Current events

[Merk]

Man, I feel like we should all just assume that anything thrown at the internet can be openly viewed by anyone who really, really wants to put in the effort. If you really want to exchange information with another human being and not have anyone else know then your best bet is to drive to their house and whisper in their ear whatever you need to say.

[Merk]

I'm a few minutes late but happy 4/20 y'all



Did anyone do any special?

[Pokebis]

I rushed a project I procrastinated on.

[Fluffyumpkins]

Happy earf day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfPWpEKhgfk

[Fluffyumpkins]

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/shaq-i ... 0-6419447/

Who knows why.

[Merk]

We've discussed this on IRC but God damn, crowdfunding or Kickstarting or whatever is straight up gambling and I don't see the appeal. People who do this are bad with money.

Who wants to bet that this game is going to be awful and when people call them out on it the devs will go "lol yeah that's the joke, GET IT? Shaq Fu was bad too what did you expect? This is a homage" -- they're pretty much in a win-win situation where they have no obligation to create something worthwhile so why bother since they already got the money? If the game turns out great then yay that's awesome but these backers have no guarantee.

Are there exceptions? Yes but they are happy accidents and there are a *lot* more flops that people got fucked on.

[Fluffyumpkins]

We've discussed this on IRC but God damn, crowdfunding or Kickstarting or whatever is straight up gambling and I don't see the appeal. People who do this are bad with money.

I mean Kickstarting is definitely not investing. It mostly seems to be a way to pre-sell something that doesn't exist yet. There are only a few benefits to being a backer:
1. You usually get Kickstarter exclusives for the same price as someone who buys the product later.
2. You get to have something that might not otherwise exist.
3. You get that warm, fuzzy feeling.
I think it's pretty low risk if you only back people with demonstrated success.

But people do get screwed.

http://news.yahoo.com/washington-sues-e ... rc=rawnews

Washington state is basically sticking it to someone who took the money and ran.

[Riot]

I've done a couple Kickstarters, so we'll see how it turns out.

Here's an interesting case though:

http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/05/04 ... teer-team/

Brad McQuaid (creator of Everquest) failed to raise money for Pantheon.



Apparently he pocketed some of the money afterwards. He has been infamous in the past during Vanguard especially for mismanaging money and going on crazy alleged drug binges. You should look it up! Not sure why people trusted him again (well, I guess they didn't since he didn't raise the money)...

[Merk]

I have nothing to back this up other than a vague memory but I remember reading back in like 2004ish that McQuaid was a real asshole during his time with Everquest and he would blow money on cars and, well, blow.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that McQuaid has a real track record for fucking up and taking people's money so this does not come as a surprise.

[Fluffyumpkins]

That 5% cut. Yikes. But I guess it's cheaper than a marketing department.

[Merk]

Nintendo not doing so well! http://www.polygon.com/2014/5/7/5690124 ... ating-loss

Here's the highlight:

The company has sold 6.17 million Wii U consoles since the system's launch in November 2012 and 2.72 million for the year, slightly down from its projection of 2.8 million, and 310,000 for the quarter.

God damn, just stick to handhelds Nintendo.

[Fluffyumpkins]

Smash Bros had better be the best fighter of all time or WiiU is dunzo.

[Fluffyumpkins]

I think some folks on IndyDDR had Vibram FiveFingers. Looks like you can get some money back if you'd like.

http://consumerist.com/2014/05/08/shoes ... ettlement/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibram_FiveFingers

If you want your feet to make ends meet, holla back at that class act.

[Merk]

lol

[Ho]

I have a pair. Belinda has 2. I don't think they're magic, but we both like them for various reasons. Personally, I have found them to be quite good for DDR.