The Jimquisition Thread

[S.C.G]

29 minutes ago, killthenet said:

I know I'm close to it, being a Kickstarter backer, but I don't think Jim Sterling's assessment that Epic stepping in to issue refunds is Ysnet begging for money or makes them look ineffectual isn't exactly fair. Of course they don't have enough money in the bank to pay the refunds, the Kickstarter campaign happened 4 years ago now I'm sure any money they garnered from that has long since been spent. If they had been sitting on the money until now backers would have been questioning why it hadn't been spent on development. 

I understand it has taken a long time and partnering with Deep Silver wasn't the smartest move but I think it's incredibly unfair to compare this to Might No.9. Yu Suzuki is not Inafune, he hasn't spent the last 4 years spread thin on numerous projects or launching more Kickstarter campaigns - he has been focused solely on making Shenmue 3. Epic aren't stepping in to pay refunds just for the goodwill, they know what a PR disaster the Epic Games Store has been so far so it behoves them to change the narrative in any way that they can. 

I barely watch any of Jim Sterling's output, he definitely does a lot of good work (that last Jimquisition about loot boxes was in particular very much needed) but when it comes to Shenmue it seems like he delights in pissing off the series fanbase. Also I can't stand his sneering voice most of the time - he always sounds like he's out of breath.

It's alright, I'm a Kickstarter backer as well, I was more just posting the video out of habit, I don't really agree with everything said in it.

A lot of money has gone into Shenmue III and I think that the majority of it has gone right back into the project, going for the whole Epic Game Store one year exclusivity deal was a big mistake though I feel, they really shouldn't have done that because whichever way people get their refunds (if at all) it's still the case that they won;t be able to play the game on Steam for a whole year... that's unacceptable, especially in the case of Shenmue III because at the time of people backing it, the Epic Store didn't even exist.

But it's done now... they can't/won't change it, so that's that I suppose... I'm glad that Epic are offering the refunds, but they are definitely doing it to save some of their own skin mostly and if they get to look like the good guys for doing so then that's good for them, but really this doesn't help to outweigh all that they've done so far.

Jim Sterling definitely does some good work, there are other videos where I'll just watch them and think "OK then..." but generally he's done some good things in his videos which mroe than outweigh the bad I feel, yeah... he does like to piss off certain fanbases but not as much as he likes to take on the "Triple Ayyyyyyyy" games industry.

[S.C.G]

Annnd we're back to Activision Blizzard again...

I really don't like the fact that I have bought at least three of their games on the Switch (Diablo III, Crash N-Sane Trilogy and Crash team Racing) but I can't see myself buying many more.

They own one of the biggest selling franchises in videogames though, so I guess myself not buying their games isn't really going to do much, but it's something.

[Hero-of-Time]

10 hours ago, S.C.G said:

I really don't like the fact that I have bought at least three of their games on the Switch (Diablo III, Crash N-Sane Trilogy and Crash team Racing) but I can't see myself buying many more.

They own one of the biggest selling franchises in videogames though, so I guess myself not buying their games isn't really going to do much, but it's something.

Sadly, this is common practice in a lot of businesses and not just those in the games industry. Some companies do it so that they don't have to give employees certain bonuses and benefits. It's a very scummy thing to do. 

Edited July 5, 2019 by Hero-of-Time

[S.C.G]

Great to see the return of the "Surprise Mechanic" at the start of the video.

[Nicktendo]

The "surprise mechanic" had me in absolute stitches 

[S.C.G]

I mean, I'm sure really large warning labels slapped across the cover of every Fifa game warning potential purchasers of gambling mechanics contained within the game could be arranged, if that's what EA really, really wants...

I usually hate large warnings or notices on boxes because it usually ruins the box art but in this case with Fifa... is there really anything left to ruin?

[Nicktendo]

"Now, EA, Fuck off..." That's what I've been trying to tell people for years. Need for Speed on Wii U was the last EA game I bought (second hand I might add), that will never change before I die. PES lives. EA are absolutely disgusting. 

On the whole I disagree with Jim that lootboxes should be banned. I'm on the side that we should let companies do what they want and let the market decide. I don't want the UK government, or ANY government for that matter, getting involved and telling us what we should or shouldn't play. I say let them push lootboxes until the sun comes down! What we do need, however, is more articles like this from the BBC. We need education. We need discussion, debate and downright mockery of the practices that EA indulge in. Criticise them until the sun comes down. Expose the absolute leeches like Andrew Wilson until he has to go into hiding, until every Tom, Dick and 'Arry knows they're being played.

Games media has to make people believe they will NEVER get that lootbox drop they are waiting for until they've spent literally thousands of pounds on micro-transactions. This is where they, in my opinion, are failing. Too wrapped up in pointless gender stereotypes and culture war nonsense to pay attention to the real socially-pressing issues about how gaming has transformed over the past decade. EA proved with Battlefield 5 that they are happy to pander to games media, and thus we see articles furiously coming to their defence. We need more people like Jim in the mainstream, explaining modern gaming to the layman, explaining how they are all being swindled. EA is a multi-billion dollar company who has paid an obscene amount for the rights to various sports franchises, so it can make the money back 50 fold from its customers. I'm sure I'm not alone in my comprehensive boycott of EA, the problem, it seems to me, is convincing the 24 million-odd players who bought FIFA '19 to do the same.

