#price hike backlash

[kazifatagar]

Oriental Kopi faced backlash on CNY price hike plans

Oriental Kopi has reversed its decision to increase service charges during Chinese New Year, following public backlash. Initially, the popular restaurant chain announced plans to raise service charges from 10% to 15% on the first two days of the festive period. However, the chain has since apologized for the inconvenience caused and assured customers that charges will remain unchanged. Oriental…

[antoniohicksposts]

Hey, pals! Ever noticed how your favorite fast-food meal has been feeling a bit heavier on the wallet but not on the stomach? Well, you're not alone in this culinary conundrum. Across the board, giants like McDonald's, Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut have been sneaking up their prices, and it's causing quite the stir among us, the hungry masses. Today, we're diving into this delicious dilemma, spilling the tea on why those extra bucks might be making you rethink your meal choices.

The Crunch on Your Bucks

Remember the days when a quick drive-thru didn't feel like a mini investment? Those days are getting fuzzier, thanks to a little thing called inflation and some strategic price adjustments by our beloved fast-food chains. It seems like our go-to spots for a quick bite are testing our loyalty and our budgets.

Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut: A Trio of Troubles

Yum Brands, the powerhouse behind Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut, dropped a bombshell with their latest earnings report. The numbers were bleak, showing a dramatic slowdown in sales growth. Taco Bell's sales barely budged, KFC's flatlined, and Pizza Hut? Let's just say their slice of the pie got a bit smaller.

McDonald's: Not Lovin' It

McDonald's wasn't immune to the trend either. Their sales growth took a dive, with U.S. figures showing a noticeable deceleration. It's clear that even the most iconic brands aren't shielded from the economic pinch and the evolving consumer sentiment.

The Social Media Sizzle

Social platforms have been buzzing with discontent over the sneaky price hikes. From Reddit to TikTok, fast-food aficionados are airing their grievances, pointing out how a simple meal is now a budgetary decision. It's a viral sentiment that's hard to ignore, with some even making a direct connection to the stimulus checks era, humorously noting that the fast-food industry seems keen on reclaiming those pandemic perks.

Home Cooking: The New Fast Food?

With wallets feeling lighter, many are turning their kitchens into the newest fast-food joint. Cooking at home has become the budget-friendly alternative to dining out, reflecting a broader shift in how we approach our mealtime decisions. A recent survey highlighted this trend, with a significant portion of respondents cutting back on restaurant spending in favor of homemade meals.

Wrapping It Up With a Bow (Or a Burger Wrapper)

The fast-food landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by economic pressures and a more budget-conscious consumer base. As we navigate these changing times, it's clear that our relationship with fast food is evolving. Will the industry adapt and lure us back with irresistible deals, or will home cooking reign supreme? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: the fast-food fiasco is serving up some food for thought.

Standard Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, and I could earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to make a purchase. Your support helps keep the kitchen lights on and the content spicy!

What do you think? Are you feeling the pinch at the checkout, or have you already traded in the fast-food menu for a spatula and apron? Drop your thoughts in the comments – let's chew the fat on this tasty topic!

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[impulsivesuperrobin]

just watched the watcher announcement, here’s my take:

- putting content behind a paywall does suck, and not everyone can afford $6 a month

- $6 is the price that they found would a) be accessible to people b) cover the cost of their shows and c) be able to PAY THE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THEM

- this will let them do things that they aren’t able to on youtube

- do i wish they were joining up with an existing creator based subscription service (eg nebula)? yes. do i wish they were doing a dropout model where they still released content for free eventually? yes.

- the thing about dropout is, the cast is majority freelance, union actors. they have other sources of income, which is most likely why the price point is so low

- no matter how upset “all” the fans seem to be about it, more than likely, people who can afford it will still subscribe

- with all the backlash, there is a chance they change the model slightly

- there’s a difference between giant corporate netflix hiking subscription prices to their hollywood content farm with no regard for the content their audience enjoys and creator company starting a subscription service to fund the content they and their audience enjoys. does it have the potential to snowball into the former? absolutely, especially if they continue to ignore the criticisms they’re receiving right now, but as of now they are not equivalent

- i will not be subscribing to the service and probably won’t unless something (with the way it is being handled or with my financial situation) changes, but i do not fault anyone who does. they have made great content in the past, if they are using the money the way they claim to they most likely will continue to make great content.

