Bring Back Splitscreen

When I think of gamers, what comes to mind is not a pretty picture. Gamers are a group of people that are foul mouthed, inane, insensitive, hateful, sexist, elitist, uninformed, vulgar, angry, pretentious, mean, apathetic trolls who don't care about anybody but themselves. When did it come to this? When I think of gamers back in the day, we were all friends. We would go to each others houses and play video games together. We would exchange cheatcodes, and learn from one another about different techniques in our favorite video games. What changed?

Well, the internet and online multiplayer happened.

Ever since its introduction, the realm of online multiplayer has been a hostile one. I remember when I first jumped on Xbox Live with Halo 2, and the horrible things that I would hear from kids who should not have been using the language that they were using. I mean, there's nothing wrong with trash talk, but there's no call for such hateful speech. The nature of competitive games is a hateful one: I beat you, so that means I'm better. This gets in the way of us gamers recognizing that we're all gathering in the same place because we love the same game, and instead of gushing over it and being passionate about this game, instead we throw caustic comments at one another because we don't like the way the other person is playing. Gamers speak with prejudice and inconsideration. They don't think that there's another person on the other end of that headset. They don't think that maybe it could actually hurt someone's feelings with all of this hate. If gamers were able to play in the same room together, I guarantee it would be a different situation.

There have been studies conducted that just fifteen minutes of playing the game Rock Band with another person can form a stronger bond between two people. That's because they're working together, and they're playing in the same room together. In my experience, my friendships have gotten stronger from playing competitive games together. Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, Mario Party, Soulcalibur, and various other competitive multiplayer games have help make lasting memories for me. Those nights are the best! When all of my friends come over to play video games, and we just have fun. That's what those games are about. When playing online, you have to have a lot of patience, and the will to stay in it, even though you may lose time and time again. When you play with friends, it's different. Your opponent is right there, and you feel that connection with them because of their presence.

Video games these days don't have splitscreen anymore, or at least it isn't a priority for them. I don't know why. Well, I have a guess.

By making games a single player experience, with online only multiplayer, it forces gamers to buy more copies, because they can't play together. Yet, this method of multiplayer design constricts the community of players. Because of that anonymity between other gamers, friendships are difficult to make. Even if the other player was friendly and cooperative, the chances of playing together again are rather slim (for me at least). I know that games like The Division can't really be expected to have splitscreen, but imagine if it did. Imagine going through the streets of Manhattan with your best friend, and kicking butt together. That's fun. When you play online, it's more of a hassle than anything else. It involves scheduling, and coordinating, and hoping that you'll be able to end up on the same server. Sure, you have to set up a date with a friend to come over and play games together, but that's a lot easier. And there's also a high chance of pizza!

So, are the developers at fault for separating gamers? Yes, but in a small way. Gamers are also the ones who push other gamers out. Gamers are the ones who spit out hate. Gamers are the ones who don't care about anything but achieving victory in a video game, and are unconscious of the things that they say to one another.

Gamers! Unite as a group of people who enjoy video games together. Be kind to one another, even if the other player isn't as skilled as you are. Be encouraging, and always be willing to help. Help to cultivate a community that is friendly and accepting of one another and those who are new. Online multiplayer gives us as gamers to meet people from around the world, and form strong bonds of friendships. Do not look upon these people as their digital avatars, but as real people with feelings.

The Bigger They Are

The story of David and Goliath is one that everybody has heard at least once. It's a story of a young boy who defeats what is thought to be an unstoppable warrior. This fight was clearly one sided to on lookers, and it seemed as though the odds were stacked against young David. However, in spite of all of this, Goliath was defeated. Lately, I've been listening to various podcasts while at work, and one of them was discussing this very fight. The podcast was the TED Talk radio hour by NPR and the theme was misconceptions. The podcast opened up with this talk about David and Goliath, and spun it in a way that made it seem as though Goliath was the one who was truly at a disadvantage. Of course, this got me thinking about video games.

Video games always seem to put players up against seemingly impassable obstacles, and yet, every time, players surpass and overcome these blockages. What's the point of putting up these walls if the player is just going to knock them down anyway? It's to make the player feel accomplished. Often in video games the player is a one man, or woman, army who can topple any kind of defense that is in front of them. However, this isn't without some challenge. Players who are persistent will overcome anything. Whether that is an enemy army, or a giant that is so large that it can't even fit on the entire screen.