[S.C.G]

It's time for the latest edition of... Oh Ubisoft!  *bleh!*

Oh, and it's crunch time again. (when is it not these days?)

Edited July 13, 2019 by S.C.G

[S.C.G]

G2A doing what G2A seems to do best... ripping off developers of Indie games by allowing fraudsters to rip people off for games buy buying them with ripped off credit cards.

"Literally, worse than piracy"

This is why I think it's well worth supporting Indie devs by buying the game either directly or at least through a reputable storefront with no keys used inbetween.

Even if you only experience some games via PS Plus, or Games with Gold, I'd imagine that the developers still at least get something for having their games included.

Indie developers having to foot the bill because G2A allow these practices to continue unchecked just isn't on, somehow though... they'll probably carry on getting away with it.

[S.C.G]

Pretty sickening stuff, it's currently being discussed in this thread as well but thought it best to post the video in here too.

[S.C.G]

I did wonder a bit when I saw that SolSeraph was being sold as "the spiritual successor to ActRaiser" and is published by Sega.

This might be good... oh... nope! Oh well, back to the original then.

It's a shame though as a spirital successor to ActRaiser would have been nice.

[S.C.G]

Fallout 76, trying to sell you "convenience" at a premium? Surely not.

[S.C.G]

Worth watching just for that Android Wilson quote.

But seriously, how long can these companies really push for Social Networking in games? It's something that's clearly not needed or at least not in the way they are intending it to be.

If they spent more time pumping out decent, engrossing single-player games rather than wasting time on trying to manipulate their audience it would be better for them long-term.

I know... the "AAA" games industry doesn't work like that any more for the most part, it's a damn shame though because I find myself caring about certain games less and less.

There are only a handful of decent, top-tier developers that I really have enough respect for that I'll actually buy their games on release now.

[Hero-of-Time]

The Cats part at the start was hilarious! 

9 hours ago, S.C.G said:

But seriously, how long can these companies really push for Social Networking in games? It's something that's clearly not needed or at least not in the way they are intending it to be.

They'll continue to keep pushing them as long as their is lots of money to be made. Sadly, the core gaming market aren't the ones who decide how the industry is ran. It may be gate keeping but it's why I generally dislike the more casual audience because they are the ones who dictate how games are made. The mobile market and audience has essentially ruined a lot console gaming. For years many of us on here and other dedicated gaming forums have shown our dislike of the mobile business model and this is exactly why a lot of gamers were outspoken about the whole thing. The practices have now bled into the console side of gaming and instead of developers trying to make a fun game it's now more about how much money they can get you to spend or how long they can keep you hooked on their game.

9 hours ago, S.C.G said:

If they spent more time pumping out decent, engrossing single-player games rather than wasting time on trying to manipulate their audience it would be better for them long-term.

I know... the "AAA" games industry doesn't work like that any more for the most part, it's a damn shame though because I find myself caring about certain games less and less.

Yeah, i'm really starting to feel the same way. Looking at some of the older games i've played this year ( things like Shining Holy Ark, Castlevania GBA games, Dragon Quest DS games ) has really highlighted to me how much gaming has changed. All of these games were fully finished and had no hook to get more money out of you or to try to keep you playing. They were designed to be enjoyed with a start, middle and end. 

9 hours ago, S.C.G said:

There are only a handful of decent, top-tier developers that I really have enough respect for that I'll actually buy their games on release now.

I think pretty much all publishers/developers now are trying to nickel and dime their customers. Exp boosts in JRPGs, DLC being announced before the game is even out, season passes being sold without any real idea of what the content is...the list goes on. Heck, even Nintendo are quite happy to look the other way with their mobile games and it's something i'm very sad to see. Fire Emblem Heroes and Dr Mario are built in a way to encourage spending. Yeah, you don't have to spend a dime to play them but what about those you feel the need to do so? These types of games are built on manipulation, whether it effects you or not.

There's also all of the stories about publishers treating staff poorly, games knowingly being released unfinished, crunch working and poor working conditions leading to staff having mental breakdowns. More and more of these things are being highlighted and it shows just what a mess the industry is in.

Thank goodness for retro gaming.  

Edited July 23, 2019 by Hero-of-Time

[S.C.G]

 

[Hero-of-Time]

Sadly, I can't say i'm surprised. The laws are outdated and really need looking at again. It would have been interesting to see what would happen to FIFA if they had ruled that lootboxes and FIFA packs were classed as gambling. The UK is one of the biggest markets for the game and not being able to sell it with the Ultimate Team mode the way it is would have really damaged EA. Even slapping an 18 rating on the box would seriously harm the sales. EA must be thanking their lucky stars at this point.

