eastern, comedy, parody, western, ESMA, character design, Standing Bull, mercenary Glitch, student productions ## Introduction In a world where traditional westerns meet absurdity, the students of the École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques (ESMA) present their latest venture: *Eastern*. This quirky piece of theatre breathes new life into the classic western genre, offering a fresh take filled with unexpected twists and character-driven humor. Unlike the usual gunfights and revenge plots, *Ea...

Il est grand temps de parler de l'absurdité qui entoure le jeu "Fantasy Life i: La Voleuse de temps" et son nouveau mode roguelike en monde ouvert qui arrive bientôt. Franchement, qui a eu cette idée farfelue et pourquoi est-ce que l'industrie du jeu vidéo semble constamment se complaire dans l'ineptie ? Level-5, en lançant ce type de contenu, semble ignorer complètement les attentes des joueurs et les véritables enjeux de l'innovation dans les jeux modernes. D'abord, parlons du concept même de "roguelike". Cette tendance à recycler des mécaniques de jeu qui, avouons-le, sont devenues obsolètes, montre à quel point le manque d'originalité gangrène le secteur. Pourquoi devrions-nous être excités par un mode roguelike en monde ouvert ? Cela ne fait que souligner le fait que les développeurs, au lieu de créer quelque chose de véritablement novateur, choisissent le chemin le plus facile : copier-coller des idées déjà vues mille fois. Les joueurs ne veulent plus d'une expérience qui se contente de nous faire revivre les mêmes choses encore et encore. Ils veulent de l'innovation, de la créativité, et surtout, du respect pour leur temps et leur investissement. Ensuite, il est primordial de se demander si Level-5 comprend réellement ce qu'est un "mode roguelike". Pour ceux qui ne le savent pas, ce genre de jeu se caractérise par des niveaux générés de manière procédurale et une mort permanente, des éléments qui peuvent être intéressants dans un contexte précis, mais qui ne semblent pas du tout adaptés à l'univers de "Fantasy Life". À quoi bon introduire ces mécaniques si cela signifie sacrifier l'essence du jeu ? Cela ressemble plus à un coup marketing désespéré qu'à un véritable effort pour améliorer l'expérience utilisateur. Et que dire de la promesse d’un monde ouvert ? Cela semble être un ajout superficiel pour masquer le fait que le jeu lui-même pourrait souffrir de lacunes majeures. Un monde ouvert ne peut pas être simplement une vaste étendue vide ; il doit être riche en contenu, en histoires et en interactions. Si Level-5 ne met pas les efforts nécessaires pour créer un environnement engageant, ce sera juste une vaste déception, et une autre preuve que l'industrie du jeu vidéo n'écoute pas ses consommateurs. Il est urgent que les développeurs commencent à prendre leurs responsabilités. Les joueurs méritent mieux que des mises à jour bâclées et des ajouts qui semblent tirés par les cheveux. Au lieu de se concentrer sur des gimmicks comme un mode roguelike en monde ouvert, ils devraient retourner à la planche à dessin et réfléchir à ce qui rend réellement un jeu captivant. La créativité et l'innovation doivent primer sur le profit rapide, sinon nous risquons de voir l'industrie du jeu vidéo s'effondrer sous le poids de ses propres faiblesses. #FantasyLife #Level5 #JeuxVidéo #Roguelike #InnovationDansLesJeux

So, it seems like the latest buzz in the gaming world revolves around the profound existential question: "Should you attack Benisseur in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?" I mean, what a dilemma! It’s almost as if we’re facing a moral crossroads right out of a Shakespearean tragedy, except instead of contemplating the nature of humanity, we’re here to decide whether to smack a digital character who’s probably just trying to hand us some quests in the Red Woods. Let’s break this down, shall we? First off, we have the friendly Nevrons, who seem to be the overly enthusiastic NPCs of this universe. You know, the kind who can't help but give you quests even when you clearly have no time for their shenanigans because you’re too busy contemplating the deeper meanings of life—or, you know, trying not to get killed by the next ferocious creature lurking in the shadows. And what do they come up with? "Hey, why not take on Benisseur?" Oh sure, because nothing says “friendly encounter” like a potential ambush. Now, for those of you considering this grand expedition, let’s just think about the implications here. Attacking Benisseur? Really? Are we not tired of these ridiculous scenarios where we have to make a choice that could lead to our doom or, even worse, a 10-minute loading screen? I mean, if I wanted to sit around contemplating my choices, I would just rewatch my life decisions from 2010. And let’s not forget the Red Woods—because every good quest needs a forest filled with eerie shadows and questionable sound effects, right? It’s almost like the developers thought, “Hmm, let’s create an environment that screams ‘danger!’ while simultaneously making our players feel like they’re in a nature documentary.” Who doesn’t want to feel like they’re being hunted while trying to figure out if attacking Benisseur is worth it? On a serious note, if you do decide to go for it, just know that the friendly Nevrons might not be so friendly after all. After all, what’s a little betrayal between friends? And if you find yourself on the receiving end of a quest that leads you into an existential crisis, just remember: it’s all just a game. Or is it? So here’s to you, brave adventurers! May your decisions in Clair Obscur be as enlightening as they are absurd. And as for Benisseur, well, let’s just say that if he turns out to be a misunderstood soul with a penchant for quests, you might want to reconsider your life choices after the virtual dust has settled. #ClairObscur #Expedition33 #GamingHumor #Benisseur #RedWoods

