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Just when we'd started to wrap our heads around Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Sony announced they'd bought Bungie (maker of Destiny and Halo) for $3.6 billion. Considering the massive wheeling and dealing that's being done in the video game industry as of late, $3.6 billion almost seems like chump change. However, this purchase will inevitably have far-reaching effects on the world of gaming. Why did Sony really buy Bungie, and what does this mean going forward?
We'll also be discussing PlayStation's plans to launch "more than 10" live service games by the year 2026, Blizzard's newly announced survival game IP for PC and consoles, the upcoming TV and film adaptation of the 2021 GOTY "It Takes Two", and the New York Times' purchase of mobile game mega-hit Wordle.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at why a decision made in the 1800s led to the creation of PAL and NTSC.
This episode has been proudly sponsored by the Retro Game Club Podcast! Please visit them at linktr.ee/retrogameclub.
The first Nintendo Direct of 2022 is finally here, and it was a whopper! We're going over every single announcement, including Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario Strikers: Battle League, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, Nintendo Switch Sports, and so much more (as well as the unfortunately named "Mouthful Mode" from Kirby and the Forgotten Land).
We'll also be discussing Intellivision Amico's nearly $8.5 million debt load, how the US government wants to put Nintendo hacker Gary Bowser behind bars for five years "to provide just punishment," and Google Stadia's downgrade to Google Stream.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the Super Famicom's largest (and coolest) peripheral, the Satellaview.
This episode has been proudly sponsored by the Retro Game Club Podcast! Please visit them at linktr.ee/retrogameclub.
We all knew the day was coming when Nintendo would close down the digital storefronts for its 3DS and Wii U consoles. However, it hurts a bit more to realize that up to 1000 digital-only video games will disappear forever as a result. The internet is alight with debates about games preservation, emulation, and piracy, and it seems like everyone has a (very strong) opinion. We attempt to navigate through the noise to see what's really at stake.
We'll also be discussing how the original Halo composers' lawsuit against Microsoft over unpaid royalties could block the upcoming Halo TV show, the possibilities behind Capcom's mystery countdown website (including Street Fighter 6, Dragon's Dogma 2, the Resident Evil 4 Remake, Monster Hunter 6, and more), how The Lord of the Rings' video game rights are up for sale, and Valve's warning that tinkering with your Steam Deck could end your life.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of the RPG video game genre.
This episode has been proudly sponsored by the Retro Game Club Podcast! Please visit them at linktr.ee/retrogameclub.
One week (and $139 million) into the Uncharted movie's theatrical run, it seems that there's still a rabid audience for film adaptations of beloved video games. So get your popcorn ready because we're previewing eight upcoming titles. Some look good, some definitely look bad, and at least one is a real head-scratcher.
We're also discussing Street Fighter 6's disastrous new Adobe stock image logo, the news that the Call of Duty franchise might not release a game in 2023, Sony Pictures CEO's bold claim that the Uncharted film "is a new hit movie franchise for the company," and the US game reseller that discovered hundreds of rare, sealed games in an old storage facility.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of cheat codes.
This episode has been proudly sponsored by the Retro Game Club Podcast! Please visit them at linktr.ee/retrogameclub.
Guinness just announced their list of the Top 50 video game characters of all time based on the results of a public poll, and well... we have thoughts. We go over the list's snubs, surprises, and outright shocks. Does Mario really deserve to be #1? The answer is...it depends.
We'll also discuss the newly announced Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, the leaked pricing details for PlayStation's Spartacus subscription service, how Capcom has riled the FGC with its intense Street Fighter 5 legal event guidelines, and the state of the Silent Hill franchise after Konami let its ownership of the official web domain expire.
This episode has been proudly sponsored by the Retro Game Club Podcast! Please visit them at linktr.ee/retrogameclub.
In 1982, the video game adaptation of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial released for the Atari 2600 to commercial and critical failure. But is it really the worst game of all time? We sit down with Howard Scott Warshaw (the developer of Yars' Revenge, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the infamous E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) to learn more about the heyday of Atari and find out if there's any truth to that oft-repeated internet claim that E.T. caused the video game crash of 1983.
We'll also be discussing the March 2022 Sony State of Play, including Exoprimal (a brand new IP from Capcom), the newly announced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, Returnal's huge free update, and not one, but TWO brand new game announcements from Square Enix.
