There's Nothing New...

(Note: this piece was adapted from a lecture I’ve been prepping for 11 years.)

In the words of Kohelet:

“That which hath been is that which shall be, And that which hath been done is that which shall be done; And there is nothing new under the sun.”

Kohelet, considered a penname for King Shlomo, wrote this early in his scroll, which is read on Sukkot. The verse stands out because it hasn’t aged a day; after all, humans don’t invent, they reinvent. Maimonides, one of Judaism’s great philosophers, allegedly predicted airplanes during Islam’s Golden Age, calling them “iron birds”. If that happened in the 12th Century, it’s safe to say that “nothing new under the sun” is accurate. I’ve yet to see a good counterargument.

This doesn’t have to stop at inventions. It can apply to ideas too, particularly controversies. We’re plugged into the world constantly, and sooner or later its scandals and hot-button issues flock to us. I’ve seen it with geopolitics, but even minor debates have blown up thanks to the fascination people, particularly Jews, have with taboo subjects. This is a good springboard for me using four such examples. They’re weird, perhaps even esoteric, but I’ve wanted to discuss this for over 10 years. Bear with me.

    

The first one extends back to the early months of 2015. We all remember the dress scandal, right? What colour was the dress? Was it blue and black, or white and gold? The debate raged for months! However, it highlighted how something asinine could generate conversation about perception.

I won’t delve into the later scandal surrounding the owner’s relationship with her husband, as that’s not relevant. However, I want state that I never cared about the dress. Like the “Yanny VS Laurel” debate, it was wasted energy. It was a dress! Who cares what colour it was? Will it cure world hunger, or reverse climate change?

However, this debate actually got me started on this drasha, as I think it connects to a similar case about perception: tzara’at. Tzara’at, or “leprosy”, was a Biblical punishment caused by lashon hara, or speaking falsely about others. The disease was highly-contagious and covered the skin, forcing the afflicted to isolate. However, because it was difficult to differentiate from other skin diseases, it was up to the Kohen Gadol, or High Priest, to examine it and determine if it was tzara’at. As Vayikra 13:1-3 states:

“GOD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: When a person has on their skin a swelling, a rash, or a discoloration, and it develops into a scaly affection on their skin, it shall be reported to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons, the priests. The priest shall examine the affection on the skin: if hair in the affected patch has turned white and the affection appears to be deeper than the skin, it is a leprous affection; when the priest sees it, he shall pronounce the person impure.”

The implication here is that the Kohen Gadol is announcing “This person is contagious, stay away!” in order to protect everyone else. But why is it the Kohen Gadol’s responsibility? Isn’t it obvious that the person looks afflicted? Perhaps it’s because of perception issues, lest there be debate and everything gets worse. And now we see how this ties into the dress, if loosely.

  

Next, there’s GamerGate and Vivian James. I’ve covered this before, but for those unfamiliar, here’s a rundown:

Back in the Summer of 2014, a rumour circulated around the internet that game designer Zoë Quinn had slept with various video game reviewers to court favour for Depression Quest. Started by her ex-boyfriend, it took root in forums like 4chan and gained the attention of Adam Baldwin, who coined “GamerGate” to suggest a conspiracy ala President Nixon’s Watergate Scandal. Despite the pretense that this was about “ethics in game’s journalism”, a growing list of women, including Brianna Wu and Anita Sarkeesian, became targets of harassment and doxing.

Around this time, a group known as TFYC donated a massive sum to have a character created. Named “Vivian James”, a pun on “vidya games”, she quickly became GamerGate’s mascot. Despite the copious amounts of inappropriate fan art, due to her being a teenager, the question of whether or not a fictional avatar can be a spokesperson for a movement, especially when she had no agency, took centre stage. Was it appropriate to use a fake character as a mouthpiece?

I try not to dwell on GamerGate. I lost a lot of friends over it, some of whom I’d known for many years. However, the part that miffs me to this day is that Vivian James was being exploited by toxic gamers. And she was a teenager, one without any agency. Assuming she was real at all, where was her perspective? Was it fair to misuse her?

Such parallels are found, in my mind, in a section of The Mishneh Torah pertaining to divorce, particularly the Gett:

“When a man whom the law requires to be compelled to divorce his wife does not desire to divorce her, the court should have him beaten until he consents, at which time they should have a get written. The get is acceptable. This applies at all times and in all places. Similarly, if gentiles beat him while telling him: "Do what the Jews are telling you to do," and the Jews have the gentiles apply pressure on him until [he consents] to divorce his wife, the divorce is acceptable. If, however, the gentiles compel him to write [a get] on their own initiative…”

Honestly, the Gett is one the hardest parts of Judaism to swallow. Not because it isn’t necessary, especially since men aren’t trustworthy historically, but because withholding it causes the wife unnecessary pain. It’s boorish, and yet it happens so frequently! Not giving a Gett also creates an agunah, or a chained woman. And if this agunah ends up pregnant from another man, her child is a mamzer, a bastard whose lineage is cursed for 10 generations! That’s not something any sane person wants.

Ignoring how many modern marriages have civil prenups that automatically enforce Getts, I can’t help feeling for the woman here. After all, she’s being abused! And she’s given little-to-no agency! I also can’t help wondering what’d happen had women had an active role in formulating the Halacha, but it’s too late to fix that. Perhaps that’s why women need to be listened to…

We all remember the riots in Ferguson, Missouri. They weren’t that long ago, and they shed light on systemic abuse from law enforcement. Unfortunately, the situation hasn’t gotten much better. All the riots did was bring attention to how racist police officers can be, as well as how little accountability they have. ACAB, as they say.

Even if you don’t mind cops, the reality is that they’re human beings. And like any humans with authority, they’re flawed. They make mistakes, they screw up, and sometimes their mistakes are deadly. After all, if politicians are recognized as shady, why are police exempt from that? As Alan Moore once wrote, “Who watches The Watchmen?”.

Perhaps the weirdest ripple effect involved a cop who was dismissed for a weird reason. As The Anime Herald wrote on May 14th, 2015:

“Last night, Florida’s WFTV News reported that an officer in the Casselberry Police Department. Police officer Matthew Blunt was suspended for one shift (10 hours) without pay, after sending an off-color text message to his supervisor.”

This is putting it lightly. Blunt, apparently, had been excited about winning the local Powerball lottery, and he wanted some of the money. It wasn’t a lot of money-$32 USD-but even a sushi dinner at a Kosher restaurant is something. However, Blunt using an anime image with a racial epithet was, apparently, going too far, and he was suspended. Interesting.

When Blunt’s story went viral, a debate over whether or not his suspension was justified tagged along. The most-troubling question was “Why this?”. I’m not defending Blunt, he should’ve known better, but between the profiling, beatings and, yes, even shootings police have been guilty of, being suspended over a racist meme is suspect. It begs the question of what police can get away with.

