Julius

Btw Christina Unkel perspectives on these referee/VAR calls has been one of the highlights of the tournament to me

The smug look he had on his face when he immediately dismissed the penalty shouts. I'm glad he didn't give it, but still, he's a bit of douchebag, isn't he?

Anthony Taylor really doing his part to kill this match off and the subsequent semis with these yellows. Joselu. Let's see something.

Not sure how Anthony Taylor hasn't given the advantage to Spain there with Olmo in a great position. Got to imagine it's down to Cucurella clutching his face. Which, by the way, we've seen a lot of -- players taking advantage of the new grad injury rules and feigning head injuries. It's been gross. Really need to start seeing bookings for those.

Kroos getting away with murder in this match, because that was a foul. Ref let it go because...of the potential injury I guess? Seemed caught in two minds. Even though Germany then got the advantage before the following Spanish foul and also weren't interested in kicking it out. Another subpar performance by the ref for me tonight. It's Anthony Taylor though, is that really surprising? Yeah, think they said at one point (and might still be the case) that they hadn't had a shot since scoring the goal. You can't do that and also take off your fast wingers and captain, seems a terrible mistake by de la Fuente. Extra time it is. Going in I was thinking it'd be 2-2 and 3-2 to Spain AET, but it all seems to be going Germany's way, and I'm not really sure how Spain can now break it up. I'd say coax Kroos into doing something rash because he's on a yellow and get him sent off but, again, he's got away with a lot this match that I'm not sure he'll get sent off unless the ref sees something worthy of a straight red. What's really interesting is, if Germany do go through, they've got a good few players with too many yellows accumulated in their starting XI who will need to sit the semi-finals out.

Well, that's been coming. Great finish from Wirtz, you just knew it was coming back across into the box when it was crossed in. Those Spain subs seemed risky if things didn't pan out. All the momentum with Germany. This is about to get very interesting.

Nagelsmann to Kroos re: Pedri before the match (because their usual suspects are already on yellows lol) Horrible to see how overused Pedri has been by both club and country.

Less than a minute until the first of the quarter-finals then, between Spain and Germany. Really hard one to call for me. On paper I think Spain edges out Germany - they're just too fragile at the back, whereas Spain seem the strongest attacking threat in the tournament - but we saw just how much home advantage helped carry England at the Euros three summers ago, so I think the German crowd would have plenty to say about that.