[beardedmrbean]

Some 1.8 million Muslims from across the world made it to Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to mark the most important day of the Hajj. But due to global price rises, the pilgrimage is becoming increasingly unaffordable.

"The number of bookings has significantly dropped this year. It's too costly for many people," says an employee at a private Egyptian tour operator in charge of organising Hajj trips, who wanted to remain anonymous out of fear of a backlash over their criticism of their country's economic situation.

In Egypt, the most populous Arab country, the cheapest government-sponsored pilgrimage currently costs around $6,000 (£4,720) - double what it was last year.

The price hike has been fuelled by the sharp devaluation of the Egyptian pound, which has lost more than 50% of its value against the US dollar since March 2022. As a result, the cost of living has also skyrocketed, with annual core inflation hitting 40% in May.

About 30% of the population was living below the government's poverty line before the Covid-19 pandemic, and the World Bank says the figure is likely to have risen since then.

'My dream'

Farida, a retired Egyptian civil servant, saved to go on the Hajj for five years.

"All my savings are not enough to pay for the trip. When I saw the price list, I was shocked," she says.

Farida - not her real name - is a widow and mother of five. She also asked not to be identified because she did not want to publicly criticise Egyptian authorities over the rising cost of living.

Farida says that performing the Hajj is "my dream", adding: "Hajj cleanses the soul."

She says her children are all married, so "social and financial responsibilities have been lifted off my shoulders". "It is about time to go to Hajj."

Farida has already been to Mecca four times before to perform the lesser Umrah pilgrimage, which includes some of the rituals of the Hajj and can be undertaken at any time of the year.

This time, she used a loophole in the system so that she could perform the Hajj.

"Instead of the Hajj visa, I got a three-month-tourist visa and arrived in Mecca a month before the Hajj season kicks off," she tells me from Saudi Arabia while waiting to start the pilgrimage. "This is the only option I have got."

Farida's whole trip to Mecca works out 80% cheaper than the government-sponsored Hajj package.

Subsidy cuts

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are required to make the journey to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, if they are physically and financially capable of doing so.

The pilgrimage starts on the eighth day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul Hijjah, which this year corresponded to 26 June in the Gregorian calendar, and lasts five to six says.

The Hajj usually attracts between 1.5 million and 2 million pilgrims, but this is the first time since the pandemic that Saudi authorities have allowed it to return to full capacity.

Saudi Arabia allocates each country an annual quota based on the number of Muslims living there.

The biggest goes to Indonesia - the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, with a population of 270 million. It was given 221,000 places this year.

Indonesian authorities decided this year to cut the subsidy for the pilgrimage to 50% from 60%, meaning that each Indonesian pilgrim had to pay $3,320. In 2022, the package cost $2,660.

Political barriers

While the financial cost can prove an obstacle for many Muslims around the world, for those in Yemen - Saudi Arabia's war-torn and impoverished southern neighbour - the situation is far more complicated.

The country has been devastated by a conflict that escalated in 2015, when a Saudi-led military coalition intervened after the Iran-backed rebel Houthi movement seized control of large parts of the country. The fighting has reportedly killed more than 150,000 people and caused one of the world's biggest humanitarian disasters.

This month, Yemeni pilgrims flew directly from the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj - the first such commercial flights in about seven years.

Those who travelled had to pay about $3,000 - a considerable sum in a country where more than 21 million out of a population of 30 million people need some kind of humanitarian assistance and 17 million do not know where their next meal will come from.

"In 2016, I went to Hajj for less than half of this price. It's too expensive for me now," one Yemeni journalist says.

