I'm replaying Arkham Asylum for the first time since close to when it first came out! It's old for sure but it doesn't take long to get used to it again.

However, I'm reminded of 2013 when young me saw a TV commercial for "Batman: Arkham Origins".

If you're a Batman fan and never saw this trailer before, I promise you that this is the epitome Batman video that captures the pain, resolve, and essence of Batman entirely within 53 seconds. This is a must-watch.

Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/InUj9BT8KCc

!

I purchased November 2024 Humble Bundle's "The Dark Pictures & Little Nightmares Horror Collection".

Turns out I already own "Little Nightmares".

This is game key activates on Steam and is up for grabs, first come first served.

Here is part of the code.

The rest of the code is a reply in the comments below.

First Part of code: DCH5G-XHXCD-

How to activate a product on Steam: https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/2A12-9D79-C3D7-F870

I'm quite angry at this. I've used Mullvad VPN without any obtrusive ads, with a clean interface that worked very well.

I stumbled upon a new Proton plan and decided I'd pay and sign up to give it a go to meet my growing needs. After turning on my computer, I'm greeted with a massive pop up advertisement that takes up ~30% of my screen. While scanning settings, I do not see an easy way to disable these promotional ads.

I feel like I've gone back in time and am using Norton software that I got with my HP Pavilion Windows XP pc.

I did a quick Internet search and see there's a Reddit post from a year ago where a user complained about the same thing, but no solution was provided. If I find anything I'll update this post. But right now I'm quite angry, and I'm venting because this is my first reaction to seeing this crap. I'm paying for a service and the last thing I want to see are pop up ads.

I'm going to have a serious think about whether or not I should cancel my subscription and instead just keep my Mullvad.

EDIT:

I finished checking Proton VPN's settings and there is no option to disable promotional ads. I'll contact Proton support and see what they advise. Will revert after I hear back from them and complete the Support interaction.

EDIT 2: I posted a reflective comment below, but I figure I'll update this post. I first made this post shortly after I woke up, and my reaction was anger. Now that it's been some time and I have had breakfast, my coffee, and been at work for a while, I realise I shouldn't have reacted that way. I'm more disappointed than angry. I get it if Proton wants to have a pop up that appears once around the Black Friday sales day, which is fine. But at least Steam lets me disable pop up promotions. Why can't Proton? If they won't add a toggle to disable those, then fine I get it - but I only want to appear once. Or at least embed a banner in the Proton app, or just have an "Offers" button. I pay for a service, I don't want pop ups as I personally feel they're hostile to the User experience. Why should that feature exist when Mullvad's UI is seamless, intuitive, and has no pop up ads? Anyway, I'm an adult and I reacted like I'm still a kid. Need to learn from this type of thing and be a better person - sorry, I'm having a reflective introspective moment here that no one should care about except me ha ha.

EDIT 3: Another user recommended I submit a feature request to improve Proton, which I have done so.

Here is where I posted and voted on my idea request:

"Add Settings toggle to disable pop up promotional ads from Proton (e.g., Black Friday promo)" - https://protonmail.uservoice.com/forums/932836-proton-vpn/suggestions/48959543-pop-up-notifications-in-the-proton-vpn-application#comments

And here is another idea request I found from someone else who posted something similar a few weeks ago on oct 14th, although their request is to just disable pop up ads entirely:

"Pop-up notifications in the Proton VPN application, specifically those promoting Proton Duo" - https://protonmail.uservoice.com/forums/932836-proton-vpn/suggestions/48959543-pop-up-notifications-in-the-proton-vpn-application#comments

I think the suggestion here is that if you're a Proton user and if this bothers you, it might be worth commenting and voting on my idea request to help with visibility to the Proton dev team.

I'll post a final update once I complete my support interaction with proton support.

FINAL EDIT:

I included a screenshot with all identifiable information redacted for both Proton and myself. I guess two Zendesk support tickets were created for this issue. While you can review the full details in the responses, the summary from Proton is simply as follows:

• We have the ability to opt out of promotional communications over email by logging into your Proton online account.
• Disabling promotional pop ups in Proton VPN (and perhaps other Proton apps - I only have VPN) is not a feature in the application
• You can submit and vote on feature requests in the UserVoice platform they setup.