Oh yeah, to be clear I wasn't trying to imply that it was done that way purposely (in saying that I don't think you were implying that I was implying that but...yeah ), I can see how over the years it probably just ended up being trimmed down to those few sections As the person who made The Star Wars Thread a few years back...yep, that last part definitely tracks I think maybe 5 or so years ago (more honestly, 2019 doesn't feel like it was 5 years ago) it could've been doable, but we're so overwhelmed with the sheer volume of indies these days that the odds two people are going to play and talk about their experience with one on here (especially considering the average indie is short in length than the average game) even if it's a GOTY contender seems incredibly slim. A proper sticky wicket. Yeah, that's an interesting one -- and thanks @Hero-of-Time for pointing out that it used to be that way for some games a good while back (before my time here), I was always curious what the deal with that was. I just figured there'd been a bust-up and a thread got locked It's a tricky one again for me, because like @Happenstance says, with some games they do end up with many pages of fun speculation and rumours long before anything official drops -- but how rare is it that that takes up more than a page or two these days before the game releases? The only recent example I can really think of having so much attention years out from release was Tears of the Kingdom. But then I totally get the excitement angle of having a thread pop to the top which is the fresh new release, I think the closest we get to that is when someone gets a game a day or two early or reviews drop, but even then those aren't the easiest things to use as conversation starters. I do like some of the ResetEra OTs I've seen, but it's tricky for a place like this because it could be a good bit of effort for all of a page or two of discussion. Which is fine! But I don't know, outside of something like the next Zelda or Mario (honestly, the Nintendo stuff and maybe anything HUGE that gets ported over next-gen) I just don't know how much conversation it would really help spark. So I totally see where @Ike is coming from. Specifically thinking of the Elden Ring example (it's been on my mind, okay?) a fresh thread would honestly probably be best with how long after it would come compared to the original release. Not to mention, I don't think anyone wants a filthy Link-shoved-into-Skyrim-costume-type situation stinking up the original thread Though the Living Jars could pass for Waddle Dees with a bit of tweaking... All I'm going to say is Are we sure H-o-T didn't just edit that knowing you'd pick it out and comment on it, so he could respond in kind? And why would H-o-T do that, you might ask? Why, for more points on the forums so that he can get the Plat for N-E and ascend, of course I think the parts in bold are pretty key to this. There's a silly amount of games to play even if you just have a Switch -- which, as has been established, is pretty rare these dats. Then there's the fact that Nintendo are rounding off the generation with a bunch of remasters (their prerogative, obviously from a business POV it makes perfect sense), but just how many people want to talk about games they've already played again to the point that it might spark a conversation or discussion to begin with, let alone one which hasn't already been had, while playing through it? It's pretty rare. I do think if there's a time to consider a change, though, around now might be the time purely because we're probably less than 12 months out from Nintendo's next console, and I'll be shocked if that thing and it's launch window lineup (at the very least) can't spark some life into the place for a bit. Heck, even the PS5 and Series X|S announcements and launches brought some people back for a short spell. Eh, I think it's tricky. Same could probably be said for the Other Consoles board at times, too. I also don't think multiplatform releases generally drive much conversation regardless of release platform unless it's something massive on here these days. I love to revive an old thread as I play through a game, be it in Other Consoles or Nintendo Gaming. If I really think about it, though, I reckon I'd probably get through far more games if I didn't do that, and in some cases I've burned myself out on games through perhaps talking about them while playing them a little too much. The From Software games come to mind: those games are already a bit on the tricky side, but then to talk about them at any real length when you're not playing them while still going through? Can be a little draining. It's why I've not really commented on Shadow of the Erdtree in the Elden Ring thread yet, despite finishing it the other day. But then, again, I love reviving an old thread. Whether it's just a quick comment from someone remembering their first time playing a game, or us two talking about the Link's Awakening remake and it's technical malarkey and just how important it was or wasn't to the conversation around the game, it sparks a bit of life and conversation into the place even if it's just a simple "Julius YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED THIS ZELDA/MARIO/POKÉMON GAME YET YOU HEATHEN WHAT ART THOU DOING WITH THINE LIFE" I could just save my thoughts until I'm done with the game and post them in my favourite thread - the Gaming Diary thread - but it feels like a waste to me personally at the relatively slow pace at which I play games these days to not try to incite and invite further discussion, even if I'm playing a game that's pretty old at this point. But I realise that approach might not be for everyone, which is okay too, like I said I can't do that for every game I play either. Outside of new releases and the hype cycle that comes with one, though, I don't think many threads for new games really sustain consistent conversation beyond that initial wave around launch. Personally, I don't know how much changes on the Nintendo Gaming board if multiplatform releases make the move. They generally seem to sink to the bottom Y'all potentially left us out in the cold without showers in Other Consoles and now we're basically hermits, this much is correct

Definitely, and to top it all off, most of that revenue is going to the bigger clubs, and the bigger clubs want to face each other more (because that's where they get the most revenue from in terms of individual match days) which is why silliness like the European Super League was attempted. And why the silliness of the new CL format has come about. Now we're just seeing parts of seasons here and there (Super Cups in Italy and Spain come to mind) be shipped abroad. It's gross. These players do need a break. A club like City is going to buy a silly amount of quality and have two First XIs anyways, but it feels like every club now needs this to seriously compete. Definitely agree. Hated the vibe of the thing in terms of what was on-the-ground, and obviously Infantino's gross comments, but the Qatar World Cup was excellent in terms of on-pitch action. Players were in peak condition because it was mid-season, and even if it wasn't the climate which forced their hand into having that competition take place in Nov/Dec, a World Cup anywhere else in June/July 2022 would have been very lethargic. Euros 2020/21 is another outlier where more care was seemingly taken simply because COVID was still considered such a huge factor. Now in this 12 month period from June/July 2024 to June/July 2025, players from the top teams have all their typical domestic competitions, a potential continental competition with their nation (Euros and Copa America now, AFCON in Jan 2025), an expanded CL format AND the new FIFA Club World Cup next June/July. And then there's the World Cup in June/July 2026. I'll be shocked if we don't see a strike or walk-out in the next two years. Tiredness leads to mistakes, lethargy and frustration, which leads to greater risk of injury (for yourself or an opponent), I think it's just going to unfortunately take some big names getting their legs broken or something along those lines to spark some action. Which I hate to admit.

