The Namco(which I wrongly attribute to Konami) thing "is" very specific. Remember during that time there are not a lot multi core processors. It requires clever scheduling to allow running both the mini-game AND checking loading status to seamlessly transition into game. It's really not just a simple "concept" but ingenuity to arrange your loading I/O wait time into running their past game at the same time. That's in PS1 era where loading wait time because of CD-ROM and later DVD was very significant.

it's like the first person invent a way to make the pop cap for your travel coffee mug. Like, anyone could have come up with that idea, right? compare to screw cap we used to have. We do have plenty of examples where the patent aren't really popular until after it is expired or irrelevant.

Like, yeah, in a heatlhy competition env, it is way better for consumer in the beginning. But because of how capital works, eventually without patent it all goes to the bigger corps.

for practical physical good, some times a patent just means I did this first doesn't mean it's hard to do or replicate. ie. like the umbrella wedge/spring to make it open automatically. That's the part of ingenuity. And why I think the mini game during loading screen worth the patent.

I don't like algorithm patent because ultimately, it was there, if original sha hash wasn't developed, someone would come up with a different method that doing roughly the same. It's the math and other prior foundation in computer hasing/data processing provides the idea and how you can process and get the hash fast. so your newer arrangement of faster version(like different sorting algorithm) would not be possible without those other research.

ie. for my own example, my thesis involves doing polygon culling strategy, my base algorithm is totally base on math prediction as to what's the optimum I can achieve minimum culling checks. BUT, that algorithm is actually slower than when you implement the checks base on how GPU is doing the render plus cache efficiency. If I did not know or not aware how computer works from prior study, I can't figure out why my "optimum" algorithm is actually slower than sub-optimum checking strategy.

Say, what if SHA or whatever algorithms is implemented, and is actually very impactful to other application, which can be proven that anyone can naturally come to this conclusion by doing their own research, simply grant that patent impedes future development. Another computer graphic patent is the Joe Alter hair distribution, it has nothing to do with ingenuity and just because his dad is a good patent lawyer, it blocks any healthy competition from selling CG hair grooming product in US. If you check the patent itself, that was like trying to patent a math distribution over surface.

You should not patent algorithms as it's a "discovery" not an invention.

There are 2 main category in software patents that mimics real life production, that I think is fairly acceptable.

• ingenuity: komani patent that mini game during loading screen
• unique concept: the nemesis system

The throwing ball to capture creature I think is more copyright than patent.

cause commercial rental is a commitment, if you can't find another company to take over your lease, chances are you have to pay the majority of left over amount + penalty + restoration. Licensor commitments are similar but probably on tech/software licensing, ie. server rentals, Maya/Speedtree licensing agreement for the site, whatever cloud service they use for backup and share stuff, etc. Those at bigger scale aren't paid year to year like your regular indie studio just subscribe to Adobe/Autodesk for app uses per seat.

it's viral game what do you expect?

Suddenly not interested in the article itself when it detect my ad-blocker.

Mark my word, once Gabe pass it's gonna be very very different. We have very different things to worried about, like climate change, but on software side and tech we shouldn't rely on monopolies. Valve was kept in that state because all the competition didn't actually put up a fight worth extra investment. The windows store pushed valve to develop SteamOS and Proton, they also back off on some revenue split policy because of EGS's deals. (Let's be honest, not all players care about which launcher they use, as long as they get better deals and can play the game they want.)

And to my experience, Steam's recent years' updates to store/client are not something I like as well.

• I don't like the gamification of sales event etc.
• I don't like the new unlimited scroll type, they backed off a bit and become like 3 pages long until you hit the top/popular/sales part.
• I also don't like some of the UI changes(ie the downloads/library mixed together and not separate item)
• I hated the auto start live streaming thing, if there is option to turn off that please let me know.

For EGS,

• their search sucks
• library page sucks, you can't really organize your free games/purchased games etc.
• auto updates are pretty on par so that's okay.
• their friends/etc also sucks.(not that I care much but at least it's far worse than steam one.)
• I like that they adopted Nintendo's gold coin reward type to encourage consumer to purchase there.
• games from other big publisher usually do require install their clients as well, which sucks. (it's similar on steam as well.)

It's because Nintendo still haven't implement server client networking and host their own dedicated servers. It's why people paid Nintendo Online to play multiplayer Nintendo games are getting scammed.(even Capcom or EA/Epic did batter job on switch then Nintendo.)

That's why you get no real online plays, blame Nintendo's internal policy, not networking complexity.

Look at the steps we have to go through? Firefox container tabs just for google products, have to switch to DDG as default after every update, have to keep the browser extensions updated, have to use vpn, tried to not use google open auth when register on 3rd party sites, have to clean the cookies regularly, have to click through those cookie settings visiting a site. Oh, and have to go around the amp link when trying to share a searched image/page result.

so similar to say, a redditor trying to sound smart by googling and debating another while both has no qualification on that topic, got it.

The common stance against DRM is not the "entitled" part, but to be able to keep playing it even if the companies involved are gone. For games with Denuvo or other DRM there are things like these to consider:

• the Denuvo company's server shuts off(whatever reason, blackout, maintenance,etc), your DRM now can't verify if you have legit copy or not.
• the game company shuts off, no one left to patch out DRM, your game is in limbo. (cause they have to pay Denuvo to keep the licensing/verification. )
• your internet went off.(this part depends on game and how often they need to refresh the "valid" token)

With games that have no DRM you have none of the above concerns.