somewaffles's recent activity
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Comment on Astro Bot wins Game of the Year 2024 in ~games
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Comment on Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains - Election Song (2005) in ~music
somewaffles Link ParentI love going back to listen to his early stuff after recently having relistened to his final album before he stopped releasing music publicly. He grew a lot as an artist, but always kept the DIY...I love going back to listen to his early stuff after recently having relistened to his final album before he stopped releasing music publicly. He grew a lot as an artist, but always kept the DIY punk spirit.
A punk rock song won't ever change the world! But I can tell you about a couple that changed me!
Wish he would release more stuff, but apparently he is in a much happier spot in his life now, which is awesome to hear. The dude was great at writing in a super relatable and smart, but not pretentious way.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
somewaffles LinkI have been hopelessly addicted to Valves Deadlock after getting an early access invite from a friend. Generally, I have never been very interested in MOBA's but I cannot stop playing this game....I have been hopelessly addicted to Valves Deadlock after getting an early access invite from a friend. Generally, I have never been very interested in MOBA's but I cannot stop playing this game.
At first, I was pretty bad, but everyone claimed that after about 50-ish hours, you start to understand how to not be constantly behind on souls and kills, and have found this to be very true. After playing for a few weeks, I can now be in the top 3 in every game consistently. Even though its still in development, it feels super balanced, compared to other competitive type multiplayer games. I'm usually atrocious at multiplayer games, especially shooters, but this game has a huge emphasis on strategic play and developing good character builds, and really only 10% of the gameplay revolves around good aim, and almost doesn't matter for a lot of characters.
Not sure what it is about the game that draws me in so much, but man is it good.
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Comment on Tyler, The Creator - NOID (2024) in ~music
somewaffles LinkI am so impressed Tyler can just keep making interesting stuff. The guy is a genius in so many ways, very excited for the full release.I am so impressed Tyler can just keep making interesting stuff. The guy is a genius in so many ways, very excited for the full release.
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Comment on Pathologic 3 announced with time travel mechanic, due for release in 2025 in ~games
somewaffles Link ParentYeah, I think I restarted Pathologic 2 three times, each after about 2-3 hours of playing, before it clicked with me. At one point, I found a discussion on reddit pretty much saying that you 100%...Yeah, I think I restarted Pathologic 2 three times, each after about 2-3 hours of playing, before it clicked with me.
At one point, I found a discussion on reddit pretty much saying that you 100% can not, and will not, do everything, save everyone, and understand everything. It's weird but I have a hard time letting characters die in games, so understanding that it would be unavoidable to have a bunch of dead NPC's on my hands helped a lot.
I haven't messed with them, but the developers did also add difficulty sliders, which are an option. Some people like to gatekeep about this, since its not the "intended" experience, but that's lame and the game is stressful even without having to worry about food/water/sleep/whatever.
I haven't gone back to do this myself, but I would even consider doing a "selfish" run where you do the bare minimum to help the town and just focus on your own needs.
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Comment on Pathologic 3 announced with time travel mechanic, due for release in 2025 in ~games
somewaffles LinkFor anyone that is a sucker for punishing games, this is a very exciting announcement, that I was not expecting. For anyone unfamiliar, Mandalore Gaming does a good video reviewing Pathologic 2,...For anyone that is a sucker for punishing games, this is a very exciting announcement, that I was not expecting.
For anyone unfamiliar, Mandalore Gaming does a good video reviewing Pathologic 2, and gives an overview of the series..
I recall the developers describing the game as a "stress simulator", which I think is valid. There is nothing ground breaking about any of the games mechanics separately on their own, you honestly do a lot of walking and reading. But combined with the in game timer, interconnected quest systems, and a world oozing with character/atmosphere, Pathologic 2 is one of my favorite games ever, and I would never would recommend to anyone. It unfortunately didn't have a lot of mainstream appeal and did not do well financially, so I was very surprised to see we were going to get the other character paths.
Some notes from the article that I found interesting:
... this time the follow-up will feature "a time-travel mechanic, allowing players to go back and see how their decisions change the lives of the townspeople."
"Fight the epidemic by implementing quarantines and deploying patrols to lock down the spread of disease," say the game's creators.
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Pathologic 3 announced with time travel mechanic, due for release in 2025
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Comment on Smile 2 | Official trailer in ~movies
somewaffles Link ParentYeah same, its pretty much what convinced me to go out and see it. Definitely not a bad movie at all, but that was by far the scariest part from what I remember.Yeah same, its pretty much what convinced me to go out and see it. Definitely not a bad movie at all, but that was by far the scariest part from what I remember.
