Chinese Man Sues Gaming Firm For Depression After Getting 4,800 Virtual Slaps
https://archive.ph/20250411005356/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/chinese-man-sues-gaming-firm-for-depression-after-getting-4-800-virtual-slaps-8107018
>A long-time Chinese player of an online video game has dragged its developer to court, alleging he slipped into depression after being virtually slapped 4,800 times by in-game goods.
>Thousands of "slaps" in 'Three Kingdoms Kill Online' reportedly humiliated the man, who goes by the name Qiaoben and has been a fan for 15 years, reported the South China Morning Post.
>Mr Qiaoben claimed that during one game, he found his opponents would toss things such as eggs and straw sandals at his avatar, adding he'd get a virtual smack lasting longer than 90 seconds.
>He said he was hit with these items over 4,800 times in the last six months. Mr Qiaoben mentioned the encounter was humiliating because every player in the game could see these attacks.
>"Every time I am hit with eggs, I feel my self-esteem is harmed and I get depressed," Mr Qiaoben added.
>Players can either purchase the eggs and straw sandals for a nominal fee or get them for free during in-game activities.
>He claimed that the gaming company "allows" and "tolerates" gamers to throw these insulting objects at one another while making money off of the sales.
>Mr Qiaoben allegedly complained to customer support several times, but his concerns went unanswered. With no other choice, he chose to sue the business and demand damages.
>A spokesperson for the game developer earlier said these interactive elements have always been included in the game but intended to implement restrictions to control how they are used.
>The company also guaranteed to assist with Mr Qiaoben's lawsuit's legal proceedings, which has generated significant online conversation within the gaming world.
>Many players admitted to using these products as a means of vengeance after losing a match. Some even discussed ways to "save face" following a loss by throwing eggs repeatedly.
>Three Kingdoms Kill Online, created by a Hangzhou-based business and launched in 2009, takes place during the famous Three Kingdoms era in China (220-265). Matches run 10 to 30 minutes and feature four to eight players competing against each other.
Sweet Baby Inc Game South of Midnight Flops Hard—Another SBI Project Crashes on Launch
https://archive.ph/20250408210233/https://thatparkplace.com/sweet-baby-incs-south-of-midnight-flops/
Sony Temporarily Shields PS5 from Trump Tariffs
https://archive.ph/20250409150830/https://thatparkplace.com/sony-temporarily-shields-ps5-from-trump-tariffs/
>Sony may have just pulled off a temporary masterstroke in shielding the PlayStation 5 from the financial shockwaves of U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly implemented tariffs on imported goods meant to close trade deficits with other countries and boost domestic production—but that strategy has a looming expiration date.
Nintendo Boss Responds to $80 Mario Kart Price Tag with “Variable Pricing” Philosophy
https://archive.ph/20250408210106/https://thatparkplace.com/nintendo-variable-pricing/
>Last week’s reveal of Mario Kart World as an $80 digital title for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 sparked heated discussion across the gaming community. Coming in at $10 more than the already-increased $70 pricing standard, many fans expressed sticker shock at Nintendo—especially when paired with the Switch 2’s $449.99 retail price.
>Now, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser (yes, that’s really his name, get it out of your system…) has weighed in, offering insight into the company’s evolving pricing strategy during an interview with The Washington Post.
>According to Bowser, Nintendo isn’t establishing a new universal baseline, but instead embracing what he called “variable pricing.”
>“We’ll look at each game, really look at the development that’s gone into the game, the breadth and depth of the gameplay, the durability over time and the repeatability of gameplay experiences,” Bowser said. “Those are all factors… So I think you can anticipate that there will be variable pricing, and we haven’t set a benchmark.”
>In other words, not every Nintendo game will cost $80—but some will. And Mario Kart World, the follow-up to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which sold over 67 million copies, is considered by the company one of Nintendo’s flagship offerings deserving of the premium tier.
