arkus-rhapsode

[arkus-rhapsode]

Always sad to see a creator you liked and respected well enough, even loved some of the content they created, start revealing themselves in an ultra uncomfortable way and it completely changes how you see them. Sometimes it starts over something petty, sometimes it’s cumulative, and sometimes they just have this one hill they’re willing to die on.

Best you can do is avoid them. But every now and again, you’re reminded about who they are and who they are. And it feels like you’re being pulled back into the middle of some never ending person vs the internet situation.

But sometimes that’s just life on the internet.

[arkus-rhapsode]

Gachiakuta chapter 133 cameos from other series during the doll festival.

[arkus-rhapsode]

No, the Switch 2 is not another Wii U

I know video game content is my least viewed content on this blog, but I’ve been seeing this talking point spouted over the last few days and I decided to use what little voice I had in the world to say something. So, the last few days have been rough for the Switch 2. Kinda funny how for almost an entire year the question was “When Switch 2?” To now actually being here and pissing off basically everyone with a pulse. However, a certain saying I’ve been hearing a lot is that they believe or hope that the Switch 2 will be another Wii U for the company.

This line of thinking is just plain wrong. Simply because why the Wii U failed and why the Switch 2 has the potential to fail are two completely different things.

Let’s start with the Wii U, for those who don’t remember, the Wii U was going to be the follow up to the ultra successful Wii console. And its issues were already obvious out of the gate, and I’m not just talking about the game pad, but I kinda am. Because at the time of its announcement, many weren’t even clear if the Wii U was a new console or an add on to the Wii. The announcement for the Wii U was so miscommunicated at the time that the President Satoru Iwata lamented not even showing off the full console itself.

The second, most obvious issue facing the Wii U was the innovation that Nintendo banked on. The Wii was highly successful due to the fact that its motion control innovation managed to capture the attention of gamers and non gamers alike. It was as simple as “pretend like you’re bowling with the remote and the action happens on screen.” Rather than simply continue with that model and add more power to it, a Wii 2 if you will, Nintendo opted to focus on focus on asymmetrical gaming, using the dual screens to create a unique experience. While this sounds interesting on paper, it’s clear that in practice asymmetrical gaming is inconvenient to how one actually plays video games. You don’t actively play video games with the control at the level of your direct vision. While there are certainly people who had fun with this, it was never going to recapture the audience the Wii had. Nintendo’s desire for innovation was under cut by its ability for practicality.

This reflected in the games, which outside of Nintendo’s first party offerings, very few large game devs took advantage of the Wii U architecture. If they even made games for the Wii U at all. With major publishers like EA flat out discontinuing any development of Nintendo hardware. Even going as far to call it “Crap.” Other companies like Ubisoft basically changed direction on any exclusivity support for the Wii U. Rayman Legends was promised as an exclusive for the system at first, but changed due to fact the Wii U ecosystem was so minuscule. Ubisoft’s ZombiU a launch title for the Wii U made to show off what the system could do would be ported to other platforms under the name Zombi and would cancel a sequel due to poor sales.

Even Nintendo’s own first party offerings, suffered. This was during the New Super Mario Bros era, where 2D Mario games were now criticized for becoming overly homogenized. There was no traditional Fire Emblem, no traditional Kirby, no Metroid period, and… whatever was Animal Crossing Amiibo Festival. The console wouldn’t get a 3D Zelda until its own dying breath.

When you put this all together it’s no wonder the Wii U was so unprofitable for the company.

So with all that said. Is any of this applicable to the Switch 2? Well because the console isn’t even out, it’s impossible to predict how it will preform in its lifetime. But, I believe we can make some judgement calls based on the facts available to us.

Let’s start with its announcement. While yes, it is true that the Switch 2 did fail to include any price in its huge announcement and it has caused the the narrative of the Switch 2 to spiral out of their control, the Switch 2 was nothing if not transparent on what the system actually was and what it came with. This is going to be a bigger, thicker, stronger version of a switch. That is what it is. What it has failed to communicate is the pricing of its games. But when it comes to innovation-it’s just more of the same stuff people already like.

