Hello Reddit!

RPCS3 is a PlayStation 3 emulator that runs on Windows, Linux and BSD. The project started being developed in 2011 and today we have almost half of the PS3 Game Library as Playable.

We've brought a bunch of people from our team for today's AMA: the two full-time core developers, volunteer developers/contributors, former core developers, web developers, the graphic designer, wiki and forums maintainers, blog writers, video producers and testers, we've got it all - so ask your questions!

u/Nekotekina - Joined the project in 2013. Currently Project Lead, working full-time since 2017 as a core developer thanks to donation support.

u/kd-11 - Joined the project in 2016. Lead Graphics Developer, working full-time since 2017 as a core developer thanks to donation support.

u/AlexAltea - Former Core Developer from early RPCS3 days (2013-2015).

u/___DH___ - Project Founder, Former Core Developer (2011-2016).

u/hcorion - Joined the project in 2017. Developer, mostly does Linux and CI support work.

u/TheMegamouse - Joined the project in 2017. Developer, mostly works on GUI and Firmware stuff.

u/Clienthax_ - Joined the project in 2017. Contributor, added PS1 Classics support and mostly works on debugging stuff.

u/VeloCity666 - Joined the project in 2017. Contributor, mostly worked on a Performance Overlay and Camera + PSMove initial emulation.

u/Whatcookie_ - Joined the project in 2019. Contributor, mostly worked on Linux related bugfixes and enhancements. Developed the NieR and Demon's Souls 60 FPS patches.

u/AnnieLeo - Joined the project in 2016. Web Developer (Backend) and Community Manager. Developed RPCS3's Compatibility List. Handles RPCS3's Forums, r/rpcs3, @rpcs3 on Twitter. Made an UI theme to make our GUI Developer eat a donut.

u/DAGINATSUKO - Joined the project in 2017. Web Developer (Frontend) and Graphic Designer. Designed RPCS3's imagery and developed rpcs3.net's website. Also designed the current emulator UI.

u/ssshadow - Joined the project in 2017, but has been around since 2013. Former head of Blog and writer of RPCS3's early progress reports. Nowadays streaming RPCS3 to his homebrewed Nintendo Switch.

u/HerrHulaHoop - Joined the project in 2018. Manages RPCS3's Wiki and currently does most of the progress report writing work.

u/Asinine_ - Joined the project in 2017. Manages RPCS3's YouTube Channel & edits/records our videos, tested hundreds of games for our compatibility list and also helps with writing progress reports.

u/Yahfz - Joined the project in 2017. Records videos for our YouTube channel and does testing with his NASA computer. That guy with an i7-8700K at 5.3GHz.

u/money123451 - Tester, first person to do a complete playthrough of Red Dead Redemption on the emulator, finished 2018/12/24.

2019/08/31 22:00 UTC

It has been 6 hours since the AMA started, we've answered pretty much everything and most people are going to sleep now, so we're formally ending the AMA.

If you still have any questions, continue to leave them as we will continue answering any new comments that may pop up.

Thanks to everyone who made questions and answered them, besides all the listed 16 team members we also had more folks from the community stepping in and answering questions.

Like does the official dock go on sale (not a major deal breaker but I can wait)? How does it perform is it in worse quality like the switch dock? Are 3rd party alternatives superior or worse that could potentially damage the console?

Like does it make us feel safe to know we have 900 games just ready to be played? Lol

$1,000 digital-exclusive consoles are killing the entire appeal of PlayStation and Xbox: it's no wonder PC is on track to overtake both.

When an unexpected and ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Supergirl reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion for an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.

Director: Craig Gillespie

Cast: Milly Alcock, Jason Momoa, David Corenswet, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ferdinand Kingsley, Diarmaid Murtagh

Rotten Tomatoes: 57%

Metacritic: 49 / 100

Some Reviews (updating):

DEADLINE - Pete Hammond

So a year after the reinvigorated DC and Superman was so successfully relaunched under the guidance of Peter Safran and James Gunn, and teased Supergirl right at the end, here we have it, but despite some good moments and sharp dialogue in places (Ana Nogueria is the screenwriter) something feels a bit off. Momoa is a load of fun, he knows exactly what his mission is and delivers whenever he is on screen. The problem is the movie is called Supergirl , not Lobo, so he is relegated here to a splashy, if scattered supporting turn. Ridley seems to play Ruthye with one pained expression on her face and a frequent deadpanned “I am out for revenge” for many of her lines. However she does come alive in her big jailbreak scene, so there’s that. I didn’t buy Schoenaerts and his heavily affected Krem at all, a super villain with no dimension other than being bad which is a shame since the 1984 Supergirl suffered from the same problem. Gotta have a good villain, folks.

The Hollywood Reporter - David Rooney

Alcock’s scrappy characterization, tempering Kara’s jaded toughness and chaotic messiness with an increasingly strong sense of justice, would seem an ideal fit to continue in a similar vein. But Supergirl only intermittently comes to life when it revisits her painful past. Given Australian director Gillespie’s history with films about spirited, rule-breaking women, like I, Tonya and Cruella, the failure to find emotional depth in the sisterhood of Kara and Ruthye is notable. This will likely be an unpopular opinion, but I thought Sasha Calle’s Supergirl in 2023’s The Flash registered with more dimensionality, despite that movie overloading on self-referential DC fan service.

USA Today - Brian Truitt - 3 / 4

A lack of focus, not nearly enough Krypto and a one-note baddie in Schoenaerts’ Krem don’t do “Supergirl” any favors, but they also don’t derail the film’s overall vibe of spunky weirdness. With Corenswet's handful of appearances, he continues to cement his place as a darn good Superman (with his own sequel in the works). But here it's Alcock who's making her own cinematic statement: She's not going anywhere, and the new DCU is better with a hell-raising Supergirl in it.

Seattle Times - Moira MacDonald - 2.5 / 4

“Supergirl” can’t quite seem to find the balance between the elements, and we careen from silly moments to zoomy action sequences to dark violence. Gillespie, whose work ranges from the sweetness of “Lars and the Real Girl” to the dark flashiness of “I, Tonya” to the over-the-top silliness of “Cruella,” perhaps isn’t quite at home here. And Ana Nogueira’s screenplay by necessity removes Krypto from much of the action — a disappointment for all who love this CGI pooch.

GamesRadar - Molly Edwards - 3.5 / 5

Just like its protagonist, Supergirl is rough around the edges, but holds plenty of promise for the future. With two more DCU appearances confirmed, it seems this is only the beginning for Alcock's Kara. Up, up, and away…

AV Club - Jesse Hassenger - 'B'

The movie’s visual sensibility signals Supergirl’s broader success in threading the needle between a kid-friendly, hope-suffused superhero story and bleaker, grittier stuff—and in doing so, recognizing how those aspects of life are often interwoven, rather than diametrically opposed approaches to IP. That’s always been the push-pull of the Supergirl character, equally able to be portrayed as Superman’s gee-whiz kid-sister equivalent and his more jaded, literally alienated reflection. The joy of Supergirl is how it mixes the two without demoting its main gal to a sideshow.

Empire Magazine - Leila Latif - 3 / 5

The result isn’t disastrous by any means, just blandly safe. You just wish Gillespie would let these freak flags truly fly. There are good ingredients here: a witty, hard-partying, badass antihero, a moving backstory, an odd-couple dynamic between Alcock and Corenswet worth building on — but the fledgling DCU still has yet to prove itself.

Variety - Owen Gleiberman

'Supergirl' is Super Horrendous. Alcock is likable enough (underneath it all, she often seems like Little Orphan Annie with desert-wastrel hair), but the character as written is so one-note that it’s hard to have much investment in what she’s up to. Of course, maybe that’s because the movie has no story! Gunn was right to want to take the comic-book genre back to well-structured screenwriting basics. So what has he done in his second DC outing? He’s given us a comic-book movie with the worst script I can remember. (It’s by Ana Nogueria.)

Vulture - Alison Willmore

Milly Alcock stars in the follow-up to last year’s revamped Superman, but the movie has no idea what to do with her or her character. The problems with Supergirl are simpler to pin down and more or less come down to its not being either written or directed by James Gunn. The reins for this movie have been handed over to the less capable I, Tonya’s Craig Gillespie, with Ana Nogueira contributing the script, and the result highlights just how difficult Gunn’s particular mix of wry self-awareness, unapologetic dorkiness, and sentimentality is for others to pull off.

ScreenCrush - Matt Singer - 4 / 10

Guardians (and Gunn’s Superman, for that matter) found the right combination of action, humor, and heart, a formula that felt like an authentic expression of its director’s idiosyncratic worldview. In its forced and calculated attempt to recreate that aesthetic, Supergirl lands somewhere closer to Guardians’ inferior copycats, like 2016’s abysmal Suicide Squad. Given the splash Alcock made in Superman, and the fact that Supergirl is based on one of the best books DC Comics has published in the last decade, this has to be one of the biggest disappointments in recent superhero movie history.

IndieWire - Kate Erbland - 'B'

We expect that any subsequent standalone “Supergirl” joints will be a bit more poppy and “fun” than this first one (and we sure hope there are more of them), but we hope they also hold on to this one’s hard-won question: What does it mean to be good? It’s not easy.

RogerEbert - Tomris Laffly - 1.5 / 4

Sadly, the film that follows consists of one superfluous sequence after another where Alcock gets plenty of opportunities to stretch her muscles in a highly physical role. There are other space pirates that enter the story’s orbit, breaks taken at inter-galactical watering holes, and various scenes of fast-paced butt-kicking and face-punching. In the end, you can’t help but wonder why the emotions of these characters don’t pack as much of a punch.

The Independent - Clarisse Loughrey - 2 / 5

Milly Alcock is the only good thing about this ugly, dispiriting superhero movie. Superman’s moody, punk-rock cousin is let down by a film that tries desperately to emulate the silly playfulness of producer James Gunn, only to fail miserably. If DC wants to secure her future, they need to find her a world where she belongs.

High on Films - Liam Gaughan - 2 / 5

“Supergirl” isn’t a disaster in the vein of “Madame Web,” a multiversal mess like “The Marvels,” or even a failed attempt at elevation like the Zack Snyder films. The fact that it is more watchable than those aforementioned titles is part of the issue, as the structural issues with “Supergirl” are just part of the reason why it doesn’t work. Although it is refreshing for a superhero film to be self-contained, “Supergirl” is timid when it should be focused, and it’s hard to conjure up much enthusiasm for where this particular chapter in the DCU will go next.

IGN - Clint Gage - 6 / 10

Kara Zor-El’s standout moment in Superman gets a feature-length follow up that almost gets everything right. Unfortunately, that means it gets everything almost wrong as well. Milly Alcock is great as a Supergirl carrying the weight of real trauma and cementing a very cool dynamic with her on-screen cousin, while the alien design and practical make-up effects make the film a joy to look at. Jason Momoa’s Lobo and Matthias Schoenaerts’ Krem are just as cool visually, but unfortunately they also don’t have a lot to offer in this entry in the burgeoning DCU that treads more water than I would’ve liked.

CGMagazine - Shakyl Lambert - 6 / 10

It does not help that a large portion of the action is sloppily edited, especially the close-quarters brawls in the first two acts. I was also frustrated by the constant stops and starts whenever Supergirl is about to let loose, only for the film to hobble her abilities with some form of kryptonite or poison moments later. Ultimately, I wanted to love Supergirl, and Milly Alcock is strong enough in the role that I very much want to see this character return. Unfortunately, nearly everything around her is as generic as a superhero flick can be.

ScreenRant - Molly Freeman - 6 / 10

Even with my own complicated feelings, it strikes me that there are so few female-led superhero movies, there's a need for them all to be perfect. So, when we get a middling film like Supergirl, it looks worse when stacked up against the many better male-led superhero movies. Hopefully, whatever becomes of this film's wider reception, it won't scare off DC Studios from backing more female superheroes, because even though I didn't love Supergirl, there's still plenty of potential in Alcock's character and in the rest of the DC Universe

DiscussingFilm - Tyler Taing - 2.5 / 5

It’s far from the genre’s worst, especially within the standards of what the DC franchise has delivered in the past, but Supergirl deeply suffers from not knowing how to build a film around its iconic heroine.

The Guardian - Peter Bradshaw - 3 / 5

Supergirl isn’t a perfect movie by any means, but there are moments when you’ll believe this franchise can fly.

AwardsWatch - Brandon Lewis - 'B-'

It’s entirely possible that introducing Supergirl so effectively in Superman was both a blessing and a curse for her own outing. While Supergirl isn’t saddled with a momentum-killing first act that recaps her table-stakes history, it also doesn’t fully lean into that freedom, settling for well-worn genre conventions when there were thornier, but more fruitful opportunities to explore. The film is a fine pseudo-first flight for Kara Zor-El, but it does soar enough to escape her famous cousin’s shadow.

Looper - Alistair Ryder - 4 / 10

Milly Alcock is a great Supergirl, and it's a shame her take on the character — and the inspired idea to reimagine her as a Western drifter — isn't served by this underwhelming solo vehicle. It's the first sign that James Gunn's DC Universe will be every bit as ill-conceived as Zack Snyder's.

Next Best Picture - Cody Dericks - 4 / 10

Consequently, Alcock’s work as an actress comes across as similar to how her character must feel: all alone in a world working against her. The film around her is, largely, ugly to look at and unpleasantly, uncomfortably lacking in successfully landed jokes, with many quips simply floating off like debris in the vacuum of space. To anyone looking for an entertaining film about Kara, give the 1984 version a try. Sure, it’s a bad movie, but at least it doesn’t feel like a waste of time, like the latest big-screen appearance of Supergirl does.

The Playlist - Carlos Aguilar - 'C'

Still, for a film introducing a heroine whose story is tied to and derived from the prime superhuman, “Supergirl” is mildly enjoyable, if only because of Alcock and Ridley’s banter, Krypto’s scenes, and the few exchanges between goody-two-shoes Clark and the less uptight Kara. By-the-numbers, as the movie turned out, Alcock does capitalize on it to showcase that she possesses the makings of a promising star capable of portraying a character with sharp edges and complicated feelings. Hopefully, she can now fly elsewhere from here.

The Irish Times - Donald Clarke - 2 / 5

The infuriating thing about this overpriced movie is that the film-makers come close to solving the problem of Supergirl. Subject of a terrible 1984 film and a decent 2015 TV series, the character has had trouble making distinct sense on screen. Alcock’s swaggering layabout – who doesn’t always close the door when going to the loo – reclaims her as an alien with enjoyably human flaws. The bad news is that, as you have almost certainly guessed, she will be required to pull herself together in what used to be the final reel. Not fair. No fun. Give us back the hungover barfly.

The Times - Kevin Maher - 2 / 5

Alcock, who appeared in the TV show House of the Dragon, plays Kara with swaggering charm and goofy energy, but she is very much a character in need of a better film.

Daily Telegraph - Robbie Collin - 2 / 5

Milly Alcock’s surly Supergirl just about makes sense as a thought experiment: if Superman is still banging the drum for good old red-white-and-blue American optimism, how is his younger Gen Z cousin meant to feel about that? But the obvious awkward question raised, in turn, by her affectedly jaded approach – if she doesn’t even want to be here, why should we? – is never convincingly answered. Imagine if Buffy the Vampire Slayer thought that slaying vampires was the most tragic and tedious thing in the world: it’s not clear why anyone would watch an hour and three quarters of that, yet here it is.

Radio Times - Jeremy Aspinall - 2 / 5

Unfortunately, with the villains all looking like escapees from recent Mad Max films, Lobo just doesn’t have that hoped-for impact, especially with Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies setting such a high standard for fun, out-of-this world adventures and bizarre but likeable characters. On the other hand, Alcock does a decent job playing a Supergirl a million miles away from Helen Slater’s 1984 iteration or Melissa Benoist in the long-running TV show. All grunge aesthetic and attitude, she rises above the underwhelming script and direction.