Just want to voice that I also agree with @Jonnas's proposal of keeping multiplatform and indie games to an "Other Games" section or whatever it would be called. I haven't been on here as long as others and do 100% agree that Nintendo should be kept separate and still be front and centre in the listed gaming sections, whether it be to acknowledge the history of N-E or the name of the place (someone had already taken PS-X-N-E I take it? ), but also just because I still think that on this forum, Nintendo games are the driving force behind most conversations which gain enough traction to keep the conversation sustained in the first place. General Gaming staying as it is also makes perfect sense to me. I feel like that section generally takes care of itself! I think a bit of the problem might be a framing thing, too, just in terms of how these sections are positioned currently – I feel like there's almost a bit of otherism (for lack of a better term) when it comes to Other Consoles because General Gaming is placed above it and, even for me, I feel like there's a bit of a subconscious split and almost "a decision to be made" about where you're posting a topic or reviving a thread, and it's almost like you're making some sort of statement (or the where and when you need to talk about these things gets a bit confusing). @Hero-of-Time is right in that for example with the Balatro thread, @drahkon was the one driving that initial conversation around the game, and the conversation around it needing to be moved to Nintendo Gaming I don't think was at all trying to poach a thread, I think it's just the lack of an agreed upon place for games like that in this overwhelmingly multiplatform era of gaming. As H-o-T suggested, I think it's really rare these days that someone only has one system, and once conversation in that thread turned from where the thread belonged to the actual game - which, let's be honest, is what we're all here to do first and foremost: talk about the damn games! - the conversation has been carried not just by drahkon when it comes to that game, and it has been nice to see a thread in Other Consoles where there's more people than just the typical few of us who spend most of our time over there. I think it should be more a conversation about finding the right place for a game to be discussed in a way which is going to help sustain the conversation around it on here rather than potentially splitting that conversation up by needing to force it into a certain spot, and so having it more clearly defined and not needing to feel like you're making a statement by posting in Other Consoles, when sometimes the Nintendo version of the game hasn't even been announced yet; I think back to Dragon Quest III HD-2D which we all knew in our bones was coming to Switch, but without official confirmation, we were left just waiting for the topic to be moved eventually out of Other Consoles and into Nintendo Gaming. I also feel like indie games in particular are really underserved on the forums at times – I'm not sure every indie warrants it's own thread (because there are A LOT of indie games and I'm not sure every single one could sustain a discussion) but you end up with the conversation split between the occasional dedicated thread, the Indie Games thread in Nintendo Gaming (which is rarely used these days and because of the nature of most indies coming to PC first, might at this point be delaying potential discussion if anything), PC Gaming, PS5, the occasional post in Gaming Diary in General Gaming, etc. I think it would probably be better served by what has been proposed. And this is all another feather in the cap for me of why Nintendo Gaming should stay separate, by the way. These other consoles and publishers seem keen to have their games on anything and everything with a screen, meanwhile those stubborn guys over at Nintendo clearly have zero intention of going that way (and I don't blame them in the slightest, they're doing great!). Anyways, this is all to say that I think if Jonnas's proposal is to work at its best, the order might need to be considered to be shifted to: • Nintendo Gaming • "Other Games" (or whatever it would get called; what is currently Other Consoles) • General Gaming I love General Gaming, I just think it would be a better fit as the more miscellaneous section to be position last of the three current sections. Yeah, in the case of anything which starts out as Switch exclusive, it makes the most sense to me that they'd stay in the Nintendo Gaming section even if they came to other platforms. Nintendo Gaming is still the most active section of the forums. I think just making sure the topic is in the right place at launch is good enough, after that whatever happens, happens the less moving around the better in my eyes. Otherwise, Switch 2 is going to potentially tear apart the forums as they stand with the amount of thread moving which will need to be done, as I think we're all fully expecting most third-party games released on PS4/Xbox One to come to it in the coming years. The Elden Ring thread, for instance - which is half a decade old (?!) at this point - getting dragged into Nintendo Gaming if and when a Switch 2 version is announced would just seem unnecessary to me, as would a dedicated thread for the game in Nintendo Gaming -- having the Elden Ring thread in a multiplatform section and getting bumped with Switch 2 release news and new people coming into that thread when it hypothetically releases on Switch 2 would be great. The only problem I have with that is thread titles getting crazy long. I like when we have the release date in the thread title (even after release I think it's just a nice reminder, especially when looking through a thread to see those initial impressions!), and in the case of Elden Ring it got DLC and so that's been added to the title too, and so idk where you'd put the hypothetical Switch 2 release date without needing to edit details out like, maybe you could tag the release date? I know there was a release calendar we had on here before but I don't think I ever got around to figuring out how it worked. As someone who already tries to use tags when and where I can (especially in Nintendo Gaming when we get a day and date multiplatform launch) I like the idea of them but think there are probably just too many sub-platforms (I guess I'd call it that?) games are releasing on currently to not have it get a little messy. PC - could mean Steam, Windows, Epic, GOG, itch.io, etc. Xbox - don't have all their games release on both Xbox One and Series X|S, even if they are releasing on both PS4 and PS5. I think it's also just then a case of making sure a new tag gets added if, say, a Switch 2 version is announced down the line -- which is then down to staff/mods or the original thread creator to edit. And I'll be honest, I feel like the main thing almost is if it's on a Nintendo console vs not -- I don't think we have enough people engaged in PC (or even Xbox) threads at this point for those to be worth tagging beyond doing our due diligence in a way?

