Worth Reading: 01/04/13

@Dixavd said:

... Where I clearly stated that the second half of your comment, where you said you disagreed with the sentiment that it is immoral for a company to blur the line between fictional weaponry and real life weaponry, was a totally valid arguement but it is the only valid arguement you have. I clearly told you that this topic was brought up before and cared about before the shooting and that it is being brought up now after the shooting not because people suddenly care but because it needs to be discussed and people trying to blame all of this on videogames will bring it up anyway (so it must be tackled and mentioned no matter what anyones individual opinion of it was.

You were telling me not to say the first half of my argument for literally no reason. Maybe I should actually show you the article listed...

The video game industry was drawn into the national debate about gun violence last week when the National Rifle Association accused producers of violent games and movies of helping to incite the type of mass shooting that recently left 20 children and six adults dead at a school in Newtown, Conn.

While studies have found no connection between video games and gun violence, the case of Medal of Honor Warfighter illustrates how the firearms and video game industries have quietly forged a mutually beneficial marketing relationship.

Huh. I don't know. It seems like this article is mentioning the link between Medal of Honor, it's product placement and the shooting.

I clearly told you that this topic was brought up before and cared about before the shooting and that it is being brought up now after the shooting not because people suddenly care

This seems contradictory to your feelings.

I know this topic has been brought up before, and it's brought up again using the shootings as a political piece to make this sponsorship look nastier. There are two different but not mutually exclusively arguments being made to EA's partnership. And I tackle both of them because BOTH of those arguments are being made.

I still like the Bangin

I only played Shining Force 1 and 2 for the first time in 2009, and they definitely hold up. The second more than the first. Shining in the Darkness, a dungeon crawler that came before it in the series, is really cool too. Be cautious and don't go too far in early on! :)

Opening 10+ New Tabs in 3, 2, 1.....

Here's to another year of scoopin n spookin.

@Brodehouse said:

Electronic Arts apparently responsible for... the legal sale of firearms in the United States.

What fuckery is this? "Blatant regard for decency". Do you even know what decency means? Say what you want about comarketing, but it's not like they're promoting the sale of crystal meth. If you don't like guns, try to get guns banned. But trying to make them taboo, EA mentioning them is 'indecent'?

You're not 22, Patrick, you're as old as I am. Are you being serious with this or is this just a Tom McShea-ish play to the kneejerk and the reactionary?

I thought the linking to sites where you can buy guns is terrible taste for a game, hey you'r having fun shooting dudes with this rifle so why not buy it in real life

@TruthTellah: I remember looking at the page for Full Steam Ahead but their Kickstarter was incredibly weak. It's unfortunate that it didn't go through but it seems they know where to take the game next. Certain projects just end up not doing so well and I think 2013 will see a decline in these huge Kickstarters as fatigue has already sunken in.

Killer Escape was pretty cool. I'll have to check out the other recommendations. Thanks Patrick.

What the fuck is with these dickheads in every article that Patrick posts?

We like what he has to say, in whatever 'format' it's written in, because he writes as if he was speaking to us.

Seriously, 'grammar police'? You couldn't write an article without violating a handful of grammatical rules. Don't even try bullshitting yourself that you could.

Patrick Klepek - please keep doing exactly what you do.. I've been a paid subscriber for as long as you've let me give you guys money. Your continued content and increased involvement with the quicklooks and podcasts is one of the reasons I will continue to do so. Here is to the next year of Worth Reading! <3

@Bourbon_Warrior said:

@Brodehouse said:

Electronic Arts apparently responsible for... the legal sale of firearms in the United States.

What fuckery is this? "Blatant regard for decency". Do you even know what decency means? Say what you want about comarketing, but it's not like they're promoting the sale of crystal meth. If you don't like guns, try to get guns banned. But trying to make them taboo, EA mentioning them is 'indecent'?

You're not 22, Patrick, you're as old as I am. Are you being serious with this or is this just a Tom McShea-ish play to the kneejerk and the reactionary?

