Q Attack, Round 32 - Is it Really Wrong to Murder Your Relatives to Inherit the Family Fortune if They are all Especially Loathsome People?

Tiger plans to end 2016 with a figurative and literal bang with Entry 32 of Q Attack. The last discussion of the year finds her and Rabbit chatting about the hit Broadway comedy, a Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Both decide what they would do if they were heiresses to a family fortune which had eight other heirs before them.

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Rabbit: Nani sore… imi wakannai.

Tiger: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you too.

Rabbit: No, really. I don’t get it. What is with this Q Attack’s topic?

Tiger: I thought it would be a fun conversation to have.

Rabbit: It’s the last post of the year and you want to end it with this? There’s no hidden message here, right? You’re not trying to give me a hint about what my Christmas gift is… do I need to start locking my bedroom door at night?

Tiger: Well, you know in the wild I would technically eat you.

Rabbit: ^turns pale^

Tiger: What? It’s true.

Rabbit: Dareka tasukete!!

Tiger: Bunny arrow shoot-o!

Rabbit: ^shocked face^ You really are planning to off me so you can inherit my collection of ramune marbles!

Tiger: Why would I want those?

Rabbit: Then it’s the keychain collection you’re after!

Tiger: Useless.

Rabbit: My mint NakNaks then!

Tiger: You still have those?

Rabbit: I know what it is, you want to kill me for my Pogs.

Tiger: Okay, first off, I don’t want to kill you. Chill out, will ya. Second, you don’t even own anything I want. Technically, we share most of our stuff anyway.

Rabbit: Hey! I have a lot of valuable stuff. I’m kashikoi kawaii Rabichika after all.

Tiger: *shakes head*

Rabbit: So, if you aren’t trying to kill me for my stuff, what are we doing here?

Tiger: Don’t you remember we went to see a Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder this past summer? I thought we could chat about the show, its music, and its awesome premise. Especially with the holidays about us, I’m sure many of us wish we could just off all of our relatives. *laughs*

Rabbit: ^laughs^ Wait, no, I’m sure many of us have not wished that. I worry about you sometimes, Tiger.

Tiger: *shakes head* A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is the Tony Award’s Best Musical of 2014.

Rabbit: It’s based off of the 1907 novel, Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal which also the source for the 1949 movie, Kind Hearts and Coronets starring Alec Guinness.

Tiger: Gentleman’s story revolves around Monty Navarro, who after his mother’s death, finds out he’s descended from the noble D’Ysquith family. Monty decides to eliminate the eight heirs above him in the line of succession all while juggling an affair with a married woman and wooing his cousin.

Rabbit: Monty definitely has his work cut out for him as he meets the D’Ysquith family, all played by John Rapson of the national touring cast. Kevin Massey plays Monty, who throughout the show always seems to have poison in his pocket and concocts many ill-fated incidents for the D’Ysquiths.

Tiger: But before Monty can target his first D’Ysquith; he proposes to his love, Sibella played by Kristen Beth Williams, but she shuns him. After all, he only has a promise of a noble name and no money to back it up. She, on the other hand, has a rich suitor waiting to marry her. Even though she still loves Monty, Sibella loves money and status even more.

Rabbit: Being spurned by Sibella, Monty finds the resolve to confront Reverend Lord Ezekial D’Ysquith to try and be recognized by the family as a true member and heir.

Tiger: The Reverend refuses to advocate on Monty’s behalf and while the two are standing on top of the belfry, a gust of wind causes the D’Ysquith to lose his balance. Instead of helping him, Monty lets him fall to his death. Thus, begins Monty’s bloody quest to reach the top of the D’Ysquith family.

Rabbit: Eventually, Monty actually becomes quite successful after working for another member of the D’Ysquith family. He even begins dating Phoebe D’Ysquith, whose brother was killed by Monty.

Tiger: It’s probably a good time to point out that Gentleman is a comedy which makes these deaths all the more fun. An ice skating accident, sending someone to Africa only to have them return alive, bees, and poisonous flowers are utilized to their fullest to try and knock off every D’Ysquith Monty comes across.

Rabbit: And the lyrics are very witty and filled with memorable turns of phrase. Paired with a catchy melodic score, the music helps convey the morbid comedy throughout the show.

Tiger: I can’t stress how good this score is. Not only does the music poke fun at other theatrical musical styles but the lyrics really are quite clever. The original cast recording is amazing and the national tour lived up to the expectations I had when we went to see the show live.

Rabbit: The stage effects were also spot on. Simple yet added to the humor of all the deaths that occurred. It’s hard to compare it to some of the other musicals we’ve seen but I definitely say production wise, it had the best theatre vibe. No wonder it looked so great since it won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design, it was really stunning.

Tiger: So, are you ready to answer the question; is it really wrong to murder your relatives to inherit the family fortune if they are all especially loathsome people?

Rabbit: I feel like I’m getting set up here. Yes, I think it is wrong to murder people no matter the circumstance. Yeah, Monty was mad that his mother was forced to live in poverty and denied by her family just because she eloped. Does that give him the right to murder eight people, however terrible they all were, just so he could become the Ninth Earl of Highhurst? No, it doesn’t. Granted, it would have been a terrible show if he didn’t kill anyone but still, it definitely doesn’t make it right. It seems to me that no one was really sad that the D’Ysquiths were getting knocked off one by one though so maybe he was doing the world a service.

Tiger: That’s a good point. Of course I’m going to say no to this question. C’mon, everyone has to have fantasized about killing an annoying relative that you just can’t get rid of. Especially around the holidays, man they can get on your nerves. If one of those relatives had a huge fortune that you were going to inherit, well that it would make it all the sweeter. Now, I’m not encouraging people to really start offing their relatives, but we can dream, can’t we? As for Monty, I quite respect the lengths he went to on his journey to become Earl. He really had to get creative with some of the family members and his problem solving skills were very impressive.

Rabbit: Sometimes, I don’t know when you’re joking.

Tiger: It was impressive. Just take a look at the lyrics from the Reprise of Poison in my Pocket.

I am sitting here with poison in my pocket
Look whose head is finally on the block
It seems that now at last the moment I've been waiting for is here

All that's really left to be decided is the dish to put the poison in provided
I can do what must be done discreetly when the coast is clear
I confess it pains me some to ruin someone's cooking - Oh, for god's sake, now another servant's looking
I have had a run of luck but this one does require skill

Fish or fowl, it must be well-selected so that no one else at all will be affected
What an awful waste to do in someone I don't want to kill

Rabbit: I’m not letting you make Christmas dinner.

Tiger: Oh, c’mon, you can’t be serious.

Rabbit: You aren’t getting close to the gravy ever.

Is it Really Wrong to Murder Your Relatives to Inherit the Family Fortune if They are all Especially Loathsome People?
Tiger     vs     Rabbit

Q Attack, Round 31 - Are 0.5 Console Upgrades Desirable?

The PlayStation 4 Pro just recently launched and Xbox: Project Scorpio is still on its way. Tiger and Rabbit sit down to discuss these 0.5 console upgrades and whether they are really worth paying extra for.

