There really isn't a whole lot more to say tbh. This blog is mainly to archive, when (now) and where (outside) I heard it.. well just in case the cops decide to start asking questions...I guess? I did briefly hear a woman talking complaining about something outside just before it happened, yet it's more than likely unrelated as the shots sounded like they were down a block or two, and she was across my street talking on a phone. (nothing was seen, just heard out of my window) I couldn't hear her after it went down, so either she got hit... or she's a ninja.

Crazy stuff. Guess I'll just read the paper in the morning : /

Are any of you excited?

Gallery

Gallery

  Normally I'm pretty excited about hockey in general... This year I will be even more of a nervous wreck than I was last year however. Last year wasn't a big deal, as the Philadelphia Flyers snuck into the playoffs with a win over the New York Rangers..   
  

 Let me ask you your opinion about the idea of: "Everyone with a dollar should be able to dictate a product, and what that product does, after purchase"?  I'd more than likely reply different if I were on the spectrum of needing to turn a profit from a developer stance,.. but i'd say no. Now I will say, if a developer decides this is acceptable and does it with no regrets, then ok. Some of you might feel this is a cop-out to have a larger user base.. and some of you may see it as a good thing letting others experience the joy of the game. One unlikely example I would place on the table would be Jeopardy.  Would you want to see a Easy, Normal, and Hard mode? Or would that compromise the integrity about what that game is all about?
 
Did GTA IV or RDR prove unfair? No, and possibly yes. It (like every game out there) didn't allow for an option to think otherwise before you purchased the game either. If you wanted to make it more difficult, you had to do that on your own. If (like Jeff) you arn't really into the Wild West setting.. but love Rockstar games.. should you have a right to get your money back? Yea. But does it mean we change the game?  Were there people probably bored with the fact that it wasn't a challenge? Probably. I didn't see much problem in that to be honest.. but i'd rather get my monies worth by still trying to beat it today.. Is that fair to me? Well then you'd probably say... don't buy it then. And here is where the issue flips. Some of us play for the challenge/competition. Should I have a say in that there should be a harder mode and that it's too easy.. so they better change the game? Hell no, and I wouldn't expect them to. If I don't like it.. maybe I should research into the game/ previews/ reviews etc. Isn't that why we're here in the first place? And isn't it somewhat our responsibility to bring the uninformed to this site.. for this very reason? 
 
 And again touching on what you guys said earlier.. here in lies the problem. 
 
Instead of helping these guys overcome feats, some of us generally tend to sit on our high horses and boast. It certainly doesn't make it right, or comforting when ask for their help... but,  I'd be willing to bet they'd see that you really want to get good, and would be more likely to lend a few tips..instead of just complain, then state how dumb the game is because they don't have ALL DAY to practice it. Does anyone really have a problem with tough trophies or achievements? And should developers make them easier.. because I won't feel complete until I get 100% or an S ranking? To me.. this also feels like a part of the experience but I don't hear too many people complaining about it. Should we have to achieve all the trophies/achievements to "beat" a game? Well again, that depends on how the game is made. I would think in the Sonic Genesis Collection, that might actually work. Some other games, it may not. But, what dictates a greater scale for an objective over an achievement? 
 
 If you have a job/or have homework. It's completely normal for us to have a scarce amount of downtime. But when a specific game isn't completely based around a huge amount of depth, in terms of different facets to explore or missions to work on.. it's just compromising part of the soul within that product, to appeal to more people.  And yea, I do believe it compromises part of the appeal, when it's given an option to be altered. This really isn't a black or white issue. I know that's hard to believe, but I am willing to bet there are people who can't beat a game.. and feel that it should still be that way. Is it something they asked for? probably not.. but, I bet they'll feel damn good should they decide (in-between 5 hour release campaigns, selling for 60 bucks) to give it another whirl and finally succeed after a couple more weeks of time with the game.  Should this same game / feeling be accessible to anyone with a console? Should every game be for everyone, and if not, does it baffle you when it's not?  
 
 I know I keep resorting to Demon's Souls.. and I know i'm not winning any fans in the GB community for stating my thoughts on this matter, or a contradiction to the simple idea of (you have yours, they have theirs..move on) .. But hear me out... if that game had a difficulty setting, how many people would have chosen an easier setting.. just to play out the story? What does A GOD possess if they're easily trumped by someone whom just sat down to this game 45 mins ago? This game isn't based on much of a story.. so it'd cheese the whole experience. I think the same goes for Catherine. Now, i'm not an expert on the background of Catherine.. but from what i've seen in the limited preview of the demo/news... I'm assuming it's a game not entirely too deep, beyond the puzzles and story. I am assuming to some extent the actual core/content or purpose of the game might just be a roadblock for what they'd paid for, and if it's not worth warranting the free time they do have to want to figure out the the item they've purchased, In some cases, It just seems like it's too easy to miss the part of the point.. and even easier to back down. A puzzle or pattern isn't meant to be easy, neither is getting a thought out of your head.. especially if you're having nightmares about these said puzzles.. Again, I don't think every game needs to punish everyone, or become a puzzle..but when it does I'd rather see more research before shelling out money, than someone with a dollar complaining after the fact.
 
In conclusion..... 
 
Where does it end? 
Should we make all games accessible for everyone? 
Do Mature / Teen  / Everyone ratings have a place in this discussion also? Or should we have mature games with water guns? and Sesame Street games with guns/explosives?  My point being.. where does the catering end? Do we incorporate text to speech for all JRPGS in which reading is involved, for the blind? Do we have characters use sign language in all games, for the deaf? Why not? Or should it be a developers decision to implement these ideas?
 
Your thoughts, comments, and concerns are greatly appreciated. This post is mostly a one sided view, with respect to those who feel against it, or don't really care enough to question the direction games could/are taking in the industry. I know has been touched on many times already. If you don't really care.. then that's your prerogative.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this cool story, bro.