Who knew basketball needed an interactive LED floor? Seriously? This absurd obsession with flashy technology is spiraling out of control! ASB GlassFloor has introduced a glass playing surface that can show animations, track athletes' performance, and repaint court lines with just a tap. What’s next? Will they turn the basketball into a glowing orb that gives motivational quotes mid-game? Let’s get something straight: basketball is a sport that thrives on simplicity, skill, and raw talent. The essence of the game lies in the players’ abilities, the sound of the ball bouncing on sturdy hardwood, and the thrill of a well-executed play. But no, that’s not enough for the tech-obsessed minds out there. Now we have to deal with an interactive floor that distracts from the game itself! Why in the world do we need animations on the court? Are we really that incapable of enjoying a game without constant visual stimulation? It’s as if the creators of this so-called "innovation" believe that fans are too dull to appreciate the nuances of basketball unless they're entertained by flashing lights and animations. This is a disgrace to the sport! And don’t even get me started on tracking athletes' performance in real-time on the court. As if we didn’t already have enough statistics thrown at us during a game! Do we really need to see a player’s heart rate and jump height displayed on the floor while they’re trying to focus on the game? This is a violation of the fundamental spirit of competition. Basketball has always been about the players – their skill, their strategy, and their drive to win, not about turning them into mere data points on a screen. Moreover, the idea of repainting court lines with a tap is just plain ridiculous. What’s wrong with the traditional method? A few lines on the court have worked just fine for decades! Now we have to complicate things with a tech gadget that could malfunction at any moment? Imagine the chaos when the interactive floor decides to show a different court design mid-game. The players will be left scrambling, the referees will be confused, and the fans will be left shaking their heads at the absurdity of it all. And let’s be real – this gimmick is nothing but a marketing ploy. It’s an attempt to lure in a younger audience at the expense of the sport’s integrity. Yes, pros in Europe are already playing on it, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea! Just because something is trendy doesn’t make it right. Basketball needs to stay grounded – this interactive LED floor is a step in the wrong direction, and it’s time we call it out! Stop letting technology dictate how we enjoy sports. Let’s cherish the game for what it is – a beautiful display of athleticism, competition, and teamwork. Leave the gimmicks for the video games, and let basketball remain the timeless game we know and love! #Basketball #TechGoneWrong #InteractiveFloor #SportsIntegrity #InnovateOrDie

Amazon Prime Day – encore une fois, cette farce déguisée en « journée de bonnes affaires » va se dérouler sous nos yeux ! Oui, les dates viennent de tomber, et comme toujours, il est temps de s'interroger sur l'absurdité de cette opération commerciale. Pourquoi devrions-nous nous soucier de ces soi-disant « offres » qui ne font qu'enrichir un géant déjà trop puissant ? Tout d'abord, parlons de la manipulation psychologique que représente Amazon Prime Day. Chaque année, les consommateurs sont poussés à croire qu'ils vont réaliser des économies incroyables. Mais la vérité, c'est que beaucoup de ces "offres" sont simplement des prix gonflés qui, à la fin, ne nous font pas économiser un centime. C'est un cirque où nous sommes les clowns, applaudissant à des rabais qui ne sont rien d'autre qu'une illusion créée pour nous faire sortir notre carte de crédit. De plus, cette pratique ne fait que renforcer le pouvoir de monopole d'Amazon sur le marché. Chaque clic que nous faisons sur leur site, chaque article que nous achetons, alimente une machine qui écrase les petites entreprises et les commerces locaux. Nous faisons des folies sur des produits qui, au fond, ne sont pas nécessaires. Pendant ce temps, les magasins de quartier ferment leurs portes, victimes d'une concurrence déloyale. Qui se soucie des conséquences sociales et économiques de nos dépenses impulsives lors de ces journées de soldes ? Personne, visiblement ! Et parlons aussi de l'impact environnemental de ces achats en masse. Chaque produit commandé en ligne nécessite des ressources – de l'énergie pour le transport à la fabrication des emballages. Amazon, avec ses livraisons express, contribue à une augmentation considérable des émissions de carbone. Mais peu importe, tant que nous pouvons remplir notre panier avec des gadgets inutiles et des vêtements à bas prix, n'est-ce pas ? En fin de compte, il est temps que nous ouvrions les yeux sur cette mascarade. Amazon Prime Day n'est pas une célébration de l'économie, c'est une exploitation délibérée de notre cupidité. Au lieu de nous réjouir de ces « offres », nous devrions nous demander qui en profite vraiment. La réponse est simple : un petit groupe de milliardaires qui se moquent éperdument de nous. Alors, la prochaine fois que vous vous préparez pour cette semaine de « bonnes affaires », pensez à ce que vous soutenez. Il est grand temps de changer notre façon de consommer et de privilégier des choix éthiques et responsables. Refusons d'être des marionnettes dans le jeu d'Amazon ! #AmazonPrimeDay #ConsommationResponsable #Monopole #ImpactEnvironnemental #ÉconomieÉthique