>Not Every Game Will Hit $80
>Bowser pointed to the newly revealed Donkey Kong Bonanza as a prime example of Nintendo’s tiered approach. That game will launch at $69.99, aligning with what’s become the standard price point for top-tier titles on PlayStation and Xbox.
>Nintendo has experimented with pricing differences before. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was the company’s first $70 game, while its predecessor Breath of the Wild remained $60. Remakes like Link’s Awakening stayed at $60, despite major overhauls.
>“It’s more about what we think is right for our content, what is the right value for the consumers as they come into our platform,” Bowser added.
>A Brief History of Variable Pricing in Video Games
>While some consumers may see this new Nintendo pricing model as a break from tradition, the truth is—this is actually a return to how things used to be.
>1980s–1990s (NES, SNES, Genesis era):
>Game prices varied wildly. You might pay $39.99 for one title and $79.99 or more for another. Pricing was based on factors like:
>Cartridge size (More memory = more expensive manufacturing)
>Special chips (like the Super FX chip in Star Fox)
>Popularity of the IP (Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger launched at premium prices)
>Retailers and publishers had far more flexibility back then, and gamers generally accepted the differences.
>Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild
>The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017), Nintendo
>2000s–Early 2010s (PS2, Xbox 360, Wii era):
>The industry shifted toward standardized pricing to streamline marketing and sales. Most major console releases were priced at $49.99, and eventually $59.99 when the HD era started.
>This move was driven by retail simplicity, consumer expectations, and a broader casual audience familiar with uniform pricing for movies and music.
>Modern Era (PS4, PS5, Switch, etc.):
>In the modern era, uniformity became the default—$59.99 was considered standard. Only recently have publishers returned to variable pricing.
>As we mentioned before, Tears of the Kingdom came out at $69.99. PlayStation first-party games (e.g., Demon’s Souls, Spider-Man 2) were also priced at $69.99. However, indie titles and AA releases are often priced between $30–$50.
>Spider-Man 2 Peter and Miles
>Miles Morales and Spider-Man in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (2023), Insomniac Games
>Now, Mario Kart World at $79.99 signals that Nintendo is comfortable charging more when it believes the content justifies it.
>So while the price may feel high compared to recent years, this isn’t unprecedented—it’s a reversion to an older, more flexible model that prioritizes development scope and content value over uniformity.
>Supporting a Diverse Ecosystem
>Bowser also confirmed Nintendo’s commitment to the original Switch ecosystem, which now boasts over 150 million units sold. There are no current plans to lower prices for the original models (Switch at $299, OLED at $349, Lite at $199), but Nintendo is watching consumer behavior closely.
>Mario Kart World Rail Grind
>A screenshot from the trailer to Mario Kart World – YouTube, Nintendo of America
>“Not all of them may be ready to jump to Switch 2,” Bowser noted. “Hopefully with time and with the right games, it’ll be compelling for them to want to come on.”
>Launch Still on Track Despite Preorder Delay
>Bowser’s interview took place just before Nintendo delayed Switch 2 preorders, which had been set to begin April 9. The decision was made to assess the impact of new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, which are prompting many companies to revisit supply chain and pricing logistics.
>The Nintendo Switch 2
>The fully revealed Nintendo Switch 2 console – YouTube, Nintendo of America
>Nintendo reiterated that the Switch 2 will still launch on June 5, and preorder timing will be updated “at a later date.”
>The Bottom Line
>While the $80 price point for Mario Kart World may raise eyebrows, Bowser’s explanation offers valuable perspective. Nintendo isn’t shifting to a flat $80 model—it’s adopting a tiered, value-based strategy that reflects development effort, content scale, and replay value.
>Mario Kart
>A screenshot from the trailer to Mario Kart World – YouTube, Nintendo of America
>And for those who remember the days of $70–$80 SNES carts? This isn’t a price hike. It’s, for better or worse, a full-circle moment in gaming history.