Gaming, Video Games, Tutorials, Instruction Manuals, LOTRO, Roblox, Fall Guys, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Chivalry 2, RPG, MMORPG, Action Combat Roger Edwards Gaming, Video Games, Tutorials, Instruction Manuals, LOTRO, Roblox, Fall Guys, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Chivalry 2, RPG, MMORPG, Action Combat Roger Edwards

Video Games Are Bad at Explaining Themselves

Video games as a genre are extremely poor at explaining themselves. When you buy a new game you’ll often find little or no information regarding the basic systems and mechanics. The industry assumes that their customers are by default familiar with the fundamentals of playing a modern video game. Hence if a game has a tutorial, it is often based around videos rather than detailed verbal instructions. You are are briefly shown a clip of a specific move being successfully undertaken but it is seldom shown in a wider context. The industry also expects the fan community to take on the role of curating and disseminating information about its games. The move away from forums and bespoke websites to Discord highlights this. Discord is a primarily a real time communication tool and not good at maintaining a historical data archive. If you want an answer to a specific gaming question, you’ll more than likely find it on YouTube in a video made by a fellow gamer.

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Editorial, Social Commentary, Instruction Manuals, Rant Roger Edwards Editorial, Social Commentary, Instruction Manuals, Rant Roger Edwards

Instruction Manuals

I try not to let the failings of contemporary capitalism get to me but such a mindset is very hard to maintain. From time to time it does just piss you off and you know damn well that there’s nothing you can do about it. So to begin this tale, at the end of November, our Indesit washer/dryer gave up the ghost after a valiant twelve year lifespan. As a result of this household appliance’s stirling work, it was decided to buy another from the same manufacturer. Their website informed me that the model that had just broken was no longer being produced. However, it recommended two newer appliances that had comparable specifications and more importantly the same size. This washer/dryer had to fit into a fitted kitchen unit. To cut a long story short, a model was chosen, purchased, delivered within 48 hours and installed. The broken predecessor was subsequently taken away. The wonders of modern consumer culture! 

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