Category: Uncategorized

Medieval Outfits We Should Revive in These Dying Times

Written by: R. D.

After careful consideration, we as a society have realized that our current attire is just not cutting it. What did our ancestors wear in their times of pandemic? After playing games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and A Plague Tale: Innocence, we’ve got some ideas. Here are a few articles of clothing that would make a wicked comeback in this time of peril. Introducing: The Plague Spring Collection 2020.

Bird Man Mask

It’s hard to dismiss the iconic bird-like mask of the Black Death of the 1300s. Except this particular design didn’t come around till the seventeenth century. Different suits have existed for centuries in several different forms. Even medieval doctors realized that there needed to be a barrier between the sickly outside world and remaining in a healthy state. The reasons for the shape varies, but one article states:

“According to one source, people once believed that the plague was spread by birds. Therefore, the use of such a mask may have stemmed from the belief that the disease could be removed from a patient by transferring it to the garment. The mask also had a utilitarian function, as the beak was packed with strong, pleasant smelling substances, such as ambergris, mint, or rose petals. These were meant to ward the disease away because people believed miasma (“bad air”) spread the disease . “

So, are you brave enough to rock this edgy look? If not, here are a few others to try out.

Yas, queen!

Totally Tunics

There’s no need to dress too fancy when you are confined to your home for an unspecified amount of time. The perfect, effortless garment that you need for the season is the completely versatile and unisex tunic!

 So they must be expensive and difficult to make, right? Wrong! Experts state “Such tunics are made either by folding over a long piece of fabric and cutting a hole in the center of the fold for the neck; or by sewing two pieces of fabric together at the shoulders, leaving a gap for the neck. Sleeves, which weren’t always part of the garment, could be cut as part of the same piece of fabric and sewn closed or added later. Tunics fell to at least the thighs. Though the garment might be called by different names at different times and places, the construction of the tunic was essentially the same throughout these centuries.”

These were all the rage in the medieval ages, my friend. They were perfect for work in the fields or home. In the public square or to bed. The material was typically wool but the designs and lengths could vary. Women traditionally wore longer garments, but you don’t have to adhere to those outdated stereotypes! Short or long, embrace that tunic! Slit it up the sides for a breezy, beachy look (not that you should be at the beach…celebrating Spring Break...FLORIDA). Or belt it and pair with a cozy, long sleeved undershirt for those early spring snow storms.

#tunictuesday

Pinterest and other online sources are available if you would like to purchase one online. There’s a huge market for that kind of stuff, apparently. Or you can make your one and add embellishments like ribbons or details to EXPRESS YOUR UNIQUE IDENTITY. Fashion Nova can’t beat this sick piece.

Saturdays with the boys will be a lot more comfortable!

Hoods…but not Hoodies

Mix up your head-wear with a pointed hood to protect you from the sun or to keep you anonymous as you traverse the mall when you’re supposed to be self-isolating. These hoods provide a quick, easy, adjustment for protection or the coziness of a hoodie, without changing your outfit.

Hoods, like tunics, were unisex in medievel times. So why not indulge your loved one with the perfect accessory?

Perfect hood for acorn gathering!

Some hoods for women can even drift into the ‘cap’ style of head-covering. Save a good hair day for when life returns to normal. Instead, slap a cap on and go about your day in style. Or you could even opt for a later era French hood, popularized by the infamous Anne Boleyn.

Beyonce has nothing on the French hood, hun.

Girdles…but not like that

While the definition of girdles has changed to mean a corset-like garment that holds in fat, historically, it was a garment more like a belt. One article says “They might be made from rope, fabric cords, or leather. Occasionally belts might have buckles, but it was more common for poorer folk to tie them instead. Laborers and peasants not only tucked up their clothing with their girdles, but they also attached tools, purses, and utility pouches to them.”

Slayeth, king! Wait, was that heresy?

What better way to adjust your tunic than to cinch it in with a fancy…rope. For those late Walmart runs, it may be hard to reach into your pocket, get out money, hand sanitizer, your keys. Your germy hands rummage around your pocket or purse until every surface is counted with the pathogen. You’re practically a corpse walking.

Yes, that brown garment is the girdle.

Picture this: all of these important items are simply attached to your girdle! With a swift hand, you are in and out of the store with all the toilet paper you need. Clearly, the multi-purpose girdle is the absolute finishing touch to the collection.

