> World of Warcraft still exists in 2024. The game’s 10th expansion was released in August, and while it doesn’t command quite the same influence as it did during its early-millennium prime, millions of players still step through its portal every day. But the dynamic I’m describing—the complex social contract, the acquaintances waiting to be forged into brotherhood—is nowhere to be found. The chat box that used to chirp with shitposts, gossip, and hyperlocal banter is conspicuously barren. If you do partner up with someone for an adventure, words are rarely exchanged. When the final boss is toppled, everyone leaves the group and dissolves into the ether. It used to be something of a faux pas to play without a microphone, but I honestly can’t remember the last time one of my fellow dwarves has beckoned me to join a voice channel. > > This is part of a shift that can be felt across video game culture writ large. Even though some of the biggest franchises in the world—Fortnite, Call of Duty, League of Legends—pit a server’s worth of players against one another in lethal combat, the softer interactions those places once fomented are on the decline. We are all in front of our computers, paradoxically together and separate, like ships passing in the night. > > This is a difficult trend to prove empirically, but it certainly has been felt by lifelong gamers. There are multiple somber YouTube video essays about the lack of conviviality in multiplayer lobbies, and most of them bear titles that gesture toward an elemental wound in the culture. (One video, titled “Modern Gaming Is Becoming More and More Isolated,” has over 500,000 views.) A similar despondence has struck the domains of Reddit and GameFAQs, which have historically served as the premier watering holes for fans of the hobby. (“No one uses voice chat these days,” wrote one user. “People don’t chat in gaming anymore,” added another.) On a more macro level, about half of Americans are currently experiencing loneliness, particularly among millennials and Gen Z, who represent the industry’s primary consumers. All of this is evidence of a generation that has come to believe that a reliable source of intimacy—even if it’s down the scope of a sniper rifle—has gone awry. I would find it pathetic if I didn’t totally relate.

And, if they are, any recommendations for a gun controller?

[alt text: a photo of a wired Xbox 360 controller sitting on a table. The right thumbstick has been replaced or covered by a handle(slash)knob from a manual transmission shifter lever.]

> Much has been made of the difficulty of these games—­it has been criticized as exclusionary, lauded as a return to gaming’s roots, used as a selling point. (prepare to die, declared the slogan of the first Dark Souls.) But “difficulty” is an elusive concept, one word standing in for a number of ways in which a game can resist its players.

> Another way to put it is that the games can be, for the wrong person, or someone in the wrong mood, simply unpleasant. It is not always clear why one would want to spend one’s leisure time swearing at a screen, lost, stuck, dying over and over in the dark. More often, though, they provide something much more complicated: a paradoxical mix of joy and outrage, relief and despair. The repetitive drumbeat of failure, occasionally punctuated by success or disaster or revelation, batters you into a kind of gleeful serenity. Failure becomes funny, even soothing. The games are full of jokes at the player’s expense—­traps and dead ends and carefully orchestrated aggravations. Game after game runs variations on the comedic setup of an enormous stone ball rolling at you down a slope, for instance. It’s there in the opening level of Dark Souls, to teach you about dodging, and about the game designers’ malevolence; then it appears again and again in more complicated arrangements. By Elden Ring such traps have become familiar, even comforting—­until the moment when a boulder rolls past you, stops, and then rolls back, seemingly of its own free will, to crush you from behind. The only possible response is to laugh or give up.

> Riot Games added some new clauses to its Terms of Service that could put some players in hot water for unbecoming behavior that occurs “across the various places that touch their gaming experience.” Players can face penalties, suspensions and even “Riot-wide bans” if they are caught violating these new rules.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/33837279

> Now we just need more signatures.

Stop Killing Games is an European Citizens Initiative aiming to keep games playable even after their developers and publishers have stopped supporting it.

To get the initiative onto the EUs agenda so it has the chance to become EU law, it has to both reach 1 million signatures total and minimum thresholds in at least 7 countries. Ireland has just passed its threshold, becoming the seventh country to do so.

Even if you are from a country that already reached the threshold you can still sign. Your signature counts to the 1 million goal.

