Except in this case, the core game loop and writing remains the same. Nothing you originally listed changes the experience, merely the dressing around it.

Changing the lipstick on a pig doesn’t make it a different pig. 

A better analogy would be you don’t have to stick your dick in a vacuum cleaner to know it’ll suck. ;)

I can’t speak to Dragon Age, but I can speak to what Nicholas is saying and it’s true. In Skyrim and Oblivion, you’re declared the most important person early on, with no real build up. Not mention your choices have little narrative impact, compared to other CRPGs.

It came from the company that gave us Warcraft 3: Refunded and Diablo Immoral.  Is anyone shocked?

What color is the sky in your world

No, that is not ‘part of the social contract’ - the social contract is that we clothe, feed, and shelter the most neediest.  Late stage capitalism has certainly eroded that.

Not unless you buy me dinner first, honey.  I’m not a cheap date.

No, I actually don’t - I live in Canada.

You’re mistaking law with societal norms and expectations.

Nitpicking - but those who undermine the social contract, then they also undermine society as a whole and are therefore, treated as a threat to it.  

Dude’s sloppy AF and would have been caught on his own, but my social contract has a don’t talk to cops understanding, because they’re not good participants in our society.

I reject that social contract and the people who’ve agreed to it.

part of the social contract we have is reporting crimes to the police, even if they don’t directly impact us.

For those who want a detailed, deep-dive into the scam and effort to keep the Pauls accountable, I highly suggest the reporting by Coffeezilla.

0.

US: Let’s ban TikTok because it’s spying on us.

Forcing corporations to cede control over markets is not ‘worse for consumers’ - this is ultimately better.  However, I’d be happier if the merger was killed in the womb and never went further.

Maybe not, but part of the massive marketing push, interviews of cast and directors, and such does at least bring you awareness of the movie.

Its a growing trend, though