Hack “Start” to Continue: A Mixed-Method Study of Video Game Hardware Modifications While modifications (“modding” or “mods”) to video-game software are well documented in academic research, mods to game hardware have received significantly less attention. As a range of hardware-focused practices has given rise to related communities and small businesses, an exploration of such practices is necessary. This paper outlines and contextualizes hardware modding through original research illuminating the activities and motivations of hardware modders. A mixed-method approach is employed to gather quantitative data concerning specific acts of modding as well as qualitative information about participants’ reasons for doing so. Results suggest that older, discontinued hardware are overwhelmingly popular objects of modding. Commonalities exist with software modding regarding participants’ enthusiasm for the work of modding, but key differences materialize surrounding classifications of labour and related compensation. Areas for further research include implications for preservation and environmental efforts.

My 2023 MRP has landed in the @torontomet.bsky.social research depository. I have a DOI number! I can get cited! doi.org/10.32920/298...

The Super Gameboy Commander Controller from Hori connected to my Super Famicom (with Broadcast Satellaview attached to the bottom) with Super Gameboy 2 in the cartridge port and Kirby Blockball in it

The Super Gameboy Commander controller from Hori let's you control features on the Super Gameboy that you can't access any other way.
Such as slowing down the game speed!
To accomplish this, when set to SGB mode it sends a special input macro within 25ms. Only possible with this gamepad.

I like that my brain went to exactly the same place as it did almost 2.5 years ago. bsky.app/profile/kerr...

FiberTools app showing Cross Stitch Calculator, Sett Calculator for weaving, and Cost Calculator tool cards with icons and descriptions

FiberTools homepage features section Lightning fast, Works offline, and Built for your phone with descriptions for each

FiberTools app showing Circle Calculator, Needle Guide, and Amigurumi Shapes tool cards for crochet and knitting

Every crafter knows yarn chicken.

So I built 15 free calculators to take the guesswork out of knitting & crochet.

fibertools.app

#knitting #crochet #yarn #fiberarts #knittersoftwitter #crochetersofinstagram #yarnchicken #crafting

Why do old computers look more futuristic than the ones from their actual future?

My fortieth birthday was so powerful that it broke Steam. (Yes, I know what Silksong is. Let me have this.)

Not to drag this out anymore, but just to be clear: the problem with numbered console generations is that they're not *useful*. The numberings aren't descriptive, and the groupings are arbitrary and US-centric. That's why people who study game history don't use them

Me: You can copy my answers, but don't make it obvious.
My friend:

A lot of people don’t know this but any time a game had “64” in the title it’s because it takes place in 1964

Can we also talk about Triple Triad cards?

I haven't seen the word "Xanga" in a hundred million years and just had to stare into space for a few seconds. (I had one too.)

Game After: A Cultural Study of Video Game Afterlife

I've been seeing a lot about how the original Switch is "over" now that the 2 is out, so this seems like a good time to point out that Raiford Guins's Game After: A Cultural Study of Video Game Afterlife is available through open access: direct.mit.edu/books/oa-mon...

Honestly, having your own emotes is fun.

Hiiiiiii!

I really just had to adjust a line about how comment sections were saying the Switch was dead before its predecessor had been announced, "a fact that was still true as recently as last week." But I also made sure to say "thanks for the last-minute curveball, Nintendo." 😅

Me when Nintendo announced the Switch 2 eight days before I presented my hardware modding research at MAGFest.

JN-100 Sewing Machine by Jaguar

While the rest of the world got the Singer IZEK 1500 Game Boy Sewing Machine, the original model was the JN-100 and was exclusive to Japan. As you can see, the JN-100 came in a variety of color, including this skeleton pink.

A screen from Magical Girl Pretty Sammy

LIC x @harpercollins.bsky.social proudly announce: Joysticks to Haptics 🕹️

Our sequel to A Handheld History and The Console Chronicles revisits all the key moments and innovations that shaped video game controllers

Pre-order from all good bookstores & retailers

harpercollins.co.uk/products/joy...

@bardicknowledge.bsky.social plays this one!

Saw her live once. S-tier life experience.

Do the time zones now!

I still do the SMRPG timed hit inputs out of habit no matter what the game is, even if it doesn't have the mechanic. It's too deeply ingrained in my muscle memory. I can't stop.

soldier captain we are the red wings the pride is displayed on the screen Alt: A screenshot from the opening cutscene of Final Fantasy IV. A soldier NPC tells Cecil "Captain, we are the Red Wings, the pride of Baron! Must we be thieves sent to plunder the weak?" This is the PSX English translation. The SNES translation said something like "Looting is out of the question!"

Technically the SNES version and not this, the PSX translation, but the PSX FF Chronicles two-disc set contained the first edition that I actually owned for myself.

Photo of BX Foundry BX-250 Virtual Boy joystick

Photo of BX Foundry BX-250 Virtual Boy joystick

Photo of BX Foundry BX-250 Virtual Boy joystick

Many ask if I still build my BX-250 Virtual Boy joystick, but I stopped years ago

Good news! @jparish.bsky.social is selling his serial #2 BX-250 on eBay. A rare treasure hand built by me in 2019

It’s the world’s first third-party Virtual Boy controller!

www.ebay.com/itm/17699906...

I definitely still call it that in my head.

My sister had friends who pronounced the restaurant "Milestones" like it was Spanish. Mill-ess-TOH-ness.

Screenshot of the Ski-Free icon on Windows 98.

Ski Free (1991). Back when app icons went hard.