Zuzana Licko, a name that should be celebrated as a pioneer of digital typography, is instead a glaring reminder of how the past can be romanticized to the point of absurdity. Yes, she designed some of the first digital typefaces for Macintosh in the '80s and co-founded Emigre, but let’s not pretend that her contributions were flawless or that they didn’t come with a slew of problems that we still grapple with today. First off, we need to address the elephant in the room: the overwhelming elitism in the world of typography that Licko and her contemporaries helped propagate. While they were crafting their innovative typefaces, they were simultaneously alienating a whole generation of designers who lacked access to the tech and knowledge required to engage with this new digital frontier. The so-called "pioneers" of digital typography, including Licko, set a precedent that continues to dominate the industry—making it seem like you need to have an elite background to even participate in typography discussions. This is infuriating and downright unacceptable! Moreover, let’s not gloss over the fact that while she was busy creating typefaces that were supposed to revolutionize our digital experiences, the actual usability of these fonts often left much to be desired. Many of Licko's creations, while visually striking, ultimately sacrificed legibility for the sake of artistic expression. This is a major flaw in her work that deserves criticism. Typography is not just about looking pretty; it’s about ensuring that communication is clear and effective! How many times have we seen products fail because the font was so pretentious that no one could read it? And don’t even get me started on Emigre magazine. Sure, it showcased some brilliant work, but it also became a breeding ground for snobbery and elitism in the design community. Instead of fostering a space for all voices, it often felt like a closed club for the privileged few. This is not what design should be about! We need to embrace diversity and inclusivity, rather than gatekeeping knowledge and opportunity. In an era where technology has advanced exponentially, we still see remnants of this elitist mindset in the design world. The influence of Licko and her contemporaries has led to a culture that often sidelines emerging talents who bring different perspectives to the table. Instead of uplifting new voices, we are still trapped in a loop of revering the same old figures and narratives. This is not progress; it’s stagnation! Let’s stop romanticizing pioneers like Zuzana Licko without acknowledging the problematic aspects of their legacies. We need to have critical conversations about how their work has shaped the industry, not just celebrate them blindly. If we truly want to honor their contributions, we must also confront the issues they created and work towards a more inclusive, accessible, and practical approach to digital typography. #Typography #DesignCritique #ZuzanaLicko #DigitalArt #InclusivityInDesign

Well, folks, it’s finally happened: Microsoft has teamed up with Asus to bless us with the “ROG Xbox Ally range” — yes, that’s right, the first Xbox handhelds have arrived! Because clearly, we were all just waiting for the day when we could play Halo on a device that fits in our pockets. Who needs a console at home when you can have a mini Xbox that can barely fit alongside your keys and loose change? Let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer brilliance of this innovation. After years of gaming on a screen that’s bigger than your average coffee table, now you can squint at a miniature version of the Xbox screen while sitting on the bus. Who needs comfort and relaxation when you can sacrifice your eyesight for the sake of portability? Forget about the stress of lugging around your gaming setup; now you can just carry a glorified remote control! And how about that collaboration with Asus? Because when I think of epic gaming experiences, I definitely think of a partnership that sounds like it was cooked up in a boardroom over a cold cup of coffee. “What if we took the weight of a console and squeezed it into a device that feels like a brick?” Genius! The name “ROG Xbox Ally” even sounds like it was generated by an AI trying too hard to sound cool. “ROG” is obviously for “Really Over-the-Top Gaming,” and “Ally” is just the polite way of saying, “We’re in this mess together.” Let’s not overlook the fact that the last thing we needed in our lives was another device to charge. Who doesn’t love the thrill of realizing you forgot to plug in your handheld Xbox after a long day at work? Nothing screams “gaming freedom” quite like being tethered to a wall outlet while your friends are enjoying epic multiplayer sessions. Who wouldn’t want to take their gaming experience to the next level of inconvenience? Speaking of multiplayer, you can bet that those intense gaming sessions will be even more fun when you’re all huddled together, squinting at these tiny screens, trying to figure out how to communicate when half your friends can’t even see the action happening. It’s a whole new level of bonding, folks! “Did I just shoot you, or was that the guy on my left? Let’s argue about it while we all strain our necks to see the screen.” In conclusion, as we welcome the ROG Xbox Ally range into our lives, let’s take a moment to appreciate the madness of this handheld revolution. If you’ve ever dreamed of playing your favorite Xbox games on a device that feels like a high-tech paperweight, then congratulations! The future is here, and it’s as absurd as it sounds. Remember, gaming isn’t just about playing; it’s about how creatively we can inconvenience ourselves while doing so. #ROGXboxAlly #XboxHandheld #GamingInnovation #PortableGaming #TechHumor