Judaism isn’t a stranger to critiquing authority figures. King David was punished by God for seducing a married woman, having her husband killed and impregnating her. Yet the one passage that sums up this best involves Yoav ben Tsuriah. Yoav was David’s nephew, and he was his highest-ranking general. Nepotism aside, he was a formidable strategist, serving David well. But his hamartia was a bad case of wounded pride. He routinely disobeyed protocol to settle personal scores, including the tragic death of David’s son, Avshalom, after his hair got caught in a thicket. David never forgave him, and it didn’t get any easier once Shlomo took over:

“When the news reached Joab, he fled to the Tent of GOD and grasped the horns of the altar—for Joab had sided with Adonijah, though he had not sided with Absalom.

King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the Tent of GOD and that he was there by the altar; so Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go and strike him down.”

Benaiah went to the Tent of GOD and said to him, “Thus said the king: Come out!” “No!” he replied; “I will die here.” Benaiah reported back to the king that Joab had answered thus and thus, and the king said, “Do just as he said; strike him down and bury him, and remove guilt from me and my father’s house for the blood of the innocent that Joab has shed.

Thus GOD will bring his blood guilt down upon his own head, because, unbeknown to my father, he struck down with the sword two men more righteous and honorable than he—Abner son of Ner, the army commander of Israel, and Amasa son of Jether, the army commander of Judah.

May the guilt for their blood come down upon the head of Joab and his descendants forever, and may good fortune from GOD be granted forever to David and his descendants, his house and his throne.

(Melachim II, 28-33.)

Clearly, Yoav staked his claim with the wrong person, which cost him his life!

The final example I wish to discuss involves Tilly Norwood, whom I’ve also written about. Tilly Norwood is an A.I. actress created by Xicoia, a division of Particle6 Group, in 2025. Her creator, Eline Van Der Velden, desired to experiment with her. Despite never intending for her to replace real actors, Norwood created an uproar in Hollywood and the online world, with people accusing her of talent poaching and performance theft. After all, how can her acting be genuine?

Hollywood has blacklisted Norwood, yet her presence touches on a bigger issue surrounding A.I. It might be a hot commodity nowadays, but is its presence warranted? And is it a tool for change, or merely a fad? There’s plenty that can be said, but I won’t bore you. Instead, I’ll keep my thoughts brief: I’m not a fan. At all. In fact, I try to not rely on it, even at the expense of errors or misinformation. It can’t match up to human ingenuity on a good day.

I had to think hard on what would be a good compliment Tilly Norwood, but I settled on this story about Maimonides:

“There is a beautiful story of a disagreement that Maimonides had with a philosopher. The philosopher claimed that he could change a cat and make him act like a person. Maimonides said this was impossible. They agreed to make a contest. When the day of the contest came, the philosopher brought a cat that he had trained to be a waiter. The cat served an entire meal, and the audience was amazed. Just as they stared and assumed that Maimonides had been proven wrong, Maimonides took out a container from his pocket. He opened it up and a mouse ran by. The cat saw the mouse, dropped the tray of dishes that he was holding, breaking them all, and ran after the mouse. Maimonides was proven right, and everyone agreed that no matter what, a cat is a cat. As much as he may be trained to act in a particular way, he is still inherently a cat and must be treated as such.”

Pretty straightforward, right? Maimonides disagrees that animals can transcend their nature, he’s supposedly proven wrong, and then he games the system and ends up being right. The obvious lesson is to not second-guess a rationalist, which Maimonides was, but further research revealed that this might not be his story. Yeah, it’s a midrash, a parable meant to teach a lesson. It’s also a remix of an Aesop’s fable! You ready for this?

“The Cat and Venus

A CAT fell in love with a handsome young man, and entreated Venus to change her into the form of a woman. Venus consented to her request and transformed her into a beautiful damsel, so that the youth saw her and loved her, and took her home as his bride. While the two were reclining in their chamber, Venus wishing to discover if the Cat in her change of shape had also altered her habits of life, let down a mouse in the middle of the room. The Cat, quite forgetting her present condition, started up from the couch and pursued the mouse, wishing to eat it. Venus was much disappointed and again caused her to return to her former shape.

Nature exceeds nurture.”

Big thanks to George Flyer Townsend for translating this. However, that Aesop had covered this prior shows that even Jewish midrashim are responses to previous texts. That’s not necessarily bad. It simply shows that Judaism was self-aware, using prior stories as springboards. You simply can’t deny that.

But this all goes back to that Kohelet verse. Judaism doesn’t exist in a vacuum, as much as we sometimes want it to. Because Jews are a byproduct of the world. This extends to how we perceive and digest media. And if these controversies are indication, the issues present, such as that of perception, aren’t new either. Our sages and texts were grappling with this, and they too were influenced by the world around them. We should definitely remember and appreciate that as we grapple with contemporary issues.

24 GameCube Lane

This week marks the 24th anniversary of the GameCube in North America. It was the first console I owned, having received it as a Bar Mitzvah gift, and I still have a soft spot for its library. It was also the first console I rented games for, and I was never the wiser. However, even with my memories of playing Super Smash Bros. Melee with my brothers, I often felt weird knowing I had a console that was unpopular, sitting at 3rd-place in the 6th Generation Console Wars. So why is the GameCube gaining popularity nowadays?

Truthfully, not everything about the GameCube has held up. Much has, like its controller, but the console’s library and hardware specs earned its poor sales when compared to the Xbox and PS2. Even with its AAA titles, several of its early successes were rushed, and it showed. It especially showed in the fighting mechanics for Super Smash Bros. Melee, as well as the in-game glitches in Super Mario Sunshine. Factor in no DVD player, or a solid online, and it’s no wonder Nintendo had to rethink everything with the Wii.

I feel bad criticizing the console. For all its flaws, the GameCube was quite intuitive. Not only was its controller an improvement over the N64’s, which was bulky and confusing, it also could fit neatly into a bag for travel. I specifically remember tucking it into a suitcase when I visited my cousin’s grandmother’s cottage one Winter, and plugging it in to their TV wasn’t difficult. The GameCube also introduced the WaveBird, a controller that let you play games without a wired plug. That was game changing.

Playing 4-player was also great. We take this for granted, but multiplayer was a bonus for a console that was family-friendly. It’s true that 4-player options already existed on the N64, but this was the first Nintendo console to pull it off without lag or frame drops. Besides, it was great for family gatherings, something I miss as an adult. That, and online play isn’t the same.

Perhaps the surge in popularity bugs me because, rational or not, it feels too-little-too-late. Where was this validation when the GameCube was struggling? Why now? And is the adoration sincere, or a form of “what’s old is new again”? These are questions that plague my mind looking back on the Nintendo console that wasn’t “cool” to own, and it stings.

Part of it could also be wishing that fondness had translated to the Wii. The Wii was a far bigger success story, even allowing backwards compatibility with the GameCube’s library. But the “uncool” nature of the GameCube was amplified, with third-party developers using it as a dumping ground. Nintendo catering to non-gamers was seen as a betrayal, which I’ve always found exclusivist. Perhaps that’s why the GameCube saw a re-evaluation, as it was the last stronghold of “true Nintendo” for many gamers. Either that, or GamerGate has poisoned the discourse.