And let’s talk about the games. Unlike the Wii U, we can already see Nintendo capitalizing on already highly anticipated franchises like Mario Kart and Donkey Kong. As well as having advanced versions of the next Pokémon Legends title and Metroid Prime 4. Now it’s possible that the release of new Switch 2 games will be as low as the Wii U, but as of now, we have no real evidence to believe that is the case. There is also the fact that right out of the gate, Nintendo has highlighted its exclusive deals with third party developers. The biggest being the much beloved developer FromSoft creating an exclusive Souls game for the console with a release window of 2026.

Speaking of third party developers, many of them, do not have a reason to believe that this machine will be poor in terms of gaming experience. With even articles right now talking about how developing for the switch 2 is similar to developing for a mid tier PC. In fact, the implementation of mouse controls has actually expanded to types of gameplay gamers have used on other platforms.

While there are some similarities like this being a sequel system to a highly successful console and doesn’t include a pack in game. When you look at the broad reasons for the failure of the Wii U: that being poor communication of the product, innovation vs practicality, third party support, and first party offering, it’s pretty easy to see that the these consoles aren’t applicable.

Now of course there are issues facing the Switch 2’s launch that the Wii U never could’ve predicted. Such as the new game keycard system optional to some publishers, to the purchase of game upgrade packs for switch 1 games. And of course games not being priced competitively. So why are so many saying “this is the next Wii U?” Well it’s because during the Wii U era, Nintendo as a company was at its most vulnerable and most desperate after coming off a pretty successful run with its previous console. This resulted in them needing to offer better deals to consumers AND push them to truly innovate in the game of gaming hardware and software.

With the above issues mentioned, there a very real and palpable desire for Nintendo to return that state once again. Where, once again it can’t just have “60 dollar games or get lost,” it might actually need to make concessions to the players. It remains to see if that will happen or not. However, if it does happen I want it to be clear, it’s not because the Switch 2 is “the Wii U all over again.”

The Wii U wasn’t bad because it was anti-consumerist. It was bad because it was a bad console.

[arkus-rhapsode]

Y'know doing some research, looks like The Duskbloods is NOT going to be a Nintendo IP. Every site I check has FromSoft as the sole copyright holder and the Japanese trailer doesn't have the signature red Nintendo logo at the end like all the other Nintendo First and Second Party games do.

Which hey, good news for Souls fans not interested in buying a switch 2 because that means there's a potential, a small sliver of a chance that this will leave the Nintendo Switch platform. It could end up a Bayonetta situation where Nintendo doesn't let it go, but it seems they hold some level of the copyright if the copyright information on Bayonetta 3 is to be believed even if they don't own the IP.

That said, this is a bit disappointing as someone whose biggest problem with the eight years of the switch is the lack of new Nintendo IP. Yes, I'm very happy a lot of their franchises got entries and straight up revivals, but I want something at least new. Like ARMS, Ring Fit Adventure, Snipper Clips, Astral Chain, and... 1-2 Switch, were all fine to good games and I'm glad they're now a part of the Nintendo family. But again, 8 years! Like I know it might not be as cheap to develop games as it used to be, but look at all the weird stuff on the Wii (a good chunk we didn't get because of NOA, thanks Reggie) Endless Ocean, the Wii series, Xenoblade, Captain Rainbow, Disaster Day of Crisis, Pandora's Tower, The Last Story, FlingSmash, Zangeki no Reginleiv, Takt of Magic, etc. Sure these might not be the darlings of the Nintendo universe, but it was offering something new to the ecosystem.

Microsoft and Sony usually have one new IP on deck almost every state of play/direct they do. With Nintendo its exhausting hoping for something brand new. I was one of the people homing that Emio was a brand new Nintendo IP instead of a sequel to an established one. Playing Xenoblade X again, I'm reminded that this really could've been a stand alone IP without the Xenoblade name.

Maybe FromSoft and Kadokawa don't want other publishers to retain the rights to their IP like with Sony and Bandai Namco? They just want a publishing deal. But it is a bit of a shame Nintendo can't really add their own Souls game to their family. Like even though we almost certainly won't ever get a sequel to Eternal Darkness, its cool that Nintendo has a survival horror Lovecraft game as part of their legacy. And there will always be an open possibility they could remaster it or now add it to NSO.