FAQ

*I'm not from the EU, is there anything I can do to help?*

A UK petition is (as far as I know) still in the works. The initiative is also in the process of starting a possible lawsuit against Ubisoft in Brazil. If you are Brazilian and own a copy of The Crew please contact the organisers. All information can be found on the official website

*I have already signed. Is there anything else I can do?*

In short: Keep talking about the initiative. We have come so far with next to no marketing. And if you want to do even more, the official website has flyers to download. Our ground game is relatively weak at the moment. Feel free to have some flyers printed and then hand them out.

*Any other European Peoples Initiatives worth supporting?*

Here is a initiative that aims to ban conversion therapy. Here is one that aims to ensure safe and legal access to abortions for all who need it.

Thank you to everyone who already took action

> Relevant links: > - Sign the initiative here > - Initiative homepage > - Video FAQ by the initiator on YouTube > - The same video on invidious

^^^^

[alt text: a screenshot from Roblox. A player character is sitting at a hi-tech console. In text chat, the player is saying, "they lower my wage, i lower the coolant to the nuclear reactor".]

What's all playing?

I've been playing more UFO 50, working my way through the RPG Grimstone.

Also beat Rise of the Golden Idol. A fantastic sequel that I highly encourage if you enjoyed the original.

Yes, I said it and mean it.

It has 'NPCs' that feel way more alive than anything bethesda ever put out and even an anarchist faction that so far acts like actual anarchists do/would in real life not the common idea of anarchists in most media.

Apart from the ocassional crashes (even with the patch), this is a great game/mod and I highly recommend trying it out if you have Fallout 4.

Edit: You can get it here

Instructions on how to install on Steam are here

Instructions on how to install on linux are here (though you can skip installing Buffout as the latest patch has it already). I do recommend installing it through Heroic if you have a gog account though, makes it a lot easier than Lutris ime.

Make sure you turn off weapon debris, you can do this by finding Fallout4Prefs.ini for both Fallout 4 and Fallout London (just in case) and setting the following options thusly:

[NVFlex] bNVFlexEnable=0 iQuality=0 bNVFlexInstanceDebris=0 bNVFlexDrawDebris=0

It's because BotW was very influential, more than previous Zelda games?

> Tetris Forever is the latest in Digital Eclipse’s Gold Master Series, a format that bundles expertly emulated classic games with reams of multimedia information presented in an interactive timeline: filmed interviews, archive video, documentation, artwork, photography, and more. It’s officially the third entry in the series, after the single-title deep dive The Making of Karateka and the astonishingly comprehensive Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story (which is basically the real-life UFO 50), although the format was established in the developer’s excellent Atari 50.

> What really distinguishes Tetris Forever from those more conventional takes on the Tetris story is its dedication to tracking the evolution of the game itself through countless editions on every imaginable platform. But, while all the key variations of Tetris are mentioned (and a few more besides), the publishing rights are so broadly scattered through history that there is no way for Digital Eclipse — or even Rogers and Pajitnov’s rights holder, The Tetris Company, which clearly collaborated closely on this release — to include playable versions of many of them. > > Nintendo, as fiercely protective of its back catalog titles as ever, has not turned over the rights for any of its own Tetris variants to the project. This means that arguably the two definitive versions of Tetris — the iconic Game Boy Tetris, which found the perfect match of form and function, and NES Tetris, which is still the gold standard in competitive Tetris play — are not included. (The Game Boy game is available on Nintendo Switch Online, and the NES game is due to be added to the service this winter.) Sega’s classic arcade version is out, as are Arika’s hardcore Tetris: The Grand Master games.

Game Information --------------------

Game Title: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Platforms:

• Xbox Series X/S (Nov 20, 2024)
• PC (Nov 20, 2024)

Trailers:

• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl — Scar Character Introduction Trailer
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R.2: Heart of Chornobyl — Official World & Locations Gameplay Showcase Trailer
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 Heart of Chornobyl — The Time of Opportunities Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2024

Developer: GSC Game World

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 76 average - 63% recommended - 48 reviews

Critic Reviews -------------

ACG - Jeremy Penter - Wait for Sale

>"While Stalker 2 holds its head up high in delivering a game that is unlike so many others we see recently. It's one major similarity is bugs and performance issues. A fine shooter, with a unique world, and fantastic moments marred by technical problems"

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AltChar - Semir Omerovic - 70 / 100

>If Stalker 2 didn't have so many serious performance issues and bugs, it would be my Game of the Year. It has a great story, memorable characters, a unique world to explore, and great visual presentation - pretty much everything to keep you immersed for hours.