Ultimately, the only way we can request this change is by voting for it on the UserVoice platform. If this issue is important to you, scroll up and click on those Uservoice.com links I provided and vote on those features. Also helps to add a comment on that page as well.

As for me, I think me feeling like my reaction to cancel is brash (as I previously shared my feelings to this issue in an earlier update yesterday. I'll certainly keep my subscription simply because I've only had it for a small time frame and I have not fully tried out the service. Unless Proton VPN blows me away with features that I can't get in any other VPN, I don't believe I'll renew. I will most likely let my subscription expire and then go back to Mullvad since they give a fantastic VPN app with things that are not hostile to the user experience. If Proton commits to adding the feature I'm looking for, I may consider renewing or possibly exploring their other services.

Thanks for everyone chiming in with their thoughts. Hope you learned something today (???)! And I'll leave you with one final thing - remember to be kind to each other. Sure I reacted over this issue with anger, but I was kind to the support people at Proton because it's certainly not their fault. And most importantly, I had a chance to reflect and realise my anger at the situation was immature and I hope that I tucked this away and learned from it. Remember to forgive yourself like I did. The world needs more kindness - be the change you want to see in the world. Alright, enough of this positivity crap. This is just a post about a VPN service, not a feel good moment. :)

!

Corn starch is good for keeping down the urges. Science says so. Recommend.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21065720

Hey Everyone!

You probably saw my post a few weeks back where I am giving away some Steam codes for a bunch of games: https://lemmy.world/post/18183898

I've been really tied up handling some personal things so I have not been able to start drawing codes on Sep 1st like I planned. However, everything's good on my side, so I'll start drawing winners now!

While all the details are in the original post linked above, here's the main bullet points people will care about:

• If you are a winner, I will @ mention you in the comments to the original post.
• I will also send you a Direct Message
• You will have 48 hours to claim.
• I also ask that you confirm back to me that you were successful, and it would be great if you post a comment saying you claimed it for transparency. (Optional of course, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do.)
• If the winner does not get back to me with a reasonable 48 hours, I will redraw.
• I will continue redrawing until game codes are exhausted and all codes have been claimed.

All winners will be notified on the original post, not this post.

Therefore, go here: https://lemmy.world/post/18183898

I will also edit the original post with updates so that everyone can keep track of the winners and codes.

For the upcoming winter holiday, I might check and see if any people out there want to collaborate on donating a bunch of keys and then we do a massive games giveaway. People have been messaging me periodically about something like this, and I think it'd be cool to organize. Might have to work it out with the Admins of Lemmy.World, but let's see.

Good luck to the winners, and again, very sorry that I wasn't able to start drawing the winners until slightly over a week later!

CatZoomies | c/PCMasterRace Moderator

Tropico 4 is being given away for free on GOG!

Offer ends in roughly 3 days from time of this post. Best to get it before August 29th.

Giveaway Link:

• https://www.gog.com/en/#giveaway

Game Details:

• https://www.gog.com/en/game/tropico_4

Hey all!

I'm a little busy with personal things, so I wanted to extend my games giveaway, and include some more games that a kind Lemming donated. No further donations accepted, sorry! 😅

Giveaway Extended until August 31, 2024 end of day local time.

I updated the original post and added the new games there!

Go to this post in order to enter:

• https://lemmy.world/post/18183898

Good luck, have fun!

CatZoomies | c/PCMasterRace Moderator

Sophia Smith of the United States celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Germany in the women's football semi-final match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Lyon Stadium.

The U.S. Women's National Team is off to the Gold Medal match!!

Paywall Bypass Link: https://archive.is/c8gUv

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18183898

Just a heads up, you have to comment on the original post. I won't be checking this cross post. Thanks!

