Alert - Worth it, but not....

Some of you probably saw this coming, but I didn't - which is interesting when you think about it.  I've decided to give up the podcasting, and therefore the blog as well.  This was both fun and interesting for me to do and there's quite a few things I learned to appreciate in the process.  The problem is I had two conflicting principles in doing this: First - I wanted it to be a hobby.  This means I was approaching this as a way to relive interesting moments (Spot On Reflections), further support my health goals (Blitz Fitness), and complain and compare other's opinions and thought processes to my own (The Reactioneer and Straight to the Bulletpoint).  Simple enough.  Simply put - I didn't want it to feel like work.  Second, and here comes the storm, I don't like doing things poorly.  Early on I was okay with my lack of quality from a personal and technical standpoint.  After all, this was a new experience for me and bugs could be expected.  These situations collided recently however.  I kept feeling like there was so much more I could do, ideas I had that would help to further separate myself from the masses.  All good things take time and effort though, and that went against why I was doing this.

I really thought I had a winning formula to balance those two issues when I made all shows except Blitz a monthly show.  It wasn't until yesterday that I realized that wasn't the case.  Yesterday morning should have had a Blitz Fitness show scheduled, but instead my Saturday went like this: I woke up and grabbed the newspaper from my porch, walked to the store (about a half mile or so) to buy Kefir for breakfast, went jogging with a client, got pizza puffs at Grassano's with some close friends, went to Disc Replay for some classic (and not so classic) game purchasing, hit the dollar store for some cheap candy, bought vuvuzela's and played them on the drive home, hung out and laughed myself to exhaustion before slinking home tired but pleased.

That's a great day, and it was chockful of some of my hobbies already.  To produce a quality show and blog to you all I would have to start missing out on that a bit more and would want that?  The next question to ask is who would want to listen to the podcasts I've been doing the way they are now?  "No one" is the answer to both questions.  Inevitably the third, hidden question had to rear its ugly head; should I even bother with this?

The answer is no, I really shouldn't.  There's such a dearth of podcasts available today that when I look back at what I wanted to do with all 4 shows, only one of them was original (SoR).  Yet even that one falls short when i examined and realized that I do not have the technical skills to even make that show what I had in mind.

Without a doubt podcasting will continue and be quality for some time to come.  Let's not forget how young this medium still technically is and what can be on the horizon.  Although I'm sad that this little effort of mine failed to live up to my own expectations I can take solace in the programs I already enjoy: shows on the Frogpants Network (Final Score, The Morning Stream, Film Sack, both Instance shows, Hypothetical Help, and Autopilot), How Stuff Works (Stuff you should know, stuff to blow your mind, stuff you missed in history class, etc.), the bounty provided by NPR, and so many others at this time.

If you're reading this then you likely gave me a chance.  Thank you for that!  Am I walking into the sunset with a sad song at my feet?  Yes.....  Forever?  Who knows.  I can only say it was worth all the while.  If I'm really lucky maybe I've given someone out there an idea they turn into a show and have the time, skills, and drive to make it something special.  If you do, let me know so I don't miss out on it!

Poli Sigh - The Aristocat's They Ain't

Saw this featured on Yahoo!

What a fantastic idea.  Reduce animal shelter population without relying on killing them AND give another level of companionship and recovery opportunities to inmates screened as actually rehabilitating.  I might find negatives if I looked hard enough, but this is a nice thing to see take place.  I hope this has good evidence and shows the results we would expect from it so it can be adopted throughout the rest of the nation/world.

K.I.S.S. - 1 Million Reasons to Hate

The Consumerist reports again on one of the most nicely named hate groups in America: One Million Moms

Want to know the difference between a normal person and a homophobe?  I didn't even notice it was a lesbian couple with a child.  Flipping through it appeared to be exactly what it represents: 3 happy people of the female persuasion.

If anyone has any right to be angry - it's all the ugly bastards out there like me who never get a photo opportunity.  I want my damn underwear model money even I'm wearing the larger sizes!!