I do think this fondness for the GameCube is too much, though. Maybe I’m reaching for sour grapes, I don’t know. Maybe this is me being jaded by the last four console generations, I also don’t know. However, it won’t leave my mind. And that’s the problem.

It's not all bad. The Switch 2 emulating the GameCube’s library via NSO is a great decision, and I respect them recognizing their 6th generation console got the shaft. It also allows me to play games I never fully-completed or tried at release, like Luigi’s Mansion or Chibi-Robo. I’m grateful Nintendo’s willing to reevaluate their “failures” and see their merits, even if only for financial reasons. Because it’s all financial anyway.

Nevertheless, the fandom now seeing the GameCube as “cool” stings. After years of being apologetic, to the point of ridicule from peers, this feel like whiplash. Have I won? And if so, why aren’t I satisfied? Has time ruined everything? Am I a bitter old man, shaking my fist at clouds and yelling? Is this me now?

I don’t want to think too hard here. Not only is it unpleasant pondering this, it’s equally as weird that the GameCube’s considered “retro”. If anything, I should be happy. But I’m not. I’m sad that it took too long to achieve justice over Nintendo’s most-maligned console prior to the Wii U.

But I digress. While late, it’s better now than never. And for all intents and purposes, the wave of nostalgia for the GameCube is something that’s warranted 24 years later. Nintendo struggled with it, slashing its price several times, and it bled money until they removed a key component from the hardware. That their biggest home console flop at the time, one they were forced to move away from, is getting its day in the Sun shows how time heals all wounds. Or most wounds. The longstanding trauma of being a diehard GameCube fan when it wasn’t cool doesn’t disappear all that quickly…

Nintendo's New President?

After 6 years as president of Nintendo of America, Doug Bowser is stepping down on December 31st.

It feels weird even saying that. Not only did Bowser feel like a non-energy compared to Reggie Fils-Aimé, he was barely president. It doesn’t seem that way, but 6 years isn’t long. Especially compared to Fils-Aimé’s 16 years. It’s the difference between a ripple and a tsunami. Which begs the question: if Bowser’s retiring, who’s taking his place?

Well, we know the answer: Devon Pritchard. I didn’t know who that was initially, until I looked up the name. Sure enough, it’s a woman, Nintendo of America’s first. Because The US couldn’t handle a female head of state, they figured this was the next best option. Honestly, this is great news! I wish her the best at outdoing her soon-to-be predecessor’s job!

I jest. Nevertheless, because Devon Pritchard’s a woman, even though she’s more than qualified, there’s inevitably going to be backlash. If gamers are known for anything, it’s being incredibly toxic to anyone who doesn’t fit the status quo. It’s not like we haven’t learned that from GamerGate! That was definitely a headache-and-a-half!

For as much as I complain about Nintendo, and it’s warranted, having a woman as president of the American division isn’t automatically bad. Not only has it never been done, it also isn’t a knock against Pritchard. Remember that Nintendo’s had a rocky past few years. COVID-19 aside, which they benefitted from, they’ve had a difficult time with tariffs over the Switch 2. They’ve also been accused of sexism, enough that it was made public. With that latter part, this might be a way of smoothing everything over.

Outside of that, Nintendo of America’s new president being a woman shouldn’t spell doom and gloom. Pritchard won’t be making the big calls for the company. That honour belongs to Nintendo of Japan, specifically Shuntaro Furukawa. Pritchard will be NoA’s face, but she’ll have to answer to Furukawa. If Nintendo of Japan does something “bad”, it won’t be her fault. I’m hoping that quells some faux-concerns.

However, let’s pretend Pritchard became the general president of Nintendo. It won’t happen, but let’s say it did. Would that be so bad? Pritchard isn’t some nobody who “slept her way to the top”. Misogyny aside, her credential are strong: she’s been with Nintendo of America for over 19 years, and she has a Doctorate of Law from Gonzaga University. She’s also Nintendo’s marketing advisor, suggesting a background in finance. (You can find all this on her LinkedIn profile.) Considering her real experience, would leading Nintendo proper be out of the question?

This is the conversation many gamers refuse to have. They see “not a man”, and they immediately assume the worst. It doesn’t matter if the person’s experienced, it’s “not enough”. Because God forbid a girlboss exist! Heaven help us if a woman has power!

I know it feels like I’m retreading water, especially given the “debate” over Princess Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, but sexism doesn’t really “die” with gamers. No, it merely gets quelled for a month or two, only to resurface with another “scandal”. In this case, it’ll be about Pritchard becoming NoA president. If you don’t believe me, then you’re naïve.

It’s exhausting. I’m not even a woman, and it’s exhausting. The world has so many real issues, like wars, poverty and inequality. Shouldn’t we be focused on those instead of obsessing over a woman being in charge of a company? Wouldn’t our resources be better spent? Or is that too much to ask from the community of Vivian James?

Let’s be real: it no longer sucks being a gamer, especially in 2025. The world has come around to the hobby of video games, and there are even competitions. We’re not living in the 1980s, a time when gaming was considered a blight. Nerds rule the world now, and we garner respect. So why continue acting like we’re marginalized?

Having a mainstream executive, and a woman, as the head of a gaming company should be welcomed. It should be welcomed because of how rare it is. Despite what you’d be led to believe, women still struggle to get into top positions. Contrary to anti-DEI folks, they have more hurdles than their male counterparts. So we owe it to them to let them prove their worth as human beings. That we’re constantly throwing fits is sad.

Does this mean Devon Pritchard will automatically be a good president? No. But she should be allowed to demonstrate that without any added barriers. That’s true equity. And it’s high-time that people, gamers specifically, recognized this.

Look, change is scary and difficult. I get it. But it’s also necessary to maintain relevancy. Nintendo’s been around for well over a century. We may not like every decision they’ve made, but they know what they’re doing if they’re still around. Especially when much of their competition has faded into irrelevancy. This is yet another example of a calculated move on their part that could work in their favour. We owe Pritchard that much.

When Bigotry Prevails

Riri Williams was going to be controversial from the moment she was first introduced. Not only is she an Iron Man fan, she’s also black. And she’s a genius like Tony Stark. Combine that with many nerds being bigoted, see GamerGate and Comicsgate, and the hate basically wrote itself. One Twitter user even claimed that “melanin and estrogen” were viruses that infected Iron Man simultaneously, ignoring basic biology and hormones. Riri never stood a chance here, essentially.

Now that bigotry’s been extended to Ironheart, an MCU series that’s been well-received critically, but was review-bombed by trolls. You’d think sites like Rotten Tomatoes, which have dealt with this nonsense before, would be prepared, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t attacked. It’s was so bad that many of the reviews were also copy-pastes. It was embarrassing. Why does a black woman bother people?

Rhetorical question aside, this shouldn’t bother me specifically. And normally it wouldn’t, as the internet isn’t reality. However, this has ripple effects. Studio execs take notes of feedback, even when it’s trash, and they respond in kind. So while it shouldn’t matter, in the end it still does. That’s worrying, as I’ve watched Ironheart and think it’s great.

