Everything's Broken

Everything's Broken substack, curated by Scott Jennings, delves into a wide array of subjects like political dynamics, digital culture, gaming innovations, and contemporary challenges in social media. It frequently critiques public figures and platforms, dissects conflicts, and explores the intricate balance between technology, politics, and entertainment.

Politics Gaming Technology & Social Media Conflict and War Entertainment Critique Leadership and Governance Cultural and Political Analysis

The hottest Substack posts of Everything's Broken

And their main takeaways

On Demands

0 implied HN points • 28 Feb 15
  1. Mark Kern faced limitations in speaking out despite attempts to help.
  2. Mark Kern shifted focus to world peace, highlighting the challenge of making a clear message.
  3. Ethical game journalism includes giving game developers a platform to write positively about their work.

An Apology

0 implied HN points • 27 Feb 15
  1. The author is a gamer who loves specific games.
  2. The author shares a wild game scenario where Jerusalem converts to Judaism and takes over the US.
  3. The message is about gaming and following your dreams.

Quick Comments

0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 15
  1. The author has been blogging for a while and jokes about being lazy to fix archives.
  2. The author mentions he's busy with a day job and could turn off comments during a major patch.
  3. The author emphasizes not being obligated to host abusive comments and jokes about being old and kicking people off his 'yard.'

I Demand You Listen To Me

0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 15
  1. The author criticizes Gamergate for its toxic and hypocritical behavior in online discussions.
  2. The author discusses Mark Kern's reaction to a Gamergate-themed episode of Law and Order: SVU and his demand for a right of response from gaming media.
  3. The author emphasizes the freedom of speech and the media's role in deciding whether to publish rebuttals, contrasting it with Mark Kern's expectations.

Threat Condition VASHJ: No, Seriously, Guys

0 implied HN points • 09 Dec 13
  1. Spies were monitoring activities in online games for intelligence purposes.
  2. Virtual worlds like Second Life were being used by government agencies to observe and analyze non-American behaviors.
  3. Online games were considered platforms for recruitment and communication by terrorist organizations.
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This Is Not A Love Song

0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 12
  1. Blogging has changed journalism, with a shift towards opinion writing and ranting.
  2. Journalism schools now include blogging in their coursework.
  3. There is a blurred line between journalism and opinion writing in the game industry.

Democratic Party SUPPORTS Terrorist Attacks On Theramore! Vote GOP!

0 implied HN points • 04 Oct 12
  1. The Democratic Party was accused of supporting terrorist attacks on Theramore by the GOP.
  2. Colleen Lachowicz, a Democratic Senate Candidate, faced criticism for her online gaming activities.
  3. Maine GOP questioned Lachowicz's maturity and suitability for office based on her gaming habits and online persona.

I Am Not Making Any Of This Up And Really Kind Of Wish I Were

0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 12
  1. Online video game players united to commemorate someone's death
  2. The attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi became a political issue during the US Presidential campaign
  3. Glenn Beck suggested that Goonswarm is connected to the CIA

Sadly, Not A Gimmick To Reboot A Beloved Comic Series

0 implied HN points • 01 Sep 12
  1. A beloved comic series is not getting a gimmicky reboot.
  2. Paragon Studios and City of Heroes are closing due to publishing restructuring.
  3. The closure has led to talented MMO developers being on the job market.

More on Funcom's Secret World Woes And Why It's All Your Fault

0 implied HN points • 16 Aug 12
  1. Funcom's Secret World faced challenges due to its unique and complex nature in a market that often values familiarity and ease of content.
  2. Players often claim to want innovation but tend to stick with what they know due to risk aversion.
  3. Games that aim to break the mold may face difficulties initially and need time to establish their business model.

The Secret World A Great Step Forward For MMOs, Funcom Somehow To Recover From This Failure

0 implied HN points • 10 Aug 12
  1. The Secret World was praised for its innovative gameplay and setting, but was criticized for launching with broken quests.
  2. Funcom faced disappointment with low Metacritic scores impacting initial sales and stock prices.
  3. Funcom announced upcoming layoffs following the game's launch, highlighting challenges in the gaming industry.

Change Your WoW Password

0 implied HN points • 09 Aug 12
  1. Blizzard's internal network was hacked, prompting them to advise players to change their passwords.
  2. No evidence of financial information being compromised, but passwords were taken.
  3. Players on North American servers were recommended to change their Battle.net passwords as a precaution.

Michael Pachter: SWTOR Will Have More Players Than World Of Warcraft

0 implied HN points • 06 Aug 12
  1. Michael Pachter predicts SWTOR will surpass World of Warcraft in number of players.
  2. SWTOR's free-to-play option and lower price are expected to attract more players.
  3. Pachter suggests SWTOR could reach 10-50 million Monthly Active Users.

SWTOR Going Free To Play

0 implied HN points • 31 Jul 12
  1. Subscription models for MMOs are shifting towards free-to-play.
  2. Offering free-to-play options is now a competitive necessity for MMOs.
  3. Transitioning to free-to-play can be a risky move financially for game developers.

At GDC, You Can Now Engage In Concentrated John Smedley Study

0 implied HN points • 26 Jul 12
  1. At GDC, you can now engage in concentrated John Smedley study.
  2. Interested in the John Smedley Track at GDC and its keynote speaker? Check it out!
  3. Learn more about the topics covered in the John Smedley Track at GDC.