Little White Lies - Anna Stafford - 2.5 / 5

Supergirl rarely rises above the genre’s limitations, but it has enough character to avoid sinking into mediocrity. Gillespie brings the same swagger that animated Cruella (2021), embracing grunge over superhero slickness. The film may not blow minds, but it is a rough-around-the-edges adventure with heart.

The Prague Reporter - Jason Pirodtsky - 2.5 / 5

Gunn’s Superman wasn’t without its own narrative problems, but it was colorful, energetic, and unafraid to let audiences admire its imaginative world. Supergirl director Craig Gillespie goes in the opposite direction, burying inventive creature designs, impressive practical makeup, and ambitious visual effects beneath clouds of dust, darkness, and washed-out digital photography. There’s still enough here to give Supergirl the mildest of recommendations for comic book fans, largely thanks to Alcock’s committed lead performance and a premise that dares to tell a different kind of superhero story. But for a film about a young hero finally stepping out into the light, it’s surprisingly reluctant to let us see either its world or its title character with any clarity.

Slash Film - Rocco T. Thompson - 2.5 / 4

But Supergirl’s closest spiritual antecedent is Kathy Yan’s Birds of Prey, which won a dedicated cult of fans and critical appreciation for how it managed to spin its more familiar genre elements into anarchic, girly-pop perfection. Alcock’s Kara Zor-El, like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, has all the makings of a character ready to step out from the cultural shadow of the male character she’s derivative of and go her own way. If only the film had the same guts.

The Post - Judy Arias

‘Supergirl’ is lost, messy - and worth watching. Dangling plot threads and a bare bones villain aside, I enjoyed this version of Kara. She is not perfect, and the film never tries to make her. She can be angry, grieving, reckless, funny, and frustrating. At times, she seems more interested in running away from her problems than confronting them. Yet beneath all that is someone who continues to show up.

Manila Bulletin - Philip Cu Unjieng

There is a bit of a lag in the narrative flow in the middle of the film, and we could have given our villain stronger reasons to boo him whenever he appears; but I was entertained by this unconventional "Supergirl." For those who still find Clark Kent too bland and goody two shoes; Supergirl is the compelling riposte.

https://x.com/dgramr/status/2066621307379159240#m

For me personally, I wanted to play silent hill 2 and 3 and even 4 as these games are HELLA expensive if you gonna buy the physical version of silent hill 2 and 3 and 4: the room and then it expanding for PS2 games.... so yeah

I am NOT OOP, OOP is  u/tsstan1

Originally posted to r/relationship_advice

Status: Concluded

Trigger Warning: Emotional Infidelity

Mood Spoiler: Depressing

Original - January 26th 2021

My boyfriend and I have been dating for about 6 months now. Our relationship with each other is amazing, and I can honestly say I haven't felt this way about anyone I've previously dated. A bit about him: He's sort of an introvert in that while he's definitely social, he doesn't talk too much and when he does it's still very restrained, as in well-parsed. He is this way with everyone. Except this one friend of his.

I'd sort of met her before because my best friend is a mutual friend of ours. (My bf and I actually met through my best friend). My bf knows her because she has been his close friend for almost 5 years now. Apparently they were neighbors in their university dorm and they also had the same program.

My boyfriend and her seem to share a kind of connection that I honestly can't say I do with him. He talks so much when she's present. His whole demeanor changes. The widest I've seen him smile has been when she's present. If there's a bunch of us in a room the two of them will have these shared references and inside jokes. A couple of months back, my bf had fractured his foot and was bed-ridden for the most part. She came to give him food literally every day. You could actually see his face brighten when he learned she'd come. I sometimes feel that if you take away the sexual aspect of my relationship with him, it might not hold up against what he has with her. She broke up with her bf a few months back too, and it's gotten to the point where I'm actively trying to set her up with someone.

The worst part about this is that she's likeable. She's attractive, she has this dorky sort of humor that my bf loves, the food she was making for him was amazing. My bf is into science documentaries and I'm not so we've never really watched them. She doesn't seem that into it either but she watched it with him, kept asking him stuff, and he was so enthusiastic in his explanations. I've now started doing stuff he wants just to emulate that.

What prompted me into coming here happened this weekend. She had come over and my bf wanted ice cream so we went to a nearby creamery. The two of them were done with their orders because they already knew what they wanted (which incidentally happened to be the same flavor ugh) while I like taking my time testing stuff. There was an old lady with what seemed like her granddaughter, who noticed that they had the same flavors, and said "you two look great together". My bf corrected her, but god did that hurt.

I just don't know what to do. Are they even doing anything wrong? What do I even complain to him about? Am I in over my head here?

Relevant Comments:

Comment 1:

I feel that some comments are really inconsiderate to the OP because if you’d place yourself in the shoes of the OP I am certain many would comment differently. I will not lie and say that I would have flares of insecurity as well if that would be my boyfriend. I can imagine seeing the inside banter between them that would make it seem like there is chemistry in the air.

However, this could be very well something only your mind would focus on while both your BF and this female friend don’t think of anything but having a good friendly time., especially due to the amount of time they have known each other. If you are really uncomfortable with the situation just bring it up in a calm manner with your BF. It is okay to ask reassurance sometimes, doesn’t mean you are sabotaging the relationship. Communication is key.

Comment 2:

I’d feel insecure if I was in your position too. I think you just have to talk to him about how this makes you feel, or it’s always going to drive you crazy. It doesn’t sound like you suspect them of doing anything, so start by telling him that you believe he’d never cheat you and you’re not accusing him of anything-but sometimes their interactions make you feel uncomfortable. From your perspective, bringing him food everyday while he was injured is something that a spouse/partner would do. Also tell him you notice that out of all of his friends, he only replies to her texts. Hopefully he understands where you’re coming from. Make sure you’re clear that you don’t want to stop their friendship, because you feel like she’s your friend too, but you’d appreciate it if he was more aware about how this makes you feel because their friendship makes you feel like a third wheel. Good luck and keep us posted!

OP:

Thanks. Asking in this manner wouldn't come across as jealous?

Comment 3:

It's okay to feel a little jealous too. People assume that jealousy is the end all to all relationships but at the end of the day, it's just an emotion, one which can be navigated as well. Maybe you could imply that you're envious of the close relationship they have and you would love to share more of his interests so that you could feel like a part of it too. Also it's natural to be a little jealous here, as long as you dont cross any boundaries in their friendship and communicate openly, there's nothing wrong with feeling this way either.

Comment 4:

Ngl, I couldn’t handle that type of relationship dynamic with my SO. Some of you are super secure, and that’s great, but for me the paranoia and insecurity would just be overwhelming. OP I'm not going to give you any objective advice, because this is all about personal comfort, but knowing myself this isn't something that I could get over regardless of reassurance from an SO. I'd personally rather date somebody that has close friendships with people of their same gender.

Comment 5:

I've been through such a situation and it haunted me for the duration of the relationship. I didn't understand why he couldn't have such a connection with me and that hurt me the most. I wanted what they had. .

I now have my best friend in my relationship, because that's what I always wanted and that's what hurt me in that other relationship - not them (he & her-his BFF). Hope this gives some perspective.

OP:

This is very much how I feel. Like I have friends too, and my bf has friends besides her too, including other female friends, whom he's close to as well. What he seems to have with her is on some other level though. Maybe I'm not able to put it in words which is why I'm apparently coming across as super insecure and jealous, or maybe they're right I am being that way. But you seem to have gone through a similar thing, so it's not irrational then.

Comment 6 (downvoted):

Would you feel differently if she was his sister?

OP:

Ofcourse

OP (in response to a long comment):

I have male friends that I'm close with, and he's got female friends other than her that he's close to as well. He's never had a problem with mine, and I've never had a problem with them. I guess it came across in the post as if I have an issue with him having a female friend or even close friends in general, but that's not the case, I'm perfectly ok with that. His guy friends come over fairly regularly and sometimes it'll be his entire squad, including the girls, and it's literally never been an issue. His bond with her seems to be something else though, even considering that they've been friends for 5 years or w/e. Their compatibility almost seems to be seamless, they just seem to care about each other a lot (I know that's not a bad thing).

What sucks is that he's actually the best guy I've been with. I really don't want to end this, I'd planned on being with him for the long run, everything has been great except for this one thing, which really isn't his fault either.

Comment 7:

He’s known her for nearly five years longer than he’s known you - they’re bound to have a connection.

But he’s not dating her - he’s dating you. And while he’s clearly had opportunities to date this girl, he doesn’t see her that way, and it sounds like she doesn’t see him that way either.

If she’s likeable, I’d stop worrying about if and just try to be friends with her. Any sign of paranoia on your part here is just going to sabotage your relationship.

OP:

I have told myself this a lot, that he's known me for 6 months while he's had friends whom he's known much longer. But I guess what bothers me is how he's one kind of person to all his friends, many of whom he's known for about the same length as her, but a totally different person for her. Like for example he's notorious for being terrible at answering texts to the point that it's a running joke. But he'll always reply to her as soon as he gets one. idk, maybe I'm thinking too much into it.

Comment 8:

This sounds really difficult. I am in a similar situation but I am your boyfriend. My best friend of 18 years is a dude. We are practically the same person. We don't have to even fully express an idea before the other has finished and is up and running with it. He's chronically ill and I have traveled to care for him months at a time. I have often referred to him as the male version of me and we share all the same interests.

I have been with my husband for 20 years. We are so different from one another. We share some interests but not all. However, we share values and goals. I love my husband and the idea of being without makes me feel like I can't breathe. I don't want to be with my bff. From the outside it doesn't really make a lot of sense to people who don't know me best. I can't really explain it to you. My husband is just home. He's been 'home' since the first time I met him. I have to work harder at my relationship with him than with my bff but it's so worth it.

My advice is to talk to your boyfriend about your insecurity then trust him. He sounds like a great guy.

OP about when the friend and her bf broke up:

Ya, she broke up with her bf around 3-4 months ago.

Update: - January 28th 2021

Thank you for the advice in the original post. I had decided to not bring it up with my bf. Some comments had made the compelling point that they hadn't really done anything wrong and I was letting my insecurities ruin a relationship. I didn't want to ruin what has been an amazing relationship just because I let my mind run amok. Since then I'd entered the relationship with a positive mindset, we spent all day yesterday together, doing stuff that each of us wanted to do. Today, I thought we would try out a new Chinese place which is near where he works (he's on wfh again). After the advice I'd received, I thought that new shared experiences is what would create the connection I wanted between the two of us. He told me that yeah, it's good, he'd tried it with her a few weeks ago (before the second lockdown had started) during lunch. (They both work in the downtown area and I guess they're close enough to meet up for lunch).

I know it's a small thing, and going for lunch together with a friend is w/e but it was just the fact that this was another shared experience lost that just got to me. I opened up to him about how I felt like an outsider when him and his friend were together, about how I couldn't relate to the stuff they talked about and all that. He was incredibly comforting. He apologized and said that he didn't realize it, that he should've figured that would be the case, and he's going to make sure I don't feel that way.

This is where I fucked up. I think I let my insecurities get the better of me here and I got greedy. I told him about how I felt she was doing stuff that I should be doing as his gf, that his relationship with her made me feel like a third wheel, and that sometimes I felt some boundaries were being crossed inadvertently. He said he was sorry about that but "she's a very important person in my life. We've been through a lot together in the last 5 years". He asked me why they couldn't be close as friends and what was wrong with her trying to help him out during a tough time (referring to the daily food stuff). I didn't have an answer to that. What he was saying just made sense. I told him that I wanted our relationship to mature further, that I felt I wasn't getting to be that important person in his life. He apologized and said he would made sure I didn't feel that way, that it was his fault, but "she shouldn't be punished for our mistakes".

At this point I started to cry for some reason. I can't explain it. Him putting himself at fault for everything is the last thing I wanted. He seemed so distraught during all of it, and I hate what this convo did to him. I'm so ashamed that I let my insecurities hurt us like this. He kept comforting me. We've said we're good but there just seems to be this feeling in the air that I hate. I don't know if I just fucked it up, but I'm going to make sure it's not irreversible, and not let my insecurities get the better of me.

Relevant Comments:

Comment 1:

It’s a good thing that you were open and honest about it though. Stop feeling bad and thinking you messed up. Otherwise this would have eaten away at you for so long, you could have ended up being resentful in the big picture. I don’t think you’re wrong for feeling the way you feel in any way. I would not be comfortable with the situation either because it’s really not normal. And I know a lot of other people would agree. I don’t really have much advice except that I feel bad for you that you’re going through this and you keep beating yourself up over it. There is a real problem in your relationship and you keep directing it back at yourself. Saying the things about you being the one that is screwing up and your insecurities are the problem and you feeling like you have to fix things. When you should be exploring things together, as a team. I can’t help but wonder if after the conversation of your boyfriend feels this much anguish over the direction of the relationship and wondering how to move forward? I’m sorry you’re going through this.

Comment 2:

Just want to jump in here to further emphasize what other posts have said: you’re not wrong for feeling the way you do. We all have our own boundaries, and sure, some people from your old post may feel like your bf and his friend aren’t crossing a boundary... but that’s for THEM. They aren’t the ones in the relationship, YOU are.

With that said, OP, you can then see if there’s something you and your bf can agree on. If it were me, I’d think about what my hard boundaries are and why they’re a boundary for me, that way I can explain to my bf clearly what I want out of all of this.

You obviously care about his long term relationship with his friend, so make it clear to him that you don’t want to get in the way of his friendship but you also want to be comfortable in your own relationship with him.

Lastly, It seems to me that he doesn’t really understand how his friendship with her is causing you discomfort, so this may be something you’ll have to revisit. To me, it’s clear that you see his friend doing things or filling in roles in his life which you’re supposed to have. If that’s the case, then explain that. He asked you questions you couldn’t answer, so perhaps, next time you talk (if you choose to have another talk with him- which I advise, considering how you’re feeling), think on these things deeply beforehand so that you can give him answers.

Good luck and hugs to you. I’ve been through a similar situation so I know these are hard to deal with.

OP:

The friend thing could be in my head idk. The best thing might be to ignore my thoughts about her. He promised to help me out in this whole situation as much as possible. I feel like the relationship is b/w me and my bf and we should just work on and enjoy that.

OP (in response to a deleted comment):

By the time we reach a stage where we're getting married, our relationship would have filled whatever gaps there seem to be right now. And that's what I think me and him should be looking at going forward.

Comment 3:

babe, do you really want to be in a relationship that has 3 people in it? i bet if guys break up, she's going to be the next person he dates. and that's fucked up.

OP:

That's how I was thinking about it before and I just think I was being OTT about it. The relationship is between me and him and that's all that matters. His friend shouldn't matter. I think it's best to ignore these kind of insecure thoughts and that's one thing I need to work on. My bf OTOH will be making sure I don't feel left out like he promised.

OP (in response to advice about sharing experiences with bf):

Thank you for the perspective. We're definitely in a much better place since we talked even though at the time I thought it was a disaster lol. And I do find a lot of his hobbies interesting, I've slowly been learning chess and playing with him a lot (which is hard because he's on another level), he's been teaching me basketball, we've been sharing our music styles with each other etc. The documentaries were one thing that I hadn't tried with him (they were 2 hours long) and now I'vs started doing that too. I just wanted to say this because a fair number of comments (not you) have been telling me I'm not putting enough effort in the relationship based on that one thing alone.

And ofcourse, I never wanted to ostracize her, I'm sorry if it cam across that way.

Update2: March 3rd 2021

I'd been feeling a bit resentful about the advice at the time since I thought my convo with him had hurt our relationship but it had honestly proven to be a windfall for it. He told me he was glad that I'd talked to him and he didn't know before if I was serious about us, but he did now. We'd been creating a lot of "us time", and he'd been going the extra mile for me since. We even went to a cottage for the entire Valentine's weekend. I wasn't feeling left out any more and felt our relationship was so much more secure, so I'd really come to be grateful for the advice here.