If you are ready to join the future by embracing the past, gird your loins in this collection today! As tomorrow, you may perish of the pestilence.

Why I Hate Shopping at GameStop

GameStop has had a rough few years. With the rise of online shopping, accessible games through online stores, and companies like GameFly where you can get games delivered to return, it’s not difficult to see that the games seller would run into trouble. “Digital downloads are becoming more and more prevalent, and people are buying their consoles on Amazon. The physical copies of the games that GameStop sells are becoming less popular because most gamers either download their games or order them online instead of going into stores”, FRAGHERO reports. Browsing for games and merchandise in a crowded mall and selling back your slightly used games for less than a fraction of their worth just doesn’t seem that appealing to everyone.

Shopping? Without the internet? Absurd.

Except it gets worse.

The company has been plagued with scandals. An article on thegamer.com reports that workers are instructed to prey on those who are unfamiliar with games (encouraging them to purchase more without understanding what it may be that they are purchasing), push certain subscription agendas (GameStop Elite Pro memberships, PowerUp Rewards) to fuel the corporate circle of game purchases, and even price games differently in the same store. Same game. Same store. Same condition (new or used). This happened to me this weekend while trying to purchase a used copy of For Honor (one was $4.99, the other $9.99).

It’s no wonder the finances are an additional issue to the ethics of the gluttonous gaming giant. The company is set to close over 200 under-performing stores in the next year, with over 100 employees being laid off in the previous year. The company’s plan is to revamp the stores in a way that appeals to gaming communities and introduces a stream-lined concept. GameIndustrybiz.com says “While details are a little light, the firm has said it wants to introduce new ways for its customers to try games before they purchase them, as well as add other features that encourage people to visit their local branch more often”. They may also be adding competitive gaming areas (think e-sports) and retro-gaming consoles. Cool. I guess. Anyway, here’s my beef.

My Beef

Vegans mad.

Speaking of being interactive…my experience at GameStop is a little too interactive. While not anti-social, I do appreciate privacy while I’m shopping. Avoiding people is the name of the game when you’re busy comparing prices and trying to find a deal before the Fortnite-dancing 8-year old behind you finds it first.

In 10 minutes, three separate employees had asked me if I needed help. Because the store was empty, they had all seen the other one ask. But. They. Persisted. Why?

I had come to browse and pass the time before going out to eat and getting berated by salespeople with nothing else to do made me want to leave before picking out a game. Not a very good sales strategy but that’s just me.

Attack of the Merch

One of the local GameStops in my area recently moved some merchandise around. It happens all the time. No big deal. Except it became grossly apparent that now the store was 80% pop culture merchandise and less than 20% games and gaming accessories. Rows of t-shirts with anime images, marked down coffee mugs with Rick and Morty on the sides, and crudely cheap action figures assaulted customers as they made their way to the back where the games are kept. Before me was an entire wall of the most hated commercial nerd merch imaginable– Funko Pops!.

Why would you spend money on this? Do you want this in your house?

Why is it suddenly cool to own every item of merchandise for a particular show like Bob’s Burgers? Why are there seven different Rick and Morty shirt designs? Foam Fortnite weapons? Collectible Stranger Things spoons? While I initially enjoyed some of these shows or games or movies, the sheer volume of marketed brands pushing a product with the characters printed on it quickly pushed me away from anything other than mild curiosity.

You get banned, you get banned!

My husband received the phone call from an unfamiliar number. He answered, hung up, and grew quiet.

“They said I’ve been banned from GameStop…”

I shook my head in confusion. “For what?”

He had tried to pre-order a game from another store but sent it closer to our home for pick-up. We had gone into the store earlier to make sure everything was set up for the pre-order of Control.

Worth getting banned over

He had pre-ordered Control in another city while visiting family. He attempted to transfer to another store an hour away closer to his workplace for pickup. After some debating, he switched it back to the original store.

In the store an hour away, a female employee was on the line with the GameStop employee in front of us who was inquiring about the transfer. The employee hung up and politely informed us that the girl on the other end had banned him from pre-ordering anything else at that store. My husband had “clogged up the phone lines for other customers and had cost them business”.

Over the phone, she nosily inquired why my husband hadn’t returned to her store and acknowledged that she had memorized his name and his order. And seeing how the store was empty most of the time, it was a surprise that we had caused any business to be lost, especially with a fully-stocked Walmart across the street.

