I mean, GW2 (by Arenanet, owned by NCSoft) has had a lesbian couple since the first Living World season, and had a non-binary character in the 3rd expansion. They have inclusivity in a way that doesn’t feel hamfisted or marketed; it’s just in there because they feel like their world should have all sorts of people.

I agree completely. Some games and genres really need enough players to ensure queue times aren’t awful, and that there are lobbies/games/matches where players of all levels can enjoy themselves.

Battle Royales need big playerbases. Team-based games (like many shooters and MOBAs) benefit from larger playerbases. Fighting games want large playerbases, because it’s very frustrating to get a game 6 months after release only to find that it’s a Discord fighter, or that the only people playing are absolute killers who destroy you without leaving you any room or time to learn how to improve.

Among 2D fighters, SF6 and MK1 are pretty dang big.

I would recommend GBFV:R and GG Strive. Granblue is very grounded, and if you play Street Fighter you’ll be able to wrap your head around the systems. Strive is a bit more anime, but without being too much (in the way that Xrd Rev 2 and Melty Blood are too much for me to comprehend what’s happening).

I don’t know if you’re into tag-style games, but learning one might help you get ready for when 2XKO comes out. I’m not a Riot fan, but Riot has such a following that whenever it launches, it’ll receive a large playerbase immediately.

Also, regarding the 30th Anniversary collection, I personally think it’s super cool. Awesome for local play and for nostalgia. It even has netplay for Hyper Fighting, Super Turbo, Alpha 3, and Third Strike, though most PC people are probably just playing on Fightcade instead.

I heard the Giant Bomb crew mention this on the podcast, but couldn’t find it. Sounds like a wide blend of a lot of different things! I like it when Capcom is willing to be weird and try something new.

RoA is also a good pickup right now because it’s kind of the biggest platform fighter that actually kept a competitive audience, and RoA 2 is coming out pretty soon. My brothers (Melee dudes) are pumped for it.

RIP my impulsivity and FOMO. Ordered a black one. Though I may have an out, since my credit card company flagged it as fraud and said they cancelled the transaction.

While I agree that he should be ridiculed for a statement like that, it’s obvious that the attendees at the RNC are supportive of that statement. To them, America doesn’t have deep-seated issues with race. Instead, America has the opposite! A system where minorities are favored and granted special treatment, while white people struggle to earn their fair share! (Please understand this is not my personal belief)

That name is still so very uncomfortable.

What sort of fighting games are you interested in? What have you played, and what are you curious to try?

LET’S GO FIGHTING GAMESSSSSS

Tekken 8 - $39.98
I’ve heard good things about this Tekken, but I’ve never wrapped my head around the combo/juggle system and 3-D fighters in general

DBFZ - $9.59
Great game, it’s a shame that it didn’t get to shine long enough as the common grounds among various FGC communities. Still, for $10, that’s great.

MK1 - $27.99
I think this is supposed to be a story reboot, so it’s easy to get into for newer players, narrative-wise. Combat seems to be good too, and NRA is great for including lots of things to do for people who aren’t into grinding a ranked ladder against human opponents.

GG Strive - $19.99
This game is GREAT. It isn’t quite as frenetic as older entries or other anime fighters, but it’s flashy and stylish as hell. I’ve gotten multiple people into fighting games starting with GG Strive. Definitely check it out if the look or style even remotely interests you.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising - $29.99
I like this one a lot, though the sale is a bit shallow. Anime looks, but a very grounded system. It gelled with me, coming from a Street Fighter background. I still struggle with corner combos, but to me it’s a demonstration of the accessibility and depth of the game. I can hit my 4 hit combo, sure, but someone who knows what they’re doing can pull out a 9-move combo and do 30% more damage in the corner, meaning that playing for stage position and footsies and everything are just as important as they are in SF.

I never played it, but it seemed to face the issue that so many other flash-in-the-pan games have. It’s got a great idea, and then players want more, more, more, and the team wasn’t planning/prepping for that much that soon. And by the time they do get those additions ready, the playerbase has moved on.

I heard Helldivers has fallen off a cliff for player count, and it’s definitely been the bane of many fighting games I’ve bought.

Oh, weird. I have the limited edition one, is that the difference maybe?

Check to see if your case seems extra big, and if the inner lining can be lifted and removed from the black case.

It makes sense to me. Biden and Trump have Secret Service detail already. RFK does not. Biden wants to make sure that it at least looks like all 3 candidates are being protected from more violence.

When they came out with the OLED (and the special edition) instead of giving the regular shell, it was 2 shells. 1 thinner one that’s a bit thicker than the deck, and then the big one with a handle and the elastic covering a space to carry the charger. The small one actually velcros into the big case.

I’m a shorter dude (5’8"), so while I’m in love with my Steam Deck, it’s definitely a little much for me sometimes. Heavy to hold up, and I carry it in the OEM case. That being said, I’m a HUGE fan of the new case and basically only use the inner case, leaving the outer shell at home.

As long as schools are treated as “free daycare” and work weeks remain 5 days long, it’ll never fly.

Specifically the form factor. I have a lot of nostalgia for the GBC and SP, and the smaller size means it’s much easier to carry and whip out while traveling. Currently, my Steam Deck is used for when I’m on a long (6+ hours) flight or when I’m staying somewhere for a weekend. I don’t feel great about bringing it out while taking a bus or train, and it’s a bit much to bring out while sitting at an airport gate for 45 minutes.

That being said, I would hate to split all my saves and progress between the two systems, so maybe I’ll just remain on the Deck.

Ah, that’s a bummer. I love Danny’s stuff in general, didn’t know that about this company.

I have a Steam Deck and love it… But part of me really likes the idea of the Pocket (not necessarily the aluminum one). It’s rough, cuz I’ve never gotten into FPGA stuff before, and this run is going to be a one-time thing. I guess I’ll hold off until the regular plastic ones are available again?

My brain immediately repeated his name to the tune of Linda Linda.