BruceVC

I can't believe how well France is playing compared to the last world cup, do you guys they they are serious contenders for the semi-finals ?

In general, I agree, but on the scoring play, in particular, he made a piss poor attempt at a clearance. In general, I agree, but on the scoring play, in particular, he made a piss poor attempt at a clearance. Actually the Nigerian defense as a whole has been porous all game. Some nice saves though. I agree my adulation is for the goalkeeper only, I genuinely believe France deserves to win

Wait you think the culture wars ended in 1989? You think the right wing is winning? Fascinating. Beware when you ask Monte those types of questions Valmy ....how deep are you prepared to go into the rabbit hole .....

Finally !!! But excellent defence from the Nigerian goalkeeper, the man is amazing !!!

And that by far is one of the most insightful posts I've heard, well played I know certain people will automatically dismiss this article just because I posted it. But that's fine, I would rather debate with people who want to debate and to add constructive comments to these types of issues ( and I don't mean people have to agree with me ) Remember TN you don't raise SJ issues to be popular, its actually the opposite. Because most people don't like to be reminded of the ubiquitous inequality that's exists around us but generally doesn't effect them. But I don't care about popular opinion when it comes to my principles, I raise certain issues because I feel its the right thing to do But saying all that I acknowledge that article isn't excellent, its interesting but I can see where it fails to deliver the message

If I had to take a guess, Bruce is using SJWing as an attempt to attract women. Wouldn't do that myself, but sometimes you have to work with what you've got. Funny enough most my lady friends don't quite understand the importance of SJ issues. But there are some who do and when I meet a lady for the first time I test the waters to see if they are interested in these types of issues. But a SJ connection is a good connection IMO

Ah Gfted1, my stalwart companion in the thankless job of raising SJ issues and encouraging debate on said topics, its like I always say " a SJ discussion is not a SJ discussion until you have added your voice of support to mine "

Monte that is a very myopic and cynical view of progression and I'm glad your definition isn't the acceptable one, it would be as depressing as hell But I did laugh at the " make everyone equally miserable"

Good question, the whole point around progression is to show how we as a society have evolved and how we see each other as equal and should be treated equally where applicable and logical

Fair enough, I don't have any personal insight into BSN back then so I shouldn't argue Wow that is impressive, so even the personality and mannerisms were the same. That's much harder to do than it appears

Holy Smoke, Ice-Cream flavoured Tabasco !!! I love Tabasco and I use the standard 4-5 flavours regularly. How many different flavours did you see? Or was it Tabaso flavoured ice cream... Quick, we need an existentialist! Maybe....lets get clarity

You could, but you'd be missing the point. It's the same criticism that was leveled by some at Sleeping Dogs (a very different type of game, mind you). Sure, you could get through the game just mashing X (and Y to counter occasionally) and win the fights, but it's way more fun to pull off impressive looking combos utilizing all the different buttons. By the same token, you could win most fights in Bayonetta just mashing one or two buttons, on the easier difficulty levels, at least, but the whole point of these Devil May Cry types of brawlers is to pull off various cool looking combos to defeat your enemies as stylishly as possible. Bayonetta has a very robust combo system utilizing most of the buttons on a gamepad. No my friend that is an exaggeration, there is no way in Sleeping Dogs you could get through the martial arts fight by pushing one button. No way

Obviously you and I have a very different definition of what crude and vulgar is. I follow the Romance discussions on BSN and only a small number of users would fit your definition of crude and vulgar. For me the discussions are robust, honest and opinionated and that's a healthy part of a debate. So yes I do call it a win

I think you are missing my point or I am clearly missing yours Obviously that's not how I speak or how I would speak about a Romance option. This is just an example to highlight how a crass comment around heterosexual sexual innuendo would be more acceptable than a crass comment around homosexual sexual innuendo. I would think this would be obvious so epic fail on trying to understand my post. That's a D- on interpretation Gromnir, D - .....

Ouch, that does look painful...