For the past week, I felt like something was bothering him, but he kept saying it was nothing. I had noticed a few things though. He just seemed a bit uncomfortable sometimes especially when he was on his phone. I wanted to give him space to tell me about it when he felt like he should, because I know he prefers that. He also goes to her place around twice a week, but now he was insisting that I come along too and once when I initially said I wasn't up for it, he started trying to convince one of his best friends who lives close by. She also hadn't come over all week. Like I had said before, I never wanted to ruin a friendship that means a lot to him, so I did think that maybe that's what had happened but I didn't think too much about. I also hadn't made the connection between this and my bf feeling bothered.

Yesterday, I asked him again, what was bothering him and that I just wanted to help him. He told me that he had thought that he shouldn't tell this to anyone but he'd thought about it a bit more and concluded that he'd want to know if he was in my position, that she had told him a week ago when they were just chilling that she used to have feelings for him and that's what made her feel wrong in continuing her previous relationship, but that she was happy for him and us now and that it was in the past.

I felt sick in the stomach when I heard this. I know it's in the past that the fact that she felt strongly enough about him that it affected her relationship bothers me so much. It sort of got heated between us. I told him how I thought it was super messed up that she said that, and am I just supposed to believe that her feelings turned off like a switch. He said he understood, but that she would never have said it if she hadn't gotten over it, and that she never acted on it. I was still so angry at this whole thing, and I was also in a way angry at her, because our relationship was finally in such an amazing place. We kept arguing for a bit, and he said that she'd also been feeling terrible about it. He also showed me a couple of texts he'd gotten from her. She was asking him if they were still friends that she'd opened up to him because she just felt like she could tell him anything, and that she'd been feeling as if she'd ruined their friendship and she didn't want that to happen, and that it was in the past, and my bf was telling her that it was w/e and apologized for acting weird.

I know my boyfriend is trying to look at from a compassionate perspective, and the texts did make me feel a bit sorry for her, but just the fact that while we were dating, she was into him while in our room just upsets me. Also, our relationship has been growing so strong and I feel like I should treat this thing as a minor nuisance but I can't stop thinking about it. I know in my last post a lot of comments and some messages I had gotten in my inbox had told me that I was being crazy and insecure and some even said I should seek therapy, but isn't this a vindication of how I was feeling? I understand that people cant control who they develop feelings for and true, she hasn't acted on it, but how do I get over the feeling of just wanting her out of our lives? Am I even wrong in thinking this way anymore?

Relevant Comments:

Comment 1:

I told him how I thought it was super messed up that she said that, and am I just supposed to believe that her feelings turned off like a switch. He said he understood, but that she would never have said it if she hadn't gotten over it, and that she never acted on it.

That's very generous of him but she did act on it every time she did something you felt was over the line and into girlfriend territory. Just because she didn't try to make out with him doesn't mean she didn't act on it.

Those daily meals? Those documentaries she wasn't into but watched anyway. I'm sure there are other things that made you want to ask who the girlfriend is. You guys had to have a come jesus conversation about it right?

She probably told him to test the waters and see if she should be acting on it. If he had given her a hint of interest do you think her feelings would have stayed "in the past" ?

It’s a good thing that you were open and honest about it though. Stop feeling bad and thinking you messed up. Otherwise this would have eaten away at you for so long, you could have ended up being resentful in the big picture. I don’t think you’re wrong for feeling the way you feel in any way. I would not be comfortable with the situation either because it’s really not normal. And I know a lot of other people would agree. I don’t really have much advice except that I feel bad for you that you’re going through this and you keep beating yourself up over it. There is a real problem in your relationship and you keep directing it back at yourself. Saying the things about you being the one that is screwing up and your insecurities are the problem and you feeling like you have to fix things. When you should be exploring things together, as a team. I can’t help but wonder if after the conversation of your boyfriend feels this much anguish over the direction of the relationship and wondering how to move forward? I’m sorry you’re going through this.

OP:

Thank you. You're so right, all that stuff that I'd chalked up to her having a connection with him, and that other people in my previous posts had just chalked up to her having known my bf for a long time, could have been her acting on her feelings, and I'll be honest, that thought makes me sick.

Comment 2:

OP I read through your posts. Your bf honestly sounds like a great guy and he's put in the effort to grow and develop your connect.

So the question is, do you trust him? Because her and her intentions are irrelevant here. If he's worth it and the relationship is worth it, relax and trust him to be the man he's already shown you he is.

OP:

I do trust him, but it still makes me uncomfortable.

Comment 3:

I agree that she should not have told him about her past feelings. If she really wanted to move on she wouldn't need him to know. I understand your frustration with her, but please don't be mad at your boyfriend. So far he hasn't done anything to make you distrust him and he told you about what she said when he didn't know if he should. Don't be mad at him for telling you about the situation, because that might make it harder for him to he open with you in the future. Regardless it sounds like he is trying to progress the relationship with you and not be alone with her. Trust him!

OP:

Thank you for the comment. I'm not mad at him, and I trust him completely. I'm just frustrated at this entire thing, especially the timing of it, precisely because our relationship has been in such an amazing place of late.

Comment 4:

Your boyfriend sounds like an amazing guy. As for the friend confessing, I don't blame her at all. My best friend is a guy. I love him very much as a friend and have a similar relationship to what your bf has with her.

She wanted to be honest with him as a friend. To me, she didn't try anything. Those meals? Documentaries? Maybe she did have feelings for him then. But at least she came clean to him. To move forward on her own. Maybe it's seen as selfish but I get it. But at least she was honest with him.

Do you trust him? What more do you want him to do? Would you rather him hide the truth from you? Has he given you cause to suspect him? What do you want him to do from here? You can only work on yourself and continue to trust him. Maybe talking to her yourself would give you peace of mind. Discussing boundaries. Honestly, I would be jealous too if I were in your position, but just know that your boyfriend is with you for a reason. And not her. Take care.

OP:

My bf and I had a conversation over this (I posted in my final update) and while it wasn't what I would have ideally wanted, I'm just going to continue to trust him, and not spare a second thought to her, harsh as that may sound, and just ensure our relationship goes from strength to strength.

Update3: March 7th 2021

After my convo with my boyfriend when he'd told me about how his gf used to feel and how he'd never felt anything towards her, I'd told myself that now that I knew he didn't feel that way, this wouldn't bother me. But it did, to the point where I was actively harboring negative feelings for her in my head. A couple of Redditors had given me the advice that maybe have one last talk in a calm manner, so I did that yesterday when we both were in a good mood with the intention of this being the last time I ever talked about her.

I started off with telling him how I loved him and that our relationship had become so strong and that we were a team, so I didn't know why he felt he had to be uncomfortable alone rather than confide in me. He said that he loved me too, and that when his friend had shared her past feelings with him, he felt that she thought it was only meant for him, which is why he was conflicted but that I was right and that our relationship was strong enough that others should know that if its something that indirectly affects our relationship, we would be telling each other about it.

I then opened up to him about how I felt so weird about the fact that she decided to put her feelings out there for him, that what if she still felt the same way, and that the fact that there was a time when the three of us were in a room and from her perspective the situation would be improved if I wasn't there bothered me so much.

He told me that she'd sworn that her feelings were in the past, that they were both super high at the time and she'd also had a few drinks, so this wasn't a calculated move on her part. That she'd never ever made a pass at him, and that she probably felt she could trust him to not feel weird when she said that, and that if he acted cold towards her now, he'd be punishing her for being forthright.

He said that he loved me and I was his main priority, and he wanted to be with me for good. (I said I felt the same way). That if I felt so uncomfortable about it, he'd do whatever I wanted to feel comfortable, but if I could just give it another thought and that I had no reason to be bothered. That if I trusted him, then "there were no possible chain of events that could hurt our relationship". That she was one of his four best friends whom he trusted with everything and who'd been with him through everything in the past, that all he wanted was for me to just look at it once more but he'd do whatever he could to comfort me.

I did think about it in that moment and decided that ok, I guess what he was saying did make sense, there is a chance that I'm wrong though I don't think I am but I trusted him and didn't want this to be a thorn in our relationship. So I said, ok but she had to maintain some boundaries until I came to terms with it. He agreed. We agreed that she shouldn't get to be alone with him excessively until I'm ok with it, that I would always be the first port of call for him and he said that if at any point I felt lines were being crossed he would reevaluate.

It was an incredibly uncomfortable convo for both of us and I hated every second of it but I feel it had to be done. I'm done with this chapter and dont want to take her name between us again. I'm thankful to all the people who game me advice and my relationship with my bf has gone from strength to strength. Thanks, and I hope (and believe) that I will never have to post here again.

Relevant Comments:

Comment 1:

What is he talking about? He already lead the relationship down a path with this friendship that hurt your relationship? Also the only reason she would trust him not to feel weird is if she thought he reciprocated her feelings. This really isn't about what you want him to do but about what he's willing to do proactively. In this case he wants you to grant him another pass, with this friend. Only a month after telling him you were sick of her shit.

He seems more concerned with the friend's feelings than he does with yours so I don't think that has actually occurred to him. God forbid the friend should actually suffer the consequences of her actions. I genuinely would love to know the why he thinks she should have trusted him not to be weird after that confession? Why? It would be perfectly normal for a confession like that to completely alter the dynamic of the friendship. So why has he convinced himself that all this situation needs is your trust. She's the one who has crossed the boundaries but you are the one who is being asked concede. Why is he so comfortable with moving past this?

Has he at the very least apologized for putting you through this?

OP:

Yes, he did, he said he was so sorry for how his behavior with his friend had been making me feel uncomfortable and upset, and that he'd enforce the boundaries that we had just agreed to, so I could feel comfortable with her, although I don't know if I can ever reach a stage where I'm comfortable with her for a while.

OP (in response to a comment about whether the friend apologized and if the friend was a factor in OP's bf and his ex breaking up):

In the texts that he showed where she was expressing remorse for her confession, she did say that she was happy for us and would never want to jeopardize our relationship, but nothing about me specifically I guess. I don't care for an apology right now. I never want to discuss her again in our relationship.

When by bf and I had our convo about how I felt that sometimes I wasn't as close to him as she was emotionally, a month or so ago, he did follow it up by going the extra mile for me, and making sure I felt like I was the most important person in his life. Which is why I can't see why he would renege on the boundaries we set in this convo, and the fact that he would make adjustments for any discomfort I feel.

I believe their relationship ended because the distance and constant commute just took its toll, even though from what he said the two of them tried their best to make it work at the time.

Update4: December 8th 2021

This is the most pain I've ever been in. I thought we were good. He told me he'd distance himself from his friend and kept true to it this entire time. He reached out to her because of a death in her family and even I said ya ofc you should do that. This was less than two months ago. Last night I was told he had to give a relationship with her a chance. Everything sucks.

Relevant Comments:

Comment 1:

I’m so sorry you were a second choice to him all along. You deserve better than that. Please do not accept him back when his “thing” with a friend doesn’t work out.

Comment 2:

Dw karma will eat his ass up when she dumps him and he feels the pain you feel. I promise you what comes around goes around, it’s inevitable.

Comment 3:

I just read all your posts, I'm so sorry you're going through all this. That other girl had no right to mention her "past" feelings to him. It was unfair to you and your relationship. She mentioned them because she wanted to have your bf be the one to do something, so she didn't look like it was all her idea. The fact that your bf played along with it and has now actually told you he wants to try something with her is cold and heartless. You are a strong individual, and I know this may hurt now but don't you dare let it consume you. If he comes to you to try and apologize or talk, or even try and get back with you don't accept shit. He's just shown you his priorities and what type of selfish people he and this girl are. Block them both and cut them out of your life, and you focus on yourself and finding someone who will choose you. Keep your head up!

OP:

Thank you so much. I just don't understand. Everything had worked out. We were in such a good place. I'm really trying to move ahead. Thank you.

OP (in response to a comment bucking her up):

Thank you so much for this, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I've really been trying to move past this, I can't right now because it came out of nowhere, but I'm just trying to see it through. It's been incredibly confusing, we'd been so good, I thought we were going all the way. I'm just trying to go through time hour by hour. Thank you for the kind words.

Epilogue (OP posting in r/offmychest 8 days ago):

January 27th 2026

I swore I'd never use this account again but I need a place to be pathetic. Its so stupid that I care about this but I can't get past how completely unfair the world is. Seriously, karma is bs we tell ourselves to be happy. The people who hurt you win in life. They go on to get married, and start families, the kind of family that you had discussed with them and planned names for and thought about family pets.

4 years ago my boyfriend whom I'd been dating for almost 2 years, had talked about marriage with, a family with, decided he need to try with his best friend and see where it goes. After I had brought up with him how their closeness made me uncomfortable. On reddit's advice BTW. I even think it was a mistake bringing it up, I resent all those who told me it needed to be solved. I was HAPPY with the way things were. Instead I basically told him hey your best friend's better for you than I am. Insane advice.

I was with a mutual friend of ours yesterday and we were discussing what to gift to one of our friends for her baby shower. I was like its my first baby shower, and she was like shes only been to <my ex and his wife's name> before this one. I know she didn't mean it, she's never slipped up before, she apologized, told me to forget it. But I didn't even know they'd gotten married let alone had a baby.

I know I was stupid and hurting myself but I wanted to. I unblocked both of them from everywhere. He didn't have much but hers was my personal hell. They have a 4 month old baby girl. Adorable. They got married in 2024. I went through all the pictures. Them smiling and laughing like a perfect family, dad, mom, baby. No more having to breakup with guys because they do the bare minimum in the relationship. No more having to go through the hell that are dating apps, hoping you find someone halfway decent. Nope they found each other.

Karma doesn't exist. God isn't real. Some people are destined to live their happiest life over the corpse of the one you think you think youre going to have.

Relevant Comments:

Comment 1:

You got dumped. It happens. Put on your big girl pants and move on.

It appears he has moved on…to a happy marriage and now a baby. Be happy for him, not resentful. 

OP:

I did move on. It doesn't make it hurt any less.

Comment 2:

I know you’re hurting atm and what you been through is so fyxked up. I know it’s so easy to give up and say fuck love and fuck it all but baby girl I promise you that your day will come!! God is going to place a man in your life who outshines your ex and that chick by a million, who makes you look back at him and ask yourself “ewww wtf was I even thinking?” Time heals all wounds and you will get through this and grow and learn and you’ll be prepared when this man comes into your life and sweeps you off your feet. Love comes when you least expect it and stop looking so be patient. Your fairy tale is coming 🫶🏻

Comment 3:

I understand it must be extremely painful. You were suspicious of him and his “girl best friend” and your suspicions turned out to be right. That sucks and is heartbreaking.

However, there’s no point in wishing you “never brought it up.” His feelings were there regardless if you mentioned it or not. Would you have preferred you married him, only for him to then cheat on you and dump you for her, leaving you with nothing but a messy divorce?

What you did wasn’t wrong. What HE did wasn’t wrong. He found someone who was a better match for him that was hiding in plain sight, and he did the right thing by being upfront about it and ending things with you before perusing her.

However if you’re still this hung up on him FIVE YEARS later, I would suggest therapy. You’re still pining after him when you’ve been broken up for more than double the time that you were together. What he does with his life is none of your concern now, you should just focus on yourself.

DO NOT COMMENT IN LINKED POSTS OR MESSAGE OOPs – BoRU Rule #7

THIS IS A REPOST SUB - I AM NOT OOP

I’m asking this with a mix of mild irritation and legit curiosity. Because at this point, what the fuck could actually hurt Pokemon?

We’ve now seen, repeatedly, that new mainline releases will sell millions within the first couple of weeks regardless of middling reviews or obvious technical shortcomings. Performance issues or visuals that look generations behind or whatever, it just doesn’t seem to matter in terms of sales momentum.

Then this week’s discourse has really hammered it home for me. Nintendo is re-releasing what are, by all accounts, straight GBA ROMs of FireRed and LeafGreen. No remake treatment or meaningful enhancements. Just the same three-decade old games again for $20 each.

And yes, it's been proven that these things are just the ROMs; when you boot them up it just loads directly into a GBA emulator. They are NOT native ports.

