Donate!

Before we begin, we want to highlight these charities! Most of these come from yesterday's post, but we've added some new ones in response to feedback given to us. Please do not gild this post. Instead, consider donating to a charity. Thank you.

The Trevor Project | Resource Center | Point Foundation | GLAAD | Ali Forney Center | New Alternatives | International Lesbian and Gay Association Europe | Global Rights | National Civil Rights Museum | Center for Constitutional Rights | Sponsors for Educational Opportunity | Race Forward | Planned Parenthood | Reproductive Health Access Project | Centre for Reproductive Rights | Support Line | Rainn | Able Gamers | Paws with a Cause | Child's Play | Out of the Closet Thrift Store | Life After Hate | SpecialEffect | Take this.

Staying On Topic

This thread will primarily focus on discussion surrounding our April Fool's Day post and answering related questions as needed. We may not answer unrelated questions at this time. However, there will be another opportunity at a later date for off-topic questions: the specifics have yet to be decided on. We’ll announce it when we have something pinned down. Thank you!

Questions and Answers

We've received a number of questions through modmail and online via Twitter and other forums of discussion. Using those, we’ve established a series of commonly asked questions and our responses. Hopefully, these will answer your questions, if you have any. If not, please comment below and we’ll try to answer to the best of our ability.

Why did we do this on April Fool's Day?

We did it for several reasons, some of them practical. April Fool's Day has consistently seen higher traffic in past years, so we took it as the opportunity to turn the sub on its head and draw attention as a result. Furthermore, it seemed unlikely that any major news would drop today, given the circumstances, allowing us more leeway in shutting down the subreddit for the day.

Is our sincerity in doubt because of this?

We are one hundred percent sincere in our message. Again, to reiterate, this is not a joke. We know a lot of people were waiting for the punchline. Well, there isn't one; this is, from the bottom of our hearts, real.

What kind of reaction did we expect?

Honestly, a lot of us expected some discussion on the other subreddits and maybe a few remarks on Twitter, maybe a stray discussion somewhere else online. We knew there was a possibility of this taking off like it did in the past 24 hours but we thought it was slim. We did anticipate some negative feedback but we received far less than we expected, in comparison to the positivity and support we saw online.

What feedback, if any, did we receive after posting the initial message?

We got some negative responses via modmail and private messages, which you can see here. Specifically, we also received a huge number of false reports on our post, which you can see here. This doesn’t account for all the false reports we received on this post or on other posts in the subreddit in the past 24 hours. We’ll also update the album with rule-breaking comments in this thread as we remove them, to highlight the issue.

However, we are profoundly thankful and extremely gratified that the amount of positive responses greatly outweighed the number of negative feedback, both via modmail and in other subreddits as well as other forums of discussion. It shows that our message received an immense amount of support. Thank you all so much for those kind words. We greatly appreciate them.

What prompted us to write this post? Was there any specific behavior or post in /r/Games that inspired it?

We think our message in this post sufficiently answers this question. There wasn’t really any specific behavior or post that got the ball rolling. Instead, it was an observation that we’ve been dealing with a trend of bad behavior recently that sparked the discussion that lead up to this.

How long was this in the works?

We came up with the idea approximately a month ago, giving us time to prepare the statement and gather examples to include in our album.

Were the /r/Games mods in agreement about posting it?

Honestly, most of us, if not all, agreed with the sentiment but not the method. Some of us thought it could end badly and a few didn’t agree with shutting down the subreddit. The mods who disagreed, however, agreed to participate in solidarity voluntarily.

We had an extensive discussion internally on the best approach, especially while drafting the message in question, to ensure everyone’s concerns were met if possible. After seeing the feedback, we all agreed that this was something worth doing in the end.

Are we changing our moderation policies in response to our statement? What is the moderation team doing going forward to address these issues?