The flirtatious, green-haired teenager who had shamelessly giggled at my husband while she rang up our past order had banned him. To say we were upset was an understatement but after researching the management issues at GameStops across the U.S., I can’t say I’m surprised.

No offense…BUT

As mentioned before, I’m not anti-social but I am socially wary. Crowds scare me, people who get to close to you when you’re shopping are scary, but the thing that horrifies me the most is body odor.

We all know the plague–I mean, coronovirus is going around–but the scariest thing about it so far is the amount of people who weren’t washing their hands (at all or correctly) PRIOR to the breakout of COVID-19.

You don’t need a pandemic to know you need to wash your hands after the bathroom, right? Right?

Personal hygiene is difficult for someone people. It could be a cultural thing as well. But I have not met anyone who said that they enjoyed smelling someone’s body-odor while shopping. In the south, it’s hot most of the year and everyone is sweating almost constantly. However, the only place I seem to notice atrocious B.O. is inside GameStop. The stores are so small that all it takes is one person to quick fill up the space with noxious fumes of odor.

It’s not just sweat though. While body odor is pretty rough, the second most powerful scent that sweeps through is the powerful odor of skunk weed or pot. A man walked in with a gaseous cloak of weed fumes that quickly had most of the store coughing. I watched the man walk over to the Nintendo Switch display where a man and his child were searching for a game. I looked around. There was a lot of children in there, having to inhale that skunk weed marijuana. Many began to leave. The man was undisturbed.

Call me old-fashioned. I don’t care. GameStop is a place for nerds, gamers, consumers, really anyone who is interested in what the store has to offer. But seeing how historically nerds or gamers are seen as filthy or couch-potatoes, it’s really uncomfortable for the store’s consumers (not all but back to the space thing. It only takes one person’s B.O. to trash a store.) to adhere to these prehistoric stereotypes.

If you feel like you could be one of those smelly customers, it’s okay. It’s awkward to talk about but there’s always room for growth. Whether you’re a guy or a girl, there are definitely steps you can take to smell better and feel better.

Summarizing the Beef

“Sorry, son. We have to go to GameStop for the midnight release of Animal Crossing.”

In summary, my beef is as follows:

  • Too many bored salespeople, make me uncomfortable
  • Way too much merch, most of it unsold and taking up room for more games
  • Got banned
  • THE SMELL

Will I still shop at GameStop? Probably. At least to take some of my trade-ins to die in peace. But the experience has rapidly changed in the past decade. Walking into GameStop went from a favorite store experience to something to dread. With the changes proposed by the company, maybe the future has more to offer consumers instead of over-priced used games, terrible buy-back policies, and questionable sales strategies. I am cautiously optimistic for the future but the store will have to change drastically for me to actually enjoy shopping there again.

Cover pic: Shutterstock / LukeandKarla.Travel, beef: https://riverwatchbeef.com/store/grass-fed-beef-club/grass-fed-beef-club-subscription/, https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-08-26-control-critical-consensus, GameStop pic: https://www.dreamstime.com/editorial-photography-game-store-london-england-circa-july-shelves-games-sale-shop-london-image42762682,

E3 2019- Microsoft’s Press Conference Predictions

With Sony skipping E3 this year, Microsoft possesses a unique opportunity to take center stage and create an impact on many fronts. Not only does Xbox Game Studios have a bevy of announcements of their own (with 14 promised first party titles present and the looming announcement of the next generation Xbox), the company’s show stands as prime real estate for third parties hoping to create buzz with their new games. This E3 stands as Microsoft’s best opportunity to change the conversation around the future of their platform and you’d best believe they will try their best to do just that.

The Next-Gen Xbox

While it was essentially a given Microsoft would provide details on their next generation platform (having already declared its existence last E3), Sony’s detailed unveiling of the next PlayStation has assured Microsoft will reveal its own new system in a big way next week. Details are scarce at the moment, but we can make a few guesses based upon the company’s previous comments and trends.

