Suicide Squad is yet the latest example of the video game industry failing to deliver what was advertised and further proof that there is no quantifiable benefit whatsoever in forking over money prematurely.

Also someone needs to explain what the actual net gain is from preordering a digital game. I get preordering a limited run physical game (like the original Katamari Damacy) but downloads don't sell out, it's not like the servers will run out of 1s and 0s to download.

I cannot think of many other consumer items other than video games where the industry routinely encourages and expects their customers to buy their products basically sight unseen.

The only effect from preordering games is for developers getting lazy and not delivering their best product plus the fat greedy execs can brag during the next earnings call about how many sheep they tricked into buying their games prerelease which yields earlier booked revenue which yields fat bonuses for said overweight execs.

One more resurrection. Because there is a lesson here for all mens.

I told tat girl that I don't see a lot of future potential and friendzoned her. She insisted on wanting to know why. I kept it real and told her that I don't like her ink, inked women usually have unproductive personality traits (as mentioned: masculinity, loud obnoxious boorish behavior, vocabulary full of swear words, lack of long term planning and critical thinking, always must have the last word, doesn't know when to shut up, likelihood of promiscuity). She proceeded to yell that I'm insecure, I'm a woman hater and that I cannot "handle" a woman like her. I told her that myself and most men do not want a woman that must be handled, we want girlfriends not circus animals. I then blocked her.

The lesson is that most women are not used to hearing what men truly think (because most men are scared of being called misogynists or men just want some secksay time and don't want to screw up their chances). Women prefer comfortable lies rather than brutal truths so get ready for an explosion when calling out a woman on her lack of self awareness. Not gonna lie, it actually felt really good to tell her the unvarnished truth, it didn't seem like any man has ever done that to her ever.

@mrbojangles25: these are all great suggestions but they would need to happen on a wide scale and I don’t see it happening. As stated, gamers are not know for exercising control on their spending habits and the hype and lack of discipline gets them every time.

Like you, I have no problem whatsoever with the $70 standard price. I get that video games are getting more expensive to make, money doesn’t grow on trees, and that extra money has to come from somewhere. My issue is that despite the price hike, the amount of times the industry reaches into our pockets for more cash has increased to the point of standardization. But they wouldn’t do it if dumb sheep didn’t keep buying it.

Let me preface: the industry can charge whatever they want for video games, that is their absolute right. They can charge for DLC/MTX/loot boxes, it is perfectly legal, no one is forcing anyone to buy anything, and there is nothing wrong with making a profit (I would do it in a heartbeat if I could). But I won't defend broken games, whether I'm buying a $70 game or a $300,000 Huracan, they better function as promised from the start.

The worst recent trend is the standard MSRP has risen to $70 while post sale monetization has also increased. But I really don't see a solution. The best most effective and totally legal way to assault greedy corporations is to hit them in the wallet but that ain't happening. Gamers are not known for self control, self discipline, delayed gratification, etc. Gamers seem to believe their hearts will stop and they will pitch over dead if they stop gaming so all their whining will not prevent the vast majority of them to forgo buying games. The industry posts record profits every year which tells them that abusing the goodwill of their customers does not damage their bottom line.

Lastly, I cannot think of other hobbies that constantly try to reach into my pocket for more cash even after I have already bought the product. Titleist doesn't ask me for more money to keep using my clubs, I don't appreciate feeling like I'm getting played, so a lot less gaming for me from here on out.

An absolute steal for one of the best games of 2023.

The base game is $28 on PS store but the DDE is full price $80.

My pointless musings:

-1080p60 standard graphics (no 4K, no HDR10, no Dolby Vision, no 120hz VRR, no HDMI 2.1)

-5.1 surround (no spatial audio such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and no expanded surround like 6.1 or 7.1)

-new Joy Cons will be marginally improved mostly via better battery life and better button placement.

-will require new accessories; current Joy Cons and Pro Controller will not be forward compatible.

-8” LCD screen (no OLED).

-current Switch games will be backward compatible but will not be patched for higher rez or higher framerate.

-Nintendo Online will increase to $50 per year.

-Switch 2 will be launched with the next 3D Mario game, or Mario Kart 9, or Super Smash Ultimate 2; Metroid Prime 4 or next gen Zelda will be launched a year later.

-standard price for Switch 2 games will increase to $70.

-one SKU priced at $400.

-November 2024 launch worldwide; as per Nintendo SOP, first year supply will be artificially constrained to stretch out demand (IT’S THE CHIP SHORTAGE!).

I have never been approached by a womens (I’ve been told that I look cold and distant and that I radiate anger). Which is fine by me, being assertive and making the first move is the mens job. Also despite modern times, womens rarely approach mens and most expect to be approached first.

I have a cynical guarded nature. I have a very low opinion of humanity. I would likely be turned off if a womens approached me because I would suspect she is trying to sell me something or play me in some way. I would react by being polite and accommodating but do my best to end the interaction as quickly as possible.

Also a womens approaching a mens is a very masculine which is a turn off because I prefer feminine womens.

Great year for gaming overall, so many 9 and 10 quality games. But there were clunkers and Final Fantasy 16 was it for me.

A depressing gray and brown art style. Clive is one of the most dull dry oatmeal bland protagonists I’ve ever seen. There was no story reason for why Clive and Joshua were separated for so long. They killed off interesting characters too early. A heavy handed and overbearing plot. Outdated limited overworld and obsolete fetch quest mission structure. Technical issues that still haven’t been patched out to this day. Taking Sony’s money and keeping this game exclusive to PS5 was a gigantic own goal error (SE has lost billions in valuation since 16 launched partially due to this flagship game’s unacceptable sales numbers).

Jedi Survivor is a close second disappointment but 16 was the most disappointing.

I resurrected this thread to impart a story.

I went on a date last weekend with a woman who has tats. I knew she had forearm ink but during the date, she also showed me a thigh tat and a back tat. Correlated to this, she acted in a very masculine non-feminine way, she was loud and obnoxious, talked too much, used swear words, etc. I felt like I was on a date with a Sons of Anarchy background extra, not a regular woman.

Lesson learned: books can be judged by their covers. Masculinity on a woman is easy to spot, I want and prefer a feminine woman.

@adrian1480: thanks for the laughs. Everyone is an armchair psychiatrist especially on the internet.

I won’t post a ludicrous, too long, un-self aware screed like you did but I will conclude with this: we have both spent about the same number of years on GS yet your post count is 5x more than mine. Over two decades, you average about 63 posts on this site per month to go along with the other sites you likely waste your time and life on. Pathetic.

You really REALLY need to get off the internet, get a life, and accomplish something useful.