Perhaps the best example of how online trolling has ruined a franchise is Star Wars. Star Wars has a history of caving to fans anyway, but the situation’s gotten worse under Disney. When the first entry in The Sequel Trilogy released, the underlying meta-narrative was about legacies and expectations. Rey and Kylo Ren were fans of the Jedi and Sith respectively, and The First Order was a hollow imitation of The Empire. None of this was subtle, even being called attention to in-movie.

Then the next entry took this meta-narrative to interesting places. If the first movie was “too familiar”, the sequel was “too unconventional”. Minor choices were chastised for bucking expectations, while bigger ones were considered character betrayals. I happened to like the movie, even if I took issue with some parts, but saying that out loud sparked backlash. It felt like the online world was influencing the real one.

This reached a fever pitch with the trilogy’s conclusion, which felt like Disney overcorrecting the meta-narrative. In particular, a key character, Rose, was relegated to the sidelines, making her character buildup be for nothing. Ignoring the hate her actress, Kelly-Marie Tran, received, shafting Rose, not to mention the weird choices the movie made, in order to please a militant-yet-small base was a slap to the face. I say that as someone who enjoyed the movie anyway.

This toxicity resurfaced with The Acolyte, a Star Wars series suggesting that The Jedi suck. This show was review-bombed because it starred a black woman. It got so bad that Acolytes, a property completely-unrelated, was also review-bombed, leading me to wonder if these trolls knew what they were mad about. It didn’t end up mattering, as Disney cancelled its second season, leaving us with a frustrating cliffhanger.

I mention this because Ironheart, at least initially, appeared to be following in the same footsteps. And yes, it’s not 1:1: not only was Ironheart meant to be self-contained, complete with a beginning, middle and end, it ended up having a flood of fans rush to its defence. Yet the hate for Riri Williams was persistent, showing that bigotry doesn’t disappear so easily. Considering that Disney has already cancelled several MCU projects recently, that Riri’s presence could be downplayed or erased is a real fear.

I’m not saying you have to love Ironheart. Every MCU venture has issues that hold it back from perfection. This show, which improves with each episode, is no different. However, if you dislike it, it should be for legitimate reasons. Hating Ironheart for starring a black woman isn’t one of them.

I’m also not an expert on Hollywood. I know they’re a business, and that they care about money, but I can’t claim to understand half of what goes on without sounding pretentious. I only know what I read, nothing more. But I know studio executives listen to feedback from audiences. They don’t always take the right lessons from it, but they listen. That’s why we should be careful.

As a final note, I wouldn’t be as frustrated if our current climate weren’t so hostile. Claims of “DEI hires” have made their way to the highest reaches of office, and they’ve been rubbing off on entertainment. Even Disney, who caved to their shareholders, had a brief period where they were sanitizing their output to not get into trouble, and we’re still seeing some of that. So while it stopped quickly, it can happen again.

The bigotry around Riri Williams and Ironheart is real. It’s real, pervasive and, unfortunately, concerning. And while it shouldn’t matter that much, as movies are about more than review scores, it’s troubling because studio executives take notes. They also often take the wrong lessons from the feedback they receive. That’s the real issue, and that’s why this bugs me so much…even if the trolls bit off more than they could chew here.

Gaming on Strike!

(Note: The following was written about a rapidly-changing situation. Please take any outdated content with a grain of salt.)

Breaking news: the video game branch of SAG-AFTRA might be going on strike.

For those shocked, don’t worry. I didn’t know there were strike talks at all, only that the industry’s struggling with mass-layoffs. That said, considering this is a possibility, I’m intrigued. Video game production’s long and difficult, and the medium’s creators have long gotten the short end of the stick. So this is overdue.

In terms of what the strike entails, it’s really about A.I. That’s what last year’s writer’s and actor’s strikes were about. Yet while that was made public, this has been under the radar due to video game development being more underground. It’s a shame, as video games are a form of artistic expression deserving as much attention as other mass-media art-forms. I support its programmers and artists getting fair treatment, essentially.

It's also worth noting which studios will be impacted: Activision, Blindsight, Disney, EA, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Take-Two, VoiceWorks and Warner Bros. Some are crossovers of Hollywood studios, like Disney and Warner Bros., but these studios are all huge in the West. No joke! EA, or Electronic Arts, is quite noteworthy in the video gaming world, while Insomniac Games is a Sony subsidiary. These 9 studios comprise a large chunk of the industry, so it’s nice to see some accountability. And trust me, they need it.

I should reiterate that last point. Video games have had an abuse problem for ages. Even before GamerGate, which was disgusting itself, the “niche nerd” mentality has allowed for insular toxicity. Women and minorities have been harassed and threatened constantly, and anyone who’s spoken up has faced scrutiny. Remember the overarching conflict in Free Guy? Where a giant publisher absorbs an indie game and blacklists its programmers? That happens a lot.

Then there’s A.I. and how it harms performers. Like in film and writing, SAG’s video game division wants protections from that. Human hands need to guide A.I., or we’d get hollow imitations of art, and we’re seeing that happen with mass-layoffs in favour of it. Remember, there are talented creators who deserve proper compensation for their time and effort, something they’re not getting right now.

But why stop there? Why not also strike for protections from abuse? The current Activision-Blizzard controversy attests to that behind closed doors, and it’s one example! Though hey, Activision’s one of the 9 companies on this list! Fancy that!

I know it sounds like I’m rambling, but I want to stress how bad the situation is. Video game development burnout’s real, and it’s made many talented people leave. That’s upsetting given that the industry’s worth almost $250 billion, and it’s only expected to grow. For such a powerful juggernaut, you’d want its workers treated properly, right? I’d say so!

Since this is so fresh and surprising, I’ll mention two specific points here. The first is that this is a Western strike. The East has issues too, many of which overlap, but they’re not going on strike. I’m not even sure how they’d handle a strike of this magnitude, but I won’t speculate about something I’m unfamiliar with. Nevertheless, Nintendo, Konami, Capcom and the likes aren’t on the chopping block (yet).

The second is that this is something worth showing solidarity over. Yes, many games will be put on hold. But it’s a small price for a healthy industry. If that bothers you, then take a long, hard look in the mirror. Seriously.

It’s easy to freak out if you’re into video games. The world’s uncertain and scary, and video games provide an escape from that. But like TV and movies, video games aren’t going anywhere. They’ll still be around in 5-10 years, and there are plenty of backlog options right now. You’re not going to “die” if you can’t get the newest video game, not when all three big players have an online catalogue of classic titles available.

Please also remember that getting a video game shouldn’t come at the expense of the well-being of those who made it. I know it’s easy to forget, but game developers are people. And like everyone else, they deserve respect. Many of them aren’t getting that, so shouldn’t that be a priority? Or is basic human dignity not a factor? Because, if so, that says more about consumers than those going on strike.

