MASS EFFECT FANS ARE REFUSING TO GIVE UP! Following BioWare's reported shutdown and the cancellation of Mass Effect 5, a petition to save the franchise has reportedly surpassed 200,000 signatures. Even Commander Shepard voice actors Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer are encouraging fans to hold the line. But there's another side to BioWare's downfall. We're examining former developers' comments about EA's ownership, Andrew Wilson's history of supporting BioWare projects, and the argument that the studio's own decisions played a much bigger role in its collapse than fans want to admit. Can Mass Effect return? Sources: - https://x.com/Pirat_Nation/status/2114484713801097264 - https://x.com/WeAreMassEffect/status/2114730231214883014 - https://x.com/kalaelizabeth - https://x.com/_Tom_Henderson_/status/2114725691610603951 - https://x.com/MiaMersion/status/2114409421983953208 - https://x.com/Trutown/status/2114067855238910252 - https://bsky.app/profile/dklawhorn.bsky.social/post/3myfpe2izxs2r

WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON WITH BUNLITH?! Lilith Walther, creator of Bloodborne PSX & Nightmare Kart, is facing serious backlash over scenes in Bunlith, a Kickstarter-funded animated series that raised approximately $175,000. Critics are highlighting a scene involving an estrogen pill and a minor, alongside other controversial depictions of violence, gender identity, and discrimination. There are also allegations about the real-life inspirations... Today I examine footage, controversy, and why this sparked such intense reaction. Sources: - https://x.com/SmashJT/status/2114533208561963082 - https://x.com/SmashJT/status/2114533284902498436 - https://x.com/imcattho/status/2114198895592915423 - https://x.com/KiwiFarmsDotNet/status/2114091268850737266 - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bunlith/bunlith-the-animated-series - https://x.com/ShitpostRock/status/2114510066401321295 - https://x.com/IsraeliFlowery/status/2114108770712478083 - https://x.com/MadamSavvy/status/2114401797389361640

YOUMACON JUST FOUND ITSELF IN A MASSIVE CONTROVERSY! VTuber Kirsche Verstahl has announced she won't be attending Youmacon after previously being scheduled for a panel, citing sponsor concerns communicated to her. But now allegations are circulating that the real pressure came from convention staff and discussions in Youmacon's own Discord server rather than sponsors. With fans potentially already spending money on badges, travel, and hotels, the timing has sparked serious backlash. Today I dig into Kirsche, the Discord receipts, and what really happened behind this last-minute cancellation. Sources: - https://x.com/KirscheVerstahl/status/2114480593329373576 - https://x.com/KirscheVerstahl/status/2114560554438173150 - https://x.com/KirscheVerstahl/status/2114546076208218391 - https://x.com/SmashJT/status/2114491099045929048 - https://x.com/powdury/status/2114498327937216956 - https://x.com/Youmacon/status/2114480102549402038 - https://x.com/Leaflit/status/2114652239142998379

REMEMBER WHEN EVERYONE SAID COLIN MORIARTY WON THAT DEBATE? Well... Sucker Punch has reportedly laid off 26 employees following Ghost of Yotei, according to Aftermath. The studio cited market challenges and staffing needs for its next project. Today I revisit my debate w/Colin Moriarty, the criticism I received, and why I believe these developments deserve a serious second look. Were my concerns about Ghost of Yotei and Sony's direction dismissed too quickly? It's time to revisit the receipts and see how well everyone's predictions aged. Sources: - https://x.com/SmashJT/status/2114768617040671197 - https://x.com/RinoTheBouncer/status/2114756293529649309 - https://x.com/LegacyKillaHD/status/1981628399765406060 - https://x.com/SmashJT/status/2114796163052556394 - https://x.com/EndymionYT/status/2114757958953525456 - https://aftermath.site/sucker-punch-layoffs-sony-ghost-of-yotei/ - https://x.com/JayViperTV/status/2114765145771499760 - https://x.com/JayViperTV/status/2111130969734263253

REMEMBER BOOTH BABES?! There was a time when E3 and gaming conventions were filled with elaborate booths, beautiful promotional models, and an unapologetically over-the-top atmosphere. Then came years of criticism from gaming journalists and activists, including the broader debates surrounding Anita Sarkeesian and representation in games. Today we're revisiting the booth-babe controversy, reacting to the arguments that helped change gaming culture, and asking whether the industry lost something special along the way. NEVER FORGET WHAT THEY TOOK FROM US! Sources: - https://x.com/SmashJT/status/2111905862428271005 - https://x.com/SmashJT/status/2111905862428271005 - https://x.com/SmashJT/status/2112310825960804519 - https://x.com/PolishTamales/status/2111906511907959121 - https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/05/15/ignxbox-presents-tecmos-dead-or-alive-3-girls-of-e3-2001 - https://x.com/AI_EmeraldApple/status/2112217437345374251 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsT02S7Lw0w

IS GTA 6 ABOUT TO BE THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT IN GAMING HISTORY?! AndyPants Gaming just released "The Pussification of GTA 6," arguing that Rockstar and Take-Two have changed dramatically and questioning whether the upcoming Grand Theft Auto can live up to its legendary predecessors. Today I'm reacting to Andy's arguments about Jason, Lucia, modern Rockstar, and the possibility that GTA 6 has traded the franchise's rebellious identity for safer corporate storytelling. Are these legitimate warning signs, or is everyone getting worked up before the game even launches? Source: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dvJs2cKRQg

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO BIOWARE? Following reports of studio closure and Mass Effect 4/5's cancellation, I look back at BioWare leadership, LGBTQ PRIDE, and development priorities. From Gary McKay's statements about DEI and studio's Pride campaigns to Dragon Age: The Veilguard and promises surrounding Mass Effect's return, did BioWare lose sight of what made its games successful? Sources: - https://x.com/bioware/status/1532132570636251137 - https://blog.bioware.com/2017/06/23/celebrate-pride-with-bioware/ - https://blog.bioware.com/2022/07/15/bioware-developer-story-pride-edition/ - https://x.com/Mangalawyer/status/2113694699131383978 - https://x.com/DrClownPhD/status/2113724422389457196 - https://x.com/RenfailSoL/status/2113075198681399449 - https://x.com/Pirat_Nation/status/2113601331751448802 - https://blog.bioware.com/2014/12/04/building-a-character-cremisius-krem-aclassi/ - https://x.com/Cyael/status/1852057372602056926 - https://x.com/Mangalawyer/status/2113707306554642553

BIOWARE IS GONE... AND POLYGON IS STILL DEFENDING DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD?! Following the reported closure of BioWare, Polygon published an article asking whether we can finally agree that The Veilguard was actually terrific. Yes, seriously. Despite acknowledging that the game reached only half of EA's expectations, the article blames corporate interference, online outrage, and competition while praising The Veilguard's legacy. Today we're going through this remarkable article and examining the arguments, contradictions, and spectacular levels of cope. Sources: - https://x.com/Polygon/status/2113334604094472218 - https://www.polygon.com/dragon-age-the-veilguard-bioware-rpg-retrospective/ - https://www.polygon.com/author/ari-notis/ - https://muckrack.com/ari-notis - https://bsky.app/profile/trickweekes.bsky.social/post/3myga7cg3rk2r - https://x.com/Cyael/status/1902073066727104581 - https://x.com/Cyael/status/1932828331210117316 - https://x.com/Cyael/status/1927478629912428576