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Tiger: Hey Rabbit, why the glum face?

Rabbit: We’re obsolete, Tiger! What are we gonna do?

Tiger: What do you mean, it’s not like we’re the T-800. I mean, I know we’re a little older now and maybe not as hip as we used to be or as well informed with pop culture but-

Rabbit: ^throws up hands^ That’s not what I mean! And I’m still totally hip and groovin’, no what I mean is that we’re gaming on an obsolete console.

Tiger: Oh, not this. You always get sucked into buying the latest and the greatest tech. You’re lucky you haven’t been screwed over every single time.

Rabbit: Hey, you’re one to talk, you also do the same thing. After all, who was it that wanted to get the PS3 at launch with its lovely $600 price tag.

Tiger: *shakes finger* That’s different… I’m not sure how but I’ll tell you when I figure it out.

Rabbit: So what are we gonna do now? With the PS4 Pro out, our launch PS4 is like a dinosaur in comparison.

Tiger: We’re going to wait until our launch PS4 dies before we replace it with a PS4 Pro. C’mon, just look at it, there’s nothing really worth the extra $100 and we even have the 4K setup!

Rabbit: But having all our games run smoother and look better would be amazing!

Tiger: I’d rather have developers finally lock down 60fps than have games upscaled to 4K.

Rabbit: You don’t think we’ll have native 4K for games?

Tiger: I’ll believe it when I see it. But I think we should back up just a bit. We aren’t talking about the PS4 slim and Xbox One S, I have no problems with them. Of course we were going to see newer and smaller versions of the current gen consoles as they tweak the innards of these consoles and make it more efficient to produce.

Rabbit: Yup, Sony has always come out with a fitter version of every console, even its handhelds. We usually upgrade to these versions when our launch consoles start to give up the ghost.

Tiger: What we’re specifically talking about are these 0.5 console upgrades that aren’t full on new iterations but significant upgrades to the current consoles. It’s like the smartphone upgrade year after year except for gaming consoles.

Rabbit: That’s a scary thought, seeing these things upgrade every year.

Tiger: I’d be shocked if they did that. The PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One Scorpio, which isn’t out until 2017, are supposed to be the stepping stones before we leap to the next console cycle.

Rabbit: You can at least see their benefit, right? It’s not all fear and loathing with you.

Tiger: I resent that remark but yes, I totally understand the move I just don’t like it.

Rabbit: There are some great benefits to having these 0.5 upgrades. Newer tech and cheaper ways to produce it for one thing. We get better graphics with 4K being the real push. Each 0.5 console also touts better processing power which is a boon for developers.

Tiger: With VR being so important too, these new upgrades were designed to really support it. But c’mon, how much can the developers really utilize their new-found power when all games have to work on the standard PS4 and Xbox One? The benefits to me are merely cosmetic, which isn’t a bad thing, since gaming is very much a visual medium. Seriously though, how many people are going to be streaming 4K movies or can even do that? How many have 4K TVs? And with the PS4 Pro, it sounds like it’s just an upscaling console more than anything?

Rabbit: True, while Project Scorpio isn’t out yet, it definitely looks to be the more powerful console. If anything, I think Scorpio could be the one that’s really worth the investment.

Tiger: Yes, I think Sony hurt itself by doing two stupid things. One was pitting PSVR and PS4 Pro against each other this holiday season, because no normal person is going to drop $800 on new equipment. Then with the slim Xbox One $50 cheaper than the slim PS4, right there it feels like you get more for your buck with MS.

Rabbit: Wow, Tiger going all pro MS for a change.

Tiger: It’s true though, I’m not going to pick one up but for the parent or family member who is shopping for a Christmas gift, that pricing makes a big deal. Then you look at the Pro and it’s $100 on top of a standard PS4 but what’s the real benefit for your average consumer? I, personally, don’t feel it’s worth the extra money. If I need to replace my system, I’d buy a Pro but I’m not going to go out of my way for these 0.5 upgrades.

Rabbit: Well, I think we all know what Tiger’s answer to this Q Attack is.

Tiger: I don’t think 0.5 console upgrades are desirable because I feel it’s just the gaming industry trying to milk us for all we’re worth. They’re trying to get us to adopt VR which is already expensive no matter the way you look at it and now they offer these upgraded consoles with the promise of better graphics and processing power. It’s true that they give us that but when the developers still have to make sure games work on the standard consoles, how much better can they really be? I definitely think 4K is gorgeous and the way to go to play video games but for those who haven’t adopted this new tech, it’s not worth it. It bothers me too that they think we’re all made of money. It’s like the new iPhone, we know a couple of people who fork out $500 or more for the newest iPhone every time it freaking comes out. I don’t want to be put in the position that a similar business practice reaches gaming.

Rabbit: I understand your concern but think about how long these consoles life-cycles are. You’re looking at nearly 10 years that game developers have to use the exact same technology to produce games yet are still expected to make advancements in graphics and gameplay. That’s like asking a chef to use the same ingredients over and over again to make newer and better dishes. Giving the developers flexibility with more powerful consoles with these so-called 0.5 upgrades allows them to continue to push the medium forward. And the great thing is that you aren’t forced to upgrade if you don’t feel the need or don’t have the latest gadget to fully maximize these consoles. Unlike a new console generation, you won’t have to worry about not having new games developed for your platform. We were very excited for the PS4 but we also knew many who felt forced to pick it up because its launched signaled the death of the PS3. This isn’t true with the Pro, it’s a more powerful system for a specific consumer base. If it doesn’t fit your needs, you can stay with your standard PS4 and it won’t affect you. But if you happen to be hip on tech, you have the opportunity now to really utilize it with these upgraded systems. I think it’s a win/win for everyone.

Tiger: So are you going to get one?

Rabbit: Heck no, I don’t have the cash for that.

Tiger: I rest my case.

Rabbit: Hey, that’s not fair! You can’t just leave it like that! Come back here, Tiger!

Are 0.5 Console Upgrades Desirable?
Tiger     vs     Rabbit

Q Attack, Round 30 - Should Video Games be Turned into Board Games?

Recently, Tiger has been addicted to the XCOM: The Board Game by Fantasy Flight Games. She and Rabbit discuss other video game based board games and why someone would want to play them over their digital counterparts. Read on to find out which furry mammal thinks video games should be turned into board games.

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Tiger: Hey Rabbit, want to play a game?

Rabbit: Sure.

Tiger: It will just take me a few minutes to set up the board.

Rabbit: Wait, what?

Tiger: Yeah, I need to get the cards sorted and set up the figures then we'll be ready to play.

Rabbit: No, I don't want to play a board game. I thought you meant we were going to play a video game.

Tiger: It's kind of a video game, it's XCOM: The Board Game from FFG.

Rabbit: This isn't the game you've been ranting and raving about, is it?

Tiger: *raises hands* It is! It's so awesome. You actually play it just like the video game. You and up to three other players work together to take on the aliens which is controlled by the companion app. UFOs will appear in orbit and descend on the various continents. Your base can get attacked while you have your squad out on missions. It's a crazy game and it changes every time you play because of the app. I love it.