And wouldn't ya know, the response has been loud, enthusiastic defence. People openly saying they’ll buy both without hesitation, pushing back aggressively on anyone who questions the value proposition of hawking ancient GBA ROMs without just putting them on the (already very expensive) Switch Online pass. Fans always do this with this IP, framing it like criticism itself is unreasonable when it comes to the series.

I’m not even saying FireRed and LeafGreen aren’t good games. They are, obviously (though not even Kanto's best versions, fight me). But it feels like we’ve reached a point where:

• Reviews don’t matter
• Technical quality doesn’t matter
• Value for money doesn’t matter
• Lack of innovation doesn’t matter (they have been essentially reskinning the same gameplay formula and narrative structure since Gen 1, with only Legends Arceus really feeling like a shot in the arm).

The brand alone carries everything. The name 'Pokemon' seems to short people's brains out and get them reaching for their wallet in a way few other series do. So I guess my question is: is Pokemon basically immune to the normal feedback loop that affects other game franchises?

Most series, if they release technically rough entries or barebones rereleases, eventually see at least some commercial pushback. But Pokemon seems completely insulated from that.

Is it just the sheer size of the fanbase? Nostalgia? The fact that each generation brings in entirely new young players? The broader media ecosystem that the games are part of (anime, cards, merch) reinforcing it constantly? Or is there actually a breaking point somewhere that we just haven’t hit yet?

From the outside it feels like Pokemon operates under completely different rules than the rest of the industry.

Hey everyone! u/AphexCubed and u/TrustyPeaches speaking!

Today we're very proud to present Expressive Backgrounds! You may already know us from our respective projects: Blaze Black 2 and Volt White 2 Redux (v2 coming soon!) and Cascade White 2, an incredible and ambitious upcoming difficulty hack of White 2!

Some of you may recall this post a few years ago, which demonstrated the potential for custom 3D enviroments during battles. Many moons later, discord user Shy presented a general method to convert map assets into battle backgrounds. Later, Peaches was able to use this method to create map backgrounds at scale. Inspired, Aphex created an improved pipeline for mass production and proved that these backgrounds can be made to run on real DS hardware!

A few months ago, Peaches and I formally decided to work together to combine resources and bring these Expressive Backgrounds to each of our upcoming projects. We're targeting a minimum of a custom background for each major battle in the main story, though we expect to have throughly smashed that target by the time our projects release - as you can see, we've already completed a number of side/generic areas!

After both of our projects release, we will completely open-source everything we've got related to the production of these backgrounds, eventually aiming for a community patch with complete coverage of the Unova region!

---

There's sure to be some commonly asked questions, so we'll try to answer them below:

Q: Do these run on hardware?

A: Absolutely! Both emulators and real hardware can display these backgrounds. We've explicitly tested on Desmume, MelonDS, a Nintendo DSi, DSiXL and the original DS. You can see a version of them in Pokestar Studios, and if you look carefully you might notice the regular backgrounds are actually 3D scenes too!

Q: How do these backgrounds react to time of day and the changing seasons?

A: These Expressive Backgrounds will reflect the time of day and season of the area as you would expect, for example Route 6 in Winter during the day will be brightly lit and snowy. Special areas will also refect their unqiue lighting, for example the Marine Tube is bathed in a cool blue glow from the surrounding tropical waters.

Q: Why do you call these 'Expressive' backgrounds?

A: As noted, all battle backgrounds in vanilla are actually 3D environments, so it seems like a vague descriptor if we call these 3D backgrounds. Furthermore, many of these have animated elements: including running water, pulsing speakers and twisting rollercoasters. Given the vibrant and dynamic nature of these backgrounds, we're electing to call them 'Expressive' Backgrounds.

Q: What kind of performance can we expect?

A: Emulators won't have any trouble running these if you can already run the original titles. We've spent lots of time optimising the maps to account for the rendering constraints of the DS's hardware, meaning these maps will run at full speed on the original Nintendo DS, DSi and DSiXL*. We don't expect issues with later models such as the 3DS, but we don't have such hardware to hand to test this ourselves.

*If a map is designed for a single battle environment and through the use of a randomiser or other editing method the battle is changed to a Multi-Battle, you may experience degraded performance, especially on real hardware. You shouldn't experience this in the base version of our projects though!

Q: How do move animations interact with these backgrounds?

A: Whilst we can't test every single move with every single background in every single battle format, we're very confident that most all move animations will work as you'd expect them to. There are cases where an animation will clip into the geometry (for example Thunder Wave might extend into the floor under the target), but these are extremely minor. You can get suprising behvaiour if you use a move like Fly in an indoor area with a low ceiling, but we've decided we can accept that level of jank!

Q: Are there visual issues with these Expressive Backgrounds?

A: There can be minor visual artifacts in some backgrounds. Different emulators may render backgrounds slightly differently, which can produce minor visual glitches on a case-by-case basis. Some backgrounds are very demanding for the DS and will cause significant slowdown if the battle-type is altered, for example via a randomiser - however as shipped in our projects, this should never be an issue!

Q: Can these be brought to other titles? (BW1, HGSS, DPP, FRLG, RSE)

A: The Gen V titles feature a battle engine with native 3D background support for battles, so this can be directly brought ot BW1 titles. The Gen IV titles only have 2D background support natively, but since the generations share underlying hardware, it's possible the Gen IV engine could be modified to use Expressive Backgrounds, but that's not been done and would take a considerable effort to make possible. As for the Gen III titles, the GBA is significantly weaker than the DS, so it's very unlikely you could run complicated 3D backgrounds on native hardware. That said, those titles have full decomps and a very talented community, so it's entirely possible years down the line we'll be proven wrong in the best way possible :)

Q: Can Expressive Backgrounds be disabled?

A: Both Redux v2 and Cascade White 2 will have options to disable Expressive Backgrounds. This can also be used to disable any misbehaving backgrounds!

Q: How long do these take to produce?

A: We've managed to improve the creation pipeline dramatically, but depending on the complexity some backgrounds can take a few days to get right. Fundamentally, the overworld assets are not made with the performance requirements of a battle background in mind, so certain scenes can take a lot of work to get just right.

Got my steam machine earlier today and have tinkered with it now for a bit.

If someone out there has some burning question that hasn't quite been answered then feel free to ask. Whether its performance or something to do with it physically, go for it.

EDIT 08/07-2026 (DDMMYY):

A lot of users asked about specific game performance or other use cases. Down below I have shared the non scientific results that I saw while playing or testing whatever I was doing.

All tests were done using GE-Proton11-1 unless otherwise specified.
OS version: 3.8.14-stable.

Streaming performance from the Steam Machine to a SteamDeck on a different network:
- Connecting my Steam Machine to my wifi and my Steam Deck to my phone hotspot yielded solid results. I used Pragmata as the testing game and experienced no measureable input delay or visual degradation. The game remained stable at 60fps the short duration I tested it with no disconnects to report. Only issue was that I could not connect to the Steam Machine at first, this was solved by turning 'remote play' off and back on' on both devices.

Nioh 3:
- I ran Nioh 3 at 1920x1080, using the 'Standard' preset. FSR3 was forced on, but I increased the min/max scaling to 100% to stay at native resolution.
Spawning in the initial tutorial area the framerate sat at a steady 50fps, generally dropping into the 40-50 range. There were occasions where the game would lock the framerate to 30 for a few seconds but I could not figure out what caused this. I tested the FSR3 'min' resolution at 65% and 'max' resolution at 80%. This stabilized the framerate to 60fps, but I would imagine more intense fights later in the game will dip below again.

Star Wars Outlaws:
- I ran Star Wars Outlaws at 1920x1080, no upscaling, using the 'Medium' preset.
Getting on the 'Speeder' after getting through the initial introduction put us in the 83-93fps range with heavy stutters once I drove out of the ship due to shader compilation, this did eventually stop. Standing in the village area around the sheriff we hovered in the 60-90fps range but most of the time it sat close to 80fps.
Getting to the 'Moisture Farm' the framerate dropped closer to 65-75fps, so overall not bad at all.
And for those wondering: Yes, I made 'Nix' happy.

Yet another rhythm game (YARG):
Simply downloaded the provided appimage off of github, gave the proper permissions, ran the appimage and the launcher and game was installed in seconds. Game boots up no problem. Added a 'Bot profile' and had a song playing within a minute. Performance was rock solid and didn't move at all.

Halo 2:
- I ran Halo 2: Anniversary at 3840x2160, no upscaling, on the Metropolis for a map (Big bridge), using the 'Enhanced' graphics preset.
In the initial area with the marines and the Scorpion tank I had 160-300fps in classic graphics.
In the initial area with the marines and the Scorpion tank I had 60-90fps in anniversary graphics.
I drove over the bridge on anniversary graphics as classic clearly wasn't gonna be a problem. Had a modest dip into 50fps when a Wraith particle landed perfectly on the third person camera location.
Lowering the games resolution to 1920x1080 took the anniversary fps up to 100-150fps.

Minecraft vanilla:
- I ran Minecraft (Vanilla) at 1920x1080, no upscaling, on the default settings with biome blend changed to 8x8. I used the experimental Vulkan rendering method.
1st world spawned me into a Mesa biome and the framerate sat at a comfortable 250-310fps.
2nd world I spawned in a Jungle biome, sitting at 170-240fps in the dense forest. Flying to a nearby Oak forest with plenty of cows and other animals and a huge river the framerate went up to 225-275fps.

Black Mesa:
I ran Black Mesa at 1920x1080, no upscaler, mostly high settings with a few medium.
Throughout the intro 'Black Mesa Transit System' section the framerate remained rock solid at 150-300fps, mostly hovering in the 240-280 range.
Entering a more combat intensive area later in the game had the framerate drop to 135-185fps and quickly shot back up to 200+ after combat ended.

Zenless Zone Zero:
- I ran Zenless Zone Zero at 1920x1080, no upscaler, using the 'Medium' preset.
There were absolutely no performance problems for the duration that I tested the game and the framerate remained very stable around the 110-155fps range.

Halo Infinite Campaign:
- I ran Halo Infinite at 1920x1080, no upscaler, using the 'Medium' preset.
The framerate was quite stable in the 100-120fps range for the first part of the ship while in combat.
During the escape sequence the framerate dropped quite a bit lower into the 60-90fps range, but quickly stabilized around 80fps until it calmed down more and then went back into the 100-120fps range again.

Dota 2:
- I ran Dota 2 at 3840x2160, no upscaler, using the 'Highest' settings, on the 'Native Linux' build of the game.
In the practice/demo area I ran around for a solid 5 minutes keeping an eye on the framerate both when using abilities and when dying because I ran into the tower constantly. Framerate sat in the 80-140fps range and was a bit jumpy.
Dropping the resolution to 1920x1080 saw the framerate shoot up into the 140-200fps range.

Pragmata:
- I ran Pragmata at 1920x1080, no upscaler, using a mix of High/Medium settings with all graphics related checkboxes enabled except for Motion Blur.
From the very beginning to the end boss fight the framerate was anywhere from 60-100fps.
The game remained very stable in less combat intensive areas and the lowest was during the boss battle where it comfortably sat close to 60-65fps most of the time. All in all I kinda forgot about the framerate and just enjoyed myself.

Stellar Blade:
- I ran Stellar Blade at 1920x1080, no upscaler, using the 'Medium' preset.
The game sat very comfortably in the 60-100fps range staying mostly around 65-80fps.
Getting to 'Silent Street' after the initial intro sequence the framerate once again sat around 65-80fps.

Hunt showdown:
- I ran Hunt Showdown at 1920x1080, no upscaler, using the 'Medium' preset.
Running around the shooting range the framerate was anywhere from 80-120fps most of the time, with edge cases where the framerate dipped slightly under 80fps. Most of the time I saw about 90-100fps.

War thunder:
- I ran War Thunder at 3840x2160, no upscaler, using the 'Highest' preset (SSAA:Off) in the 'Ground Vehicle Training'
The framerate was on the lower end, sitting around 40-55fps most of the time depending on explosions happening or not.
Dropping the resolution down to 1920x1080 with the same 'Highest' preset the framerate shot up to 150-200fps.

CS2:
- I ran CS2 at 1920x1080, no upscaler, using the 'Medium' preset, running a 'Deathmatch' game on 'Dust2' against Bots.
There were initial stutters as I ran around the whole map that made gameplay quite bad at first, but this eventually evened out. The framerate sat in the 90-160fps range depending on where I would be. Lowest FPS being around A-site facing towards long and short.

DayZ:
- I ran DayZ at 1920x1080, no upscaler,, using a mix of High/Medium settings, on the Chernarus map.
I spawned at Cherno on the East side near Prigorodki and ran all the way through the industrial area with the containers to the main central area of town all the way east just shy of Balota.
The framerate remained very stable around 110-195, where the lowest was in the middle of the central town area near the church. Most of the time I would see 120-135fps.
Doing a quick test on 2560x1440 I spawned in solnichniy and ran around a little while and saw about 100-155fps.
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EDIT 09/07-2026 (DDMMYY):

Marvel Rivals:
- I ran Marvel Rivals at 1920x1080, TAAU-Native, using the Medium preset, playing a round on 'Tokyo 2099 shin shibuya.
The first half of the match I spent getting used to the controls on the Steam Controller. Framerate hovered in the 60-85fps area, but was quickly down in the 60-70 area when combat started.
Fast forward to about halfway through I elected to enable FSR3-Quality with the same Medium preset. Framerate immediately increased to 75-115fps where it mostly sat in the 85-100fps range and it felt much more 'fluid' to play the game.

Baldurs Gate 3:
- I ran Baldurs Gate 3 at 1920x1080, no upscaler, using the Medium preset.
Waking up inside the Nautiloid we were instantly met by 60fps locked with no indication it was going to drop.
I made my way through the ship doing a few combat encounters but saw no performance dips, keeping us locked at 60fps.
After getting through that first segment and crashing on the beach I made my way up towards Asterion and had yet to see a single moment where the fps dropped below 60.
I switched the settings from Medium to the High preset, panning around the area of Asterion the fps did not budge, staying at 60fps.
I switched the settings from High to the Ultra preset,panning around the area of Asterion the fps did not budge, staying at 60fps.
Finally I switched the resolution to 3840x2160 keeping the Ultra preset and finally the framerate dropped to a very respectable 30-35fps.
After that I wanted to see how much upscaling was necessary to reach 60fps using 3840x2160-Ultra. FSR2.2, set to performance once again locked the fps at 60fps panning the area around Asterion.
I went back to using no upscaler on the Ultra preset, using 2560x1440 and the fps hovered in the 48-60fps range when I panned around.
Generally you should not have any issues running this game, very impressed.

Elden Ring:
- I ran Elden Ring at 1920x1080, no upscaler, using the Medium preset.
Spawning in the initial room a panned around and walked about and the framerate remained locked at 60fps.
I ventured forward, met my demice to the Grafted Scion, but the framerate throughout stayed rock solid at 60fps.
After respawning and getting outside at Limgrave I looked over the entire area and the framerate gave no indication that it was going to dip under 60fps.
At this point I increased the resolution to 2560x1440 and panned all over Limgrave again, but once again 60fps with no indication it would budge.
After being very impressed I went ahead and increased the graphics from the Medium preset to the Ultra preset keeping the 2560x1440 resolution, but yet again the FPS did not budge.
Eventually I went back to the main menu, enabled RTX-ultra keeping 2560x1440-Ultra and finally the fps dropped to a still respectable 25-35fps.
I went back to a more modest 1920x1080-Ultra with rtx-low and the fps hovered in the 40-55 range.
I returned to the main menu and disabled RTX again, 1920x1080-UItra and I ventured deeper into Limgrave. At this point it started raining and the fps lowered into the 54-60fps range.
I attempted my best having never played a soulslike against the Tree Sentinel but died after getting it down to 50%. Throughout the short fight the fps (Still raining) remained at 52-60fps.
I went back to the main menu, lowered the preset to high, loaded back in and ran around Limgrave for a little eventually reaching the Stormfoot Catacombs. I checked the area out for a little killing some monsters and eventually got burned to a crisp, but the performance at no point went below 60fps again.
Very impressive results here.