  1. The next Xbox will feature backwards compatibility. Given the rampant rumors that the next Xbox will continue Microsoft’s partnership with AMD for providing its CPU and GPU, it’s a safe bet that the Scarlett (the console’s code name) will feature full backwards compatibility with the current library of Xbox One games. Backwards compatibility has been a big initiative for Microsoft this generation, and it would be hard to believe that the company would allow Sony to take the mantle of “gamer friendliness” that they have worked so hard to earn with.
  2. The next Xbox will have multiple SKUs. Microsoft does not seem keen to fully abandon brick-and-mortar retail spaces just yet, but the Scarlett will likely follow the company’s previous initiatives to create a fully digital gaming ecosystem. Microsoft’s hints toward a streaming and digital platform have not been exactly subtle. The release of the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition as well as their increasing emphasis on Xbox Game Pass and xCloud game streaming all point to a future where Microsoft’s digital storefront and streaming services stand front and center of their service model. With this in mind, we will more than likely see the reveal of a disc-based Scarlett as well as a disc less, all-digital, cheaper sister model unveiled simultaneously.
  3. The next Xbox may release sooner than expected. Microsoft has a lot to prove in the next generation. After losing tremendous market share within the lifespans of the Xbox 360 and the Xbox One, the Xbox brand has to make some big bold moves if it wants to recover from its losses this generation. One way to make strides in the next generation would be to follow in the footsteps of the Xbox 360’s success and release substantially ahead of their competitors. Given that the next PlayStation will likely not release until late into 2020, Microsoft may try to seize the gap and push the Scarlett to market in the Spring (or, radically, holiday this year). With both Sony and Microsoft showing no aversion to selling iterative versions of their systems, Microsoft could conceptually release Scarlett early and, within two years, bring a more powerful version of the console to market against the next PlayStation. Being the sole next generation platform would give Microsoft ownership of the space and ensure they would be headlining nearly every big third-party game. This amount of buzz would be just what the company needs to begin turning the tides and ensure they remain competitive against Sony in the years to come.

Xbox Game Studios 14 Titles

Microsoft has promised an extended showcase of 14 first-party titles at this year’s conference. That’s quite a meaty promise, and there has been much speculation on what the company plans to show to fulfill this promise. SQD throws its hat in the ring with our own set of predictions.

  • Halo Infinite – This title from 343 Industries is practically a given. First unveiled at last year’s E3, this year’s show should provide us with our first glimpse of gameplay. How well will Halo translate into an open world and what does this imply for the structure of the game (quests, levelling, builds)? How much will Azure and xCloud factor into the experience? We’ll surely find out June 9th!
  • Gears 5– Another no-brainer. The Coalition will reveal the latest info on Microsoft’s flagpole series, and, by every expectation, they should present a nice, bombastic slice of gameplay to sell the shooter. Expect big set pieces, large hordes of enemies, and a look into co-op’s integration into the experience.
  • Sea of Thieves– Rare and Microsoft have been committed to evolving this swashbuckling title with new modes and story quests. Considering the attention the title has gotten on Twitch, expect Microsoft to invest at least one more big content push for the game. Perhaps a popular tie-in is in the works?
  • Crackdown 3– Almost every AAA title is developed with some form of download content in mind, so it stands to reason Microsoft has something in store for the beleaguered exclusive. While it may not have achieved critical or commercial notoriety, Microsoft could lean on a wacky single-player expansion to breathe some life into poor Crackdown.
  • Mojang title– If you spent 2.5 billion dollars on a company, you would probably expect to see some frequent dividends from your purchase. With the arrival of Scarlett and the xCloud service, it’s nearly a sure thing that Microsoft will leverage the company in the form of some exclusive content for their new platforms. Will it be Minecraft 2? A Minecraft spin-off? Or perhaps a new IP is in the pipes?
  • Ori and the Will of the Wisps– Microsoft’s Moon Studio’s latest project will surely have a presence during their conference. The question lies in what capacity will the anticipated sequel be featured. Will it be presented singularly, relegated to montage, or, perhaps, showcased as the latest project to be ported to Switch?
  • Forza– With Playground Games critical gem Forza Horizon 4 recently released, the weight now falls on Turn 10 Studios to push the Forza brand into the future. If we have an official Scarlett reveal, put your money on Microsoft showcasing the new tech with a very pretty Forza demonstration. The question is whether the new Forza will a be truly next generation push or one of the inevitable cross-generation titles to bridge the gap.
  • Battletoads– The time has come for the official return of Battletoads. No more shirts and logos; this year’s E3 will finally showcase gameplay from the anticipated revival. Hopefully Rare and Dlala Studios won’t disappoint with their “4K 2.5D” “genre mashup” (as per last year’s E3 trailer).
  • Fable Revival– It has long been circulating in the rumor mill that Playground Games (of Forza Horizon fame) has taken on the task of developing a new installment in Microsoft’s celebrated RPG franchise. With Lionhead Studios going the way of the dodo, few would have expected a new Fable game, let alone from a study known for its racing pedigree (albeit in an open world). Yet, Playground Games stands poised to surprise, especially if the game can coincide with Scarlett’s launch.
  • Phantom Dust– This one may be a longshot, but Microsoft has promised that the previously cancelled and now long-dormant Phantom Dust project will see the light of day. Microsoft has stated they were looking for the right developer to pick up the reboot. Phil Spencer spent a week in Korea and Japan this past March speaking to “developers and publishers” about their E3 showcase. Could Phil be in communication with a studio that’s picked up the franchise?
  • Ninja Theory project– At last year’s E3, Microsoft sent ripples through the industry when they announced a series of studio acquisitions. Of the 4 studios, one was industry darling Ninja Theory who recently released the thematically ambitious Hellbade: Senua’s Sacrifice. However, the team behind this game was quite small, equalling approximately 20 developers at any given time. With 100 employees publicly listed and only a few VR projects to their name after Hellblade, its safe to say the team has something else in development and that this project may have had a hand in Microsoft pulling the trigger on their purchase. Perhaps we’ll see what this project was and on what platforms it will fall. (Author’s Note: Since the writing of this article, it has been leaked that Ninja Theory’s PVP title Bleeding Edge will be revealed at E3)
  • Halo: Master Chief Collection– Though perhaps not as exciting as a game announcement, there stands a good chance that Microsoft may further update its collection of the perennial flagship franchise. With Halo Infinite marking a new chapter in the Halo saga, could the addition of Halo 5 complete the Master Chief Collection?
  • State of Decay DLC– Microsoft is a fan of the “shadow drop” (making content available the day of the announcement) and an expansion for the exclusive zombie-survival sim would fit the timeline. Perhaps a new map or game mode will breathe new life into the game’s community.
  • The Initiative reveal- Along with a slew of acquisitions, last year Microsoft also announced the creation of a brand new studio called The Initiative. Though the studio is very young, it’s quite possible that Microsoft may have a tease of what to expect from the Santa Monica game makers. Expect a CG trailer at most, though, but also bet on it being for the Scarlett.

