I want...

 I want a toilet with a built in scale. Not to weigh the person on the toilet. Just to weight the contents of the toilet. Could add a way to see the volume too. Be nice to know if really did break your old record.

I want a game controller that measures the vital signs of the user. Also, the pressure they are holding the controller with. I want to know what games are really the most stressful. 

 I want a streaming service that only has television show that lasted one season. A streaming service of failure. 

 I want a special feature that just tells you how much everyone was paid. So you could see how over paid the stars are, and how underpaid everyone else is. 

I want an online store that will tell you which product reviews are fake. 

I want...

Black Friday 2021

 Didn't get a damn thing this year. Deals were not that good. Deals were not as numerous. Black Friday was just a waste of time this year.

Black Friday

Its not really "Black Friday" this year. Most retailers are claiming some along the lines of "Black Friday all month" or all season long. The deals are not as good as usual. Doesn't look like they are going to get that way either. 

Not trying to be greedy, I just want some cheap video games. Maybe a cheap low end chromebook. Doesn't seem like that is in the cards. 

Walmart had some cheap movies, but that was only for a few days. Was label as "while supplies last", that seems to have been a bold faced lie. Wonder what else they will do that on?

No Cheap Candy

 I love Halloween. I know it is has been a week since Halloween. Usually around this time you can get leftover Halloween candy at huge discounts. That didn't happen this year.

This year the day after Halloween all the candy was gone from stores. Not a single piece of discounted candy to be found at any Walmart or Target I went to. Where did it all go? I doubt it was donated to anyone. Was it just taken back for repackaging? 

Why has one of the best parts of Halloween been taken away?

Gaming Woe.

 Do I am a gamer. Lately, it isn't going great. Trouble finding old games. Trouble finding the right controller for newer systems. When did gaming become such a pain in the ass?

Been trying to find some PSP (Playstation Portable) games I missed at the time. This has two problems. First finding a shop that still sells them at all. Second, the prices they want are getting ridiculous. One game I was trying for was Persona 1, the PSP had a remake of it. At one shop the clerk says they had one that sold for 17$ back in August. That price seemed good, just need to wait. Then the clerk says "that if they get another copy it would be 120$". How does the price of a used game go up 100$ in two months?The demand for PSP games cannot of spiked that much. 

Meanwhile I am looking for a joy-con alternative for the Switch. I have the Hori Split Pad Pro, and that great for most handheld mode gaming, but some games require gyro control and they don't have that. With joy-con drift being a thing, I don't want to use them at all. I see many options on Amazon, but I have no real way of knowing which are good, or even really have a gyro for motion control.

Youtube Troubles.

Trying to get subscribers on my youtube. No idea how to go about this. Googling it did not help.

Someone said ,more uploads help. So a while back I started doing two videos a week. Saturdays are for reviews. Tuesday is for everything else. Got a few more, but not nearly enough. 

I dream of getting paid. Not looking to get rich, just would like a trickle of cash. Wouldn't turn down more, but know it isn't realistic. Getting to that 1000 subscriber mark is hard.

Mayflash F500 and a Magicboot

So I bought this:

I bought this along with a "magicboot" to use with my Xbox One. I did this because of the lack of options for Xbox compatible arcade sticks. I would have preferred to only have to order one item, but that simply wasn't an option. So I have basically made a makeshift Xbox Arcade stick.

This stick usually works by plugging an official controller into via usb. Doing so will let it work with almost anything. However, having another controller tethered to it at all times is both awkward and cumbersome. The magicboot plugs into the same usb port and takes the place of the other controller.  

This works well, and is a quality stick. I plan to get a bat top for it, and get some art going. Very happy with this. 

I do still want to get a stick for the PS4. I could buy a second magicboot, only in playstation flavor, but I dislike the idea of switching them around. Debating between the Qanba Pearl, and the Hori Real Arcade Pro N. Not sure which direction to go.

Xbox Series X

I would like to get one. Even Microsoft's own store doesn't have them. How does your own store not have them? It is getting close to a year since release. Seems like these should be a bit more common place by this point. 