The game that illustrates the David v. Goliath scenario the best is, of course, Shadow of The Colossus. Players take control of a regular dude with a sword, that he really doesn't know how to use, a bow, that he's actually pretty decent at using, and his trusty horse, who is the best horse in all of video games. The player character isn't really anything special. He starts off pretty weak, he's uncoordinated, and he generally has no idea what he's doing. The character is pretty darn relatable, he's about as lost as you are. When players come across the first colossus, they are stuck with awe and terror. The same goes for every other colossus that follows. Because, again, you're just a dude, and you're not really trained in the ways of killing gigantic stone beasts with weapons that are bigger than a double-decker bus. Each colossus presents a seemingly impossible challenge. How is someone who is just a dude going to take down that enormous monstrosity? Well, with a bit of courage, and a lot of wit.

The thing is, that while these colossi are immense and extremely intimidating, most of them are slow and lumbering. Players are much faster than them, so agility is on their side. Often times, players will have to use the environment, and the colossus' rage to manipulate them and break down their defenses. So logic is on the player's side as well. These colossi may be huge and powerful, but each one of them can be defeated. It may seem impossible that a character that seems to hit the tip of the bell curve on every test can defeat these things, and yet he does. Every time. This is similar to the TED Talk that I referenced earlier.

The speaker spoke about the disadvantages that Goliath may have had, such as his abnormal size, and how people who are of that size can suffer from poor eye sight and slower cognition. The speaker also talked about how David knew exactly what he was doing, and how the sling which he used to defeat Goliath was no joke. Apparently, in the days of David and Goliath, the sling was used in artillery barrages alongside archers. Often times, soldiers who used slings were so proficient with them that they could hit a bird in flight. David most likely used his sling as a means of defense against predators to the sheep in the flock that he tended to. David could probably also hit a bird in flight with his sling. So, a very large man standing still across from him wouldn't have been that much of a challenge to hit right between the eyes as he did. While it may seem like David was at a disadvantage until the fight was over, it turns out that David had the upper hand the whole time.

This is the kind of scenario that players in video games are faced with every time. Whether it's one big enemy, or a whole army of them, players often fight and win these battles. Video games create the illusion that the odds are stacked against them, and that what they face cannot be beaten. Often times, that is true, but after a heavy dose of determination and even more retries, players come out on top.

I think that the same could be said for the things that we face in life. While most of us will not fight armies all by ourselves, or go head to head with a giant monster, we still have these things in our lives that stand in our way. It may seem impossible to get to where we want to go, or to get out of our dead end jobs, but with the will and determination to do something about these issues, often times, we can overcome and achieve our goals. It's difficult, and it's dangerous, but it is worth doing.

"It's Just A Game"

As we go through life, we experience much. We live, we learn, we love, we hurt. It's all part of the process of growing up. Along with growing up, we're also raised on certain things. Whether that's Star Wars, Disney Movies, Saturday morning cartoons, video games, or any other thing to keep us entertained. While a majority of society will see these things as merely for children, it impacts us in a way that they just don't seem to comprehend.

For me, video games are a huge part of me. They are so much more than a pass time. Video games have strongly affected me in the way that I think, solve problems, prioritize, work, and play. Games have changed my life. Games have SAVED my life. They mean something to me. For people to dismiss video games as simply a waste of time is to dismiss me as an individual. I have spent so much time with video games that they are a part of me I adore video games. I see them as something more than what others see. I find obscure angles and insight that others can't see right away. I have a very close relationship with my video games. They are a part of me. It isn't simply a way to spend an afternoon. I wouldn't say that is an investment, though it might be if my dreams come true and I become a video game journalist, but rather an appreciation of the medium of video games.

I find that too often people who aren't really a part of this generation, or into different fandoms don't quite grasp the emotion that we feel when we are around something that we love. I think back to when Jeremy Renner, the actor who plays Hawkeye in the Avengers movies, made an offhand comment about Black Widow's character. The internet, as it tends to do, exploded with rage. I didn't much care for his comments either, but I understood where the internet was coming from. These characters in the Marvel Universe have been around for a lot longer than these waves of movies have existed, and Black Widow is one of the more iconic characters. Heck, they all are. Fans of Black Widow look up to her character, they aspire to be like her. They appreciate her capacity to get the job done, and her confidence to accomplish her task. Black Widow is a really cool character! And when an actor who portrays one of those characters that fans look up to and admire is not invested into said character, simply because they are a work of fiction and they do not exist isn't the best thing for your image. Nor is it a very kind thing to say to fans of that character.