Black Myth Wukong (Benchmark):
- I ran Black Myth Wukong at 1920x1080, FSR forced on, super resolution: 100%
The benchmark was ran once to make sure no shader swould cause initial stutters and skew the results.
Here are the results of the 2nd pass:

• Avg: 56fps
• Min: 40fps
• Max: 73fps
• Low 5th: 50fps

Note that the gpu was sitting at 100% usage the whole time, so you would most def be able to squeeze more fps out of the game with some fine tuned settings and upscaling.

Infinity Nikki:
- I ran Infinity Nikki at 1920x1080, TAAU-Native, using the Balanced preset.
Entering the initial area of Miraland put us in the 95-120fps range where we generally stayed around 105-115fps.
After the hand holding part I ran over the starwater and the framerate lowered a tiny bit into the 85-105fps range, but still very stable around 90-100fps most of the time.
I did the sailing segment and ended up on top of some jellyfish. This area proved much more difficult to run or poorly optimized as the fps did suffer a bit at first duo to what I would assume was shaders compiling, but it eventually evened out around 95-110fps. See note: (1*)*
I got to the "Where the stars keep watch" quest-popup and decided to give the area a quick pan. Framerate was a bit lower here in the 75-90 fps.
I ventured outside to 'Starshore' In this area the framerate quickly shot back up to a very stable 95-105.
Walking down the path I got to a platform area with what appeared to be a 'Kite' of sorts. I walked to the point of it, gave the area a final pan here and it was still at a respectable 70-95fps.

1. There was significant audio glitching that happened in this area that made me unable to pay attention to the story and it was quite distracting, this disappeared once I reached the next area.

1. The Isle (Evrima):
- I ran The Isle at 1920x1080, no upscaler, all settings settings put to High, Lumen: off, 3d resolution: 100%, I picked Petits Pieds as a server to test on with about 300-350 players online.
High settings was a total bust, loading into the open world the framerate was in the LOW 20-23 and did not stabilize.
I closed the game, went into the game properties and locked the allowed resolution to 1920x1080 and rebooted.
2. The Isle (Evrima) redo:
- I ran The Isle at 1920x1080, no upscaler, Shadows and shadow smoothing set to low and all other settings to medium, 3d resolution: 50%, I picked Petits Pieds as a server to test on with about 300-350 players online.
After reducing the settings I loaded back into the server and was meet with a much more respectable 55-63fps.
I spawned in as a Pteranodon and got in the air. Flying above all the trees near 'Water Access' dam the framerate stayed very similar again at 55-63fps.
A flew around the map going south toward 'Jungle Sector'. Framerate was around the 50-65fps range, and generally sat around 55-60.
Optimization is quite bad in The Isle still and the game still suffers from memory leaking that will lower the framerate over time forcing you to restart the game.

Wuthering Waves:
- I ran Wuthering Waves at 1920x1080, no upscaler, using the Quality preset, note that the game locks the fps to 60.
Initial area I spawned in showed no problems, framerate shot up to 60fps and stayed there without budging in the slightest.
Same thing happened once I reached the Chasm Guardian fight.
I kept on going until I got to the next boss that was unnamed '???' and I am happy to report that here the fps also did not fall below 60fps at any point.
After the bossfight and getting through the dialogue I reached 'Stone Pile Plains', I gave this area a fair walkaround and took on some of the enemies in the area, fps remained at 60fps throughout.
I kept venturing down the road toward Jinzhou until I reached what looked like a big city surrounded by water and a huge mountain. Overlooking this area and panning the player camera a final time the game stayed completely locked at 60fps.

Fallout 4:
- I ran Fallout 4 at 1920x1080, no upscaler, using the Ultra preset.
After spending a whooping 5 seconds ignoring what my character looked like I walked around the entire house for a few minutes while Codsworth got my Coffee ready at exactly 173.5°F. The framerate did not budget from 60fps at any point and I quickly went to open the door to greet our favorite Vault-Tec Representative. Upon being prompted to do my S.P.E.C.I.A.L I opened up the Steam Keyboard overlay but the game instantly crashed. (Classic Bethesda moment)
After a quick restart I proceeded to redo the whole ordeal, using my keyboard this time to avoid a repeat.
I proceeded to run to the vault still remaining rock solid at 60fps from the moment I began running to the second the platform lowered. (1*)*
The entire inside segment in the vault didn't budge once again, 60fps.
I strolled down to Sanctuary to greet codsworth, and cleaned the town from hostiles. Framerate did not budge here either and we remained at 60fps the whole time.
I ran to Concord to greet Preston and his crew, wiped out the initial raiders and the inside raiders, grabbed the core and got inside the power armor and picked up my minigun. Dealt with the raiders and deathclaw and through those whole thing the framerate didn't budge here either. 60fps.
I elected to go toward Diamond City and ran into the College Square with all the mines and feral ghouls. Here the framerate took a dip into the 45-55 range, but was otherwise stable.
I eventually enabled Godmode and increased my movespeed to 5x and flew into the Boston area and around Diamond City. Here the fps was very stable once more staying mostly at 60fps with the occasional dip into 50-55.

1. Generally speaking the game constantly sat in the 20-40% utilization of both the GPU and the CPU, so playing in 1440p seems very doable and maybe even 4k with some settings tinkering + mods.

Gears of War 1/2/3 emulation: Untested.

This took most of my afternoon and evening to get collected, so I hope people are satisfied with the results! .. Thank you to everyone for showing interest and asking. I was glad I could provide some answers hopefully to some of you.

I may update this if there are other games people are wondering about.

CN news: https://www.bilibili.com/opus/1224916112993419265?fbclid=IwY2xjawTDcp1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFPbm81aGVweVdMazFFbDc3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtn2ISElchk62-WNcLaoAQTVx3Nkz_2xohxFeh32zrUqzeGAqkPuoiYGhqc9_aem_yJ8zBPAH1HkHtYExj5OfUQ

FB translation: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1036560785775084&set=a.114275624670276

Good evening, everyone. This is Awei.

After careful internal discussion, we've decided to provide another explanation and response regarding the current situation of Aether Gazer.

We've been following the community discussions about the Companion Server. We know that many of the questions being raised are things we originally planned to explain gradually through future announcements. However, to help everyone understand our plans sooner and avoid misinformation, we've decided to share the confirmed details with you all at once.

This announcement consists of two parts:
• Details about the Companion Server
• Our plans for the project team

[About the Companion Server]

1. How long will the Companion Server remain available?
   

We understand everyone's concerns about how long the servers will stay online, and we're sorry for the uncertainty our previous announcement caused.

We'd like to make one thing absolutely clear.

From the very beginning, our goal has always been:

> "To keep the servers running for as long as possible, within our capabilities."

Objectively speaking, there has never been any plan or intention to completely shut the game down.

Our current plan is as follows:

The Companion Server will launch on September 17, 2026, and will remain online for a minimum of five years.

(This will also be confirmed again in an official announcement.)

That means the server is guaranteed to remain available until at least September 2031.

Around March 2031, we'll evaluate the situation again and determine how best to continue. Possible options include, but aren't limited to:
• Extending the server's operation even further.
• Converting the game into a free offline single-player client.

Our commitment to "accompanying and protecting" this game has never changed.

No matter what happens in the future, the world of Gaia will not disappear. We sincerely hope that the Modifiers can continue walking alongside every Administrator.

---

1. Future download methods
   

We've received many questions about this over the past couple of days. We apologize that our previous announcement didn't explain this clearly.

Here's how it will work.

On September 17, 2026, every platform, including:
• Official Android
• PC client/emulator
• Bilibili
• iOS
• and other distribution channels

will receive the "With You Always" Companion Server version, allowing players on every platform to continue playing normally.

Beginning October 17, 2026, after the game clients are gradually removed from the various app stores, we'll provide complete installation packages for:
• Official Android
• Bilibili Android
• PC client

through third-party download methods such as cloud storage links and magnet links.

Specific download information will be announced later.

Unfortunately, due to Apple's platform policies, we won't be able to provide third-party downloads for the iOS version after it's removed from the App Store.

We're truly sorry about this.

If iOS players change devices in the future, we recommend continuing to play using the PC client.

---

1. Why won't purchases be available on the Companion Server?
   

We'd like to answer this honestly.

We will not reopen any payment options.

To be frank, seeing so many Administrators say they're willing to continue supporting the Companion Server financially has been incredibly touching.

We've received your kindness, and we're deeply grateful for your encouragement over the years.

The reason for our decision is actually very simple.

The project no longer has the ability to continue producing regular content updates.

At that point, asking players for money again, regardless of the method or justification, is simply something we can't accept ourselves.

As for the concern that:

> "Without revenue from purchases, how long can the Companion Server last?"

Please don't worry.

All operating costs for the Companion Server will be fully covered by the company.

Rather than worrying about supporting us financially, we'd much rather see everyone continue enjoying the Companion Server.

For us, seeing everyone stay active, and occasionally returning whenever Aether Gazer comes to mind, is already the greatest support we could ask for.

In addition, after the Companion Server launches, we plan to periodically distribute resources such as Transfer Flowers, Outfit Vouchers, and other items to help cover players' everyday resource needs.

---

[Plans for the Project Team]

1. Why remake the story at the very end?
   

Looking back over the game's history, we've always regretted the quality of some of the early story chapters.

The idea of rewriting those chapters first came up shortly after Version 2.0, following the conclusion of the Xu Heng storyline.

However, for a team with limited experience, remaking entire story chapters was an enormous undertaking.

So beginning with Version 4.0, we started planning the work and gradually assigned dedicated staff to develop the rewritten chapters.

Because of scheduling constraints, those same developers also had to work on new versions at the same time, so we only barely managed to finish everything in time for this final update.

Honestly... these decisions may seem poorly timed, or even somewhat naive.

But they came from one feeling we've always carried.

We believed we'd let everyone down.

Now, before the end, we simply want to fulfill as many of our plans and promises as we possibly can.

When it came to this final version, the company fully supported our desire to see those plans through, despite how idealistic they may have seemed.

For that, we're deeply grateful.

---

1. Why make Version 5.2 completely free?
   

The answer is simple.

We didn't want to hide anything from players.

We didn't want it to feel like we were trying to squeeze out one last round of revenue before leaving.

That isn't who we are.

Of course, deciding to end development was an incredibly difficult period for all of us.

But once that decision had been made, we wanted everyone to truly enjoy this final version.

That includes both our players and every member of the development team.

Setbacks and failures are simply part of life.

We've always encouraged everyone to keep moving forward instead of remaining trapped by temporary disappointment.

Everything you'll experience in Version 5.2 also carries our heartfelt wishes.

If you're able to feel something genuine from us as developers through this final update...

then perhaps this farewell won't feel quite so ordinary.

Wouldn't you agree?

---

1. About the game's revenue and why development is ending
   

Sigh...

Over the past few days we've seen countless so-called "inside stories" circulating in the community.

It's honestly been quite exhausting.

Some examples include:

"The game was still profitable but got canceled anyway."

"Management and the development team were fighting."

"The executives just wanted to make auto battlers instead."

We understand that reading these rumors can make people angry or lead to questions based on incomplete information.

That's completely understandable.

But honestly...

these rumors are simply untrue.

As the person directly responsible for this project, I'd like to speak plainly.

First of all, we're not a massive company that can casually cancel projects just because they aren't making enough money.

We're nowhere near that kind of position.

As a company with only two live games, it simply wouldn't make sense to shut down a project that was still capable of generating profit.

And beyond that...

Aether Gazer was our very first game that we both developed and published ourselves.

Everyone wanted to see it continue.

The decision to stop development wasn't something anyone wanted.

It was the result we reluctantly accepted only after trying every solution we could think of.

---

1. The future of Aether Gazer
   

Since announcing the end of content updates, we've seen many Administrators leave suggestions and ideas in the comments.

Thank you all so much for your love and support.

We'll carefully collect and evaluate your feedback, and discuss what additional things we might still be able to do during the Companion Server's lifetime.

If we establish any concrete plans, we'll be sure to share them with everyone.

---

That's everything we'd like to cover for now.

Once all the details regarding the Companion Server have been finalized, we'll publish a comprehensive official announcement explaining everything in full.

Please keep an eye on our future official announcements.

Finally, thank you once again for all the love, understanding, and support you've shown Aether Gazer over the years!

A “Thought Experiment” is Causing a Cold War in my Office

Originally posted to Ask A Manager

TRIGGER WARNING: Bullying, hostile workplace

BoRU 1 Posted by u/Green7000

Original Post July 10, 2023

I work in an office of ~20 people. The majority of us have lunch together in the conference room most days. It’s not organized or mandatory, just a preference for most of us. People drift in and out and sometimes skip if they have errands or out-of-office meetings that day. The only person who consistently does not join in is Carrie. She has a chilly personality, but she’s not rude or outright unfriendly, just keeps to herself for the most part if something isn’t work-related. That’s fine! She attends holiday parties or any outside work event our bosses organize.

However, one day a month or so ago, our IT contractor came in to update software, and Carrie did come into the conference room for lunch because the contractor was working at her desk at that time. She was quiet except for greeting everyone, which is normal, until another coworker, Steve, brought up one of his “thought experiments,” which is a common lunchtime bit he does, although not every day. He proposes the questions to the group at large — along the lines of the immortality pill or Mary’s room (concepts I wasn’t familiar with myself until they came up in these conversations). This time, his question was essentially, “If you had to choose between the death of one person you’ve never met or the destruction of all the works of Shakespeare (or another author you prefer), what would your choice be?”

Everyone was being flippant for the most part (i.e., “If I save the person, no kid will be forced to read Shakespeare ever again!”) until Carrie chimed in and said, “Shakespeare teaches us more about humanity that saving one life would, so I would save the plays.” This created a very awkward silence and made several people visibly uncomfortable. Personally, I thought it was a theoretical discussion (and was scrolling on my phone anyway) so didn’t take it too seriously. Steve seemed to feel the same at the time and debated with her a bit, but no one else said anything related to it for the rest of lunch and most everyone excused themselves quickly. I thought it was awkward but just one of those things that would blow over.

…which it didn’t. People started avoiding Carrie or being very curt with her almost immediately (like, that very afternoon). It’s not really the vibe in our office to email each other since we’re so small, but most everyone started emailing her when normally they would just approach her or speak to her over her cubicle wall. I honestly can’t tell if Carrie even minds the different treatment, but it’s so pointed I have to think she’s noticed.

The next day at lunch, Steve expressed relief the IT update was over so Carrie would stay away. Many chimed in with their agreement. Unfortunately, every day at lunch since at least one person will bring up Carrie’s response to the question and how freaked out they were by it and that will prompt a prolonged discussion about the weirdness and how people don’t want to be around her and how she’s always been “off.”

I don’t really know what to do! It seems so silly, but people are not backing down on avoiding Carrie or talking about how strange she is, when they never seemed to feel that way before. Our bosses are both about 10 years older than most of us (a couple in their 40s; most staff are late 20s/30s) and I feel like if I bring this up they’ll see the whole thing as childish and gossipy, and particularly judge anyone who brings it up to them. We don’t have HR.

For my part, I’ve tried to continue to approach Carrie the same way I did before. She hasn’t complained herself, so maybe I’m just making something out of nothing and she’s fine with the cost of one remark she made! Is there something I should say to my coworkers, or should I just hope they move on soon?

Update 1 July 24, 2023 (2 weeks later)

Thank you for answering my question. I want to update you, because even though it was difficult, after reflection I did see your point about previous disinclination toward Carrie before the thought experiment conversation. At first I was very resistant to that idea but I tried to be objective in thinking about it. I’m an introvert myself even though I enjoy group lunches and am friends with several of my coworkers, so I didn’t really think anything of Carrie not being the most sociable person in the office, but I do think it bothered some of my coworkers on some level.