My favorite part of the whole thing is the section where OMM said they have been quiet on the whole Ellen DeGeneres spokesperson for JCPenney thing because they "had so much on their agenda".  Really?  Bigger than a celebrity like Ellen you can spew ridicule at?  What, did they catch Mickey wearing Minnie's dress?  Not likely.  Instead, me thinks they got quite a pushback politically last time and realized they jumped the gun too early - even for their ignorant target audience.

On a side note: Since the picture of the ad is at the top of the page for this article, we all likely eyeballed that first, right?  How many (men, women, octopi, etc.) noticed the women were wearing wedding bands?  I sure didn't.  You'd have to be actively seeking that out right?  Now who's the lesbian, OMM?

Game On! - Redefining the Boob Tube

Another Kotaku attention grabber

Though this one is likely getting a lot more clicks.  Long story short, Dead or Alive 5's development team has decided 'realistic' boob moving physics in their fighting game isn't enough.  A new feature is rumored to being implemented that will allow clothing to start becoming see-through in the course of a fight.

So many thoughts on this one:
1. I can't be the only gamer (a single one at that!) who is tired of the sexing of games, can I?  Enough of the so-called romances Bioware, no more of the love story Square Enix, and please Team Ninja - make an awesome fighting game, not another pre-teen digital wank fest.
2. I do own one Dead or Alive title.  I can't see the box to tell you which one it is.  That alone can tell you how memorable it was.  For the record, boobs were not a reason I purchased it.  I was looking for something new in a fighting game and the multi-tiered stages excited.  Then they didn't....
3. I used the word rumor.  I don't believe the Kotaku story does.  Not that it matters, I also called BMX XXX a rumor too....

Game On! - Value Added?

This Kotaku piece likely got nothing more than a glance today.

I don't begrudge people who aren't into budgetary titles from major publishers, but it's been my personal experience that sometimes you can get some nice gems by companies who have a division focusing on that low-price, non-casual game market.

Yet another one of these teams is gone, which makes me more worried I'll never smile gleefully from (honestly) treasured experiences from the likes of Ghost Master, Mall Tycoon, Fast Food Tycoon 2, or Rock Manager. *sad face*

Game On! - Manifest of a Changing Tide?

At least that's how this list from Kotaku makes me feel

I'm not saying this list of emotional wallet snaggers isn't effective, instead it turns out they're not effective on me. In fact, when I look at friends and family that are my generation, it doesn't grab them all the well either.  So does this list instead represent where the gaming audience is going/coming from, or is this more of a targeting ID for making the casual crowd that much more profitable?

K.I.S.S. - Tax On, Tax Off

As Seen On TV GamePolitics

My home state of Illinois is really improving it's percentage of unconstitutional laws lately.  At least something is showing a positive growth....

Totally Balls - Vote No On Pro Bowl? YES!

Deadspin saying it for the rest of humanity

The NFL is so progressive they finally realized no one cares about the Pro Bowl after having one for the past 50+ years/seasons - it's a bright sign that we may have this whole concussion thing figured out by 2042!

Poli Sigh - A Fine Idea

I think the headline is funny, but what do you think of this from Consumerist

I think I'll have more on this, especially some contradictions in the comments section that are oh-so-delicious.

Poli Sigh - A Political Army of One?

Saw this on Yahoo!

I feel as if this story is going to focused on solely as a constitutional rights issue, but the statements by soon to be ex-Marine Gary Stein don't add up.  Read for yourself and tell me what you think!

Totally Balls - New Cubs Curse?

A crazy man says Deadspin

I like stealing ideas as much as the next guy, but I like to make sure they're successful first!

Totally Balls - Rick 'Matter-of-Unfactly' Morrissey

That's how Rick Morrissey writes it in the Sunday Sun-Times opinion piece!