[coochiequeens]

ByYuliah Alma July 2, 2023

A trans-identified male who was profiled as a struggling “mother” in a recent ITV News video on soaring water bills in the UK is now defending himself amidst backlash for “breastfeeding” a baby. Mika Minio-Paluello, a man who identifies as a woman, is calling criticism of transgender breastfeeding “anti-trans hate.”

On June 28, ITV published an article about the country’s biggest water supplier, Thames Water, reporting that the company risks collapse due to soaring debt. The broadcaster shared a video along with the article that featured a trans-identified male presented as a Thames Water customer. During the video, ITV Consumer Editor Chris Choi stated: “This customer fears that either bill payers or taxpayers will end up picking up the tab [of the failing water supplier].”

Minio-Paluello then gives his input on the current state of affairs but curiously refers to himself as a “mother” during the interview. "The idea that we’re going to have even greater water bills, soaring bills, a time of prices already being hiked, and we have to pay a lot for food… that’s tough if you’re a mum like me already struggling to get the things that my kid needs,” Minio-Paluello says. The very next day, UK writer and broadcaster Paul Embery shared the clip of Minio-Paluello and wrote: “ITV news did a piece about the impact of soaring water bills on an everyday mother. So naturally they got a man to play the part.”

As of writing, Embery’s tweet has garnered almost six million views. The clip generated a massive amount of backlash, with women’s rights advocates concerned about ITV being complacent in the erasure of mothers. Member of Parliament Rosie Duffield shared the clip of Minio-Paluello and added her own commentary, writing: “Dear @itvnews, I am sure this is a lovely, intelligent and decent human being. This was an important piece. This is not however a struggling ‘mother.’”

Early on, some users also noted that Minio-Paluello appeared to be washing a breast pump during one of the scenes in which he is at the kitchen sink. User ‘Gender Is Harmful’ posted a close-up of the breast pump, prompting concern from users questioning why he would possess such an item.

"Okay, I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed this. It’s not there in the initial wide shot, but then it’s suddenly there for the dish washing close up. I immediately recognized it and was wondering wtf it was doing in this clip about a man concerned about his water bill,” one user wrote in response.“Hopefully, it belongs to the child’s mother, and she’s expressing her milk before work, or whatever,” another user speculated. As commentary continued to swell on social media, Minio-Paluello responded to the intense social media backlash following his appearance in ITV’s video. On July 2, Minio-Paluello shared a thread of 17 tweets to address the situation, beginning the lengthy response with a photo of himself and his child watching drag queen Aida H. Dee. As previously reported by Reduxx, Aida H. Dee, the drag name of performer Sab Samuel, has previously raised concerns on social media for his conduct around children in addition to having fundraised for the funeral costs of Darren Moore, a fellow drag queen and convicted child sex offender. Later in his thread, Minio-Paluello included a photo of himself “breastfeeding” his child in an apparent effort to address the breast pump questions, and asserted that “trans women can breastfeed, and I did breastfeed my child.”

He says that the “anti-trans hate” he’s received is a “distraction from the actual issue” he was interviewed on. He calls for solidarity in times of inflation and wage loss but adds: “Adoptive mothers are mothers. Lesbian mothers are mothers, whether they birthed the child or not. Step mothers are mothers. Trans women can be mothers. It’s not up to a [Member of Parliament] or anyone else to march into a family & enforce what a child calls their parent.”He continues in all-capital letters: “JUST LEAVE QUEER FAMILIES ALONE,” as he rejects the comments he has read online that have called for his child to be removed from him.

