Computer games.

[Zezti]

Anyone recommend a headset? Need to upgrade one for PC gaming.

Don't mind on wireless/wired or price.

Budget? Do you need one with a mic?

These are very good for their price, had them a couple years ago:
HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset
Seems like they're mostly out of stock now

But I've since been using some good quality Audio Technica headphones which in terms of audio quality honestly are unparalleled by gaming headsets:
Audio Technica ATH-M50X Professional Headphones ~£109

They've no mic, so I bought one of these to clip on when I'm using voice chat:
Basic clip-on microphone ~£14

seems like the forum's Amazon embed doesn't work right now so have to use links

 

[Nymzee]

Budget? Do you need one with a mic?

These are very good for their price, had them a couple years ago:
HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset
Seems like they're mostly out of stock now

But I've since been using some good quality Audio Technica headphones which in terms of audio quality honestly are unparalleled by gaming headsets:
Audio Technica ATH-M50X Professional Headphones ~£109

They've no mic, so I bought one of these to clip on when I'm using voice chat:
Basic clip-on microphone ~£14

seems like the forum's Amazon embed doesn't work right now so have to use links

Cheers I'll have a look. Don't really want to break £150 if I can help it and would prefer a mic attached.

I wanted the Fnatic React as they got great reviews for the price but they've seemingly stopped selling them. Was looking at the Corsair Virtuoso but pricey.

 

[Sy-]

If it had been a boy she was running round the abandoned mall with would you still be calling that "shoehorning" it into the narrative? Or would you just accept it as it's "normal".

I just think it's an over reaction to say that a game that has XYZ in it only has that because of an agenda.

I've avoided TLOU2 spoilers so can't comment on those or any of the other games you've mentioned as I haven't played them.

I honestly thought nothing of it at the time, it was just a fun game with a great story.

Later learning that it was influenced by a hateful individual who's taken it upon themselves to strong-arm studios into "educating" and "correcting" their audiences (who mostly don't need it) kinda puts it in a different light for me though.

Then again I reject any kind of identity politics because they inherently perpetuate the issue, but this is not the politics thread

 

[Lob]

Anyone recommend a headset? Need to upgrade one for PC gaming.

Don't mind on wireless/wired or price.

Tried quite a few over the years but been using a wireless SteelSeries Arctis 7 for a couple of years now and love it. Very good build and sound quality. Recommend it.

 

[LostLegend]

That’s like saying loot boxes aren’t gambling because a “few weirdos” have addictive personalities.

Sorry, but that's a ludicrous comparison. You're comparing something that can seriously impact someones financial situation and mental health to a company trying to be inclusive.

Yes, I get that sometimes it's not always for the correct reasons, but it's the sheer over-reaction of the gaming community that gets to me.

If we had the same level of outrage across the board for dubious micro-transaction policies as for 'woke' game dev's, the gaming landscape may be in much better shape.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

Sorry, but that's a ludicrous comparison. You're comparing something that can seriously impact someones financial situation and mental health to a company trying to be inclusive.

Yes, I get that sometimes it's not always for the correct reasons, but it's the sheer over-reaction of the gaming community that gets to me.

If we had the same level of outrage across the board for dubious micro-transaction policies as for 'woke' game dev's, the gaming landscape may be in much better shape.

What I meant with that comparison is that in the loot box case, it affects a small percentage of people so in the mindset of some criticism isn’t valid. In other words- a lack of empathy.

In the ‘woke’ case you are dismissing criticism because a small minority of bad eggs are loud. In other words, you are pidgeonholing.

And we can agree that the overreactions are over the top. I agree. It doesn’t mean that several titles weren’t heavily altered because of ‘wokeness’ or whatever the hell people refer to as shameless pandering.

One of the GTA developers came out and said they were afraid to make a new GTA in the current political climate. Imagine if CDPR pandered to these people. Witcher 3 would be a way watered down version of what it currently is.

 

[LostLegend]

What I meant with that comparison is that in the loot box case, it affects a small percentage of people so in the mindset of some criticism isn’t valid. In other words- a lack of empathy.

In the ‘woke’ case you are dismissing criticism because a small minority of bad eggs are loud. In other words, you are pidgeonholing.

And we can agree that the overreactions are over the top. I agree. It doesn’t mean that several titles weren’t heavily altered because of ‘wokeness’ or whatever the hell people refer to as shameless pandering.

One of the GTA developers came out and said they were afraid to make a new GTA in the current political climate. Imagine if CDPR pandered to these people. Witcher 3 would be a way watered down version of what it currently is.

I think ultimately it stems from the 'all or nothing' polarisation that seems to be the norm on contentious issues these days.

When I was a kid, computer games were generally considered a young boys plaything. I'm willing to bet that the overwhelming majority of people in this thread are grown adults.
Likewise the number of females in the gaming scene is skyrocketing. The industry has to make changes to reflect its ever changing demographic.
The issue seems to be, as I said above, that a lot of people can't seem to wrap their heads around the difference between a game dev trying to be more inclusive to reflect its player base and as you mentioned, forcibly changing something to please an executive trying to meet a diversity quota.

It's the ones who react to every minority inclusion as "OMG WOKE SJW'S" that my scorn is aimed at.