How do you carry an opinion on a wave while being as anti-journalism as possible, you ask?  Well Mr. Morrissey has the answer!  First, you lambast a public sports figure by fishing out only a portion of a quote so that the context isn't humorous as intended, but instead outright controversial in it's stripped format.  Then, you follow it up by providing 'smarter' words to said sports figure that congeal to form a thought that was not only never meant, but is completely off the topic of the original, untainted quote!

Congratulations Morrissey, that's the way to prove your points: Make them up!

For those of you who can read: here's the actual quote talked about at Mashable.

Poli Sigh - What's USPS's problem? Congress!

Via Consumerist

Okay, so that wasn't their exact words, but it might as well have been.  And if you read up on the craziness they have to put up with being a fringe governmental entity - they'd be correct!

Game On! - I Wish Game Players WERE Game Developers

Thanks for the heads up GP!

This warms the cockles of this one's heart.............................do hearts have cockles?

Game On! - I Wish Game Developers Weren't Game Developers

Because they blindly say things like this (Kotaku)

Game On! - Square Joke, Round Ear

Came across this snippet in Kotaku.

Sorry Square, this joke only further reminds me of the cash grab routine you're pulling with Final Fantasy rather than it's intended 'haha, I'm okay being wallet-raped now, kthnxbai!'.

K.I.S.S. - Worst Company in America now a shadow of it's former self?

Voting ended for Consumerist's annual anti-award show and Electronic Arts (a video game company) is considered by the voting populace to be a bigger negative than Bank of America (a bank).......

Is it just me, or is that ridiculous?

The Reactioneer - Changes

Updates on a new schedule and format tweaks to all the shows

K.I.S.S. - This Landlord Needs to Take a Leap

Via Consumerist

Go to court!  Do not pass go!  Do not let an asshat of this enormity collect $200!

Last Time On - Kris Dielman Retires

Via Deadspin

This serously needs to blow up in the NFL's face.  A 31 year old pro bowler playing a position that constantly sees people play to their upper 30's retires?  Why would that be, NFL, when you have such a clearly drawn out system?  I know the answer, and that you can keep this sort of thing from happening again.  Part of me thinks 'fat chance'.

Game On! - And Gaming's Gods Shrugged

Via Kotaku

I think I want this to be a wiki-what!? story for the next show.  I understand how they got the conclusion they got, but I think the perspective is too skewed.

Alert - Apologies for lack of shows

One of the reasons is due to a lack of articles that I felt were worth posting.  However, the primary reason is I'm currently in the middle of studying and testing for my CEC's to renew my ACE personal trainer certification.  I am testing for one this weekend, then I'll do the second half next week, and finally it'll be time to renew my first aid/AED/CPR certification.

That's not to say don't expect ANY show for the next few weeks.  I'm approaching this with the plan of still doing The Reactioneer and Blitz Fitness each week, but if you're wondering why it seems to not be happening, now you know.

Also, regarding the lack of a Spot On Reflections re-released: I have not done so yet as I'm considering 're-mastering' those and it's going to be fairly time consuming.  I'll have more details when I do the next Reactioneer.

Please be patient folks!  Thanks!

K.I.S.S. - Ticket stubs and Oscar futures

Via HBR

I understand his thoughts, but there are three problems I have with his pricing plan.  For one, it's something that's already done by theaters: matinee times.  So the idea isn't really all that revolutionary.  Second, yes the movie industry is quick to find new sources of revenue, and 3D is a great example of that, BUT 3D is almost universally panned and people are going a little out of their way to avoid the 3D version of a film if they can easily get to the 2D version.  Finally, and more importantly in my opinion, people who used to go to the theater all the time and now don't (like me) do so because the home option is not only cheaper but there also exists the 'free' option in the vein of torrenting.  I'm not advocating that, but it's a real possibility.  Don't write how sensitive consumers are to prices and then support the idea of triggering the price changes.

One last thought as I'm typing this.  Raise prices to see a movie in the theaters if it's an Oscar nominee or winner?  How many of those films are still in the theaters when the nominations, let alone the show, come out?  I may just be ignorant on this one, but I imagine the boat has been missed on a lot of these.