Rabbit: I can tell. I just don't get why you'd want to turn a really great video game into a board game. Board games are well, boring.

Tiger: Take that back, they are so not boring! I love board games, there's just something intimate about having actual cards, figures, and dice in front of you. It can be just as exciting as a video game when the action unfolds. You just have to use your imagination a little.

Rabbit: ^rolls eyes^ It sounds like you have to use it a lot. I just don't get why you'd want to even do that.

Tiger: It's not unheard of to turn a video game into a board or tabletop game. There was the Dragon Age RPG, I never got it but I heard good things about that.

Rabbit: Okay, that game kind of makes sense since the lore of Dragon Age is so rich. I can see that being a cool RPG similar to what FFG did with Game of Thrones but XCOM?

Tiger: It's really fun playing with your friends and it's a co-op game too.

Rabbit: You just like board games.

Tiger: I do, I find that they are a fun way to pass the time with friends. While I enjoy video games, you don't really interact as much as you do when you play a tabletop game. Plus, you actually have to use your brain a little bit more like counting up die and other math problems.

Rabbit: Like X-Wing Miniatures, that game took a lot of effort to play.

Tiger: I admit that one can be a bit tedious at times. There are video game themed board games you enjoyed like Mass Effect Risk.

Rabbit: That one looked cool but essentially it was just a reskinned version of Risk.

Tiger: I kind of want to get the Fallout Monopoly game but I know I won't want to use that one at all.

Rabbit: I get that you love tabletop games but it's hard enough to find people online to play video games with, how do you find real-life people to play with?!

Tiger: Yeah, it's tough, especially since I can't count on you to play with me. I have a few friends that like tabletop games so we try to get together to play once in a while. There's also a store nearby that host events though I've never actually participated myself. They tend to focus on the card games.

Rabbit: Speaking of card games...

Tiger: I don't know what you're talking about.

Rabbit: You bad, bad kitty, you.

Tiger: It's all your fault.

Rabbit: ^throws hands in air^ How is this my fault?

Tiger: You were the one that had us talk about all our old collections from back in the day.

Rabbit: I think we're getting off topic; we should table this until RHT.

Tiger: That's a first, you wanting us to get back on track.

Rabbit: So you like it when companies turn video games into board games?

Tiger: I do, as long as they do it well and respectfully. Like with Fantasy Flight Games, the XCOM board game holds true to what XCOM the video game is. It is a turn-based strategy game that keeps a lot of the same elements such as alien research, every enemy is dangerous, and even the money woes from the video game. It's a great iteration and a fun take on an already great game. Some video games just lend themselves well to the tabletop world. Like Dragon Age, I could see a TES or Fallout RPG. Even shooters like Gears of War had great board game iterations. But I think the strategy video games translate the best. Just look at Civilization: The Board Game, another game from FFG. That is a great and fun experience that anyone can pick up and play. There was even a Street Fighter card game that was pretty cool. I loved the idea of customizing your character with different move cards. I never got the chance to play it but I've heard that it was a fun experience that stayed true to the essence that is Street Fighter. Speaking of card games, the Uncharted card game was a blast to play and I still dust that game off when friends come over. I just think board games are another way to express your love for a franchise. You spend so much time in the video game world; why not translate that into the real world via a tabletop game. And while video game themed games like Mass Effect Monopoly are cool, I prefer when they make a new tabletop game like with XCOM. It's just a fun way to experience a franchise you love in a different light.

Rabbit: I don't know about you. It's kind of like video game movies, why not keep them video games? I like playing board games too but I would rather see the gorgeous set pieces of Uncharted or Bioshock Infinite on my TV screen rather than trying to recreate it with little tiny plastic figures or cards. I just think it's another way for them to cash in on these IPs and milk them for all they're worth. Like with Monopoly, we've seen every iteration under the sun of that game from Zelda to Mass Effect to who knows what. It was cool at first to see video game characters sort of in the main stream, if you can call board games main stream, but now they slap 'em on the box and expect the money to pour down. I'd rather see these video game characters where they belong, in a video game.

Tiger: Does this mean you aren't going to play Fallout Monopoly with me?

Should Video Games be Turned into Board Games?
Tiger     vs     Rabbit

Q Attack, Round 29 – Has E3 Lived Past its Prime?

Tiger and Rabbit make their triumphant return to discuss E3 2016 and all the games unveiled at the show. They also chat about how E3 has changed over the years and whether it is still an important video game venue in the age of internet streaming.

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Tiger: We’re back!

Rabbit: Just like dinosaurs!

Tiger: After a four-month hiatus, we’re back in action.

Rabbit: Yes, we spent four long months training in the Himalayans to channel our chakras and master our ultimate forms.

Tiger: *shakes head* I’m pretty sure that was all in your head, Rabbit.

Rabbit: Then, we mastered the technique to create gelnanas!

Tiger: Nope.

Rabbit: We discovered lost treasure and became famous adventurers?

Tiger: Still wrong.

Rabbit: We vegged, loafed around, and played lots of videos games?

Tiger: That sounds like us.

Rabbit: That’s still exciting!

Tiger: A special thanks to our readers for sticking around and waiting for the return of Tiger Vs. Rabbit.

Rabbit: Yes, thank you so much Qgers and Qbbits! TvR is ready to bring you more craziness with a mix of video games, Otaku culture, and the random music rant.

Tiger: Before we get to the meat of the discussion, since it has been some time, what have you been up to?

Rabbit: Well, after a rocky start to our relationship, things with Kent have been great.

Tiger: Kent?

Rabbit: Yes, he’s the nicest guy once you break down his harsh exterior.

Tiger: From Amnesia?

Rabbit: ^blushes^ Yes.

Tiger: You’re still going on about that otome game?

Rabbit: But I love Kent so much.

Tiger: *rolls eyes* I’m starting to regret coming back.

Rabbit: Hidoi yo!

Tiger: I won’t make fun of your hot anime guys if you stop harking on my love of all things TES.

Rabbit: ^crosses arms^ No deal!

Tiger: *sighs* Have you played anything new?

Rabbit: I finally started Life is Strange and am enjoying it so far. We both didn’t attend a traditional high school so I’ve always wondered what it would be like. Hopefully, it’s not like Max’s school, that place is full of scary people.

Tiger: I find high schoolers in general to be scary.

Rabbit: The music is terrible though. So bad, it hurts my ears. What about you? How have you fulfilled your violent needs these past four months?

Tiger: I don’t have violent needs.

Rabbit: Then why are you playing your 24th playthrough of The Last of Us.

Tiger: It’s my Grounded Plus playthrough, I’ll have you know, and I’m doing it for the trophy.

Rabbit: Oh, I see how it is; you trophy whor-

Tiger: Hey! I’ve also been playing games like Destiny and Tom Clancy’s The Division.

Rabbit: ^shakes finger at Tiger^ Tsk, tsk. There’s that violent side of you.

Tiger: I’m not the one who yells “fry baby, fry” when I use my super in Destiny.

Rabbit: I love my Exo Titan. She was a toaster in a previous life who dreamed of being an idol singer being recycled into a Guardian and she now vows to save the galaxy.

