50: The 3DS XL & Gamer Angst
This week, we talk about Nintendo's new DS and answer some user questions.
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This week, we talk about Nintendo's new DS and answer some user questions.
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Escapist Podcast: 50: The 3DS XL & Gamer Angst
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I don't want to say everyone has terrible vision except me, but sometimes I feel that way about the DSi/3DS XL/LL.
It might be bigger sure, but there is a noticeable drop in picture quality because they're taking something smaller and just stretching it to make it bigger. If the resolution stayed the same that'd be great but it doesn't. Some people even treat the XL/LL as an upgrade, when it is blatantly not. At best it is a sidegrade, at worst, it's actually worse than a normal DS/3DS.
The experience is lessened by the graphical decline. Which is why I don't understand why anyone would choose to use the big one unless they either had eye problems or some kind of medical dexterity type problem.
Can you imagine buying a bigger TV if they told you the picture would actually look worse?
It might be bigger sure, but there is a noticeable drop in picture quality because they're taking something smaller and just stretching it to make it bigger. If the resolution stayed the same that'd be great but it doesn't. Some people even treat the XL/LL as an upgrade, when it is blatantly not. At best it is a sidegrade, at worst, it's actually worse than a normal DS/3DS.
The experience is lessened by the graphical decline. Which is why I don't understand why anyone would choose to use the big one unless they either had eye problems or some kind of medical dexterity type problem.
Can you imagine buying a bigger TV if they told you the picture would actually look worse?
wow that was one angry Susan...
I do agree with most of your ideas of no right way to enjoy games. However if you play skyrim and do not assassinate someone while they are sitting in a chair you have failed the first task.
I do notice a pattern of touching on achievements yet never really talking about them in detail. What makes a good one, what makes a bad one, when you enjoy them vs when you ignore them ect. Now I may have to write an email to get you to discuss this.
-2fish Skyrim chair assassin
"Take a seat I will be with you in a moment."
I do agree with most of your ideas of no right way to enjoy games. However if you play skyrim and do not assassinate someone while they are sitting in a chair you have failed the first task.
I do notice a pattern of touching on achievements yet never really talking about them in detail. What makes a good one, what makes a bad one, when you enjoy them vs when you ignore them ect. Now I may have to write an email to get you to discuss this.
-2fish Skyrim chair assassin
"Take a seat I will be with you in a moment."
Ok... So, first Ill say I completely agree with the points made that its not cool to abuse somebody just because they disagree with you on some subjective subject. Its not nice to call into question the ethics of the games reviewers just because they didnt like something that you liked, etc.
But I do also want to point out that the discussion was also a great example of how hard it can be to notice sometimes when you do those sorts of things. Specific case in point: The comment was made that the people opposed to Blizzard's real name logins were just opposed to it because they wanted to be jerks without repercussion. No. Not cool. I think thats exactly the behaviour that you guys were calling out - it is not ok to say that the people who disagree with you are all just badly behaved jerks (and the implication being that if they say their reasons are different then they must be lying). You have to be careful what youre saying, and in this case the generalisation comes across very much as a personal judgement on the ethics of people who simply have a different opinion. As Susan later said, you shouldnt be going into the situation assuming that people are being jerks and instead give them the benefit of the doubt.
So... yeah. I love the podcat, and I think it just goes to show everyone makes mistakes and sometimes good people say stupid stuff. But imo a little slap on the wrist is deserved for that bit.
PS: Heres a picture [http://cdn.walltowatch.com/files/0/0/0/1/00017750.jpg] of a puppy keeping warm
But I do also want to point out that the discussion was also a great example of how hard it can be to notice sometimes when you do those sorts of things. Specific case in point: The comment was made that the people opposed to Blizzard's real name logins were just opposed to it because they wanted to be jerks without repercussion. No. Not cool. I think thats exactly the behaviour that you guys were calling out - it is not ok to say that the people who disagree with you are all just badly behaved jerks (and the implication being that if they say their reasons are different then they must be lying). You have to be careful what youre saying, and in this case the generalisation comes across very much as a personal judgement on the ethics of people who simply have a different opinion. As Susan later said, you shouldnt be going into the situation assuming that people are being jerks and instead give them the benefit of the doubt.