> Hey PC Master Race community! And hi anyone else that stumbles upon this post and is not a member of the PCMR community! > > Summer is almost over, and it has been an interesting year for sure. I previously did a giveaway for last Winter Holiday 2023, and decided I should do another giveaway! Basically because we here in Lemmy are still alive and kicking, and I want to do something nice for a few lucky gamers. > > ## Games I'm giving away: > 1. Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion | Quantity 1 | Steam Product Page > 2. Final Fantasy I-VI Bundle (Pixel Remasters) | Qty 2 | Steam > 3. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade | Qty 2 | Steam > 4. Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition | Qty 2 | Steam > 5. NieR: Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition | Qty 1 | Steam > 6. Octopath Traveler | Qty 1 | Steam > 7. Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy | Qty 2 | Steam > 8. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft | Qty 1 | Steam > > While there are only eight games listed, I have a total of 12 games to give away! > > ## How to Enter: > - Comment on this post with the one game you are interested in. > - Optional: Post or create a meme that made you laugh and is Safe For Work. NSFW stuff will be deleted. > - Optional: Share something interesting, fun, and/or cool that happened to you this year. Or share a hobby you picked up, a show you recently watched, the latest game that blew you away, whatever! Just share something fun to read rather than the usual: "Entering for X game, thanks." > > ## Restrictions > - You can only enter once, and pick only one game. > - Your Lemmy account must be at least 30 days old and have participated recently in Lemmy/Fediverse. > - If your account appears to be a bot, troll, spam account, or just a creepy/gross/hateful person, you will not be selected. > - Moderators of the !PCMasterRace@lemmy.world community are not eligible. > > ## Winner Selection: > - I will randomly select eligibile winners in this original post. > - You will be notified via two ways: I will @ mention you and reply on your comment to this post. I will also send you a Private Message on Lemmy. > - If you are selected, you will have 48 hours to respond to me to claim your eligibility. > - For transparency, please also reply to my public-facing comment so that others know you received and claimed the game successfully. > - If I do not get a response from you after 48 hours, you are forfeited and a new winner will be redrawn the next day until all game codes are exhausted. > > ## Deadlines: > - You must enter by end of day Saturday, August 17, 2024 , local time. > - I will make a new post and start drawing winners the following week. > > ## Disclaimers: > - This is not a sponsored post of any kind. I purchased these keys myself, with my hard-earned money, exclusively for the sole purpose of this giveaway. > - The keys activate only on Steam as Retail OEM keys. > - The keys come only from Green Man Gaming, a legitimate key resller. They do not come from sketchy places like G2A (NEVER, ever do business with companies like G2A or Kinguin). > - Steam Support: How to activate a Product Key - https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/2A12-9D79-C3D7-F870 > > ## Proof: > 1. https://postimg.cc/HrM63Swk > 2. https://postimg.cc/gwPN7vsq > 3. https://postimg.cc/kVKXJdxP > > Best of luck! Continue to be kind to each other, and most importantly, be kind to yourself. > > Regards, > > CatZoomies | PCMR Moderator, on behalf of the moderation team

``` Update Sep 21: All winners have claimed the games! Congrats again to all the winners, and thanks everyone for participating!

If you didn't win, look out for another giveaway I'll host in the future. Most likely in Winter 2024. I'll try to get us other games besides Action/RPGs lol. :D

Note: The games donated by an anonymous Lemmy user are still available. I will make a separate post in !GiftOfGaming@Lemmy.World. I will do this next week so I can rest and recover from my cold. ```

``` Update Sep 20 - Part 2: Only one last key remaining, pending a response from the winner:

• Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy - 1 key remaining - Winner: Pending

Note: The remaining keys from the anonymous person that donated to me will be given away as a separate post in !giftofgaming@lemmy.world Update Sep 20: Sorry folks, I got back from a work trip and am also getting over a cold. This is the first day that I feel well enough to use my computer, so I'll continue with redraws. So far, most of the keys have been claimed but others have not gotten back to me within the 48 hours. New winners have been selected for the final three games:

• Final Fantasy I-VI Bundle (Pixel Remasters) - 1 key remaining
• Hogwarts Legacy: Deluxe Edition - 1 key remaining
• Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy - 1 key remaining

Note that the remaining keys from the anonymous person that donated to me will be given away as a separate post in !giftofgaming@lemmy.world ```

``` Update Sep 8: I made a post here to announce I would start drawing today - https://lemmy.world/post/19534362 I'm a little delayed with giving these games away as my intention was to do it on Sep 1st. Unfortunately some personal things got in the way, but now we're good to go and I can starting handing them out!

• All winners have been notified. They have 48 hours to get back to me. See my comments below starting with: "Congratulations! You've been selected as the winner of..."
• I will update the list of games below when the game has been claimed by the winner.

These games have automatic winners since they were the only one who entered:

• Pony Island - @Aviandelight@mander.xyz
• Sniper Elite 4 - @EpicStuff@lemmy.ca
• Strange Horticulture - @midimalist@lemdro.id
• Congrats to the lucky winners!!

No one entered for these games. I will make a new post in !giftofgaming@lemmy.world and will give away the codes there:

• Agatha Knife
• Calico
• Cultures Bundle
• Stronghold Crusader HD
• Two Point Hospital (EU Region-Locked ONLY)
• Valhalla Hills Two-Horned Helmet Edition ```

Update Aug 18: I added more games from a kind, anonymous Lemming. I extended the giveaway to August 31st. No more donations accepted - thank you!

Hey PC Master Race community! And hi anyone else that stumbles upon this post and is not a member of the PCMR community!

Summer is almost over, and it has been an interesting year for sure. I previously did a giveaway for last Winter Holiday 2023, and decided I should do another giveaway! Basically because we here in Lemmy are still alive and kicking, and I want to do something nice for a few lucky gamers.

Games I'm giving away:

Some of the games have multiple key codes, denoted by the quantity.

1. Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion | Quantity 1 | Steam Product Page - Winner: @M0115732@lemmy.world
2. Final Fantasy I-VI Bundle (Pixel Remasters) | Qty 2 | Steam - Winner 1: @Apeman42@lemmy.world, Winner 2: @darkdemize@sh.itjust.works
3. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade | Qty 2 | Steam - Winner 1: @Xatolos@reddthat.com, Winner 2: @Fuzzypyro@lemmy.world
4. Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition | Qty 2 | Steam - Winner 1: @Boxscape@lemmy.sdf.org , Winner 2: @meatwads_tooth@sh.itjust.works
5. NieR: Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition | Qty 1 | Steam - Winner: @Cossty@lemmy.world
6. Octopath Traveler | Qty 1 | Steam - Winner: @tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip
7. Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy | Qty 2 | Steam - Winner 1: @jeffreyosborne@lemm.ee , Winner 2: @SuperThr33s@sh.itjust.works
8. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft | Qty 1 | Steam - Winner: @Kaiserschmarrn@feddit.org

Additional Game Keys donated by an anonymous Lemming

These games come from Humble Bundle, Games Planet, and Fanatical. There is only one key for each of the nine listed below:

1. Agatha Knife | Steam Product Page
2. Calico | Steam
3. Cultures Bundle (Cultures: Northland & Cultures: The Wonder of the World) | Humble Bundle Product Page
4. Pony Island | Steam - Winner: @Aviandelight@mander.xyz
5. Sniper Elite 4 - Deluxe | Steam - Winner: @EpicStuff@lemmy.ca
6. Strange Horticulture | Steam - Winner: @midimalist@lemdro.id
7. Stronghold Crusader HD | Steam
8. Valhalla Hills: Two-Horned Helmet Edition | Steam

EU Countries Only (will not activate in any other region):

1. Two Point Hospital | Steam Product Page

Update Sep 21: All the games above that aren't striked through are still available. Will post these either next week or the week after, so I can rest and recover from my cold. Post will be in !Giftofgaming@lemmy.world

Update Sep 8: The other games listed above did not have anyone enter for them. I will make a new post in [!giftofgaming@lemmy.world](https://lemmy.world/c/giftofgaming) to giveaway those keys. The list starts with "Agatha Knife".

How to Enter:

• Comment on this post with the one game you are interested in.