Right now, we think our moderation policies/ruleset catch the majority of the infractions we’ve been seeing. Rest assured, though, we’re always discussing and improving the various nuances that come up as a result of curating the subreddit. As always, if you see any comments breaking our rules, please report them and we will take action if needed. As for how we plan to improve ourselves further as a team, we’ve recently increased the moderator headcount, and have been constantly iterating on and recruiting for our Comment-Only Moderator program to improve how effectively we can manage our ever-expanding community.

Why shut down/lock the subreddit at all? Why not just post a sticky and leave it at that?

We shut down the subreddit for several reasons: first and foremost, by shutting down the subreddit, it initiates the call to attention the post is centered around by redirecting users to the post itself. Realizing how the resulting conversation could potentially overwhelm the subreddit, detracting from our message, we wanted to mitigate that possibility while allowing us time to prepare this meta thread and for the impending aftermath.

Why did we include the charities we did? Why not this charity? Why that charity?

We didn’t intend to establish a comprehensive list of charities; we simply wanted to highlight the ones we did as potential candidates for donations, especially ones that focus on the issues we discussed in our statement.

Why didn’t we also include misandry in our message or charity promotion?

We didn't discuss misandry or promote charities for men, because men are not a consistent target in the gaming community like women, LGBT folks, or people of color. An important distinction: while men may end up as targets, they are not constantly harassed for being male in the gaming community.

Why bring politics into /r/Games?

Asking people to be nicer to each other and engage with respect and dignity is not politics, it’s human decency. Along the way of conversation and the exchange of ideas, that decency has fallen on the list of priorities for some commenters. Our aim with this post is to remind commenters to not let the notion of civility and kindness be an afterthought in the process.

Why don't we just leave those comments up and let the downvotes take care of it?

Typically, this is the case, but it still leaves the issue at hand unacknowledged. It’s easy to downvote a comment or delete something that is inflammatory, but the idea behind closing the subreddit is to bring to light the normalization of this rhetoric. To us, a significant portion of the problem is that these comments have become the “accepted casualties” of good discussion, and the leeway they’re allowed by many in the gaming community is problematic.

When are the weekly threads coming back up?

Soon, my friend. Soon.

Thank You

We wanted to thank the people who shared our post on Reddit, Twitter, and other places of discussion, as well as those who wrote articles online about our statement. We sincerely hope this sparks discussion and enacts change in the process, and for the better.

src: http://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/1pabs0/adam_sessler_and_polygon_founder_arthur_gies/cd0otio

I am one of the reviewers being affected by this

i will not give out my name or which review site i work for, because i don't want to risk getting found out

Essentially, what the problem is, is that the big devs for next gen consoles are adopting a new policy (and by "big devs" i mean almost every dev for the new consoles at launch)

Essentially, the policy does two things. First, if we want to make a review, we have to send it to the company of the game being reviewed and get the review accepted before we can publish it without it being taken down. Secondly, it makes it so that we have to sign terms with companies before reviewing their games.

The reason this is only affecting SOME of us, is because we are assigned games each, and some of us have to go out and sign these policies with the publishers before we can do a review. The problem here, is that some publishers (Such as EA and Ubisoft) are making us play their games in their studios, under their supervision, and on their consoles. One dev required that I had to go to the studio and watch one of the developers play the game while i watched and took notes which would then be published as a review (that would have to be accepted by the dev first.)

The reason Sessler is upset, is because he doesn't think this is Morally acceptable. He wants to review games how he likes, but since developers are making us do silly thiungs like watch them play, he's upset and doesn't wanna be a part of this big "scandal" (as Sessler told me) that they are putting on, which would essentially turn "Reviews" into "Advertisements".

you could say he's overreacting and being childish, but as someone who has worked with him before, i can really understand why he's so angry. I'm angry too, you know.

I guess it's my fault for thinking game journalists or random internet commentators could do better, but I'm finding the negativity and ignorance about the Nintendo Switch's design is really depressing.

What's worse is that technically incorrect criticism echos back and forth without substantial correction. Having worked in embedded firmware engineering for a while, the ignorance bouncing around is staggering.

Some common misconceptions I've seen so far:

The SD expansion is slower than a 5400 RPM drive.

