CannibalisticApple's recent activity
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
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Comment on Many widely used female health apps fail to protect highly sensitive data, study finds in ~health
CannibalisticApple LinkCan someone explain why these apps would need to receive any data in the first place? What do the companies do with it that requires the specific data? I feel like this sort of app should be able...Can someone explain why these apps would need to receive any data in the first place? What do the companies do with it that requires the specific data? I feel like this sort of app should be able to work fine totally offline.
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Comment on Those who read a lot of fiction shown to have improved cognitive abilities in ~science
CannibalisticApple LinkThis is something I've long believed about the power of fiction, and have previously spoken up about. I think it's easier for people to identify with a fictional character than direct accounts of...In particular, the people in that cohort who read more fiction seemed to better empathize with others and understand the way they thought, PsyPost explains.
This is something I've long believed about the power of fiction, and have previously spoken up about. I think it's easier for people to identify with a fictional character than direct accounts of actual events. When it comes to real people, there's just a sort of mental barrier: they're a stranger we will likely never meet, and their experiences aren't our own. That alone places a step of "distance" between us. It can also be much harder to read certain accounts because they're real, causing people to stop reading or just skim because it's too awful for us to really think about for too long. We want to put it out of our heads as quickly as possible. At the end of the day, those people tend to become just another statistic.
With a fictional character though, readers are basically placing ourselves in their shoes. The fact that we know it's fictional and thus no one got hurt makes certain topics easier to stomach, such as abuse and horrific tragedy like war. Even with historical fiction about real events, we're still reading about the people involved as characters rather than people. Again, that makes it easier to digest everything without getting stuck on the horrors of it all.
Written works also tend to show insight into a character's mind that you just don't get in other mediums. Even third-person perspectives tend to be written from a specific character's point of view, and show a glimpse at their thoughts even if it's just noting their surprise or how a particular scene is described. With that intimate glimpse we start to feel like we know them like a friend or real person, and they become more than just characters on a page.
And because of that, fiction sticks with us. We get attached to fictional characters and mourn their suffering and despair, and can feel genuine elation on their behalf when things go right. I still feel sad over the deaths of some fictional characters, and found myself fearing for the lives of others in ongoing series. I felt relief when things finally go right, because I'm just as invested in their journey as they are.
So to summarize: it makes perfect sense to me that reading fiction increases people's ability to empathize with others. Makes me even sadder about the decline in media literacy. Perhaps the world wouldn't be quite as hostile if more people read rather than just watched TV...
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI beat Hotel Dusk! I beat it yesterday technically (at like 5 am before going to sleep), but our wifi had been acting up so only reporting on it now. Pretty good game, I'd rate it an 8/10 I think....I beat Hotel Dusk! I beat it yesterday technically (at like 5 am before going to sleep), but our wifi had been acting up so only reporting on it now. Pretty good game, I'd rate it an 8/10 I think.
My overall thoughts (and tagging @Mendanbar since you said you were interested to hear my thoughts on it):
Overall Thoughts on Hotel Dusk (Spoilers Included!)
The game was pretty well-done overall! I gave some observations on the mechanics above, so I won't expand on it too much. I'm impressed at how they incorporated the unique features of the DS, particularly the ability to touch multiple parts of the screen at once, and closing the lid. I was thrown off by the scene with mouth-to-mouth requiring to close the DS instead of using the microphone though.I was impressed at how so much of the story tied together, it's a bit wild how many people at the hotel were tied to Nile in some way. Though I'm a bit disappointed at the ending leaving some loose threads. That's natural, but I had expected to see something from Iris in the epilogue. We didn't get much closure on that tape she had, like confirmation whether it was Dunning or someone else who listened to it, or what Dunning was supposed to do with that tape. At least she talked to Kevin, though I missed seeing her on the roof.
I'm also just a bit disappointed that we never saw Bradley. I expected him to show up at the climax, not get a letter and a second-hand story about his motives and reasoning. The ending we got is probably the more realistic, but it's still just a tad disappointing. I feel bad for him with how his life got so horribly derailed by the case, and that he didn't even get a chance to talk to his friend and just got shot, never getting in-person closure. Seems like he got revenge at least.