This episode has been proudly sponsored by the Retro Game Club Podcast! Please visit them at linktr.ee/retrogameclub.
Facebook Gaming was supposed to be the social media giant's answer to Twitch. Four years after its launch, however, it's a weird wasteland of diet pill ads and sketchy viewership stats. What went wrong... aside from, well, everything? We look at the head-scratcher that is the current state of Facebook Gaming, as well as discuss what it would take to turn the service around.
We'll also be talking about how Elden Ring sold over 12 million copies in 18 days, the upcoming opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal, Atari's $1.5 million purchase of the videogame database MobyGames, and Reggie Fils-Aime's claim that he left GameStop's board because leadership refused to explain their plans for turning the company around.
Thank you to Andy of the CafeBTW Podcast for filling in! Connect with Andy at linktr.ee/cafebtw
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Visit the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Check out the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
For decades, governments and media have made video games a scapegoat for the ills of modern society, and violence in games is blamed for all kinds of real-life violence. But what does the science say? You may be surprised to learn that violence in video games isn't the problem at all, and that rage quitting is actually...healthy!
We also discuss the Intellivision Amico's new official unboxing video, how the Witcher 4 director is promising there will be no crunch "on my watch," and the PS5 Pro rumors claiming a possible 2023 launch and doubled performance.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of Earthbound 64.
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Visit the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Check out the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
For years, Microsoft's Game Pass has been the king of video game subscription services. The internet has long been filled with chatter over if/when Sony's PlayStation would throw its hat in the ring and challenge Xbox on its home turf. Today, we have that answer. Sony unveiled its all-new PlayStation Plus subscription service. We dive into the details to see if it's a worthy competitor to Game Pass.
We'll also be discussing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel's delay to spring 2023, how Dead by Daylight has fifty million players and an upcoming board game adaptation, and the new study that says esport athletes face the same level of mental stress as athletes in traditional sports.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of esport competitions.
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Visit the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Check out the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
E3's efforts last year to keep its showcase alive in digital form in the midst of a global pandemic were lackluster at best. Perhaps then it's not all that shocking to hear the event is canceled completely this year -- both in-person and digitally. One question remains, however: does it even matter? In a world that now thrives on digital showcases by the likes of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, do we really need an event such as E3? And can E3 do anything to remain relevant and save itself?
We also discuss the reports that the SNK Corporation is almost entirely owned by Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman's foundation, the latest drama over Blue Box Game Studios and its title Abandoned, SIE President Jim Ryan's confirmation that Sony "has more studio acquisitions planned," and the official Halo cookbook that is due out in August.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of gaming tips and tricks guides.
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Visit the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Check out the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
Thanks to numerous allegations of misconduct and abuse, Activision Blizzard has been a mainstay in the headlines for the last year. This week was no different, except... it's only PARTIALLY bad news?? We look at the recent goings-on at the embattled company, including the move to give 1,100 QA testers full-time jobs and higher base pay, the newly hired chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, and reports that the California governor has been interfering in the Activision Blizzard lawsuit.
We'll also be discussing how PlayStation Plus was "devastating" for Oddworld: Soulstorm sales, China's first new video game approvals in almost a year, Sony and Lego's $2 billion investment in Epic Games, and Sega's reports that its "Super Game" plan is actually multiple games (and may include NFTs).
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of Commodore International.
Remember a time before microtransactions? Yeah, neither do we. That's why the news that Microsoft and Sony are considering including ads in Xbox and Playstation games has us more than a little nervous. Is this intrusion into our games the inevitable future? Or do gamers still have a voice that rings stronger than corporate greed?
We'll also be discussing the apparent leak of a Nintendo Switch Game Boy emulator, the newly announced Sonic Origins, and the upcoming Streets of Rage film that's being penned by the creator of the John Wick series.
Finally, we're joined by Andrew Borman of the Strong National Museum of Play to talk about gaming history, preservation, and art.
Learn more about the Strong National Museum of Play at museumofplay.org. Follow Andrew Borman on Twitter at @Borman18.