Minio-Paluello then lists a slew of issues that impact women and families and inserts himself into the issues of motherhood, saying: “Mothers are always judged for our choices, made to feel guilty for not being perfect, told we shouldn’t be working, or aren’t working enough… Is this because trans women exist?” He goes on to address the ITV feature specifically and tells readers how he was chosen for the video interview, and also reveals the breast pump that had caused controversy in fact belonged to his housemate. But he still defends the idea that if the breast pump had belonged to him, it wouldn’t be noteworthy, as “trans women can breastfeed.”He rounds off the questionable string of response tweets with the assertion that concern over a man being labelled a mother is a “right wing distraction tactic” to “obscure the real struggle.” He says, “Ultimately, the weird hate I’ve faced these past days is a distraction from the real fight. Water companies are ripping us off. Inflation soared with corporate profiteering. Real wages have fallen. Austerity has robbed us of safety nets. Nature and climate collapse is here. That’s the real fight. Women, black people, disabled people, queers, workers (and especially those in the intersections) face the biggest burden. Creating a safe, just, more equal society now and for our children – it’s not easy, but it’s possible.” He urges those reading to avoid being swept up in the “right wing distraction tactic,” stating: “Don’t fall for it.”

The controversy surrounding Minio-Paluello feeding a baby comes on the heels of multiple recent incidents involving trans-identified males inducing lactation. In May, Child Welfare Services in Illinois was contacted by concerned citizens after a transgender porn model announced he had induced lactation to breastfeed an adopted baby.

That same month, Reduxx reported that two women in Australia received notices from Twitter informing them they broke the law after tweeting about an Australian trans-identified male who had been breastfeeding a child. One of the women, Jasmine Sussex, is a veteran breastfeeding consultant with nearly 20 years of experience in maternal healthcare. Speaking to Reduxx, Sussex stated that she believed induced lactation in males was “biologically and psychologically dangerous” for all those involved.“Men who covet female physiology in this way are, in my opinion, either suffering from a serious delusion or sexually motivated by the idea of themselves as lactating women,” Sussex said.“There is no evidence that drug-induced secretions from a male nipple are in any way equivalent to mother’s milk. It is more likely the secretions are akin to galactorrhea, which occurs when abnormal levels of prolactin are released from the pituitary gland in females who aren’t pregnant or males with disease.”

[mariacallous]

It’s pretty easy to piss people off on Reddit. Less so to piss off seemingly everyone on the platform.

Still, Reddit’s management has succeeded in doing just that as it weathers protests over its decision to charge for access to its API. That ruling risks putting the company in a death spiral as users revolt, the most dedicated community caretakers quit, and the vibrant discussions move to other platforms.

The company’s changes to its data access policies effectively price out third-party developers who make mobile applications for browsing Reddit; two of the most popular options, Reddit Is Fun and Apollo, which together have over 41 million downloads, are both shutting down. After some initial backlash from users and disability advocates who said Reddit’s changes would adversely affect accessibility-focused apps aimed at people with dyslexia or vision impairments, Reddit said it would exempt those apps from the price hikes. Those apps also have far smaller user bases than Apollo or RIF.

Reddit’s plans—driven by an urge to make the company more profitable as it inches toward going public—sparked a protest across nearly 9,000 subreddits, where moderators of those communities switched their groups to private mode, preventing anyone from accessing them. Many of those subs remain inaccessible four days later, and their moderators say they plan to keep up the blackout indefinitely. (Disclosure: WIRED is a publication of Conde Nast, whose parent company, Advance Publications, has an ownership stake in Reddit.)

However unfazed Reddit execs appear to be, this subreddit seppuku sure does seem like a surefire way to sink the company. But does it really signal the death of Reddit?

“I can't see it as anything but that,” says Rory Mir, an associate director of community organizing at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. (Earlier this week, Mir wrote about what Reddit got wrong.) “Like with Twitter, it's not a big collapse when a social media website starts to die, but it is a slow attrition unless they change their course. The longer they stay in their position, the more loss of users and content they’re going to face.”

The unrest at Reddit is the latest in a string of social media upheavals that have seemingly pitted profit-hungry companies against their users. Platforms like Reddit, Twitter, or even Amazon that started operating at a loss in order to grow their user base eventually face pressures to further monetize their traffic. When a site sidelines the wants and needs of its users in the pursuit of profit, that leads to a downturn—and potential death of the platform—that author Cory Doctorow has termed “enshittification.”

