Vivid metaphor

Sure, everyone’s ranting about the sad state of game journalism. But good researchers like to take one step back and rant about the ranting. Superb ones, it follows, talk about others who rant about ranting. Here’s what Bryan-Mitchell Young wrote:

"Complaining about horrible videogame journalism is like complaining about someone staining the couch cushion when the couch is sitting in the middle of a garbage dump. It may be accurate and a valid complaint, but it is kind of missing the point."

And I just thought that was pretty funny.   

History of soccer rules

Kasper wisely informed me that soccer tournament rules regarding points awarded (to defeat, draw, and victory) were revised some 20 years ago creating stronger incentives for aggressive play (3 points for victory instead of 2). That’s a wonderful example, which certainly managed to make the thesis section I’m writing on game sum types even more confusing.

But does anyone have a reference to this rule change? Someone know a good history of soccer rules? Or a few more details to help me google? 

Update (July 2006): Ah! I got it. With the help of resident soccer sage Olli Sotamaa. It’s all here.

More fun

Check out Wired’s Game Year in Review: 2010 . The game biz does sort of lend itself to satire.

"As for the current generation of video games, the big news was the long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto: West Bloodbath. Gamers were appalled by the violence, specifically the wussiness of it. "Wait," they said. "I’m still limited to shooting, beating or running over hookers? Kill Death Die Hurt Maim let me chop off their fingers one by one while they begged for mercy, their cheap eyeliner merging with their tears and darkening the pools of blood at their feet. Are you sure Mario isn’t in this wimpfest?""

Lost in transcription

They hoped against hope. Their fears grew ever stronger.
But as of a moment ago, it is done. My transcription woes are over. With the final words: “Am I wearing a white helmet?” the last session has been transcribed and with that the curse has been lifted.
Never again :-)

(Next step: Code and analyze the logs in Nvivo. Oh, sweet and joyful task)

See also: This and this