On the Ellie/Last of us sexuality thing. Naughty Dog's USP is their cinematic style storylines. In fact, if it were a movie, they'd label that DLC as a coming of age drama no doubt and I suspect few would have a problem with it.
Also, if you are going to have a female lead protagonist, why not make her a little bit different than the usual 'badass femme fatale' that we see - you know, an actual personality and back story.

There is of course, a lot of over-compensation for sure in some parts, but I think these things tend to even themselves out at some point

 

[Osamabindiesel]

I think ultimately it stems from the 'all or nothing' polarisation that seems to be the norm on contentious issues these days.

When I was a kid, computer games were generally considered a young boys plaything. I'm willing to bet that the overwhelming majority of people in this thread are grown adults.
Likewise the number of females in the gaming scene is skyrocketing. The industry has to make changes to reflect its ever changing demographic.
The issue seems to be, as I said above, that a lot of people can't seem to wrap their heads around the difference between a game dev trying to be more inclusive to reflect its player base and as you mentioned, forcibly changing something to please an executive trying to meet a diversity quota.

It's the ones who react to every minority inclusion as "OMG WOKE SJW'S" that my scorn is aimed at.

On the Ellie/Last of us sexuality thing. Naughty Dog's USP is their cinematic style storylines. In fact, if it were a movie, they'd label that DLC as a coming of age drama no doubt and I suspect few would have a problem with it.
Also, if you are going to have a female lead protagonist, why not make her a little bit different than the usual 'badass femme fatale' that we see - you know, an actual personality and back story.

There is of course, a lot of over-compensation for sure in some parts, but I think these things tend to even themselves out at some point

I think most people (including myself) find issue with taking an intellectual property and completely changing it for the sake of pandering or agenda. Yearly titles like Battlfield and COD- yeah that is their right. Those things aren’t bound by narrative or style, so I can look past it.

When you completely bastardize something where you very easily could have just created a new IP, you’ve lost me. Brand loyalty doesn’t only apply to physical products. I’d rather see decent storytelling and characters that don’t look like potato plants (Andromeda, etc.)

At least with a new IP you can discuss those issues and not make them feel so contrived, which is what would happened if you turned Geralt of Rivia into a gender non binary whose only goal in life is to discover his sexuality and why capitalism is bad.

 

[Baines' left foot]

Currently playing Heavy Rain after it was part of the Detroit: Become Human free PS Plus game a few months ago. It's not really a game but more of an interactive film but it's pretty interesting and I'm quite enjoying it. It's nice to play a game at a more relaxed pace every now and again.

 

[JimmyJeffers]

I still play wii golf from the wii sports games with my mates. My favourite ever golf game.
Just thought I’d let you know guys

 

[Zezti]

Currently playing Heavy Rain after it was part of the Detroit: Become Human free PS Plus game a few months ago. It's not really a game but more of an interactive film but it's pretty interesting and I'm quite enjoying it. It's nice to play a game at a more relaxed pace every now and again.

I've got a big soft spot for those games. If there's a scale between movie and game, I'd put it closer to the game end due to all the different choices that actually matter.
Untill Dawn is another but a bit more horror-focussed but my favourite by far is Detroit. Love replaying them and finding all the different endings.

 

[LostLegend]

I think most people (including myself) find issue with taking an intellectual property and completely changing it for the sake of pandering or agenda.

There's actually been recent controversy of some schools in the US being supplied with copies of classic literature with certain historical 'unpleasantness' removed. Huckleberry Finn and Pride and Prejudice being 2 of them I believe.

Fair point in that context.

 

[Baines' left foot]

I've got a big soft spot for those games. If there's a scale between movie and game, I'd put it closer to the game end due to all the different choices that actually matter.
Untill Dawn is another but a bit more horror-focussed but my favourite by far is Detroit. Love replaying them and finding all the different endings.

Same. I played Fahrenheit on the PS2 years ago which was made by the same company and enjoyed it. For what they lack in gameplay they make up with an interesting story and Heavy Rain is full of twists and moments of suspense. Apparently there's 17 different endings to it which shows how much your actions dictate the storyline.

I'll be playing Detroit after I finish this. Just looked at the Until Dawn trailer and it looks very intriguing.

 

[Dylan]

Anyone recommend a headset? Need to upgrade one for PC gaming.

Don't mind on wireless/wired or price.

I just got the Logitech G533. It is very, very good. I did want the Steelseries Arctis 7, which is *slightly* better, but here in NZ, a whole $150 more for a couple of % better product.

If you can get the Arctis 7 for a decent price, get them, otherwise, the Logitech are well worth it (they have both been compared to similarly priced actual headphones for audio quality)

 

[Nymzee]

I just got the Logitech G533. It is very, very good. I did want the Steelseries Arctis 7, which is *slightly* better, but here in NZ, a whole $150 more for a couple of % better product.

If you can get the Arctis 7 for a decent price, get them, otherwise, the Logitech are well worth it (they have both been compared to similarly priced actual headphones for audio quality)

See I keep seeing the Arctis 7 pop up on reviews but every YouTube review I’ve seen it absolutely bombs out on the mic test which just rules it out for gaming. For ~£150 I want a clear voice and some nice surround sound to hear where people are coming from.