“Any plan that involves endless and continuous growth is bound to run into scale issues, which is where I think Reddit and Twitter are running into problems,” Mir says. “You can’t inflate the balloon forever. It will pop at some point.”

Amy Bruckman is a regents' professor and senior associate chair at Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Interactive Computing. She has also contributed to WIRED and is a moderator of several subreddits, including the very popular r/science, which is restricted until Monday. Bruckman says this era of social media has been rife with sudden changes. “There was an extended period of years, maybe even a decade, where it felt like the way things are is the way they always will be,” she says. “And everything is suddenly shifted.”

Reddit charging for access to its API is also about more than just third-party clients, Bruckman says. A move like this has angered so many people on Reddit because it feels like a betrayal of the community’s trust. It might be a vocal minority of users who are pissed off about the changes, but they’re the people who volunteer their time to keep communities functional—and they’re arguably the most important users on the site.

“Beyond the fact that it’s in a dozen ways harder to do our job, it’s also just the case that Reddit felt more like an open platform where innovation by committed users was encouraged,” Bruckman says. “And this feels like it's trampling on that.”

Reddit has denied that it is specifically targeting third-party apps like Apollo and RIF. The company initially said that limiting its API access is a move meant to control the flow of data being gobbled up by generative artificial intelligence companies like OpenAI training their large language models. But in an interview with NPR, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said limiting third-party access will also help Reddit keep control over how it displays ads—the company’s primary source of income—to users. Force everyone to interact on one app, and it’s easier to fill their feeds with whatever advertising you want.

“They’re shooting themselves in the foot,” Mir says. “The content of the users is what makes the platform worth visiting. These hosts kind of run into this confusion that their hosting is the reason people are going there, but it’s really for the other users on the medium.”

And those users are bailing. Bruckman says she knows a moderator who has already quit, saying it wasn’t worth the energy to devote so much time to a company that can just toss all that effort aside. Like with Twitter, no clear alternative has emerged as a replacement. Bruckman advocates for public funding of a nonprofit version of something akin to Reddit. Some more casual users say they’re going back to Tumblr, which is still recovering from its own corporate sanitization in 2018.

Still, Mir says, there’s a real hunger for stability on a platform. It’s part of the reason sites like Reddit and Twitter have gotten so big. There are people who have had the same email address for 30 years or the same username on Reddit for a decade. If users have invested significant time in a community, it’s going to be a pain to find something amid the sea of federated upstarts that all claim to be the next best thing.

Clearly, Reddit is hoping that inertia and customer loyalty keep people on its site. Even if users grumble about losing their favorite app, the company is expecting they’ll just cave and download the official app. That may work on your typical user, but it’s not going to be as easy to convert the mods—especially ones who feel burned by Reddit’s monetary machinations.

Mir offers another business metaphor for the tension on Reddit: “If you have a really good music venue, but you break relations with every notable artist, you’re not going to be a very successful venue. You need to really prioritize the needs of the folks providing the value on your platform.”

[cavenewstimes]

Microsoft 365 Copilot launch sparks backlash over price hike and user issues

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. The big picture: When Microsoft flipped the switch on its new AI-powered Copilot features for Microsoft 365 earlier this month (formerly Office 365), it might have anticipated celebratory reactions from its millions of loyal subscribers. After all, it’s artificial intelligence, apparently the…

[screentimescoop]

Netflix Faces Backlash Over New Price Hike

Would you pay $24.99 for a Netflix subscription?

That’s the question sparking heated debates online as Netflix rolls out its latest price increases. The new pricing plans, which are already in effect, have frustrated many subscribers, with some threatening to cancel their accounts altogether.

The Numbers Behind the Controversy

Netflix recently announced the following changes:

The ad-supported plan jumps from $6.99 to $7.99.

The standard plan (ad-free) increases from $15.49 to $17.99.

The premium plan now costs $24.99, up from $22.99.

