Well, seeing that Insurgency: Sandstorm was on a sale, I just picked it up for him (and myself). Seems to have a lot in the map making scene, and that’s a really important factor for him.

It also helps that the prior Insurgency game has the most hours on his profile, by far. Gave me a good hint that he should enjoy this one.

Thanks so much!

EDIT: My dad just got back to me, and loves the gift. Apparently that’s where most of his online buddies went and still are. Nailed it!

Well that’s pretty compelling!

Ever since the failure of Windows mixed reality, there hasn’t been many non-Meta HMD’s worth buying. At least with inside out tracking.

Maybe this will finally pressure Valve to lower the price on the venerable Index? Probably not. But one can hope!

I mean, the last time there was a sort of science fiction renaissance (arguably the 40s to 70s) people felt better about their lot in life - well besides the whole cold war thing.

So I’m not sure that tracks as much?

By the same logic one could argue that we should see more fantasy stuff. And, sure, kinda - but not the same level as the post-LOTR fantasy boom. I know Amazon is trying to do their thing with the Tolkien universe, but it doesn’t seem to be sticking in the same way as it’s sci-fi contemporaries. HBO has their other GOT universe franchise and even that seems to be falling flat on audiences.

Why would Sci-fi be preferable to Fantasy if it’s just about escapism? I certainly wouldn’t know, but it’s definitely a curious thought.