It’s quite simple to compartmentalize all of this when you’re in gaming mode. I used to be self-centred enough to not care, too. But that was a long time ago. I’ve grown and matured a lot since high school, and I think that’s healthy. Because we should be supportive of the people who make our entertainment, regardless of format, even if we sometimes have to pause our consumption of it. After all, how else can we appreciate something than by standing up for those in the industry? It’s only fair that we reciprocate that passion.

Vivian's Coming Out

In my Infinite Rainy Day days, I wrote about a then-circulating discourse over Samus Aran being trans. I won’t get into why I scrapped it, but I was mean-spirited in hindsight. I argued that even if Samus was trans, that was neither relevant nor important in the grand scheme. I not only unintentionally gaslit the trans community, I was being incredibly transphobic. And I’m sorry.

I mention this because the remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door’s right around the corner. Specifically, because of the recent confirmation in the translation that one of the characters is trans. This is actually a correction of the GameCube original’s script, highlighting the difference in attitudes over the last 20 years. It’s big. It clarifies why the character in question, Vivian, was treated badly by her sisters: it wasn’t simply that she was “weak”, but rather that they were transphobic.

This is a huge deal! For one, Vivian’s design and personality make more sense as a recently-transitioned woman who isn’t accepted by her family. Transitioning’s challenging for family members because it requires reframing their relationship to their trans relative. And often, perhaps too often, it leads to denial or rejection, to the shock and dejection of the individual. In some cases, it even leads to ostracizing, violence, self-harm and suicide. Simply look at news stories and statistics.

Negativity aside, consider it a win for trans people. Queer representation in media, particularly Japanese media, has a long way to go to achieve equity, something reflected in longstanding attitudes about those on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. I’m no expert on Japanese politics, but I know queerness is still more taboo there than here. We see this with how queer characters in Japanese media are either thought of as “romantically transitioning” to heteronormativity, or openly shafted. With transness, they’re even forced to “re-embrace” their original gender. It’s something that’s, fortunately, changing now, but the wheels of progress turn slowly…

Nintendo of Japan’s also more openly accepting of queer folk than many companies, even making international headlines. Having Vivian be trans is another example of this, and that the game she’s in doesn’t shy away from that is admirable. Doubly-so that it’s in the English translation, as transness isn’t quite as taboo here. Plus, it explains why her sisters are cold and nasty to her.

While this is a win for queerness, the crowd having the hardest time is Western gaming. Ever since Vivian was confirmed as trans, the community, particularly those “against censorship”, has had a meltdown. This includes comments and videos calling it “lies”, saying that Vivian “was never trans”. Ignoring the inconsistency and insincerity, this is sad. It’d also be funny if it weren’t maddening: you can handle a female character being overly-sexualized, but if she embraces something outside the norm it’s “bad”? Are you 12?

Perhaps I’m projecting, but this reeks of GamerGate’s leftovers. I won’t repeat all my thoughts, but that GamerGate’s stench can be smelled here is upsetting. This movement made three women into martyrs despite their personal politics, and all because they didn’t cave to misogyny. This same movement made an underaged stock avatar their mascot, and it made life a nightmare for anyone who criticized them. GamerGate also lost me many friends. I don’t need a reminder of that.

Besides, what’s wrong with Vivian being trans? This isn’t a head-canon decision, it’s fact. Vivian’s not only trans, she’s openly mocked for it. It’s a part of her identity and character arc, and it makes her who she is. That’s intellectual honesty.

I’m not even sure what’s gained here. The game’s coming out soon, and the script’s been translated by Nintendo. Vivian being trans was the original intent. You want to argue with Nintendo? You’re wasting time and energy.

Assuming this really does bother people, the GameCube version also exists. You know, the one that gamers hold dearly? It might be hard to track down now, and also expensive, but snagging a copy isn’t impossible. I even bought one on eBay a few years ago. Since gamers love shelling out money for obscure titles, why not do that instead?

This doesn’t help video games be taken seriously as a hobby, either. I’d argue they already were, but part of having the industry be recognized means it isn’t exempt from tackling real-world issues. If anything, refusing to makes the art-form look childish. And is that what we want? Will that solve anything?

I know this is a shock to many people who grew up with the GameCube version. It’s not my favourite entry in the franchise, that’s still the N64 game, but even I appreciate why the game’s well-loved! Though is Vivian being canonically-trans a dealbreaker? Because if so, I have to wonder if you really love the game. Especially when this version has a more accurate script.

Besides, Vivian’s transness isn’t even the biggest issue worth addressing. If I had it my way, the game wouldn’t joke about Princess Peach stripping. Or have Madame Flurrie’s physique be a punchline for fatphobia. Or have Mario the butt of unwanted affection from the female characters. These aspects most-likely haven’t been removed, so it’s strange that an actually-positive change is getting all of the attention.

Whatever, it’s not worth getting upset. Especially when there’s a new Switch game to look forward to!

Goodbye Twitter/X-A Letter

Dear Tweeple:

It’s with a heavy heart that I announce my departure from Twitter/X.

When I joined on December 2nd, 2011, I was excited at what the platform had to offer. After all, this was during ScrewAttack’s twilight years, and that site was a mess, so having a presence outside of that was a great way to expand my reach. I remember posting regularly and hanging out with g1s, getting to know their interests and interacting in live-time. Call it naïve optimism from a 21 year-old Jewish Canadian in the thick of his university education.

My early years on Twitter/X were standard: I shared my work, opined occasionally and grew my Followers. I even managed to occasionally attract the attention of bigger names, including my then-favourite anime reviewer. While I rarely shared my political opinions, I had a unique enough base that they rubbed off anyway. I credit Twitter/X with helping me gain a socially-active conscience. It’d help me later on.

My first red flag came in the form of GamerGate in 2014. I’ve written extensively about it, but GamerGate was when I realized there were cracks in the platform’s moderation. While uttering the term led to squabbles with people who didn’t have my best interests at heart, the Block tool alleviated much of my anxiety. To this day, I don’t regret it, since my Followers kept growing.

The last year of enjoyment on Twitter/X was 2015. That was the year SCOTUS legalized gay marriage, as well as when I started this Blog. It was also when Donald Trump announced his presidency, something that worried me, but was on the back-burner. For the time being, I was enjoying promoting my work, engaging with fans and growing my base. Even with GamerGate fading into irrelevancy, 2015 was the last year I’d consider Twitter/X a beneficial investment.

Everything really began to crash with Trump’s presidency in 2016. The next few years revealed the façade that was Twitter. It didn’t help that my Followers peaked in early-2017 at 575, a number I’ve never returned to since. Twitter/X began to enrage and annoy me, with many friendships fully-dissolving and others being tested. My social conscience was now refined by a sense of Jewish pride, and the two felt in conflict over certain topics. It wasn’t pleasant being there anymore, but I kept at it.

2020 was when everything hit rock-bottom. On one hand, Trumpian politics were weighing on my mind. On the other hand, the populist left was pushing me in, their idealism forcing my sensibilities into a box. What was it that I wanted? Who could I trust? My Blocks got an intense workout, and the site was no longer enjoyable. Especially with COVID paranoia causing extremes to meet.

