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2013.07.31 06:37 xvvhiteboy Asmongold

Official subreddit of Asmongold aka ZackRawrr, an Austin, Texas based Twitch streamer, YouTube personality, and gaming organization owner and content creator of One True King (OTK), a group of mostly Austin, Texas based content creators and owner of Starforge Systems, selling prebuilt gaming PCs. Asmongold is primarily known for his World of Warcraft content. Asmongold has been voted 'Best MMORPG Streamer' at the 2022 and 2023 Streamer Awards.

[link]

2012.04.14 09:01 jinglesassy Hermitcraft Fan Community

A community for fans and members of the HermitCraft Minecraft Server!

[link]

2019.06.10 19:19 dontusethiswebsite Chivalry2

Subreddit community for Chivalry 2, a multiplayer action game made by Torn Banner Studios. The game is available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series XS, PS4 & PS5.

[link]

2023.06.08 08:42 Lil_Bean_Boi I couldn't screenshot it in time but I swear to you mbt just qrt'd this post with "BRANDED CONTENT? *starts jerking off*"

submitted by Lil_Bean_Boi to Farfa [link] [comments]

2023.06.08 05:59 MarukoAizawa JP Official Patch Notes [327]: DU District Total Settlement with GSC [condensed and translated]

Start and End: June 7, 2023 (11:00 - 17:00) JST
=============\\============= [1] Main Story: "Rabbits of Caerbannog", Chapter 2 - "We Were RABBITs!"
It's been a while since the major incident that has shaken the whole Kivotos, and people are getting back to their normal lives. In the midst of it all, RABBIT platoon finds themselves reunited with a shadow of their past—— Standing in the middle of wavering situations and swirling conspiracies... What kind of actions will they choose to take in?
Unlock Condition: ※ Complete Final Chapter: "Where All Miracles Began" - Chap 4: "PHT Decisive Battle" - Ep 12: After Story 2
=============\\============= [2] Event: DU District Total Settlement with GSC
https://preview.redd.it/6vcymxzpmp4b1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=ef92fb130c8e9e65e5395c958dd2766fe91bb5b8
※ Collection of "Luxurious Fountain Pen" are limited each day ※ Update the lottery box to the next round by choosing one of 2 options: -After acquiring featured rewards or After acquiring all rewards (within any round till 7)
※ After Round 7, you can only update the lottery round by acquiring all rewards within that round ※ The reward content differs depending on the round number of the lottery. For details, please check the "Event Reward Exchange" screen on the event page. ※ After Round 7 and onwards, the previous reward contents will be locked. ※ Please note that you won't be able to obtain rewards in the previous rounds once they have been updated to upcoming rounds.
=============\\============= [3] Guide Mission: “4 working days per week campaign"
https://preview.redd.it/7q2srgqenp4b1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=d8836321ab940f409dd2789a9a779638bf76264f
=============\\============= [4] Raid: HOD (Indoor)
Start and End: June 14 - 21, 2023 Results: June 21, 2023 (4:00 - 23:59) JST
※Insane & Torment Difficulty: Attack Type - Mystic
=============\\============= [5] Joint Shooting Drill: Shooting Drill 6
Start and End: June 7 - 14, 2023
=============\\============= [6] Mission: Area 23
https://preview.redd.it/lo4zrrrtmp4b1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=ad6a13977d9327d817ce8c31046fbe17f518caf2
※ Terrain: Indoor ※ Enemy Defense Type: Heavy, Light
Rewards: ※ Normal stage: T8 equipment ※ Hard stage: Juri, Tsubaki, and Alice Elephs
First Clear Rewards: ※ Normal stage: One of each type of "equipment blueprint". ※ Hard stage: 5 Elephs & 1 equipment blueprint.
=============\\============= [7] Cafe
https://preview.redd.it/dfqcd29rnp4b1.png?width=2100&format=png&auto=webp&s=37698b07953795eefc8cc894ad3da43b77fbe821
※ Furniture motion for the following students:

Minori: Woodworking workbench

=============\\=============
[8] 2x Drop Campaign
https://preview.redd.it/td6biyyymp4b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=81c2072cfc23b38a7e26b00df439d460597ea08b

5/24 - 5/31	Bounty
5/31 - 6/7	Commission
6/7 - 6/14	Schedule/Lessons & School Exchange
6/14 - 6/18	Normal
6/18 - 6/21	Hard

=============\\============= [9 Extra] Pick-up recruitment: "The path to engineering starts with a single step" Rre-runs: " This is RABBIT 1, the Ideal is in These Eyes" & "This is RABBIT 2, The Standard is in These Legs"
★3: Minori (CV: Kikuchi Sayaka)
https://preview.redd.it/ak5u5cumsp4b1.png?width=1840&format=png&auto=webp&s=37299c1fc1b84cb59c0b37ae59dd713b88ef63c6
※ Yasumori Minori / 安守ミノリ ※ Special, Back, Assault Rifle (AR) ※ Attacker, Explosion, Special Armor
※ EX Cost 4: Inspire! -Deals X% of attack as damage to enemies in a circular area. Can be consumed up to 2 more cost. Damage increases by X% per cost . (Cost increase/decrease skill effects. Calculations are based on the basic Cost)
※ Normal: United Will -Every xs, Deals X% Damage to All Enemies within a Circular Area.
※ Passive: Hand in Hand -Increases Accuracy by X%.
※ Sub: Fruits of Labor -Increase ally explosion dmg (red) effect by X% ----------------------------------[]---------------------[]----------------------------------
★3: Miyako (CV: Fujita Akane)
★3: Saki (CV: Tomonaga Akane)
* Minori will be added to the standard recruitment pool after the event. * Miyako & Natsu are already in the standard recruitment pool
=============\\=============
[Fixes] ・ Victory animation of "Mina" does not work as intended ・Some accounts receive an error message when a battle ends ・Typos, display problems, minor UI issues
TLs: Maruko Aizawa#2080 Hanako#6352
patch notes source banner source

submitted by MarukoAizawa to BlueArchive [link] [comments]

2023.06.08 03:23 Someweirdo237 JP ver 3.2.0 Update and Discovery Thread (Outlaw/Assasin Ensemble)

So, like before, this will be a thread that updates in real-time as more information comes out on the latest update on the JP side.

~~Totally Normal~~ More about 5-Star Benedict

Giant Tree Topple (MP 60): Slash Attack on a single enemy (XL) and Slash Resistance -75% (3 turns) and Inflicts 3 stacks of Weapon Break (Slash)
Normal Strike: (MP 60) Slash Attack on all enemies (XL) and Guaranteed Critical

Power Increases according to User's Power (Add 3 times user's Power, Power Limit: 999)

So all his attacks are Non-Elemental which is surprisingly good.

~~Unigan Prime~~ More about Elsir

VC: Deploy Water Zone and Critical damage to all allies +15% (1 Turn)
Her Tome is Found: Midglance Castle AD
Personality: Sword, Water, Bookworm, Weapons (Yes the auction personality)
She doesn't seem to be sharing her banner with anyone
Rapid Rondel (MP 22): Preemptive Water Type Slash Attack on a single enemy (S) and Speed -30% (3 turns)

When used within the first 3 turns: Attack hits all enemies, Power of the move x5, and debuff effect increases x2

Heal Buckler (MP 31): Restores all status and Give Status Immunity to all party members (1 time) and Mp Regen (15% of Max MP) (1 time)

For Water Allies: Status Immunity and MP Regen (3 times) instead

Apparently her battle start Cooperation and Flexibility (Slash) buffs will only last for 2 turns. (Although I think she refreshes it every turn)
She stacks knowledge on all enemies at the start of every turn (so it takes 4 turns for her to give an enemy a water weakness)
Also no, she can't infinitely deploy an Awakened Water Zone.

Commander's Axe and Armored Sheep Ensemble Info

Felmina and her... Uh, Creature. No, it's not confirmed to be a Sidekick, don't assume that it is either.

New Home's Lost Atelier Course

House of Horror Course

Misc Info

New Purchase art

Notible Rewards for Challenge Difficulty in Bookshelf of the Stars

submitted by Someweirdo237 to AnotherEdenGlobal [link] [comments]

