's valid food for thought or easily dismissed. Especially if it's coming from a place the reader may not agree with in the first place.
There will likely always be a segment of the gaming audience that's interested in technical, story or design criticism but gets uncomfortable or even combative when social or issues deemed political become targets. In those points of view as well, tone plays a huge role as to whether or not they have any merit. I'll always take someone more seriously who can articulate their thoughts than a driveby "games should be fun" post. Honest opinion, the clarity and care in which you present your ideas and thought process is a cut above most game criticism - it's very welcome in a sea of sensationalism and hot takes and will hopefully create some great, nuanced discussion as a result.
I'm gonna be honest here: I don't give a single crap about the developers in this situation. This is a consumer rights thing, and a few people taking advantage of it and being dicks should not have any influence over it existing. This is a good thing, and a victory for users.
It should absolutely exist (and has in the past, unofficially), but it's also worth considering the impact the parameters given will have for special cases like the ones mentioned in the article. Thirty Flights of Loving was designed to be completed in 15 minutes or so, but it's still a compelling experience that's worth a few bucks. There's already lots of negative user reviews saying they didn't feel it was worth the price they paid for the time they got out of it. Are they all entitled to a refund? Even if they liked it?
Time will tell if the policy is abused by consumers on a wide scale to the point that it impacts developers like Blendo, or if it is indeed just a few people taking advantage in a sea of legit transactions.
Even without the grimdark murder fantasy vibe the game gives off, I don't think I can get behind a $20 okay dual stick shooter that's also kind of slow. Not seeing what it adds to the genre aside from being controversial by design.
Well, seeing how GBEast just recently ql'ed (and apparently really liked) Technobabylon and how wadjeteyes Dave Gilbert is also a relatively recent father, I guess they could find some interesting stuff to talk about if they could get him as a guest. I'd be all for it.
Ah, this is a great suggestion. Especially since Vinny seems to be a fan of what they've done over the years.
I was also on the fence and bit the $60 bullet. Pleasantly surprised at how much fun the core concept is and how refreshing the game feels. Really depends on what $60 means to you if it's worth it or not, hard to say if there's enough content out of the gate but the promise for continued support made jumping in more palatable. Definitely appreciate the inclusion of a single player mode, it's better than what I was expecting.
Austin was great on the Beastcast, and going through some of his previous work he's a really thoughtful writer and critic as well. Seems like a perfect piece to the Giant Bomb puzzle. And just in time for E3 shenanigans. Welcome sir!
Kirkhope > Wise I suppose, but neither if we're talking that jaunty DKC or Banjo sound. Reminds me of wacky kids show music or a new age sample CD from The Nature Company (Wise in particular with the latter). Works in the game and all, but not really into listening to that style on its own.
Really enjoyed Kirkhope's contributions to the Civilzation: Beyond Earth soundtrack, ok game but some standout tracks on there.
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