Game On! - Lack of Reading Comprehension takes Mass Effect on Ignorant Gamers

Via Kotaku

A writer who writes for videogames doesn't like that her writing can be skipped?  That reminds me of my friend who has excellent cooking skills and expects his meals to taste good!  Totally ridiculous, right?  No?  Oh!

I happen to agree with everything said by Bioware writer Jennifer Hepler; mostly because what she said compared to the position she is in is completely understandable and her so called attack on videogames just isn't that at all.

K.I.S.S. - If only this were the Apple of Microsoft's eye

By Games Industry

Apple takes action where Microsoft takes the blue pill.

K.I.S.S. - You're Worth More Dead than Alive!

From Consumerist

That quote is from Potter to Bailey in Christmas classic 'It's A Wonderful Life'.  Apparently Sony agrees and was ready and willing to charge more for Whitney Houston's music.  I think this happened with Michael Jackson and I'm sure others too.  Hey Sony and other music selling companies, you raised the price to make more money, and now I'm tempted to find it online for free!  What an ingenious business model!!

Game On! - Ready to evict the Resident Evil?

I sure am (thanks again CVG)

About 2 weeks ago I was excited about Resident Evil 6 because I was looking forward to a return to the suspenseful, mystery roots of the franchise.  Instead Capcom has confirmed that I and other like-minded gamers are not important to them because our money is made of material that's not worth anything to them.  No thanks Capcom, there's plenty of run'n'gun games I can choose from, and zombies that aren't zombies won't be a good selling point.

Game On! - LA New-oire?

Via CVG

This takes care of a major issue I had with the ending - the need for a sequel!  We'll see if and when that happens, but I'm glad the property is in the hands of someone who's still in business and for the past decade I've been able to trust Rockstar.

Alert - Due to Car Show like conditions, no Sunday show this week

Title says it all.

The Reactioneer 009

This week I wonder why the religious believe that atheists have no community, praise Sid Meier for his defense of videogame graphics, yell at Minnesota law makers who are trying to take away important consumer rights as Maryland shows the rest how it should be done, and ask why the NFL is so hypocritical when it comes to choosing Super Bowl locations all the while selling you the opposite.

Game On! - Wada Toybox!

Via Games Industry

The only thing I want to know is if I'll get a good console Harvest Moon game anytime soon?  Like a Back to Nature or Magical Melody.

Totally Balls - Cop sues San Diego Chargers to allow him to swear at people

This is via Deadspin

I understand the edit at the bottom of the article advises that this may in fact be a right that he can defend, but I'm wondering where a person like me who wants to buy tickets and see a game live can sit so that I'm not surrounded by belligerents?

Maybe one day we'll all attend games in a 'digital' state so we can mute the idiots.  A man can dream, right?

Poli Sigh - Wisconsin's always keeping the (red)man down

Found this in a few different places, but here's a link to a site with a good breakdown

So many comments required, so little time.  Here's my effort:

A) The whole 'I can't tell if you're saying something bad' idea is ridiculous.  The only defense against this possibility is to know every single language ever.
B) Two teachers complained to the assistant coach and asked her to be benched.  This opens a whole bevy of problems such as 1) why didn't the head coach get involved?  Every single one I know would have, 2) how did two teachers have that power?  Shouldn't a system been in place to make sure a teacher with a bad day can't take it out on other students?  and 3) how did this punishment manage to be made so unilaterally?  Schools across the country SHOULD have a system of due process in place.
C) Before anyone says it: yes, I notice that the way the story is being told across the internet tends to be minus the students' reactions throughout all of this, but it sounds as if there needs to be a process in place to handle issues such as punishment at this school.

Poli Sigh - Ellen DeGeneres Walks into a JC Penney

Via Consumerist

The national hate group, American Family Association, had it's splinter cell, One Million Moms, start campaigning against JC Penney's choice of Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson in a series of changes the company has been making to it's image.  The reason it's a bad choice?  They say too many of their customers are conservative families (translated: prejudiced against any non-hetero sexual orientation) and they will lose sales.