2023.06.08 00:42 HaZalaf Kevin's Last Lie

Author's Note: This story is long. I'm sorry. It really deserves to be told exactly as it happened and therefore, I am forced into murdering brevity. I hope that in time you'll forgive me.
I'm going to tell y'all another stupid story. I should warn you that this one isn't really a comedy, despite being set in a RadioShack.
A few months after Cocaine-Kevin took off for Brazil in pursuit of true love, we got a new transfer employee. We came to call him 'Aikedo-Kevin' (I'm adding the -Kevin because this is a subreddit about Kevins.)
We called him 'Aikedo' because we met him before the final act of the following chain of events took place and afterwards we just didn't have the motivation to attach anything else to him.
When I replay what happened in my head, it astounds me that this took place at all. I mean, we had our fair share of Kevins at RadioShack. There was Cocaine-Kevin, (whom you've previously met.) Crazy-Kevin, 'TP' Kevin, Kevin the Customer, and Kevin the Destroyer. Every one of these people occupy space in my brain for various reasons, but out of all these Kevins, Aikedo-Kevin is the most memorable. And not for the reason you'd most expect.
As if he represented the cosmic opposite to the Kevin he was replacing, this new Kevin came across as competent. He was older and well-kept. He didn't smell at all like sun-dried squirrel and rather than being cartoonishly fat, he was worryingly thin. He looked surprisingly normal for a RadioShack employee; completely trustworthy, certainly like the guy you'd confidently go to to get your Questions Answered.
Looking at him, I would never have believed in a million years that he would be the most profligate serial liar that I've ever had the misfortune to meet.
I know that I should start this tale at the beginning; with the story of how he got his name, but I really don't have the space, so instead we'll just rollercoaster through this cascade of events much like I did originally.
Almost from the moment Kevin showed up, things got real weird, real fast. He lasted for about six months with us, but they were unforgettable. It started with Kevin telling us that he was a 'triple-stripe; dragon-class' black belt in aikedo. Then he told us that he met Kiss back in the 70's and they invited him back to their hotel to party. Then the lies got egregious. He was late because there was a riot at Publix. Someone else ate the food that I had clearly marked and labelled in the back fridge. His dad was in the CIA and helped plan Vietnam with Henry Kissinger. He didn't know why the drawer was short $5.34. He was allergic to fruit. The list was long and got progressively weirder as the weeks went by, but it was generally innocuous; innocent.
But then he fucked up. He told a lie about NASA. Guys, this was a RadioShack. We were all nerds of various stripes, with varying areas of scientific interest and knowledge. There was NO possibility in any universe that one could just traipse into my RadioShack and successfully lie about NASA. Especially this particular lie. There was even less of a possibility that upon hearing such a lie spoken, any of us RadioShack employees would let it go unchallenged.
Ok, now that all the foreshadowing is out of the way, let me get down to the meat. I mean, that's why you're still here, right?
This chain of events spanned three days and it began in the way these things always do; somewhat accidentally.
DAY 1: THE NASA PROVOCATION
It was a normal Florida afternoon for everyone who didn't work at my store. As usual, I came in on second (closing) shift. I was taking over from Kevin, who'd just returned from his vacation. The drawer was missing $5.34. Again? Wtf? He 'fixed' it while I was in the back re-counting it. Okay. $5.34? This is so weird. I have to report this shit.
While waiting for his wife to pick him up, Kevin told me that he and his family had had a blast in Cape Canaveral. That he was able to take his son into the 'anti-gravity chamber' at NASA. He went into great detail about how they 'flew around in the tunnel.'
Now, y'all... I'm not an idiot. I very well know how NASA trains their astronauts in Zero-G. Fuck it, I'll bite.
"Uh, Kevin, they use planes to simulate zero-gravity. What are you talking about?"
He shook his head conspiratorially and said, "No, they have secret pods. There's two. One in Huntsville, Alabama, and one at Cape Canaveral. It's top-secret. I have a friend."
I stood there transfixed as Kevin embellished his experiences at NASA a bit more, making sure I knew how cool it was that his kids got to meet all the astronauts and how big the pod really was (almost as big as the Pentagon) until his wife finally showed up and they left.
I think I took a minute before going back inside. I had to call Frank (our store manager) to report the drawer discrepancy. And if I'm being honest, I also wanted to inform him of NASA's Pentagon-sized secret. We were all getting sick of Kevin's fibs, but nobody had really said anything to him yet and I knew Frank was a huge NASA fan. Repeating to him what Kevin had said was tantamount to lighting off firecrackers at a funeral, and at that age, I just wanted to watch the world burn.
Frank answered on the first ring, as I knew he would if the store was calling him.
"Heeeyyyyy, Frank. So. My drawer was short $5.34 again. Kevin somehow fixed it. He also went to the, uh, secret anti-gravity pod at NASA while he was at Cape Canaveral."
Frank laughed. There was a long pause. Then he snarled.
"What? Your drawer was short?! I'm DONE with this!" Frank hung up. I looked down at the phone. Dang. Frank is a terrible force for truth in the universe. I knew this from painful personal experience.
DAY 2: KEVIN'S LAST LIE
I got a call at 5 am to come in early; that Kevin couldn't open. Whatever. More money for me. I rolled out of bed.
When I got there, Frank was behind the counter pacing and literally purple. I've never seen a human being that color before. He looked like an engorged eggplant preparing for a Kanly duel.
I was putting my stuff away in the back when Frank stomped in behind me. He was hollering about gravity and idiots and I realized immediately that Kevin was in major, major trouble.
A frission tickled its way through my central nervous system. Fear or anticipation? Uncertain. Frank could be terrifying. Alternately, Frank could be compassionate. Frank was a real street-dude; a living tragedy-to-triumph, rags-to-riches kind of guy. He was also a VERY understanding boss. He basically only had three rules: 'Don't fuckin' steal,' 'Don't bring your personal fuckery to the store,' and, most importantly, 'Don't EVER fuckin' LIE to me.'
Those are exact quotes and he lived up to them. I know this. And now you all know this too. Kevin should have known this, but Kevin lived life on the edge.
In the backroom, I squared my shoulders and pretended to be uninterested while watching Frank's face pulse with incandescent rage.
"What's up?" I ventured, trying to hide my curiosity.
Frank exploded like something you shouldn't microwave. His purple face rippled as he tried to roll his eyes and snort simultaneously. He looked for all the world like an indignant water buffalo. Which is funny really. See, big game hunters will tell you that despite looking slow and stupid, the water buffalo is one of the most dangerous animals on Earth. African buffalo will lay traps. They will actually double back to lie in wait to hunt their hunter. And, much like the animal he resembled, Frank too was dangerous and known for his traps.
He smiled at me ferally.
"Kevin called out this morning. Apparently his cousin the St. Petersburg cop got shot last night in a drug raid."
"What does that have to do with NASA?" I said stupidly.
Frank stared at me like I was the only Red Gal in the Blue Man Group.
"I busted Kevin last night for theft." Frank said slowly, with that owlish look he saved for especially thick customers.
Okaaaay "But, what does tha-" I stopped, the light bulb over my head starting to flicker.
"Oh." I said.
Frank was still staring at me, perhaps waiting for my brain to finish its loading sequence. Accurately concluding that I was operating somewhat below dial-up speed, he sighed impatiently and continued.
"My wife called the hospital just now. They don't have anyone by the name of (Kevin's cousin's name) on file there. She called two other hospitals just to be sure."
I just looked at him blankly. "Waaaait. what?!" My mental bulb finally snapped on and flared brightly. Oh shiiit. My brain is furiously connecting dots. Did he lie to get un-caught for thieving? Is that a even a thing? Wtf?
Frank nodded grimly and picked up the phone. He dialed Kevin's number.
Unfortunately for this story, I had a customer walk in right then and therefore didn't hear what was said. Customers can be the most annoying things in the world sometimes. This one probably wasn't, but I don't remember because all I could think about was Kevin's career suicide. It seemed like an eternity passed before I was able to rejoin Frank in his investigation.
In the time I was away, Frank had learned two things: the first thing being that no cops had been shot according to the news, (which Kevin countered by claiming that the news wouldn't report a cop being shot in an on-going investigation,) and the second thing being that no hospital in the tri-county area had admitted anyone matching his cousin's name, (which Kevin dismissed by saying that secrecy was standard operating procedure in a 'Full Blackout' situation and that it's all put in place to protect a wounded cop's identity.
It was a testament to Frank's determination that he was able to do all this so quickly. Especially since this all happened back in the 90's before the sum of human knowledge was only a smartphone click away.
This inanity went on for my entire shift. Frank sending his wife to check out hospitals while he alternately called the local newspapers, TV stations, and Kevin.
Frank was terrifying in his pursuit of truth and I have to admit, it was a thing of beauty to watch him put his case together. Perry Mason be damned; Frank was on an investigative roll. But no matter what he learned, when he called Kevin, Kevin had an answer to it. A detailed answer. He went into specifics about how the bullet (9mm) hit his cousin's vest and richocheted off of a rib. He explained how it was a 'cartel case,' and everything has to be kept hush-hush. It was quite entertaining, if schadenfreude is your thing. It's not mine. I can't really explain how uncomfortable the whole thing made me feel. Like chewing on cotton. There's no way Kevin keeps his job. Kevin has the survival skills of a suicide bomber and the critical thinking skills of a cabbage. It was plain as day that Kevin was a drowning man grasping desperately for an anchor.
Finally, my shift ended and I went home mentally exhausted on Kevin's behalf.
As I left, I could see Frank behind the counter, still on the phone, hyper-focused, and absolutely intent upon some mission objective that I apparently wasn't cleared for. He told me just to be ready to close the next day.
DAY 3: THE GREAT DENOUEMENT
I woke up haunted with the strange certain knowledge that disaster was nigh. Maybe it was the same instinct that allows animals to sense an earthquake before it strikes. I really don't know. I felt both uncomfortable and giddy as I readied myself for work.
When I pulled into the RadioShack, I saw that Frank's Jeep was there. So was Frank's wife's SUV. Kevin's car was nowhere to be seen.
Oh boy... this was not a good sign. I parked and went in. Immediately I could see Frank, his wife, and the employee who had opened huddled furtively together behind the counter. No customers in sight.
Excellent, I thought. Maybe I'll finally get some Answers. This IS a RadioShack, after all, right?
As I counted in my drawer, the preliminary results of Frank's investigation poured out: allegedly Kevin had been taking money from the drawer to get McDonalds for lunch. The amount ($5.34) matched perfectly with the meal Kevin was observed eating each day that he worked. No one knew why he did this. He very obviously brought his lunch in from home every morning.
Frank was a-twitter with anticipatory fury as he spoke. After the conversation he'd had with Frank the previous night, Kevin had slyly switched shifts with another employee to avoid having to open and therefore face Frank. Which, of course, had jacked Frank's temper over from red to plaid. Kevin daring to dodge him like this was simply the last straw, and he had decided he was going to fire Kevin. ...Except, despite trying all morning, he hadn't managed to actually reach Kevin to give him the news.
Frank being Frank, this had in no way deterred him. He had simply looked in Kevin's employee file and called the emergency contact. By the time I walked in, the proverbial shit had hit the fan and was well on its ballistic arc towards us in the form of Kevin's wife.
Yall. It's really important for this story that you have a mental picture of Kevin's wife. Essential, even.
Do y'all remember that 90's song 'All Star' by that band Smashmouth? Remember the lead singer? If you don't, it's okay. Just picture Guy Fieri instead. Now picture Guy Fieri/the Smashmouth dude dressed up as Xena: Warrior Princess. That's what she looked like. She was enormous. Not necessarily fat, but big. I bet she could crush a watermelon with her thighs, easy. (That's really a thing, by the way. You should probably Google it. Fuck it, here ya go )
Anyway, 'Xena' was surprised to hear that Kevin wasn't at work. She was even more stunned by what Frank had to say.
At roughly the same time this phone conversation was taking place at the RadioShack, another, weirder conversation was taking place in person across town. Out of exasperation, and to out-manuever Kevin completely, Frank had finally just sent his wife down to the police station...
...which went something like this: she walked in, and asked if any cops had been shot recently. I imagine there was a pregnant pause at the reception desk while it was hurriedly determined whether or not she was a threat or a crazy person. She asked again and was told that no, no one had been shot recently. She then asked to speak with Officer (Kevin's Cousin's Name) and lo and behold! he happened to be walking by at that exact moment, un-wounded, ambulatory, and utterly confused as to why anybody thought he'd been shot in the first place.
Perched behind the counter in the RadioShack, listening to Frank and his wife list the steps they had taken and the results of taking said steps, I actually felt kind of bad for Kevin. I mean, why would he do this?
Why would anyone make up such a ridiculous lie? What did he have to gain? And most mysteriously, why was he stealing to buy lunch when he brought his own lunch in? The whole thing was steeped in bizarre absurdity and I was beginning to lose perspective of the situation when the door-chime dinged and Kevin walked contritely into the store, followed by his strapping virago of a wife.
Y'all. Holy shit. I don't think that I will be able to properly describe what followed but I will do my best.
When I was a kid, there was a cartoon I saw once. Maybe it was part of a Disney movie, maybe a Bugs Bunny short, I don't really remember. But in it, a ginormous nanny-type woman drags a teensy man into a room by his ear to force him to apologize for something.
That's almost exactly what happened. Xena frog-marched Kevin into the RadioShack and made him apologize for stealing. She literally made him hand over an envelope with $600 in it. (The amount Frank calculated Kevin had stolen over six months.) And then she berated him for breaking the diet she had set for him.
I'm going to say that again. He broke the diet she had set for him. This ... veritable Amazon of a woman had set a caloric limit for this dude who was already so skinny that he could likely crawl through the holes in a chain-link fence. All of a sudden, it all made sense. All of it. Kevin was emasculated, hence the lies. Kevin was desperate and fucking starving, so he stole to feed himself. I was wrestling with my new-found understanding of all things Kevin when she told us the envelope was all of his 'allowance' money. At this point, I was entirely speechless. I could only gape witlessly at her.
Stealing a glance back at Frank, I could tell he was going through the very same emotional turmoil as I was.
In the uncomfortable silence, Kevin handed over his keys and mumbled something about it being great working with us and then they left.
With the possible exception of the first time I saw the cemetary scene in Steel Magnolias, I have never gone from one emotional extreme to the other so quickly. Where I had been affronted by his actions only minutes earlier, now I felt unimaginable regret and I could tell Frank felt the same way. Frank had held back from revealing that he'd had his wife visit the police station and he never even brought it up. He looked deflated; all the energy and momentum of the chase gone, replaced by utter shock and remorse.
Y'all, I bet you thought this story was going to have a happy ending. Or at least a funny one. I'm sorry to disappoint you. No happy ending here, just a cloudy moral lesson.
Kevin was fired and we never saw him again, though I insisted that Frank's wife go back down to the police station and tell Kevin's cousin everything we'd seen and heard. I felt that I owed him that much, being responsible for the initial phone call that had set everything in motion.
Yes, Frank and I learned much and more that day. That experience changed something in me. I'd like to think I'm a better person now.
Oh, I still laugh at Kevins, but I don't assume anything anymore. Oh, no. I've learned that everyone has a truth to tell, even if it comes swaddled in lies.

submitted by HaZalaf to StoriesAboutKevin [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 23:21 glennchan Help me help all of us - raise awareness about SickAndAbandoned.com

Terrible things have happened to patients who have been gaslit and dismissed by their doctors. So that’s the problem that Sick And Abandoned is trying to solve. The website SickAndAbandoned.com has a resource hub for those with chronic illnesses (e.g. vax injury, Long COVD, etc.).
The material there is written in plain English. It connects patients to the resources that they need the most, starting with support groups and doctors. Zee and myself maintain a list of support groups and support group options (e.g. Twitter) for vax injury, which stands at 59 entries right now.

https://preview.redd.it/x4h8m0jjxn4b1.png?width=546&format=png&auto=webp&s=dab268d7d0e63bb14f6efa5f2a063dd1c5cc5294
I believe that this is the most comprehensive and up-to-date directory right now. The resource hub also links to similar directories for Long COVID and ME/CFS.
My vision is for all of us to work together so that we can:

Find more of the sick and abandoned out there who are lost and searching for answers.
Connect patients with quality resources.

That’s where you come in!

I can’t do everything by myself. I can conduct research surveys, I can spread awareness about the resource hub, but I can’t do everything at the same time. So this is where I need your help!
Please help people find SickAndAbandoned.com or specific resource pages like the one on COVID vaccine injury (SickAndAbandoned.com/vaccine-injury-resources/). We know that there are some people out there who went for 6-12 months before they discovered that there are other people like themselves out there. Let’s step it up and go the extra mile to find people.

So now you understand the logo…

https://preview.redd.it/gtmonjnlxn4b1.png?width=1090&format=png&auto=webp&s=fba605d3fc779cf8de2146940f9f93d33bddb795
The medical system may have abandoned us but that doesn’t stop us from looking out for one another.

Spread awareness about SickAndAbandoned.com so that people can find help. It can be as simple as setting your social media profile's website to SickAndAbandoned.com.

You can also:

Help @Zee and I maintain resources by letting us know about new support groups. If you do a lot of advocacy, join the Signal chat (see the initiatives page) so that we can co-ordinate and communicate.
If you have the capacity to do some advocacy, see the initiatives page and the advocacy starter pack. There are many simple things that you can do on your own. It doesn’t have to be under the banner of Sick And Abandoned or any organization. You can just go out there and get started on your own, e.g. by starting your own #VaxInjuredSpaces.