It seems Sony will be making a few other changes to go along with its newly revamped PlayStation Plus subscription service. The company announced this week that any game costing $34 or higher must have an accompanying game trial that lasts for at least 2 hours. Additionally, the notoriously anti-game preservation company has just launched a new game preservation team. We examine these two surprisingly player-centric moves and suspect that all is not quite as positive as it initially seems.
We'll also be discussing how Twitch is exploring subscription revenue cuts for streamers, Sega's announcement that it will delist digital versions of classic Sonic games in preparation for the release of Sonic Origins, how Call of Duty has lost 50 million players in a year, and how Final Fantasy's creator has called out Square Enix for pricing a collectible statue at $11.6k.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at Atari's Swordquest series.
Square Enix has been making major headlines this week, and unfortunately, it’s not because the pixel remasters of Final Fantasy 1 through 6 are finally coming to consoles. The Tomb Raider publisher has announced that it is selling several of its Western studios in order to focus on what it considers most important -- blockchain.
Additionally, legendary game dev Yuji Naka has shared details about why he took Square Enix to court over Balan Wonderworld. We discuss our once favorite video game publisher and wonder if there's anything left of the Square Enix we love.
We'll also be talking about how Sony will reportedly handle creating PlayStation Plus game demos itself, the reports that Nintendo contractors are criticizing the company's culture and treatment of workers, the first look at Netflix's new animated series Sonic Prime, and the tale of how Reggie Fils-Aimé had to fight for Wii Sports as a pack-in game against Miyamoto's and Iwata's wishes.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the early history of the XBⱯND and console online gaming.
Any child of the '80s and '90s knows that these years were the golden age of Rare, the British video game development company. Kev Bayliss is the creator of Diddy Kong and a long-time game developer who has worked on some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history, including Battletoads, Killer Instinct, GoldenEye 007, Diddy Kong Racing, and more. He joins us to share stories of what it was like making games during this heyday.
We'll also be discussing a new Microsoft patent that could allow physical games to be verified for digital use, the court ruling that Valve will face an antitrust lawsuit over Steam policies, and the 2022 World Video Game Hall Of Fame inductees.
To the surprise of almost no one in the retrogaming sphere, game-grading company Wata Games is the target of a new US class-action lawsuit. The suit accuses Wata of "engaging in affirmative acts to manipulate the retro video game market" and of "engaging in unfair business practices." We discuss the allegations and what this could potentially mean for the future of the retrogaming secondhand market.
We'll also be talking about how Saudi Arabia’s PIF now owns a 5% stake in Nintendo, the newly revealed PlayStation Plus games lineup, the backlash over Activision's video game diversity tool, and PlayStation's strangely useful online "Gamer Dictionary."
Finally, Donnie takes us on a Retro Rewind in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the May 1996 issue of GamePro Magazine.
In 1980, Atari held a tournament to determine the best player in the nation on its 2600 port of the arcade sensation Space Invaders. The tournament was won by a Los Angeles teenager who went on to change the landscape of video games. We're joined by Rebecca Heineman to hear her stories of the world's very first esports tournament.
We'll also be discussing how the Xbox Series S outsold the PS5 in Japan for the first time since 2014, how Activision Blizzard employees have finally formed the first major North American games union, and Sega's admission that it’s targeting high review scores for Sonic Frontiers.
Sonic Frontiers, Sega's upcoming open-world video game starring everyone's favorite Blue Blur, got a seven-minute gameplay video, and well... it all looks strangely familiar. We're joined by our good friend, streamer, YouTuber, and all-around great guy Ducks in Disguise to help us break down this first look at gameplay and talk about what we still hope to see in the full game.
We'll also be discussing Microsoft's confirmation that the company is working on a "Keystone" Xbox game streaming dongle and XBox's new update that finally lets you see hidden achievements. And because we're in the lull before E3 season (or as is the case this year, Not-E3 season), we're taking a trip down memory lane with some retro gaming-inspired discussion topics.
Finally, Donnie takes us on a Retro Rewind in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at what was going on in the gaming world in June 1998.
The latest PlayStation State of Play has arrived bringing with it a new look for Final Fantasy 16, the long-awaited reveal of Resident Evil 4 Remake, the first gameplay of Street Fighter 6, and much more. We're joined by Hugues of the Retro Game Club Podcast to discuss the titles featured in this State of Play.