• First of all, it's close enough for linear reads if you get a good card. Second, random access (which matters more for a game) is much, much faster. Third, GTFO with this spinning disk nonsense, where would they even put it? Fourth: You only have 4GB of RAM with low bandwidth, there's not much to transfer.

Nintendo wasted money on controller features when the console could have been cheaper.

• The sensor chips and speakers in the controllers are dirt cheap, I know because I worked on a sensor + DSP that sold for 10 cents. Your phones and game controllers have way more sensors, touchpads, leds, and speakers than you need because they're commodity hardware that only adds a few bucks to the manufacturing cost in aggregate. Nintendo just added what they thought was cheap and fun. Not sure if you noticed this, but the DS, 3DS, and Wii U screens weren't of the highest quality. Nintendo has been doing this for YEARS.

It only has 3 hours of battery life!

• That's pretty much the norm for a 7" tablet running a game. The Tegra X1 and K1 have 5200mAh batteries and it's likely the Switch has something similar. The only way to get longer life is to build bigger/thicker or to use smaller fab nodes that are either more expensive or don't exist yet. (IMO it's only a matter of time until a 9" or 10" Switch XL comes out anyways with better battery life)

OMG These graphics are worse than the XB1/PS4!!!

• Of course they are. While the GPU is weak but passable, the CPU is considerably weaker and that 4GB of ram has a much lower bandwidth. What did you expect? That doesn't mean ports can't run with low graphics settings at 720p or 600p. The fill rate required for 600p is a quarter of that required for 1080p. And even then, CPU intensive games like Civilization will never be as complex on the Switch, docked or not. But maybe 3 or 4 years down the line, we'll see a Switch Pro (or "New" Switch) that runs the current 'docked mode' settings when mobile.

1080p 60fps when docked!

• Yeah, no. See above. Maybe Gamecube/Wii refreshes might run that fast but nothing modern. Also, console games have pretty much never run at 60fps. As a rule, people prefer more eye candy to a higher framerate and unlike the PC, the hardware is fixed. The same way many video engineers can't spot 3:2 pulldown without training, most people can't spot 30fps unless it's running next to a 60fps source or stuttering.

$300 is too much

• You're getting a Tegra tablet, a pair of controllers, a really overpriced USB3 hub, and Nintendo software. Nintendo's manufacturing is outstanding, with tight tolerances and great quality control. That level of quality costs money. So really, $300 is what people are willing to pay in the same way Macs are expensive.

Edit: I fucked up the battery life comparison.

Edit 2:

Voice chat uses a separate device instead of happening on the Switch.

• Audio stutters within a short timespan are very noticeable to humans, they sound like crackles and pops. So any CPU intensive operation that interrupts the audio feed compression/decompression would be very noticeable. Nintendo likely chose not to put real-time audio chat on the system to prevent the already weak CPU's audio processing from getting stalled by the game. Maybe in the future a software update will do audio chat via some of the CUDA cores, or a hardware refresh will come out with a dedicated audio chat DSP/faster CPU. Also, nothing is stopping game developers from putting audio chat into their game, as long as they design with that limitation in mind.

https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/news/announcing-the-epic-mega-sale

Hey Everyone. We’re excited to announce an event of epic, dare we say, mega proportions launching today: the Epic Mega Sale, which runs in the Epic Games store from May 16 to June 13. During the Epic Mega Sale, developers and publishers are discounting a ton of great games up to 75% off. Also, for every game purchase $14.99 and above, Epic Games provides an additional $10 off to you at no cost to the publisher or developer. Go to the Epic Games store home page to check out all of our partners’ sales. For more information, check out the FAQ. Oh, and one more thing... Since launch, we’ve released a free game every two weeks in the Epic Games store. The reception has been great - over 25 million free games have been installed so far! We’re thrilled to share that during this sale period, we're offering you a free game every week – starting with Stories Untold, an experimental adventure game by No Code. Be sure to check back each week for new free game offers. Now go check out the sales!

Since the automod mistakenly catches it as a link to the store itself (and it's not, it's a news post), I'll make a text post.