I thought the linking to sites where you can buy guns is terrible taste for a game, hey you'r having fun shooting dudes with this rifle so why not buy it in real life

What separates that from "Hey, you're having fun weaving through highway traffic at 120 MPH in this Lexus, why not buy one in real life?"

@mrcraggle said:

@TruthTellah: I remember looking at the page for Full Steam Ahead but their Kickstarter was incredibly weak. It's unfortunate that it didn't go through but it seems they know where to take the game next. Certain projects just end up not doing so well and I think 2013 will see a decline in these huge Kickstarters as fatigue has already sunken in.

Yeah, I think you may see a bit of slowdown(though many projects have gotten surprisingly high number recently) in 2013, but after some more Kickstarter-supported games come out, you'll see a resurgence once again.

@Dixavd said:

... Where I clearly stated that the second half of your comment, where you said you disagreed with the sentiment that it is immoral for a company to blur the line between fictional weaponry and real life weaponry, was a totally valid arguement but it is the only valid arguement you have. I clearly told you that this topic was brought up before and cared about before the shooting and that it is being brought up now after the shooting not because people suddenly care but because it needs to be discussed and people trying to blame all of this on videogames will bring it up anyway (so it must be tackled and mentioned no matter what anyones individual opinion of it was.

The thing I don't like is that when it was brought up before, it was just a "Well that's gross, lets move on." Now that there is a tragedy to hang it on, it's a blatant disregard for decency.

I love to tear down EA and Activision every chance I get, this just seems to be a left wing version of the shit you'd see on Faux News.

That Big Bang Theory essay is so spot on

@lanerobertlane said:

Shining force 2 is my 2nd favourite game ever (behind Bubble Bobble)

Like PK, I've never played the Shining Force games, but you are dead-on with Bubble Bobble. Greatest co-op game in existence.

I absolutely love Morrowind! One of the best games of all time in my list! :) Such amazing memories! I was obsessed about this game for some time!

I've seen that TED Talk before. It is one of the most wonderful 20 minute speeches I've ever seen in my life. Glad you're exposing others to it Patrick!

I don't see how it's crony capitalism when Schilling lost upwards of half to 3/4 of his OWN personal fortune in 38 Studios. He didn't exactly get his personal investment paid back by the government, did he?

I suggest Reason TV do some research on what crony capitalism actually means (hint: good place to start is banker gangsters getting billions from bought and paid for politicians so they didn't have to take a bath on high risk, high stupid "investments")

@Bourbon_Warrior said:

@Brodehouse said:

Electronic Arts apparently responsible for... the legal sale of firearms in the United States.

What fuckery is this? "Blatant regard for decency". Do you even know what decency means? Say what you want about comarketing, but it's not like they're promoting the sale of crystal meth. If you don't like guns, try to get guns banned. But trying to make them taboo, EA mentioning them is 'indecent'?

You're not 22, Patrick, you're as old as I am. Are you being serious with this or is this just a Tom McShea-ish play to the kneejerk and the reactionary?

I thought the linking to sites where you can buy guns is terrible taste for a game, hey you'r having fun shooting dudes with this rifle so why not buy it in real life

You already crossed that line as soon as you played games with real life guns in them. Millions of people have been killed by M16s and Ak47s and we don't bat an eyelash when they are in games.

Keep up the good work Patrick. Honestly if it weren't for this column I probably wouldn't have read/seen ANY of the excellent articles/videos that are linked in this feature.

@SaturdayNightSpecials said:

@Bourbon_Warrior said:

@Brodehouse said:

Electronic Arts apparently responsible for... the legal sale of firearms in the United States.

What fuckery is this? "Blatant regard for decency". Do you even know what decency means? Say what you want about comarketing, but it's not like they're promoting the sale of crystal meth. If you don't like guns, try to get guns banned. But trying to make them taboo, EA mentioning them is 'indecent'?

You're not 22, Patrick, you're as old as I am. Are you being serious with this or is this just a Tom McShea-ish play to the kneejerk and the reactionary?