Thank you!!!

submitted by glennchan to vaccinelonghauler [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 22:47 Crakatoa23 Please review my resume

I'm a graphic designer trying to apply for entry level. I recently move to the u.s , i have been applying for 4 months , more than 100 applications and nothing.
Is anything wrong with my resume?
Im having a mental break down, i really don't know what else to do.
I feel hopeless, but still looking for improvement, if there is any advice pleas let me know.

submitted by Crakatoa23 to resumes [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 22:46 HelloGamesTM1 ARG Thread (Things I found sofar)

Hi everyone, just wanted to post a little thread on things I found both in game and out of the game related to the ARG:
(Sorry for the typo in the title)

Banner binary:
The banner showcasing the badges and patches you can get during this expedition has binary in it, it translates to: VOIDMOTHER

(Look closely)

Fragment of New Athlantid Encounters:
So far I've encountered three of these, they translate to the following sentences:

Life is never extinguished. The data remains. The will remains
Evacuation failed. lifeboats lost
All converted, Out of nothing, she will rebuild us
Voidmother
A new Atlantid is coming

The secret/hidden text in the audio:
Most of you know this but there is a sentence hidden in the audio that the fragments use:
This is a bit older, but it was meant to release during the expedition

DATAMINE:
A fellow traveller by the name of ThatBomberBoi (@/bomber_that on twitter) found a model unrelated to the expedition. It's an NPC wielding a staff (label: StaffTest), a possible new character in the next part of the arc? A hint towards a bigger update? It's a highly detailed model besides the staff
NPC called: NPCROBOT in the files

FOUND ANYTHING? POST IT IN THE COMMENTS!
Discuss, discover and enjoy.
SOURCES YOU CAN USE:
Previous ARG (Waking Titan): https://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Waking_Titan
Timeline of current ARG: https://arg.atlascodex.space/

submitted by HelloGamesTM1 to NoMansSkyTheGame [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 22:44 ensluck A smile worth ALOTTAMONEY by Violet P Jones

https://preview.redd.it/oygusoy2rn4b1.png?width=1086&format=png&auto=webp&s=72f7906dfea3e7a503d2df991624c944947e1292
Violet P Jones returns to Nifty Gateway Curated to honor the legend, ALOTTAMONEY!
About the Collection
“A smile worth Alotta Money” is an oil painting, depicting the late Philippe Fatoux a.k.a Alotta Money, one of the most important crypto artists on the NFT scene.
Alotta was recognised for his sharp-witted takes on society, his refreshingly satirical usage of classical art, and his fondness for creative experimentation.
Since he was a child, Philippe was drawn to creativity and spent much of his time doodling and drawing and at the age of eighteen he entered professional circles as a graphic artist creating his first comic books for a publisher.
Soon after, he left the corporate world to embark on his own art endeavour and began so by creating Twitter banners. By communicating with people to help create the art they wanted and express themselves he enriched his own freedom of expression. He expanded his digital artistry by working for, and with key crypto individuals, including John McAfee, Michael Saylor, and Kathie Wood. He loved connecting with people, and this gave him an ability to understand people and channel what they wanted to portray with their art, as well as his own art.
Through the world of crypto currencies, he found the world of NFTs where he made a monumental impact on the community and the art movement. He minted his first NFT in 2019 and became a very prolific artist with an exceptionally recognisable style. Additionally, Phillipe became impactful in the metaverse circles by designing and building in CryptoVoxels.
About the Piece
A smile worth ALOTTAMONEY, Oil Painting by Violet P Jones

Open Edition, 1 per user
Available for 48 hours

Price: Free claim, 1 per user
Dates: Wednesday June 7 3pm ET - Friday June 9 3pm ET
Claim your Edition

submitted by ensluck to NiftyGateway [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 18:45 Venaryen [FOR HIRE] Fantasy Characters art and YCH's

PORTIFOLIO: https://www.instagram.com/venaryenart/
Price range: 10 USD (1 character, bust, Sketch) to 600+ USD (Fullrender + background 4 characters)
Furry YCH price range in USD
Line - $15
Flat color - $20
Full render - $40
See Price lists here on my Carrd:
https://venaryenart.carrd.co
Payment always in advance, Paypal, Pix or Wise. Arts for commercial use are x2 the price and only started after a contract is signed (DocuSign, HelloSign, Adobe Sign etc).
Terms of service: https://www.deviantart.com/xxokami357xx/journal/Terms-Of-Service-Venaryen-891362249
Prices can go higher if additional characters or alterations are required, all explained on my T.O.S.
Don’t bother with these strong watermarks, client will recieve the image normally after payment. These versions are only to difficult stealing in advertisement.
I do fantasy art of all sorts. Reference sheets, full illustrations, concept art, icons, comic panels, storyboards, YCH’s etc. Not selling anything in physical media at the moment.
These paintings and cuts from the price list banners are only examples to help figure out the price range, but I can make arts in other formats and stlyes as well.
Send a message! :)
Discord: Venaryen#3233
https://twitter.com/Venaryen
[email protected]
Reddit DM’s

submitted by Venaryen to artistforhire [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 18:16 coredesign365 What are the most popular Graphic Design services supplied by Core Design Communications

Core Design Communications does not provide all of the graphic design services available, however the following are some examples of popular graphic design options:

At Core Design, one of the services that we provide is logo design. It is the process of coming up with distinctive and memorable logos that represent a certain company or group.

SJ Solutions Logo Design by Core Design Communications

Creating a unified representation of the brand is one of the goals of branding and identity design. This can be accomplished by creating a consistent visual identity, which may include colour palettes, typography, and rules for style.

Print Design is one of the most important aspects of our whole graphic design offering. We consider ourselves experts in both printing and graphic design.This mostly entails the production of printed materials including brochures, flyers, posters, business cards, and packaging, amongst other things.

Web design refers to the process of generating designs for websites that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. These designs might include things like layouts, pictures, and user interface elements.

The study of user experience and user interface design for the purpose of developing digital products and apps is referred to as UI/UX Design. This is done in order to enable interactions that are easy to understand and interesting.

The production of graphics and other visual assets for use on social media platforms is referred to as "social media graphics." Posts, banners, profile pictures, and adverts are some examples of this type of content.

Infographics are representations of complicated information or data that are designed to be pleasing to the eye and are created through the use of visual elements such as photos, charts, and graphs.

Illustration created specifically for a client for a number of uses, including the design of website layouts, book covers, and editorial graphics.

Creating visuals for advertisements, presentations, and explainer videos that are animated or based on video. Motion graphics is a term that can also be used for different types of multimedia projects.

The process of creating visually appealing and practically useful designs for the containers that hold products, while keeping in mind both their aesthetic and their practical aspects.

Creating page layouts and illustrations for publications like as periodicals, books, and newsletters. Publication design can also refer to the design of other publications.

The process of developing aesthetically pleasing elements for physical environments, such as exhibition displays, wayfinding systems, and signage, is referred to as environmental design, and it is part of the design field.

The level of knowledge and specialism of the graphic designer or design agency may result in a variant of these services being provided. Graphic design is crucial for enhancing communication, branding, and the aesthetic appeal across all platforms and industries.

submitted by coredesign365 to u/coredesign365 [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 17:38 BlatantConservative genuinely amused that I get upvotes and downvotes on my random image hosting here

submitted by BlatantConservative to BlatantConservative [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 17:21 The_Alloquist [A Lord of Death] - Chapter 61 (Efrain)

[←Interlude II] [Cover Art] [My Links] [Index] [Discord] [Subreddit] [Chapter 62→]
Slowly the group was peeled apart and taken to their various quarters, with the merchant Amicio shuffling off the children and paladins to his junior, taking the commander and captains for himself. Efrain was left with the so-called mentor, who was in a state of nervous agitation.

“Alright, you’ll need to explain why you’re about to have a fit,” Efrain said.

“Well, of course, of course, you wouldn’t know me,” said the mentor, “I came to the post of mentor long after you’d left the city.”

Efrain thought the title vaguely rang a bell, and he was beginning to have a dread certainty of the origin of it.

“Please do not tell me you’re a cast-off from Nicolo, aren’t you,” he said, the image of the far too charming ‘scholar’ coming to mind.

“I-If you’re referring to Nicolo Zarrentini, our most honoured founder, then yes.”

“That… bastard,” Efrain said, “I told him that it was a joke! A joke!”

The man shrank back from the apparent anger of Efrain, before growing significantly more confused as Efrain began to howl with laughter.

“The ass was always fond of his pranks. I believe he even said that he ‘wanted one to follow me into the grave,’” Efrain said, shaking his head, “it was so long ago.”

“But-but didn’t you- weren’t you part of the first convocation of the academy?”

“It was in Aimstand’s kitchen,” Efrain complained, “two hundred years ago, and they were both so drunk that if they’d taken a few steps to the left, they’d have drowned in the canal. ‘Convocation’ was one way to put it.”

This was clearly not the secrets that the mentor desired, judging by his rapidly reddening face.

“It was an old joke between friends, the idea of starting and academy of magic,” Efrain said, “I left, what, two hundred years ago?”

“But your name… and your books?”

“My books?” Efrain said, desperately scanning his memory of published works.

“Well yes. Your books. The ones you left behind. We use them as a foundation text for most of our students and…”

Efrain didn’t even let him finish, rather grasped him suddenly and violently by the collars.

“You don’t mean to say that… my old notes are used to teach. Students. Magic?” he said, voice trembling with horror.

“Yes?” said the man, who was beginning to sweat profusely.

“Those aboslute motherf-” Efrain said, as a loud gong rang out into the canal.

“Oh!” said the man, “We’ll have to pick up this conversation later, that’s the signal for canal clearing. We’d better be off before they close it off for the Festival traffic only.”

“Am I staying with you, then?” Efrain said, trying to drop the note of absolute menace in his voice as best he could.

“Yes, yes that would be correct,” he said, “as soon as I heard you were coming, I prepared the finest office in the academy for you. It’s not much, but I believe that you would enjoy seeing the labours of your wor…”

The man trailed off as he remembered the last few minutes of conversation.

“Either way, I would hope you’d at least examine it.”

“I would be happy to, mentor,” Efrain said, straightening himself, “particularly the notes.”

The man shrank at his venom but lead Efrain to his boat all the same, and they set off down the canals to the south.

“The Academy, as you might know,” he said, “is still located in the old district. As such, academy studentship is still a prized opportunity, if only to gain access in and out.”

“Gain access?” Efrain said.

“Well, it’s been monitored for thirty years, restricted to only business, and those with invitations only,” he said, patting a pin on his inner shirt, “academy students have numbered passes that-”

“No, why is it restricted in the first place?” Efrain said.

“Oh. Oh of course! You wouldn’t be aware. The Miram estate burned down almost thirty years ago. Suspected arson, though no suspects were ever caught.”

“Oh really?” Efrain said, “what a pity. I remember the old houses well. They had the most wonderful curtains.”

“The Mirams?” the man said, “I’ve only ever heard stories.”

“So the whole old district has been restricted? From where to where?”

“Just before the shipyards, master Efrain, to the tip of the white stone ziggurats. Of course the major western canals to the shipyards remain open.”

“What?” said Efrain aghast, “that much? Why, that was half the city last time I was here.”

“Yes, well,” said the man, adjusting his spectacles, “the Eisen and Poutash have been buying up immense amounts of property throughout the district for, well about eighty years now. The ‘old district’, as we now call it, is effectively two large estates with the central trade offices between.”

“Huh,” said Efrain, “well that’s not surprising, I suppose. They were always greedy.”

The man exclaimed in shock at him as they rounded a bend in the canal.

“My dear master Efrain!” he said, “the Eisen and Poutash are dear patrons, especially the former, who’ve been supporting this institution for generations!”

“Uh-huh, say,” Efrain said, trying to piece the names beyond the vague historical context that he remembered them in, “do you remember the family trees?”

“The family trees? Of the houses? Well, I certainly could give a guess,” said the man, “incidentally, Karkosian history is something of a passion of mine.”

“Well then, the Eisen,” Efrain said, “I distinctly remember something about them. In my time it would’ve been about two hundred years. So, give or take four to five generations from now.”

The man thought for a moment, and snapped his fingers.

“I think I know what you’re looking for,” he said, “you’re wondering who master Nicolo married.”

Ah, that had indeed been it - Nicolo did always go on and on about this one girl, who Efrain was fairly sure was well beyond his league. She was an Eisen, now that the memories had jumped to the surface of his mind. No wonder the academy had generational funding if one of the founding fathers had married in.

“Yes, yes,” Efrain said, “I think she was a branch family member, if I recall correctly.”

“No, master Efrain, you’re mistaken,” said the man, wearing a fairly familiar expression - a combination of fear of failure to please, and taking delight in correcting an error in a field he knew quite a lot about.