I will at least give flowers to Drag x Drive. That it was expected there would be some game that highlighted the new controller gimmicks, and it being a new IP was very nice. I liked the music and the integration of the dual mouse gimmick is interesting. Also the fact that its a First Party Nintendo title highlighting the sport of wheel chair basketball, is some really nice representation. Though I do wish it had a little more personality like a Splatoon or ARMS. The generic characters are a bit of a shame.

Now who knows, maybe all my research is bad and it'll come out that there is some co-ownership deal with FromSoft, that be cool. But I still feel like I'm saying still stands, Nintendo is at the start of a new generation, and with the absolute fortune they've raked in, I hope they actually invest in not only supporting their tentpole franchises, but also welcome in some new members to the prestigious Nintendo family.

Although I totally believe Dustblood's is coming to Smash 6 no matter what

[arkus-rhapsode]

What is up with Switch 2 Prices? (A discussion on the Switch 2)

Soooo Switch 2 Direct happened and I’ll say-I thought it was mostly good. Mario Kart World looked packed, NSO adding GameCube with many first titles promised, actually showing that after a decade they can run third party triple A titles, and the show stopper being an open world Donkey Kong game. But then the price came down.

Now… 499.99 for a console at the level of an Xbone or PS4 is certainly more than I think people were expecting. Especially considering the Japanese version is reportedly a hundred dollars cheaper. But hey, for a portable system as strong as this that’s gonna to likely be a one time purchase for most, I think this is manageable. Not the best, but not the worst.

However, what good is an expensive piece technology without a game to actually play on it? Well from what see of the first party/second party offerings, it’s pretty absurd to see these prices to say the least. Let’s start with things that I don’t believe are too bad and work our way up: Kirby And the Forgotten Land I actually think is the most justifiable. Because Nintendo games basically never go on sale, this previous gen game still goes for about 50-60 bones if you buy it new. So that means this version with the added campaign is essentially a definitive version with DLC bundled it. And because of backwards compatibility, you’d have the option to buy this Al la Carte. So while it may seem pretty prima facie exploitative, I think if you consider what new material you are getting, it’s lack of a price drop, and that there’s an option for those who already have the game, this seems fairly reasonable.

BOTW and TOTK being 10 dollars more despite already being high profile releases from a previous generation offering no new content though is a different story. While these are originally a 60/70 dollar games respectfully, the ten dollar increase in price is for more enhancements to the graphical resolution and frame rate of the original. Quite frankly that’s BS. I know these games weren’t originally made with the intent to be run on a more powerful machine than a switch, but the fact that these are enhancements that should just be automatic when put into new hardware is wild. They try to off-set this by saying it’s coming free with NSO, but that’s still payment.

And look, I’m not stupid. Like most people getting a switch 2 already had a switch, and likely own a copy of BOTW by now. So you already of the game. what’s wrong with paying 10 dollars then to make it play at it’s most enhanced state? It’s not like you’re being forced to buy just the switch 2 version. Well once again, I believe that personally that if all you are adding is basic graphical upgrades on a game as old as BOTW and TOTK, that’s not worth any money. At least if BOTW had the dlc bundled in I could maybe treat it like a delux edition, but it’s not. It’s just such a bad look in my opinion.

And now onto the new games. It’s pretty evident to me that Donkey Kong Bananza is going to be the Mario Odyssey of the Switch 2. Their big showpiece game on why you should buy this system associated with not only a member of the Mario-verse, but the first Nintendo video game character mascot. A character who for a time had his own consistent franchise through two generations of hardware. It does look great. So the idea of this being a 70 dollar purchase (potentially more with physical), is somewhat upsetting. Not that I didn’t believe this would be coming. When TOTK released, Nintendo pretty clearly stated they would consider 70 dollar games for select titles. And the tentpole for your launch line up of first party titles, it is understandable from a business stand point. So maybe MAYBE, if this was the only 70 dollar launch title most would grin and bare it.

