alt.hn

4/25/2025 at 6:05:01 PM

Things I learned about software and startups by playing video games

https://the-nerve-blog.ghost.io/learning-from-video-games/

by mprast

4/26/2025 at 4:12:26 AM

Correction: In Super Mario Bros., the 2D successors, and Super Mario 3D Land/World, Mario does indeed become Super Mario when he picks up a Super Mushroom. "Super Mario" is the name of his larger form.

by bitwize

4/26/2025 at 5:47:14 AM

I didn't know this! I'll issue a correction

by mprast

4/26/2025 at 4:38:00 PM

Somewhat interestingly, "Mario Bros." now refers to the last name of the pair of plumber brothers, making their full names "Mario Mario" and "Luigi Mario" respectively. This wasn't originally the intent of the creators, but it's been slowly retconned over the history of the franchise.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario#Name

https://www.denofgeek.com/games/super-mario-bros-luigi-last-...

by pjob

4/26/2025 at 12:09:26 PM

I enjoyed your thoughts about non linear success and I think there is a sense in which the principle holds. but in both life and Balatro experientially, most win conditions are reached linearly, and the really crazy combos just let you explore endless mode for a couple more rounds. To your point being the owner of a modest business, or just being a good employee makes you ‘win’. But if you want to hit 10x win or 100x win, you need some ridiculous non linear scaling.

by hermitShell

4/27/2025 at 3:19:34 AM

yeah agreed, I think there are plenty of ways to live a successful and fulfilling 'linear' life

by mprast

4/26/2025 at 2:27:05 AM

Great read, especially liked the call-out of the Smash Bros aMSa video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WMBwFO65J4&t=11s and Baba is You.

by jmpavlec

4/26/2025 at 5:49:38 AM

thanks for reading!

by mprast