“Oh?” Efrain said, “bold claim, mentor. Back it up.”

The man once more pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose and began to recite.

“About a hundred-and-eighty years ago, master Nicolo married Hymatia Eisen. Hymatia Eisen was a daughter to Fielia Eisen, the matriarch of Eisen, hence he did not marry into a branch member of the family. He married into the direct, matrilineal line, represented by current matriach Aysatra, head of the Eisen family. Who is succeeded by, well…”

The man dropped his eyes, apparently embarrassed on behalf of the people he’d just named.

“Succeded by who?” Efrain said, leaning forward in the boat.

“Well, that’s the problem, master Efrain. In fact it’s one we currently struggle with. Oh, I do hate politics, but everything’s political in Karkos when money’s involved,” he said, putting on a expression reminiscent of a begging dog.

Efrain did not find it particularly charming, and pushed the man to go on.

“Well, that’s the thing,” he said, “the matriarch Aysatra, who is as youthful and vigorous as a woman half, no, a third of her age, is still well… older. There’s a clamour at the house of the Eisen on who’s supposed to replace her in the most deeply unfortunate event that she might… expire. No, no that make me sound like I’m talking about food and-”

“I get the point,” Efrain said, “spare me the flattery of a person who’s not even here. This matriarch doesn’t have a direct descendent?”

“Well, yes…” said the man, “but, it’s not exactly simple. The direct heir left the city some time ago.”

“And this relates to the academy, how?” Efrain said, “not that I care, just curious mostly.”

“Well, of course,” he said, “some at the house of Eisen… well, they think that our research and education is hopelessly outdated.”

“You mean useless,” Efrain said, more than ever wanting to get his hands on those notes and burn every copy he could find.

“Well, yes,” said the man, raising his hands in a gesture of helplessness, “some have used those words.”

“And you’re concerned that if they’re elected to leadership, your funding will be gone,” Efrain said flatly.

“Exactly. You’re quite insightful, just as the records suggested,” said the man, sniffing.

Before they could pick up the conversation, their polemen, dressed in the same blacks as the academy master, spoke up. They were before a river gate of sharpened palisades, which Efrain immediately recognized as the remnants of the old outer wall of the city, painted a bright red. The guards before it were dressed in ornate brass armour, studded with a set of small pearls and seashells.

Not quite the legion of sand and sea of old, though the aesthetic sense clearly meant to harken back to it. Efrain idly wondered how different the city would be if the legion actually still existed. In all the histories he’d read, most of their military exploits were suprisingly minimised, save for the few folk legends about them. Of course, most of those authors immediately left out the fact that almost all the legion commanders were women, which given many history writers were men, made sense.

The guards checked the proudly displayed pin, nodded, and opened the canal gates. Efrain immediately noticed the difference in the stone work as the passed beyond. It was more worn, but unmistakable paler, bringing back fond memories of days and nights spent in these canals over two centuries ago. He was just glad he was returning in a black, and not the horrid purple robes that he often inhabited while he was here.

The streets were noticeably quieter here, no doubt everyone was completing the final administration for the Festival. The buildings were also considerably older, their wooden slates near the water thick with strands of seaweed and barncles. Efrain more than once recognized the shape of an alley, or more noticeable deviations in the stonework. It was funny just how much he remembered of the old city and its details, and how little of his friends.

A couple of twists and turns, and Efrain started to recognize the part of the district he was in. Catching a glimpse of the mountains in the fading sunset, and a bridge or two he recognized, though they’d been significantly upgraded and replaced. With that information, he finally realised where they were, and more importantly, where they might be going.

“Noooo,” he groaned, “he didn’t.”

The mentor attempted to calm him, not understanding why he was so audibly distraught. The answer soon became quite clear as Efrain recognized the exact route they were taking. By the time they’d passed through the two statues, now dancing fish rather than the familiar wolves, Efrain’s worst fears had come true.

“He’d better not be buried on the academy grounds,” he said, his fingers fidgeting.

“I mean - and here we are!” said the academy master, clearly glad to move on to another subject.

Efrain looked up, nearly threw himself over the side, and forced himself to look up again. To say that it was exactly the way he remembered it would’ve been a lie. It had clearly expanded to include the surrounding pyramids, connecting them with bridges and walkways where what were presumably students passed by. The centre pyramid was kept more or less the same, with the same augurs drawing up water to the top, cascading it down in falls across terrace after terrace of gardens.

Refusing the offered hand, Efrain barged past him to take the steps two at a time.

“Wait! Wait master Efrain! I-” the man’s voice fell further and further behind as Efrain practically ran into the pyramid.

It was still a mess hall, but it was now one of long tables and high back chairs. The banners and plaques above proclaimed a short history of sport and scholarly achievement. Students, predominantly dressed in black, some with colourful stripes that Efrain didn’t bother to try to decode, stared at him. As did the cooks, still busy in the large kitchens that he himself had once manned.

The academy master had almost caught up to him when he took off again, striding through the aisle between the tables and out the other end of the pyramid. Yes, it was all the same, the same flower pots, and the marble steps and the little waterfall with the cracked edge. Two centuries, two bloody centuries, and Aimstand never bothered to fix the thing.

Efrain felt a internal bout of triumph at being proved right as he continued up the steps, before, finally, coming at last to the top.

The garden at the flat top of the pyramid was still as beautiful as ever, and the flowers he’d cultured still survived, although the blooms were less luminous than before. Efrain stepped out into the shallow pool that dominated most of the area, and noted that at the far end, where there used to be a stone bench, sat a gravestone.

“Found you, bastard,” he said, taking off towards it.

“Please, master!” said the man, practically sobbing if not for the fact he was out of breath.

Several of the more senior looking students had followed, looking totally flabbergasted at the display. Efrain did not stop, nor even look back at the procession, merely took off through the pool until he reached the steps to the little knurl of turf and flowers. There he stopped, parking his hands on his hips, staring at the inscription on the stone.

“Nicolo Eisen,” he said, drawing every word out, “Father, Teacher, Friend.”

“Muh-Master,” said the man, soaked up to his knees from his hurried splashing, “master, what-”

“Oh, calm yourself,” Efrain said, “I’m not going to do anything.”

The several students that had followed looked in utter confusion at the two men.

“Master?” one of them inquired, “should we get the guard?”

“No,” the man wheezed, bent over to catch his breath.

“Hold on a second,” Efrain said, bending over himself to gaze at the inscription, “what’s this?”

“That’s founder Nicolo’s grave, master Efrain,” said the mentor.

“Yes, I know that,” Efrain said, “I’m old, not blind. What’s this inscription below?”

“Oh yes, that,” he said, drawing himself back up to his full height, “It’s actually quite the mystery. No one really knows the language, but it was put there by order of founder Nicolo. Some of our teachers and students have spent quite a bit of time over the years to-”

“I’d told you I’d do it,” Efrain said.

“Pardon?”

“That’s- that’s what it- oh fuck you Nicolo!” Efrain said, “‘I’d told you I’d do it.’ That’s what it says!”

The mentor had gone white, while some of the students looked on the verge of fainting from confused apprehension.

“By all rights, I should burn this place down,” Efrain sneered at the stone, “is that what you wanted? ‘Founder’? If the gods were good, you’d still be alive, so I could kill you myself.”

“Please do not do that!” wailed the man, “I can’t understand for the life of me why you’re so angry! I thought you would’ve been happy, maybe even proud of what we’ve achieved!”

“I’m not angry at you, you idiot,” Efrain said, rounding on the man, “I’m angry at that smug piece of flotsam happily buried under his lovenest.”

“What?” said the mentor, the sentiment echoed by almost all the students present.

“All right, all of you, gather round. My first lesson,” he said, and, most likely out of habit, the students fell into a neat semi-circle.

“This will be a test of one question, and the one to get the answer right on their first response gets…” he turned to the mentor, “do you have some kind of regular award for achievement here?”

“Well, we do have ribbons that correspond to-”

“Great, first one to guess correctly gets a ribbon,” Efrain bowled through, “the question is this - why did Nicolo learn magic in the first place?”

The students stared at each other, daring the others to respond first.

“Well, come on,” Efrain said, “someone must have a theory.”

“Because he wanted to expand his own horizons?” a brown-haired boy said.

“Wrong!” Efrain said, “if your texts say that, they’re also wrong.”

“Because he wanted to shore up the city of Karkos’s defences while expanding on its knowledge?” said a girl with a slightly crooked nose.

“Also wrong,” Efrain said, shaking his head, “that’s exactly what he would say. You take that from a speech?”

“Well…” said the girl.

“Nicolo, you preening, self centered-” Efrain said, holding his head in his hands.

“To impress a girl?” said someone.

“Who said that?!” Efrain said, the class parting to reveal a younger, shaggy-looking boy.

“Well, you said that it was his ‘lovenest’ so…” he shrugged sheepishly.

“Mentor, get this young man a ribbon. If you need a reason, then cite him actually paying attention.”
[←Interlude II] [Cover Art] [My Links] [Index] [Discord] [Subreddit] [Chapter 62→]

submitted by The_Alloquist to redditserials [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 15:59 lazymentors After Working with Instagram, Pinterest & LinkedIn. Here is how Social media algorithms work:

Before & After

During the start of social media, algorithms curated posted content based on recency & opt-in basis. Only showing curated content from your following.
After that, platforms started tracking user behavior to grow Advertising business and recommend content.
Today, instead of content systems. We have generative AI taking the role of recommending content based on consistent user input on the app.

Write-path Classifiers (IG, TikTok & Twitter)

This machine learning algorithm has the job to analyze your content at the time of posting. And it analyzes + compares your content to old & trending content.
Acting as a moderator + these social media apps have human moderators too. (Often not get paid well)
This algorithm has few content filters like photo-recognition, Captions analyser & relevancy checker. On that basis the content is pushed further to your audience.
For Businesses: This means that studying what existing content performs well & embedding the performing elements into your content strategy is the key.

Read-Path Models

This is the next algorithm that uses engagement factors to push your content further to more audiences. And on instagram + Tiktok, this algorithm pushes the content to “explore” & “For You” feeds.
Making the importance of getting engagement higher than before. Different engagement factors like likes, comments & shares account for a different set of points making the algorithm push your content further to newer audiences.
On Instagram & LinkedIn + Twitter now, your network of followers matters more than getting more engagement. Because who engages with your content pushes your content to a similar persona.
Which is why I recommend people not use your family & friends as engagement boosters. They are interacting with your content & then a 99% different topic the next moment.

Generative AI (Meta & LinkedIn)

In the recent announcements, Meta & LinkedIn shared they have doubled the use of AI to recommend people relevant. They claim that the new algorithm is making users stay for longer times. But many users are having different experiences, they are less content from people they follow. And getting more new content recommendations.
What I’ve observed tracking different influencer engagements is that they are also reaching more new audiences. While many of their core followers are failing to see their content on social media feeds.
That is why owning your audience & building private brand communities is becoming a popular trend. And creators are also launching new discord channels to connect with their followers on a higher level.

My Strategies for Algorithm Beating Content

From these learnings, I have built a strategy called “Take one out”.

Take one out

First, You do social listening to learn what type of content is making a spark in your industry. Try to make a list of competitors and pieces of relevant content.
Second, Try to find the common structure or frameworks being utilized in those selective posts. For Example, It could be an Instagram aesthetic, Twitter Thread Hook, or LinkedIn Topic.
Pick that one element and add it to your original piece of content. And this is not a trend. This is a strategy to integrate working elements of another piece of content. To increase the possibilities of your content discovery on social media.

Revival Bubble

During the Read-path models algorithm breakdown, we learned that your network can make or break your account. That is why from the start try to build relationships with industry businesses and creators.
Get that targeted engagement from the start to reach the most valuable audience faster. I know this is hard to implement because you might have an old social media handle.
It is a little late, but not too late. Try to refine your network and create a new bubble to revive your organic growth.

CTAs, CTAs & CTAs

I know there are well-known theories on Tiktok and Instagram that calling out “link in my bio” is social media sin. The algorithm will never forgive you if you say that!
No, it is not the algorithm. It is most of the time Human Psychology.
First, many types of research suggest that people treat each other differently on social media. And this also differs from platform to platform. The more anonymous people can be on social media, the more different they treat each other.
Second, We all don’t like to take orders from anyone. Using a simple CTA like buy my stuff “link in the bio” sounds harsh to many followers. They don’t express that feeling but ignore the content.
That is why always have Indirect Call-to-actions and be creative with how you represent what you sell or want them to do.
I hope this helps. For more, You can subscribe to my newsletter (link in my bio) to receive these algorithm & social media updates.