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Atarita - Alparslan Gürlek - Turkish - 79 / 100

>Stalker 2 has more bugs than we can tolerate, but it's still a very enjoyable game. The attention to detail in its huge open world, the new AIs and the new gunplay mechanics won me over. It also has great graphics and after a few updates I think it will be a must-play for everyone.

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CGMagazine - Erik McDowell - 6 / 10

>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is the fourth game in the series, but the first proper sequel. The expansive story is decidedly more action-packed and

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Checkpoint Gaming - Omi Koulas - 7 / 10

>STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an anomaly. It dazzles with stunning visuals, an eerie atmosphere, and gameplay that captures the soul of the original series. Yet, like The Zone itself, it's plagued by technical glitches, inconsistent performance, and design missteps that get in the way of its lofty ambitions. Despite its flaws, STALKER 2 has a strange magnetic force, and once you're in, it's hard to look away.

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Daily Mirror - Aaron Potter - 4 / 5

>In many ways, Stalker 2 succeeds in being a bold modernisation of GSC Game World’s classic survival shooter packaged and prettied up for today’s audience. That said, it’s a sequel that also manages to stay true to its in-depth PC roots by retaining an emphasis on resource management, scavenging, and a world that is seemingly as wide as an ocean that’s somehow equally as deep. Prevalent bugs and purposefully clumsy gunplay aside, Stalker 2 is an impressive successor worth the decade-and-a-half wait, providing you’re willing to meet it on its own terms.

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Dexerto - Jessica Filby - 3 / 5

>Stalker 2 is brutal, unforgiving, and not for the faint-hearted. While its storyline is poised for new players, its gameplay feels the opposite, providing a hardcore experience for anyone looking to dive into the Zone. >Nevertheless, Stalker 2 is the kind of game that ages like a fine wine, getting better, richer, and slightly bolder as you push through its 35-hour campaign. That being said, the performance issues and missing features do leave a somewhat bitter taste.

-------------

Digital Trends - Jason Rodriguez - 2 / 5

>Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl crumbles under the weight of its own ambition.

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DualShockers - Jaime Tugayev - 7 / 10

>As it stands now, STALKER 2 is fun and has a lot of potential, but it would be unfair to call it good. You can easily sink 100 hours into it without noticing, especially if you have a deep love for previous iterations. However, the performance issues, overall inconsistency in many areas, and clumsy presentation will hold this game back until a major overhaul comes.

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Everyeye.it - Riccardo Cantù - Italian - 7.5 / 10

>Fortunately, the extraordinary artistic inspiration of STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl makes up for most of these flaws and paints a still quite captivating picture that is worth getting lost in.

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GAMES.CH - Benjamin Braun - German - 63%

>"S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2" simply does not deliver enough and is too flawed to give it a good rating. The AI ​​and game balance in particular are so bad that we cannot even recommend "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2" to fans of the predecessors, who are certainly used to suffering, without major reservations. It was not a complete disaster, and the fact that GSC Game World managed to get the title out in a playable form despite the war is certainly no small achievement.

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GRYOnline.pl - Dariusz Matusiak - Polish - Unscored

>STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a game you love despite its flaws, not for being perfect. The superb atmosphere, immersion, gameplay, game world and audiovisual setting collide with technical flaws that shouldn't have happened on the day of release, though we probably expected a bit of that.

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Game Rant - Josh Cotts - 9 / 10

>After spending 55 hours in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, I have no qualms recommending STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl to post-apocalyptic enthusiasts.

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GameGrin - Artura Dawn - 9 / 10

>GSC Game World nails a unique mixture of genres between survival horror and open world with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. The atmospheric environments, engaging gunplay, and the constant feeling of threat culminate in a heavy recommendation from me for fans of the genre.

-------------

GamePro - Dennis Michel - German - Unscored

>The hope remains that future patches will at least fix most of the problems mentioned, especially the buggy sound and the poor enemy behavior, in the coming days. And who knows, maybe Stalker 2 will experience a resurrection like Cyberpunk recently did and even put some mechanics like the fast travel system to the test again.