I think the biggest open ending for me though was the storyline with Summer and Helen about Alan Parker. Their whole storyline seemed disconnected from the rest of the game, which makes it stand out. It makes the lack of closure about Alan a bit disappointing. Makes me wonder if it was planned to be revisited in a later game before the studio shut down...
Aside from all that, I still have some other questions: why was Mila in a coma for 10 years? Why didn't her father ever tell Dunning about her being in a coma? What was up with her father being listed as missing for 7 years by the LAPD, while still visiting her every month? Why did she only wake up after he died, and after Bradley visited? Was her father artificially inducing the coma somehow with poison or something?? Did Bradley somehow manage to "cure" her with an antidote?? (Also, Mila is mentally 9. I can't get over that.)
And a final note, where was Jenny this whole time?? Why did she only return NOW? What happened during those ten years she was kidnapped?
Overall, pretty good game. I'll have to play the sequel sometime in the future for sure, and I also have plans to play Another Code: Recollection eventually. Just a shame that the studio shut down. From what I can tell, there was likely supposed to be at least one more game to wrap up Kyle's story.
Anyways, I guess I'll keep up column. Next up I think I'll try Coromon, which was recommended by someone on Tildes.
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Comment on EA is looking at putting in-game ads in AAA games — 'We'll be very thoughtful as we move into that,' says CEO in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentAdd a weird NPC who talks about dreams of a strange world and describes various real-world products in weird ways. "I saw people holding small metal canisters, red and silver in color. They held...Add a weird NPC who talks about dreams of a strange world and describes various real-world products in weird ways. "I saw people holding small metal canisters, red and silver in color. They held some sort of strange brown liquid that smelled rather sweet, and they were talking which was better while smiling and laughing. I woke up wanting to taste this strange 'Coca Cola' drink, but my attempts to mix a similar concoction ended with just rather filthy water..."
...I joke, but that would actually probably be a brilliant way to add real-world advertising compared to the usual ads. It isn't intrusive, and people would probably seek out the NPC just to hear the weird and funny descriptions of modern-day conveniences from an outsider perspective.
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Comment on Duck Game rights are returned to developer in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentThing is, I think most of the Adult Swim games weren't in active development or live service. As far as I know most of them were "done" and didn't need active maintenance. And even then, I think...Thing is, I think most of the Adult Swim games weren't in active development or live service. As far as I know most of them were "done" and didn't need active maintenance. And even then, I think it would fall onto the developers rather than WB.
It's why the decision to delist the games has been so baffling to everyone. As far as I can tell, it was basically free money.
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Comment on Sony backed down from the PSN requirement to play Helldivers 2. How will this change how the community reacts to game changes? in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentHe got told the basic details of the situation, and likely got dressed down for that. While encouraging the review bomb probably played a big role in his getting fired, he showed a serious lack of...He got told the basic details of the situation, and likely got dressed down for that. While encouraging the review bomb probably played a big role in his getting fired, he showed a serious lack of professional behavior. A community manager is one of the faces of a company, so the fact he didn't even bother to look at the actual complaints before insulting players for being lazy...
It's just not a good image. Really can't get over that he didn't even look into the complaints. It feels like he just saw the headlines "Helldivers 2 players angry over needing PSN accounts" on his feed and stopped there without even opening any articles or discussions. That's like the most basic part of the job.
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Comment on Sony backed down from the PSN requirement to play Helldivers 2. How will this change how the community reacts to game changes? in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentFrom what I've heard, Spitz was already on shaky ground and wasn't too well liked due to being unprofessional. When this first went down, he initially responded... Pretty badly, as shown in this...From what I've heard, Spitz was already on shaky ground and wasn't too well liked due to being unprofessional. When this first went down, he initially responded... Pretty badly, as shown in this screenshot on reddit.
Text for those who don't want to open reddit:
It's not like this is the first or even the fourteenth mainstream game to require a third-party account that takes a couple minutes to create, but if it's a dealbreaker to have to take 120 seconds out of your day to enter an email and password and then forget about it, change your Steam review and make your displeasure known on a platform where it matters
Yeah. Implying that most of the complaints are just due to people being lazy is pretty unprofessional on its own. Then there's the fact that he clearly made that statement without knowing anything about the situation, which is even worse. He backtracked pretty fast of course, but the fact he thought that was appropriate to say at all was pretty bad and unprofessional.