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2023.06.07 15:25 MrOwen17 Official FF7 twitter has removed its banner. Possibly in preparation for a new one?

https://twitter.com/finalfantasyvii
Could be nothing but i find it odd they just didnt change it to an older one since the wotv collab event is over, could they be leaving it free cause they know they will be adding a brand new one once this supposed trailer drops? Just thought it was an interesting observation so thought id let people know.

submitted by MrOwen17 to FFVIIRemake [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 14:28 CorvusIridis 100 Members - Time for Our Partner to Digivolve!

We just hit 100 members- thanks so much! In honor of this occasion, it's time for Xero to Digivolve!

Yaaay!
For newcomers, Xero is our subreddit's mascot. His name is a reference to V-Tamer's Zeromaru, and he's why we kept Reddit's blue/white theme. It's also why our upvote icon is a Veemon. :) This might change 1 week from today!
A few things to note:
-This is mostly for designing aesthetic aspects of the community - upvotes, downvotes, banners, wallpapers, etc.
-Xero might occasionally go down other evo paths for certain events. ;) But this poll and others like it will be for the majority of the time.
-I was limited to 6 options for this poll. u/Really_Cold_Soup and I picked the 6 that we thought would create the best "race," so to speak. Honorable mentions go to Sethmon, Sagittarimon, and Yaksamon.
Again, thanks so much for 100 members! Keep being the biggest dreamers!
View Poll

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2023.06.07 09:53 RedSquirrel17 Is 'Jeanne du Barry' Really A Box Office Success?

You may have seen some entertainment outlets last week hailing Jeanne du Barry's apparent financial success.

Johnny Depp's 'Jeanne du Barry' enjoys decade-best start for a Cannes opener at French box office
The Hollywood Reporter

Eric Marti, from industry analysts Comscore France, believes the film could reach 850,000 admissions by the end of its theatrical run.
French distributor Le Pacte is even more bullish:

Le Pacte’s boss Jean Labadie, a veteran French producer-distributor who was one of the film’s first backers along with the sales banner Goodfellas (formerly Wild Bunch International), is even more enthusiastic than Marti, saying that “Jeanne du Barry” could garner up to one million admissions in French theaters.
Variety

However, despite that 'record-breaking' opening, the numbers aren't quite adding up for Maïwenn's expensive period drama.
After opening at the Cannes film festival on May 16th, Jeanne du Barry scored 401,481 admissions in its first week — 345,298 in theaters — which is indeed the best start for a Cannes-opener at the French box office since 2013's The Great Gatsby. Depp's PR has, predictably, been celebrating this as a triumphant return to box office success for the 59-year-old, signalling to any onlooking Hollywood producers that he's still a draw for discerning punters. But these numbers start to look less impressive when you scratch the surface.
The film's second week admissions declined by 55% to 156,279, and a further 52% in its third week to 75,653, for a current cumulative total of 631,477 admissions. It has grossed an estimated $4.8m so far, according to Box Office Mojo. Assuming that rate of decline stays consistent across its theatrical run, admissions will plateau at around 700,000 for a total estimated gross of $5.3m, well short of that lofty prediction of one million admissions from Le Pacte. If Comscore's prediction of 850k comes true, that would result in a $6.4m gross, so let's call that the upper estimate.
So how would that stack up against Maïwenn's career so far? Her most successful film, Polisse (2011), achieved 2.4m admissions, grossed $19.8m ($20.3m worldwide) and won the Jury Prize at Cannes 2011. Her most recent film ADN (2021) grossed $2.1m, despite being affected by reduced admissions due to Covid. Jeanne du Barry is tracking closely with Mon Roi (2015), which attracted 745,483 admissions and grossed $5m ($8m WW). In short, JdB is performing close to average for a Maïwenn film, so while Depp's inclusion doesn't appear to have significantly harmed its performance (as expected, he was never cancelled), it certainly hasn't elevated it beyond expectations.
But will it be profitable? The film's production budget was reported by Deadline to be $22.4m, making it one of the most expensive French films of 2022 and one of only three French films with a budget of over €10m. That figure doesn't even include things like marketing and distribution costs, so the film's break-even point will be several million higher. You don't have to be a mathematician to work out that there's going to be a pretty sizeable shortfall there.
PS if you're interested in a detailed breakdown of JdB's numbers, check out film producer (and Amber supporter) Paulo Boccato's threads (#1 and #2), in which he explains that while the film's opening week looks good on the surface, the finer detail shows that it's underperforming relative to its high production budget and wide release.
Now, it must be said that the French release isn't the end of the story: Netflix have acquired streaming rights (in France only) starting 15 months after its theatrical release, and there have been attempts to find an American distributor, although that has proved difficult so far due to Depp's poor reputation in the US film industry. But even if it does end up being shown across the Atlantic, it's difficult to see how the $20m (minimum) gap to profitability is going to be bridged.
So, it's well on course to becoming a flop at the French box office, a US deal might not happen and Netflix probably won't make up the shortfall, which all begs the question: why was this film ever greenlit with a budget so high and a star whose reputation makes it difficult to find distribution in the US? Beware the Depp spin on this one.

submitted by RedSquirrel17 to DeppDelusion [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 09:16 lazymentors After Talking to Instagram, Pinterest & LinkedIn. Here is how Social media algorithms work:

Before & After

Write-path Classifiers (IG, TikTok & Twitter)

Read-Path Models

This is the next algorithm that uses engagement factors to push your content further to more audiences. And on instagram + Tiktok, this algorithm pushes the content to “explore” & “For You” feeds.
Making the importance of getting engagement higher than before. Different engagement factors like likes, comments & shares account for a different set of points making the algorithm push your content further to newer audiences.
On Instagram & LinkedIn, your network of followers matters more than getting more engagement. Because who engages with your content pushes your content to a similar persona.
Which is why I recommend people not use your family & friends as engagement boosters. They are interacting with your content & then a 99% different topic the next moment.

Generative AI (Meta & LinkedIn)

My Strategies for Algorithm Beating Content

From these learnings, I have built a strategy called “Take one out”.

Take one out

Revival Bubble

CTAs, CTAs & CTAs

I know there are well-known theories on Tiktok and Instagram that calling out “link in my bio” is social media sin. The algorithm will never forgive you if you say that!
No, it is not the algorithm. It is most of the time Human Psychology.
First, many types of research suggest that people treat each other differently on social media. And this also differs from platform to platform. The more anonymous people can be on social media, the more different they treat each other.
Second, We all don’t like to take orders from anyone. Using a simple CTA like buy my stuff “link in the bio” sounds harsh to many followers. They don’t express that feeling but ignore the content.
That is why always have Indirect Call-to-actions and be creative with how you represent what you sell or want them to do.
I hope this helps. I track latest marketing & social media changes, You can subscribe here to receive weekly alerts.

submitted by lazymentors to indiehackers [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 08:49 clarkkentshair IMPORTANT: 'Never Have I Ever' Season 4 releases June 8th, and this subreddit going dark June 12th-13th

Season 4 Release

In around 24 hours, the fourth and final season of "Never Have I Ever" will be released, to the bittersweet delight of millions of fans worldwide.
This show has been a ground-breaking television series that not only showcases a tremendous diversity of talent, but dares to center and humanize all the messiness of teenage life for a South Asian teenager girl, compels us with the lives of also her wide circle of friends and love interests, and uplifts the challenges and joys of an Indian family living in the United States.
So many of the fans and audience watch and love the show for so many different reasons, and this subreddit has been an amazing place for fun, art, celebration, videos, discussion, and more.
Because the risk and repercussions of spoilers will be so magnified, please be extremely conscientious when reading, commenting, and posting about Season 4. While there will be safeguards in place to try to catch mistakes, slip-ups, and over-eager fans, we are all still human.
Specifically, what this means...
As a more casual watcher and laid back subreddit participant (and lurkers):

Even when you go into each of the individual discussion threads, if you might read/comment as you watch a particular episode (like I do), you will encounter other comments, reactions, and (episode-specific) spoilers that are ahead of when you first start the episode. So, click into each episode discussion thread at your own risk!
If you see early and/or inappropriate spoilers, please report them!

As a super-fan, conversation-starter / thought-provoker / new-post-maker:

The episode-by-episode discussion threads should be your closest friends (initially). Please be careful to make comments in the correct thread for the episode you're discussing, with absolutely no spoiler details about future episodes.
Please do not go back in episode discussion threads to explain something with new information and/or to discuss future episodes, even if trying to use the spoiler tag/Markdown/formatting to "hide" the spoiler. Reddit's spoiler tag/formatting feature is unstable and buggy, and does not always work. The risk of revealing a spoiler is too high.
If you slip up giving a spoiler on accident, your comment will be temporarily removed until a correction is made. If sharing the spoiler seems blatant, you will be either timed-out from the subreddit (and thus unable to participate in any discussions for 7 or 30 days) or permanently banned.
As with past seasons, the final (Episode 10) discussion thread will also be a discussion for the overall season, but this time, also for the overall show as a whole. Initial thoughts and reactions should be shared there, and not in newly created posts within the subreddit.
Because the Episode 10 discussion thread is the natural discussion hub for the entire series, don't expect to post/publish new posts to the subreddit in the initial 24-48+ hours after Season 4 is released. That is not to say there will be no new posts allowed, but the subreddit will be curated very tightly and proactively to give time for the posts to be deeper reactions or reflections about the season or show as a whole, or analyses or synthesis of broader themes and threads from the season/show/characters, etc. Posts that are just a quick or short initial reaction, e.g. expressing an overflow or outburst of reaction to something, are probably risky as spoilers in the first place, but also probably don't warrant a whole further thread for continued discussion. There is no concrete length requirement, and this will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in the days following the release of Season 4.

And, again, the risk of spoilers and the potential devastation of ruining some part of the show for other fans is so very high; please be mindful and patient with these guidelines and processes.

Reddit Blackout

Elsewhere on Reddit, you might have seen posts and discussions about the website "going dark" next week, from June 12-13th. There is a well-written explanation for the situation that is better than any summary I could give, so if this is completely new news to you, please take the time to read that here: https://www.reddit.com/explainlikeimfive/comments/142kct8/eli5_why_are_subreddits_going_dark/
and/or here: https://i.imgur.com/egnPRlz.png
.
.
.
.
.
What I do want to take some space to discuss, beyond the explanations above, is why this subreddit community should care, and why this subreddit is planning to 'go dark' also.
By topic-matter, this subreddit might seem like "just" another place to gather to enjoy light-hearted and casual entertainment. "It's just a TV show," right? Well, an over-whelming majority of those that participate in and enjoy this community do so through an app. (Though maybe for obvious reasons now, reddit does not break down for moderators whether it is the official Reddit app, or a third-party app that will stop functioning in less than a month). The principle of solidarity is crucial here.
I actually still use old.reddit.com... until at least a few days ago. The "old" reddit interface was the more intuitive way for me to interact with reddit, both on my computer and even on my mobile device. So, honestly, the whole "API" situation doesn't affect me much... or, so I thought. In the lead-up to the release of Season 4, I took a look at the buzz around the Blackout, which mentioned that the moderation tools are better on some of the third-party apps. I tried the free versions of a few, and did find out and like that one of them will probably be a vastly better experience for me to navigate and moderate this subreddit with, especially when this subreddit community has over 1000x more traffic and activity after Season 4 is released. e.g. with a third-party app, I will be able to spot and moderate out-of-place spoilers so much easier, to make the subreddit better. And, that's what will be so worrisome: "smaller" subreddits, or those with smaller moderator teams that manage more "niche" communities, will be disproportionately impacted by reddit's API changes.
By that I mean, because of the nature of what is "popular" in the world, and which pop culture ideas or topics might tend to form (or want to form) online/subreddit communities, when there are many more people that are interested in a particular topic, then the chances are higher of finding willing redditors, with time and skill to volunteer to moderate a subreddit. Basically, "mainstream" subreddits have better chances of having large and sufficient moderation teams, while more niche/fringe topics (like a ground-breaking show about a South Asian teenage girl) will tend to have smaller moderation teams, where each individual moderator has to commit to a lot more volunteer effort.
So, a well-designed third-party app is a "force multipler" (please excuse the militaristic nature of the term) that helps make supportive online spaces for smaller communities possible. Reddit's proposed "API" change maybe won't directly cause the downfall of smaller subreddit communities, but the experience of those (moderators) that try to create and cultivate such spaces, and the redditors that want to participate in them, will be negatively affected... and this would contribute to declining interaction, lower sense of connectivity/belonging, and probably eventual abandonment and shut down. And, all this precludes that access to reddit for some, e.g. the subreddit community /blind (which coincidentally is around the same exact size as /NeverHaveIEverShow) will literally shut down, because those that need third-party apps to be 'screen-readers' for accessibility will be cut-off; this is unjust.
But, the "Reddit Blackout" seems to have a lot of momentum, support, and participation (from other subreddits) that will make the Reddit (corporation) managers/"Admins" listen anyway, you might think... why should our /NeverHaveIEverShow subreddit participate, especially when we're kind of small and scrappy anyway, and at a time that is so crucial for us to exist, and to be together a few days after a momentous event?
In the face of imbalanced and disproportionate power -- which is what Reddit (corporation) / "Admins" have over subreddit communities and moderators -- mass-mobilization and collective action is how change happens. Change and success is not guaranteed, but the more the better, and this is a necessary effort to defend our right to exist, thrive, and have control when those rights are threatened, and also importantly to stand up in solidarity with others even beyond our own self-interest, because we see and are committed to others around us. These are values from the raison d'être of "Never Have I Ever", illustrated in the journeys and plotlines of multiple characters in the show, and also a pillar in the legacy and banner for community organizing and collective strength for South Asian diaspora:

Four Levels of Solidarity

Symbolic Solidarity: Verbally expressing solidarity, putting out/signing onto statements, wearing symbols/logos of solidarity.