However, this is coming with an announcement of games older than Bananza being priced at or higher than it, feels incredibly tone deaf. A brand new DK experience is valued that same as essentially a remaster the highest selling Zelda game that could run on a Wii U. I’m sorry but that just seems wrong. I think Nintendo thought that they could essentially make a sort of bespoke work around for cross gen titles, but, you do realize that some of these switch 1 games won’t be available forever. It’s not gonna be “just buy the cheaper option and don’t bother with the paid enhancement.” Well eventually all one might have is the switch 2 version. An enhanced version of a game that’s practically a decade old, right alongside your flagship new release? It takes what could’ve been at worst a rub down, and turns into some real salt in the wound.

And finally, Mario Kart World… yeah there’s no justification for this. I understand this is more ambitious than any other Mario kart. I saw the size of the world map, the costumes, the off road, the open world, the extra modes, etc. I don’t disagree that this is a premium title. But almost a hundred dollars for a video game is frankly wrong in my opinion. You could say that delux plus its dlc tracks would’ve equaled the same amount in the end, but once again, you had an option. You could always purchase the base package of delux for the same amount as every other triple A game on the shelf and receive countless hours of fun. With world however, it seems that it was impossible to make any concession with its scope, and rather than selling the software on a loss, Nintendo will do as Nintendo does. Now, believe me when I say ,y harsh words are because I think it lacks quality, but I struggle to believe in any game that is truly worth 80 dollars on launch.

Maybe some of this could be mitigated with a pack in title. Sadly post the Wii, getting pack in games on Nintendo systems isnt really a thing (at least on initial launch). A shame because while the PS5 had a rocky first few years, Astro’s playroom was at least a free tech demo game included on the system for those with no access to PS5 games. This is made even more egregious by the fact that this direct included the Tour of the Switch 2 game, that, while not as charming as a Wii sports, was a very basic interactive guide of the console with a few tech demo games throw in, that would be charged as a stand alone game. Like what?

I know I’m sounding very negative, maybe even jumping the gun in some instances, but these prices are genuinely frustrating. Especially seeing how the video game industry is going. Many speculate game publishers are looking to uniformly increase the prices of games at retail. With many news stories about how some have been waiting for GTA 6 to come out and be a hundred dollars. And the fact that Nintendo who is one of the bigger game companies that still shows it has a creative spark and has been praised for not following industry trends like turning franchises into games as a service and aggress expansion through acquisition of AA studios, has basically shot themselves in the foot with the most basic thing people will note when it comes to the exchange of goods and services, the price, is frustrating. It feels like I’ve gone back to the PS3’s first year, except I at least think the switch 2 new content looks much better.

I want to add, I don’t think anyone who buys these games at full price are bad. I’m not calling on people to boycott Nintendo or vote with their wallets, some people just want to play the next Mario kart and don’t care about the price to do so. For some people it’s normal to buy just one game as a big purchase and invest weeks even months into it before even buying another one. That’s fine. However, I do at least want people to be aware that we are drifting to state where games are becoming more and more expensive. It’s very easy to see this as the start to a slippery slope, and we ought to think about what that might mean for us, the consumers.

I’ll end it like this-I was overjoyed seeing that NSO is getting the GameCube emulated. Games like Luigi’s mansion, Fire Emblem Path of Radiance, Chibi Robo, F Zero GX etc. all games that go for hundreds of dollars second hand could now be accessed through a simple subscription service. And then I saw how much current gen games were gonna cost on the switch 2 and I thought “wait am I gonna be okay with spending 80 dollars at a GameStop, but not on eBay?”

[arkus-rhapsode]

If I had a nickel for every Nintendo girl named Mia I’d have four nickels. Which is twice as many nickels than I thought I’d have

[arkus-rhapsode]

So little tie-in into an old post I made of FE Engage characters and the specific 3H Lord they were able to bounce off of with the Emblem Bracelet. I thought this be a better visual to go along with the list component.

I will also add my own opinion here, but I do find it funny how the division of Engage characters almost exactly captures my feelings on each of the classrooms from Three Houses. Team Edelgard is definitely split down the middle with some really big stand out characters, but also a few I felt somewhat eh on. Team Dimitri probably has my overall favorite cast. And Team Claude's definitely feels to most light-hearted and some what gimmicky.