 It is not a real problem, many worse things in the world than not having a new toy at hand. Still, I am a man that loves gaming. I don't care what on, hand me a fancy calculator and I will figure a way to game on it. 

On several resent game purchases I see a tag letting me know that it contains both an Xbox One and a Series X/S version. I am curious to see how big of a difference it will be. I assume it will vary from game to game. Resident Evil Village will likely have a noticeable difference, while I doubt there will be much to notice on Saints Row the Third.

Some 360 and original Xbox games are also said to be enhanced, but I have never owned a 360 as I didn't have the money for one at the time. Still I have a collection of 360 games due to the backwards compatibility of the Xbox One. Backwards compatibility was the main reason I got an Xbox One, to play the 360 games I had missed.

Resident Evil

It seems like ever since RE4 that the games get easier rather than harder as you progress. This seems like bad design, but there is nothing that can be done about. You gain power as you play, but the danger level pretty much stays the same. You start out with just a pistol and very little ammo. So you find more weapons, and you find more ammo. Then you can upgrade your weapons, so each round of ammo is more effective. As long as you are not careless with your shots, you will soon have a huge surplus of ammo. There is no good way to balance this. You could make enimies take more bullets, but that is tedious. You could limit ammo more, but that would lead to unwinable states. Capcom claims the games adapt difficulty to your playing, but that doesn't seem to mean a damn thing. Not complaining, just seems odd to me,

Troubles with Video Production

Don't worry, they are still coming on schedual. Finding a game to review is easy. Just go in my collection and pick one. What is hard are the other kind of videos I do. Videos that require more than just a game, but something that is more specific. "Worst Parts of Great Games" is hard to make. As first the game needs to be "great" and second it must have something in it that is either very out of place, or does something to ruin the experience. Depending on the nature of what it is, it might be hard to capture footage. What if it is at the end of a long game? What if it is a glitch that is somewhat common, but not a near 100% chance? Can mean days of effort for a few seconds. There are videos I very much want to make, but require an investment of 60 hours of game to get to what I want. "Delisted" is a problem too. As I need to have a copy of something that is no longer available. Even with a large collection, that can still be a challenge. Worse, is find information on why it was delisted. That might not exist. Sure there are other things to be said, but I would like them to have something other than pure editorial. This is a challenge. I need to find more content to make for Tuesday videos. Saturdays are easy, they are reviews. Tuesdays are hard, they are anything else.

Final Fantasy is terrible at naming things.

 Final Fantasy has a problem with names. First character rarely have real names, and at best have names that could almost be real. It is not just characters, it is spells and items too. It seems to get worse as time goes on. 

In Final Fantasy 7 we had the character "Aeris". Its not "Aeris" any more, now it is the even worse "Aerith". Now back in 97, when the game was first released, I assumed "Aeris" was meant as pun, or hint as to what she was. "Aeris" was the last of her kind, or an "heiress" to her almost forgotten legacy. Once changed to "Aerith", now it is just a gibberish made up name. So it goes from being almost clever, to nothing. 

Then there is how the names of spells have changed. In the early games it was simple and logical, "cure 2" was more powerful than "cure". "Fire 3" was more powerful than "fire" and "fire 2". That stopped at some point. Now it is "Fire" followed by "fira" followed by "firaga", and so forth. It is all just gibberish. Worse as remakes and ports have been made, the older games get retrofitted with this nonsense.

Not all things get worse with time, something just start terrible. In Final Fantasy 8 your characters work for something called "SeeD", that is no typo they put a capital "D" at the end of it consistently. I remember a group of gamers debating how to pronounce that. Was it just meant to be "seed", or was it meant to be pronounced "See Dee". This was shortly after release, so none of them had finished the game yet. So some of them thought that might be a hint that "SeeD" was up to no good, like they were a "seedy" organization. 

It is odd that Final Fantasy has this problem, but other franchises from the same company don't. Dragon Quest doesn't suffer this. Sadly, I know it will never stop. and will just get worse with time.

It just gets worse.