Transactional Solidarity: Often done between organizations/groups, an even exchange.

Embodied Solidarity: Individuals literally embodying and living their visions/beliefs in the world.

Transformative Solidarity: When masses of oppressed communities choose to forego something that would benefit them, and do not take it because it comes at the expense of other oppressed communities.

from Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM)

This is a scary decision to make, but because it is such a crucial time for this show and this subreddit community, we would betray the solidarity and values of those around us and from the show if we did not reflect on the situation ahead, and our role and opportunity to leverage our power and collective strength. Upon the release of Season 3, this subreddit generated over 2 million 'pageviews' that month. That is thousands of dollars of advertising that Reddit profited from this subreddit community. Besides that, Netflix's PR and marketing team surely have an eye on this subreddit, and want their show to succeed and thrive, and can exert pressure on another mega-corporation in their own self-interest. That is us being more powerful than we might know or think we can be.
I invite your thoughtful input after you have read and reflected on all of this.

submitted by clarkkentshair to NeverHaveIEverShow [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 08:34 lazymentors After Working with Instagram, Pinterest & LinkedIn. Here is how Social media algorithms work:

Before & After

Write-path Classifiers (IG, TikTok & Twitter)

Read-Path Models

Generative AI (Meta & LinkedIn)

My Strategies for Algorithm Beating Content

From these learnings, I have built a strategy called “Take one out”.

Take one out

Revival Bubble

CTAs, CTAs & CTAs

submitted by lazymentors to marketing [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 08:33 lazymentors After Talking to Instagram, Pinterest & LinkedIn. Here is how Social media algorithms work:

Before & After

Write-path Classifiers (IG, TikTok & Twitter)

Read-Path Models

Generative AI (Meta & LinkedIn)

My Strategies for Algorithm Beating Content

From these learnings, I have built a strategy called “Take one out”.

Take one out

Revival Bubble

CTAs, CTAs & CTAs

I know there are well-known theories on Tiktok and Instagram that calling out “link in my bio” is social media sin. The algorithm will never forgive you if you say that!
No, it is not the algorithm. It is most of the time Human Psychology.
First, many types of research suggest that people treat each other differently on social media. And this also differs from platform to platform. The more anonymous people can be on social media, the more different they treat each other.
Second, We all don’t like to take orders from anyone. Using a simple CTA like buy my stuff “link in the bio” sounds harsh to many followers. They don’t express that feeling but ignore the content.
That is why always have Indirect Call-to-actions and be creative with how you represent what you sell or want them to do.
I hope this helps. You can subscribe here to receive these social media updates every week with insights.

submitted by lazymentors to EntrepreneurRideAlong [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 02:21 NoSneezePlz Bloons TD 6 - Update Notes! Version 37.0

https://preview.redd.it/0ko9r0ktoh4b1.png?width=840&format=png&auto=webp&s=d366457be60997a8f03ca838d5c3eacef9cacf8d

Bloons TD 6 v37.0 - Update Notes!

Rolling out now on iOS, Android, Steam please restart your storefront or be patient if it does not appear for you, these updates can take some time to be rolled out to every region due to how the storefronts are set up.
Check out the more awesomer update video here.

Key New Features

New Paragon - The Magus Perfectus! (loves casting spells) Some of you know we teased this last year, but we needed more time to balance the art and design required to make this extra special, so we are very pleased to get this live! Wizard Monkey’s Paragon is designed to be a higher level strategic Paragon with powerful ability usage similar to the Doomship.
- The core of the Magus is a toggle to and from a Draining Beam which deals very small single target damage but absorbs graveyard mana as it damages and destroys Bloons
- While toggled off from the Drain Beam, Magus attacks with a powerful Arcane Spike that deals massive damage to MOABs and revives Bloons it slays, while a Dark Phoenix circles overhead attacking with Firebomb breath and a radial fireball attack
- Phoenix Explosion Ability: can be cast to consume the Paragon’s entire graveyard to set all Bloons on screen on fire for 30 seconds and summon one Zombie ZOMG for every 9000 graveyard mana consumed
- Arcane Metamorphosis Ability: can be used to consume all graveyard mana and transform the Magus briefly into an alternate form which decimates everything with a flame cascade attack; Metamorphosis lasts longer the more mana it consumes
- Magus was designed for armchair play so it will fill and consume graveyard mana on its own, but our goal was to create more actively controlled Paragon for those who will enjoy microing between Beam on and off and choosing which awesome Ability to unleash and when

New Awesome

Happy Birthday BTD6 - On June 14th, BTD6 will celebrate 5 years of monkeytastic fun and strategy! We hope you’ll join us for the main menu changes, skinned Collection event, special Questing, and general celebration. Thank you for five amazing years and we’re looking forward to all the years ahead!
New Hero Skin - Jiangshi Sauda, a fun new cross-cultural look for Sauda brainstormed by the art team, mixing inspirations from a favorite show and Chinese folklore
New Map - Erosion
- Community designed advanced map Erosion by “I am not an artist” ~ u/TheWiseTroll
- TheWiseTroll’s original concept proposed land and water but when thinking about map colors and the little stories we think of behind each map, the concept of the polar bear walking back with the shrinking ice was too compelling to do anything else
New Quests
- Birthday Party - Pop the Party Bloon as many times as you can before it escapes
- Blade Sauda Nowhere - Try out Sauda and learn some of her skills
- Patch’s Cheap Chimps Challenge - Beat Logs with as little cash spent as you can
- Striken Bad - Defeat the BAD on round 100 using First Strike. The spelling hurts us, too, you’re not the only one - but we had to do it!
Least Cash and Least Tier Boss Events
- We’ve heard feedback about and have been wanting to shake up Boss rules, so here we go!
- Applying new victory conditions to Boss Events completely changes the focus while still needing the damage output and type to handle each Boss
- Time still matters, as the secondary time score will break any ties
New Trophy Store Items
- Heroes: Geraldo Pack Mule pet, Quincy Spec Ops Drop In placement
- Monkeys: Sweden Village Flag
- Bloons: Party Hat Bloons
- Game & UI: Vortex Avatar, Sunset Samba 64 Mix music track, Quincy Arrows banner
- Nexus.gg Creator Supporter Avatar - show your support for Content Creators by using the Creator Support button on the Settings screen and purchasing any IAP
Limited Time only {trophy items if there’s a seasonal}
5 Year Anniversary Avatar, 5 Year Anniversary Banner
New CT Team Store items
- Base Props: Treasure Chest
- Icons: Overclock icon, Archmage Staff icon
- Frames: Bloon From The Dead frame, Mage Hat frame
New Slider
- Everybody loves sliders, right?
- After lots of discussion on the team and a fair few player requests, we’ve added a ‘Projectile and Effects Scaling’ accessibility option to main menu Settings
- This is primarily for accessibility to minimize the size and brightness of projectiles and effects, especially when the screen is crowded with Monkeys and Bloons
- This is not directly a performance improvement feature, so please do not expect the game to run noticeably better - just noticeably cleaner
- We tried not to remove key game state indicators but this is ultimately in player control - if you adjust the slider and effects and projectiles make it harder to play the game, please reset the slider until the game is working the way you want
- It’s also really fun for silly screengrabs, so please post your favorites!

News - Anniversary Giveaways!

https://preview.redd.it/27pjluypoh4b1.png?width=350&format=png&auto=webp&s=265a9a9a1456e7323d224938edcbaa995cd35d3c
We would also like to formally announce that we will be doing a week of giveaways on our Twitter starting next Monday NZT to celebrate the BTD6 5 year anniversary! 5 winners will be picked randomly each day for 5 days to win an awesome prize from our merch store. This will be exclusive to Twitter so make sure to follow us here to be involved!

Game Changes / Additions

New Party Time game theme event!
Refactored how leaderboard scores are stored so that we could add Least Cash/Tiers ranking options for Boss Events
Bosses on spawn will now clear the map of all existing projectiles
Highest Round profile stat renamed to Highest Round (All Time) & added in the new profile stat Highest Round (Current Version).
The 4 different Highest Round profile stats are now grouped together near the top of the profile stats page
Freeplay budget scaling reduced slightly (same speed/hp, but number of Bloons added per round will increase at a slower rate)
Added a new Roundset with Income curve to be used by our events team; this customized income curve allows us more flexibility to make this roundset than would otherwise have been possible with existing roundset tools
Translated game into Thai

Quest Changes

Added a ‘Play Again’ button to the victory screen for quests
Added a ‘Disable Dialogue’ checkmark for some quests after beating them
Game hints are now hidden during Quests
Story Quests now sort to the top of the quest list & completed Story Quests sort to the bottom

Bug Fixes & General Changes

A large number of localization fixes - thanks for the player feedback on your pet peeves!
Resolved a number of general crashes
Number of additions/changes to improve existing quests, highlight scores to beat & increase our possibilities for quest creation
Resolved an issue with abilities highlighted in quests remaining highlighted after restarting
Holding down on a tower should correctly hide the UI again
Quests no longer play placement effects for any pre-placed towers
Resolved an issue that could prevent Total Damage from counting correctly to profile
Resolved an issue where total insta monkeys profile stat would decrease if the instas were used
Resolved certain very specific freeplay seeds causing crashes on certain rounds
Bloons Leaked summary no longer gets cleared in co-op after reviewing map
Stairs in the top corners on Resort are now placement blockers
Resolved a crash that could occur when waiting on the events screen as events end
Resolved a crash that could occur when the Hero Booster popup was canceling via any map mechanics forcing the player to deselect the hero
Fixed some towers not targeting the test bloon when set to target type Strong
Fixed position of the full patch notes link on update popups on some resolutions
Midnight Mansion plays a fishie animation in the bloon exit on loading in
Resolved an issue where placed items on the map lose their cosmetic skins after a resync occurs during a co-op game.
Obtaining towers from redistribution on co-op that are still locked for you will now show messaging in the unlocks screen as to why you are not earning XP for it
Pressing back from the avatabanner selection will now just back out of that selection
Changed Pop Count on summary screen to Damage Count and added actual Pop Count
Hero portraits no longer linger too long on the screen after exiting the upgrades menu in game
Paragon art state changes moved from 22/42/62/82 to 20/40/60/80
Resolved map-based buffs not inheriting to subtowers correctly
Resolved an issue where an external proxy could sometimes cause the game to hang on loading forever
Co-op red areas fade in more slowly when you cross the boundary
Resolved online/Invisible profile setting displaying text incorrectly
Audio polish when opening reward chests in the collection event
Updated wording on logout screen to address some confusion
Added a background to the rewards UI
Added confirmation pop-up for In App Purchases added from outside the game
Monklish font has been regenerated to include the Māori macrons

Tower Specific Fixes

Ice Monkey

Resolved a number of cases of the xx2 Refreeze crosspath not re-freezing bloons when dealing certain numbers of damage.