This comes after Netflix reported a staggering $39 billion in profit for 2024, a 15% increase from 2023. With 300 million global subscribers and 19 million added in the last quarter alone, many are questioning the necessity of these price hikes.

Subscriber Reactions

The response on social media has been scathing. Many users have taken to Twitter to voice their frustrations:

“Netflix raising their prices AGAIN is ridiculous and greedy as f***.”

“Seriously stop increasing your prices @netflix I’ll go back to DVDs at this rate.”

“Where is the quality content to match these price increases? You have about two good shows left.”

Some are even proposing a mass cancellation of subscriptions to send a message, using hashtags like #CancelNetflix.

What’s Next for Netflix?

As price hikes become increasingly common, Netflix risks alienating subscribers who feel they’re not getting value for their money. Will they respond to the backlash, or will frustrated fans finally follow through on their threats to cancel?

What’s your take on the price hikes? Share your thoughts in the comments!

[klikomo]

From Clippy to Copilot: Microsoft's AI Assistant Faces User Backlash

In the land down under, where kangaroos roam and barbecues sizzle, a new intruder has hopped into the digital lives of Australians: Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot. Without so much as a “G’day,” Copilot embedded itself into Microsoft 365 subscriptions, bringing along a price hike that left users scratching their heads — and their wallets. Photo by Laura Musikanski on Pexels.com Take Alistair…

[ejesgistnews]

In a significant development that has further strained Nigeria’s economic landscape, the price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has soared to ₦455 per liter, up from its previous rate of ₦200 per liter. This sharp rise comes amidst the Federal Government's push for Nigerians to convert their vehicles to CNG as an alternative to petrol, which has also seen skyrocketing costs since the full removal of fuel subsidies earlier this year. The price increase has sparked concerns among Nigerians, who are grappling with an already high cost of living. Where to Convert Your Car to CNG in Nigeria: Full List of Nine Locations Many are questioning the viability of CNG as a sustainable solution to the nation's fuel crisis, as the recent surge challenges the government’s goal of reducing fuel costs by promoting alternatives to petrol. What Economist and Analysts are Saying?  Economists and energy analysts have raised alarms, arguing that the price hike contradicts the government’s promise of affordability in switching to CNG. "The intent was to create a cheaper fuel option for Nigerians, yet we are seeing prices soar," commented energy analyst Ibrahim Adeyemi. "This trend could make it difficult for Nigerians to bear the cost of fuel conversions and negate the intended financial relief." The Federal Government had introduced incentives to encourage the use of CNG in a bid to lessen the impact of fuel subsidy removal, which caused a drastic spike in petrol prices and inflation. A government official emphasized that the transition to CNG was supposed to ease the economic pressure on citizens, but acknowledged that fluctuating CNG prices present a "new challenge." Many Nigerians have already expressed frustration at the high conversion costs, which range between ₦200,000 and ₦500,000 per vehicle. For commercial drivers, who rely on daily earnings, these conversion costs are almost unaffordable, and the additional burden of higher CNG prices has only intensified their financial woes. Amid the backlash, some are calling for government intervention to stabilize CNG prices, arguing that without substantial support or regulation, the promise of affordable energy alternatives remains out of reach for most Nigerians. Ejes Gist News understands that as the situation unfolds, the government faces pressure to reassess its energy strategy and provide clear solutions to ensure that the intended benefits of the CNG transition reach ordinary Nigerians without further compromising their economic well-being.

[smlblogtv]

Latest Petrol Price Hike News, Update On Fuel Scarcity For November 1st, 2024

As Nigerians continue to groan over the recent increase in fuel prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Naija News brings you the latest update on petrol scarcity, fuel price increase and Govt/citizens’ reactions. Labour Decries Latest Petrol Price Hike, Warns FG Of Potential Public Backlash Organised Labour has raised concerns over the recent hike in petrol prices,…

[dykeza]

Edit: this post is too long it’s going under read more so I don’t feel as evil tagging it okay thanks. Hi guys it’s me the asshole again can I say smth possibly controversial and tone deaf? Okay thanks .