-------------

GameSpot - Richard Wakeling - 8 / 10

>Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is rough around the edges, but its propensity for creating emergent moments in a deadly and alluring world makes this trip back to the Zone a fraught and compelling experience

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Gameliner - Bram Noteboom - Dutch - 4.5 / 5

>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an immersive and atmospheric journey through the Zone, delivering gripping exploration and hardcore survival, though its ambition is hindered by technical issues, making it a flawed yet quintessential S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience.

-------------

Gamepressure - Izabela Budzynska - Unscored

>Although this may not be a perfect game, it must be honestly said that no one ever expected this from Stalker. The atmosphere, harshness, and unforgettable adventures in the Zone matter - and Stalker 2 has more than enough of that.

-------------

Gamer Guides - Patrick Dane - 81 / 100

>While performance woes hinder it, STALKER 2 is a fiercely unique and immersive survival game. It asks the player to put in the work and struggle against its harsh systems that may turn many off. However, if you’re willing to persevere through its systems and technical issues, there is a special experience waiting to be found within the enchanting Zone.

-------------

Gamer.no - Gøran Solbakken - Unknown - 8 / 10

>Stalker 2 stands out as an impressive and immersive survival shooter. A huge, handcrafted world with interesting story choices, lots of content and quality all around. Refreshingly, you are not a superhero out to save the world, but a regular grunt trying to survive

-------------

Gamersky - 心灵奇兵 - Chinese - 8 / 10

>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl remains true to its core philosophy: to create an immersive and unforgiving Zone that feels as alive as it is hostile. Every would-be explorer must endure harsh conditions and relentless challenges, testing their resolve until they either give up or fully embrace the Zone's brutal logic and become a part of it. This experience closely mirrors the spirit of the original trilogy, making S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 feel authentic to its roots. However, some of its hardcore and overly rigid systems may prove too alienating for a broader audience, potentially limiting its appeal.

-------------

GamesRadar+ - Andrew Brown - 3 / 5

>Stalker 2, in its current state, has too much baggage to overlook

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GamingBolt - Shubhankar Parijat - 9 / 10

>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl masterfully combines multiple genres to deliver an unmissable and entirely open world horror experience. Touting unparalleled emergent gameplay, stellar atmosphere, a captivating story, and gorgeous visuals, this is easily one of the best games available on Xbox Series X/S, even with the technical issues that hamper it.

-------------

GamingTrend - Henry Viola - Unscored

>Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an undoubtedly remarkable achievement in atmospheric game design. This post-apocalyptic experience offers an unmatched dynamic open world that is bound to satisfy long-time fans of the series. However, the extremely poor technical hiccups and hardcore yet niche nature of the game prevents it from getting a full recommendation. This is not a game for casuals.

-------------

Generación Xbox - Pedro del Pozo - Spanish - 8.7 / 10

>STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is actually a difficult title to evaluate. We can't base ourselves on everything that the GSC Gaming World team members have been through to add points to the analysis or feel sorry for them. But the good thing is that it's not necessary, because after all that effort, I can say, categorically, that it has been worth it .

-------------

GosuNoob - Srdjan Stanarevic - 8 / 10

>I've come out through all the trials and tribulations of the Zone and all that was left on the other side was I, Stalker. That's all I wanted from this game, and it fully delivered.

-------------

Hardcore Gamer - Jason Moth - 5 / 5

>Stalker 2 is nothing short of a miracle. Developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World over the course of seven years amid a pandemic and a war -- among many other challenges -- Stalker 2 is a labor of love and the best type of sequel one could hope for. While many long-running franchises have strayed from their roots in an (often misguided) attempt to appeal to as many players as possible, Stalker 2 knows its core audience well and delivers exactly the type of game we were hoping for.

-------------

Hobby Consolas - Álvaro Alonso - Spanish - 75 / 100

>STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a unique experience in post-apocalyptic games. Unfortunately, it all falls flat due to a myriad of bugs and technical issues. We are hopeful, as beneath the radiation lies a game with enormous potential, but for the time being it is not advisable to venture into the Zone.

-------------

IGN Deutschland - Eike Cramer - German - 8 / 10

>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a game that, in my opinion, is all too rare in this form. GSC Game World has managed to create an incredibly atmospheric combination of survival, horror and end time in a fascinating environment. Despite all the shooter weaknesses, the wooden dialogues, the incredibly annoying anomalies over time and some dubious technical problems, I fell in love with this zone. You won't find that much freedom and mystery anywhere else. Added to this is a story that takes its time to get it going, but then surprises with cool factions and robust characters. This excursion to Chernobyl requires patience and stamina, but rewards you with spectacular views, fierce battles and an expressive end time.