Maybe one day in the future with FEH or something we get all these Engage characters at Garreg Mach? Or we could have Three Houses characters each distributed to one of the four engage kingdoms? Fan artist and fan fic writers, ball is in your court.

[arkus-rhapsode]

I think Kei Urana is internet brained

[arkus-rhapsode]

If it makes you feel better Sevens is infamously short. Only 94 episodes

Oh you’re getting back into Yu-Gi-Oh? Great timing I’m a huge fan. I promise you if you make it to the sevens era it’s worth it 

NICE we should trade notes, I'll definitely let you know if/when I get there! Though I think I'm a little more interested in Go Rush than Sevens, just based on what I've heard about them. (as funny as it is to me that when aliens came to earth to use card games as an instrument of war(?) they apparently picked up the easier version)

I watched ep1 of GR last year, I don't think I'd laughed so hard in awhile. figured i watch vrains first though. I HAVE FINALLY DECIDED TO DO SO...

[arkus-rhapsode]

You kinda need to see Sevens beforehand because Go Rush is a continuation/prequel

Oh you’re getting back into Yu-Gi-Oh? Great timing I’m a huge fan. I promise you if you make it to the sevens era it’s worth it 

NICE we should trade notes, I'll definitely let you know if/when I get there! Though I think I'm a little more interested in Go Rush than Sevens, just based on what I've heard about them. (as funny as it is to me that when aliens came to earth to use card games as an instrument of war(?) they apparently picked up the easier version)

I watched ep1 of GR last year, I don't think I'd laughed so hard in awhile. figured i watch vrains first though. I HAVE FINALLY DECIDED TO DO SO...

[arkus-rhapsode]

Gaming hot take of the day and probably the spiciest one I’ve had in a while and know I’ll get push back on. I think a lot of people forget that at the end of the day: Luigi and Donkey Kong (especially DK) are Mario characters inside Mario’s world.

This comes from the recent hubbub about DK’s Mario Kart 9 design, but also Luigi’s Mansion 2 and DKCR remaster debuting. Both of those games have received reviews of… Fine. They are bare minimum remasters of games people find to be mostly okay or are outdone by the sequels. But it got a lot of people talking about why don’t DK and Luigi get respect? Afterall, two of Nintendo’s oldest and most iconic characters only put up a game maybe once a generation or none at all.

Now some believe it’s because Nintendo might not have any ideas. Or perhaps they don’t value these characters. But I think the reason is pretty simple: DK and Luigi are Mario characters first, stars of their own gaming franchises second. I think people massively underestimate how rare a franchise Mario is when it comes to gaming as it basically a whole universe that can basically have anything go in it that is home to a bright, colorful cast of characters, who are so iconic they can be spun off into their own games with vastly different playstyles. The Mario Expanded Universe is something I struggle to think other franchises have managed to do. Take Sonic. A bunch of iconic characters with them being playable in several games, but when you get down to it, only Sonic and maybe Shadow have managed to headline and maintain a franchise of games.

But then you look at Yoshi’s Island, Princess Peach Showtime, Wario Land, WarioWare, Luigi’s Mansion, and Donkey Kong Country. Now I can definitely admit this, but the hyper prevalence of DK in the SNES-N64 eras I think definitely made DK standout more than most Mario characters. This is most likely because Rare really did bring a lot of their own style of humor, aesthetic, and design to DKC that made it stand a lot on its own. Kremlings are still so unique for the Mario world and I was always fascinated in seeing them in Mario Strikers. If you really want to compare styles compare Rare’s DKC with Nintendo’s Jungle Beat. The vibes feel so different despite being about the same property. I do think Retro did do a good job of trying to find a balance.

But yeah how do you go from DK games as a guarantee a generation to a hard maybe? Well it’s that old issue of no team. DK was basically at home with Rare and has bounced between developers since the Microsoft buyout. At least with Luigi’s Mansion, we have Next Level Games who just take breaks to do stuff like the Strikers games. But DK hasn’t really found a forever home. So how can Nintendo not be moving mountains to find it? These are their icons. This isn’t like a Star Fox or an F-Zero or Advanced Wars which occupy rungs lower on the Nintendo ladder, these guys are in movies and theme parks.