I've never met Luke Skywalker, but I feel like I know him because I've seen his journeys. I admire Luke Skywalker for his transformation from young, restless farm boy who longs for something more, to a Jedi master. I want to be like Luke. I want to be a Jedi. I want to be a force for good, and justice across the galaxy. While I can't actually travel across the galaxy and use a light saber, I can still take a few notes from Luke's book. The Jedi are not a real thing, but they are made up of things from this world. The Jedi are protectors of those who cannot defend for themselves, they fight against those who would do harm to the innocent, and they bring peace and balance wherever they go. I think that those are some things to aspire to. I'd like to live my life like a Jedi. I may not be able to move objects using the force, or pilot an X-Wing fighter, but I can do my best to protect those who can't protect themselves.

Art is something that is made to make a statement. It is something that is created by the artist to leave their mark on the world. It is a message to its audience to impact or influence them in someway. Sometimes for good, some for bad. But art is still something that affects every single one of us, and to deny that impact simply because it's "made up", or "just a video game (movie, tv show, cartoon, book)" is so harmful. People need heroes. They need someone to look up to. We can't all be Captain America or Superman, but we can try to follow their example and do what is right. These characters are models of virtue... well, not always, but they still have values that are worth fighting for. I can't always rely on the people in my life to show me what is right or wrong. We're human, after all. But these fictional characters, that can be crafted to be the very ideas of truth, justice, and righteousness can be a better role model.

So, no, it is not just a video game, it is not just a movie, it is not just a TV show, it is not just a comic or cartoon. It is something that is a part of us, and we look up to and aspire to be. We love our passions. We love our fandoms. We love our heroes. They may not be real, but they stand for something that is, and we can do our part by aspiring to be like them.

We Demand to be Taken Seriously

I have been writing passionately on this blog about video games for the past four years. I love doing it. Every post that I right is in celebration of video games as an art form, and the things that we can take away from them. I write this way because I believe that there is still a stigma that comes along with the moniker of 'gamer'. I write to dispel that superstition of gamers being basement dwelling wastoids who don't do anything but play video games.




This image kind of captures how I feel about my defense of video games. I just want to be taken seriously. I don't want to be looked down upon for my passion. Rejection sucks, and to feel a slight tinge of that every time that I mention that I love video games to someone who doesn't play or understand video games kind of hurts. I have such a passion that burns within me for the medium that it consumes me. I am all about video games, and I love them dearly. Video games have helped me through some rough times in my life. Video games have even saved my life. I know that video games have done the same for many others around the world. Gaming is more than just a hobby or a pastime; it s a cultural phenomenon.

Sure, I could go on about how video games have started beating out the box office since Halo 3 back in 2007, or I could talk about all of the scientific studies that show how much playing video games can improve one's mental capacity, but none of that matters to me. Those things are just heartless numbers and stats that gamers like myself would use to lean on to support the claim that video games are not a waste of time. I've once heard it said that writers often use statistics in the same way a drunkard uses a lampost: for support, rather than illumination. Basically a "nuh-uh!" but with numbers. Video games are so much more than the amount of money that they make opening weekend, or how much the entire industry has grossed over the past five or ten years. Video games are an experience, and developers work very hard to create the experience of their video games.

There are many people out there who speak just as passionately about video games as I do, though none really address the more abstract things that I do. However, the way that most game reviewers or journalists talk about games is in a way that seems stagnant and clunky. These people speak in a language that only people who play video games can understand. When I get the chance to be a writer for one of the more prestigious and more well known video game sites, I want to change that. I want to change the way that video games are talked about. I want people who don't play video games to know more about them.




Because the way that games are broken down in reviews talks about each individual element of the game, rather than speaking to the experience as a whole. I know that when I talk face to face to people who don't play video games, they can see the passion that I have for video games, and those same people can see that passion come through in my writing. I'm very proud of my voice that I've found in my writing. I want that to be the new standard of conversation among gamers. Because going through a checklist of items, and ticking them off one by one with a brief summation of what was subjectively good or bad about said item is so boring. Video games are not boring! or at least they shouldn't be.