Third-Party Showcases

It wouldn’t be an E3 show without some new looks and surprises from third-party developers. Given that major publishers are focusing more and more on their own E3 presentations, the amount of third-party content at Microsoft’s conference could vary wildly, but we would not be surprised to see the following in attendance supporting Xbox.

  • Cyberpunk 2077– The white-hot RPG from CD Projekt Red will show up in a big way at Microsoft’s conference. Cyberpunk has already confirmed their presence at E3, and Microsoft’s conference will serve as the biggest stage to showcase their work. Expect an extended gameplay sequence, perhaps showcasing some city traversal and more dialogue/social interaction. Will we even get a glimpse of the spectacle that would be the next-gen version?
  • From Software’s new project– The internet recently caught fire with the rumors that From Software’s next project is not only a new open-world title but a collaboration with famed author George R. R. Martin. However, a number of breadcrumbs may hint at the project showing up at Microsoft’s E3 conference. First, From Software unveiled new latest game Sekiro: Shadow’s Die Twice last year on Microsoft’s stage, so there is already a working relationship there. Second, Phil Spencer tweeted he was in Japan 3 months ago “getting input on future plans,” more than likely referring to Scarlett. It’s merely supposition, but Phil could have been meeting with From Software to cement plans to unveil their new next-gen project. Don’t expect exclusivity, but having this new game there will definitely make waves.
  • Playdead’s next game– Playdead Games has a short but stellar track record. Having worked with Microsoft to release their first acclaimed game Limbo on Xbox 360 during the Summer of Arcade, Playdead would go on to reveal their next gem Inside at Microsoft’s 2014 E3 Conference. There has been radio silence from the studio for 3 years, but it may finally be time to pull back the curtain on their next project. They have hinted that their next game will make the jump to three dimensions, and, given their close ties to Microsoft, we very well could see this new venture on stage next week.

That’s quite a lot of content, but Microsoft (more than anyone) has a lot to prove this year in Los Angeles. Will they take bold moves and stake claim on the next generation? Check back next for our predictions post-mortem as well as more reactions from E3!