So... yeah. I love the podcat, and I think it just goes to show everyone makes mistakes and sometimes good people say stupid stuff. But imo a little slap on the wrist is deserved for that bit.
PS: Heres a picture [http://cdn.walltowatch.com/files/0/0/0/1/00017750.jpg] of a puppy keeping warm
You know, its funny. I've pretty much always been a PC gamer and I didn't realize that the whole PC superiority complex/console 'tard stereotypes were actually a thing until a year or so ago and even then I didn't realize people were serious about it until recently. To be honest, it still baffles me.
The only preconception I have about consoles is that they aren't very good for RTSs. That may not be true anymore, but I just remember that N64 port of Starcraft that was barely playable.
The only preconception I have about consoles is that they aren't very good for RTSs. That may not be true anymore, but I just remember that N64 port of Starcraft that was barely playable.
Great podcat all around.
Thank you, Susan. Just, thanks. The Internet really is the world now. It's not okay to be a jerk or a jackass or a troll or worse just because "hey lolz itz the internetz!!1!" and it somehow doesn't count. Be intelligent. Be respectful. Be a decent human being. Be the same way you'd be if you were out there in the real world because, sorry Mr Anonymous Internet, the web is the world these days and hding behind a forum name doesn't make you any less of a jerk.
Thank you, Susan. Just, thanks. The Internet really is the world now. It's not okay to be a jerk or a jackass or a troll or worse just because "hey lolz itz the internetz!!1!" and it somehow doesn't count. Be intelligent. Be respectful. Be a decent human being. Be the same way you'd be if you were out there in the real world because, sorry Mr Anonymous Internet, the web is the world these days and hding behind a forum name doesn't make you any less of a jerk.
Nintendo not announcing the 3DSXL at E3 was just dumb. It would have been a win-win situation. Even if the other companies would have overwhelmed Nintendo's announcement, it would have been a combo breaker. "WiiU...and 3DSXL!". Nintendo would be the only company to announce new systems on the show. Look at the WiiU: No release date, price or anything, yet people are all hyped up about it. Nintendo announcing this NOW is like being at a party and then waiting until everyone leaves to give a big announcement.
Awesome rant about console preferences, trolls and so on. I, for one, am sick and tired of some people playing on the PC being all "Oh, your console broke down/needs a bigger memory/looks like crap/can't be legally modded/whatever? Well, that's what you get for not playing on PC, you poor bastard!". No. Just no. Take your stupid computer and go jump off a cliff. I like my laptop and I like my consoles. I just don't feel comfortable playing on a computer. It's just awkward for me. I don't care if you think my console is a piece of crap compared to your awesome space computer. Just let me be. The fact that I stated once that I was upset about Sony getting hacked doesn't mean I hate my PS3. Accept it and move on.
Example: Just a while back, I was checking the forums and I said somewhere that I hated Dark Souls because I made the mistake of attacking one of the first NPCs you run into in the game and he killed me like 20 times in a row because of that. And every time I respawned, he was there waiting for me and he'd kill me. Some guy said that I was just being dumb because I attacked him to which I reply I understood that but that still turned my interest off. Then he kept attacking me as if I was just retarded for not knowing that I shouldn't have done that. Maybe it was me not expressing myself properly or maybe he didn't get my point but he seemed truly offended by me not wanting to play the game because of that small instance. Well, my loss, I guess. Doesn't affect him, so why pick on it?
You wanna know why I stopped playing RE5? I died too soon and I hated not being able to move while shooting. Wanna know why I quit Dead Space 2? I got scared. Dumb reasons, if you will, but they're my reasons. People never stop to think the reason why people do other things. I know its easy to judge people on the internet where our personality might seem very shallow. But at least give others the benefit of doubt. That is what I always think about before posting. There are exceptions, of course, like that guy who sent that letter. If that would have been his response, I probably would have reacted like Susan too. But then again, what kind of reply would a guy like that expect to a question like that?