Video games have evolved far beyond that of Pac-Man or Space Invaders. Games now tell stories, and engage the player in ways that were not possible back when they first came out. Games are no longer just about having fun, but telling stories in a way that only video games can. There is something that only the player experiences when they pick up a controller and play the game. This is an amazing experience. Having direct control over a character in a story is something that was only dreamed of before video games. Who hasn't read Harry Potter and thought about the misadventures that they would get themselves into? Who hasn't watched Star Wars and thought about becoming a Jedi, or joining the Rebels? These experiences can actually be found in video games, and it's awesome!

Video games are awesome, and I want people to know this. I want people to understand why I think that video games are awesome. Because they are more than something that just improves my mental capacity, or something that makes a lot of money. Games are more than just a brief summary of a story, followed by an analysis of its gameplay, followed by its graphics, followed by its presentation, in that order. Video games mean so much more to me than simply a waste of time. Video games have brought me before the gates of the deepest darkest places of my heart and let me fight my way out and overcome that darkness. Video games have given me something to lean on when nobody else seemed to be around. Video games understood me, and spoke my language when nobody else would listen. Gaming is a passion. It is a way of life, that for some reason is still looked down upon. Video games are here to stay, and they are not just some irrelevant way to kill time. Video games are leaving a significant impact on cultures all around the globe, and to deny them of that significance is a disservice to the advances that they have made over the years, and the ways that they have changed the lives of millions. Because we gamers play them all the time does not mean that we are useless. It does not mean that we are insignificant. It does not mean that we simply exist and take up space, only to waste time and the air that we breathe. We are gamers, and we love what we do. We matter, and we should not be overlooked or passed by because of our passion.

Hey! That's Me!

There is a lot of discussion revolving around the issue of representation in media these days. Some of it is kind of BS. Some studios seem to do it to hit a certain demographic, or maybe just to spice up their show or movie. On the other side of the conversation, people are actively apathetic about the whole issue and just miss the point entirely. That, "it really doesn't matter what age, race, gender, or sexuality the character is". Then again, this is probably coming from the perspective of people who have been represented by countless protagonists and main characters. IE white, straight, males. Now, being a white, straight, male, I'm okay with seeing these characters. On the other hand, I'd like to see some variety. Not just for my sake, but for the sake of the kinds of people that these characters would represent.

Representation in media is important, because it kind of sends the message of "if this character can do it, so can you", and that's a really cool thing. I don't see enough black characters in the video games that I play. When I do, they aren't very well written, and they don't serve much of a purpose to the story. That's another issue that I have, but I'll get to that later. The fact of the matter is, that everybody needs someone that they can look up to. There's a phrase that I hear all the time when I'm struggling with my depression, and that is "you're not alone", and I know that, I just wish that I could see more of it. If a character in a tv show, movie, or video game has a mental health disorder, that seems to be their only facet. Kind of like Eeyore, but less well rounded.

When I see a character that has something that does not adhere to the "standards of society", that fact seems to be their only character trait. For example: if a character is a lesbian, they will have a scene where they are making out with their lover. EDGY!!!!! and that character will serve no further purpose. As in, they will not help out the main character, move the story forward, will not be included in any pivotal scenes. They're just there. As if to check off a tick box on a sheet of paper that has a list of items to improve ratings. That isn't really fair. It isn't fair to the people who watch that show and are actually lesbians. I'm not a lesbian. In fact, I'm the antithesis of one, as mentioned earlier. However, I've met a few lesbians, and they're not bad people, and guess what? They do more than overtly make out with their girlfriends. How about that? It's kind of strange to me that the writers wouldn't flesh out a character like that. I see the same thing with characters who are gamers. The only aspect of their personality is that they play video games. They are ignorant to the world around them, and they don't care about anything but getting the high score. High scores aren't even a thing anymore. It's like when a TV show tries to make a computer hacking program, but the designers don't know anything about hacking computers.

Video games are kind of special, because they allow for character customization. I like Mass Effect for this reason. I like to play as the female Commander Shepard, because characters in the game will react differently to her because she's a woman. Who would believe that sexism still existed one hundred years into the future? I can also change the race and sexuality of the character. However, those only seem to be purely cosmetic choices as nothing really changes. The voice actress is clearly white, and nobody gets uncomfortable if my character is with an alien, or a character that is the same gender.