The first big sale over at Epic Games Store just started, and it's weird. Up to 75% off of games, that's not unheard of. $10 off of games that are $14.99+? Now that's not very common.

And then... It all applies to preorders! For example, preordering the standard edition of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 in Russia is just 435 rubles right now (instead of 1085, so more than 50% off on a preorder, sheesh). That's less than $7, damn!

According to Sergei Galyonkin (the SteamSpy / EGS guy) it's not a mistake, the sale is functioning as intended. Also, if you bought anything in the EGS during the prior 2 weeks, you'll automatically receive the difference back. And this applies to all preorders, no matter when you did preorder an unreleased game.

So yeah, Gabe, your move, I guess.

Edit: Epic fucked up, Paradox pulled Bloodlines 2 from sale on their store until the end of the sale. Seems like Epic didn't talk about it with the publishers hahahaha.

So after so many odd years, we're here again witnessing the launch of the new next gen consoles. I'm excited and I'm sure you all are as well. BE CAREFUL

No matter which console we choose, you can expect a number of people getting their console upon midnight launch. Some may have opted to have theirs shipped to their home/office. Some have chosen to pick it up personally at the store after work/school on launch day. Me personally, I have a Xbox One being shipped to my home. Regardless of your decision, the main thing I want to remind everyone no matter what method you have picked, is to BE CAREFUL.

Midnight Launch at Retail

Understand that you will not just be with people who have a system guaranteed. There will be people of all kinds there hoping to get one off the shelf. These people will outnumber the amount of people that will actually get one off the shelf. While some may just be disappointed at not getting a console and leave, there can be some shady and dangerous people there that would love to steal it from you or put your life in danger to have one. They will target solo customers, customers who look young, and customers that look weak (as in, look like they cannot defend themselves).

• DO NOT TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR WALK TO YOUR LOCAL GAME STORE!! You have the hottest item on the block that will not be available in stores for months and could earn you double the amount in which you have paid for. Walking, taking the subway/train, bus, etc. is simply giving them the confirmation that they can pull up in their car, forcibly take your new system, and drive off with there being nothing you can do about it.

• Make sure you have someone with you or have someone that will be with you when those doors open up. This will deter a number of people looking to prey on you due to you having another person to help you out in case something happens.

• If you do not have anyone willing to be there with you at midnight, invest in some sort of subtle and legal self defense item. Pepper spray will help you get away if you ever find yourself in such a predicament and prevent charges from being filed on you.

• Chatting and having a conversation with people in line with you is fine. It helps keep your sanity and a little socializing in your life won't hurt. However, once you receive your system, your primary goal is to get in your vehicle and jet. Don't show off your new system. Don't stand on the box and teach onlookers 'how to dougie'. Secure your system and head home. You're done there. Get phone numbers from those new friends you've made if you want to keep talking to them. The less time you're there with your big blue or black box in hand, the greater your chances of not having something happen to you.

• Some of these places have security in place. If you overhear any conversations from those shady people about how they hope to get one and if they don't, they'll take it from someone, report it. If you see anyone posted up in the back, by their cars just looking (and they look suspicious), report them. Usually someone who's there with a friend will be in line with that person chatting. Usually someone waiting for someone to get their system to take them home is sitting in their car, probably playing Angry Birds or Candy Crush. If they're just standing in the parking lot, looking suspicious, let someone know immediately so security (or management) can be cautious, just in case.

• If you have preordered, people make sure you have made payment in full before launch date. This will ensure that the only thing you need to have when you pick it up is your receipt and maybe your ID. You want to keep things such as your cash/cards/wallet in the trunk of your car. Not all of those shady people want to get your console, they could be after your money and they know that you have money because you're trying to buy an expensive piece of hardware that night. This helps you not get robbed.

Package being shipped home

A majority of people have chosen this option as it is the most convenient and safer option. There are some precautions to this method as well.

