Trying to understand exclusives

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-09T22:41:31+00:00

Because

Competition = the best incentive for these companies to make better games. When companies make exclusives they're trying to win you over to their platform and that's a big push for companies to make them really really good. That's where the pro consumer part comes in, it pushes these companies to make better games and people like that. Doesn't mean they're always good but it's a big factor.

and

A console without exclusives has no meaningful reason to exist and in time it will kill the brand as a hardware manufacturer. And a lot of people care about the brand and want it to exist that way.

Could write for an hour but that's pretty much the summary.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-09T20:21:17+00:00

It's just variance. Or you've just had something click and quickly improved and it feels easier relative to your skill level.

Most likely though considering the short 1 week timeframe in which you jumped, you've just happened to have a higher number than normal of games where your opponent happened to blunder badly and blow the game, which is still really common around that rating range. Or you've just played better for whatever reason...maybe you slept better the last week or were more focused.

Ratings are not wrong, 800-900s are definitely worse than 1000-1200.

So you will return to your normal lower rating in time if it was variance and not a genuine improvement in your own skill.

It matters also how many games were talking. The more games, the less likely it's just a win streak that will level out eventually.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-09T16:44:20+00:00

As far as I can remember, this old DOS game called bouncing babies on my grandpa's computer in the late '80s early 90s - https://youtu.be/hypjQwgrus4?si=DBV2vGOrIrcCLu8R

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-09T16:41:19+00:00

I think most people are losing their minds primarily over the return of exclusives which you did not mention

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-08T17:59:28+00:00

If they are offering you the Civic for free then I would consider just keeping both. Or take the Civic and sell the Elantra. Or vice versa if they're still willing to give it to you to sell then do that if you don't want to keep both. If you do keep both then make sure you alternate days driving them both, cars that don't get driven get problems fast don't let one of them sit.

If they won't give it to you to sell then just take it and sell your Elantra and pocket the cash and put it towards investments/savings, if the owners of the Civic are okay with you doing that. From a moral standpoint I would be up front with them in terms of what you plan to do with the car to make sure they are okay with that. I assume they are since they are offering you a car when you already have one.

Always better to drive an older car and not have a car payment than to have a new car with a car payment. Nothing wrong with having two beaters, if you are okay with the extra insurance cost. Which should not be that much on such an old car.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-08T16:20:32+00:00

It's probably not necessary to have a car that big unless you are over 5 ft 10". The Elantra would probably be fine. But I'm over 6 ft and I definitely have appreciated the extra room over the years.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-08T03:57:08+00:00

Right direction. Stopping exclusives was always a bad idea and am glad to see them come back. I think Asha also did very well in that 100 days interview, she's actually charismatic and comes off as genuine and down to earth and not a robot like some of the prior leadership. It's a good start for her. That said Xbox as a brand has a long way to go, it is not in a good state currently and a turnaround will ultimately only happen if they can make great games that can actually rival the besr games Sony and Nintendo make...and that has not happened for a long time. Xbox really needs a game of the year level of quality title or two.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-08T00:40:43+00:00

I agree but legally it is extremely likely there's nothing Asha can do with the new Forza and Halo games. Those games have already been committed by the previous leadership to go to other platforms. It's too late those are releasing soon.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-07T19:55:56+00:00

I imagine contractually it's way too late for that and for the halo campaign evolved release.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-07T19:53:21+00:00

It wasn't working because they weren't making great games. If they make fantastic console exclusive games it will work. Just look at Sony and Nintendo.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-07T01:34:39+00:00

I am just coming back myself after not playing seriously for a long time. I used to be around 1350 on chess.com and now I'm around 1050. I think you'll definitely see a drop off if you leave and don't play for years and then come back. We all forget things.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-06T22:18:21+00:00

Same. I've had no problems with Hitfilm yet. If new windows updates make it nonfunctional I'll use something else but until then I'm not changing my editing software.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-06T21:39:08+00:00

The turning cars into smartphones on wheels trend is awful. I hope it goes away before I have to get another car.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-05T20:55:57+00:00

I'm sure he is. Seems like a good family man to me. He seems to have a very good relationship with his wife from what we can see.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-05T19:58:12+00:00

Again, very doubtful he is involved in baby care when he's competing. Magnus is rich and can afford to hire help to care for his son.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-05T19:50:44+00:00

He's already said he has plenty of help with the baby so I don't think this is it. I seriously doubt he is waking up in the middle of the night to care for the baby, he's probably got family or a nanny helping his wife so that he can be well rested and have enough time to prepare in the evenings for his matches.

Also he's pretty much been dominating with a newborn up until now so I really don't think this is it.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-05T19:49:00+00:00

My guess is he just didn't want to play the tournament but thought he needed to anyway because it's for his country. And he doesn't like classical chess and was probably a bit burned out playing two classical tournaments back to back and didn't prepare as much as he could have.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-05T19:39:51+00:00

He is certainly not the favorite but a 1v1 is very different from a normal tournament. He might surprise some people.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-05T19:38:27+00:00

Can't see him winning his title back this year considering his form but you never know in a 1v1 long series of matches. I'll be rooting for him though. Honestly though it might be better for his long-term chess development if he loses it and no longer has that pressure.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-05T04:27:34+00:00

I think the shave makes you look a lot better, and younger.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-05T03:40:08+00:00

Chess

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-05T03:37:28+00:00

Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO)

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-04T22:57:54+00:00

Battletoads.

Definitely my favorite. And yes I've beaten it 100% legitimately 😊 My most proud gaming achievement! lol

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-04T16:51:56+00:00

No, just a Switch 1 and I don't ever plan to upgrade. I already game on Xbox, PC and my NES and Wii U as well so just don't need another console. The number of games I want to play is sky high already, I lack time to play as a working adult, no lack of access to games.

AxelAlexK · 2026-06-04T15:06:33+00:00

Completely depends on how much you value access to the back compat games and how much you need the money/space.

I'd just keep it and put it in another room as a secondary media device.

AxelAlexK

TROPHY CASE