 Last time I posted to say my foot is broken, and it still is. But I got pretty sick on top of that, and the plumbing is having problems too. Things only get worse. 

Ever since I was a child I have been being told things get better. I am old enough now to be called middle aged. Nothing ever got better. Doubtful it ever could.

Foot Broken.

 I broke my foot today. It hurts, my pharmacy is closed on Sunday. That is all.

Home Depot Warranties are a SCAM!

 Since June 20th my washing machine has been broken. I bought it at Home Depot, and I bought an extended warranty. Home Depot has scheduled to come and repair my unit four times, and no showed each time and did not call to cancel. Call them results in all kind of "Oh, this shouldn't happen", "This is not how things usually go", but it never results in anything happening. 

 I have no choice but to go to a laundromat. The one closest to me is 7.75$ a load. At this point I think it would have been cheaper to pay for an independent repairman. To say nothing of the time wasted at the location.

I will never buy another product at Home Depot. I will do whatever I can to help people avoid buying at Home Depot. Currently considering contacting a lawyer.

Shaquille O'Neal the Modern Andre The Giant.

So Andre the Giant was a famed wrestler that was world famous in a time when professional wrestling was not a national or world wide phenomenon. He traveled the USA, Canada, and Japan wrestling for various regional wrestling promotions. He showed up on television, being a guest  more than once on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson". He appeared on many other shows, and even in movies. Despite not being the greatest working in the ring, he was world famous. 

Shaquille O'Neal is a famed Basketball player. From my understanding, he is not, nor ever was a great player. Despite this, you can't turn on a television without without seeing him. He shows up on commercials constantly, is in many terrible movies, and not uncommon to see on shows. 

Neither of these men are/were great actors, or performers. Despite that they both have a weird kind of charm people respond to. Nothing against either of them, just think they have a lot in common.

More Ideas for Youtube Videos

1. Delisted. Videos of games that are no longer available anywhere. 

2.  Good idea, bad execution. Sometimes on paper an idea works, but then in practice it does not. 

3. Character I want more of. Self explanatory. 

4. "Hey, enough with _______". Things that need to go away. 

5. Facts games get wrong. 

6. Actually educational games. Not about "educational games", but rather games that can teach you something in addition to being a good game. EVO The Search for Eden comes to mind. 

7. It seems better now. Somethings are not appreciated when they first release, sometimes they look better a few years down the line. 

8. Gaming Controversies. What was controversial? Did it ever really need to be? 

9.  Thinly Veiled. When a game is about something, but really about something else.

It's Father's Day

 On this holiday do the right thing. Either call your father, wish him well and listen to all of his madness. Or go see him and kick him hard in the crotch. Whichever is more appropriate for the father you have. 

I personally can do neither, my father is dead.

Side Effects of Mmaking Reviews.

 So I have been releasing a game review every Saturday this year. I also started doing other ind of videos every Tuesday. This requires lots of game footage. Even if it isn't a review, you need something to go with the audio. This has lead to one unforeseen side effect. It is harder to just enjoy playing a game. 

 I can record on PC, Xbox 1, and PS4. So I find that if I am playing Switch, Wii U, PS3, or with a raspberry pi, that I think I am wasting time as I have no way to record any of this.  Same deal with playing any handheld system. I know this is an unhealthy attitude to have, as some of what I am playing isn't necessarily suited to being a review or other video, like the two modern Leisure Suit Larry games. However, it just feels like I am being inefficient, a feeling I hate. 

Its also lead me to think I shouldn't buy multiform games on Switch since if I do want to review it, I have no means of capturing the footage. This has already caused me some frustrations. As I bought "Chasm" on Switch before I started making reviews. I want to make a video about the problems of procedurally generated maps in the game, but can't as I can't record the small amount of footage I need to prove my point.

Ideas for Youtube Videos

1. Best Parts of Bad Games.  The opposite of  "Worst Part of Great Games".

2. Worst Character in a Game. Characters that don't need to exist. 

3. Most Pointless Game Mechanic. Something you need to do once for a mission, and the game tells you can do it more, but then you never do.