That's a clever way for them to generate more revenue and have some fun at the same time, play the patriot card Personally I like both types of waffles but I am more use to traditional sweet Belgian waffles...not the savoury type

Its harder than you may realize to find articles that don't across in a way that annoys people more than they encourage debate. Even this article I thought was great but after reading some of the criticism I now realize parts of the message will be lost due to the writers posting style. But I'll carry on looking and post one when its relevant

I have been only active on various forums for the last 5 years so I didn't know about previous attempts on inclusivity like that Alfa example so that's interesting and good to know. But I want to focus on the last paragraph, I don't want to give undeserved credit to Bioware but I also think we should recognize that Bioware has created a popular and well known "safe " zone for gay gamers where they can discuss Romance options without fear of ridicule or criticism. And this is important as this is part of the discussion around inclusivity in games and gaming websites This is not the same thing as websites that won't tolerate Homophobia. My experience around gay Romance discussions is that this is one of the most contentious issues that people battle to accept. For example if I go to any gaming website that is discussing Romance in Bioware games and say "Wow Isabela was hot, nice breasts on that one. I would have loved to tap that ass" the most criticism I would receive is something along the lines of " that's crude"...or " wow you are objectifying women in a crass way " or something similar Now take that same example but let me rather raise the fact that Anders was hot then describe how I want to have sex with him and I can guarantee you the criticism will be much more personal and vituperative Even on these forums where I've been involved in Romance discussion there has been criticism directed towards Romance along the lines of " BSN actually encourages inter-racial relationships" and "We don't mind Romance but the thought of gay Romance is not right ". So in summary I don't think we can downplay what websites like BSN do for inclusivity and the fact that they create "safe" zones for minority groups. Yes they didn't start them and they aren't the only ones but I still think BSN plays an important part in the narrative of equality and fair treatment of all gamers

I don't even... Please explain why you are objecting to what I am saying. I don't want to assume

Comment later, I would like to hear your view

You funny Monte My perspective on social justice issues and what change I can effect is reasonable. There are no contradictions in my logic despite what you are alluding to I don't see why appreciation of the female form and appreciation of aesthetics means I can't say I take social justice issues seriously? Let me ask you something. Why if I go to a strip club does that mean I can't say I am opposed to Sexism? I can't offer those strippers a job and I can't fund there lifestyle choices. But I support the fact that they have free choice in what job they are doing. As long as the strippers aren't victims of human trafficking who am I to judge them?

Interesting perspective, I agree that the issue of bigotry is much more nuanced than some developer saying " look everyone, in this game we have a female and African American character. You can see how committed we are to transformation and addressing the social injustices of the past" This is going to make no difference to what certain people really think or behave in private but are they target market for these types of social initiatives? I think these types of campaigns are aimed more at a moderate and reasonable audience I think that gaming is one medium that you can get a certain message across and set a certain narrative. Think about just 7 years ago, the thought of homosexual Romance options in games was unheard of. Now Bioware has bravely and correctly changed this design in the interests of inclusivity. Nowadays its really not acceptable to go to most forums and make comments like " gay people must burn in the fires of hell and the only good gay person is a dead gay person" So even though homophobia is still practised and prevalent in certain countries the narrative and type of bigoted comments are just not acceptable in many countries and on many places in the Internet. This is a progressive and appreciated change for me and this example applies to all other forms of discrimination So in summary I think gaming can raise awareness around real social justice issues. It can't necessarily change a persons personal views or the real suffering of the indigent but it doesn't have to. Its just about the message that hopefully resonates with people. Once people believe in the message than they can decide on there own what they want to do next. And maybe they will want to work part time in a soup kitchen?

The whole " generic white man rescuing bikini clad babes" is more symbolic, I don't think its meant to be taken literally?

You miss the point Bruce. The swear words he uses don't faze me. So no, I'm not so sensitive that if someone uses **** online that it offends me. It doesn't. However, as I said it may offend others. If other people are offended and can't get past the first paragraph, then he's lost readers. And the author using such words are not doing themselves any favours by using them when more effective words can be used. It comes across as a childish rant and lazy writing. And it's not about having a thick skin. I have a pretty think skin myself. It's about presentation. The article could have been written better without all the shouting and have had a more dramatic impact with the readers. And being online, do you think it appropriate that someone who makes any type of presentation, written or even video, that shouting at the audience is an effective way of communication? For instance, would people who follow Anita Sarkeesian like it if she ranted and shouted at her audience? I mean in your words, "What happened to the importance of free speech and having a thick skin?" When I see such articles, full of vitriol, swearing and shouting, I just zone out and move on. I'm not offended by it, I just can't be bothered reading it. If it was presented better, I would have read it all. Oh and you don't mind people shouting at you? If someone was shouting at you, you would just stand there and be okay with it? I mean, in your words, What happened to the importance of free speech and having a thick skin? I do find it funny you would compare this article to RPG Codex. I am now of the opinion that this article is not going to achieve its desired result because of how the message is being conveyed. So you make some good points around the whole belligerence of the author and the bad first impression he makes, but I did say "you need to get past the first paragraph" But for me I try to question the message, in other words " Attack the Argument, Not the Person" So I am more interested in what he is saying than the fact he is shouting ( but yes this can be annoying and counterproductive )