I think a terrible amount of backlash towards SSO is done under the assumption that SSO is a small team that became a large Horse Game Corporation with a monopoly on Horse Games in the last 13 years . This is not true. SSO is still a small game worked on by a small team (there’s frequent posts on their instagram featuring basically the whole team— including like the Singular Lady that models all the horses. Like that’s One Person, Maybe More but Not A Lot More). Just bc it has more polish does not mean it’s suddenly not made by a small team in a likely rented office space who strive to pay their workers fairly. Lots of ppl on Reddit saying shit like “I wonder if the higher-ups at the sso company make it so the designers can’t do whatever they want :(“ There aren’t any higher-ups. It’s important to me that you know that. SSO hiking prices and lowering rewards and releasing smaller and smaller updates CAN be a bit shitty, I’m not saying it’s not. I’m saying there’s nuance that’s lost when a bunch of primarily older teenaged and adult women and queer ppl— (I am aware how insane that sounds but I don’t think many straight cis dudes are rockin with the horse game, and if they are they’re not the majority) —are yelling in Instagram comment sections about how shitty the SSO dev team is because they (checks notes) have to raise the prices of their horse game because they have to maintain a livable wage for themselves, pay rent and utility bills on their machines and spaces that they need to even make the game, and pay for marketing and other expenses, in a global post-Covid hyper-inflated economy. So woe is you that star coins cost more. A 10k star coin gift card used to be 108 dollars around my neck of the woods (America) and now it’s 79.99. That’s less money btw in case you can’t do math because you’re too blinded by your rage over game designers, artists, developers, and coders being paid more than peanuts to update the same fucking game for 13 years WEEKLY. Okay man. Whatever. Old man yelling at cloud over here. A lot of this has been building for months-years now but the Medieval Arena update really like, made it apparent to me for some reason. Maybe it’s cuz I like the update I think it’s cute I think it’s nice and small and quaint. But like— it’s So Obvious that the Medieval Arena and all its little additions and the future ones were made by a small team of people who just, wanted to have a fun Renaissance Fair in their game that they make. Bc yknow, again, they’re updating and making a game that they are paid to update and make because they want to update and make it. Sorry you don’t like shitty jousting mechanics and a cute lil fairground . Do you also hate the sun for shining? Oh you miss the old events? Oh you hate that sso is all corporate and lifeless now? Should we tell everyone? Should we invite Bella Hadid? Have you even once considered that maybe the people who make the game are People making a Game, and they can do whatever they want with their game? You, yes you, can also do whatever you want. You have the hands that create. You don’t get mad at an artist with a canvas and paints for doing art the wrong way, right? So why is it okay to get mad at an artist with a computer and a coding software for doing art the wrong way? Every horse, building, character, clothing, tack, tree, bush, boat, car, and all the hundreds of other things in this game are made by hand by dedicated people but yeah, you’re mad that they Chose To Do Something THEY Wanted To Do over doing the thirteenth birthday event in a row to appease a bunch of people who never seem to be happy with their art anyway. Fuck off. Sorry for yelling. I’m not sorry but sorry for yelling. Please die.

[secretstalks]

Disney CEO crackdown on password sharing, September 2024

Disney is ramping up its efforts to combat password sharing across its streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, starting in September. This move was announced by CEO Bob Iger during an earnings call and marks a significant step in the company's strategy to tackle this issue.

“We began our password-sharing initiative in June, and it will be fully implemented starting in September,” Iger said.

He also noted that the initial notifications and measures to address password sharing have not faced any backlash so far. Disney has been gradually enforcing restrictions to curb password sharing, and these upcoming changes will likely involve stricter account limitations. The company aims to convert password-sharing households into paying subscribers to boost revenue and profitability.

While specific details about the new measures, such as potential additional fees for extra users or account access limitations, have not been disclosed, industry experts speculate that Disney may adopt a model similar to Netflix's paid sharing tiers.