Well that’s when I think people forget that that movie and that park are mostly dedicated to a certain mascot. With Luigi and DK being side characters in it. Perhaps Nintendo doesn’t see the need to have these characters to be headliners because they know millions of Mario fan are gonna buy Mario Tennis or Mario Party or Mario Kart and have the option to play as these characters. Getting somewhat the same effect as they would with their own games.

I don’t say this to diminish these characters as characters or as cultural and gaming icons. But I do think I can see why Nintendo takes blasé approach to something like doing a remaster or waiting almost decades between game entries. Because even if they don’t make games with Luigi and DK, they still technically do through the larger Mario-verse.

I understand if you love DKC’s gameplay or Luigi’s Mansions gameplay as experiences that you can’t simply get out of a kart racer or a party game featuring the title characters, you’re sadly not being catered to. I’m never going to fault people for wanting more of experiences that they love. But I can see why a company may not see the urgency in catering to that.

[arkus-rhapsode]

So I was thinking about making this a "Gaming Hot Take of the Day," but can't really do that when basically everyone is in agreement on this-Multiversus shutting down really just goes to show how a great concept with an okay execution, can result in terrible things when Live Service greed is involved.

So instead of making this a straight forward explanation of my take, I think I'd like to make this sort of a general overview of my disappointment. So lets start from the start, for those unaware I was actually a big BIG Smash bros fan and while I was never talented enough to play professionally, I still got involved in my local scene (though I gradually did drift away after the fanbase became very toxic to be around). So believe me when I say I am a massive fan of the concept of the crossover platform fighter. Platform fighters are often one of the most accessible types of fighting games for newcomers, and it allows a level of variety you just wouldn't normally get out of say a Street Fighter stage. And while its very VERY easy in a post Fortnite world to talk about how crossovers are becoming very cynical corporate cash grabs that dilute the original value of the work each one originates from, I can't deny that there will always be a charm to the crossover. And those who love these properties making use of them through the lease of a fighting game often shows.

And thus, we get to the real core of why platform fighters are often so under explored even with the success of smash. Getting a game that actually plays well that both professionals and casuals can enjoy, and having enough IP appeal to get casual audiences to try this game in the first place. A lot of smash clones seem to fumble one of these two things. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is clearly made with IP a bunch of people love and are no stranger to crossing over, but it was made as cheaply as possible. Then you have Rivals of Aether which absolutely offers a competitive alternative to Smash, but due to starring almost all original characters, it lacks the gimmicky hook of familiar characters duking it out.

So then we get to Multiversus. The WB crossover platform fighter. Not a DC platform fighter. Not a Cartoon Network platform fighter. Hell, not even a Midway All-Stars Battle Royale. But all of Warner Bros was allowed to converge in a single game. From various genres, mediums, and franchises this had the potential to have enough variety to rival Smash. But that's just IP, what about gameplay? Well while I think Multiversus was always too floaty and had way to many characters that could just combo infinitely, I do think the developers at Player First Games genuinely brought a unique, but not too unfamiliar, spin on the platform fighter. Add on the fact that this game is fully voiced with unique interactions and full on banter, you get something that isn't in Smash. They even managed to make the echo fighter concept interesting by having skins for characters like Joker be the Batman who Laughs that despite playing the same, the added voice lines actually do truly make this character seem like a new character even if its the exact same move set. So with all this going for it, what could go wrong? Welp, Live-Service.

That's right, instead of doing what most fighting games do of having a base package with a rollout of DLC, we went with a free to pay model where cosmetics, skins, backgrounds, emotes, and characters would cost fake currency you could exchange for real currency. Now this type of payment model isn't unreasonable in the world of online multiplayer games, and offering them for free then charging for features is common. This way the companies make money, while giving you the option to play the game for free. Well the thing is, often times, all those fun stuff like cosmetics, emotes, and characters are linked to how you play a game. You could conceivably play the game for free, but you'll never be able to play the full package of the game unless you were willing to spend so much time on the game or just spend money nickel-and-dime-ing everything.

