ButterBoi69: Comp Sci student who takes Econ? Brave.
GuildMaster42: pain builds character. or student debt. jury’s out.
Then, a minute later.
GuildMaster42: So let me get this straight. You played for SIX HOURS. Said it was “one of the best games you’ve ever played.” Then gave me 2/5 because the ending made you sad?
Oh. She’s pissed.
ButterBoi69: I thought you were waiting until after Econ.
GuildMaster42: I couldn’t resist peeking.
ButterBoi69: I gave you 2/5 because the ending felt unearned, not because it made me sad.
GuildMaster42: You literally said the gameplay was “addictive” and you “wanted to be friends with every character”
GuildMaster42: But sure, 3 stars. Same as I’d get for a buggy mess that barely runs.
ButterBoi69: A buggy mess wouldn’t have disappointed me like yours did
GuildMaster42: ...
GuildMaster42: Okay that’s actually fair. But I still don’t agree with your rating.
Then Professor Wycliff dims the lights and launches into two-phase commit protocols.
I force myself to close Discord. Priorities. But I can’t focus. They’re right to be upset. I did love 99% of their game.
Wycliff drones on about distributed locks. My gaze drifts to the clock: 51 minutes of this.
Fuck it. I reopen Discord.
ButterBoi69: Look, you want honest feedback? Your game is brilliant. BRILLIANT. Which is why the ending pissed me off so much.
GuildMaster42: Because you wanted a happy ending?
ButterBoi69: Because you made me care. Really care. Then ripped it away for shock value.
GuildMaster42: It wasn’t for shock value
ButterBoi69: Then what was it for?
GuildMaster42: ...processing some stuff. Maybe got too personal.
Oh. Well, now I feel like an asshole.
ButterBoi69: I didn’t mean?—
GuildMaster42: No, you’re right. Can’t expect players to read my mind. Been reworking based on your notes.
ButterBoi69: Really?
GuildMaster42: “Shock ≠ satisfaction” has been haunting me all morning. You’re not wrong.
Someone in the front row asks about Byzantine fault tolerance. I should be taking notes.
GuildMaster42: Question tho—what’s a game ending that does both well? Shock AND satisfaction?