I thought the linking to sites where you can buy guns is terrible taste for a game, hey you'r having fun shooting dudes with this rifle so why not buy it in real life

What separates that from "Hey, you're having fun weaving through highway traffic at 120 MPH in this Lexus, why not buy one in real life?"

Because cars primary use is to transport, guns are to kill people. What games are you refering to that do this with cars?

US Schools suck:

Seven Lessons of a School Teacher

And his book:

Dumbing Us Dow:The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling

Read these!

Shinning Force 1 was one of my earliest rpg experiences, it seems pretty rudimentary in design now, but it definitely holds a special place in my heart due to nostalgia. So i cant really answer the question of whether or not it holds up as I'll readily admit I'm not subjective. I can say though that i can still pick it up and play it for hours straight.

@Bourbon_Warrior said:

Because cars primary use is to transport, guns are to kill people. What games are you refering to that do this with cars?

Well cars kill more people than guns do every year in the western world so which is morally more comfortable?

And guns are not designed to kill people, guns are designed for CONFLICT a gas chamber or electric chair is designed to kill people, a gun is designed to fight.

And every simulation racing game that has ever existed? Every Need for Speed Game, Forza Horizon? They are all glorification of driving fast and dangerous on roads that would be totally unrealistic in a simulation world. It's not wrong that they do that, it's awesome to drive a Lamborghini really fast away from cops but the manufacturers know they SELL cars through the video games.

Don't believe me? A lot of people want a Nissan GTR because of it's effectiveness in video games.

Statistically speaking again, cars kill more people than guns do every year in the western world, so which is more morally reprehensible? Promoting cars or promoting guns? Are either of those things wrong?

I have "The Dark Eye". I never finished though.

I'm guessing They Breathe is terrifying like the water levels in Sonic are terrifying.  Just went through Sonic 1 last week for the millionth time, and every time I almost ran out of air I was freaking out (that music doesn't help things).

Ultima Online, fuck year

I saw a picture of UO and got super excited. My first gaming addiction!

Awesome stuff. Thanks Patrick.

I was somewhat obsessed with Dark Eye, so disappointed when I tried and failed to get it to work on modern computers. Maybe I'll try again...

That TED Talk was fantastic!

Regarding the negative influence of games... I don't disagree with any of what that essay expresses. I know those feelings. But I do think that it's that failure, angst and ambition cycle that can sometimes drive unassuming people to do great things. I think feeling that way is what life is about, for people that struggle to find their calling and their community. But those external things don't have to be the only anchor for your self-worth.

And I think you can't really discount how games make so many people feel good when making this argument, just because being skilled at a game doesn't also write their name on some mythical leaderboard in the sky. A great career doesn't really do that either. Games, and personal plans and projects, should be appreciated for their own sake. If it's not satisfying while you're doing it, It'll probably never satisfy you when you've accomplished it.

----

Otherwise, I feel that Shining Force 2 does not actually hold up, having played it through for the first time back in June. It's okay in the early going, and the graphics are very good. But the story and quality of translation really falters in the back half of the game. The battles also get larger than they need to. Finally, some of the later characters will probably never 'get good' for you, no matter how long you carefully feed them easy kills.

Shining Force 1 is a much more solid game, in my opinion.

That TBBT post reads incredibly defensive to me. I also strongly consider myself a "nerd" (though several venn diagrams identify me as more of a"geek"), and I have no problem laughing at seeing "myself" caricatured.

If you can't laugh at a caricature of your own stereotype, you are not fun. To be offended is giving it a power it doesn't really deserve, or in most cases even attempt. I just don't see the big deal. Bad or not, it's comedy. Let the people laugh.

Never not be recommending horror.

Anyone know an alternate source for the Corridor? The link off the site says the file doesn't exist.

Morrowind was so special, and I was fortunate it came out at a time when I was willing to put up with bad movement/combat in games. Nowadays I wouldn't make it out the first town before giving up.