Tiger: She’s also not at level 40 yet, what’s taking you so long? My Awoken Hunter is tired of saving you all the time.

Rabbit: Those glowing eyes of hers are creepy. Anyway, I’m taking my time to enjoy the story and experience.

Tiger: *curls lips* Destiny has a story?

Rabbit: Har, har, it has a… what you could call an attempt at a story. It’s like a concept that was never fully fleshed out.

Tiger: I do enjoy the gameplay but that game is so dry. The Division is fun, I’m not too deep into it yet but have enjoyed running around Manhattan so far.

Rabbit: Don’t shoot the poor puppy dogs!

Tiger: Speaking of The Division, Eagle got me the interactive adventure companion book for my birthday. It’s pretty awesome. It has removable artifacts and everything.

Rabbit: Eagle got me a movie for my birthday, the Owl and the Sparrow. Must be friends of his.

Tiger & Rabbit: Thanks Eagle for the gifts!

Tiger: And thank you Rabbit for the Gundam Weapons gunplay book. Really enjoying the photos in it.

Rabbit: And even though you can be so mean to me, you got me the Hakuouki Sweet School Life artbook! ^squeals^ Saitō, my love! You look gorgeous in a school uniform!

Tiger: I’m starting to regret that too.

Rabbit: Aww!

Tiger: I think it’s time we get to the real reason why we’re back.

Rabbit: To talk about E3!

Tiger: Did you have fun watching all the coverage?

Rabbit: I did even if my butt was super sore by the end of it. There were so many great looking games from titles we’ve already seen before such as Horizon: Zero Dawn to small indie titles we haven’t seen much of like ABZU.

Tiger: There really was a ton of content. The pressers were all pretty good this year. Everyone had great games to show, except EA but who counts them anymore, and I was generally surprised by some of the titles unveiled.

Rabbit: Like Resident Evil 7! Scary!

Tiger: Or Death Stranding.

Rabbit: Engrish, anyone?

Tiger: Or that The Last Guardian finally has a release date. I thought I heard hell freeze over at the exact moment Sony announced the date.

Rabbit: ^squeals^ YES! Cannot wait to play with my bird puppy guy.

Tiger: I also enjoyed what I saw from Titanfall 2. Now, we never played the first game since it wasn’t on the PS4 but its sequel is definitely on my radar now.

Rabbit: You and your mechs.

Tiger: Don’t forget space! I love space too and there was that one space game I’m really interested in.

Rabbit: ^perks ears up^ I’m sorry, which one was that?

Tiger: You know, the one where you’re in a space fighter and then actually board a ship. It was shown during Sony’s press conference right after all the VR games were shown.

Rabbit: Still don’t remember it. What is it called?

Tiger: That Space Game.

Rabbit: Is that an official title?

Tiger: No.

Rabbit: Sorry, I’m drawing a complete blank.

Tiger: You’re going to make me say it out loud, aren’t you?

Rabbit: I have no clue what you’re talking about.

Tiger: You’re going to make me admit it in front of everyone that I’m excited for… that game.

Rabbit: Yup.

Tiger: *shakes head* It’s… it’s call… it’s… Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.

Rabbit: I can’t hear you.

Tiger: Fine! It’s Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.

Rabbit: ^silence^

Tiger: You aren’t going to say something snappy?

Rabbit: ^blank stare^

Tiger: C’mon, it’s not that bad.

Rabbit: … ^laughs^ Buahahahahahaha!

Tiger: Geez, you laugh like Meiling.

Rabbit: ^giggling^ Sorry, I just can’t believe that you actually admitted that you’re excited for a CoD game. You, the hater of CoD, I’m just surprised is all.

Tiger: It’s in space! It looks completely different from everything they’ve done in the past.

Rabbit: ^laughs^

Tiger: *gives Rabbit death glare*

Rabbit: Okay, I’ll stop bringing it up. You’re right though, it does look very different from past iterations.

Tiger: That grappling hook, man.

Rabbit: Battlefield 1 is also a game that is looking to reinvent itself by going back in time to WWI.

Tiger: I actually think that’s a good idea. I saw some real matches being played and it looks really fun. Those airships too. They look amazing when they’re destroyed. And the weather effects were impressive; like seeing raindrops collect on the guns.

Rabbit: There were also games we knew about but got to see more of like Horizon: Zero Dawn, Dishonored 2, and Detroit: Become Human.

Tiger: Oxford comma FTW.

Rabbit: I’ve always been a fan of Quantic Dream but I know their games, if you can really call them that, aren’t the greatest. Detroit looks like they’ve learned a lot and it impressed me.

Tiger: I can agree with you there, I’m not a huge fan of them but the trailer was compelling. I’m curious to see how the rest of the game plays out. David Cage has a tendency to put really stupid plot points in that ruins his games.

Rabbit: I was already stoked for Horizon when we saw it last year and I’ve guzzled even more of Guerilla’s Kool-Aid. I am in love with this game. They finally showed more of the RPG elements including dialogue and the open-world map. We got to see more combat gameplay and they briefly touched on the story too. Super excited and for those who like great graphics, like Tiger, it looks spectacular.

Tiger: You also mentioned Dishonored 2, which we saw at Bethesda’s presser last year. I really haven’t dived into the first game much but after seeing gameplay of Dishonored 2, I’m really interested in it now. The mixture of stealth, supernatural powers, weapons, and a steampunk-esque vibe makes Dishonored look like nothing else at the show.

Rabbit: Bethesda was kind of a strange press conference since they didn’t really announce anything new.

Tiger: Skyrim remastered, enough said.

Rabbit: *sighs* Now I get to hear you recount stories of Dar’Raza the Khajiit all over again. There were new IPs shown too like Ubisoft’s Steep and Sony’s Days Gone.

Tiger: Not a fan of Ubisoft Annecy so Steep didn’t interest me but I love Studio Bend so I will get Days Gone no matter what.

Rabbit: We also saw some old IPs return like god of War.

Tiger: Kratos is a viking!

Rabbit: I was confused by that. I was expecting it to be an alternate version of Kratos or maybe a spiritual successor. Not the man/god himself.

Tiger: Ubisoft also had a sequel to show off with Watch Dogs 2.

Rabbit: I know you’re the big Ubi fan, what did you think of the games they showed?

Tiger: I’m really not excited for WD2, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands, or Steep. But For Honor has me cautiously excited.

Rabbit: I agree with you there, For Honor’s combat looks brutal and I mean that in a good way. Sony did show a ton of games. Almost too many in fact.

Tiger: Is that even possible?

Rabbit: Yes, when I barely have time to process RE7 or Death Stranding, they kept rolling on. Should’ve scheduled a minute breather so people could stop freaking out.

Tiger: *laughs* I knew you were screaming like the little kid that you are when Spider-Man from Insomniac was shown.

Rabbit: Ted Price has returned to me after his adulterous affair. It was hard but I forgive him now.

Tiger: *shakes head* Not even going to comment on that.

Rabbit: I thought Farpoint looked interesting. It’s a VR game uses the new Aim controller. Yup, the Move Sharpshooter doesn’t work with this game either.