I'll be honest with everyone here: I don't choose where to shop based on spokesperson's.  Never have.  Never will.  BUT NOW!  Now that I know shopping at JCP would be a blow against the AFA?  I'm gonna go out of my way to spend more of my money there.  Nice job, ignoramuses.

K.I.S.S. - Wendy's to interview all employees, Dave Thomas has no comment

Via Consumerist

This sounds funny and stressful, but I think this has 'labor cost reduction' in mind.  Too many people need jobs, too many workers that have had just enough tiny raises for their service where cheap, adequate labor is available?  This is not an 'image makeover' in my mind.  We'll see...

K.I.S.S. - Minnesota says 'Buyer Be-Quiet'

Via the Caveat Emptor blog

Please at least read the above link, but if you happen to live in Minnesota I think you should be compelled to read the links with the blog.  Things like this keep popping up left and right and it really needs to stop.  Considering the recent slew of decisions reached the Supreme Court, your congressman may actually be your only hope.

Game On! - Sid Meier speaks, uses graphic language

Found it on Joystiq

We really shouldn't need an industry luminary like Sid to tell us that graphics are an important part of overall quality of videogames, but how many times have we seen the tired and untrue point raised in a discussion that claims that videogames are all looks and no graphics.  This argument always changes targets too.  Is it the console makers?  The developers?  The publishers?  The 'so-called' AAA titles?  Oprah?  And on and on....

K.I.S.S. - Walmart Rolls Back Greeters

Consumerist again

And yet again they manage to articulate my thoughts for me.  I have nothing against greeters.  I actually prefer there to be more jobs than less.  That being said, this harkens back to an article by the Harvard Business Review and their review of the 'assistance' consumers need to finding products.  I don't think this move does anything for Walmart other than drop labor costs.  The 'extra help' definitely adds up to 'less help' overall.  Nice spin though, big W.

Poli Sigh - Weed & Soap Boxes

Via Consumerist

The article on Consumerist easily wraps up most of my thoughts on the issue, but there's one thing I think needs slightly more attention than it's being given: WHY is it that politicians can't be drug tested WHILE campaigning???!!!

I understand the fear of false reports sinking candidates (and thus the subterfuge of spelunking your opponent via such a trick), BUT THEN EVERYTHING ELSE HAS TO GO!!!!!

We are a ridiculous country in a ridiculous world.....

Game On! - The Reckoning of Hype

Via Game Politics for me

This is yet another example of the ways that DLC system employed by games is anti-consumer.  Curt Schilling and 38 Studios were riding VERY high on the response of their demo with the only real complaint by some being the bugs; a complaint that was addressed by Schilling very early and very understandably.

His defense of the online pass for on-disk DLC, however, is a perfect way to turn the hype upside down.  I no longer intend to buy this game upon release, why should I?  Note to ALL developers: many gamers like myself are no longer playing the fool.  Deal with us straight, and we'll happily give up our dollars.

Poli Sigh - Court Says Evidence Should Be Encouraged

Saw this article through Caveat Emptor

Hopefully this rule change becomes a domino for the rest of the states of this union.  It's always been ridiculous that anybody is allowed an automatic victory without proof; I certainly couldn't get away with this sort of tactic as an individual, so why should a corporation get the benefit of individuality but none of the downsides.

Straight to the Bulletpoint 005

Lists looked at this week: best console launch titles, jobs everyone should have at least once, and excuses to beat in avoiding exercises.

Poli Sigh - In a Gay Bar - Far Far Away

Via GamePolitics

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council has been giving us plenty of proof that they are a hate group, so why haven't they been relegated to the laughable status of the KKK yet?

Totally Balls - BYU Fans earn a Technical Foul

Via Deadspin

I think the more shocking thing is that this sort of thing doesn't happen more often.  I wouldn't call myself a fan of players, coaches, or front office staff; but I'm even less of a fan of the spectators.