Following January 6th, 2021, it was clear I had to make a decision. But I was hesitant to leave. I liked the accessibility of Twitter/X’s user-face, and I didn’t want to give up the friendships I’d made. It was making me anxious, made worse by Elon Musk’s purchase of the site the following year. All the trolling and hate under the surface was now bubbling up. Which leads to 2023, particularly the last month or so. I could withstand GamerGate and Trump on Twitter/X. It was annoying, but I knew who I could fall back on and trust.

What I couldn’t withstand, however, was those same people turning on me and other Jews over something no one wanted: October 7th. Violence in Israel was nothing new, but I’d lost over 1400 brothers and sisters to an enemy who wasn’t hiding their intentions. That alone was traumatic, but even more traumatic was the world’s response: they were praising it. Considering I’d often fought alongside and for many of these individuals in the past, to have them then turn around and not reciprocate was alarming.

But I guess that’s expected. Horseshoe Theory’s a real concept, and extremists on the far-left harbour similar views to those on the far-right. These views include Antisemitism and attitudes over the Jewish state, and while Antisemitism’s open on the far-right and blatantly-transparent, to have the far-left embrace similar tactics, while not surprising, is upsetting and disappointing. It’s as if they refuse to acknowledge Jews, or “Zionists”, as individuals, and the walls and straw-men they make up to avoid confronting their own problems speaks volumes. It’s as if the bigoted boogeyman never disappeared, but merely changed stripes and blended in better.

So yes, you’ve beaten me. You’ve won. You’ve gotten me to abandon my future on Twitter/X in favour of your petty, partisan politics not rooted in logic or compassion. I was hoping Elon Musk would break Twitter/X completely before leaving, but I guess he wasn’t my biggest concern after all. I hope you’re proud.

Sincerely;

Whitly, aka Captain Raccoon.

P.S. Rest in Piss.

SAG-AFTRA and AI

Tomorrow marks a pivotal moment in Hollywood. The Screen Actors Guild, or SAG-AFTRA, is voting to go on strike, much like The WGA did. While the situation in acting’s different than writing, an overlapping concern is about AI replacing the human element. Like how writers are concerned machines will replace them, so too are performers. While this, together with residual cheques, has been years in progress, it’s only now gotten bad enough that people are putting their feet down.

Which begs the question: why aren’t more consumers sensitive to it?

Recently, the voice acting world was faced with said apathy. Erica Lindbeck put out a request on her Twitter account to stop people from using her voice without permission. Rather than respect that request, she received harassment from Tweeters who didn’t think it was a big deal. The attacks got so bad that Lindbeck deactivated her account, leading to other VAs coming to her defence.

This should be a no-brainer: an individual in the entertainment industry requested that she be respected. She wasn’t, and she got attacked. Normally this’d warrant self-reflection, but since Twitter misunderstands consent, it isn’t surprising. As someone who survived GamerGate, I know that all too well. Also, Twitter sucks.

What bugs me more is the aftermath, particularly the fallout. While I appreciate VAs coming to Lindbeck’s defence, I don’t like people not understanding what they did wrong. To be fair, most individuals understood this was a blunder. But the few that didn’t, the loudest voices, acted like they were the victims and continued harassing VAs. It’s a classic case of entitlement, which is concerning in an age when people can anonymously steal someone’s likeness.

This circles back to a growing fear about overstepping boundaries in art. I’m not entirely against AI. I think that it has potential to assist artists when used correctly. Unfortunately, that’s not happening to the degree that it should, hence the concern. Basically, instead of complimenting artists and their work, AI’s being used as a total replacement for them. As an artist myself, that’s quite worrying.

It's also worrying because of the long-term implications. AI, as of right now, is in The Uncanny Valley: it can’t draw limbs properly, it makes blurry copies of other people’s work without their permission, and in the off-chance that it gets someone’s voice right, it still feels too calculated to pass as human. However, that might not last. Technology’s constantly getting better, and we already have near-perfect deepfakes that can be swapped with real actors. If AI ever becomes indistinguishable from reality, who’s to say it won’t replace the jobs of real people permanently?

That’s what Lindbeck’s situation, as well as SAG-AFTRA’s strike vote, is about. I don’t think anyone’s bemoaning AI’s existence. It’s used in many fields, including CGI modelling and rendering, and it’s not going away. But even with that, there still has to be a balance. The AI component can’t, and shouldn’t, override the human one, or we end up with inferior, calculated simulations of reality becoming the norm and drowning out lived experiences. That’s the real problem.

I’m also not happy with living, thinking individuals not comprehending this. Sure, Lindbeck’s one person, and I’m positive sexism also played a part with her. But if the VA response is indication, I doubt she’s an isolated example. And that people are continuing to ignore real artists’ wishes to not have their art replicated without permission because “AI is cool” is telling and naïve. Because who’s to say it won’t one day impact them too? Does it only matter when they’re on the chopping block themselves?

I won’t fix this problem on my own. I’m one person, and I have relatively little clout. I also know that even if I did have clout, it wouldn’t be enough to reverse the damage that shameless AI promoters are causing. However, I know I want my voice to be respected, and I know what it’s like to have it diluted. I’m sure I’m not alone on that.

As for the video that used Lindbeck’s voice without permission? I can’t take it down, I don’t have that kind of power, but I recommend no one watch it. I don’t care how “good” or “funny” it is, it’s a breach of consent. If Erica Lindbeck requests that her voice be respected, we should be sensitive to that. There’s no arguing around this.

Finally, regarding the SAG-AFTRA situation, I wouldn’t worry too much. Yes, it’ll suck to have film sets shut down, especially since no one will be working on new productions, but there’s more than enough content as is that it’s impossible to not have a personal backlog. Plus, people have a right to demand better working conditions, even if they’re famous. Human lives are more important than personal grievances over that new movie you’ve been looking forward to not coming out right away or being put on pause. That includes AI as well.

Remembering Wii Music

2008 was rough for Nintendo. It started great, with high-quality releases like Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart Wii, but a few months in the output dried up. This culminated in an underwhelming E3 showing that year, ending with one of Nintendo’s most-notorious reveals: Wii Music. This game made diehard Nintendo fans feel betrayed, causing petitions for Nintendo to “not forget about their loyal fans” to be made. I should know, I remember this!

There’s a lot to say in hindsight about this: it was overblown. It was bizarre. The presentation certainly didn’t help, and the game wasn’t great to begin with. But even ignoring that, the question of whether it was worth getting angry gets overlooked. Because, truth be told, it wasn’t.

To be clear, this a defence of Wii Music. Not only have I not played it, I have no interest. I’m not an instruments person, and I can’t read music. I also have enough on my plate with Wii Sports, Wii Play and Wii Fit, the latter of which I can’t use anymore because my Wii sensor bar’s broken. Trying to salvage the game’s reputation, therefore, would be dishonest.

What I can discuss, however, is the criticism Nintendo received, as well as the reverberations 15 years later. For one, not only was the backlash extreme, it was vile. And two, that backlash was an early red flag for something much more unsettling. But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now, I’ll focus on the reaction to Wii Music, as well as why it was unfair.