Tiger: Yay for more plastic crap for us to store. Speaking of VR, the only game I need is EVE: Valkyrie.

Rabbit: Because space?

Tiger: Because space!

Rabbit: There were so many indie titles announced too. Pox Nora has me interested.

Tiger: And you complain about my collectable card game habits.

Rabbit: This is a video game; it’s not like I have boxes of cards lying everywhere.

Tiger: I’m stoked that Darkest Dungeon is getting released on the PS4! That game looks amazing.

Rabbit: So many games so little time.

Tiger: We watched all the pressers and three solid days of coverage too. I really felt bloated on video games.

Rabbit: We were also watching from various sources too including the official PlayStation livestream, YouTube’s coverage, IGN, Kinda Funny Vids, and GameSpot just to name a few.

Tiger: With so many ways to get information on video games nowadays, do you think E3 has lived past its usefulness?

Rabbit: It’s true that many big publishers are choosing to do their own events or showcase their games in different ways like Nintendo’s Treehouse event or EA skipping the show floor to do their own event.

Tiger: I remember when Activision also used to do a press conference but they haven’t had one for a while.

Rabbit: I remember way back when, the only way we got to see E3 coverage was with PlayStation Underground discs.

Tiger: They had that cool 360-degree video of the show floor one year. It was great.

Rabbit: Now, everyone and their dog has E3 coverage. And if it’s not at E3, it’s at the dozens of other game events that happen around the world. It’s almost as if you don’t need the big trade event because many publishers seem to focus on their own events now. Even Sony has their own little expo. I think E3’s days are numbered. It’s got to be a huge undertaking to put on a show of its size and now that they’re losing publishers and developers, it will only be a matter of time before it’s not even worth putting together. Now, if they completely opened it to the public like PAX does, then maybe it’s a different story. In its current iteration, I don’t see E3 having a long future. Plus, all the leaks that happen days and months before E3, makes me wonder why we need these huge showcases. Microsoft’s entire press was on the internet before E3 even started. If people want information on what publishers are doing, they’re going to find it one way or the other. Trying to host these monstrous events just seems absurd in this day and age.

Tiger: I don’t think it will go away completely, many members of the industry still need E3 for its ability to bring together the movers and the shakers. While the internet and communication in general has changed many things, there is still nothing like seeing a product first and getting to try it out yourself. Can you imagine the poor executive or journalist that would have to go to dozens of events just to chase down the various developers? The expenses would be insane, at E3 though, everyone is under the same roof and it makes it convenient to see what you need to see. Think of VR too, that is something you have to have hands-on experience with. At E3, all the developers can have their games running on the hardware for people to try and it’s done in a controlled environment too. Yes, I think it would be great for them to open it to the public but I also think of all the professionals there and how much more difficult it would make their jobs.

Rabbit: I see your point there. Maybe they should split it, have a couple days dedicated to true professionals and then the rest of the event be open to everyone.

Tiger: Sometimes I wonder how professional you need to be to get into E3 too. Some of those supposed journalists are just fans with a blog.

Rabbit: You know something?

Tiger: What?

Rabbit: We’re fans with a blog; we should try to get into E3.

Tiger: In your dreams!

Rabbit: I want to experience a donut wall and food conveyor belt!

Has E3 Lived Past its Prime?
Tiger     vs     Rabbit

Q Attack, Round 28 - Do Video Games Need to Diversify?

Tiger and Rabbit discuss the sensitive topic about race and its place in video games. Using their experiences with multiple games, these fuzzy buddies examine how race in video games impact their viewpoints.

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Tiger: Well, you picked a doozy of a topic for this week, what brought this on?

Rabbit: I was playing Dying Light which is set in Harran, a fictional Turkish city. I was really surprised by the setting when I first booted up the game, it’s not a place that is common in video games.

Tiger: The only other games that come to mind with a Middle Eastern setting are Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and a few military shooters.

Rabbit: The thing that got me about this game is that you’re still playing a European-American character in Kyle Crane. It would have been cool to play as a native but nope, you’re playing another European-American male character.

Tiger: Oh, please don’t bring up the character’s sex, that’s a totally different wormhole.

Rabbit: But don’t you get tired of it? There’s Crane, Gordon Freeman, Chris Redfield, Cole MacGrath, Nathan Hale, Nathan Drake, and so on.

Tiger: I’m more tired of the name “Nathan.” I do see your point; we generally play as the same kind of character, especially in shooters. The last five games I played that didn’t feature customizable characters; all had European-American protagonists.

Rabbit: I don’t get why the protagonists in video games all tend to be the same when you can do literally whatever you want. We have games that send you into space to fight aliens, games that have you hunting demons, and I’ve even been locked up by a maniacal bear! You’d think we’d have more variety nowadays.

Tiger: You actually mentioned a couple of games there and I think we should clarify something.

Rabbit: What’s that?

Tiger: That we have two very broad schools of video games; western and Japanese. I think you could say that both styles have their own forms of racism and stereotyping but let’s just focus on western games for this Q Attack.

Rabbit: Very true, but even western developed video games come from all over the place like Europe or Canada. So, why do you think that European-Americans/people of European descent are predominantly featured?

Tiger: I think it’s a case of “you write what you know,” it doesn’t excuse the fact that there’s a lack of diversity but I think it does explain some of it. Just look at the developer interviews from E3. While there was a mixture of ethnicities shown, the vast majority of the developers shown were of European descent. But it hasn’t been all bad. Ubisoft did feature a Native American as the protagonist in Assassin’s Creed III and a female African-American Assassin in Liberation. You Mentioned Cole MacGrath but don’t forget Sucker Punch also had Delsin Rowe who was Native American as well.

Rabbit: True but Liberation was a Vita game that didn’t get the same coverage as the other AC games. Similar to the Asian Assassin in the 2D game they did recently. AC III and inFAMOUS Second Son were much larger games but I still felt like their cultural backgrounds weren’t done justice. What about the stereotypes that we’ve seen in games? Saints Row 2 comes to mind.

Tiger: That game kind of stereotyped a lot of things.

Rabbit: Ohio State University did a study with Saints Row 2 that showed video games can promote racist thoughts and behaviors. They randomly assigned European-American or African-American avatars to players and documented the results. Those who had been given African-American avatars tended to be more aggressive and violent than those using a European-American avatar. Afterwards, the participants were asked to rate how well they agreed with predetermined statements. Again, those who played with African-American avatars exhibited negative attitudes towards African-Americans.

Tiger: Point of order, I do want to point out that this study was done pretty poorly. The small sample size, how they generalized their findings, and the fact that they often “led” the participants with the questions shines a light on the validity of this study. That being said, I can see how always negatively portraying certain ethnicities by their stereotyped behavior can impact people’s views of that culture. I get tired of seeing how Asians are portrayed on television and in movies. We do not all look the same!

Rabbit: Or how they’ll take characters that are clearly Asian and have European-American actors play them.