-------------

IGN Spain - Rafa Del Río - Spanish - 9 / 10

>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl offers us a powerful adventure of radioactive terror. A first-person horror sim with survival elements in which we will have to learn to survive and improve our equipment to reach the end of its complex plot. Monsters, anomalies and enemy factions join the arid terrain and dangerous emissions to turn the proposal into a unique experience in which learning and intuition are as important as exploration and quick thinking when advancing.

-------------

Insider Gaming - Grant Taylor-Hill - Buy

>This enormous, immersive survival FPS is the cream of the crop, and it’s a bar to which every developer in the genre should aspire to reach.

-------------

Kakuchopurei - Lewis Larcombe - 80 / 100

>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is not a game for everyone. Its unforgiving difficulty, steep learning curve, and technical issues make it a challenging experience, especially for newcomers. Yet, for those willing to brave its harsh world, the game offers a deeply immersive and rewarding journey, moreso than other open-world games. > >For veterans of the series, it’s a triumphant return to form—one that stays true to the franchise’s uncompromising identity. For newcomers, however, it’s an intimidating introduction to a genre that demands patience, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace failure.

-------------

Nexus Hub - Andrew Logue - 9 / 10

>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is everything I've ever wanted from a sequel - a refined world, plenty of emergent gameplay possibilities and stunning atmosphere add up to make an unconventionally great game.

-------------

One More Game - Chris Garcia - 8 / 10

>Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl is an unforgiving and uncompromising affair that's not for everybody. For its target audience, it could quite possibly be the game they've been waiting for the past decade and a half, heralding the return of this beloved cult classic. The game is tough and will beat you down if you're not attentive enough, requiring a commitment to immersion. > >The key to the game is to simply keep at it. The journey to get there may be painful and frustrating, and many players will certainly tune out in the process. Players who persevere will find a rewarding title and a living world filled with possibilities as time goes by, despite a number of bugs and rough patches.

-------------

PC Gamer - Joshua Wolens - 83 / 100

>Just like in the old days, performance issues and bugs don't stop Stalker's mad, wonderful heart from shining through.

-------------

Press Start - Brodie Gibbons - 6.5 / 10

>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an achievement for so many reasons. As well as being the little game that could, given the team's real-world challenges, the game doubles down on the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. way, delivering a sublimely realised sense of place with the Zone. Unfortunately, so much of the console experience is rendered so disappointingly undercooked.

-------------

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - James Archer - Unscored

>It's incredibly buggy, but persevere and this survival FPS will reward you with intense shootouts and some wonderfully atmospheric free-roaming.

-------------

SECTOR.sk - Peter Dragula - Slovak - 9 / 10

>Stalker 2 brings the series into the modern era with stunning visuals while staying true to its hardcore FPS roots. The game retains what made the series unique, with difficult action, expansive environments and a rich story. However, minor issues such as weaker animations, AI and minor bugs detract from the experience.

-------------

Shacknews - Sam Chandler - 8 / 10

>Fortunately, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is still on its path to greatness. It's just going to need a little more love to get it to its destination. I just hope the rest of the journey is a bit faster than Skif's walking speed.

-------------

Skill Up - Ralph Panebianco - Not Yet

>Video Review - Quote not available -------------

Spaziogames - Gianluca Arena - Italian - 8.6 / 10

>Nor a sudden war neither fifteen years in development stopped the people at GSC Game World to show their potential once again: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Heart of Chornobyl delivers on almost all fronts, giving us a cruel and immersive world in which we can all get lost. We already know we won't have to wait too long for multiplayer and mod support, but let's also hope we won't have to wait another fifteen years for another game like this.

-------------

Stevivor - Hamish Lindsay - 5 / 10

>[PROVISIONAL SCORE] "The fact that STALKER 2 is complete and ready for an imminent release is nothing short of a miracle. It’s just a shame that my experience... is damaged by a constant stream of ever-present bugs and issues."

