​So, 343 Industries decided to grace us with the introduction of Spartan Points, a new currency that promises to unlock the gates to a treasure trove of customization options. But let's be real here, folks - the road to Spartan greatness is paved with the tears of wallets everywhere.

First off, let's talk about the "Citron White" and "Platinum Marigold" skins, which cost a whopping 7,500 Spartan Points each. I mean, who wouldn't want to look like a lemon-flavored M&M or a banana that's been left out in the sun too long? At least we'll be easy to spot on the battlefield - enemies will be too busy laughing to shoot us.

And then there's the "Needle Minder," a proud addition to the collection at a mere 6,000 Spartan Points. Because nothing screams "badass Spartan warrior" like a glorified sewing kit attached to your armor. I can just imagine the epic battles we'll win with our superior needle-threading skills.

But wait, there's more! For a mere 5,000 Spartan Points, you can acquire "The Entropy of Spring," a weapon attachment that looks like it was designed by a botanist on a bad acid trip. I'm all for embracing the beauty of nature, but I think we can all agree that adding a bouquet of flowers to our guns won't exactly strike fear into the hearts of our enemies.

And let's not forget the "Blue Team" and "A Banana" attachments, both available for the low, low price of 3,750 Spartan Points each. I'm not sure what's more ridiculous - the fact that we can now have a miniature Blue Team following us around like a group of lost puppies, or that we can attach a banana to our armor for reasons I'm still trying to wrap my head around. I guess it's a good thing we have the "Free Hugs" attachment (2,250 Spartan Points) to console us after spending all those points on these questionable choices.

While 343 Industries has certainly given us a lot to laugh about with these new Spartan Point offerings, it's hard not to feel a little pang of disappointment. The road to Spartan greatness may be paved with good intentions, but it's also littered with banana peels and flower petals.

But hey, at least we can all take solace in the fact that we'll be the most fashionable (and ridiculous) Spartans on the battlefield. Until next time, keep your Spartan Points close and your sense of humor closer. Grok out.

Fortnite, the brainchild of Epic Games, burst onto the scene in 2017, bringing with it the Battle Royale mode that would change the gaming landscape forever. Players from all corners of the kingdom flocked to this new sensation, eager to test their mettle in the ultimate fight for survival. The game's innovative building mechanic and unique visual style made it an instant hit, and soon Fortnite became the talk of the town.

But, as with all things that seem too good to be true, there was a catch. In a move that would make even the most cunning of dragons blush, Epic Games introduced microtransactions to the game. Suddenly, players could purchase V-Bucks, the in-game currency, to buy all manner of cosmetic items and Battle Passes. At first, these microtransactions seemed innocent enough, like a harmless dragon offering to polish your armor for a few coins. But as time went on, the true nature of these transactions began to reveal itself.

The once-proud knights of the Gaming kingdom found themselves succumbing to the allure of these microtransactions. No longer content with their standard armor and weapons, they began to spend their hard-earned gold on shiny new skins, emotes, and other virtual trinkets. The more they spent, the more they desired, and soon, the once-mighty knights were reduced to mere peasants, their coffers emptied and their pride shattered.

But the damage didn't stop there. The introduction of microtransactions in Fortnite opened the floodgates for other games to follow suit. Before long, the Gaming kingdom was awash with free-to-play games, each one offering their own array of shiny baubles for players to purchase. The once-noble pursuit of gaming had been reduced to a never-ending quest for virtual goods, and the kingdom would never be the same.

In the end, it was the players themselves who suffered the most. No longer content with simply enjoying a game for its gameplay and story, they found themselves caught in a never-ending cycle of spending and dissatisfaction. The once-great Gaming kingdom had been transformed into a land of microtransaction mayhem, and all because of one game – Fortnite.

So, the next time you find yourself tempted by the siren call of a shiny new skin or emote, remember the cautionary tale of Fortnite and the microtransactions that changed gaming forever. And ask yourself: is it really worth it?

Minecraft, with its vast, blocky universe and endless creative possibilities, has firmly established itself as a go-to game for many players.

Minecraft's enduring appeal lies in its ability to cater to a wide spectrum of gamers. Whether you're a seasoned architect looking to recreate a digital version of the Taj Mahal, a survivalist with an insatiable thirst for adventure, or a budding engineer with dreams of constructing a redstone-powered metropolis, Minecraft has something for everyone.

Here are nine reasons why Minecraft is essentially a cockroach of gaming and not going anywhere anytime soon.

It's a Sandbox, Not Just a Game:

Minecraft is not just a game; it's a digital sandbox where players can build, destroy, and recreate to their heart's content. It's like giving a kid a box of LEGO bricks and telling them to go wild. The only limit is the player's imagination, which, let's face it, is often more expansive than the game's procedurally generated worlds.

Now, let's be honest, Halo Infinite had its fair share of ups and downs. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, it managed to claw its way back into the hearts of gamers across the galaxy. With 343 Industries at the helm, they made Halo Infinite pretty good. Pretty good, you say? Why yes, they managed to make it better than a day-old pizza that's been left out in the sun.

The gameplay was smoother than a greased-up pig on an ice rink, the graphics were so crisp you could practically taste the pixels, and the storyline was more engaging than a Netflix binge-watch marathon. The game was so good, it made you want to slap your grandma and say, "Thanks for the cookies, but I've got some Spartans to save!"

But alas, every rose has its thorn, and for Halo Infinite, that thorn was Infection. Once a shining beacon of hope in the Halo universe, Infection was now a shadow of its former glory. It was like that one friend who always promises to bring the beer to the party, but shows up empty-handed and asks to borrow your car. Like why did they go the AI route? Infection was always the flood.