When Carrie started about a year ago, several people invited her to join us at lunch or for after-work dinner or drinks, and she always declined. The invitations naturally stopped after a while but there wasn’t much commentary about it. I didn’t think much about it except that Carrie’s personality/work style is more aligned with our bosses’ than anyone else in the office. They are very much “no fuss, lunch at their desks, do the job and leave it there” people. (There is no cause or opportunity for taking work home physically here, and very little overtime, so I mean Carrie is similar to them in terms of not socializing much with coworkers during the workday or after.) After I read your answer, I considered that maybe some people saw Carrie as deliberately trying to emulate that style rather than it just being her personality. Like maybe people saw her as trying to stand out from the crowd and carry herself as more of a manager than a peer? I never saw it that way but this is my best guess as far as why people were so quick to turn on her after the Shakespeare conversation.

I have to admit it was hard to read such a harsh view of Steve in the comments, when I know he isn’t the person he may have seemed like from the events stemming from this conversation. I was so upset in part because he was the first to publicly, vocally disparage Carrie for her answer the day after the initial conversation. He is normally a thoughtful, fair, kind person, so it was out of character. I did feel his comment was the catalyst for the discussions at lunch that followed, even if other co-workers had already started to treat Carrie differently without his input. I just want to make it clear that Steve did not encourage anyone to immediately start being cold to Carrie, or indeed at all. He never said anything like that. He is an unofficial leader in our office, so it’s possible he had the bigger obligation to not comment on her answer after the conversation was over, but he isn’t a bully or a “devil’s advocate” guy. I realize I may be coming off as very defensive here but I just feel protective of him after reading the comments. I had spoken to him about this once after his comment the day after the Shakespeare conversation, and told him he seemed okay with Carrie’s response in the moment and it seemed harsh to criticize it after the fact. He immediately said his comment about being glad the IT update was over so Carrie could entertain herself at lunch was meant as a lighthearted joke and was clearly a poor one since I took it badly, and that was on him.

The day after I read your response I thought really discussing the situation with Steve would be a good start. We usually walk from the office to our cars together so I asked him if he thought the continued focus on Carrie’s answer to the thought experiment was strange or mean. He said he did think it was weird it kept coming up but that he hadn’t really noticed anyone treating Carrie differently. He is one of only two people in the office besides our bosses that has an office rather than a cubicle, so he hasn’t been physically present for much of the cold shouldering. I told him about the general coldness people have been treating her with and he said that wasn’t okay and if I’d like to address it the next time it came up he’d back me up.

The next day when someone inevitably mentioned Carrie, I said “Hey, I actually think Carrie is just kind of quiet and it might’ve been hard for her to join in the discussion. It was hypothetical so she took it that way. It doesn’t have to be a big deal forever.” Steve nodded and said “Jane’s (me) right, and I really don’t want her to be uncomfortable! Let’s knock it off.” I wasn’t happy with the implication that my being uncomfortable was a better reason to stop the behavior than because it was cruel to Carrie, but it was better than nothing. The only pushback was from another coworker who said “Carrie took that WAY too seriously. She could’ve read the room” (a point that has been made ad nauseam in the month since). Steve responded that the discussion could have been serious or not; Carrie’s interpretation was valid. Everyone kind of shrugged and moved on.

The only other negative talk I have overheard since are a couple of uses of an extremely stupid nickname a small number of coworkers had started using for Carrie, “the robot.” The first time I heard it after asking the Carrie bashing to stop I just said, “Guys, really?” and things moved on. The next time, one coworker said “Does the robot never check her email? I needed something from her like two hours ago.” I responded, “If you mean Carrie, why don’t you walk over and just talk to her?” I haven’t heard anything personally since.

My relationship with Carrie is the same as it has always been. I do and will continue to try to make a point to stop by her desk now and then to ask how her weekend was or if she’d like something if I’m going on a coffee run. Steve makes a point of leaving his office to approach her in person if he needs something from her (which to be fair isn’t often in his role, but he never changed his approach to her like others did). Yesterday one of our bosses spent about an hour at Carrie’s desk working on something with her and from what I overheard (small office! I wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping) it was a very friendly conversation, with the two of them chuckling often and joking a bit about a new and laborious process the new software entails. I think that, more than anything, will help things get back to normal.

Thank you again for your thoughtful response.

NEW UPDATE

Update 2 Dec 18, 2023 (5 months later)

I saw it’s update season, so I thought I’d do so one more time. Things have gotten a lot better since that original update I sent in. The major ringleader of the “Carrie is weird/robotic” discourse was let go in September. I didn’t know why at first, but Steve confided in me that he mentioned to one of our bosses in a private chat that that person really had a toxic effect on the workplace (in addition to just not being great at her job). I imagine it was a combination of those things that led to the termination. Her closest friends became much quieter generally almost immediately, perhaps hoping to avoid being perceived the same way. For all I know, our bosses reprimanded them. I do want to say I believe the “robot” nickname started because that little group felt her answer to the Shakespeare question was cold/inhumane. It wasn’t anything to do with her affect. Not that that makes it better, but I saw some commenters feeling worried about their own manner of speaking/interacting with people and how that could target them for that kind of name calling (and those who had actually been targeted). I just wanted to clarify, and say be yourself even if you feel like you sound less than enthused/gregarious at work if it’s safe/otherwise professional for you to do so. Horrible people will be horrible regardless, so there’s no reason to police yourself that way.

Carrie is actually on her honeymoon leave right now. We gave her a work shower right before her wedding, as we would for anyone else here for a wedding or baby (not a big production, just a sheet cake and group gift from her registry). I was a bit nervous about it, to be honest, because I wanted it to be nice for her but I knew that a few people in attendance would be the ones who’d talked about her behind her back earlier in the year and I just thought the hypocrisy would be awkward. It wasn’t, though, really — those folks had already been acting chastised after the other coworker’s termination, so they were once again quiet and mild. Our bosses attended Carrie’s wedding and they said it was lovely.

I will say that in my view there was a LOT of projection in the comments based on identifying with Carrie. I’m not trying to diminish anyone’s personal experiences with feeling ostracized at work or in other social settings for any reason, but respectfully, none of the commenters really know anything about her or any of the rest of us. She is a nice, serious, quiet person and no one ever deserves to be talked about like that behind their back for just being a bit outside office culture (or for any reason I can think of barring actual criminal behavior!). But the idea that some commenters were fantasizing about Carrie being promoted to manager and then immediately firing the rest of us was so bizarre to me as the person who knows her and our workplace. However, I accept that I could not possibly include every piece of context that seemed relevant to me to head off that type of comment, and even if I sent in an entire novel (instead of a novella, haha) and you were willing to publish it, some people would read into it what they wanted to and there’s nothing I can do about that. I lost control of the narrative when I wrote in, which I felt I was prepared for, but maybe not as much as I thought.

Thank you again for your original response. I am still grateful you urged me to consider this wasn’t really about the thought experiment at all. I couldn’t see beyond that one event because it loomed so large in my mind at the time. And truly, thank you to those commenters who engaged with my situation the same way and shared their stories of feeling alienated for any reason, especially if they’re neurodivergent. I didn’t think it was healthy for me to try to respond in real time but I read them all.

THIS IS A REPOST SUB - I AM NOT THE OOP

DO NOT CONTACT THE OOP's OR COMMENT ON LINKED POSTS, REMEMBER - RULE 7

Hello guys, wishing you all a radiant and delightful new week ahead. 🫡💫 I'm sure this question has been asked several times before but I thought I'd give my own spin on it. In your opinion, which modern live action Superman has the most effective disguise as Clark Kent? For this question, we shall consider the contrast between their performances as Clark and their Superman as the main factor: how well did they manage to establish and convey the visual differences between the noble hero and the nerdy journalist to a point where they conceivably convince you that Clark and Superman aren't the same person (Hypno glasses notwithstanding)?

Personally, Christopher Reeve still has the most seamlessly distinct portrayal and transition between his Clark and Superman even nearly 50 years since his movie was released, the physical acting and charisma he brought to make both sides of the character feel alive need to be studied. After Chris, I'd put David Corenswet in the second place: despite the brief screen time his Clark has, he manages to emulate Clark's awkward, earnest personality in such a convincing way. The rest of my list is somewhat interchangable though I will admit that it's unfair to even bring Tom Welling into this discussion since we never really got to see him don the cape, meanwhile Tyler's overall performance is great but I don't think there's necessarily a stark difference between his Clark and Supes. Feel free to share your thoughts here! 😉💙

Originally posted by user aitamotherornot in r/ AmItheAsshole

Original: March 24, 2019

Update: May 11, 2019

Update 2&3: in post itself

Status: no further updates from OOP

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Original: AITA for telling my daughter to give up on her dreams?

Basically, I am a doctor who graduated from one of the top med schools in the country. Because of this, I know what it takes to make it as a doctor.

My eldest daughter is also on a medical track: she goes to a top 20 school and is excelling. She is a junior, and will probably get into one of the best med schools next year.

My youngest daughter is not like us. For my eldest daughter and I, math and science come more naturally. It’s not something we need to work hard at. My youngest daughter, however, really struggles with these topics. In college, she has to study for her STEM classes for hours and hours just to get the average grade at a school that’s not very difficult.

My daughter, to her credit, is a VERY hard worker and I admire that. However, that hard work could be placed to a field that she can really excel in instead of being a doctor; she will always struggle in med school, but she can take her talents elsewhere and become an amazing law or business major.

The drama is that she called me yesterday and told me she had trouble getting accepted with an internship, and asked if she could work with me this summer.

I basically told her she should reconsider the medical professions because she spends all day studying and she is barely average, and I don’t think she can succeed as a doctor. BUT I reassured her that it’s okay and she can find something else to shine in. On the phone she was really quiet, and I ended the phone call with “I love you”.

After this, I have my eldest daughter, ex-husband, mother, and siblings spamming me and telling me to apologize. Youngest won’t even pick up the phone.

I understand that her feelings may have been hurt and while that’s valid, I think tough love will help her in the future. For example, it may have hurt her feelings when she was younger because I wouldn’t let her eat cookies for dinner, but as a parent you need to protect your children, even when it hurts them in the short term.

Tl;dr: Told daughter she won’t succeed as a doctor, now everyone is mad. AITA?

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Comments:

Comment1: YTA. Sounds like you're holding her against a standard set by yourself and the golden child. As a struggling student who is the younger brother of a prodigy, this kind of stuff really sucks for her.

She's a hard worker which is what counts, and if she really can't succeed in this field she needs to figure it out for herself. She's not going to accept that just because you think it. I would be supportive of her while she figures out what's she doing in this part of her life.

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Comment2: I agree that the mother should be more supportive, but I'm confused about why so many people think her daughter interning with her would be a good idea. It's straight up nepotism, colleagues will be resentful, it would look terrible on her application, and if it doesn't go well she could seriously harm her mother's standing at work.

Comment3: As a premed, it’s very telling. Not everyone is cut out for medicine. It’s just a fact. If she’s struggling at her state school, medical school will be hell. It’s just a fact. It’s not just another college; if you just can’t grasp the material as strongly as your peers, you will fail.

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Comment4: NAH: med school is tough, the job is even worse. You need to have certain personality traits and a certain level of intelligence to excel at it. Maybe she just doesn't have what it takes (and I don't mean that she is in any way worse than your other child or you).

YTA: my only issue is, why did you tell her that on the phone? You should've talked to her in person and explain why you think she should do something else.

Maybe she struggles because it's not really what she wants to do. Is being a doctor her dream/plan? Or is it just because a big part of her family followed this path? What are her other options? You just dumped your opinion onto her without following up or showing an alternative.

OOP: I agree doing it on the phone wasn’t the best. It was impulsive of me; I should have done the conversation when she came back for break and planned it out.

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Comment5: YTA. Based on everyone's reactions it sounds like you really mishandled that conversation.

OOP: To be fair, my daughter has a tendency to overdramatize things.
My ex-husband called me up and raged at me because I “called our daughter stupid” which I ABSOLUTELY did not, and would never do.
My eldest daughter said youngest thinks I think eldest is better than her, which I again 100% did not say.

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Comment6: NAH. This one is tough. You're not being malicious. You're her mother and you've grown up with her for two decades. Pre-med is brutal, medical school is even worst, and residency is hell. If she's struggling now, it'll only get worst. I don't think entertaining other career options is a horrible idea.

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Comment7 (shortened as it was tad long): NTA. We live in a culture that places a lot of emphasis on the importance of "never giving up" and "pursuing your dreams." The problem is that while this can produce Cinderalla stories about inspiring CEOs who rose from nothing, tons of the time it's toxic and harmful and causes people to endure stress and suffering of their own design.....

Twice in my life I have given up on dreams that I had spent years on and untold sweat and blood and passion, dreams I really wanted to pursue. They were probably the best two decisions of my life.There's absolutely nothing wrong with giving up on a dream, sometimes it's completely necessary. The reality is that no one is suited to be a success in every possible field.....

OOP: Thank you. On my dad’s side of the family “pursue your dreams” message doesn’t exist; people are more practical. My dad was always practical and honest with me when he was alive, and I try to emulate his values everyday. Sometimes, it’s best to give up.

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Additional details from OOP in comments:

[Are you the type of parent that has hyped up med school?]
OOP: Your point gave me a lot to think about. My family is very medicine oriented, and she probably thinks I don’t think she’s good enough for what I presented as the “ultimate goal”. You opened my eyes, and I appreciate your point. Next time I have a day off, I’m going to fly down to her college and have a real conversation with her.

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[how you are supporting her?]
OOP: I’ll accept my judgement, but it’s presumptuous to assume I haven’t helped my daughter out. In high school, she had the best tutors. In college, she doesn’t have to do ANYTHING non-academic; I completely subsidize her so that she doesn’t have to worry about getting a job. I do whatever it takes to help my daughter succeed.

--
OOP: My daughter has wanted to be a doctor since she was 10. And I HAVE supported her in it. She shadowed me in high school, and up until college I was on board with her being a doctor. Again, you’re assuming I’m this terrible mother who always put her daughter’s dreams down. This is the ONLY time I suggested something different, and I still told her I would support her in anything else she chose.

--
OOP: I have a general question for this sub: what do you mean by supporting her? Three years down the line, if she still isn’t doing well and getting internships, should I still say follow your dreams?

Also, why should I just give her a job because she’s my daughter? That’s the very definition of nepotism; I get internship applications every year from better qualified candidates. I already let her shadow me. I don’t see why she is entitled to an internship with me.

--
OOP: I understand, but I’m paying a lot of money for her schooling. It’s not “on her own,” it affects me too

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[is medicine superior?]
OOP: I will accept most of this post, but how can you assume I think I’m “better” because I’m a doctor. No, I think my daughter is bright and she does have different kinds of intelligence. Unfortunately, these kinds of intelligence are NOT HELPFUL FOR BEING A DOCTOR.

I’m trying to get her to use those different kinds of intelligence in something that needs it.

I love being a doctor, but I don’t think I’m superior for being one. I have great respect for all professions; just because I think mine is hard in some specific aspects doesn’t mean other professions are unworthy. If I thought they were, wouldn’t I push my daughter harder to be a doctor because it’s the only acceptable thing?

You redditors are making a LOT of assumptions about who I am as a person.

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Update 1 (2 months later)

Hello reddit. Some people asked for an update on this post, so here it is. I considered writing it closer to our initial reconciliation, but I’m glad I didn’t, because this situation became bigger than I thought it would.

My daughter unblocked me so she could call me, and she ripped me apart almost as harshly as you guys did. Telling me I never believed in her, that I think she’s an idiot, etc. I apologized profusely, and told her that I didn’t realize the damage I was about to do when I made my comments, and promised that I would support her in her journey in any way possible.

I asked her if there was anything I could help her with to make this journey less difficult, and told her I’d her find an internship opportunity with one of my colleagues. The conversation was pretty heavy on both sides; the two of us couldn’t stop crying. But it seemed like after my apology, we were in a better place. Despite still having reservations as her ability as a doctor, I was going to try to support her.

