I had an idiot say to a guy, at extract, "You stole my samples, I'm kicking you." I told him you couldn't steal samples, they're shared. I got kicked too. Some people are just either stupid or malicious, but fortunately they seem to be less and less frequent.

Thanks!

We do have !videogames@pawb.social but not too many things get posted there. Might be a better spot for future posts.

But for more furry games:

• Nine Sols came out recently. It features a mix of cyberpunk and taoism, and plays as if Sekiro became a metroidvania. Almost everything can be parried, with a focus on generating temporary damage that you can make permanent with a special attack. It's difficult, amazingly fun, and also has some fairly gory parts, so if you're squeamish you probably don't want to play it. Here's the trailer.

• Tribal Hunter is about vore and size change. Putting that out in front, because I know that can definitely turn people away. However, it's just used as a mechanic, making it so that you can hit harder when you're bigger, you're more nimble when you're smaller, and digesting food regains health. It's a side-scrolling beat-'em-up, and also has a pretty great soundtrack too. Here's the trailer.

• Tunic is a game about learning about a world, and doing so by trying to understand the game's language and manual. It plays a lot like an older Zelda game, but while you can get to some newer areas with items you collect, the real progression is the knowledge you gain as you go forward. It's unfortunately a game you can only play for the first time once, and it's one of those games where you want to go in without spoilers. Here's the trailer.

• Hollow Knight is probably a game everyone knows by now, but in case you don't, it's metroidvania Dark Souls with bugs. The game can be finished with some effort, but completely clearing the game for achievements is something for masochists. It's got a load of things to do and explore, and it's even got a sequel that's coming ~~any day~~ ~~week~~ ~~year~~ at some point. Here's the trailer.

Within the last couple weeks we had an MO to hold five bug planets. Between the bug-only players and the MO-only players, we were doing excellently. It was also one of the first MOs where supply lines were visible in-game, so players knew where to go, and how to cut off bugs from taking planets back with defense. Arrowhead thought we were doing too well, so the bugs randomly took back a planet that had all supply lines cut off, in order to put more pressure on the order. It's not just a yo-yo, Arrowhead is also insistent that even if we do well, they'll undermine the established rules to get the result they want.

I'm lucky enough to have been financially able to buy a home. I had help making the down payment, but we've now got a 30 year mortgage. My monthly payments are less than what I was paying for rent, less than the average rent in the city by almost a third. I got this place with two above-average incomes, and had the good fortune to get it during the COVID housing and interest rate dip, and I still needed extra help.

If someone is stuck with renting, they're likely paying more than they would for a mortgage. They can't save up the money because they're already lagging behind, and the housing market isn't coming down in price, and wages absolutely aren't keeping pace. No one is saying a house would "lock them down," they're pointing out they can never afford it because they can't even come up with the money to show the bank they can save because they're already paying above the potential mortgage payments every month.

But you're saying they won't, not can't, so what should they do to come up with the money? Start selling kidneys? 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and that same link shows 71% have less than $2000 in their savings. So where exactly are people supposed to shit out your hypothetical $30,000?

Vermin Supreme is a real person.

Is that an actual screenshot from the game?

I take it you're not familiar with famous lawyer Saul Goodman.

Treasure Planet has solar sails used as the energy source for propulsion for ships.

Archer: So you're telling me that the good old boys were drinking whisky and rye... (laughing) ...like mixed together?

Robert: Archer, please just...

Archer: I am concerned about the mental health of them good old boys. (gasps)

Robert: What?

Archer: Do you think their jobs were levee-based?

I've heard that and decided to look myself. According to their fundraising report for fiscal year 2021/22, they received $165.2m from 13m people. Removing "major gifts," $20.8m (only 18,000 people), it comes out to a bit over $11 per person. Additionally, they got $13.5m to their trust, the Wikimedia Endowment (average donation of $13.91/person). So definitely, most of their income comes from small donations.

As to whether they need it, according to their FY 21/22 financials statement, they're sitting on $198m in assets ($51m of which is cash), with an additional $52m they can't touch because they're long-term investments. However, their expenditures made up $154m. In total, they're reporting they netted $8m last year for additional assets, but assuming that everyone stopped donating, Wikipedia would probably die in a year, even with liquidation of short-term assets.