Last Time On - DRM updated for Anno 2070

Via Joystiq

You can now proceed to upgrade your computer like a normal PC gamer without being penalized by Tages; the DRM system utilized on the title Anno 2070.

Totally Balls - Penn State proving there is no God

Check out this image at DeadSpin

Is it really possible for this college town to dig themselves any deeper?  They've really performed fantastically at showing themselves to be the most detached cult of the century.

Game On! - Putting the $ back in M$

Found this at CVG first

Going from random point values to actual currency values is a good step, but I want to see if they also drop the consumer-unfriendly practice that the point system was set up for and can be carried on with the new denomination: having to buy packages that demand more packages.  In other words, I should be able to buy something for $3.99 straight, not a $5.00 package that then has $3.99 subtracted from it.  Do that, and Live becomes much more palatable in this non-multiplayer gamers' eyes.

The Reactioneer 008

Opening song: Black Beatles by Loo & Placido

This week's topics:
Coin vs. Paper - The Dollar Story
SOPA Blackout: effective?
Nintendo won't fix Mario Kart 7
Burger King delivers it your way
And more!

Game On! - Put an End to Save Game Hunting

Via Rock, Paper, Shotgun

While I do completely agree with this, it needs to go further in two points.  First, Asset folders for games need to be done the same way as what they're asking for with save game files.  Is the Asset folder in the C: drive with the game folder, is it under My Documents, My Games, or is it in yet another vacuous place?

Second, While we're setting a go to place for save game files, how about finally giving us the save at anytime option no matter the situation as long as we are talking about a single player game.  It's ridiculous to NOT see this in EVERY SINGLE TITLE!

Totally Balls - Pants on the Ground

Via Deadspin

Check out the video on their site, Glen Davis of the Orlando Magic commits fould, GD then drops his shorts when arguing the foul, finally GD looks confused when a technical foul is called.

In his defense, it could have been really hot in that climate controlled stadium!

Game On! - Final Fantasy Vaporware XIII

Via Kotaku

I don't want to rush any developer in making games, as I do prefer quality over quantity.  That said; I'm begining to feel like Final Fantasy Versus is taking notes from the Duke Nukem Forever Development School.  Let's not do this, Square.

Game On! - DRM an upgrade nazi

Found on Rock, Paper, Shotgun

This article was practically written by my unattached consciousness.  Absolutely ridiculous that any DRM would not be built with the ever upgrading PC gamer in mind.

K.I.S.S. - Don't forget to tip The King

Via Bloomberg

I'm going to avoid all the snarkiness on this one (which is quite a change for me), but instead going straight to real thoughts.  I've been thinking a lot lately about certain franchises that seem highly successful and busy enough in-store that delivery would really work for them.  Those franchises that I had in mind are places such as Chipotle, Panera, Portillos, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc.  Although places like BK and McDonald's are certainly doing well in business volume, their food time model seems so efficient that it's not really as conducive to a delivery option.  Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying it's bad or won't improve their bottom line; I just feel like there are other food places that I would like to see do this first.

Game On! - Mario's Kart needs some patchwork

Found on CVG

Many console gamers have been annoyed due to the proliferation of patches being released regularly for games when the platforms used to be unable to do so.  The problem, in their minds, was that this encouraged a lackadaisical attitude towards quality assurance.  In my personal experience, I haven't felt that too much, though it is definitely a concern.

Then we have Nintendo admitting that there is a an unfair glitch in their game that can be played competitively...........but they won't patch it.  In my opinion, that's far worse than the above scenario.

Really Nintendo, if you can't keep up with the technology and the tools it provides to you, just give up.  There's not reason for this nonsense in 2012.

Alert - Zappos Zapped by Hackers

Via Consumerist (and my inbox)

Although I tend not to support when companies get hacked, I can usually look at it and understand why the victim was chosen.  Why go after Zappos?  You know, one of the most consumer friendly companies ever.

Totally Balls - I got 1 Tim Tebow and a microphoooooone

Via The Post Game

THIS IS A HORRIBLE IDEA!!!!  Yes he's immensley popular but the guy can't talk.  He is one living run-on sentence!  WHY DO THIS TO US!?!?!