Looking forward to that Patrick. It's great watching a really admirable journalist evolve over your time here (Not that the others don't evolve and change, just that your younger and all.)

Most areas (New and Old) of game journalism seems to have rooted themselves as soon as they become established, keeping the same style and technique at the apex of their success. The fact that you didn't do that and decided keep to wading your way though the stupidity pool that is journalism is F-ing inspiring. Please never stop wading and giving us swimming aids as you do so.

Oh man that essay on the TBBT was perfect, absolutely sums up 100% why that show is a cruel, horrible farce of evil.

damn that article was deep.

Can probably change the "Valve just launched Greenlight" header - it's been a while now.

Interesting take on Big Bang...I've seen that show to be fucking garbage from day 1, but not for the same reasons. Everyone is more than welcome to pile on, as far as I'm concerned.

Weird that there's an Ultima Online pic above the article about game "addiction." UO is the only game where I ever felt like I was losing chunks of my life to it where it was getting out of control. My friends and I were all playing on a free/non-official shard for hours and hours every day, and they were starting to feel the same way. The way we solved our problem was by getting banned on purpose. It worked.

@insanejedi said:

@Bourbon_Warrior said:

Because cars primary use is to transport, guns are to kill people. What games are you refering to that do this with cars?

Well cars kill more people than guns do every year in the western world so which is morally more comfortable?

And guns are not designed to kill people, guns are designed for CONFLICT a gas chamber or electric chair is designed to kill people, a gun is designed to fight.

And every simulation racing game that has ever existed? Every Need for Speed Game, Forza Horizon? They are all glorification of driving fast and dangerous on roads that would be totally unrealistic in a simulation world. It's not wrong that they do that, it's awesome to drive a Lamborghini really fast away from cops but the manufacturers know they SELL cars through the video games.

Don't believe me? A lot of people want a Nissan GTR because of it's effectiveness in video games.

Statistically speaking again, cars kill more people than guns do every year in the western world, so which is more morally reprehensible? Promoting cars or promoting guns? Are either of those things wrong?

Well this is silly, guns aren't made for killing/harming things? It's not a kendo sword or some nunchucks, it's a fucking gun, and you shoot someone in the head or arm or leg with it, primarily a human, and if you live in the dark ages and are some hunter/poacher, an animal.

And people who use cars for anything but pure transportation are extremely silly to me, but then again I forgot too many people in the world are terrible drivers and just like to go joyriding and race down the street every night because they have nothing better to do. Also the last driving game I finished was Burnout 3 or Revenge, so there's also that part why don't give a flying fuck about cars.

@Lazyaza said:

Oh man that essay on the TBBT was perfect, absolutely sums up 100% why that show is a cruel, horrible farce of evil.

This, I never understood the appeal of the show and I laugh at the people who think it's great because they share similarities with the main cast.

maybe bringing in outside writers to report on material that I have no interest in or time to tackle.

Unless it's Justin McElroy and his Sherlock Holmes monthly report, we probably won't be interested either...

Woah, that They Breathe trailer is intense!

@insanejedi said:

@Bourbon_Warrior said:

Because cars primary use is to transport, guns are to kill people. What games are you refering to that do this with cars?

Well cars kill more people than guns do every year in the western world so which is morally more comfortable?

And guns are not designed to kill people, guns are designed for CONFLICT a gas chamber or electric chair is designed to kill people, a gun is designed to fight.

And every simulation racing game that has ever existed? Every Need for Speed Game, Forza Horizon? They are all glorification of driving fast and dangerous on roads that would be totally unrealistic in a simulation world. It's not wrong that they do that, it's awesome to drive a Lamborghini really fast away from cops but the manufacturers know they SELL cars through the video games.

Don't believe me? A lot of people want a Nissan GTR because of it's effectiveness in video games.

Statistically speaking again, cars kill more people than guns do every year in the western world, so which is more morally reprehensible? Promoting cars or promoting guns? Are either of those things wrong?

No people want GTR's because they are an awesome Japanese car that beats European super cars, the people that can afford those cars aren't just buying it because it looked cool in a video game.