The Dopamine Business Isn't What It Used To Be

0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 12
  1. The Dopamine Business has changed.
  2. Zynga experiences a significant stock market drop after an earnings call.
  3. Zynga plans to launch real money gambling online games.

Precious Comments By Game Industry Executives, #19 In A Series

0 implied HN points • 24 Jul 12
  1. Zynga's approach is not very subtle, according to an anonymous comment.
  2. Eric Schiermeyer, a Zynga co-founder, acknowledged his role in addicting users to dopamine through games.
  3. Schiermeyer compared creating addictive technology to fast-food companies not being responsible for obesity.

And Now, The Finger Pointing

0 implied HN points • 24 Jul 12
  1. The 38 Studios meltdown involved unrealistic expectations from key executives.
  2. Curt Schilling struggled to understand why his company failed, showing a lack of awareness.
  3. Industry experts criticized the game's development process and Schilling's approach to game-making.

Precious Comments By Game Industry Executives, #18 In A Series

0 implied HN points • 19 Jul 12
  1. Making games can be challenging, especially in a free-to-play model.
  2. Star Wars: The Old Republic faced difficulties with the subscription model in the free-to-play world.
  3. Industry executives like John Riccitiello highlighted the complexities of game development and business models.

The Week The Music Died

0 implied HN points • 25 May 12
  1. The MMO industry faced significant challenges and setbacks, like major layoffs and mismanagement.
  2. 38 Studios, founded by Curt Schilling, experienced a disastrous collapse due to financial mismanagement.
  3. The loyalty of 38 Studios employees to Schilling contrasts with his failure to be transparent and responsible towards them.

The Quarter To Three Refugee Camp

0 implied HN points • 04 Jan 12
  1. The Quarter to Three forum had drama and moderation issues.
  2. The forum owner had to step in and make significant changes.
  3. A new 'refugee camp' forum was created for recently banned users.

My Utterly Predictable Top Ten Games Of 2011 List

0 implied HN points • 29 Dec 11
  1. Catherine was a compelling game despite poor gameplay.
  2. Skyrim and Star Wars: The Old Republic were highly recommended games of 2011.
  3. Various games like Fallout: New Vegas and Hatoful Boyfriend offered unique experiences.

Tools Are Cool

0 implied HN points • 13 Dec 11
  1. The author prefers using a Macbook Pro as their primary work machine because of its reliability and efficiency.
  2. Key applications the author uses include Mail.app, Excel, Keynote, WriteRoom, Eclipse, Coda, Pixelmator, and Balsamiq Mockups.
  3. The author appreciates the simplicity and focus provided by WriteRoom for writing tasks.

Prognosticamation 2011

0 implied HN points • 28 Nov 11
  1. Predictions in the MMO industry can be challenging and often fail
  2. The MMO industry in 2011 saw major shifts with games going free-to-play or being canceled
  3. Subscription-based MMOs faced challenges and changes like going free-to-play

Everquest II Going Free To Play, Again, They Mean It This Time

0 implied HN points • 10 Nov 11
  1. Everquest II is transitioning to a free-to-play model
  2. The game will operate as a single game with a single membership structure
  3. Gold members in EverQuest II will get everything that current EQII subscribers do currently

Now That's A Veteran Reward

0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 11
  1. Buy a 12-month subscription to World of Warcraft, get Diablo 3 for free.
  2. World of Warcraft is getting a new expansion with Level 90 pandas.
  3. Veteran rewards in gaming can offer exciting perks and expansions.

Moneypet! Blizzard Adds Convertible Currency to World of Warcraft

0 implied HN points • 12 Oct 11
  1. Blizzard added a new vanity pet in World of Warcraft that can be freely transferred in-game.
  2. Eve Online has a similar system allowing players to buy game-time codes and sell them for in-game currency.
  3. The in-game value of Blizzard's moneypets may be uncertain compared to Eve's more tangible goods.

A Decade Of Camelot

0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 11
  1. The launch of Dark Age of Camelot faced unexpected challenges but still became a big success.
  2. The game quickly became a top-seller, exceeding expectations and leading to rapid growth for the company.
  3. Lessons were learned from the initial launch problems, emphasizing the complexity of MMOG launches.

Mark Jacobs Resurfaces, Pretty Fly For An Old White Guy

0 implied HN points • 30 Sep 11
  1. Mark Jacobs emphasizes diversity in hiring for his new game company.
  2. City State Entertainment is a brand-focused studio creating games for mobile, tablet, and social networking platforms.
  3. The studio, led by Mark Jacobs, has a collaborative and diverse work environment.

SOE's John Smedley: Subscription Model Dead

0 implied HN points • 20 Sep 11
  1. The subscription model for MMOs is becoming outdated.
  2. Free-to-play options are essential for MMOs to reach a wider market.
  3. Both players and developers benefit from the free-to-play model.

Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose

0 implied HN points • 06 Sep 11
  1. Players expressing frustration with game developers' decision-making
  2. Guild leaders threatening to take drastic actions to bring attention to game issues
  3. The cyclical nature of history in the gaming industry

Project Management And Industry Analysis Is Hard

0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 11
  1. Project management and industry analysis can be challenging.
  2. Continuous crunch in the video game industry may be seen as normal but has implications.
  3. The game industry presents unique challenges and criticisms.

What She Said

0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 11
  1. The blog post emphasizes the importance of not tolerating homophobia in gaming communities.
  2. The author pledges to create a safe space for young LGBT individuals in gaming communities.
  3. It highlights the significance of taking a stand against the use of homophobic slurs in online forums.