The Giant Beastcast: Episode 114

Dan is more than allowed to his own opinions on Walmart and its work practices but it's not something I feel super great supporting as a premium member. Will not be renewing.

It's one thing to be grateful for the things Walmart provides at a cheap cost, it's another to be in an influential position like Dan's and to willfully ignore the bigger picture and to double down on "but from a CONSUMER's perspective..." how great a company they are.

This is a serious low point in my relationship with the site.

You're not alone. Sometimes I genuinely wonder why I listen to this podcast anymore when it makes me so upset. On a good day I can handle Dan's schtick, but some days I think it's going to kill me.

@alex: On the off-chance you do Film & 40s: Battle Royale (which having just watched it I'd be all for), if you don't do the second film, you should at least watch the first scene where the teacher shows up.

Vague (only cast, not narrative) spoilers: It's Awano-sensei :p

@108: @alvarofaraujo: Giving the tropes page for this includes "Everyone generally likes the novel, and will typically also like either the film or the manga, but rarely both. Any of the three may be preferred though, and huge arguments are inevitable when trying to posit one version over the other.", I suspect you aren't going to agree on this....

Exactly, Dan didn't personally attack anyone's taste or opinions. He have his own and his reasons (whether you agree or not). That's kind of the point of the whole thing. Why do we need to get all angry about it?

I'm not mad at Dan, I am mad at Trump. There I said it.

"I play games to play games". WTF does that even mean?

I was laughing/ smiling throughout all those things, and I totally get what he means, even though my opinions are completely opposite to his on pretty much all those points. People are different, and that's a good thing!

@thecoffeyhaus said:

Same. I was almost waiting for the whole "this isn't a real game" or "walking simulator" rhetoric.

Also remember Metal Gear Solid? The game that was 80% cutscenes?

And I'm genuinely appalled that the words "I love consumerism" came out of a person's mouth. Plus the whole "I hear Walmart is shitty, but I don't know why, so it's okay to love it!" tone he had. Jesus.

@stordoff @108 Looks like we got our wish. Film & 40s is happening

I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum too, but I agree with Alex. I understand what Dan means and that for him gameplay is the first priority. He might have worded it in a way that might be offensive to people but... I don't see the big deal. (I don't think he was shitting on anyone either, just speaking directly and maybe defensively. A part of it is also sounding intentionally naive for comedic value)

As for me, I play games for the story, atmosphere and emotions that the experience can provide. There are games that have been hated and panned by a lot of people, but I found out I loved them when I gave them a chance because they had a good look or atmosphere. I don't see a reason to take anything he said personally.

@cooltube96: Totally, man. Austin and, to a certain extent, Patrick are part of the new wave that's droping the "review" angle of looking at games, chopping the analysis into parts (Story is great, gameplay is ok, good art, great music etc), and adopting a more "games as a whole text" critical view that's really interesting. If you like that type of stuff, check out a youtuber called Super Bunnyhop.

I actually sometimes eat pasta with ketchup when I'm too lazy to make sauce. As in, willingly.