Monkey Buccaneer

xx5 Trade Empire should no longer buff too many merchants in co-op
Resolved tower moving from flagship to navarch displaying vfx at the wrong scale
Resolved "Paragon available" pip displaying for Buccaneer with only Flagship and Pirate Lord unlocked
Resolved an issue where Navarch’s attack rate buff would not apply to Doomship in some cases depending on build order

Monkey Ace

xx2 Centered Path ace no longer displays it’s placement target on screen initially when loading a save
Upgrading to 002 Ace no longer refreshes the cooldown on the special toggle
Resolved an issue with Monkey Ace jumping offscreen after a Retry Last Round

Banana Farm

5xx Banana Central no longer buffs other Banana Centrals in co-op

Engineer

1xx Engineers can now place their sentries correctly on One Two Tree
Overclocking a 5xx Engineer’s sentry just as it starts exploding no longer crashes the game
Engineer Paragon no longer crashes if created while a Bloontrap is being deployed
Engineer Paragon no longer crashes when selling the main tower while it has a sentry moving through the air that has not landed yet
Engineer Paragon should no longer throw sentries into the middle of the map due to techbots
Resolved an issue where the Paragon’s permanent speed boost per round would not load until the end of the first round played after loading a save

Beast Handler

3xx Great White projectiles can no longer hit bloons far out of range
3xx Great White rare crash that could occur at end of rounds has been resolved
3xx Great White’s slow applied to grabbed target now expires correctly
310 Beast Handler now has eyebrows, just like that one map suggestion
Corrected the splash asset for crosspathed 4xx & 5xx Beasts
Merging an Orca into a Megalodon while it's taking out a bad should no longer cause a 2nd Megalodon to briefly appear
x1x Microraptor no longer fails to attack in some cases when being moved to different heights
x4x Tyrannosaurus Rex ability now scales with Challenge Editor ability cooldown slider
Beast Handler's bird targeting no longer breaks when set to strong if bloons are leaving radius
Resolved a crash that could occur when moving a beast to the screen boundary

Hero Specific Fixes

Obyn Greenfoot

Resolved an issue where Obyn’s Wall of Trees when placed on an intersection looping back around on itself would not be able to hit the children of any targets that passed over it

Psi

Resolved a crash that could occur when attacking glued Bloons

Geraldo

Resolved an issue where selling Geraldo, and then re-buying him would show the description of the last-viewed store item from before selling him

Platform Specific fixes

PC: Beast Handler’s hotkey in the hotkeys menu has been moved up near the rest of the support towers
PC: Added a ‘ Monkey Special 2’ hotkey (for towers like Beast Handler, Necromancers & Ace Paragon). By default the Special 1 & Special 2 hotkeys have been assigned to PageUp & PageDown and ordered so that PageUp triggers the upper specialty, and PageDown triggers the lower one
Arcade: Resolved a strange one pixel wide black line that can appear above some text characters on the arcade font
Chromebook: Game no longer crashes if attempting to login via webview
Chromebook: Resolved an issue with bluetooth mice being unable to scroll

Balance Changes

Boomerang Monkey
This part has to be included along with the Lych Soul rework with Paragons which is finally making it in this update after necessary delays. As Boomerang Paragon’s knockback hits so many times so quickly, we need to make it more reasonable when applied to targets that aren’t immediately destroyed.

Boomerang Paragon knockback amount reduced 3 > 1

Bomb Shooter
MOAB Assassin fills a useful role of a pure long cooldown ‘single target assassination’ in the game, but when compared to something like First Strike it feels a little lacking that it is unable to carry damage through MOAB Layers

x4x MOAB Assassin ability passes through MOAB layers
x4x MOAB Assassin ability explosion centers around the impact target

Tack Shooter
Blade Shooter has always struggled to find much value without MK or as a step to Maelstrom, so to give it build value on its own we feel like this should be a part of the base value on the upgrade.

x3x Blade Shooter pierce increased from 6 > 8

Ice Monkey
Lowest tiers of ice monkey are far too effective for their cost against ceramics, with this scaling well all the way to round 100, we feel like ice duration against ceramics needs to be reduced to counter this but for now this reduction will only apply until T3.

000 Ice Monkey freeze duration reduced by 50% on ceramics
All T3 Ice Monkeys increase freeze duration on ceramics from 50 > 100%
203 Icicles crosspath now gains camo prio

Glue Gunner
The Bloon Solver’s rework has been very popular, however, we’d like to have a better lead up into the new mechanics by introducing this earlier at the tier 4 now.

4xx Bloon Dissolver now creates puddles on track leading up to Bloon Solver, puddles deal 1 damage, all other stats and crosspath benefits are the same.

Sniper Monkey
This will allow Cripple MOAB to take out regular MOAB layers in one shot until round 100; for such a slow attacking single target tower we feel this will help top path flex, even if mostly for show.

5xx Cripple MOAB damage increased from 80 > 280

Monkey Buccaneer
Reworking Grape Shot crosspathing as it gains far too much crosspath value by T2 but then is lacking in purpose at higher tiers, double shot will only work as one extra grape however Destroyer will now apply its full attack rate buff to the grapes and Flagship will equip aspects of Grape Shot on the mini planes.

210 Grape Shot total projectiles reduced from 10 -> 6
310 Destroyer also reduced from 10 > 6 grapes
310 Destroyer now increases grape attack rate twice as much, matching increase to the regular attack
410 Aircraft Carrier planes radial attack now fires an arc of grapes instead of darts
410 Aircraft Carrier planes radial Emission Angle 360 > 90
410 Aircraft Carrier planes radial projectile count 8 > 6
410 Aircraft Carrier plane grape projectile speed 100 > 200
420 Aircraft Carrier planes radial projectile art: dart > hot grape
420 Aircraft Carrier planes radial damage type Sharp > Fire
400 Aircraft Carrier plane radials damage 1 > 2
4xx Aircraft Carrier missiles now follow tower target priority

Monkey Ace
Spectre is shifting a little of the ceramic bonus around into basic all damage at the cost of reduced pierce, which should make up for lack of single target damage while also making the pierce crosspath more necessary when being used for cleanup focus.

xx4 Spectre Dart damage increased 3 > 4
xx4 Spectre Dart ceramic bonus reduced 2 > 1
xx4 Spectre Dart pierce reduced 15 > 10
xx4 Spectre Bomb damage increased 2 > 3
xx4 Spectre Bomb ceramic bonus reduced 4 > 3
xx4 Spectre Bomb pierce reduced 30 > 20

Heli Pilot
Even with the map-range advantage, rotors are weak compared to any other constant AoE circle like this. Chinook feels like it’s near a place we are happy with now, however we want another tiny nudge on cost while keeping cash generation value the same. Pushing some higher values on the last Comanche Commander changes as the missile attack is effectively such a small portion of the tower’s total damage late game.

302 Razor Rotors will now benefit from the faster firing crosspath
3xx Razor Rotors cooldown rate 0.75 > 0.5
x4x Support Chinook price reduced from $10500 > 9500
x4x Support Chinook supply crate cash generated reduced $1650 > 1,550
x4x Support Chinook max uses per round reduced from 3 > 2
xx4 & xx5 Comanche mini's follow the target priority set on their main Heli
xx5 Comanche Commander missile damage 7 > 15
xx5 Comanche Commander missile moab bonus 5 > 8
xx5 Comanche Commander mini's missile dmg 5 > 15
xx5 Comanche Commander mini's missile moab bonus 5 > 8

Mortar Monkey
As the Rapid Reload crosspath has actually fallen behind in value compared to Burny Stuff for top path Mortars we want to try a slight stun duration increase as this buffs the base path with a larger benefit to Rapid Reload mortars as a stalling option. Mortar consistency is lacking at x3x making it tough to spend on even though x4x is fairly good, so some of the T4 rate is shifting down to help out with this. As the camo property has grown quite weak and currently Signal Flare is considered the best decamo tool, we want to push back slightly on its cost and by reducing the blast radius of the decamo area while emphasizing crosspathing for effectiveness there.

4xx The Big One stun duration non-MOABs increased from 0.5s > 0.75
5xx The Biggest One stun duration MOAB increased from 0.3s > 0.5
5xx The Biggest One stun duration BFB increased from 0.2s > 0.3
5xx The Biggest One stun duration DDT increased from 0.2s > 0.3
x3x Heavy Shells attack delay reduced from 1.08 > 0.81
x4x Artillery Battery attack rate buff reduced from ¼ to ⅓ (remains the same rate: 0.27)
xx3 Signal flare cost increased $700 > 800
xx4 Shattering Shells price reduced from $11,000 > 10900
xx3 Signal Flare decamo radius reduced from 50 > 43
103 Signal Flare decamo pierce increased by 5 > 10
xx4 Shattering Shells burn DoT deals moab bonus +5

Super Monkey
As Engineer sentries do this already, newly spawned Mini Avatars from temples will now by default match the target priority of the temple.

4xx Sun Temple's Magic Sacrifice mini Sun Avatars when placed will spawn with the same target prio as their parent tower

Ninja Monkey
We’re changing the Ninja Monkey Paragon’s focus as a fighter against camo, as we feel like a greater strength and tactical value against camo will be the full reveal of all camos rather than all camo removal.

Ascended Shadow now grants global camo detection for all your towers
Ascended Shadow no longer strips camo from Bloons with every attack
Ascended Shadow main attack gains bonus to camo +6
Ascended Shadow Flash Bomb Explosion gains bonus to camo +20
Ascended Shadow Flash Bomb Shurikens gains bonus to camo +16
Ascended Shadow Sticky Bomb Projectile gains bonus to camo +3200
Ascended Shadow Sticky Bomb Explosion gains bonus to camo +700
Ascended Shadow now deals 25% damage to all non-Boss MOABs that spawn

Alchemist
Alchemist Transforming Tonic is in a weird spot with the transformation unable to attack through walls when the base alchemist is able to. Also with this, including a QoL fix for the T5 that currently prevents transformed towers from functioning with target priority.

x4x Transforming Tonic transformed alchemist can now ignore line of sight
x5x Total Transformation towers transformed by the x5x will keep their Target Priority

Druid
While the tornado doesn't do anything to MOABs, it still spends itself on them which wastes a relatively long cooldown, so addressing this flaw. Avatar of wrath doubles the base attack speed before any scaling is applied, but this hasn’t ever applied to the 205 Lightning, so taking care of that as well. Housekeeping - even deep in the forest, it does actually make life better.

3xx Druid of the Storm’s Tornado no longer targets MOAB-class Bloons
x3x Druid of the Jungle no longer pops Lead Bloons without 130 crosspath
x3x Jungle Vine follows target prio of tower instead of strong
x3x Jungle Vine defaults tower to strong priority when purchased
205 Avatar of Wrath base Heart of Thunder attack rate increased 2.3s > 1.15

Spike Factory
We’ve heard the feedback, so Spiked Mines get a tweak to get more mines exploding but with less pierce on each, to overall increase quality of life in more frequent use but less wasted pierce. This will help out with some of the problems it has scaling into late game super ceramics.

4xx Spiked Mines pierce increased from 12 > 20
4xx Spiked Mines explosion pierce reduced from 40 > 30
4xx Spiked Mines DoT damage increased from 1 > 10
5xx Super Mines explosion pierce remains at 60
5xx Super Mines DoT damage increased from 1000 > 2500

Monkey Village
A minor QoL for cheap Monkeyopolis creation, we included a small base amount of cash production to the generation formula.

xx5 Monkeyopolis income formula now includes a base +$2500 minimum

Engineer
The 005 crosspath fix in the last update left XXXL Trap slower than previously even if crosspathed to 205, so we are increasing that base 005 slightly to match up the 205 crosspath again so that it isn’t any slower than before.

xx5 XXXL Trap attack cooldown reduced from 5.8s > 4.6

Beast Handler
As our newest tower to be added to BTD6, we went over feedback for every path and made a large number of adjustments addressing a variety of points.

3xx Great White thrash rate benefits from speed buffs
3xx Great White damage increased 4 > 8
3xx Great White max extra damage from merge increased 8 > 16
3xx Great White max attack rate buff from merge increased 0.20634 > 0.38
3xx Great White extra thrash knockback duration from merge increased 0.1 > 0.2
4xx Orca thrash damage increased 20 > 30
4xx Orca thrash max extra damage from merge increased 40 > 60
4xx Orca max attack rate buff from merge increased 0.37829 > 0.38
4xx Orca thrash radius increased 20 > 24
5xx Megalodon price reduced from 55,000 > 45,000
5xx Megalodon thrash radius increased 30 > 36
5xx & x5x Beast handler paths are now overclockable
x4x and x5x Max Merge Bonus: Overkill damage on MOABs now distributes to the children of that target
xx1 Gyrfalcon path deals +1 damage to Regrows to stop accidental infinite regrow farms
xx3 Golden Eagle pierce increased 12 > 15
xx3 Golden Eagle pierce range increased 24 > 30
xx3 Golden Eagle ceramic pierce penalty reduced from +3 > 1
xx3 Golden Eagle Max Merge Bonus: Now grabs MOABs with pierce penalty +14

Gwendolin
Removing the stacking aspect of Gwendolin’s burn damage over time, but increasing the damage as she levels up so that it actually scales up in power now.

Lv6 Gwendonlin main attack DoT stack count 0 > 1
Lv6 Gwendonlin main attack DoT damage increased from 1 > 2
Lv9 Gwendonlin main attack DoT damage increased from 1 > 4
Lv10 Gwendonlin main attack DoT damage now increases by 1 per additional level

Adora
While they are complicated individuals, Adora can now fully appreciate the sacrifice of the newest Monkeys in the struggle against the Bloons.

Lv7 Blood Sacrifice can now be used on Beast Handlers

Admiral Brickell
We aren’t happy with strats that start looking like exploits with frequent sell-replace loops.

Upon Selling Brickell - all of her placed Mines are now expired along with her as well

Psi
Psi’s stalling out of the end of round is an odd mix of useful / annoying / out of control, so we are for now capping this to a 3 seconds of overtime stalling. Psi’s Psychic Blast ability also has weirdly low pierce for a long cooldown ability with no damage, we are increasing the base pierce greatly but it no longer increases in pierce at Lv7 since the extra pulse brings more pierce anyway.