Anyway, like they say, think before you post. I enjoy having a friendly argument with someone when they're sharing interesting points of view. but when someone is just ranting for the heck of ranting or their reasons are not valid or shallow, then no. Think about your argument first then share it with me. Maybe you can change my mind if that is your goal. But you gotta do it smart.
Speaking of, here's a list of geeky things I just can't get into:
-Aliens: Saw the movie, it was okay, I guess.
-Dr. Who: I just hate Dr. Who. I watched some episodes, I know there's like 654644845 different doctors I "might have watched the wrong episode". But I just don't care about it. Awesome for people who like it, though.
-Naruto: I watched DBZ from beginning to end. I think that's enough to last me a lifetime.
-Call of Duty/Halo/Gears of War: I admit they're fun. But their story doesn't satisfy me.
-Mass Effect: Same as above.
-Comics: ARE WEIRD! AND COMPLEX!
-Card games: Too much hassle.
-My Little Pony
To expand on that last one, a friend of mine recently turned into a Brony. He raved about the show and asked me to watch an episode. I HATED MLP but I gave it a shot. I gotta admit it's okay. I don't like it but I admit it's decent. But I can't get into it. My friend was secretly offended but he understood.
And yes, Susan. I'm not exactly into anime. I mean, I like SOME anime but I'm no expert or self entitled fan. However, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a GREAT show! Great plot, voice acting, character development, animation, music and so on. Just give it a shot. I understand people who don't like it and their reasons but just like MLP, that show earned my respect. The movie, however, doesn't make justice to the show. At all.
Anyway, great podcast. One of the best ones out there.
Awesome rant about console preferences, trolls and so on. I, for one, am sick and tired of some people playing on the PC being all "Oh, your console broke down/needs a bigger memory/looks like crap/can't be legally modded/whatever? Well, that's what you get for not playing on PC, you poor bastard!". No. Just no. Take your stupid computer and go jump off a cliff. I like my laptop and I like my consoles. I just don't feel comfortable playing on a computer. It's just awkward for me. I don't care if you think my console is a piece of crap compared to your awesome space computer. Just let me be. The fact that I stated once that I was upset about Sony getting hacked doesn't mean I hate my PS3. Accept it and move on.
Example: Just a while back, I was checking the forums and I said somewhere that I hated Dark Souls because I made the mistake of attacking one of the first NPCs you run into in the game and he killed me like 20 times in a row because of that. And every time I respawned, he was there waiting for me and he'd kill me. Some guy said that I was just being dumb because I attacked him to which I reply I understood that but that still turned my interest off. Then he kept attacking me as if I was just retarded for not knowing that I shouldn't have done that. Maybe it was me not expressing myself properly or maybe he didn't get my point but he seemed truly offended by me not wanting to play the game because of that small instance. Well, my loss, I guess. Doesn't affect him, so why pick on it?
You wanna know why I stopped playing RE5? I died too soon and I hated not being able to move while shooting. Wanna know why I quit Dead Space 2? I got scared. Dumb reasons, if you will, but they're my reasons. People never stop to think the reason why people do other things. I know its easy to judge people on the internet where our personality might seem very shallow. But at least give others the benefit of doubt. That is what I always think about before posting. There are exceptions, of course, like that guy who sent that letter. If that would have been his response, I probably would have reacted like Susan too. But then again, what kind of reply would a guy like that expect to a question like that?
Anyway, like they say, think before you post. I enjoy having a friendly argument with someone when they're sharing interesting points of view. but when someone is just ranting for the heck of ranting or their reasons are not valid or shallow, then no. Think about your argument first then share it with me. Maybe you can change my mind if that is your goal. But you gotta do it smart.
Speaking of, here's a list of geeky things I just can't get into:
-Aliens: Saw the movie, it was okay, I guess.
-Dr. Who: I just hate Dr. Who. I watched some episodes, I know there's like 654644845 different doctors I "might have watched the wrong episode". But I just don't care about it. Awesome for people who like it, though.
-Naruto: I watched DBZ from beginning to end. I think that's enough to last me a lifetime.
-Call of Duty/Halo/Gears of War: I admit they're fun. But their story doesn't satisfy me.
-Mass Effect: Same as above.
-Comics: ARE WEIRD! AND COMPLEX!
