Playing For Shits And Giggles

When the world is falling apart, be sure to have a comfortable front row seat.


How I look checking the headlines for what frightening nightmares the new day brings

Another short one from me today my riztastic readers, as per my quickie yesterday, at some point in my week, I do have to both get some well deserved rest *and* find time to you know, actually play the games I wish to write about. Mar10 Day shennigans definitely derailed me a bit, but it’s good to catch up with Nintendo’s sacred cow once in a blue moon. I use to make it a habit to do a one shot playthrough of any major Mario game upon it’s release day, and just do one massive 12 hour session to 100% the whole thing in it’s entirety to help manufacture the greatest amount of challenge and really highten the dopamine rush of some gaming par excellence. A reality I sadly was not able to predicate upon with Mario Wonder on day of launch, but playing through the game in a similar manner is still in the cards.


Super Mario Wonder definitely the elephant in
the room of my potential Mar10 Day festivities

Speaking of cards…that segways perfectly into a game I did finally get to sit down with briefly and try out after reading so much bluster involving it’s highly addictive nature, and that’s Balatro, which has been regularly praised by outlets far and wide as the new hotness, being a highly addictive card game you will simply not be able to put down. Well, after putting the title down after about twenty minutes of playtime, I can tell you emphatically that is simply not true.

Admittedly, it would seem I merely dipped my toe into the perverbial waters of interest, and plan on continuing to play it to see just “what is up” with the game, but thus far, it is seemingly just some suped up remix of Poker with more of a collection aspect to it involving combo cards with special abilities. Not sure if there is some crazy grand twist to the game along the lines of Doki Doki Literature Club where the game does a 180, ditches the faux premise it sets itself up to appear to be, but then diverts right into crazy town by being super meta while simultaneously possessing a twisted narrative hidden behind an unassuming aesthetic….or if Balatro really is just, you know, kind of like poker.


Pictured: Balatro’s main gameplay hook

The jokers are wild, it would seem.

~Pashford

Pashford Posits: True Wealth is Enjoyment

There’s a fine line between love and hate.


A tale as old as time

Ultimately, when I attempt to come up with an idea for ATE, the genesis of the interest is indeed genuine intent to entertain and inform, though I often find myself at odds with a struggle involving content, delivery, and presentation, though I’m always of the mind an authentically good idea or grandiose spirit imbued within a concept is worth sharing. I abhor fanboyism and fandom in general, even though I know what good can come of community, and that it will always be the individual that helps make up the bottom line at the end of the day.

I think the notion of blind fanaticism sickens me deeply, the same goes for shallow attempts at shilling product, which is why I got out of doing paid gigs in this line of work awhile ago. Puts me in a properly fucking weird place though, as most people don’t know how to make heads or tails of someone engaging in an activity if not for the sake of money in this day and age. There’s hobbyism, sure, though I’m tempted to posit the notion pure hobbyism has an inherently hedonistic bent, where one is indulging in their fancy of choice willy-nilly, even throwing caution to the wind and without a greater cause in mind for the sake of basic self-gratification. I don’t know if something like a publicly facing writing project (I.E a blog) or something of a similar variety can truly be classified in the same manner, with both the want to fulfill others curious moments with pleasure and wisdom likely not up for consideration as a truly selfish endeavor by definition, though the simple idea of gratifying others through sacrifice and devotion would qualify as one hell of a queer kink.


Though the competition is stiff in that regard

I think both the abstract nature of creation, play, imagination, and whimsy remain powerful agents of change for the everyday, and perhaps the greater the disparity between distinct lines drawn to fit an entire medium, or even art-form, if you’re feeling generous in the moment, is likely for the best, as everyone’s interpretation in regards to the perception of the matter helps to color the tapestry of possibility involved. As with most modern day conveniences, the erosion of quality is usually directly tied to the financial machinations of whomever is in charge, so my only plea of consideration is to prioritize the premise of quality of life first and foremost for the individual, and hopefully any profit there after is not just one of monetary consideration, but the truly virtuous benefit of enjoyment for the the majority whole at large.

Happy gaming.

~Pashford