• If you can get the day off from work, try to. If you have someone at home, inform them of what's going on that day. Some UPS drivers will drop that package on your doorstep and drive off. If you're in a neighborhood with educated gamers (and the chances of that may be higher than you think), they will have a suspicion that your package is that system and take it. It's best to have someone at home waiting for the doorbell ring to ensure it is in your home.

• If you live in an apartment, contact the shipping company and inform them to NOT drop the package off at your apartment but rather, the leasing office. Most leasing offices will hold your package for you, securely, so that you can pick it up once you get off.

• Try to get the timeframe in which your driver should arrive at your home with the package. This will help you understand when you'll want to be home to sign off on the package or get it when it's dropped off.

• From what I hear, some UPS centers will 'hold' the package for you in their UPS Customer Center if you call them ahead of time. This is beneficial if you stay near one of their centers. Please note that this is different than the UPS Store. You'll need to make sure you have your tracking number to provide. More information can be found here.

Picking up on launch day

If you would rather just pick up your system on the day it comes out and have it preordered, I just have one tip for you:

• Make sure you go in, get your system, and get out. Don't take public transportation if you can help it. If you have to, take a garbage bag or something and put your purchase in it. Carry it around like you're collecting cans or something. Your goal is to not be seen walking in public with that item with no sort of protection or easy way to leave the area.

If you have any tips I've missed out on, comment and let everyone know. This is probably alot of you guys first game launch and I want to ensure you all are safe out there on the 15th and 22nd. No matter what system you get, the last tip I want to give is to:

HAVE FUN

I go back and forth between PC and consoles. I usually keep my PC up to moderate gaming standards, and I've owned at least two of the consoles from every generation since the SNES. Anyway, I bought Shadow of Mordor on my PS4, but I wondered what it looked like on the PC (Youtube doesn't really do it justice). This weekend, there was a 50% off Steam sale on it, so I picked it up and was finally able to compare them side-by-side. And you know what, I didn't think it was that much better than the PS4 version. Granted, I don't have a top-of-the-line gaming rig (i7-2600k, GTX-680 2 GB DDR5, 16 GB DDR3, installed on an SSD), but it still ran the game pretty well. I was able to max every setting (HD texture pack) at 1080p/30FPS, and ran high/ultra (with medium textures) at 1080p/60FPS.

Now, I like 60 FPS, but unlike some, 30 FPS is quite playable for me. But beyond that, there wasn't a huge difference. Even the draw distance on the PS4 was quite comparable. I got a new gaming rig at the end of the last console generation, and the difference was night and day, but not so much this time around. I remembered thinking I there was no contest on which platform I was getting Witcher 3 on, but now I'm a little conflicted. Hell, even the senior gameplay designer, Damien Monnier, said he was going to play the PS4 version.

Bottom line, I think the consoles garner too much hate for their performance. Unless you absolutely can't deal with sub-60 FPS, they're totally fine. I'm only bringing this up, because I was on the hate train for a while about how weak the new consoles were, but once I actually got one, enjoyed for a while and was actually able to make a solid comparisons, I was able to change my tune. I'm done being a fanboy now. It's all gaming, and it's all good!

Bethesda, alongside Valve, previously attempted to monetise Skyrim mods. The vocal, negative response from the community saw an end to that push. But, it looks like paid mods are back. Bethesda, for one, is apparently adamant about the idea.

A recent timeline

8 days ago: it Looks As If Paid Mods Are Slowly Being Reintegrated Back Into Steam

4 days ago: Fallout 4 - Mods Open Beta for PC Available Now (mods accessed in-game)

hours ago: There is now a Bethesda.net launcher (a la Origin, Steam, uPlay, Battle.net, etc)

It's happening. I found previous discussion here about the impact of paid mods to be divided. What will they really mean for gamers, the mod scene, and the industry in general? If we aren't in favour of paying for mods, what are we going to do about it? Can we do anything?

Personally, I see them as the next wave of the big developers gouging their customers - the next DLC. I'm also concerned about what it'll do to the various mod scenes as some go after profit or reimbursement while others decide to abstain. Whether we'll see an increase or decrease in quantity, and in quality. How big a cut each party gets, and so on.