-Card games: Too much hassle.
-My Little Pony
To expand on that last one, a friend of mine recently turned into a Brony. He raved about the show and asked me to watch an episode. I HATED MLP but I gave it a shot. I gotta admit it's okay. I don't like it but I admit it's decent. But I can't get into it. My friend was secretly offended but he understood.
And yes, Susan. I'm not exactly into anime. I mean, I like SOME anime but I'm no expert or self entitled fan. However, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a GREAT show! Great plot, voice acting, character development, animation, music and so on. Just give it a shot. I understand people who don't like it and their reasons but just like MLP, that show earned my respect. The movie, however, doesn't make justice to the show. At all.
Anyway, great podcast. One of the best ones out there.
I don't get Steam Punk either, I think it seems cool, but it's just not for me. With that said, I like a lot of things I don't think other people get.
Recently I started watching Heaven's Lost Property, an anime where the main character is a blatant pervert... and I related to that character. I'm guaranteeing that my friends would not understand why I liked it so much, not even the ones who usually like anime. With that said there are definitively different styles of anime, from straight out slice of life, to schoolyard, to fantasy and magical girl and even between the different types there is also a certain balance to each between drawing styles and characters and voice actors.
The thing I am most confused by is... I <3 Naruto, it's a really mainstream anime of like DBZ style popularity, and there are just so many people who hate it or will call you out as a fake for liking it and you are just like... so you don't like it, but if you are an expert on the subject then you should probably be able to appreciate that other people do.
Also I loved Avatar the Last Airbender, my girlfriend had seen the live action movie and loved it. So I showed her the anime and she could not have been more bored, which I get there's a difference in pacing between anime and movies and stuff but I was a little surprised because my viewpoint was from an anime I loved being made into a live action film by a director I hate XD.
Recently I started watching Heaven's Lost Property, an anime where the main character is a blatant pervert... and I related to that character. I'm guaranteeing that my friends would not understand why I liked it so much, not even the ones who usually like anime. With that said there are definitively different styles of anime, from straight out slice of life, to schoolyard, to fantasy and magical girl and even between the different types there is also a certain balance to each between drawing styles and characters and voice actors.
The thing I am most confused by is... I <3 Naruto, it's a really mainstream anime of like DBZ style popularity, and there are just so many people who hate it or will call you out as a fake for liking it and you are just like... so you don't like it, but if you are an expert on the subject then you should probably be able to appreciate that other people do.
Also I loved Avatar the Last Airbender, my girlfriend had seen the live action movie and loved it. So I showed her the anime and she could not have been more bored, which I get there's a difference in pacing between anime and movies and stuff but I was a little surprised because my viewpoint was from an anime I loved being made into a live action film by a director I hate XD.
When the shooter-bro stereotype stops being so frequently reinforced, people will stop saying "Ugh all you play is shooters? You must be a douche." That generalization exists BECAUSE the people who loudly espouse that all they do is play shooters are, generally, douches.
Oh and I'll start respecting game journalists more when there's a marked decrease of when a game comes from Japan that features even a flash of panty, moe magical girls, or just mostly female characters in general the reaction by the gaming press isn't "Oh this is so wrong and everyone who gets this game is a perverted pedophile rapist and its degrading to women." Maybe someone needs to kick people like Bob's soapbox out from underneath to start that since he seems to go on a "everything is sexist against women!" rant every month.
As far as being accused of being on the take? When there seems to be a rather pervasive trend of game media "professionals" to act as defenders for publishers when they institute anti-consumer programs or just offer terrible quality product and totally dismiss the other side of the argument it doesn't look good and it doesn't take much for people to start making accusations. The whole "The Retake ME3 people are all whiners" mess is quite the highlight of that mindset.
Oh and I'll start respecting game journalists more when there's a marked decrease of when a game comes from Japan that features even a flash of panty, moe magical girls, or just mostly female characters in general the reaction by the gaming press isn't "Oh this is so wrong and everyone who gets this game is a perverted pedophile rapist and its degrading to women." Maybe someone needs to kick people like Bob's soapbox out from underneath to start that since he seems to go on a "everything is sexist against women!" rant every month.
