Undeadpool

@jaqen_hghar: I have a lot of respect for "Shelved By Genre," but my GOD, could they have picked a slightly...less intensive first podcast arc to cover than a book series with some of the most unpleasant content warnings imaginable? Especially since one of their patron-only podcasts is about bad movies, it kinda feels like those two should be reversed.

Shoot your shot and all, but it feels alienating.

The reasons are probably about as varied as the discussion, but I think the main one is: Nintendo first-party develops for The Nintendo Switch. So while companies like Activision, EA, and Ubisoft might have 4X the staff on a project, a lot of that staff is going to be ensuring the game "works" on 3 consoles plus any number of PC setups, each with moving parts that could cause the game to be completely unplayable if they interact with the wrong thing the wrong way at the wrong time.

It's why the complaint of "just fix bugs" isn't really a valid criticism: in fixing some bugs, others can crop up because now the game is interacting with the hardware differently, but with Nintendo, they only need to focus on one thing.

They're also part of the vanguard of "graphics are fine, the hardware arms race is actually worse for consumers" as one of the reasons people love and still buy their games is: the graphics are often stylized rather than "realistic," so not only do they age well, giving game sales a longer tail, but they're far, far, far, far less intensive to develop. Again, you CAN look at a credits list, but realize how many of those people are JUST working on art assets or localization.

Plus they don't have to work around trying to bilk every single cent out of every single customer and still make the game fun. Remember: for most major videogame companies, they want profit first and everything else second. Not saying Nintendo doesn't do shady shit to keep their coffers lined, I'm saying EA, Activision, and Ubisoft are so-so-so-so-SO much further down that particular pit.

Now, now, let's not forget we live in a world where "The Quiet Man" exists.

Games can be more disappointing, play worse, have worse writing, be a bigger embarrassment to established franchises, but I'm not sure ANYTHING comes together to be a worse piece of entertainment than that. Unless you're watching someone else play it, then it's a 10/10.

That having been said: what you're describing sounds like something that would be advertised in-universe if Paul Verhoeven made Robocop in 2023.

If only they didn't have to divert quite so much to the legal department...

@eccentrix: You've KIND OF just described "inFamous."

Yeah, this is more one of those things people tend to blame the wrong thing for. Like "I HATE SUPERHERO MOVIES, FUCK MARVEL!" isn't the problem, the problem is: companies chasing the massive trend while half-assing it to play "catch-up."

It's been going on since the 360 became the "brown desert" console after Gears and CoD4 became megaton hits, it happened with MMOs and MOBAs, and now it's happening with battle royale.

It's not the style that's a problem, it's the style being implemented to cover a lack of fresh, innovating ideas.

Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain.

MGS always gets credit for using "actual actors" in their cutscenes, but this little "dark Legend of Zelda" game was using the likes of Simon Templesmith and Tony Jay to INCREDIBLE effect.

Snagged this just based on the concept!

Based on how the tech industry works, he'll be back at another company or use his golden parachute to just start one within the year!

He and Bobby Kotick can cheers Ronald Reagan's ghost for a total lack of oversight and consequences!

@bigsocrates: Oh, I never wanted to imply the Ouya was vaporware, I just think it was more the "No Man's Sky" of its time: was going to be a pretty fun/basic thing, and then the internet ran with it, and maybe the makers ran with it too because $$$$.

And I always remember when it came up on Homestar Runner, and that makes me laugh...