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The Games Machine - Emanuele Feronato - Italian - 9 / 10

>Quote not yet available

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TheGamer - Branden Lizardi - 3 / 5

>Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a perfectly average open-world survival shooter. It’s an interesting setting with well-realized characters, but it’s held back by unsatisfying gunplay and a run-of-the-mill sense of exploration. I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. But if you’re a fan of games like Fallout, or you enjoyed past Stalker games, then this one is worth your time.

-------------

Tom's Hardware Italia - Andrea Riviera - Italian - 8.5 / 10

>S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is nothing short of a production miracle. Despite the well-known challenging working conditions, GSC Game World has managed to create a project born out of immense passion and love for the world of video games. From its dark and mysterious atmosphere to its well-developed shooting mechanics and a game world that is both thoughtfully designed and excellently written, the entire experience is undeniably captivating. Despite a few easily fixable bugs, the game stands as one of the most satisfying experiences in recent years. These developers truly deserve applause for what they have achieved, setting an inspiring example for game creators worldwide.

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Wccftech - Alessio Palumbo - Unscored

>This is a game that knows precisely what it wants to be, although that doesn't mean it is balanced enough to be fun all the time. The feeling of playing a stalker thrust into this inhospitable world against seemingly impossible odds is always present, for better or worse. However, unless you're really dying to enter the Zone right away, I would recommend waiting a little longer while the developers (and possibly modders) fix and improve the game further.

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XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 8.4 / 10

>After a tumultuous dev cycle, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 shines despite some rough edges.

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Zoomg - Afshin Piroozi - Persian - 8.5 / 10

>Overall, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, despite having some issues mentioned in the review, is one of those games with a unique identity, creating a strange allure that pulls players in like a trap. Personally, when I wasn't playing, I had a strong desire to return and immerse myself in the mysterious world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, a feeling I can't recall experiencing with any other video game recently. The detailed story, which directly reacts to the gamer's behavior, engaging gameplay, and outstanding atmosphere are positive features that make S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 one of the most respectable titles of this year. Especially since the game is available on Game Pass, I highly recommend giving it a chance.

-------------

Maps based on the fictional universe of video games, with locations, points of interest, etc.

> In the letter, Democrat senator Mark Warner argues that Valve's content moderation doesn't meet industry standards, and says he wants Valve to "crack down on the rampant proliferation of hate-based content". > > The exact hateful stuff he's talking about was highlighted in that report by the Anti-Defamation League last week. Its many findings include swastikas in profile pictures, antisemitic images such as the "happy merchant", and instances of Pepe the frog, a meme appropriated by the far right that - let's be honest - has never washed the stink off. Steam is "inundated with hate" as a result of these findings, say the anti-discrimination group. > > While the simmering bubbles of fascism won't be news to the average Steam user (or average internet user, to be frank) that doesn't mean we ought to get complacent about them. It's proof, says senator Warner, that Valve is lacking good moderation.

[alt text: a photo of a Bloodborne PS4 disc, which is being held in a person's hand. The person's fingers are placed behind the hole in the center, which makes it appear like two of the person's fingers are actually the exposed buttocks of the character on the cover art.]

[alt text: a screenshot from a Pokemon game, showing a close-up of the Moomoo Milk item. The in-game text on screen says, "This milk is so mellow, yet rich, that it'll make you wish your mother were a Miltank."]

[alt text: an image of a purple Pikmin on a white background. The Pikmin has a thought bubble, which shows the Pikmin is thinking about a frothy mug of beer.]

Apologies for another late post.

This week I have been playing a lot more UFO 50. I beat night manor and started grimstone finally.

Also been playing more binding of Isaac, working towards dead god.

Finally I also played a cute free game on steam called 20 small mazes. Highly recommend giving it a whirl. Takes about an hour

[alt text: two frames from Spongebob, edited into a meme with extra images and text. The first frame shows Mr. Krabs, labeled "Sony", who is surrounded by different Playstation games, including The Last of Us, Spider-Man, God of War, and Ghost of Tsushima. Mr. Krabs is saying, "All of you, off to PC!". In the second frame, all of the games have left, except for Bloodborne. Mr. Krabs/"Sony" is pointing at Bloodborne and saying, "Except you, stay."]

He recaptured the 70 star world record last night to give him all 5 simultaneously: 0 star, 1 star, 16 star, 70 star, and 120 star.