So, anyways besides that, what went wrong with Infection, you ask? Well, imagine if the Mona Lisa decided to get a face tattoo. It's not necessarily bad, but it just doesn't fit. That's what happened to Infection. It was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, or trying to teach a monkey quantum physics. It just didn't work.

The developers at 343 Industries tried their best to make Infection great again, but it was like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube. They were completely disconnected with the fanbase on this one. The more they tried, the more it just got messy and unpalatable. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion, and all you could do was cover your eyes and hope for the best.

Infection was a key game-mode in what made Custom Games so fun. Now that you're limited to not allowing infected to have guns, there is no more Cops and Robbers, no more Ghostbusters, no more Duck Hunt (that works properly at least). It's become about as enjoyable as a root canal performed by a blind dentist. It's like trying to play chess with a pigeon – no matter how good you are, the pigeon is just going to knock over the pieces, poop on the board, and strut around like it won.

Perhaps one day, the developers at 343 Industries will find a way to bring Infection back to its former glory. Until then, we can only hope and dream of a better tomorrow.

You're sitting on your couch, ready to create your Be a Pro hockey player. You've got the perfect name in mind – something that will make your opponents tremble and your friends laugh. But wait! You hit a enter. It seems that EA Sports has decided that your chosen moniker is a little too spicy for their taste. I’m fully convinced the EA Sports team incharge of monitoring player names is based in the most Communist parts of Canada and get offended when the bathroom sign at Starbucks still says “Men” or “Women” instead of “All are Welcome”!

EA Sports has been on a crusade to rid the world of offensive player names in NHL24. They've been wielding their mighty ban hammer, smiting all those who dare to step outside the bounds of their acceptable name list. And boy, are people taking notice.

Twitter is ablaze with the rage of the censored masses. Users like @MassieveCawk, @LeBongJames, and @Veiledgg have taken up the mantle of free speech warriors, fighting for their right to name their virtual hockey players whatever the heck they want. They've been posting hilarious examples of the names that have been banned, from the mundane to the downright ridiculous.

But it's not just about the funny names. It's about the principle. As @TheoFleury14 so eloquently put it, "We have to stop putting up with these fucking insane people. Truth is king 🤴 otherwise it’s just propaganda." And who can argue with that? Well, EA Sports, apparently.

Some argue that EA Sports is just trying to keep the game family-friendly, while others say that it's a slippery slope towards censorship and a violation of free speech. And then there are those who just want to watch the world burn, posting even more ridiculous names just to see if they can get a rise out of the censors like “Obamasbutt Plug” or “Kyle Beach”… too soon.

So, what's the moral of this story? Is it that EA Sports is the big bad villain, crushing the dreams of hockey-loving gamers everywhere or just a bunch of fruits offended by everything and anything? Or is it that we should all just lighten up and play nice? Perhaps it's a little bit of both.

In the end, it's up to you to decide where you stand on innapropriate player names and censorship. But one thing is for sure – the saga of EA Sports NHL24 and its war on free speech is a tale that will be told for generations to come, and many gamers will not let it go. Or at least until the next version of the game comes out.

By the way…. my player name’s a doozy.

Halo Infinite, the latest installment in the iconic Halo franchise, has had a development journey that's been anything but smooth. From delays to graphical controversies, the game has been through the wringer. But hey, at least we can laugh about it now, right?

The Graphics Fiasco:
When 343 Industries first showed off Halo Infinite, fans were less than impressed with the graphics. In fact, they were so unimpressed that they cried foul and demanded improvements. The developers heard their cries and postponed the game's launch to make it look less like a relic from the past.

The Great Comeback:
After a year of hard work and dedication, the developers finally showed off the improved graphics in a free trial beta. Digital Foundry analyzed the changes and found that the game now looks much better on all systems, although there are still some issues to iron out. But hey, at least they're trying, right?

The Return to Form:
One of the biggest improvements to Halo Infinite has been the return to the grittier, more lived-in aesthetic of the original Halo games. Gone are the days of the dated look and stale gameplay. Now we have a game that looks like it belongs in the 21st century.

The Big Bad Banished:
Halo Infinite's campaign pits Master Chief against The Banished, a group of Covenant rejects who've managed to defeat the UNSC and capture Zeta Halo. The game promises to be the biggest and most beautiful entry in the series, with a semi-open world to explore and a diverse kit of Spartan tools.

Launch was a total failure. There was so much missing content, I didn't even know what game this was. After a rocky launch in 2021, the developers at 343 Industries have been working tirelessly to improve the game, and their efforts have paid off. With the release of the Winter Update in January 2023, Halo Infinite has evolved into a fun and engaging experience that is sure to delight both newcomers and long-time fans of the series.

Improvements Since Launch: 
One of the most significant improvements to the game has been the addition of Forge Mode. This powerful tool allows players to create and share their own custom maps and game modes, breathing new life into the multiplayer experience. The Halo Forge community has already produced a wealth of impressive content, showcasing the creativity and passion of the game's dedicated fanbase.

The multiplayer experience has also been enhanced with the inclusion of new maps and a free 30-tier Battle Pass. These additions have made the game feel fresh and exciting, with plenty of content for players to enjoy. The introduction of Match XP, a new form of progression that rewards player performance, has also been a welcome change, making the game more engaging and enjoyable for all skill levels.

While the game has come a long way since its launch, there is still room for improvement. The campaign, while enjoyable, could benefit from further updates and expansions. Additionally, the issue of microtransactions in the multiplayer mode remains a concern for some players. However, the developers have shown a commitment to addressing these issues and improving the game over time.
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My Conclusion:
Halo Infinite has come a long way since its initial reveal, and while there's still work to be done, the game is shaping up to be a fun and engaging experience. So, let's raise a glass to the developers at 343 Industries for their hard work and dedication, and hope that the final product is worth the wait.