Your argument is just silly, do you even read what you are typing anymore?

We are talking about the game Medal of Honor directly linking to gun manufactors from their game, so don't just pull out your absolute bullshit we should ban cars because people die in them argument. This is about a game directly helping to sell fire arms to people that think they are fun to shoot people with in games, all the games that involve a Nissan GTR, don't involve pedestrians you can run over, they involve racing simulation or arcade style like Most Wanted. It just blows my mind that you think cars are even remotely comparable to the damage guns do. Wow dude just wow...Go back to Fox News buddy.

@Dan_CiTi said:

Well this is silly, guns aren't made for killing/harming things? It's not a kendo sword or some nunchucks, it's a fucking gun, and you shoot someone in the head or arm or leg with it, primarily a human, and if you live in the dark ages and are some hunter/poacher, an animal.

And people who use cars for anything but pure transportation are extremely silly to me, but then again I forgot too many people in the world are terrible drivers and just like to go joyriding and race down the street every night because they have nothing better to do. Also the last driving game I finished was Burnout 3 or Revenge, so there's also that part why don't give a flying fuck about cars.

A gun is designed for war, it was always designed for war right from it's very invention. Just as much as the sword and nunchuck was designed for war. A gas chamber, and a guillotine, are designed to kill people with most likely consistency to cause death.

A gun is designed to fight people who could conceivably fight back as much as a sword is made for, it was never designed to kill unarmed people who are not willing or cannot fight back, but a Sword and a Gun are terrible executioners tools, tools that have the objective of 100% killing someone/something. That's why executioners use lethal injection, electric chairs, or a nooses because they are designed to kill people.

@insanejedi said:

@Dan_CiTi said:

Well this is silly, guns aren't made for killing/harming things? It's not a kendo sword or some nunchucks, it's a fucking gun, and you shoot someone in the head or arm or leg with it, primarily a human, and if you live in the dark ages and are some hunter/poacher, an animal.

And people who use cars for anything but pure transportation are extremely silly to me, but then again I forgot too many people in the world are terrible drivers and just like to go joyriding and race down the street every night because they have nothing better to do. Also the last driving game I finished was Burnout 3 or Revenge, so there's also that part why don't give a flying fuck about cars.

A gun is designed for war, it was always designed for war right from it's very invention. Just as much as the sword and nunchuck was designed for war. A gas chamber, and a guillotine, are designed to kill people with most likely consistency to cause death.

A gun is designed to fight people who could conceivably fight back as much as a sword is made for, it was never designed to kill unarmed people who are not willing or cannot fight back, but a Sword and a Gun are terrible executioners tools, tools that have the objective of 100% killing someone/something. That's why executioners use lethal injection, electric chairs, or a nooses because they are designed to kill people.

You obviously don't know the origins of guns, they were used to demolish the opposing force who had things like swords and shields. You'r whole argument is just so silly I actually think you are trolling. Like you keep bringing up the electric chair like some one could just bring that around with them, hooking people up to it one by one. Guns make cowards unstoppable, every one of these mass shootings are pretty much always nerdy skinny dudes that would of got overpowered if they went into these places with a knife, the gun was the thing that made them powerful without them they are nothing, you want to hunt with your gun? Use a bow and arrow and a knife and stop cheating with a gun.

This comment thread got insane pretty fast.

I don't watch Big Bang Theory, seems lame.

@Bourbon_Warrior said:

I thought the linking to sites where you can buy guns is terrible taste for a game, hey you'r having fun shooting dudes with this rifle so why not buy it in real life

A civilian cannot legally buy/own the majority of the weapons represented in MoH: Warfighter.

@Dezztroy said:

@Bourbon_Warrior said:

I thought the linking to sites where you can buy guns is terrible taste for a game, hey you'r having fun shooting dudes with this rifle so why not buy it in real life

A civilian cannot legally buy/own the majority of the weapons represented in MoH: Warfighter.

That's completely inaccurate, but whatever.