4. Video Game Foods I Would Eat.

5. Best/Worst Voice Actor in a Game. Sometimes they are phoning it in, sometimes they just like talent.

6. Best in a Series. There are many long running game series, but what are the highest highs?

7. Which is the Stronger Series. Two series that are similar in many way go head to head.

8. Surprising Cameos in Games. The kind of thing that makes you go "holy crap, it's ..."

9. Most Worthless Weapons.  The ones you just never want to use.

More Videos Coming

 In addition to Saturday review videos, there will now be a midweek video. The midweek videos will be many different things. The first midweek video will be the first in a new series "Worst Part of Great Games", the subject will be Resident Evil 4.

How I make videos.

I made the decision that I would release at least one video a week this year. Thus far, I have kept to that. This takes up a lot of time. This also takes a lot of work, both in making the videos, and coming up with ideas for the video.

First there is finding inspiration. As I mostly make game reviews lately, it has been as easy has finding a game I have a strong opinion on. Other time it might be an idea that has been cooking in my mind for a long time, or a particularly frustrating situation. I sometime write notes in my phone when I have inspiration strike, as it might be hours till I am home and can do anything else with the idea. 

Next is the prep for making a video. In the case of a game review it is fairly straight forward, capture game footage and look up a few facts about the game such as current price and available platforms. When doing other videos it is harder, as I have no video camera. So that means taking, or finding still images to use for a montage. This is why I have largely moved into making where game footage can be used. 

The next bit of work is "script". I put that in quotes, because I don't write out a full script of everything I will say. I write a page of two of notes, and then use them as jumping off points. That works better for me than scripting every word. Now depending on the topic, I might need more notes than others.  

Then comes recording the audio. I use Audacity, because it is free. I use a generic mic from Walmart because at 20$ it was the cheapest one I could find. It would be nice to upgrade the mic, but that cost money I don't have. Generally, I record in one long take, and then edit  it down. So in the raw audio there are flubs, and other noises, sometime ever alternate version of lines. 

Finally I use Vegas Pro 14 to actually make the videos. It is not the newest version of Vegas Pro, but it serves my needs, and I got it pretty cheap from Humble Bundle. It is has a lot of features, and I don't know how to use all of them, but I am working on that. 

Once the video is made, I upload it and schedule it to release Saturday at 6am.

My Longest Consecutive Gaming Session

 I have played video games for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories of them are of the Atari 5200, and on an old computer at my grandmother's house. However, I am not generally known for super long play sessions. Usually after about an hour and a half to two hours, and I need to stop for a bit. Illness or extreme circumstance have lead to slightly longer over the years, but very rarely more than 4 hours. However, there is one that stands out.

It was back in '08. I had just upgraded by computer with my friends old graphics card. I didn't have anything to test it with, well nothing other than a friends copy of Bioshock that he had forgotten to take with him a week earlier. Well couldn't exactly test it with Half-Life 1, so in went the copy of Bioshock.

 It had been a long day, and it was nearly midnight when I finished putting the card in and started installing Bioshock. Now I was not very into FPS games at the time, truth be told I am still not. Bioshock for whatever reason was very compelling to me.

I started playing almost exactly at midnight. I kept playing till I began to see the morning sun beam through my window with the sound of birds. At that point, I thought I would stop at the next obvious check point. I didn't, I kept playing. I didn't stop till I had finished the game, seeing the good ending for saving all the "little sisters". It was a few minutes after noon. 

I had sat and played Bioshock for 12 hours straight. Even as a child when home sick from school I don't think I ever did anything like that. No game has compelled me in quite that way since.

Schools are open...

Schools are open again, and I feel bad for the kids.  As a boy, I used the books I was issued at school to teach myself. I found any interaction with the teachers, and being around the kids to be a massive detriment learning. Really it was a kind of psychological torture.

When the schools closed due to covid, I thought how lucky the children were. They could learn, and not suffer. But that is over now. Hell has reopened. 

Rare Replay Review

Pretty much the best exclusive on Xbox platforms.

Dealing with Samsung.