We'll also be talking about how Sega chose the Mega Drive Mini 2 over a Dreamcast mini or Saturn mini due to worries over extreme costs, the new Nintendo leak teasing more movies in development, and how fans are calling for Sega to #DelaySonicFrontiers after "soulless" gameplay unveiled.
Although there's technically no E3 this year, you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Over the course of a few days, we got a ton of trailers, gameplay reveals, and announcements for some huge titles, including Starfield, Diablo IV, Silksong, and more. We're joined by Kade Call of the Gaming Memories Podcast to break down all the biggest news from not-E3 week.
We'll also be discussing how Sonic Team's boss says Sonic Frontiers won’t be delayed as a result of fan feedback, the upcoming Gran Turismo movie, and Sega's promise that Sonic won't be kissing anymore human characters in his games.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the early history of id Software.
The video game industry is in flux. We’re 19 months into a fresh console cycle, the pandemic slowed or paused development on a generation of games, and studios of all sizes are being absorbed by the biggest names in the room. Put simply, there aren’t a lot of huge games coming out in the second half of 2022. But is this actually a bad thing? We discuss the pros and cons of the AAA development machine and wonder if the indies will save us.
We'll also be discussing Sega's new multiplayer FPS game Hyenas, Sony's upcoming announcement regarding new hardware (including a supposed PS5 Pro controller), the news that Final Fantasy XVI will not be open world (but will have a Mature rating), and the streamer who spent $15k on Diablo Immortal only to quit the game.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at two early Nintendo lawsuits.
The June 2022 Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase has come and gone, and left us with a host of fresh announcements, release date news, surprise drops, and other tidbits. We discuss the good, the bad, and the underwhelming of Nintendo's latest.
We'll also be talking about how Final Fantasy 16 will use "British English only" to avoid pissing off Americans, the new Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration collection, the Mega Drive Mini 2 console's $150 controller, and the new study that says the ‘90s had the best video game music.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at Tengen vs Nintendo lawsuits.
Web 3 company Polium claims its "Polium One" system will be “the world’s first multi-chain gaming console” that will be capable of running games built on different blockchains. Unsurprisingly, the announcement has been met with much criticism from gamers who are, at best, not yet convinced of the merits of blockchain gaming, and at worst believe it to be a scam (Spoiler: We're the latter). We talk about the Polium One as history comes full circle on the 6-month anniversary of Gamers Week Podcast.
We'll also be discussing how the trademark for the Intellivision Amico has been abandoned, the Nintendo fan who bought $40,000 in stock to ask about an F-Zero revival, the new study that claims the majority of Americans think video games should be taught in school, and how the global video games market is expected to fall for the first time since 2015.
Finally, Donnie takes us on a Retro Rewind in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at what was going on in the gaming world in July 1997.
What does it truly mean to be called one of the worst video games of all time? We're going to the very bottom of Metacritic’s rankings to find out which games rank as the worst of the worst, as well as gripe about the very worst games we've personally played.
We'll also be discussing how GameStop fired one of its top execs in the midst of the company's transition towards NFTs, how PAX organizer ReedPop is partnering with the ESA to run E3 2023, Bayonetta 3's optional ‘put on more clothes’ mode, and how the voice of Zelda in the Zelda CD-i games would love to return to the role.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of Bungie and Halo: Combat Evolved.
4:05 - Reviews, Reactions, and Requests 6:13 - Very Important Poll 14:39 - Patron shout-outs 17:15 - GameStop Fires Top Executive, Layoffs Include Staff At Game Informer 23:14 - PAX organiser ReedPop to run E3 2023 27:41 - Bayonetta 3 on Switch will include an optional ‘put on more clothes’ mode 32:00 - Voice Of Zelda In CD-i Games Would Love To Return To The Role 36:59 - Top 3 New Releases 41:22 - Main Topic: Worst video games of all time, according to Metacritic 58:56 - Gaming History 101: The History of Bungie and Halo: Combat Evolved
There is plenty to enjoy in Sony's newly revamped PlayStation Plus service, but is it really worth the cost? We explore the idea that the biggest challenge facing PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass (or any game subscription service on the market for that matter) isn’t money. It’s time. Or more accurately, lack of it. As adults with more responsibilities than time, are gaming subscription services actually a good deal for us?