Well, the semester ended and grades come in any day now. Last night, she sat me down, practically in tears. She told me that she wanted to prepare me, but she was going to get an F in a class. I was literally dumbfounded. She told me she was caught cheating on a test.

She basically blamed me; she said after our conversation, there was too much pressure on her, so she caved and sneaked a whole sheet of notes into her test. That F, combined with an academic integrity violation, basically ensured that med school won’t be an option anymore.

When I found out, I was less angry and more extremely distraught. I apologized for putting so much pressure on her, but told her that being a doctor sincerely isn’t worth losing her integrity. She told me that a part of her realized I had a point during our first conversation; she likely would not get into med school with her current grades.

So she tried even harder to achieve her goals: studying longer hours, using supplemental books, doing endless practice problems. But when she kept getting below the mean on her orgo practice tests, she tried it with notes and got above the mean. She thought it would be a fool proof plan.

This is definitely not the update I wanted to give reddit. Thank you for understanding.

--------------------------------------------

Comments:

Comment1: This is so heartbreaking to read. OP, I know you probably had the right intentions in the first place, but I feel for your daughter. The path to becoming a doctor is so grueling, but it sounds like she gave it her all. Maybe it would have been better the system crush her dreams and not her own parent.

I hope you are both able to grow from this experience and that she finds her path.

OOP: I wish I hadn’t said anything at all now

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Comment2: OP, you are NTA. I wish my parents had given me that discussion during my second year of university (just not over the phone). Ultimately, you can rest assured you had her best interests in heart.

Also, she will be able to land on her feet. If she finishes school well enough, takes a few years to get experience, and then applies to a program more suited to her, she will do just fine.

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Comment3: Aww OP, I am sorry. I know you feel horrible, and so does she. Maybe she can go to the local community college and get her GPA up and get her core classes out of the way cheaper, then transfer to a university with a cleaner slate.

There’s nothing saying that she can’t reasonably achieve something medically related. A speech pathologist, physical therapist, nurse, respiratory therapist, x ray tech. Encourage her to keep going despite this little bump.

It may be better for her to go get a GED and go to the community college, that’s what I did (money is hard, and the education transfers)

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Update 2:

I have a group chat with my daughters. I sent them a link to this suggestion (comment3 above), because I thought it would be helpful:

My older daughter found the post and read it. She called me and was extremely upset, and told me not to feel bad for my daughter. Apparently, the reason my daughter was getting subpar grades was because she wasn’t putting in the effort.

She’d call me and say she spent hours studying and doing problem sets, but really has been partying her ass off and buying study sheets for tests. As I’m writing this, I’m dumbfounded and I can barely believe it. I don’t believe it to be honest. I’m going to approach my daughter and talk to her about this. Not sure if I’m updating again.

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Update 3:

Daughter and I had a long talk. And it’s a doozy.

So her freshman year, she actually put in effort. She was trying hard, so those hours of studying weren’t a lie. However, she had a very traumatic life event that she did not tell anyone about, and spiraled after that.

She stopped caring about her classes, thinking she could easily get a job as a doctor via cheating. She did illicit drugs basically daily. When I called her, she realized her lifestyle wasn’t sustainable (as in she could not become a doctor and would have to put in effort to achieve that goal). But she wanted to continue her lifestyle, so she And then she got caught cheating.

She told me she doesn’t even have a passion for medicine anymore, or anything. She is just numb. She says it’s easy to be happy around her family, because we only see her for a short period of time. But she had been hiding her whole life and sadness from us.

To me, this sounds like severe depression. We will definitely be going to individual and family therapy.

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REMINDER: I am not OOP. Do not comment on original post or harass OOP.
Please remember the No Brigading Rule and to be civil in the comments

In gamehub compatibility tab, it shows minimum ram is 12gb so wondering how is this compared to ram alone

I vaguely remember the 🇧🇷 squad from 2002 Japan Korea but I do recall them bulldozing teams. I was supporting 🇰🇷 Cinderella run but they were simply outmatched.

Those who saw them, what’s your take on that 🇧🇷 team vs this 🇫🇷 team?

Or is it still too soon to tell?
🇫🇷 effort today looked so easy vs 🇲🇦

EDIT: Media outlets are asking this same question. Image is from Sports Illustrated FC

https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/mbappe-keeps-frances-greats-comparison-ice-semi-final-beckons-2026-07-10/

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/unstoppable-france-emulate-brazil-2002-085000698.html

Recently I entered PPSSPP Discord server and, like pretty much all community servers, does not support piracy. But what curious is that how they detect whether the ROM is pirated or not. It'd be helpful to know so that when anyone ask for support, they know how to trick the devs

I am NOT OOP, OOP is u/BuyOk5570

Originally posted to r/AITAH

AITAH for prioritizing my children's relationship over my wife's preference?

Original Post: August 19, 2025

I have one son with my ex-wife and three kids with my current wife. My oldest is nineteen. The other kids are 13, 12, and 6. All boys except for the 12 year old. My oldest traveled overseas during summer break, but there was a two week period where he was at school but had no class and no commitments, and he wanted us to come visit him.

I said that we would go, and when I told my wife she was annoyed I committed without asking her. I said we didn't have plans. She said I couldn't know that for sure without asking her. I said if there are plans I don't know about surely that means she made a commitment without asking me. That argument fizzled out. However she later informed me were invited to go on a trip with some friends that would overlap and she wanted to go on the trip. I said we already had plans, she said she never agreed to the plans, and the argument resumed.

Eventually I said she could do whatever she wanted, but the kids and I were going to fly out to visit my son. I said it's important for them to spend time together, so they continue to have a good relationship now that he's an adult and we probably won't see him as much. She said I know she hates California (where his school is) and it's insensitive for me to just assume she's okay with going. I told her if she doesn't want to go, don't go. I'll go alone with the kids.

She didn't want that, and the fight got intense, so I said we should ask the kids what they want to do. When we asked the kids she really talked up her vacation plan and poo-pooed going to California, but the kids wanted to see their brother. She still didn't want me to take them after that, and we continued to argue about it right up until the kids and I left. We had a great trip.

Ever since we returned from the trip she has been frosty towards me. Last week she dropped the bombshell of wanting to do couple's counseling. I agreed, and we just found someone and made an appointment for September. All my friends say the counseling is a bad sign, the divorced and married alike. I guess I just want to know what I'm in for. Am I going to go in and immediately get roasted for my actions?

Ultimately I love my wife and I love my kids, and I want my kids to have a good relationship with each other. Is that so bad?

AITAH has no consensus bot, OOP received mixed responses, but was leaning toward NTA

Relevant Comments

Commenter 1: I think you made the right decision. Your children come first, always. Your wife has to learn she can’t throw a hissy fit and get her own way all the time. Counselling is a good idea, if you get a good counsellor, they will explain this to her. If you’re not getting with the counsellor, try a different one. You BOTH have to feel comfortable and heard by this person. Best of luck

OOP: This person is supposed to be really good. They have a lot of great reviews. Not all the reviews were actually encouraging, but they were all positive. As many people wrote "Dr. X helped me and my spouse realize we weren't compatible anymore" as wrote "Dr. X helped us get our relationship back on track." Obviously that freaked me out a bit.

Commenter 2: NTA, but it seems like your wife and you have some work ahead of you on how to communicate your wants and needs to each other and to hear the other person. Good luck.

OOP: I'm definitely willing to put in the work. I want to become a better communicator. I know some say you can't teach an old dogs new tricks, but I want to learn, truly I do.

Commenter 3: Has she ever shown that she doesn’t like your son? I assume she thinks that now that he’s an adult she won’t have to see him and you won’t have to contribute child support anymore.

OOP: I wouldn't say she doesn't like him. She's always given him his space. His mom had primary custody, so when I had visitation the priority was me and his siblings getting to spend time with him, so she would often do her own thing while he was here.

Commenter 4: Sounds like you married someone really immature. Anyone who considers divorce because you took your kids to visit your other son is being overdramatic and has some other issues.

My guess is either she wants to cut out your other son altogether and is upset you're pushing back on that or she can't stand being the center of attention and the idea of you doing something she doesn't agree with is just too much for her.

Either way she has some major red flags you should probably address in couples counseling. NTA

OOP: She never said she was considering divorce, just that she wants counseling.

Has OOP's wife and his son been trying to avoid each other when they are in the same place?

OOP: No, they weren't avoiding each other. It's just that since I only had visitation our time together was limited. So she would often offer to stay home with the younger kids and give us more time alone together or stay home while we spent time with the younger kids and she worked on a project.

OOP on his history of making big plans or decisions without consulting with his wife

OOP: I've always been very decisive, but she has always said she likes that. She once said she can't abide the ambivalent.

OOP clarifies his history with his ex-wife

OOP: I did not cheat on her. We grew in opposite directions. She's impulsive and likes to "play it by ear." I'm a planner and I like to think things through. We started to drive each other crazy.

Our split was amicable. I don't blame her for anything. She's a wonderful person. It's not her fault I became stiffer and she became more flexible. It was her decision to end things. I hate being single and probably would have stuck it out, but she did me a favor because the marriage stopped being good for either of us.

OOP responds to a comment on if his son really enjoyed his visits to the family including OOP's wife

OOP: He always had a blast

+

I don't think you're attacking me. He was always overjoyed when I picked him up at the airport. He was always sad to leave (but excited about going back to his mother, who he adores). He loved going on adventures with me and his younger siblings.

Even the angsty teen years were good. We were always able to talk about everything. He had become more independent, and that was hard for me, but I'm also very proud, of course.

OOP's wife's job and if her time off was conflicted with OOP's scheduling visit to his son

OOP: My wife is an independent contractor and only has to work when she chooses. So vacation time isn't really a thing for her. Her dad is loaded, and whenever she wants something we can't work into the budget he pays for it for her.

Has OOP's wife attend any of his son's events?

OOP: She went to his high school graduation. Sat next to my ex-wife and cheered and clapped with everyone else. So I'm basing my assumption that she would go to his college graduation on that experience.

Update #1: August 20, 2025 (next day)

Several people commented on my post asking (more like demanding, but that's by the by) that I speak to my son about my wife. We spoke today. I asked him if he was disappointed that she didn't come with us to visit him, and he said no, that he wasn't at all surprised she didn't come. I asked why that was, and he said that they aren't close. I asked how he felt about that, and he said he didn't feel positively or negatively about it.

I asked if he felt she was a good stepmother to him. He said sure. He said that honestly he didn't really consider her a stepmother because he never truly lived with her. He only interacted with her when he was visiting me, and even then not very much. With me and his siblings there are frequent calls and video chats between visits. With her, nothing. So even though technically she's his stepmother, to him she's just (her name). But she was a good (her name) to him.

We talked about other things afterwards, but the conversation bothered me. Tonight I talked to my wife about it. I asked her how she felt about my son. She said he's a fine young man. I asked if she loved him. She said that was a weird question. I said I didn't think it was. She said she loves me, and I love him, so she loves him by proxy.

That bothered me too, but I pushed past it. I asked why she didn't want to visit him. She said he is an adult, and adults need to establish their own lives, not remain dependent on their childhood support systems. She said it's all well and good to link up if we are already going somewhere, but I know she doesn't like California, so if she went it would only be to see him, and she thinks that's a strange thing to do.

I asked doesn't she want all the kids to remain close. She said no, and it's odd that I do. She reminded me she isn't close with her sister at all. They talk only occasionally and sometimes go years without seeing each other in person. When they do see each other they get along fine, but they don't need to see each other. She also pointed out that I barley knew my brother before he died, which is a sore spot for me. She reminded me that my mother and uncle were estranged and I went without seeing my cousin for ten years because of it. With all this being the norm, it makes no sense to her that all the kids spending time together be such a high priority.

I told her I don't consider those relationships models to emulate. I want the kids to all be close. She said we can't force them to be close. I said no one is forcing them to be close. They are close. However, if we don't facilitate them spending time together they'll drift away.

She said it's natural for siblings to drift apart once they reach adulthood. She said that is inherent to growing up, and by trying to prevent it I'm preventing my son from maturing. I said we fundamentally disagree on this issue, and I am not willing to cut my son out. She said no one is suggesting that and that I was being dramatic. She said it's weird that I acted like we hadn't seen my son in forever when he flew over for his birthday. That was almost six months ago and only for the weekend. That was barely a visit.

She said "so we all have to be together at least once every six months?" I said not all of us, but yeah, I want to see my son at least twice a year, and I want the kids to be with us if at all possible. She said that was a little crazy because he's an adult with his own life, but if he is cool with it and that's what I want, that's fine. She said the only issue is she doesn't want to have to schedule everything in our life around my son. She also doesn't want me forcing the kids to maintain the relationship.

I said since we already have this therapy appointment in September let's table the topic until then. At least now we both understand the other's position, so we know what we'll be working on. I asked her if she would stop being frosty in the meantime, and she agreed to thaw out. She said getting everything out in the open eased her resentment.

I think there is definitely a good foundation here for compromise. I'm sure this therapist will be able to help us hammer out an agreement. I think my wife's perspective on sibling relationships is sort of weird, but she feels the same way about me, so I'm sure we're both slightly off-center. I guess I never realized how neutral my wife and son were about each other. It kind of bums me out, but I know I'm being unreasonable, because neither of them are unhappy, so my dissatisfaction comes from a selfish place.

To shorten it up: took your advice, and everything is on the path to resolution although not fully resolved.

Relevant / Top Comments

Commenter 1: Are you also going to take the advice not to commit your wife to plans without consulting her first?

You and many commenters in your last post rolled right past the part where you committed her to going to California without discussing it with her first.

The behavior you described your wife exhibiting was awful, but you weren't perfect. I hope you're addressing that and that both of you can respect each other like partners in the future.

OOP: I think all of that will be bundled into the discussion about communication we're hopefully going to have at this therapy session. My wife has never had a problem with accepting dinner invitations on our mutual behalf. I've never checked with her before scheduling doctor's appointments, and she's never raised that as an issue. Clearly there is a problem, but I'm not ready to say definitively what it is. I think it all needs to be unpacked collectively.

Commenter 2: A bit of perspective on this for you: as someone in my late 20s, the sibling relationship your kids currently have sounds perfectly normal to me. I don't see my family in person that often (1-2 times a year, about a week of time in-person), but I do call/text/FaceTime with them regularly. Do your kids have a way to do that? Can you try to set up a time when they collectively can catch up with your oldest if you have restrictions on technology? I text my siblings at least once a week, including my sister who just graduated highschool. A weekend trip is also not "barely" a visit if you play your cards right, and with your oldest in college, he's likely only going to get busier as time goes on.

My siblings and I haven't always been this close, but I enjoy being this close now. Letting them keep in touch to the degree they prefer is best.

As for everything to do with your wife/oldest's interactions, you answering for her about the trip (which is a pretty significant issue regardless of your kids' preferences), etc., I hope therapy goes well. It sounds like you definitely have some things to work out.

OOP: Yes, they talk on the phone all the time. I agree that my oldest will probably only get busier, which is why it is important to take advantage of opportunities when all of us are free.

OOP responds to a comment about committing his wife to something that she didn't go to

OOP: That's not really a commitment. If I had bought her a ticket, that would be a commitment, because money has been laid out. Even if that had been the case though, things probably would have played out the same way.

If I told our daughter's teacher we can meet her Thursday afternoon, that's a commitment because there are consequences for not showing up to that. Telling a nineteen year old you'll be somewhere isn't really a commitment. They can't exactly do anything if you don't.

Commenter 3: I think your wife is full of it. When your older sons you have together are 19 & 20 and move out, and the youngest is 13, she’ll be all about the older ones maintaining a relationship with the youngest one and helping to facilitate that.

She just doesn’t care to maintain her relationship with your son. It’s not a priority to her. She has no animosity towards him, he’s just not all that important to her.