Let’s start with expectations. I think everyone had their hopes set too high. It’s not like there wasn’t a precedent, it’s Nintendo, but people can be unrealistic about a company that has to satisfy both their base and their shareholders simultaneously. This was especially true for the Wii, which had been marketed to individuals who didn’t have a lot of time for video games. It’s hard enough catering to your pre-existing base, who expects the same three franchises constantly, without ignoring that.

Nintendo fans were being unfair at the time. They were also being selfish and self-centred, demanding that Nintendo cater to them alone. This fear of the casual gamer that’d permeated the community was a driving factor behind Wii Music’s backlash. Let’s face it: if you overhype something, and it doesn’t meet expectations, whose fault is that? Is it the company’s, or yours?

This leads to my next point, that being the aftermath. Ignoring how overblown the initial reaction was, the subsequent whining and petitions weren’t doing anyone favours. Nintendo, remember, can only do so much. It’s hard enough catering to new fans without forgetting older ones, and Nintendo had a tricky juggling act. Even if they were focusing too much on casual gamers, though I’d argue they weren’t, complaining wasn’t going to fix anything. The game was already made, so being mad did no one favours. If anything, it made gamers look spoiled.

But the biggest consequence was that, 15 years later, the impact of that reveal is still being felt with 1-2-Switch. You know, the game where you play with other people in head-to-head battles? The game that’s perfect for people with vision problems? The game that also had a silly debut? That game?!

I don’t think people appreciate how toxic gaming gatekeeping is. So a high-profile video game isn’t to your liking? Okay, and? No one’s forcing people to play Wii Music, regardless of quality, and not every game is for everyone. I’m not big on sports games, but you won’t see me trashing them left-right-and-centre. That’s not only unhelpful, it’s gross! Wii Music, quality aside, is no different.

It doesn’t help that the backlash, like I said earlier, was an early warning sign of the gaming community’s insularity. Perhaps it’s a generalization saying this, but many of the same people who complained about Wii Music would later attack Anita Sarkeesian and spearhead GamerGate. It’s not hard to connect the dots, especially when these “scandals” were responses to outsiders daring to penetrate the gaming world. Even now you see that in far-right politics, particularly the kind that led to Brexit and MAGA. That, I think, is far more concerning than programmable plastic.

But perhaps the biggest issue is that the fallout of Wii Music, aside from all the above, was unnecessary. So Nintendo made a silly video game about instruments for little kids? Okay, why’s that the end of the world? So the game wasn’t good? Again, why’s that the end of the world? So Nintendo marketed it in an awful way? Why’s that the end of the-you see what I’m getting at?

There are real issues in gaming. Expensive, broken titles that require patches at launch is one of them. A lack of preservation of older titles is another. Anti-competitive behaviour’s a third. But a game not being for you? If that’s really your biggest concern, then you live a privileged life. That, and you should probably get out more.

Leave MovieBob Alone!

This is Bob Chipman, aka MovieBob:

Considered one of the most-polarizing figures on the internet, for better or worse, MovieBob got his start as a video essayist on ScrewAttack via The Game OverThinker. After becoming a site regular in 2009, MovieBob gained a reputation as a “loud, angry voice” who fed into video game edginess. His over-the-top rhetoric divided audiences over whether or not he was making the reputation of gamers worse. He also was the first non-ScrewAttack/GameTrailers/AVGN-related gaming content I watched.

My opinion of MovieBob has swung back and forth. Initially, I thought he was an amusing pastime. Then I started getting frustrated with his lack of etiquette. Then I took a break, moved on to other creators, and came back to discover that he’d softened a lot. Then he became annoying again following GamerGate and Trump. Now…I’m neutral on him.

Don’t get me wrong: MovieBob’s no saint. Aside from questionable politics, which have ebbed and flowed, he has one of the most-obnoxious Feeds on Twitter. The latter’s so bad I’ve made an effort to avoid most of his Tweets. He also occasionally has pop-culture takes that are baffling. But that’s why I don’t Follow him on Twitter.

You’re probably wondering why I’m mentioning him; after all, he can advocate for himself! He doesn’t need me to stick up for him, right? Well, I’m doing it anyway. Not because I’m his #1 fan, but because much of the criticism directed at him is couched in disturbing and unsettling blowback. Let me explain.

One of the “critiques”, if you can call it that, that keeps getting tossed at MovieBob revolves around his weight. Essentially, MovieBob’s fat. He’s never tried hiding that in his on-screen appearances, either. Even his most well-known photo, him dressed as Mario for Halloween, accentuates that fact. It’s not a secret.

Unfortunately, it keeps getting used as an insult. Whether it’s being called “MovieSlob”, or having his well-intended critics attack his weight in jest, it’s become really tired and overused. We get it, MovieBob’s fat. Lots of people are fat. How’s this funny?

Perhaps it wouldn’t bother me if I weren’t underweight, always trying (unsuccessfully) to gain weight my whole life. Perhaps it also wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t know people who are overweight, always struggling (again, unsuccessfully) to be thinner. There are many sympathetic reasons for someone being overweight. Also, not everyone metabolizes food the same way.

By frequently bringing up MovieBob’s weight, people are dabbling in body-shaming. And isn’t that supposed to be bad? Isn’t it largely-accepted that if we strive for body-positivity, we should be accepting of all body types? How is criticizing MovieBob for something he can’t control meant to elevate your cause? Shouldn’t you focus on something else?

Another area people like calling out MovieBob for is his intelligence. He routinely gets attacked for being “stupid”, something not helped by his Twitter Feed coming off as ableist and pretentious. That last part was the main reason I stopped Following him on Twitter, by the way. I was having enough trouble with my own self-esteem that I didn’t need him adding to that.

But guess what? I don’t Follow him anymore. And ignoring that, many people on Twitter, even some who are more-respected than MovieBob, have ableist and pretentious Feeds too. In some cases, it exceeds MovieBob. It’s Twitter, home of the garbage hot-take! If you think the site won’t corrupt you somehow, then you haven’t been paying attention!

While some of MovieBob’s Tweets have angered me, he’s shown the ability to be introspective too. He’s messed up plenty, but he’s also apologized, made amends, been embarrassed by his past views and learned to temper his politics. MovieBob, like all people, isn’t static, and he’s grown as a person since 2009. He still puts his foot in his mouth regularly, but he’s not as bad as he used to be.

MovieBob might have critics on the left and the right, but many of them aren’t saints either. I’ve seen videos and Tweets that’ve tried calling him out, yet have either fallen prey to the same issues they’re calling out, or have done worse. It’s the classic example of, “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”. I also wonder how effective the pushback against him is when it’s ableist, pretentious, or body-shaming in nature, often all three simultaneously. Can’t we do better?