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Comment on Smile 2 | Official trailer in ~movies
somewaffles Link ParentI'm still upset that the trailers for the first movie gave away the best jump scare in the entire movie.I'm still upset that the trailers for the first movie gave away the best jump scare in the entire movie.
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Comment on You should own your games in ~games
somewaffles LinkI agree with the main point of what I read, but we are already past the point of no return. Unless you are buying physical copies, when you buy a game on platforms like Steam, Game Pass, and PSN,...I agree with the main point of what I read, but we are already past the point of no return. Unless you are buying physical copies, when you buy a game on platforms like Steam, Game Pass, and PSN, I'm pretty sure you are buying a license to install the content, not the game itself. I have conflicting feelings on physical copies themselves, because I know its the only way to preserve a lot of media that gets lost in time, but I also do not want more plastic just hanging around my house and the world in general. SO, I don't know what should/could be done, but this trains already rolling.
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Comment on Y2K | Official trailer in ~movies
somewaffles Link ParentI think its just supposed to set the vibe for a goofy adventure-comedy, I don't think they are going for cultural accuracy.Tubthumping seems like a weird choice for an American teen party setting.
I think its just supposed to set the vibe for a goofy adventure-comedy, I don't think they are going for cultural accuracy.
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Comment on Godot 4.3 release - A shared effort in ~games
somewaffles LinkI know its not their fault but aaaaaaaaall I want is WebGL support for C# projects in Godot 4, they've been saying its coming for a while now and its starting to feel like we'll never get it.I know its not their fault but aaaaaaaaall I want is WebGL support for C# projects in Godot 4, they've been saying its coming for a while now and its starting to feel like we'll never get it.
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Comment on What game do you consider an unconventional masterpiece? in ~games
somewaffles Link ParentI was not expecting to come in here and see someone mention Lego Racer. I forget which other lego game contained a demo of it, but I played the absolute crap out of the 3-ish levels it came with....I was not expecting to come in here and see someone mention Lego Racer. I forget which other lego game contained a demo of it, but I played the absolute crap out of the 3-ish levels it came with. I eventually got the full game, but those three levels are forever etched in my brain, I still remember all the secrets and power up spots.
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Comment on How viable is indie game development these days? in ~games
somewaffles Link ParentThis is great advice, sounds like your background and experience are 1:1 with mine! Definitely want to second your thoughts on game jams. I've done about four now, 3 times solo and 1 time on a...This is great advice, sounds like your background and experience are 1:1 with mine!
Definitely want to second your thoughts on game jams. I've done about four now, 3 times solo and 1 time on a small team. It's such good experience to get you in the mindset of having a deadline to actually finish something. They are generally low pressure and teach you a lot about time management and scope, not to mention all the actual game development stuff you learn along the way. And like you mentioned, it's such a good feeling saying you have "shipped" a game.
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Comment on How viable is indie game development these days? in ~games
somewaffles Link ParentI know you're not looking for dev help/advice, but I would recommend picking up this book, if you haven't already: Art of Game Design. It has nothing to do with coding or art or anything, but more...I know you're not looking for dev help/advice, but I would recommend picking up this book, if you haven't already: Art of Game Design. It has nothing to do with coding or art or anything, but more game design from a bunch of higher level perspectives. It has helped me a lot and can be pretty inspiring at times.
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Comment on How viable is indie game development these days? in ~games
somewaffles LinkI don't think the layoffs and studio closures has much to do with the indie game sphere. The layoffs were a result of big game companies (and more generally tech companies) over hiring during...I don't think the layoffs and studio closures has much to do with the indie game sphere. The layoffs were a result of big game companies (and more generally tech companies) over hiring during covid and that coming back to bite them. Most indie companies are a pretty small, with not more than like 25 people, although I'm sure some were affected to some degree.
But anyway, "success" in indie games is really defined by you. Do you want to work for an actual indie studio? Do you want to develop a game all on your own? I've made a handful of game jam games and small projects solo that I'm really proud of. They are nothing special and nothing more came of them other than some people playing them and some really nice comments. The indie game market is extremely saturated with bland games. I think about 50 games are added to steam everyday, most are trash, if not straight up scams, but it does make it super hard to get noticed no matter how great your game is.
I've dipped my feet into a lot of creative mediums, and game development is by far the hardest. It's a constant battle to solve problems, whether its programming, art, sound, design, whatever. I think its the most rewarding time I've spent making stuff, but even a simple game can take weeks or months. The general consensus is to not leave your day job to pursue making a game. You could spend years making the greatest game ever, and it could still fail because of bad marketing or even luck. Also, "creating fun" is a whole nother thing that can get in the way, because its such a nebulous thing.