And for me, that was the most disheartening thing. Part of the fun of smash bros is having the best toy box in video games. I might ever main Mario, but guess what I can play Mario whenever I want in whatever dumb resin he has. Taking away that option makes it feel less like you have a complete game than just having the bare essentials to complete the game. And that's when this game feels less like fun and more making a game where I am trying to extract enjoyment out of the pieces I can afford.

So the gameplay is not the tightest but passable, and the actual ability to play the game is extremely hamstringed. So hey, at least they had a great roster right? Now look, I want to make it clear, I don't hate the roster, I think Superman, Bugs, Steven Universe, etc. all deserve to be in one big crossover as the Super Warner Bros. But the fact that we were basically getting a new DC character every seasonal update, when this company owns franchises like The Matrix, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Conjuring, Clash of the Titans, ThunderCats, Austin Powers, Babylon 5, Rush Hour, Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Ben 10, and Mortal Kombat, it feels lacking. There's been plenty of data leaks, and I think there could be a legitimate case made for a few characters not showing up, Emmet and Ruby because WB doesn't own those franchises any more. Gandalf and Harry Potter are ones where the IPs have a lot of outside influence and become a bit of a tangled web. But then some being held off on like the Wicked Witch of the West (who would even be prominently featured in the comic adaptation of Multiversus) feel so bizarre.

The one that hurt me the most was the rumored Scorpion playable character. Scorpion-the mascot of Nether Realm and the last surviving Midway Franchise. The character who has already shown up in other WB fighting gams-wasn't included. I don't even mind the idea some are advertisements like Beetlejuice coinciding with the second movie or Black Adam for... well Black Adam. But You'd at least have to give us something fun or unique that does get the hype going.

"But if it wasn't live service, could we even have the hype cycle?" Some may wonder. The answer is yes. Smash bros at this point has DLC announcements that literally make people devolve into full-blown speculation storms and glass-shattering soundoffs. So it is totally possible to make this game at a set price of lets say 49.99USD, with every post beta character included on it with some customization options , then offered seasons and cosmetics as dlc? That in my opinion would be a hundred percent reasonable.

But no. WB just had to have their own Fortnite. They couldn't be satisfied with just making WB Smash. They needed more of that money. With the victims of this is a game with a lot of potential being cut down after a year, the employees at Player First Games who did the best they could and clearly had plans who now are likely fearing for their jobs, and the players who did spend money on this only for it to become inaccessible. Was it worth it? Well, frankly no.

This news put in a bit of a mood as now I feel like I'm seeing the same story play out over and over again in the video game world. A team of developers have an idea for a cool thing, the publishers and owners want to extract as much value as possible of that thing as the can to the detriment of the experience, and then everything gets shutdown because it failed to meet projected sales.

Hopefully, whoever takes a stab at making the next Smash competitor learns from these mistakes.

[arkus-rhapsode]

So we have two soccer manga running now simultaneously (Embers and Blue Lock) that are in different weekly shonen magazines (Jump and Magazine), that are drawn by artists who were once teacher and student, AND their teams are represented by Red and Blue. This is a once in a lifetime moment here.

Made even more fitting because that time Weekly Shonen Jump and Weekly Shonen Magazine did a combined magazine, Jump series had red text while Magazine series had blue text

Make👏the👏crossover👏happen

[arkus-rhapsode]

So the AnimeJapan stages reminded me of something…

In Florence, Italy there is a regional ceremony known as Calcio Storico Fiorentino. A military like game of soccer/rugby where goal scoring is how you win the game, however what is permitted is combat between players. So you’ll see boxing, wrestling, and MMA in this 27 on 27 game.

It’s played between the four districts of Florence: Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, San Giovanni, and Santo Spirito who are each represented by a color. And guess what those four colors are?

Yep. The same colors as each stage at AnimeJapan.

Now all I’m picturing is all of the series in each respective stage to pick a fight with one another in an elaborate yet violent game of rugby. Which given the many battle Shōnen isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

[arkus-rhapsode]

Trash Beast Evolution in Gachiakuta chapter 120-121

[arkus-rhapsode]

Perfectly timed wedding photo

[arkus-rhapsode]

One of my favorite things about rewatching Cowboy Bebop is seeing all these one-line characters that you instantly know everything about from how they decorate their tiny box in space.