Saints Row IV on the other hand has great customization. I can make a character that is a large black woman with the voice of Nolan North. Why? I don't know. I just wanted to. The character is completely something of my own design, and nobody really cares. I can romance whomever I want, and I can always change the race, bodytype, voice, and gender of the character. It doesn't really matter who or what I am in that game. I still kick ass.

Then there are games that present me with characters that are out of my control. Games like Gone Home, or Life is Strange both have female protagonists that are going through some pivotal changes in their lives, and the characters feel well rounded and deep. These characters are cared about and respected by the writers because they want them to be memorable and likeable. Or dislikeable. These characters make decisions and act on their own, with their own motivations, and it makes the player feel for them. How about in The Wolf Among Us, with the character of Snow White? She does her best to keep things in order, but has some conflicts of interest because of the situation that befalls her. Yet she still tries her best, even if that means getting in the way of the player. These actions make the characters have a sense of autonomy, that they aren't just another NPC who repeats the same line of dialogue, or gives out quests. These are characters. Whether they are black, white, male or female, straight or gay, it is important that they matter.

We all want to be on the silver screen, but we know that probably isn't going to happen. That's why it's important that we see someone who is kind of like us up there, and we want to be cool. We want to be important. We want to help. Heck, we want to be the main character. Representation is important because it can kind of give us that chance. That we can see ourselves in those characters. It's important that writers of all kinds of media treat these characters with respect, because they are more than just that one facet. I really like video games, but I like movies too. I work a job, I have friends, I have good days, and I have bad days. So does everyone else in this world. I know that this argument has been made thousands of times before, by people who are way smarter than me, but I wanted to throw my two cents in. I may be the majority here, but I feel for the little guy. They deserve their time in the spotlight as well.

Remember This Old Gem?

If you go to any subreddit, forum, or Facebook Fanpage that is based around video games, you will undoubtedly find some kind of post relating to a game from the days of yore. Gamers are absolutely obsessed with the past. There always seems to be some kind of outcry whenever a new sequel, or even a new game entirely, is released and how it isn't as good as the old one. Because of this, gamers have an adversity to something new, and as a result: have a very closed mind when it comes to video games.

Gaming is something that most of us have grown up with in this generation. It was something that we all did as children, and it reminds us of those days when all we had to worry about was doing homework and waking up for school the next day. Admittedly, those were some good times. Now, things have changed. We have matured, in more ways than being able to play a game with a mature rating. We have responsibilities, we have (hopefully) experienced more in life, we've taken in new movies, books, television shows, and even video games. Yet, people have this strange fixation to the past. Whatever version of that thing that they first experienced is the true original and anything that tries to replicate or improve upon it is worse or wrong. What is the point of this?

It may be a bit extreme to say, but if we keep up with this kind of mindset, the gaming industry will never mature or expand. We will continue to have the same Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, Battlefield, and Pokemon game every year until they stop making video games (which they wont). The gaming industry feeds off of our nostalgia and the safety that we feel in the familiar. Gamers are too critical of adversity, which is ironic considering that adversity is the driving force behind every single video game ever created. Gamers act like children if things are not held to their ridiculously high standards, or are reminiscent of a game from their youth.

We, as gamers, need to be more accepting of new games. We need to be accepting, yet still somewhat critical of new games, even if they have flaws. We need to have a more keen eye when analyzing new games, as opposed to administering a blanket statement of "it's not as good as the original".

I revisit games of my youth all the time. Some of them still hold up, and some of them don't. I'd like to say that all of my old games take me back to the living room of my old house when I would sit on the floor in front of the TV and play them for hours on end. Yet, as I sit here writing this and looking at all of the games that I have amassed and played throughout my life and career as a gamer, I realized that my taste in gaming has changed. I still appreciate the games from back in the day, but more so in a manner that reflects how far we have come. There is value in the classics. As I said before, there are still some games that hold up and are still a lot of fun to play, but again, not all of them are.