The Reactioneer 007

This weeks' opening song: Ben Ya by Party Ben

Discussed this week:
- Seasonal Game Affectation
- Online Passes working against retailers
- Supreme Court approves arbitration
- The Racism pool
- and more

Separation of Stage 1 complete - Blitz Fitness

Hi All,

As I indicated in The Reactioneer Interlude, I have begun re-releasing episodes of Blitz Fitness and opened up it's own blog.  You can find it at BlitzFitnessShow.blogspot.com.  Currently waiting for iTunes to approve it to be its own show.  Thanks for your support!

K.I.S.S. - Racism; meet Death and Taxes

Via Yahoo!

Wasn't sure which section to put this in, and now I'm unsure of where to start.  These are my thoughts:

1) The sign doesn't address the alleged target of the 'hair product', so that seems like one of the flimsiest alibis ever.
2) Read the part about the girl having discovered that she was 'the reason' for her and her parents moving.  I feel so bad for her, I hope she figures out soon that she's not to blame for this at all.
3) I dont' know what is scarier, the landlord's racism, or the many comments to the article that still pass on the same bullshit racism and hatred .  Can humanity ever improve?  I thought we could with time, but the Emancipation Proclamation was a really long time ago.  Hell, so was the Civil Rights Movement......

K.I.S.S. - Microsoft investigates Foxconn - finds nothing

Via Kotaku

I agree with Kotaku on this one.  I have no doubt that Microsoft could have begun an investigation for an event that took place two days ago, but it is entirely unbelievable that their investigation could be finished by now.  Not only is this a PR move, but it's a bad one.  No other company has made a statement at this time, and there's no benefit in being 'first'.  Way to shrug off that 'evil juggernaut corp' image, Microsoft.  Now go back to eating babies.

Game On! - Online Pass Codes taking a toll on retailers?

Found this on Game Politics

While I understand and can easily support the writer's take on this situation (this is proof that retailers are getting the negative effect that developers/publishers were hoping for), we can't jump to that conclusion just yet.  There's a chance that this is the beginning of the 'snake eating itself' trend.  Perhaps people decide to (like me) start scrounging and dealing with this hobby and online pass codes not only lower used game sales, but new ones too.  It's already been true for me.  Thoughts?

Poli Sigh - SCOTUS gives arbitrary pat on the back to businesses again

Via Consumerist.

I highly hate the arbitration clause in so many contracts out there.  Thanks Supreme Court!  This may or may not be a big topic for this week's show, we'll see.  Read it for now and formulate your opinions.

Tech Dech - Vita AT&T plans

Found this on Games Industry

The pricing doesn't seem too bad, I'm just tired of this hobby getting more and more expensive.  Increases of MSRP in titles, reduction in quality of sales, attempts to destroy the used market while the rental market shrinks, DLC, and now it seems that every console has to have it's own subscription system.  Is anybody else feeling financially overwhelmed, or is it just me?

K.I.S.S. - A tool to make boycotts work

Via Game Politics.

I actually love this idea. I'm going to have to take a look and see if there's an app that is completely in one's own control so that I can also be warned about things that a company has done beyond just SOPA supporting. Do you think tools like this can make boycotts more effective, because at the moment I do.

The Reactioneer Interlude

Strange episode this week:

-Explanation of recent hiatus
-Talking about future changes and re-releases for the blog(s) and show(s)
-Reacting to LA Noire, Heavy Rain, NBA 2k12, and Tropico 4

Game On! - Nintendo-n't do the little things right sometimes

Via Joystiq

I really don't get how Nintendo, a company who is currently losing power in its once dominated handheld powerhouse (thanks to iOS and Android style gaming services), and they still haven't learned their lesson when it comes to the possibilities with small developers.  This company seems to make the most consistently foolish decisions, but at least they're consistent.