[S.C.G]

 

[Glen-i]

Anyone who's seen the latest news about GTA 5 knew this one was coming a mile off.

 

[S.C.G]

I think it's time to gather up any remaining Rockstar published games I happen to have left in my collection and just get rid of them.

They won't get any more money from me in the future and I never really, truly valued their games in the first place.

They're just another games company that really aren't worth wasting any more of my time or money on.

[Nicktendo]

It’s honestly hilarious how far Rockstar have fallen from ripping the piss out of modern culture and gaming in the PS2 games to what they’ve become now. Sad really. The whole shark card business is just repulsive.

[S.C.G]

While I did buy the game before any microtransactions were present, I really don't like the idea of them being in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and I don't know why I thought that somehow this game would be the one recent Activision published title that wouldn't have them.

I'm still going to keep it, more as a grim reminder... I mean, the game itself is still good and I won't be buying anything extra in it but then I'm not the target for these microtransactions.

I could review the game though, I think now that this has happened after the majority of outlets have reviewed the game, this could be a good time to write a review based on how the game is in its current state, as that would be more accurate and people deserve to know... so I might just do that.

After I finish a review of another certain mascot kart racing game which has kept all of its content in-game at the very least of course.

[Hero-of-Time]

Quote

Grand Theft Auto Online's Diamond Casino and Resort has has been a huge success for Rockstar Games, as it has seen the biggest single day and week in player numbers since GTA Online's launch in 2013.

Proof once again that it doesn't really matter what Jim or any of us here think about these practices, the more casual/mainstream audience simply don't care about such things and, as i've said many times before, they are the ones that dictate how the industry is ran.

[Nicktendo]

After watching the latest video of Jim's (attached below), I've gotta say, I've never been happier to be a Nintendo gamer. The fact that EA and Activision are avoiding the Switch makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. I know Nintendo are not without their own faults and we've seen the "new industry standards" creeping into their games to some extent, but I still know when I buy a £50 game, I'm getting a full game that will be a complete experience from day one. I know there have been complaints about Mario Tennis and Splatoon 2, both of which severely lacked content at launch, but I actually found this to be a positive as it provided me with a reason to come back to them weeks or months after I'd taken a break. Both of them are sitting in my top 10 most played Switch games, so despite the disappointment at launch, they've kept me interested in the long run. I actually don't mind this approach for their online-focused games. With Mario Galaxy, BOTW, Smash and Xenoblade 2, there is TONS of content in the base game and HOURS worth of enjoyment without the need of an Internet connection (ok, stability patches aside). Three of those games have DLC add-ons, but feel worth it from my point of view.

I picked up Far Cry 5 on Steam a couple of weeks ago - you could say it's my first AAA (current gen) game, and I'd heard a lot of positive noise about it on the old podcast services. I haven't owned an Xbox or PlayStation for over a decade and only recently got a gaming PC. Honestly, the amount of paid content and skins is disgusting. A shit ton of (what seems like mostly cosmetic) stuff locked behind some kind of currency which you can buy for real money is completely off-putting. This game launched at full price, there is a mass of DLC available for it and in-game skin unlocks and purchases are thrown in your face in the in-game menus when CREATING YOUR CHARACTER (in contrast to SSBU, for example, which doesn't do this with the Mii costumes). I can imagine EA and Activision games are much worse than this. This industry is heading for a big crash if this is its real current state. 

I've never once in the time since I got back into gaming in 2013 with the Wii U felt pressured to spend money or seen some content "locked" behind a in-game-currency-for-real-world-money thing in the past five years with the exception of Fortnite, which is a frickin' F2P game. Fuck the Triiiiiiiiiple Aaaaaaaaaa games industry to the moon and back. Burn it all down. They are not making games anymore, it's just an exercise in copy and paste mechanics from the previous generation which happens to look a lot prettier and they've found ways to try and force people to pay extra for that beauty. There is literally NOTHING that is intrinsically different mechanics wise from the PS360 era in Far Cry 5. Business model bad, survive it will not.

 

Edited August 2, 2019 by Nicktendo

[S.C.G]

Well, the dveloper of Ooblets certainly knows how not to promote their game, especially comparing its Epic Store exclusivity to things like that to make it seem "not so bad" with the irony being that one of the things on that list doesn't even exist or at least not in the way that we're being led to believe but that's a whole other discussion. 

In short though, TL:DR - PR disaster for a game going Epic Exclusive, though I do wonder to what extent people are hyped for the game in the first place, I mean it's different of course but it's not the type of game I'm personally bothered about and I wonder how many people are bothered by its exclusivity ultimately, probably more than enough I suppose.

But in any case, I'm pretty sure that's not how you try to sell a game.

Edited August 13, 2019 by S.C.G

[Dcubed]

Woah! A surprise mechanic extra Jimquisition appears as if from nowhere!

 

 

Jim! You spoil us!  

Edited August 7, 2019 by Dcubed