I don't think that there is anything wrong with nostalgia. I think that going back and having fun with old games is perfectly fine. However, it is possible to have a sort of overdose on nostalgia, to the point where everything moving forward must be the same as it was in the past. Developers hear this feedback, and are thereby restricted on how they move forward. There will always be the small yet vocal minority who will shout from the mountaintop of every forum that is accessible to them, but this causes others to join in with them and grow their numbers. It's the reason that we have so many HD remakes of so many games, even ones that were released on the last generation of consoles less than ten years ago. Gamers pine for the classics and are not happy until they have the exact same experience as they remember. That's why the market is flooded with knock-off after knock-off that is "never quite as good" because it doesn't have the same name as the game that gamers remember.

I may be exaggerating a bit here, but I'd like to think that my point here still stands. I play lots of different games, and I keep an open mind to a lot of them. Yes, there are new games that are released these days that are genuinely bad, but there are a lot of games out there that are objectively good but still have a few flaws. I want gaming to progress. I want gaming to diversify. I want gaming to try new ways of creating games; in the way we play, in the way we experience stories, in the way that we game. Gamers have the power to shift the paradigm of the industry with what games they play. If Activision continues to see incredibly high sales numbers for Call of Duty, there's going to be another Call of Duty just like the last one. If gamers gravitated more towards indie games that try something new, that would change how the market looks. That developer would be able to continue to create more games that experiment with the idea of what makes up a game. I know that you can't change everyone's mind, but you can start by changing your own. Try out a different game that you might not even look twice at before. Try out a game that you've never heard of before. Play more games. Play different games. Above all: have fun.

Well, I'm an Idiot

I hate being wrong. In fact, I loathe being wrong. I hate having some kind of demarcation on my record that says that I’ve made errors. I want to have a good record, a clean sheet, or a high score. However, my relationship with being wrong has changed over the years. I’d like to think that I’ve matured, because of this change. At least in video games.

In video games, I can learn from my mistakes. Take for example: Portal. In Portal, I am taught the game’s mechanics and rules throughout the course of the game, and it is up to me to apply them in order to solve the puzzle. The game design is intended to teach its players the rules and the different things that you can do with the portal gun in order to solve puzzles. What makes the game great, is that there is no time limit, and there is plenty of room for the player to experiment and try different things. The game teaches the player without words in a way that the player can understand. Yet, the player still thinks that they figured the game out on their own.

Portal never directly says that portals can only be placed on concrete surfaces, but it does so indirectly. Portal’s game design is subtle and ingenious, so that it gives off the impression of the player figuring things out on their own. This is how game design should be made to teach their players.

Too many games these days directly say to do this or that to complete some objective or to move forward. This method of teaching does, in fact, not teach the player anything. It’s simply following orders, and connecting dots that are numbered. Players are not offered the opportunity to play on their own and learn from their mistakes.

Extra Credits, a Youtube channel and a huge influence on my perspective of video games, discuss gamifying the school system. This makes sense, because a lot of video games are forgiving to the player when they make mistakes. In Super Meat Boy, a puzzle platformer, if a player gets hit, they die immediately. However, when the player dies, they get brought back immediately. Super Meat Boy is absolutely brutal in its game design, yet forgiving. Each level is quick, and packed tightly with puzzles and obstacles for players to figure out the best path through. Shovel Knight is another example of this game design. While the gameplay is different than that of Super Meat Boy, players still have an unlimited amount of lives, and the game teaches players in subtle ways so that it feels as though they have learned themselves. This, I feel is how the school system could be improved.

In school, I remember feeling so much pressure to be right, to get the correct answer, because everything was riding on the experience of me going to school. Now, I realize the trivial nature of the industrialized school system, where answers are merely regurgitated instead of learned. Opportunities to learn are few or not there at all. If school could be more like a video game in its design, where students could learn on their own, make mistakes, and be forgiven and immediately given another chance, students wouldn’t feel so much pressure at school. It would be more of a learning experience, than whatever it is now.

We have this idea of what school should be, and we simply accept it. What if we could change it, though? What if we could redesign it so that students might actually learn something useful, or learn from the classes that are being taught to them without having the teachers feeling stressed about making sure to meet deadlines about grading papers? What if the school system could be a place where students are excited to learn, as opposed to begrudging getting up in the morning just to be assigned homework? I don’t remember much from my classes that were considered “academic” but I do remember the people that I met along the way, and the teachers who taught me more about myself than their curriculum. I have some good memories of school, and none of them came from a text book.