Tiger: Another study by Ohio State University used Mass Effect 3 to show that video games can curb racism. Participants, both European-Americans and African-Americans, were paired together in teams. The cooperative behaviors promoted during multiplayer matches showed that the pro-social benefits often assigned to video games could also include reductions in racist thinking. Though the study has yet to publish its findings, other studies have documented the increase in the pro-social behaviors of video games, even when played competitively.

Rabbit: That’s great that video games can break down barriers but I still think it’s sad how blatant the stereotyping is. Going back to Dying Light, a lot is made out of Crane being an American. While there are other Turkish characters, most of the focal characters seem to be foreigners. And with Assassin’s Creed III, oftentimes Connor felt like an outsider in the game, largely in part of his ethnicity.

Tiger: I think Assassin’s Creed III’s protagonist was kind of a miss but not because he was Native American, while I enjoyed the game, it felt like they were trying to do too many things with the character while keeping him the “blank slate.” I think a lot of video games want the main character to be ambiguous so it’s easier for the player to project his or her identity onto the character. After all, what’s more boring than a European-American male character?

Rabbit: Ouch. I see your point but argue that you can have an enjoyable experience with a well defined non-European-American character. Faith from Mirror’s Edge was pretty cool.

Tiger: They didn’t delve into her as a character too much. I liked what they did with the new Lara Croft, she is white but at least she’s more diverse than what we’ve seen from her in the past.

Rabbit: You know who I’d really want to play as?

Tiger: Bugs Bunny?

Rabbit: Abigail Mills from Sleepy Hollow. Not saying it has to be that specific setting but I love her character archetype. Maybe even Dutch or Two from Killjoys and Dark Matter.

Tiger: Mayday, mayday, we’re veering off course again. Those are cool characters but I’d prefer Mills over the others. The Syfy characters feel like they were just written to be sexy, badass chicks and nothing more.

Rabbit: I just wish I could play as a character I identify with. I get tired of playing a guy all the time and wish there was more out there. I don’t want every game to feature a Japanese female lead but it would be nice to not always play the heroic soldier archetype that exists in almost every game.

Tiger: Now, you are so going to hate me for this but I actually really identified with my Khajiit character in Skyrim.

Rabbit: *shakes head*

Tiger: No really, hear me out. I think the Khajiit in Skyrim are treated a lot like ethnic minorities are in many places. They are ostracized, stereotyped, and subjected to inflammatory racial slurs all the time. Yet many of the characters that you meet don’t let these negative assumptions define them. Of course, some just choose to kill everyone that insults them, but I thought it was somewhat insightful for Bethesda to include that. So not every game makes you play as a big white dude. Then again, Dovakiin was always portrayed as a big white dude.

Rabbit: See! The only game I could think of where the main protagonist was a minority was Prototype 2. I know there are others, but there aren’t a lot of them. Not as many as there should be in this day and age.

Tiger: I’ve noticed in recent years there have been more female protagonists; especially at E3 we saw new games like Horizon: Zero Dawn feature them as well. Does it bother you when you play as a character that doesn’t match up with your identity?

Rabbit: I’m not sure I’d say it bothers me but it does get grating at times. While it’s not as prevalent, there was a time where every game I played felt like you had to save the princess. I like seeing women portrayed in different ways.

Tiger: This is going to go against the grain but I don’t always like having the tough and rumble female character because oftentimes they feel very shallow and poorly written. It’s like Michelle Rodriguez in every movie she’s ever been in. While she seems cool at first, you quickly realize that her characters have no substance. Plus, you can be protected and strong at the same time. Look at Ellie; while Joel does protect her, she is also capable of saving herself.

Rabbit: I really enjoyed how the women in Mass Effect were portrayed. That’s probably why I always played as a male Shepard. All of them had dimensions to their characters; they weren’t always strong or always needing saving. They evolved over time, and I think that’s what I want from my video games more than anything. I want characters that evolve and change, characters that can grow. I just want something different from the cookie cutter mold that plagues video game protagonists.

Tiger: What you said about growing reminds me of Ezio. Technically, he’s another protagonist from European descent but he stands out because of how he changed over the series. Even in just Assassin’s Creed II, Ezio started out as a brash youngster but then throughout the game, he was forced to mature. Not many characters ever feel like they’re evolving. Now, here’s the question. Do intimate scenes in video games bother you when you’re playing as a male character?

Rabbit: No, why would they? It’s not like I project myself so strongly into the protagonists that I become them.

Tiger: Just wondering, one of the other studies mentioned along the OSU study actually mentioned that male gamers were generally uncomfortable with intimate scenes while playing with a female avatar. Even situations as minor as holding hands or kissing, provoked this reaction.

Rabbit: What, were they using a bunch of thirteen year-old as test subjects?

Tiger: *laughs* Ah no, but I bet the results would have been very similar. Anyway, so I take it that you think video games should diversify?

Rabbit: I do think they should, it’s about time they do too. As much as I enjoy exploring different worlds, times, and scenarios; I want to be able to do that with different people as well. Let’s see what it’s like to be a Russian during the apocalypse.

Tiger: I think that’s already happened.

Rabbit: Then how about a little kid from South America or an African-American who isn’t portrayed as a gangbanger. Maybe, let’s not have the hipster kid with the glasses be some uber hacker or have the middle-aged guy be the soldier type. I understand why stereotypes are used, it’s an easy way to build a culture very quickly in a game, but I would like to see more substance. One of the reasons why Mirror’s Edge interested me right off the bat was because it had an Asian female protagonist. Wow! Shocking! I’m not saying that every game needs to have an ethnic minority as its protagonist or to just slap one in so you can check that box. What I want is a real effort to make an interesting character that we haven’t seen before. I think that the male European-American totally has his place in video games. I love Nathan Drake and other characters like him; I’m just asking why we have to have every video game protagonist be the same. I want to see someone new in my games and I think it’s about time to do that.

Tiger: Well, I guess I’m going to sound like the hateful racist here for saying that they don’t need to diversify more, but it’s not because I don’t believe that they should be diverse, it’s because I think we’re already heading there. While I know that player-controlled characters are predominantly European or of European descent, there are a lot of diverse characters out there. I do think more can be done but I don’t want developers to throw them in a game like they’re zombies.

Rabbit: But everyone loves zombies.

Tiger: You can overdo zombies, like you stated; it should be done with a purpose, not because developers feel pressure to make everyone happy. I think if they do a half-hearted job like that then no one will really be happy in the end. Video games are already diverse and will continue to trend that way as developers themselves become more diverse. We saw it at E3; there were so many studios that came from various parts of the world, many that did not have a major developer before. The stories they tell and the characters they craft can only be as diverse as they are. It’s coming, we just have to wait. And I can understand the logic behind using a European-American male character for a protagonist. After all, the majority of gamers are male and are of European descent. Again, not stating that this is the way it should be but it is what it is. Publishers don’t want to take the risk on a character or concept that may fail. We could easily argue that video games aren’t diverse in a lot of areas from setting to even gameplay. That’s why we have thousands of shooters, they sell. I am hopeful with games like Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, which has a male and female protagonist, that more gamers will be accepting of the changes. It’s only a matter of time.