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Comment on Reddit shares soar 14% after company reports revenue pop in debut earnings report in ~tech
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI honestly wonder a bit too. I don't mind the reposts TOO much, since often it will be photos, facts or memes I haven't seen. However, some of the reposts involve past news events and can incite...I honestly wonder a bit too. I don't mind the reposts TOO much, since often it will be photos, facts or memes I haven't seen. However, some of the reposts involve past news events and can incite new anger/frustration over years-old events that have already resolved by omitting dates. When it comes to sensitive topics like politics, I can see that being used to sway people's stances if they only see the image/screenshot and don't look for further context.
Besides that, it's also just annoying to see a pic saying "this just happened to me" and find out no, it was a bot reposting a highly rated pic. So if you want context on the aftermath or details on how it happened, you won't get any on the new post.
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
CannibalisticApple (edited )LinkMode: Standard Bingo! Finished 3/25 Set underwater ✔ The Testimony of Trixie Glimmer Smith Has a weather system Focuses on relationships Has a robot antagonist Is mostly text-based ✔ Coromon Has a...Mode: Standard Bingo! Finished 3/25 Set underwater You started it but never completed it
✔ The Testimony of Trixie Glimmer SmithHas a weather system Focuses on relationships Has a robot antagonist Is mostly text-based Recommended by someone on Tildes
✔ CoromonHas a lives system From a studio you haven't heard of before Great reviews, but not your usual type Has a branching storyline From a different country than you ★ Wildcard Came out more than 7 years ago From a genre you don’t normally play Has time manipulation Focuses on exploration “When the hell did I buy this?” Features a mystery An updated version (remake, re-release) of an older game Uses a unique control scheme Considered a cult classic
✔ Hotel Dusk: Room 215Light and dark play a role From a different culture or country You got it for free Week 2, and I'm currently playing Hotel Dusk! I'm going to mark that one under "Cult Classic". I won't check it off until it's done, though I won't go for "must complete it" for all of them. This one has a finite story though, so I want to finish it first.
Putting my thoughts in a spoiler so people don't have to scroll past it constantly. No actual spoilers besides minor references to puzzle mechanics.
Thoughts on Hotel Dusk
Currently on Chapter 7, and it's been really interesting so far. It's been a long time since I played a DS game that relied so heavily on the touch screen, I only realized I could use the D-pad to move instead of the touch screen last night. The puzzles also really make use of the DS, one has you close and open the DS and another has you tap two spots at once. That second one really blew me away, I'm used to touch screens only registering one place.I've never played a game where I hold it vertically before. I'm already used to it, I keep opening my DS vertically even when I was doing a shiny hunt in Pokémon last night while watching a show with my mom xD
I do have a spoiler-free guide open, which is a bit shameful, but I have needed it for some parts. There's a couple details I would have certainly missed, or taken a VERY long time to notice or figure out. I just realized I can't get the "best" ending because I've gotten some game overs though, but that's okay. Maybe someday in the far future I can replay it... Or just look up the best ending on YouTube xD
One final thought before I return to playing: Louie looks like Danny from Game Grumps and I can't stop thinking that every time we talk.
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Comment on Reddit shares soar 14% after company reports revenue pop in debut earnings report in ~tech
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI still browse reddit a bit, mainly sticking to BestofRedditorUpdates or searching for updates in general. The only other thing I do is check r/all for any big headlines or news. Based on my brief...I still browse reddit a bit, mainly sticking to BestofRedditorUpdates or searching for updates in general. The only other thing I do is check r/all for any big headlines or news. Based on my brief skimming of comments, I've noticed a general anti-Israel sentiment on most subs, but I'm pretty surface-level and don't engage too often.
It definitely seems more meme-y than before though. One notable change is the number of bots. They've always been around, but they're really everywhere now. It's normal to open any post on all and see comments saying either the poster is a bot, or calling out specific comments as copied from another comment on either that post or an older one. Yesterday one of the posts to reach the front page of all was a post to r/OneOrangeBraincell titled "Puddy has a message for the mods" with a photo of a cat and sign saying "this sub has a bot problem". Based on the comments, moderators of multiple subs are having trouble dealing with the heavy influx of bots since even karma requirements don't do much anymore.