I think whether your goal is to work at a studio or develop your "dream game" solo, I would start with making something really small but interesting. You can put it in a portfolio to show to perspective employers and/or throw it up on itch.io and see what people think. I think this is important because you won't be wasting anyone's time (especially you're own.) You will see way too many stories of people spending years on their big action-RPG-survival-battle-royal-crafting-simulator for it to just not go anywhere.
Also to your comment about someone telling you that you weren't cut out for game development, fuck them, do not listen to people on the internet. I've spent over half my life making stuff and putting it online and there will always be someone who is going to be a miserable idiot and try to bring you down. Just make stuff because its fun and you'll naturally get better.
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Comment on The biggest band in America in 2024 is … Creedence Clearwater Revival in ~music
somewaffles Link ParentI agree with you, but I guess my point is less about all pop music sounding the same and more about how it has become more creativly bankrupt over time. I try to avoid being a "music was better...I agree with you, but I guess my point is less about all pop music sounding the same and more about how it has become more creativly bankrupt over time. I try to avoid being a "music was better back in the day" type person, and listen to a lot of modern artists, but overall music has gotten more simplistic over time (noting I didn't take much time to look through the actual studies linked here, but it is something I've seen claimed with data to back it up.)
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Comment on The biggest band in America in 2024 is … Creedence Clearwater Revival in ~music
somewaffles Link ParentProbably not saying anything everyone else already knows, but my armchair musician/production explanation is that popular music today is engineered to emotionally manipulate you on multiple...Probably not saying anything everyone else already knows, but my armchair musician/production explanation is that popular music today is engineered to emotionally manipulate you on multiple fronts, which wasn't nearly as widespread before the 90's-2000's, at least from a purposeful marketing perspective. I don't mean that in a conspiratorial way at all, but most pop music now has to check certain boxes or they just won't get streams and radio play.
Obviously there are exceptions, but most hit songs need a very rigid verse/chorus structure, simple/catchy rhyming schemes, and are edited to pin point perfection in both timing and tune. This even reaches more niche genres like metal. You'd have a very tough time finding a band worth their salts who doesn't use a decent amount of time and tune correction. It sounds "good", but also you lost a lot of character/feel/soul/whatever by doing this.
Also, recording was a lot different back then, both in quality and process. People still work with tape today, but it is extremely expensive and I'd be willing to bet there are very few record labels that would justify the cost when its so cheap to record digitally. But the point is, analog recording gives music a lot more character because its a limited resource in a studio and artists would generally not always get the "best" take, but was a much more organic feel. Not to mention, tape just sounds cooler in a lot of cases. That's not to say digital is inferior, in anyway, its just different.
My prediction is that the tide might be turning though, as we are seeing more and more "old" music coming back because of TikTok. You can even see it with younger artists like Billie Eilish who do a lot of things you normally wouldn't see in pop songs from the past 20 years, probably thanks to an interest in older music, which tended to have more interesting and inventive arrangements.
tl:dr as most people know, most popular music today needs to be perfect, it didn't have to be perfect back then. I think this is already changing, and I'd be willing to bet in a few years we are going to see some really interesting music come out from younger artists.
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Comment on I worked for Mr Beast, he's a sociopath in ~tech
somewaffles Link ParentDoes it really matter either way? I personally wouldn't have had an issue even if he left the videos up, as cringey as they can be, no one is being forced to watch decade old youtube videos. But...Does it really matter either way? I personally wouldn't have had an issue even if he left the videos up, as cringey as they can be, no one is being forced to watch decade old youtube videos. But anyway, he did the thing that people would want him to do to "make things better" regardless of if he really changed or not. Like should someone who made cringey videos in the past just never be able to move past it?
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Comment on Donald Trump whisked off stage in Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd in ~news
somewaffles Link ParentI hate, hate, HATE Trump but honestly even I have to admit that was kind of bad ass. I thought you were exaggerating before I watched the video, but this is really was all he needed to pull ahead...I hate, hate, HATE Trump but honestly even I have to admit that was kind of bad ass. I thought you were exaggerating before I watched the video, but this is really was all he needed to pull ahead of Biden. Jesus Christ.
Gotta say, I'm usually the first to complain about advertisments being places they shouldn't be, but AstroBot falls extremely low on my "oh god, another ad" meter. It was a well made game that felt like more of a celebration of their console and IP's rather than an ad for them. Just feels like there are bigger fish to fry.