Last July I bought a 43" 4k Samsung TV. It Broke in February. Did not even last a whole year. Dealing with Samsung in regards to this was an overall terrible experience.

So, early in February. the TV gets a horizontal row of dead pixels. I call Samsung, and they say a third party repair service will contact me, that never happens. On top of that, while waiting the screen goes out completely. Call Samsung back and they inform me that I was contacted (again, I wasn't) and that they are scheduled for two days from now between 9am and 4pm. Well, that is a ridiculous window of time. 

The thrid party repair company can't fix it. However, they think they can with parts that they need to order, will come back the following Monday between 9am and noon (at least the window was much smaller). They show up still in the 9 o'clock hour, and quickly find that no, it is still repairable. They say, that Samsung will contact me within the week as to what the next step in the process is. The week goes by, and a second week, and finally on the Monday of the third week I call Samsung again. 

Samsung tells me the repairmen still need to come one more time, and they will contact me. So not wanting to waste more time, I call the repairmen, they tell me "no, Samsung only has us come twice". The next day I call Samsung again, and am put on hold for just over two hours. 

After holding, I finally get somewhere. I am told I will receive an email telling me what to do, they will include a form to fill out, and a place to upload pictures of the TV and of the model number sticker that must be removed from the TV. Once the forms and pictures are submitted they will come collect the TV and I will be compensated. This will lead to me getting a voucher for 330$ in the Samsung store. I am a bit disappointed in that, but given how long this has already taken, I am happy that will get anything.

While waiting, I remove the sticker and take the pictures. What I get the form it says in bold red letters to not remove the sticker. At this point i am livid, as I think I have been lied to about the process. I fill out the form, but don't send the pictures yet, I am debating finding a lawyer. For the first time I get a call from Samsung, they "need the picture of the TV and of the sticker removed", I point out that the form I received said in bold red text not to remove the sticker, they tell me that only applies to TVs over 65". So I send the pictures. They say the TV will be picked up within the week, and a week later I will get a check. I was surprised by the check comment, but glad, and wondered if it was true.

Two weeks go by, they never contact me about picking up the TV, but I do actually receive a check, it is only for 319$, but it is still better than a voucher. I cashed it. Was glad to have real money. Still, I am waiting for the TV to be taken. 

 After a few more days I called Samsung. I am told they don't take TVs of this size. I ask why I was repeated told they would, he claims such a thing was never told to me. He then puts me on hold, claiming he needs some more information. He gets back just to tell me we are done, and is very rude about it. 

I used to like Samsung, was the second TV I had bought from them. Third if you count the computer monitor I use. I also have used several Samsung phones that have been reliable. However, after this experience I am hesitant to ever buy Samsung products again.

Mayflash F300

 So, I got a package in the mail containing a Mayflash F300. I didn't order it. It was addressed to me, but it had no explanation with it. Nor did I receive an e-mail explaining it. I am happy to receive free stuff, It is just a little weird to have it happen. I know that I don't have anywhere near enough eyes on me to make it worth sending me anything, still nice to have it happen. 

 So, I used this arcade stick for a bit, tested it with various consoles. and computers I have. Then I made a video about the experience. 

 

 

Over all, I would say it is a good product. Would consider buying other Mayflash products.

Need more subs.

 I am trying to get more subscribers on my youtube channel. I have no idea how to get them. Suggestions welcome. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc4GI1ealbXPR5ez6vyDsUA

There is the channel. Please help. Thank you.

Alien Sequel Idea

Lumines Remastered Review

 

Enough with the Christmas Lights

I was driving around after sunset and I noticed many homes still turning on their Christmas lights. This shouldn't be happening in January. If  they want to leave them up, fine, just don't turn them on. 

Honestly Christmas taints too much of the year already. Usually you see christmas stuff in store starting in August. And you have multiple channels that do "Christmas in June". With some channel having Christmas movies played every week of the year. 

We need to reclaim the year from Christmas. Some people talk about a "war on Christmas", it is clear that Christmas won and is roundup the remains of the other side into camps.

Tetris Effect Connected Review

 

Short version, it's amazing.