The good news is even if it bombs the whole franchise will see renewed interest. Whether as a last ditch effort to save the series or to capitalize on the momentum this release will be our best chance to see Dragon Age: Origins & Awakening remaster or remake.

Reading more is always the right choice

I can agree with all that. I still defend Odyssey because it grew on me. Once I looked at it as an odyssey it clicked for me. From the moment Odysseus leaves Ithaca to fight in the Trojan war until he gets back everything he does is on an epic scale, so epic it all starts looking mundane when compared to each other. That’s the problem with the game, it’s so vast and huge it just loses meaning of itself within its own glory and majesty. Ubisoft really captured that spirit for me.

My school teachers would be so proud that asking me to read the Iliad and the Odyssey finally paid off. Growing an appreciation for video games was probably not what they had in mind.

I’m playing Unity right now and I’m about to switch to something else. I really like Unity, it is also the biggest collect-a-thon since ACIII. Referring to my earlier point, the maps for the collections are largely locked behind additional purchases.

I had the same complaint about Syndicate, really felt like you were hacking away for way too long on even basic enemies. And again locked behind mtx was basic gameplay balancing.

Origins was great because although it had largely the same mtx issues the new mechanics allowed you to work around them. Odyssey then rolls around and undoes much of the changes Origins made in that regard. It’s an obvious pattern of using questionable design to boost margins.

You joke but I would totally come back to CoD if they went 3rd person. Haven’t played since 2011 MW3

Couldn’t agree more, currently rotating between Unity, Syndicate, Origins and Odyssey and the difference between the first two and the last two is massive. By the time you reach Odyssey it truly stopped feeling like an AC game. Still really like Origins though, vaguely felt true to the spirit of the rest of the series while introducing really nuanced and interesting changes.

My biggest complaint for all of them is how mtx is interwoven with in-game progression. Played them all on PS4 and they felt like a real slog to get through. Now on PC where I indulged and unlocked those features for free they feel accurately balanced. That’s the real problem with Ubi’s games. At some point features are hacked out to be monetized and squeeze out some extra dollars.

Not to mention how predatory the helix credit system is/was, haven’t played Valhalla nor Mirage.

It was meant to be a triple pun on meow, Muenster cheese and Herman Munster from the classic American TV show The Munsters. My partner thought it was too many puns for one name to handle

Then you won’t be sorry to learn that we zeroed in on cheese names almost immediately and that Herman Meownster was seriously considered for him. Ultimately Colby Jack won out but I often wonder what if…

Well Ito sounds absolutely precious so I doubt anyone could resist his wiles. It’s so bad in our home that we started a rule that cats must do something other than be cute to get treats or catnip. Treats for tricks we call it, so if they’re good for getting claws trimmed or if they stand on their hind legs for us and things of that nature.

Rowena is not food motivated at all, until recently we couldn’t get her to accept treats. She will also let you know she’s had enough by walking away, she eats way less treats than you think would be enough to satiate. On the other hand she’s crazy about catnip, she will employ the glare if she doesn’t think you’ve given her enough.

Colby Jack is crazy food motivated. We’ve taught him to spin in place for wet food and are working on doing it by command. He will also lead you to the treats. He likes to plop right in front of you and show belly, then when you reach down to pet him he gets up and walks towards the treat cupboard.

I’m sure you could get cats to do all sorts of things with a little patience and a heckin’ lot of catnip and treats.

I absolutely believe that cats understand more than what they let on.

My parents have two cats, Odin and Honey. Odin is a senior cat now but he’s always been sweet as pie. His default position when someone shows up to the home is that they have come for him and must pay tribute to his belly. Honey is pretty typical, if she smells something funny in the air she’s gone before the dust settles.

So one day I come over to my parent’s house to mind the place while they are away and after successfully tithing Odin’s belly I start to look for a place to set my belongings. Off-hand I remark to the cat that I haven’t seen Honey in a while and he should go get her. Odin leaves and I don’t think much of it, kitty shenanigans or whatever they do. I finish putting away my things and I see Honey trotting down the hall, then I hear her yelp because Odin is hot on her heels nipping at her legs.

You believe what you want to about but I know what I do.

Lot of words just to say that once the advertisers move in on a centralized platform its value is shot. A huge part of the reason I abandoned the last platform I was using and sought a federated alternative.

People get upset if you part your hair wrong. Forgetting a name hasn’t gotten me killed yet but stranger things have happened.

I can remember someone’s name after one meeting but when I can’t it makes me feel awkward. I feel less awkward when 9 times out of 10 they forgot meeting me the first time.

Yeah my claim is that Valve used the data from their monthly survey and anything that was not willingly provided from users was bought from Google to R&D the Steam Deck. If that isn’t a probable or plausible scenario to you then you simply don’t understand why marketing data is useful.

I never said anything about selling out to Google.

Not every drop of orange juice is worth the squeeze.

You’re right. But it’s not a question of buying consoles, it’s a matter of creating a free account. The majority of people have been conditioned to do so all their lives they won’t question another. If you really want to make a difference choose better battles, how about going after the system that allowed this problem to exist in the first place instead of getting caught up trying to put out the symptoms.

I’m not a defeatist, I’m just wondering if this battle is worth making a stand at when in order to change the gaming industry you first have to change the nature of industry itself. At what point do you stop trying to save the Titanic and start drawing plans for the Titanic II?

there’s the monthly hardware and software survey

It’s optional.

whatever users didn’t willingly provide was probably bought from Google.

Ah, yes, probably.

I mean I wish I could find a source

No surprise there.

We’re all voicing opinions. I chose mine and don’t begrudge yours.

More like false accusations.

Your words in bold to highlight how hard it is for you to believe that Valve bought data from Google to create the Steam Deck.

I understand what you’re saying but there will never not be mtx in games. Even if these guys are getting raked over the coals the only lesson being taken away is to nickle and dime you slower.

More like false accusations.

This is gold. Imma remember this one fondly.

I’m not accusing Valve of anything, other than presenting the likely scenario of how using monthly hardware and software survey in conjunction with data bought from Google went towards the development of the Steam Deck. If you cannot accept that as a plausibility that’s your problem not mine. The proof you keep getting your gaiters in a twist over could only come from corporate espionage or Valve themselves releasing to the public.

Picking my statement apart did you no favors in trying to prove your point. Honestly don’t know what your point is other than you’re mad I’m not on my knees gargling daddy Gabe’s balls as hard.

Well there’s the monthly hardware and software survey and whatever users didn’t willingly provide was probably bought from Google. I mean I wish I could find a source but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out how companies who want to sell you things would go about selling you things. I could if you ask nicely, give you a basic summary of how marketing data is used by entities seeking profit to R&D products and services.

We’re all voicing opinions. I chose mine and don’t begrudge yours.