Arguably the biggest issue people have with MovieBob is how much of a “know-it-all” he is. I can’t argue with at, going by some of his comments. But guess what? He’s not alone there! Plenty of more individuals have made remarks that are equally as obnoxious, if not more-so. Some are even people I respect! Besides, MovieBob has the humility to acknowledge his ignorance and refer to experts, which many of his critics lack. If a “know-it-all” is capable of that, then there’s no excuse.

I guess this boils down to critiquing MovieBob honestly. Because so many people, even intelligent ones, don’t know how. And that’s sad. MovieBob’s easy to criticize for many reasons, but those reasons are frequently unmet. It’d be embarrassing if it weren’t upsetting, given the aforementioned.

I’m not saying people shouldn’t criticize MovieBob. You want to call him out? To quote Clint Barton from The Avengers: “Get in line.” But when that criticism lacks intellectual honesty, you might as well be what you hate. And no one wants that.

Besides, if Lindsay Ellis has forgiven him for an admittedly-creepy Tweet he made years ago, even when she had all reasons not to, then we can dial it down on the criticism.

The Xplay Factor

On June 26th, 2015, The United States Supreme Court ruled on Obergefell V. Hodges, a controversial case about a baker refusing to bake a cake for a gay couple. In a 5-4 ruling, they ruled in favour of the couple, striking down marriage bans throughout The US and making gay marriage official nationwide. Celebrations commenced, with celebrities like George Takei and Ian McKellen, both gay themselves, posting their thoughts on Twitter. It was also a pivotal moment in the fight against homophobia, demonstrating that if the world’s biggest superpower saw gay marriage as an inalienable right, then anything was possible.

And then there was 25 year-old me typing out the worst Tweet I could’ve written...

In hindsight, I understand the reasoning for my Tweet. The celebrations were pouring in, and in my mind it was draining. I was also still shedding my edge-lord libertarianism, a process I began in university and wouldn’t complete until after Donald Trump was elected president. In my mind, the celebrating was tedious. Nevertheless, while I nearly bombed my credibility by saying I was “tired of all these pro-LGBT Tweets”, I realize now that it was a bad move on my part.

I mention this for two reasons: firstly, I’m fallible and not above reproach. I’ve made many mistakes in the past, said Tweet being one of them. And secondly, I want to pay forward the lessons I’ve learned. Because that Tweet, which I can’t find anymore, was a teaching moment, one I remember even now. All of this is leading to what I want to actually discuss: Xplay.

Xplay was a show on the now-defunct TechTV/G4TV network. Hosted by Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb, the show reviewed newly-released video games in a tongue-and-cheek manner. I was late to the scene, having discovered Xplay in 2008, but I remember meshing with their sense of humour; after all, anything remotely video game-related was an instant sell. Even once I moved on from video games, I had fond memories of the show and, subsequently, the channel.

Unfortunately, time hasn’t been kind to the show’s humour. When a recent clip from an episode on Baiten Kaitos Origins resurfaced, Sessler wrote some…less-than-pleasant Tweets. He not only refused to apologize for the review’s racism, he openly-criticized those calling it out. When pressed further, he doubled-down. Essentially, he didn’t take it well.

I should mention that I have immense respect for Sessler. I appreciated his now-defunct response to the late-Roger Ebert’s claim that video games weren’t art, and I liked how he was an advocate for journalistic integrity during GamerGate. Sessler’s an intelligent man. And this makes his recent statements much more troubling. Because he should know better.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. For one, this is old material. Sessler isn’t the man he was in 2006, no one is. I know that I was drastically different 17 years ago, as evidenced by my Facebook Feed. Considering how embarrassing it is to reread my posts, I get not wanting to be reminded of your past thoughts.

Moving on, Sessler, judging by his Twitter Feed, is a busy man. He’s recently been on a reading binge, and he still does some gaming coverage. Being reminded of a show he did nearly two decades ago, one he might not have parted on good terms with, could be a sore spot. It doesn’t help that the internet can be ruthless with past failings and mistakes. Ergo, I get wanting to “move forward”.

And finally, it’s weird mentioning this review now. It was offensive? So was a lot of stuff in 2006. Gay marriage was still taboo in The US, and marijuana consumption was frowned upon. People’s attitudes toward Muslim countries like Iraq and Afghanistan were largely shaped by 9/11, which was only five years out at that point. Even popular media was making jokes that were “insensitive”, as evidenced by South Park. Given that Sessler’s review was thrown back in his face, I can see him getting defensive.

That said, my sympathies only extend so far. So it’s an old review that’s “bad”? Plenty of old content is “bad”. So Sessler’s busy? He can still admit that he made a mistake, it takes all of a minute. So this wasn’t an anomaly? So what?

We don’t fully-appreciate how little people’s sensibilities change. Sure, they do change, but not as drastically as you’d think. Remember, Warner Bros. and Disney made plenty of shorts and films that were in bad taste even then. Rereleases of Fantasia and several Looney Tunes shorts wouldn’t have been edited to remove bigoted material otherwise. Even now, said shorts and movies have disclaimers on Disney+ and HBO Max. Human nature doesn’t evolve that quickly.

While Sessler might have reasons to act like this doesn’t warrant an apology, they’re not good reasons. Ignoring the timing, he had the perfect opportunity to acknowledge that he messed up. That’d not only help reverse the harm, it’d earn him respect from many people. Sessler fancies himself a role model, and role models should lead by example. He’s not doing that.

This isn’t made better by Sessler’s defenders saying “it’s supposed to be offensive” to excuse his behaviour. Being offensive on purpose isn’t a good excuse. Especially when that offence is done out of mean-spiritedness, instead of making light of something in order to improve it. Like with South Park, it’s bullying. Basically, punch up, not down. Xplay’s review, which leaned into “Japanese developers are lazy hacks”, is the latter.

Let’s zone-in on that: Japan’s not one, singular voice. Japanese society isn’t monolithic, and it contains a wide variety of individuals with varying outlooks. Some of these are toxic, but many aren’t. And shaming Japan collectively because of a petty grudge does no one favours. If anything, it’s racist.

Yes, I said the “r” word. Am I wrong?

You know what doesn’t help? That Sessler dragged his critics. Is it true that some were unfairly critical? It’s the internet, so probably? But that doesn’t mean all of them were. Like with Japan, the internet isn’t monolithic. Some of his critics might’ve been picking a fight, but many were genuinely hurt by his review and lack of an apology. By him lumping everyone together as “insipid” (his words), Sessler comes across as the villain here.

Compounding everything is him comparing genuine critics of his behaviour to “MAGA idiots”. I get that MAGA’s a buzzword that’s done a lot of damage, I really do. But that doesn’t excuse petty behaviour. It’s why many Bernie-bros are so openly-reviled by the public, and it’s why Sessler’s response is troubling. Especially since he’s better than this.

I’d now like to appeal to Adam Sessler directly: I get it. You don’t like being reminded of your blunders, especially post-facto. I routinely cringe at my past behaviour and rhetoric! But I acknowledge and take accountability for it, and I think that makes me a better person. So while you might not want to, an honest, sincere apology is warranted.

Alternatively, you can ignore accountability and face the consequences. It’s your choice!