Rabbit: Things are definitely trending that way but if they’re creating protagonists based off of their target demographic then why don’t all video games feature thirteen year olds?

Tiger: Now that would be a nightmare.

Do Video Games Need to Diversify?
Tiger     vs     Rabbit

Q Attack, Round 27 - Should You Import Games?

Tiger and Rabbit sit down to discuss importing video games from the United Kingdom, Japan, and Hong Kong. They chat about why they import games, what makes those games worth the extra money, and why you should or should not import games.

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Tiger: I’m having a hard time with Taiko no Tatsujin V Version.

Rabbit: Why’s that?

Tiger: I can’t read anything, it’s all in Japanese.

Rabbit: You actually imported that game?

Tiger: I did, I knew it wasn’t going to come out stateside so I bought it through Play-Asia.

Rabbit: A taiko drum game?

Tiger: *embarrassed* It had a lot of Vocaloid music. You’re one to talk, you imported Moe Chronicle.

Rabbit: I liked the first game; I figured I might as well get the second.

Tiger: *shakes head* You are perverted.

Rabbit: I know you picked up IA/VT as well. Why’d you get that one when you don’t import the Hatsune Miku games.

Tiger: I usually don’t like importing games because it’s a lot more expensive with shipping and everything but I knew that the IA game was never going to get a U.S. release. With Hatsune Miku, there were rumblings that DIVA was going to get a western release, so that’s why I waited.

Rabbit: I guess that makes sense. I imported Steins;Gate from from Rice Digital in the UK. They had the exclusive rights to the NA collector’s edition.

Tiger: Wait, wait, wait a minute. A UK company got the rights to distribute the North American version of Steins;Gate?

Rabbit: Makes no sense but that’s what happened. Amazon only had the standard physical edition, if you wanted the CE, you had to buy it from Rice Digital. I actually have a lot of PAL games that I’ve imported.

Tiger: Such as?

Rabbit: I have physical copies of Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty and WipEout HD Fury. I also picked up the Two Worlds II Game of the Year Edition a while back. I also have a lot of PSP games too like Exit 2 and Talkman. A few were gifts from friends in the UK or part of a trading program where I sent NA games in exchange for PAL games. What about you?

Tiger: I don’t have that many import games. I picked up the physical version of Okami, it’s the Asian version. I also have Gundam Breaker and Armored Core on PSP from Japan.

Rabbit: I do like that some of the Asian versions of games actually contain English subtitles.

Tiger: That’s very helpful. A lot of the anime is that way too, like the Persona movies. Don’t you think it’s odd that you, the Japanese gamer, import most of your games from the UK but I import them from Japan or Asia?

Rabbit: I can’t explain it, maybe it’s because a lot of the Japanese games I like get western releases. So where do you usually import your games from?

Tiger: Play-Asia and Tokyo Otaku Mode are the first places I look. I also use Amazon.jp and CDJapan. I know there are other places out there, but I’m a big fan of their prices, shipping, and service.

Rabbit: It’s the same with Rice Digital, they do a really good job, so I haven’t had to find a different retailer. I sometimes wonder if importing games are really worth it though.

Tiger: I only import games I know that I’ll play and ones that probably won’t ever see the light of day in the west. IA/VT was a no brainer since the developer came out and said that it was never going to see a western release. Others, like Aquanaut’s Holiday, are unique enough that I just had to give it a try.

Rabbit: And Gundam Breaker?

Tiger: It’s Gundam and it didn’t break the bank. How’d you pick your imports?

Rabbit: ^shrugs^ They looked interesting?

Tiger: That’s it?

Rabbit: They had nice box art.

Tiger: Really?

Rabbit: Most of them, I already owned in digital format, and just imported the physical copy.

Tiger: I never understood why publishers would bother making a physical copy for the UK but not for the NA. Maybe they haven’t adopted digital only as quickly as the States or Canada, but I still find it strange.

Rabbit: The UK also has some crazy collector’s editions, a lot better than ours. I almost splurged and bought the Xblaze Code: Embryo limited edition. If they had the art of Mei in her sundress, I probably would have.

Tiger: Don’t get me started on LEs and CEs. I always feel like the games I import need to be extra special to make them worth the extra money. I’m a huge IA fan so importing her game was a no brainer, the Taiko Drum game was a little harder to decide on. We actually used to have the PS2 Taiko Drums, remember?

Rabbit: Yes, we did. We even bought two copies of the game so we could have drums to play head-to-head.

Tiger: I think nostalgia helped to determine me importing the Vita version.

Rabbit: I’m too impatient to import a lot of games. It takes so long to get them from overseas. I think the last game I bought took over three weeks to finally arrive after it was shipped out.

Tiger: The wait is tough and returns are tougher. I’ve only had one issue where the item that was sent out, didn’t work at all. Luckily, I was able to get a replacement for it.

Rabbit: I remember when we imported a few jackets and didn’t realize that the sizing was totally different. The website didn’t help either since it listed both US and Asian sizes but then didn’t state which sizing chart you were picking the size from.

Tiger: Luckily, everything fit properly even though we made the mistake.

Rabbit: Do you think people should import games?

Tiger: Definitely, if it’s a game you really want, why wait? You never know if the game will ever get released, plus it helps the developers and publishers gauge how popular a title is and might even encourage them to bring the game or a sequel westward. You have to be careful to make sure that the game isn’t region locked, like how it was in the old days. It’s also a good idea to see if there are any English walkthroughs on the internet, especially for the more text heavy games. I couldn’t imagine trying to play a JRPG or NVL without a guide. That’s also another added bonus, like we mentioned before a lot of games come with English subtitles now, making them very import friendly. I actually really enjoy importing games because you get to experience games that you may never see here.

Rabbit: I don’t know, I think the sometimes it’s better to wait until they get a U.S. release to buy a game. Think about it, you pay all this extra money for shipping and what not, only to have the sale not count for your region or the region the game was released in. It’s not like they look at the numbers getting exported to other companies. If you wait and petition a publisher to release it in a different territory and then buy the game in that said territory, it encourages the publisher to look at other regions in the future. I remember the NISA panel we went to at a convention and they stated how it was really just a sale of a specific title that allowed them to start looking at bringing even more titles westward.

Tiger: You could always buy both versions.

Rabbit: That’s a waste of money though.

Tiger: But what if your game never makes it to the west, what then?

Rabbit: You could always import it then. I’m just saying that the domestic publishers need to get support or else they won’t be able to bring titles over here.

Tiger: It’s definitely up to the individual in how they want to do it. I can see your point, wanting to show that there is a fanbase here to try and encourage the publishers to localize certain games. On the other hand, we know there are titles that will never see the light of day.

Rabbit: Social media can have a huge impact too. Look at what Gaijinworks is able to do with their offerings. I’m just happy that getting foreign games is a lot easier than it was before. Many games now get western releases, such as Danganronpa, that I never thought would ever come stateside. Either way you do it, one thing’s for sure, gamers have access to a ton of great games.

Should You Import Games?
Tiger     vs     Rabbit

Q Attack, Round 26 - Are Kickstarter Projects Good Investments?