If no Bloons are left unpopped on screen aside from ones Psi is currently holding & destroying, these Bloons will be destroyed after a maximum of 3 seconds
Lv3 Psychic Blast pierce increased from 50 > 200
Lv7 Psychic Blast pierce increased from 100 > 200

Event / Boss / Relic / Knowledge

All Lych Soul variations can now be stunned/slowed by paragon tier upgrades

Looking Forward
Five months of 2023 done and dusted, which feels to us like it has zoomed by, perhaps because the Auckland office where the BTD6 team is based has only just reopened after the severe flooding at the end of January. All of Update 36 and the majority of Update 37 were completed while again working from home, but we’re very excited to have the office repairs done, the flood wall almost finished, and the ability to work shoulder to shoulder again on fun new things for the monkeyverse! Here’s the latest gaze into the crystal ball:

Update 38 Key Content
- New Boss - Phayze: another all new Boss concept and play style, not giving any other hints apart from the name itself
- Summer fun: a new Brickell hero skin and a waterpark map aimed toward Intermediate to help keep northern hemisphere summer cool
- Quests: continuing to build new quest system features and adding a few new Quests to the list
Update 39 Key Content
- Map Editor: under construction since last year with internal systems testing happening during 38.0 development, we are super excited to put map creation tools in player hands on as many platforms as possible when it goes live
- New Hero - Spirit Walker: another unique design that we’re sandboxing already to make sure it has as much balance and art iteration as possible, again no hints other than the name
Update 40 Key Content
- New Paragon - Monkey Sub: we’ve tagged sub as the next Paragon, so tell the Navarch to stop hoarding all of the Portable Lakes!
- Stretch Goals - Boss Rush Team Event and CT Themes: lots of unknowns 3 updates out but we have strong plans for a new Team event and new parameters for Contested Territory that will make each CT more dynamic - anything that we don’t get done by end of year will have strong groundwork for next year
Console
- Getting closer to submission on Xbox and PlayStation but this has been slow going. We’ve added another programmer and are working even more closely with platform partners to get through our last issues and launch as soon as possible, but that’s likely at least another 2 months. Switch is still a consideration depending on response to Xbox and PlayStation, as it will require additional bespoke development.

submitted by NoSneezePlz to btd6 [link] [comments]

2023.06.07 01:09 Killchrono I feel a lot of conflict about 2e's design is from people not realizing or liking its focus as a strategy game

Ever since the 5e influx, a lot of conversations have been…frustrating me, to put it lightly. There’s a feeling that while people are willing to engage with the game and generally like a lot of the concepts, there are people who get frustrated with Paizo's overarching design decisions to the point they demand change or call certain core philosophies objectively bad design.
As someone who very much likes most of the game's core philosophies, it's taken me a while to wrap my head around it, but I feel there was a crystallizing moment for me the other day when there was a thread discussing balance vs fun. Essentially, it purported that balance often came at the expense of fun, and that a lot of games end up becoming homogenized or having the soul sucked out of them for the sake of making every option viable.
Now of course, this is a false dichotomy. You can still have a game that is balanced between options that is also fun. A lot of imbalanced games are also not fun as well, even for the people they’re imbalanced in favor of. But it seems to be a major perception that when you play a game, you’re either here for a fun time or you’re here to play for keep and there’s no middle ground.
2e is no different. A lot of people treat the game's design as if it is trying to ruin their fun for the same if balance. Phrases like 'I know the game is balanced, it's just not fun' or 'they've overcorrected because they're too scared of breaking the game' get thrown around a lot.
Now I've seen this a lot over all of 2e's lifespan, but something became apparent as I was reading the thread; something that I’d sort of always realized, but for some reason I can’t figure out, it finally clicked to me how deep and intrinsic it is to the core discussions surrounding 2e.
The simple fact is: there are a lot of people who don’t seem to accept or even realise that PF2e is designed primarily as a strategy game before anything else.
(Just for reference, I made a Twitter thread about this, so I'm going to copy a lot of almost verbatim, but past that I’m going to elaborate in much more detail on thoughts and specific examples of what I’m talking about)
One of the big disconnects for me when I started playing DnD back in 3.5 (and eventually moved to PF1e) is that when I found out it was grid-based strategy, I was super excited. I loved games like FFT and Advance Wars back in the day, and had only just started playing FE:A, so I was down to clown.
The problem I eventually realized was the game isn't actually built for nuanced tactical play, despite being turn-based and having a grid and rules for interacting with it. It rewards expedient powergamed options and eclipses any concept of power cap.
5e was very similar. I went in seeing it was toned down and expected it to appeal more to that more nuanced gameplay. It certainly held the aesthetic of it, with mechanics like concentration to stop rampant buff stacking and streamline spellcasting, and to its credit it's skill floor was much more stable, making it easier to get on the ground floor with a playable character without needing an obtuse level of upfront system mastery.
But in the long term, I found it was just as bad an offender as 3.5/1e, between more extremely powerful expedient options, poorly tuned inter-class balance, monsters being quickly outscaled by player stats, and advantage being a very swingy buff state.
(sadly I missed 4e, which in hindsight I think would have absolutely been my bag)
So when 2e came out, I was cautious. I had been burnt before, and I was skeptical Paizo could actually stand on their own with a truly unique system apropos of DnD’s existing influence. But when I started my initial foray into the system, gingerly running small one shots and module length adventures with my players, I began to realize…this is it. This is the tactical d20 game I've been waiting over seven years for. Classes are much better balanced, the encounter building rules actually work, and my players are engaging in nuanced tactics beyond just trying to go for the biggest hits every turn. This is great!
I was super excited to have 2e finally meet that goal for being a d20 system that placed tactics at the heart of the gameplay.
...only to find people were bouncing off it while espousing the game's focus on strategy and the balance that came with it too stifling.
I've seen phrases akin to, ‘I get AOEs are effective, but I don't care if they're mathematically balanced compared to single target actions. I want the fantasy of blowing up all the enemies in the room with my fireball, not chipping them down half of their health and letting the martials mop up.’ Literally just the other day, I saw someone complain that they liked save or suck spells and that they were upset 2e did away with it. 'What if I WANT to turn the lich to stone with one spell and win the fight before it even starts?'
Obviously spellcasters are a low-hanging fruit that have been discussed ad-infinitum, but I see the same thing with martials more often than most people would realize. You have comments complaining that the base hit rates being closer to 50% than 70-80% is objectively bad design. People don’t want to engage in buff-based gameplay or teamwork that improves the odds in their favor; they want to have that high base chance as a standard and go to town with minimal windup or strategic investment.
Even from a mechanical standpoint, there's a common disdain towards a lot of the system's more nuanced mechanics that people feel are done more out of anti-fun pedantry than to create meaningful choices. I've seen people go on tirades about hand economy and how they hate needing to weigh up what you're holding at any given moment, all the way up to level 20 with no way around it. Plenty of people hate the shield mechanics for being finicky and seemingly existing for their own sake, while I love them because I get to see exactly when raising it stops my shield ally champion from getting hit and how much damage I chunk off when I block.
A lot of people talk about disconnect of expectations with the designers, but I'm starting to believe the source of this disconnect is rarely what they actually think it is, which is that strategy focus. 2e’s foundation is very clearly focused on trying to create strategy and meaningful gameplay loops via balance and tactical decision making, rather than the intense power curves of previous systems. So why are people engaging in a game like that when they want more freeform expression or have the fantasy be a pure power fantasy?
Well, the answer is, because they never wanted to engage in strategy in the first place, at least as far as the design tenets and expected player input of the strategy genre goes. They're coming in with a different expectation of what genre they want these games to be. I may come into it expecting XCOM and FFT, or even more tactics-focused board games (I mean in the end, what is an RPG with minis but a board game with more steps?). People like me want their character fantasies in a nuanced environment where I still get to have that feeling of being fantastical, but have to play smart to win. I don't have any expedient I-win buttons, and the victory is earnt, not given.
But others may come in expecting Diablo or Dynasty Warriors, where the power fantasy of being a one-man army is the appeal. They want to mow effortlessly through hordes of monsters and soldiers to feel unstoppable, where every attack is merely a scratch. Even bosses are just bigger roadblocks in the way to glory - they may stand a chance at putting you down, but ultimately you're a powerhouse. You're destined for greatness by virtue of the game glorifying you at every turn, narratively and mechanically.
Others still want that epic set piece experience - your Soulsborne/DMC/MGR style boss rushes, or Monster Hunter-esque scenarios against huge monsters, where smaller, less important adversaries are but window dressing to the main event. The game is more or less balanced around your capacity to stand toe to toe with Goliath beasts and master warriors. There is challenge and strategy, but it is focused around this particular format, where the game is about that pinpoint adrenaline, almost reaction-based combat against single major foes. This makes wide swathes of the available options and design decisions in a game like 2e redundant because everything gets consolidated into that focus on boss battles.
(I will say, there are elements of both the above that can exist in 2e, and with enough kerjiggering you can probably create an experience much closer to them than the intended game. But as far as official design goes, they are not the sole focus nor what the game is clearly designed around. There is a holistic experience at play here that incorporates a wider variety of combat scenarios)
And then there are the people who come in with…almost no gaming litmus to compare it to whatsoever. Combat in TTRPGs is the only true experience they've ever had of it being encapsulated in a mechanical experience. They may see it as a draw card. They may see it as an opportunity to just roleplay. Others still may see it as an impediment to their fun.
Obviously no one system is ever going to appeal to everyone, but I feel like a lot of people are coming into 2e either not understanding the fact the game is designed around this heavily tactical experience, or understanding it but not liking this and wanting it to shift design focus.
To be fair, this could be a good wake-up call for the rest of the community. One of the sentiments that often gets touted a lot is that people feel they’ve been misled by the advertising of 2e as a system; particularly coming from 5e, a lot of people feel a lot of the discussion has been about 2e ‘fixing’ its problems, creating a better holistic experience of the same game.
I’m beginning to believe the issue in hindsight is that the people saying that - myself included - have been coming at this from the assumption that the players who are complaining about 5e are doing so from the angle of a strategy game, when in fact, they haven’t.
But in our defense, I can absolutely see why we would have thought that. A lot of complaints relate to topics such as class imbalance, build disparity, poor encounter tuning, lack of coherent rules for character abilities, etc. Essentially, all stuff that reads ‘we care a lot about the mechanics of this game. We want it to be fairer and have more robust systems, more options in combat, etc.’
Essentially, stuff that is inherently linked to this strategy focus.
Clearly this hasn't been the case though, for whatever reason. Maybe it's about time that the people who like PF2e and are trying to sell it to others, and when discussing topics in places like this subreddit, acknowledge that 2e isn't actually an unmitigated power fantasy d20 system, but a version that is aimed at that sort of strategy aficionado who want a game that's about tactical engagement and builds mattering for the sake of how they engage with those strategy elements, rather than just being an expression of how they will inevitably win and treating the mechanics that keep those design goals in check as pedantic and anti-fun.
This will make PF2e a much less universally appealing switch. It might even lose players who'd otherwise not try it. But it's more honest and will probably do more good for bringing and guiding new players without breeding long-term resentment and feeling misled. At the very least, it will frame expectations better.
At the same time, I think a lot more people need to in turn understand that the people like me who really like this game do so specifically because of its focus on the strategy elements; that we understand things like the tight balance and nuanced mechanics are in place to enable that. I feel too much of the conversation can devolve into accusing these design decisions of being anti-fun, almost malicious, and that people who prefer it are being overly pedantic, often to the point of paranoia about imbalances.
Obviously there needs to be nuance. Some people do legitimately want that mechanical element but just disagree with certain points on the way Paizo does it. If people feel certain fiddly elements can be removed or underpowered mechanics can be buffed without breaking the balance or adding even more strategy, then sure, that's great. Let's have those discussions. But once there's a sort of 'I don't care about balance I care about fun' sentiment being thrown around, I feel that's when discussion begins to break down because it's fundamentally asking Paizo to change the direction of their design; one that a lot of people have come to this game specifically for, and pay the designers to make for our tastes.
As I said, no one game is going to make everyone happy, but some games are more focused on what they're aiming for than others. 2e is one of those games. I think the core conflict at the heart of 2e's direction is not that it's designed around a strategy focus, nor that others don't always like that. It's that there's a core assumption everyone playing d20 games is doing so because strategy is the main investment.
There's probably meaningful discussion to be had as to whether there is virtue in this as a core focus. Maybe people like myself are in fact just stickler pedants who are too focused on things being fair and balanced for our own good. Maybe no-one else cares about that nuanced strategy focus and it's too niche a market to bother with past indulging people like me through single player experiences. But either way, understanding that focus and where the differences of want from that will help discussion more than anything else

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