K.I.S.S. - Cumbersome Farms

Check out this story via Consumerist

I'm on the fence about the issue itself (though I don't think a firing is the right call in this situation unless if it is a repeat offense), but check out this post from a member of the article:


The policy is sound. It can deter robberies if the robbers learn/realize/see sign on wall that a minimal amount cash is in the till. Now it is possible that there will be more robberies because of this score.
Also, if the policy is $75 and lets say he had $80 then the firing would be stupid. But $150 is double what should have been in there.
For those that say Cumberland Farms only cares about money ... I doubt they care about a few hundred dollars. But they care about being a target for robberies in which they could have a larger liability, cash or human.
Next comes if was specifically told of the policy and not just "make sure you dump the register frequently"

Now this is what the Reactioneer is about!  This is perhaps the dumbest possible series of individual statements I can imagine, yet I don't believe it's trolling.  Let's get logical, shall we?

1) I shop repeatedly at certain locations; I'm one of those 'long-term, loyal customer' type of people.  I have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE what their cash handling policy is.  How many would-be convenience store robbers are going to know this?  Also, isn't this a fairly standard practice?  If so, then wouldn't convenience store robberies be a shock and in all the papers because of their rarity?  This policy can only be good for reducing a loss due to a robbery, not robbery prevention.

As a side note: how many places do you think actually post their internal policy about cash handling?  That doesn't make sense to me.  The closest I can think of this situation are the many places advising they won't take or break bills of a certain denomination or greater.  Certainly not the same as what this poster is stating.

2) Now let's take their claim as is and move on to the part of the possible increase in criminal activity at this location.  WHAT?!  So other would-be robbers are going to read the story about the guy WHO WAS KEEPING TOO MUCH IN THE REGISTER FIRED AND A CLEAR STATEMENT OF THE POLICY IN PLACE and think to themselves "Surely this won't be a lesson to anyone else.  Surely they'll start keeping EVEN MORE in the register".  In fact, I think that the likelihood of this knowledge increasing the likelihood of a robbery is in direct conflict of his first sentence.

The rest of it is basic naivety.  OF COURSE it's about money.  If it were my business it would be about money.  Safety is a great calling card for making money saving policies.  It may not be ethical, but it's practical.  My favorite part is that the spokesperson has no idea what the drawer policy is specifically.  Didn't they think that question would come up?

Totally Balls - Flagrant Basketball Vagrant

Check out this video found on Yahoo!

I believe both the article writer and the videographer are wrong on the # of flagrant fouls.  Number 2 is a foul, plain and simple, not flagrant.  The rest, however, are each worthy of being thrown out of a game, especially considering the low level of the sport being shown.

Totally Balls - Canada: Keeping Stereotypes Alive Since 1867

Via Deadspin

Hear, hear Canadien fans!  You wouldn't want a coach or manager of a hockey team with a good background, bright future, or any other sort of tangible/intangible for a successful sports franchise!  Hell, you only speak 2 languages, so if you want to make sure that if you had to stoop so low as supporting a figurehead that speaks only 1 of those languages, it better be the 'right' one.  Idiotic.

Game On! - Long live Crecente

Saw this all over the video game news world, but here's the goodbye letter straight from the source.

People who put down Kotaku's journalism are simply ignorant and Crecente was/is a man to watch handle this industry the right way.  He will be missed, but Kotaku isn't in any trouble in the more than capable hands of Stephen Totilo.

Thank you Crecente for reminding me that reporting on a hobby shouldn't be cookie cutter.

Poli Sigh - Cliff Notes of upcoming ObamaCare battle

Found this short article and the links available within from Caveat Emptor to be a nice easy resource for the upcoming constitutionality battle for the Patient Care and Affordable Care Act in the next few months.

Alert - Illegally detained by illness

But my lawyers of Robitussin, Tylenol, and Bedrest tell me that I should be released soon.

I'll start updating the blog again today with a plan to restart podcasting Sunday.  Sorry about the delay, the sickness got to me on Christmas Eve and managed to screw up New Years for me too!