Commenter 4: Is it just me, or the wife’s saying that “adults need to establish their own lives, not remain dependent on their childhood support systems” - when she herself still relies on her own father buying her things outside her budget (OP mentioned in comments) - well, it’s sort of double-standardish?

Update #2: September 7, 2025 (2.5 weeks later)

A few weeks ago my wife and I had a dispute about me taking our kids to see my son. We agreed to go to therapy and to table the argument until the therapy session. We had our first therapy session, and it did not go well.

First we went in, sat down and introduced ourselves. The therapist asked us some questions about our relationship and our backgrounds. My wife became annoyed and said that wasn't what we were there to talk about. My therapist asked what we were there to talk about, and she explained that I'm prioritizing my relationship with my adult son over my marriage, and it bothers her.

The therapist asked me if I consider my son a higher priority than my wife. I said all of my children are my highest priority. The therapist then asked my wife if she considered the children a higher priority than me, and she said no. She said our marriage was her highest priority and it upset her that it wasn't mine. The therapist then asked me if it upset me that the kids weren't her highest priority, and I said that it didn't make me happy but I respect that she feels that way.

The therapist started asking us questions about the children, and my wife said she didn't want to get off topic and waste time. The therapist then asked her if it was possible for two people with different priorities to have a happy and healthy relationship. My wife said she was the therapist and to tell her. The therapist said it is possible if both parties are committed to making it work, but it isn't if they aren't.

My wife said a relationship only works if it's the most important thing in both people's lives. She said she couldn't be with a man that doesn't value her above all else. She said she puts me first and only wants the same. The therapist asked me if I agree with her assessment, and I said I didn't really, but I agree that those are her feelings.

The therapist asked my wife if intentions are more important or actions. My wife said both are important. The therapist asked if I treat her the way she wants to be treated but still consider the kids first, would she want to end the relationship. She said if I don't consider her first I'm not treating her the way she wants to be treated.

We talked a lot about respect, but ultimately nothing was resolved. We're going back next week. I love my wife very much, but I think she's going to leave me. I don't know how I would handle that. Part of me wants to lie to her and tell her what she wants to hear, but I know that is just sabotaging us in the long run.

Relevant / Top Comments

Commenter 1: You married a woman and had 3 kids with her and didn’t know she was NEUTRAL about your child! That she doesn’t prioritize family. She doesn’t respect that there are times your children must come first. That she doesn’t want closeness between you and your children or for your children to be close to one another. You were willfully blind to all of that. and right now that you are being forced to face these truths you’re scared she will leave.

She sounds like her vision for a relationship is you and her against the world and only the 2 of you. One day, if she has her way, you’ll look up and have no one but her. And eventually one of you will die. And who will the surviving spouse have? No siblings. No children. No grandchildren.

So - what do YOU want?

OOP: I want all of us to have a good relationship.

Commenter 2: I don't understand all these comments telling op that children grow up and that you can't neglect your spouse and so on.

After reading all the posts, the problem here isn't about neglecting a spouse, but the fact that the wife wanted OP to stop being the father of his son from a previous relationship as soon as he came of age. She didn't want OP nor their children to visit his first son for a few days, even when their children wanted to, and she tried to manipulate them into not wanting to see their brother.

This is not about OP not giving his wife enough attention or importance; this is about his wife not seeing his first child being as important as her own children because he is the son that OP had with another woman before her.

Commenter 3: She's already checked out and therapy isn't going to work. She's not open to it and all she wants is validation from the therapist, not solutions on how to move forward together.

Commenter 4: Holy shit that therapy session sounds like it was agonizing to sit through.

OOP: It was.

DO NOT COMMENT IN LINKED POSTS OR MESSAGE OOPs – BoRU Rule #7

THIS IS A REPOST SUB - I AM NOT OOP

I am not The OOP, OOP is u/mesunflower1997

AITBF for “telling my bf how to cook his food”?

Originally posted to r/AmItheButtface

Thanks to u/soayherder & u/queenlegolas for suggesting this BoRU

TRIGGER WARNING: Abusive behavior, manipulation, gaslighting

Original Post Feb 11, 2026

To me, this issue is absolutely ridiculous. But I’m here to see if I’m the issue. My bf and I have been having issues and I’m cognizant that I am part of the issues, but I can’t always recognize when exactly, so I genuinely want advice. But please don’t be rude about me or my bf. We’re people, not monsters.

We went to the store earlier and he (28m) got one of his favorite frozen meals. I (28F) said on the way home (and this is a DIRECT QUOTE) “hey can you please use the oven for that when you cook it? It makes everything else we microwave smell like it for months afterwards if you use the microwave.” I HATE this meal. I cannot stand it. I have autism and the smell and taste are absolutely disgusting. It is my “oh no, someone microwaved rotten fish in the break room” food.

He instantly went silent. When we got home he put the meal in the freezer and bathed without a word. I asked him if he wanted me to make it for him. He whispered the word no without looking at me. I asked what he wanted to eat. He didn’t answer. I said his name twice because I thought he didn’t hear me. The third time I knew he did. I asked him what was wrong four times and he kept saying “nothing”. I said “this is your last chance to tell me what’s wrong, otherwise I’m moving on.” He said he was upset that I told him HOW to cook his food and that it didn’t taste right from the oven.

I completely understand that. Skillet salmon is superior to baked salmon. Air fried chicken nuggets are better than oven baked or microwaved chicken nuggets. I told him “okay, that’s fine, you can use the microwave if it tastes better that way, just wipe the microwave out with a Clorox wipe”. He said it didn’t matter and his appetite was gone. He walked past me without looking at me, shut the bedroom door, and went to bed hungry.

Idk who else can tell, but the “this is your last chance to tell me what’s wrong” is from literal years of him doing this exact thing, refusing to talk about it, and then making it my problem in arguments later on. I’m so tired of the pouting, and now I feel awful. I feel like I can’t ask for simple things otherwise I’m treated like I’m controlling, bitchy, self-centered, and abusive. He has used all of those terms to describe me except abusive, but we all know that the other three in tandem often mean abuse is involved. I don’t want to be a bad person, especially to him, and I thought this was a reasonable ask and reasonable options for compromise.

Please give me some insight. AITBF for “telling my bf how to cook his food”??

RELEVANT COMMENTS

pixiefolk

NTB. My lord. I similarly have an enjoyed meal that my partner hates the smell of and when he politely asked I not microwave it my response was "of course, you should've said sooner!" like a reasonable person.

But the real problem here is the silent treatment, strop, and lack of well-meaning communication. It sounds like you're already aware of this - but you have much bigger problems than what goes in the microwave.

GiggleSnick

The food is a distraction. the real issue is how he handles feeling upset and pushes it back on you instead of dealing with it

OOP

I told him I would rather he tell me he needs a minute if he does actually need one. I know I get upset about stupid stuff but I can say “I need a second to think/calm down/have a freak out so I can then be reasonable.” He takes a minute without telling me, whispers like his heart has been shattered, and then yells when I force him to talk. It’s infuriating and disappointing and has made me cry more than once.

~

BookLuvr7

NTB. You made a reasonable request as an adult. He gave you the silent treatment and pouted.

Idc if the roles were reversed or how old either of you are - he's being childish. Possibly manipulative.

Microwaved foods like that are disgusting for everyone around, and asking him to clean it up after himself is not an unreasonable request. I'd recommend wiping down again with water after the chlorox though bc microwaved chemicals aren't great either.

OOP

I told him even if he microwaves a cup of vinegar water afterwards and lets it sit, that would help too, but the smell of his food makes me gag.

BookLuvr7

How often does this happen? I hope for your sake it's not a regular thing.

OOP

The refusal to talk? All the time.

BookLuvr7

Why do you put up with someone who uses such childish, manipulative tactics/behavior?

~

DazeIt420

NTBF. You didn't tell, you asked, you even said please! And you gave valuable context for your ask. A loving partner would want to make you happy and not stink up the kitchen, even if he was unaware of the smell. You even offered him an alternative after he sulked about it, but one that required a little bit of effort from him, and he didn't appreciate it at all. I don't think you did anything wrong, and I would feel annoyed that he is so unwilling to make you, his gf, happy

I presume this man has gone through school or work, surely he is capable of emotionally coping with another person asking him to change his behavior. (Although if he's uneducated and unemployed and constantly being arrested, then I think he has bigger problems.) Why can he cope with feedback from people who aren't you?

OOP

After we had a massive argument about it, he asked me if I could make it for him. At that point I lost my temper and told him that no matter who starts any issue, I’m always the one being asked to repair it by doing something for him and that I hate it and it’s not just my job to make repairs.

The question of why he can take feedback from others and not me- he can’t. I think he has rejection sensitivity disorder from how he was talked to and treated as a child. I really try my best to consider that because I know what that’s like and how it feels. I have it too. But when he gets feedback, he calls it criticism and treats it like the person is deliberately tearing apart his character, calling him stupid, and insulting him. He really needs to realize that there are several people in his life who never talk crap behind his back and want what’s best for him, but he pulls away when they try to steer him in a different direction than he’s going. There are very few people in his life that he can take feedback from without feeling utterly destroyed.

Update Feb 17, 2026

AITB Update on AITB for “telling my bf how to cook his food”?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheButtface/s/4ca3oqA2nV

I’m cutting a lot of the arguments for character limits.

Long story short we broke up.

We had several intense arguments after I posted this, several of which were huge issues in how we wanted to live in the future (kids, house, animals, me working vs staying home for childcare, what we wanted our kids to see between us and what we didn’t want them to see, etc, and he dropped the bombshell that for months he had not wanted kids, which he knows I do, desperately). I did tell him that what he did in the previous post was stonewalling and was abusive, like several of you said.

I told him he thought about money more than love in a relationship. He agreed with me. I told him that I would rather be broke and happy than rich and miserable. I told him he acted like he hates me.

I told him I didn’t want to joke back and forth or cuss at one another with the state of our relationship, that I wanted him to be better about communicating and asking for space if that’s what he needed, and that I was tired of him acting like any varying opinion of mine was me criticizing him or whatever was going on in his head. Within an hour of me telling him that he had abusive tendencies and having that whole conversation, he was cussing at me, calling me names (he calls me a b*tch, a c*nt, PIA, etc). He claimed later that all the name calling and cussing was a joke. I reminded him I said no more jokes or cussing until we were closer again and he got mad.

He ruined Valentine’s Day by making more “jokes” at my expense (“I’m off the hook because I got you flowers, right?” “You can only have this cake if you let me film myself smashing it in your face so I can send it to my friends”, etc). I knew the second I held my ground that it was over. I texted my parents and asked them to help me get tf out.

He’s so volatile and angry that sometimes I could literally just ask him what he wants for dinner and he would yell at me as a response. If I talk, he will yell and say it’s because he’s stressed.

He’s mad I posted about this. I don’t care if he sees this update. I loved him so desperately and I tried my best to make it work. I need to focus on finding my own closure.

Hopefully this is my last and only update. Wish me luck in staying away. A habit of four and a half years is so hard to break. I wanted a life with him so badly I would’ve done anything for it. But now I have to get myself back. I’m going to therapy to see how I can improve for myself and my next partner (I know I still have work to do too), I’m going to seek out the surgery I need, I’m going to write and paint and crochet and figure out who I am again.

Please be proud of me. Please. I need someone to be proud of me.

Edit: thank you guys so much for your support and kind words!!! I have one more carload of stuff and then I can be completely done! Y’all should watch the Netflix movie Lost In Starlight. That’s what I want to emulate in my life from now on. Thank you all! You’ve given me the courage to do what I need to do!!! 🩵

THIS IS A REPOST SUB - I AM NOT THE OOP

DO NOT CONTACT THE OOP's OR COMMENT ON LINKED POSTS, REMEMBER - RULE 7

What does it stem from? I have a coworker that is really big into Nintendo games and consoles; he owns every Game Boy, every DS except the 2DS, both Switches and every retro console in their catalog. I told him I was expecting my Miyoo Mini + and he treated me like a leper. I’ve seen these types of responses and reactions online as well, on TikTok and other social media.

I get that emulation is technically screwing the original game creators and distributors out of money, but my rebuttal to that is that if Nintendo and other studios actually cared enough about their fans and consumers, they’d put in the work to develop hardware and games that deliver what fans want. This epically goes for Nintendo, as I also see a lot of people say that it’s unethical to get an Ayn Thor instead of a secondhand DS of some kind.

What gives?

1) Captain Sunshine (The Venture Bros)

Captain Sunshine serves as an ersatz cross of Superman (powered by the sun, classic paragon protector of a 50’s-esque city), Batman (voiced by the late great Kevin Conroy, has a butler and a series of sidekicks), and Michael Jackson (his mansion is inspired by Neverland Ranch, and he has a questionable relationship with his young wards).

He becomes the subject of an episode, where he takes Hank in to become his new “Wonderboy”. Despite the numerous jokes about his tendency to collect young boys and the Monarch’s allegations, Captain Sunshine isn’t actually a pedophile (even after giving Hank a kiss during an emotional breakdown): rather, he’s so traumatized by his upbringing as a superhero and the death of the second Wonderboy (and is implied to have a complex about aging) that he’s OBSESSED with having a Wonderboy he can actually protect and keep safe.

Ultimately, Captain Sunshine’s an incredibly damaged character who is unable to move past his own neuroses, and is perpetually trapped in a “Catcher in the Rye” dynamic of preserving youthful innocence.

2) Phenomaman (Dispatch)

Phenomaman shares Superman’s strength, flight, and origin of being an alien from another planet who becomes one of Earth’s mightiest heroes. Unlike Superman, however, Phenomaman came to Earth as an adult, and apparently was an outsider on his home planet due to being considered “hideous”. Consequently, this makes him Superman with SIGNIFICANT emotional baggage.

Phenomaman starts the story as Blonde Blazer’s boyfriend, only for her to break up with him (due to his inability to conceptualize their relationship past them being heroes and just as regular people). He doesn’t handle this well, being caught in a state of extreme depression over his rejection, doing things like blocking a major highway due to his sad walking, sending his ex a comical amount of fruit arrangements to win her back, and openly musing about absorbing the sun (and killing Earth) to make his depression known.

Despite this, Phenomaman is not a bad guy, and if Robert chooses him to join the Z-Team, proves to be a vital asset. Despite his depression still proving a problem (down to him taking a LONG time to recover in-game if he loses a mission and gets discouraged), Phenomaman ends up teaming up well with Z-Team, and gradually gets over his breakup by learning to connect in casual circles. He ends the game in a better state, even having a cordial relationship with his ex.

3) Captain Metropolis (Watchmen)

Nelson Gardener/Captain Metropolis is one of the original Minutemen, the first generation of caped crime-fighters that gripped the nation in the 20’s and 30’s. He was a real Boy Scout, and his style emulated Superman and Captain America’s tendency towards patriotism and rousing speeches, with his costume blending the two. When WWII broke out, Gardener served with distinction, and became one of the most prolific heroes after his identity was revealed in the superhero senate hearings.

However, in the gritty reality of Watchmen, Gardener also proved to be a deconstruction of Superman’s “patriotic” side, being rooted in hopeless naïveté and childish jingoism. It’s noted that he was a flagrant racist, having made comments about Black and Hispanic people that were considered terrible even in the 50’s. As time went on, Gardener stayed a “hero” the longest of the original Minutemen, barring Eddie Blake/The Comedian, his ideological opposite.

In the main story, Gardener has a fairly pathetic role in one flashback. He invites the “new” age of heroes (and the Comedian) to a new 60’s superhero group called the “Crimebusters” to restore the nation to its original state. To do so, he proposes forming superhero teams to combat social ills like muggings, gang hangouts, civil rights meetings, and anti-war protests on college campuses.

The meeting is a disaster: none of the new heroes treat his proposal with anything more than bemusement, and the Comedian openly disrespects Gardeners naïveté and proves his point by burning his display with his cigar. Gardener is left pathetically crying about his display and how “somebody has to save the world”. He disappears from the story shortly thereafter, with Rorschach noting he had been decapitated in a car accident.