After two years of kickstarting projects, Tiger and Rabbit sit down to discuss the process and how well it’s worked out so far. Have they received the items promised? Was the quality as advertised? They answer these questions and more in this entry of Q Attack.

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Rabbit: I’m so happy we finally got Amplitude!

Tiger: About time, I know it was delayed. When was it supposed to originally come out?

Rabbit: The Kickstarter page says July of 2015.

Tiger: *shakes head* Games on Kickstarter always get delayed. Look at Liege, we backed that in July of 2013 and it was supposed to come out in 2014. Now, it’s delayed well into 2016.

Rabbit: I know but it’s still a bummer. They definitely did not calculate how much time they needed very accurately. Shenmue 3 at least gave themselves some room with a December 2017 window.

Tiger: That’s the thing about Kickstarter projects, they aren’t like normal video game releases, you’re basically donating money to a developer in hopes that they can actually finish the project.

Rabbit: I see your point. At first I thought of it like preordering games but when you preorder, you can cancel and get your money back. Kickstarter, once a project is funded, you’re out the money no matter what. Have we ever gotten a project’s items back on time?

Tiger: Video Games Live Levels 3 and 4 did really well to keep on track. I think both were released within a few months of the estimated launch dates.

Rabbit: They produced what they advertised too. I get worried with some of these projects and the stretch goals they add.

Tiger: Like with Shenmue 3, I have a bad feeling that the game’s development will suffer because they offered so many physical rewards. Sometimes less is more.

Rabbit: What have we kickstarted so far?

Tiger: Sportsfriends was the first back in December of 2012 and I think we got it about a year later.

Rabbit: That project saw very few delays unlike the other games we’ve backed.

Tiger: Then there was Liege back in the summer of 2013. I have my doubts we will ever see a finished project.

Rabbit: VGL Live was next in August of the same year and that took half a year for us to get it. After that it was Project Phoenix and Hyper Light Drifter in September.

Tiger: After the delays of both of those projects, we decided to cut back on funding video game projects. I did however break down and fund Amplitude in 2014. Again, that game got delayed until 2016 but the wait was worth it.

Rabbit: VGL Level 4 was also backed in that year and like its predecessor, we got it within six months.

Tiger: We also backed the Doubleclicks’ new album, President Snakes, this year as well as Shenmue 3.

Rabbit: So we are three out of three with music projects and one out of six with video games.

Tiger: That’s not a great record with the video games. I think we should point out too the difference among the projects. Like how Sportsfriends was developed by an already established team and had help from Sony Santa Monica whereas Liege, Project Phoenix, and Hyper Light Drifter are from new developers.

Rabbit: It’s good to note too that in the beginning a lot of those projects only had a few people working on them. Some of the teams have expanded since then, others shrunk in size.

Tiger: I won’t say which project it was but some even took a hiatus because they got overwhelmed with the work. I almost thought they were going to just walk away with the money and never return to the project but they eventually did start working on it again.

Rabbit: That’s the big danger with Kickstarter, especially when it’s an unknown developer or creator, that they could do that. I remember hearing about some board game project that got backed and the creator used the money to move and buy a house instead of completing the project as promised.

Tiger: There are also a lot of stories about how the quality or the items received were nothing like what was advertised.

Rabbit: And then there are cool stories about how a project was funded way beyond its goal and the creator was able to do some really amazing things. Have you been happy with what we’ve received so far?

Tiger: With the music projects we’ve backed, definitely. I had no worries about Tommy Tallarico delivering on his promises. He is known in the industry and has a reputation to maintain, plus he’s a business professional who has done this before, so I knew those projects would be great. The same with the Doubleclicks, no issues backing them because they’ve had a successful Kickstarer campaign already. Actually, they ended up printing their album and getting all the rewards out a couple of months early.

Rabbit: ^claps^ That’s how you do a Kickstarter!

Tiger: The video game projects are a different story. I knew Sportsfriends would get done, which it did, and I still think we’ll see Shenmue 3 although it may be in 2020, but the other projects I have serious doubts with. Even little things, like maintaining consistent updates, are difficult for them to do.

Rabbit: Luckily, we didn’t pledge a lot of money to any of those projects.

Tiger: The money is not the issue, well it is, but I’m more upset about the integrity behind the project. If you set out to do something, you better well deliver on it. Being open and up front is something else that needs to be done. All projects will have issues and delays and creators need to be forthcoming with their backers in regards to these problems. The University of Pennsylvania did an independent study about project fulfillment and while I won't go into the numbers, it had some interesting points.

Rabbit: I hear you but with all of these projects, you are aware of the risks involved. The reason why people go to Kickstarter versus other outlets is because they need funding to have their ideas realized. You have to be careful and really know who you’re backing, but if you find the right people, you can help out some amazing ideas. And while the rewards are an awesome bonus, a lot of the time, I don’t mind putting in spare change just to see what these people can do.

Tiger: Do you think Kickstarter projects are a good investment?

Rabbit: Yes, in the right environment and with the right thinking going in. First, definitely find out who you are backing, not just the what. Second, realistically look at what you are getting and how plausible it is for the creator to succeed, if you’re looking at physical rewards. The other thing to note are the stretch goals, we brought up Shenmue 3 and its almost absurd stretch goals and rewards. With the Doubleclicks, one of their stretch goals was enough funds to buy an electric cello to make touring easier. They did a great pitch for that stretch goal, so I was more than happy to put in a little extra to help them achieve that goal.

Tiger: You just wanted the shirt reward.

Rabbit: That too. I do believe Kickstarter projects can be great investments as long as you do your due diligence as a backer. Plus, it’s fun to be a part of a project from its inception to completion.

Tiger: Well, I totally disagree with you on this one.

Rabbit: ^sticks out tongue^ Who’d have thought?

Tiger: Kickstarter projects are a terrible investment because they aren’t an investment at all. When you invest in something, you become an owner of sorts. You get returns and a piece of the project. Similar to investing in a business or stocks, you have recourse and protection when investing. Funding projects is a donation; you don’t have any protection or ability to affect the project in anyway. You are basically giving your money to help a creator with his or her project, that’s it. The rewards are bonus gifts, not something you are guaranteed. Just read Kickstarter’s FAQ, they don’t guarantee anything. The best they and the backers can do is to shame and assassinate a creator’s reputation if a project fails. It’s a great platform for creative people to find funding for their ideas but it’s also a great place for people to scam other people. Now, I don’t believe that there are a lot of scammers; I really think most failed projects tend to be just that, a project that ran into extreme difficulty, forcing the creator to fold the project. But still, if you are going to back a project, you need to remember that this isn’t an investment or preordering goods, it is a donation and once you pay the money, you aren’t getting it back.

Rabbit: It’s a good faith system and I think a lot of people really want to fulfill their obligations to backers.

Tiger: Oh, I don’t doubt people want to fulfill their obligations, I just doubt their actual ability to do so.

Rabbit: ^shocked face^ You have no faith in the human race.

Tiger: Of course not, that’s why robots will rule the world soon.

Are Kickstarter Projects Good Investments?
Tiger     vs     Rabbit