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Comment on Sony backed down from the PSN requirement to play Helldivers 2. How will this change how the community reacts to game changes? in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentBecause people might buy the game in the meantime, and then Valve has to process even more refunds. I think Valve delisted it to put more pressure on Sony to change track due to the ongoing mass...Because people might buy the game in the meantime, and then Valve has to process even more refunds. I think Valve delisted it to put more pressure on Sony to change track due to the ongoing mass refunds. There's a chance Valve also could have been subjected to lawsuits for allowing the game to be sold in countries it couldn't be played in, which would be an unnecessary hassle no matter how such a case could have turned out.
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Comment on Nintendo pre-announces a Switch 2 announcement is coming… eventually in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentYep, that was my biggest takeaway. I've gotten quite annoyed with the influx of news and speculation. I've even seen people talk about "this month's Direct will totally announce the Switch 2" when...Yep, that was my biggest takeaway. I've gotten quite annoyed with the influx of news and speculation. I've even seen people talk about "this month's Direct will totally announce the Switch 2" when there isn't even a Direct announced for that month. It's easy to ignore, but still pretty tedious to constantly see "BIG NEWS ABOUT SWITCH 2" show up on my feed when there's no actual substance. At least this way, articles can focus on whatever games are announced at the next Direct instead of the lack of news.
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Comment on Nintendo pre-announces a Switch 2 announcement is coming… eventually in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI doubt it would be summer since it would be pretty soon, or at least this summer. So it'd have to be summer 2025. I still doubt it though because Nintendo has a history of releasing new consoles...I doubt it would be summer since it would be pretty soon, or at least this summer. So it'd have to be summer 2025. I still doubt it though because Nintendo has a history of releasing new consoles in either spring (Nintendo 3DS and Switch) or autumn/winter (usually September, November or December). Looking at the release dates, the last consoles with a summer release was the Gameboy Advance with June 2001 release dates for America, Australia and Europe (but March in Japan). The DS Lite had summer releases, and the 3DS XL had July and August releases, but those are both just new versions of their base consoles so I wouldn't count them as new consoles.
I personally predict a spring 2025 release to capitalize on console sales before summer vacation. Kids will have more free time in summer, so a February or March release provides time for them to get the console and start saving for individual games over summer. Then by the time Christmas rolls around there's a decent library of games already released, meaning even more potential sales.
Side-note I found interesting, the Nintendo DS had one of the more staggered release dates of the consoles. Released first in America on November 21, 2004, Japan on December 2, Australia on February 24, 2005, and Europe on March 11, 2005. The New Nintendo 3DS also had a pretty staggered release starting with Japan getting it in October 2014 and South Korea being the last region to get it in May 2015. Then in September both South Korea and NA got the standard-size release since they originally had the XL, so Nintendo still skipped a summer release for that. Not sure I'd count the New 3DS as a fully new console like the DS since it had very few exclusives, but still interesting to see the trends!
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Comment on Sony backed down from the PSN requirement to play Helldivers 2. How will this change how the community reacts to game changes? in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI looked it up because I remembered hearing the devs said it wouldn't be required in the wake of this controversy. I found this tweet from May 3 clarifying it won't be required for single-player,...I looked it up because I remembered hearing the devs said it wouldn't be required in the wake of this controversy. I found this tweet from May 3 clarifying it won't be required for single-player, but will be needed for the Legends multi-player mode and the Playstation Overlay. So at bare minimum, it's not a full requirement right now.
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Comment on Sony backed down from the PSN requirement to play Helldivers 2. How will this change how the community reacts to game changes? in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentAgreed. Unfortunately, when a company is as large as Sony, negative reception rarely overpowers pure greed. Even with the influx of negative reviews, they'd still likely deem the data gained from...Agreed. Unfortunately, when a company is as large as Sony, negative reception rarely overpowers pure greed. Even with the influx of negative reviews, they'd still likely deem the data gained from PSN-linked accounts to be more valuable. The mass refunds and delisting from Steam, however, would have cut strongly into their share of the profits. Not to mention the potential legal action from players in countries without PSN, and potential further action from Steam such as delisting Helldivers 2 entirely or having more stringent requirements for future games. Everything together made it too much of a hassle.