Clubs voted by 19-1 in favour of VAR staying next season (source). That one club was Wolves, who were the ones to initiate the proposal

Kind of crazy how quiet they've been on the anniversary front so far to be honest, I'm hoping it's just a case of TGS/September events maybe being closer to the actual anniversary date and a better way to spread the news in their eyes? Who even knows with them these days though Would love a dedicated Pro event, it has been far too long since the last Cerny talk! I've said it before but I just can't justify a Pro at this point with how the next-gen (well, current now) output has been so far on the PS5. I still feel like the only game to really push the console in a meaningful way for me was Final Fantasy XVI, besides the messes that were games like Jedi Survivor which pushed the console hard for all the wrong reasons. So fingers crossed super hard for some 30th anniversary goodness with some plates, controllers and the like to spend my money on towards the end of the year instead! Kind of hoping the combination of a Pro release and Black Friday sales means SSD prices drop a little so I can finally upgrade my PS5's internal storage, too

PlayStation will be returning to TGS this September – their first appearance at the event since 2019! Good stuff. TGS is tucked away right at the end of September this year, so I imagine we'll get the September Showcase or State of Play a week or two ahead of time. Got to imagine this is aligned with news for PS5 Pro, potential 30th anniversary goodies, and maybe a focus on some Japanese releases? DS2, Monster Hunter Wilds, and rumoured games like that Gravity Rush 2 remaster/remake/whatever it is would all make a lot of sense for an event like this.

7 titles are being added for NES Online...today!

Can confirm Also, can someone confirm how spoiler tags work now? I've had a look on my phone (in desktop mode too) and tried to click it like before, highlight the text after, etc., but can't seem to get it to work? Think some titles on previously posted spoiler tags have been lost to the aether too, from what I can figure.

Game gone gold: Woo

PlayStation have announced The Shapes Collection, a set of collectibles figures based on PlayStation Studios characters: No Naughty Dog representation is certainly a choice.

What a freaking save at the death from Mert. Holy crap. Turkey deserved to go through, but Austria can hold their heads high, they've been fantastic at this Euros. Really hope they qualify for the World Cup in two years and can push on – such a shame that they couldn't make it to their first quarter-finals at a major tournament, but Turkey are in their first since 2008!

Might be some life in this one yet! Wonderfully executed corner, game on?

Did the commentator really just say that Turkey got stuffed by Austria [back in March]? Lmao that's something I guess Missed the first half to finish off the Elden Ring DLC but came back to some awesome action by both sides. Austria had a golden opportunity with a peach of a through ball but Turkey seems to be rolling with the punches well enough. Absolutely awful behaviour from some of the fans in the stands, btw, with the sheer number of cups being thrown on the pitch.

Yep, very poor. Had a lot of wrong calls this tournament, many of them like that being small decisions which are going the wrong way. Think there'll be better uses for VAR yet if this tournament has been anything to go by. Yep, wonderful. Killed the game off fully. The Dutch vs Austria or Turkey could be a belter in the quarters.

Hahahaha never mind