Julius

Ah, I get that, but I think it's simply the cost of playing the game at the highest level – unfortunately, you need the algorithm and general audiences on your side, and for some stupid reason, stupid reaction faces up front in thumbnails for reaction videos just does it for audiences. I don't doubt for a moment that if it were up to Max and these things weren't a factor then he'd come up with something else; I mean, he's got an anime intro for his videos which goes far and beyond what most other channels even attempt to bring to YouTube with their intros. The unfortunate truth is, as is the case with most streamers and YouTubers, the majority of Max's demographic is going to skew young (early teens to mid-twenties), and while I think Max's probably skews a bit older than the average streamer (simply because the topic of most of his videos is fighting games and the FGC), these thumbnails are designed to get new audience members in rather than keep old ones around...which is also just going to naturally skew towards trying to attract a younger demo. It's the continued juvenilisation of media, and unfortunately, it's a game everyone needs to play these days to stay relevant and keep numbers growing -- can't say I'm a fan of these thumbnails either, but yeah, it is what it is I guess

Thought it was worth sharing Maximilian Dood's reaction in this thread, definitely one of my favourite reactions of his over the years Following Max for a while was genuinely the only reason I knew this was a fairly big deal, but I certainly didn't know all the ins and outs of why that was the case. So who better than him to explain it all? Anyways, I'd heard great things about MvC2's OST before, but hadn't really dived into any of the tracks. I changed that after this announcement and it is nothing short of freaking phenomenal. I luuuuuuuurve me some jazzy and funky tunes in video games, and this one sure as hell delivers on both fronts. Also, I haven't played a Street Fighter from start to finish before so it's safe to say that I haven't heard every rendition of these two classic themes...but these are definitely my favourite versions of Ryu's and Ken's themes from what I can remember having listened to. This is all a very long-winded way of saying: I'm in. Similar to backing the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter and checking out the first two games because of Huber's passion for them, I'll 100% be picking this collection up based on Max's passion for them. Not sure which platform I'll pick them up on, mind you...

Max with the best Mario Party reaction from the Direct "2 boards from previous Mario Party games make their return!" "FUCKING HOW?!" Totally his reaction to Mario Party btw, not something else in the Direct. And spoiler tags aren't working so...yeah it's totally for Jamboree

Thanks for sharing @darksnowman, it looks lovely (as the Shin-Chan games did too) and so long as it's not too long in length or too pricey, it's definitely one I'll be keeping an eye on. I always find it crazy just how consistently Japan releases games, films, and anime which perfectly capture that summer vibe – it's also kind of mental just how synonymous cicadas feel with the summer for so many living outside of Japan because of it. It does make me wonder a little what a similar game set in England would be like during the summer...probably just a bunch of people hoping for a heatwave before a spot of rain hits and we all go on about how that's our summer over now

Gutted for Turkey. They gave it everything. Absolutely everything. Hell of a match, easily the best of the quarter-finals for me. That all means we've got the Oranje to face on Wednesday, who will be in their first semi-final in a major tournament since the 2014 World Cup, and their first Euros semi-final since 2004. So years ending in -4 are lucky for them when it comes to making semis, I guess!

Oh Turkey, oh dear

Definitely! A hypothetical final between them and Spain would be the most fun to watch, I think. Unfortunately Gareth seemingly sacrificed the Queen to pull off some next level nonsense with his football terrorism, so...

Every Turkey match I've watched so far has been a lot of fun, and this one's no different. Proper end-to-end. Wonderful cross for the 1-0, too. Game on

As said, excellent pens. Can't help but feel that the performance is being oversold by the pundits, though, just because we're through. This match was very 50/50, and while maybe our best performance at this tournament overall, it's still a far cry from where we really need to be. Thankfully for us, though, the only team left in who is actually firing on more than two cylinders is Spain – we might be able to get away with more meagre performances depending on who we face from this point on. Which, I'll admit, just really sucks. Just under 10 until the next match kicks off to decide who we face in the second of the semis on Wednesday, then.

Nearly so with that corner Love Shaqiri Hate this sport right now

THE CUBE HAS ARRIVED

@Hero-of-Time from what I can find, since 1998 (couldn't be bothered checking any earlier) 2008 Euros were the closest – three of the four quarter finals went to extra time. Croatia v Turkey (1-1 AET, 1-3 on pens) Netherlands v Russia (1-1, 1-3 AET) Spain v Italy (0-0 AET, 4-2 on pens) The only one of those QFs to not go to extra time? Portugal v Germany, which Germany won 3-2. And that was the first of the QF ties! Meaning, in 2008, we had to sit through three consecutive QFs going to ET like we have at this Euros

At the quarter-final stage? Not that I can remember in my lifetime, either at the Euros or at a World Cup. I'll check at half-time though, because I remember the 2008 Euros QFs all seeming to go on very long

If Netherlands v Turkey goes to extra time later the temptation to sack off the rest of these Euros will be at an all-time high

Extra time again. Swear these Euros are starting to make me hate the sport.

I can't be having a France v England final, I just can't. Immovable object v Object which simply refuses to move

England is a high school student who can't find the drive to do their homework until the morning of

How do we keep getting away with this? Revamps the left and the goal comes from the right. Just saying.

Welp.

Takes us 15 passes to get from one side of the pitch to the other – horizontally, not vertically. It has been fine so far, but fine doesn't win matches. Really reminding me of Spain after they dropped off around a decade ago with having loads of possession but lacking that directness which scores goals...you know, the way you win a match?

I was honestly thinking more just in terms of the quality of the competition. These quarters have been pretty naff to be honest, and with a good few players missing the semis through suspension already, I can't see them being the step up that they really ought to be. As for England - Gareth will still find a way to not start Trent

Kicked the ball out in all of 6 seconds Anyways, just looking at the lineups and thinking back to yesterday, these accumulated yellows should really be getting wiped after the Round of 16. Mental how many starting XI players are going to be/risk missing the semis.

Other than a potential shape change, Konsa in for the suspended Guéhi is the only change to the starting XI compared to last time out against Slovakia. And so the fun begins

Right, today's the day. To get us all in the mood...

Pepe will deserve to be in the Team of the Tournament based on how the competition has gone so far. He's been immense.