I think something should be changed, either on Steam or Sony's end, to block future games with PSN or other external account requirements from being listed for sale in countries without access to those accounts. From what I heard Helldivers originally required a PSN account for the first week before making it optional, so they should also make it so that such a decision can't be changed from "Optional" to "Required". At the very least though, I don't think Sony will try this again (or at least not for a major game). It's just easier to try to add some other incentive for linking an account through in-game bonuses.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI can confirm, Scarlet and Violet sadly lack most of the mechanics of PLA. It returned to the classic battle system, and the open world feels a bit emptier. I still sometimes try to instinctively...I can confirm, Scarlet and Violet sadly lack most of the mechanics of PLA. It returned to the classic battle system, and the open world feels a bit emptier. I still sometimes try to instinctively sneak up on Pokémon to throw Poke Balls.
Like you said, PLA really was a breath of fresh air for the franchise. I still haven't completed all the side quests and Pokedex in it, but it's really fun!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
CannibalisticApple LinkI started playing Hotel Dusk: Room 215 for the Backlog Burner event. Only just finished the second chapter. Controls took a bit to get used to (I still keep looking at the touch screen instead of...I started playing Hotel Dusk: Room 215 for the Backlog Burner event. Only just finished the second chapter. Controls took a bit to get used to (I still keep looking at the touch screen instead of the actual room), and it's pretty cool to hold my DS that way compared to other games. I also got a couple game overs already. (The one time I decided to go for the harsher dialogue option instead of trying to be nice and patient—)
I do shamefully have a spoiler-free guide open because I got too focused on one of the first puzzles (the suitcase), and didn't realize I was supposed to come back to it later on. When I opened the guide, I'd even already gone down to the first floor to look for a tool, so the game would have advanced anyway. The guide helped me out though after one game over, since I didn't realize that game over basically reset the stuff I'd done in that room.
Other than that, one thought I can't get out of my head: Louie looks a heck of a lot like Dan from Game Grumps. I don't see many characters with hair like that, so every time I see him it's just my first thought. Him having an old friend named Danny does not help xD
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Comment on The United States leads the world in airline safety. That’s because of the way we assign blame when accidents do happen. in ~transport
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI did miss it, thank you! I didn't know that was Admiral Cloudberg's real name. Now I know to keep an eye out for it in the future!I did miss it, thank you! I didn't know that was Admiral Cloudberg's real name. Now I know to keep an eye out for it in the future!
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Comment on The United States leads the world in airline safety. That’s because of the way we assign blame when accidents do happen. in ~transport
CannibalisticApple LinkThis article sums up pretty well why I've found write-ups of plane crash investigations by Admiral Cloudberg so reassuring. The investigations focus on determining why the accident happened, and...This article sums up pretty well why I've found write-ups of plane crash investigations by Admiral Cloudberg so reassuring. The investigations focus on determining why the accident happened, and how to prevent it again. Every write-up I've read included a list of changes that resulted, from policies to manufacturing decisions. So knowing the causes wouldn't repeat made me feel safer about flying. (This is also why the recent string of Boeing accidents has made me so wary of the company since they're demonstrating a lack of care for safety compared to the rest of the industry.)
If more industries followed a similar model, the world would be a much better place. Too often businesses go after scapegoats and then make no other changes, allowing problems to repeat themselves or people to withhold from reporting issues for fear of repercussions. Blaming someone is a natural instinct since we want something to direct our anger at, and blaming a person is quicker than launching a full investigation. Sometimes though, there isn't someone to be blamed, or greater forces behind their mistake. And for some jobs like the aviation industry, the consequences of their mistakes are a far heavier punishment than anything a judge or court could levy on them.
I started Coromon for the Recommended by Tildes! I only started a little bit ago, but I already love it. Such strong Pokémon vibes, while also feeling so fresh and new~
I'm checking this one off the list. This game has a lot of grinding, so I can play it while watching TV and such. Which is great, because I'd been looking for a game I could play while watching video essays!
Next on my list: maybe One Lonely Outpost?