As far as being accused of being on the take? When there seems to be a rather pervasive trend of game media "professionals" to act as defenders for publishers when they institute anti-consumer programs or just offer terrible quality product and totally dismiss the other side of the argument it doesn't look good and it doesn't take much for people to start making accusations. The whole "The Retake ME3 people are all whiners" mess is quite the highlight of that mindset.
Susan had some serious righteous fury going on there! If it makes you feel any better this is not a phenomenon unique to gamers.
Just one example that I am quite familiar with is Railway enthusiasts in Britain. There is a division between people who prefer Steam or Diesal traction for starters, but the steam fans are deeply divided between the four big companies: the GWR,LMS,LNER and SR. Some reach fanatical levels of devotion to their chosen company, GWR fans can be the worst. The hardcore GWR nuts are sometimes referred to as 'The GWR Taliban' in certain circles.
Also Space Muffins should have a sophisticated British villain called, 'The Scone'.
Just one example that I am quite familiar with is Railway enthusiasts in Britain. There is a division between people who prefer Steam or Diesal traction for starters, but the steam fans are deeply divided between the four big companies: the GWR,LMS,LNER and SR. Some reach fanatical levels of devotion to their chosen company, GWR fans can be the worst. The hardcore GWR nuts are sometimes referred to as 'The GWR Taliban' in certain circles.
Also Space Muffins should have a sophisticated British villain called, 'The Scone'.
Don't worry about that. Unless You're a young girl in her early teens, it's perfectly fine if You're not into MLP:FIM. Nothing strange or noteworthy about that. For the record, I'm 27 and I'm quite into the show. I'm partial to cartoons overall.Beautiful End said:
Susan hates HP Lovecraft? BURN HER!!!
xD Jus' kiddin'...well...maybe... ^^
Lumping all anime(which ist just the term for a distinct drawing style) into one pot is really not helpful at all. Much of it i find just laughable because of completely senseless/pseudointellectual storyplotting or gratuitous violence. Nothing against a decent spot of violence now and then but if it has nothing else going for it, i lose interest rather quickly. But then there are series like Cowboy Bebop or Samurai Champloo which are just hilarious fun. There are those wonderful Studio Ghibli movies(i luuuv me some Myazaki). I'm a big burly manly man *cough* but "Grave of the Fireflies" just turned me into a sobbing, inconsolable mess. So, Anime to me is a huge pile of detritus where if you sift through it you will find some very entertaining stuff, some powerful works of movie art even.
P.S.: I don't get comics either. They are indeed weird. But here in Germany, comic superheroes never really were a "thing" anyway.
xD Jus' kiddin'...well...maybe... ^^
Lumping all anime(which ist just the term for a distinct drawing style) into one pot is really not helpful at all. Much of it i find just laughable because of completely senseless/pseudointellectual storyplotting or gratuitous violence. Nothing against a decent spot of violence now and then but if it has nothing else going for it, i lose interest rather quickly. But then there are series like Cowboy Bebop or Samurai Champloo which are just hilarious fun. There are those wonderful Studio Ghibli movies(i luuuv me some Myazaki). I'm a big burly manly man *cough* but "Grave of the Fireflies" just turned me into a sobbing, inconsolable mess. So, Anime to me is a huge pile of detritus where if you sift through it you will find some very entertaining stuff, some powerful works of movie art even.
P.S.: I don't get comics either. They are indeed weird. But here in Germany, comic superheroes never really were a "thing" anyway.
Speaking from 20 years of internet experience:
It was never okay to be a jerk on the Internet. It always counted. There hasn't been some sudden change in the way social dynamics online work - there's just more people now. Netiquette is pretty much the same now as it was then.
Only children would try to claim "ha ha, it doesn't count" (people can be children regardless of physical age).
Also what Caffeine said up above.
It was never okay to be a jerk on the Internet. It always counted. There hasn't been some sudden change in the way social dynamics online work - there's just more people now. Netiquette is pretty much the same now as it was then.
Only children would try to claim "ha ha, it doesn't count" (people can be children regardless of physical age).
Also what Caffeine said up above.