Review: Retro-Bit Genesis Controller

Last year, Retro-Bit announced a partnership with Sega to produce officially licensed Genesis (Megadrive), Saturn, and Dreamcast peripherals.  It took a while, but the local game store I frequent finally ordered some of the Genesis controllers.  If you're in the Minneapolis area, go check out Gamerheadz in the Southdale Mall.  Great shop!

Lootboxes Getting the Shaft!

This came across my news feed yesterday, but I didn't get the chance to really have a listen until now.



We all remember the lootbox debacle of 2017, specifically with EA's Star Wars Battlefront II. These same Laymen Gaming guys found that more than half of EA's profits come from lootbox microtransactions, and they went out of their way to include it in everything they could. If you're like me, you see just how much of a problem this can be. Especially when there are games that have wide appeal to parents, like FIFA, Madden, or Need for Speed.

There were some discussions back in 2017 about regulating lootboxes in gaming, with Hawaii state senator Chris Lee introduced a bill in the State Legislature that ultimately died in committee, but it sowed the seeds of growth for the idea. Now we're finally hearing that Missouri senator Josh Hawley is introducing a bill that would specifically and explicitly prohibit lootboxes in games that are sold to minors.

Logistics and implementation aside, I support this action. I personally believe that this is a perfect point in time for government intervention in the face of predatory business practices. I personally believe that government should not intervene in social and economic issues, unless absolutely necessary to protect its citizens. This whole issue is a prime example of when government should intervene to protect its own.

What do you think? Will this pass the legislature? Will it become law? Is Senator Hawley on the right track here?

**Author's note:  This post was also featured on the Steem blockchain.  You can view that post here.**

Talking Level Design with Samuel Dassler

I happened to bump into Samuel Dassler on Imgur, where he posted this thread about his time at DigiPen. He imparted a few tidbits of wisdom in the post, and I thought he'd be an interesting person to talk to.  He recently worked on a game called Mekazoo, which you can find on Steam, Xbox Live, and Playstation Network.

Review: Titanfall 2

Developer/Publisher: Respawn/Electronic Arts

Platform: Xbox One, Playstation 4, PC

Rating: Mature (Blood and Gore, Language, Violence)

Reviewed on: Xbox One

When the Xbox One launched in 2014, Respawn Entertainment was tapped to create a launch title for the new system.  It was a decent game, not without its flaws, but I enjoyed what it offered.   With the arrival of Titanfall 2, I knew I needed to pick it up and review it.  How did it turn out?  Pretty good, actually!

Chicks Dig Giant Robots: Anime Detour 2016

Netrunner on Friday Night

So I was sitting here this past Monday, completely mute again.  You'd think I'd learn from prior years to take care of my voice, but no...

Anime Detour 2016 was a ton of fun this year.  A whopping total of 5,500 people crammed into the Doubletree in Bloomington, MN, for another year of cosplay,  antics, games, and awesome.  And hoo boy, do I have stories!

Gamer's Guide to Tokyo: Trains

Last may, I took a trip to Tokyo, Japan.  It was awesome, I had tons of fun, and I realized that there's not a whole lot of information for gamers on what to do and see in Tokyo.  Thus begins this series of posts.  I'm going to point out the important things to see and check out in Tokyo, in as many districts as I can.  In addition, I'll point out as much cultural information as I can, so you don't stick out like a stupid tourist.

Review: The Division

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Price: $59.99 USD (Standard), $99.99 USD (Gold)

Release: March 8, 2016

Rating: M for Mature (Full ESRB Synopsis)

Platform Reviewed: PC

Ubisoft's newest series inspired by Tom Clancy launched last week.  Ubisoft's Tom Clancy games have been rather hit or miss, but they seem to sell well for the company.  How did this one fare?  Find out more after the jump!

Gamer's guide to Tokyo: Odaiba

Last may, I took a trip to Tokyo, Japan.  It was awesome, I had tons of fun, and I realized that there's not a whole lot of information for gamers on what to do and see in Tokyo.  Thus begins this series of posts.  I'm going to point out the important things to see and check out in Tokyo, in as many districts as I can.  In addition, I'll point out as much cultural information as I can, so you don't stick out like a stupid tourist.

The Gamer's Guide to Tokyo: Imports

Last may, I took a trip to Tokyo, Japan.  It was awesome, I had tons of fun, and I realized that there's not a whole lot of information for gamers on what to do and see in Tokyo.  Thus begins this series of posts.  This one covers the shopping side of things, what games are easiest to use when you get home, which ones aren't.

The Gamer's Guide to Tokyo: Akihabara

Last may, I took a trip to Tokyo, Japan.  It was awesome, I had tons of fun, and I realized that there's not a whole lot of information for gamers on what to do and see in Tokyo.  Thus begins this series of posts.  I'm going to point out the important things to see and check out in Tokyo, in as many districts as I can.  In addition, I'll point out as much cultural information as I can, so you don't stick out like a stupid tourist.