This initiative aligns with Disney's broader strategy of increasing subscription prices for its streaming services, a move that has raised concerns about potential subscriber losses. The company will be monitoring the impact of these price hikes on consumer behavior and revenue closely.

Iger expressed optimism about the benefits of the price increases, attributing it to the addition of new content, including ABC News Live and curated playlists, which he believes provides Disney with "pricing leverage."

Starting in October, Disney+ with ads will increase from $7.99 to $9.99 per month, while the ad-free version will rise from $13.99 to $15.99. ESPN+ and Hulu will also see price adjustments in line with these changes.

READ MORE

[mynewshq]

‘Hard decisions are crucial to economic prosperity’ , Tinubu speaks on fuel price hike

President Bola Tinubu has spoken publicly about the recent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, explaining that the fuel price hike is a result of hard decisions that are crucial to economic prosperity. During a meeting with Nigerians living in China on Friday, Tinubu addressed concerns surrounding the petrol price hike, emphasising that his administration’s reforms aim to lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s future economic prosperity. Tinubu said, “Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are making bold, unprecedented decisions. For instance, you may have heard about the recent changes in fuel prices back home,”  as quoted by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale. He further explained that tough decisions are necessary to move the country forward, stating, “How can we achieve progress if we shy away from making difficult choices? The more we demand things for free, the costlier and more delayed real development becomes.” Earlier in the week, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) raised the pump price of petrol to N855 per liter across its retail outlets, leading to long queues at filling stations. The hike has sparked widespread criticism from Nigerians and various groups, who have urged the Federal Government to reverse the decision amidst fuel scarcity and rising inflation. Despite the backlash, Tinubu stood by the decision during the Beijing meeting, arguing that economic growth requires making challenging but necessary reforms. “Can we truly develop without making sacrifices? Can we have good roads, consistent electricity, clean water, and quality education without taking bold steps? We must be willing to pass on a better future to our children,” the President said, underscoring the need for national commitment to these reforms. He also highlighted the impressive talents of Nigerians in China, noting that their contributions abroad can inspire positive change at home. Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to replicating China’s infrastructure advancements in Nigeria, promising that his administration is focused on delivering results. “Every economic decision has a ripple effect, and it’s up to us to build our nation. My role is to lead, and I am determined to do just that. I have a strong team, and we are working with clear focus,” he added. Read the full article

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TechCrunch Minute: Canva faces backlash over price hikes

Some Canva customers are experiencing serious sticker shock, while the company is pointing to new AI features to justify the price hike. The company has established itself as a simpler, more affordable alternative to legacy design software, but the “more affordable” part of the equation is becoming a little less true, with some Canva Teams […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal…

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Top 10 headlines the media didn't tell you this week, Repost & FoIIow for more.

Wikipedia Founder warns the site is run by CIA to brainwash the public.

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AZ Senate forensic ballot audit findings show over 200,000 'non-conforming' 2020 ballots.

Biden admin to cancel all remaining oil and gas leases in the Arctic, prepare for gas price hikes (again).

Liberty Safe company faces massive Bud Light level backlash after releasing code to J6ers gun safe.

Elon Musk reveals he refused requests to activate Starlink in Ukraine to sink a Russian fleet, avoiding “a major act of war and conflict escalation.”

Enrique Tarrio reveals the Feds told him to lie about President Trump in order to help them seal an indictment — he was then sentenced to 22 years in prison for J6, which he didn't even attend.

Job Search Website, Indeed, to pay individual employees $10,000 to help transgender workers move to states where they feel safer.

Tucker Carlson drops Bombshell interview, exposing Barack Obama's crack use and alleged relations with another man.

Elon Musk to sue the Anti-Defamation League for alleged defamation that led to $22 billion in advertising losses.

If you appreciate this Top 10 recap, remember to Repost and FoIIow me for another week in a clown world 🤡🌎

@TaraBull808