Can't Write, Webfishing

11/25/2024

I've had a lot going on lately. I've been stacked with work (though that will be over when you read this). I got first place at Pokemon wearing my cosplay. I think I might be transgender. Half Life 2 is celebrating its 20th anniversary, as are Halo 2, and the Nintendo DS. In spite of those things, I've spent a decent chunk of free time on The Bank.

Webfishing, as I would describe it, is a social fishing game and nothing more. You may have seen Vinny Vinesauce play it. I only saw it briefly, but a mere glimpse and the title were all I needed. I've had my affairs with fishing games in the past. Usually along the lines of Sega Bass Fishing, but sometimes a bit more sim-like, such as Pro Fishing Challenge for the Original Xbox. It seems like it's remained a popular feature of all the modern big games that have like, all the dog petting and side questing. I don't actually play any of those. Maybe you can't fish in the new Dragon Age? I have no idea. But I'd like to think I can read the room, and more and more gamers fancy themselves anglers. That's a fun thing!

I can't say that I'm big on Animal Crossing, which Webfishing certainly seems to have taken some inspiration from. It's got a similar kind of cutesy animal world aesthetic, but no Raymond slave trade. Animal Crossing fans in particular seem to have taken extra warmly to Webfishing, which is cute.

The game takes place on a small island with a campground. The campground is like home base. You can buy clothes for your character there, and upgrades for your fishing rod, lures, bait, and some other goodies. You'll steadily make money selling more and more fish, which will eventually turn into more upgrade opportunities. I'm used to this thing feeling insidious in some way, but Webfishing's low five-dollar price tag means you can come in to just hang out for a while.

Hanging out is just as much the name of the game as the actual fishing-money loop. It's not as involved as say, Cookie Clicker, but that's great; it's a perfect game to have on your second monitor. Why not talk to some folks while you're waiting for the fish to bite? This is the actual joy of fishing, of course. The idle chatter. More than once I have gotten on the game to talk with a friend, sometimes about gender, and sometimes about other things. It is... kind of a healing experience. Being in a foggy, low-polygon world, and watching other people's avatars wiggle around takes me back to the same bit of social fun I would have on something like World of Warcraft. My dad likes to go people watching at Wal-Mart, so I'm pretty sure I have inherited the same general amusement and joy of observing other people.

Don't worry if you're not talkative. It's not out of the norm to just exist, and you're more than welcome to make a Friends Only lobby for some peace and quiet. I've never been in a lobby where microphones are on, but I'm sure that's fun if you're into it. Text chat is the norm, complete with 'Bibibibilbobolbobo' type of noises to pass as speech. It's delightful.

There are some features I have yet to explore. There are saltwater and freshwater fish, for example, but I've not paid particular attention to this as I arbitrarily choose my fishing spot each day. There's also a fishtank (I hesitate to call one tank an aquarium) where I believe you can display your favorite catches. Some other items seem hidden around in corners of the map. This is definitely a game where not knowing and finding stuff organically has enhanced the experience. There's an autoclicker in the options menu, by the way!

Maybe I needed Webfishing. Something that's disconnected from larger franchises, genre conversations, and endless debate. It's a vehicle for casual, drive-by socializing first, and fishmaxxing second, but I'm very happy to be there, on the water.

I promise I'll get back to some big feature, soon. But these fish aren't gonna catch themselves!

- Jane