Hacker News Reader

Vaguely related but I remember the tale of an author on vacation after publication of his latest novel. He telegramed his publisher to enquire about reception:

“?”

Publisher replied:

“!”

View on HN

Victor Hugo inquiring if Les Misérables was selling well.

That's the one, thank you!

! evokes to me the "good move" chess notation, but also the MGS way of telling the player when the AI has spotted Snake.

It eventually leads me to hear the MGS exclamation mark sound when I play or assist to a game of chess and that I spot a good move.

For those who played less PlayStation as a child than I did: MGS = Metal Gear Solid

I can't say I remember the associated sound, but the on-screen "!" goes all the way back to the original Metal Gear for NES.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com