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!