• Optional: Post or create a meme that made you laugh and is Safe For Work. NSFW stuff will be deleted.
• Optional: Share something interesting, fun, and/or cool that happened to you this year. Or share a hobby you picked up, a show you recently watched, the latest game that blew you away, whatever! Just share something fun to read rather than the usual: "Entering for X game, thanks."

Restrictions

• You can only enter once, and pick only one game.
• Your Lemmy account must be at least 30 days old and have participated recently in Lemmy/Fediverse.
• If your account appears to be a bot, troll, spam account, or just a creepy/gross/hateful person, you will not be selected.
• Moderators of the !PCMasterRace@lemmy.world community are not eligible.

Winner Selection:

• I will randomly select eligibile winners in this original post.
• You will be notified via two ways: I will @ mention you and reply on your comment to this post. I will also send you a Private Message on Lemmy.
• If you are selected, you will have 48 hours to respond to me to claim your eligibility.
• For transparency, please also reply to my public-facing comment so that others know you received and claimed the game successfully.
• If I do not get a response from you after 48 hours, you are forfeited and a new winner will be redrawn the next day until all game codes are exhausted.

Deadlines:

• You must enter by end of day Saturday, August 31, 2024, local time.
• I will make a new post and start drawing winners the following week.

Disclaimers:

• This is not a sponsored post of any kind. I purchased these keys myself, with my hard-earned money, exclusively for the sole purpose of this giveaway.
• The keys activate only on Steam as Retail OEM keys.
• The keys come only from Green Man Gaming, a legitimate key resller. They do not come from sketchy places like G2A (NEVER, ever do business with companies like G2A or Kinguin).
• There are other games, donated by a kind, anonymous Lemming that were sourced from other trusted resellers: Fanatical, Games Planet, and Humble Bundle. These codes all activate on Steam, but do note that Two Point Hospital is region-locked to EU countries only.
• Steam Support: How to activate a Product Key - https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/2A12-9D79-C3D7-F870

Proof:

1. https://postimg.cc/HrM63Swk
2. https://postimg.cc/gwPN7vsq
3. https://postimg.cc/kVKXJdxP

Best of luck! Continue to be kind to each other, and most importantly, be kind to yourself.

Regards,

CatZoomies | PCMR Moderator, on behalf of the moderation team

Archive link in case of paywall:

• https://archive.is/cTGyR

USWNT beats Australia in a tough game, 2 to 1.

Next up, the US Women's National Team will take on Japan in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Aug 3.

> "The all-matte white helmet will debut in Week 10, a home matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at EverBank Stadium. 'Shell White' features a matte white finish, black facemask, and the Jaguars current logo. The helmet will be paired with black jerseys."

I stumbled upon a well-written opinon piece from a fan-created weekly series called "Tales of Praxis". In this edition, Aaron Suduiko (writer) analyzes his revisit of Tales of Symphonia shortly after the Remaster launched in 2023.

The writer discusses the character arcs, compares his experiences to that of his nostalgic time first playing the game as a child, and thoroughly dissects the relationship of Regal Bryant (character in Tales of Symphonia).

Spoiler warning! This article will reveal immediate game spoilers. Yes, Tales of Symphonia is over 20 years, but if it's in your backlog to play because you heard of its legacy, do not read this article.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/17448835

> cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/17448834 > > > Microsoft asks many Game Pass subscribers to pay more for less > > > > "Launch day access to first-party titles now restricted to $19.99/month 'Ultimate' tier."

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/17448834

> Microsoft asks many Game Pass subscribers to pay more for less > > "Launch day access to first-party titles now restricted to $19.99/month 'Ultimate' tier."

Microsoft asks many Game Pass subscribers to pay more for less

"Launch day access to first-party titles now restricted to $19.99/month 'Ultimate' tier."