We also discuss Sony's claims that PlayStation's new digital collectibles are "definitely not NFTs," how the Unity CEO says you're a "f***ing idiot" if you don't think about the monetization of your game during the creative process, the court's dismissal of the class-action antitrust lawsuit against the PlayStation Store, and Doom designer John Romero's announcement that he’s making a new FPS.
Finally, Ryan and Donnie recap their weekend at the Southern Fried Gaming Expo.
3:07 - Reviews, Reactions, and Requests 4:38 - Very Important Poll 11:40 - Patron shout-outs 14:07 - PlayStation's new digital collectibles are ‘definitely not NFTs,’ Sony says 21:56 - Unity CEO Says You're A "F***ing Idiot" If You Don't Think About Monetization During Creative Process 25:50 - Court dismisses class-action antitrust lawsuit against PlayStation Store 29:41 - Doom designer John Romero has announced he’s making a new FPS 35:22 - Top 3 New Releases 42:56 - Announcing the GWP High Score Tournament 43:36 - Giveaway 44:07 - Main Topic: The biggest competition for PlayStation Plus isn’t Xbox Game Pass. It’s time. 58:25 - Southern Fried Gaming Expo recap
The Nintendo Switch's 5th birthday has come and gone, and in that time, it's made headlines over and over again in ways that other consoles haven't. We remember some of the moments that have shaped and defined the Nintendo Switch's reign, for better or worse, as well as what has made the console special to us on a personal level.
We'll also be discussing the news that Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature a female playable character and add new cities over time, Sony's new program to loan out PS5s to indie developers "to lower the barrier of entry," Funko's newly announced upcoming AAA adventure game, and Blizzard's plan to give away copies of Diablo 4... with a huge catch.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of the 64DD.
This past week has seen a ton of Sony news, so we’re doing a roundup of PlayStation headlines. We'll be talking about how Sony will retire the PS5's Accolades feature later this year, Sony's fear that Microsoft'sownership of the Call of Duty franchise will have the power to influence users' console choices, and the official PlayStation mobile controller coming from Backbone.
We'll also be discussing how Nintendo’s digital software sales now account for over half of its overall software sales, the newly announced handheld cloud gaming device from Logitech and Tencent, and a look back at the Ouya on the failed console's 10th anniversary.
Finally, @LudoTimbo of The Leetist Podcast challenges us to movie/video game trivia.
This week, Nintendo treated Splatoon fans to an in-depth look at the series' upcoming entry, Splatoon 3. We chat about the new stages, mechanics, game modes, and weapons, as well as what else we hope to see in the soon-to-be-released title.
We'll also be discussing Twitch and YouTube Gaming's plummeting viewership figures, how fewer than 1% of Netflix subscribers play Netflix Games, and whether video games are really that expensive (or it only seems that way).
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of the Aladdin Deck Enhancer.
The digital-only age is coming, folks. We may not like it, but it's hard to deny that streaming services are the future of entertainment, including for video games. But when customers no longer need a console to play games, what will that mean for Sony and Nintendo, which don't have the PC presence that Microsoft has?
We also discuss how Nintendo of America contractors are calling out the company for sexual harassment and a "frat house" environment, how the Final Fantasy 16 director says the series is "struggling" to adapt, and Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa's promise that the Nintendo Switch won't be getting a price increase despite higher production costs.
Finally, Donnie takes us on a Retro Rewind in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at what was going on in the gaming world in August 1992.
Gamescom 2022 is upon us, and Geoff Keighley's Opening Night Live kicked things off with a ton of new announcements for games including Dune: Awakening, Lies of P, Sonic Frontiers, and more. We go over both the highlights and the lowlights of the evening.
We'll also be discussing how Xbox boss Phil Spencer believes there will be fewer console exclusives in the future, how Embracer is set to acquire the Lord of the Rings IP, and the pair of obscure Sega games now being adapted into movies.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of VHS-based video game consoles.
When someone thinks of video games, they might imagine playing their favorite games with their friends or competing against others for the top score in competitive-style leaderboards. Naturally, these services need internet access to function, but not everyone takes time to think about the servers that host these features — at least not until a company announces that they're going to shut them down. We discuss our favorite ones that have gone by the wayside, as well as the current services we'll miss most when they are inevitably shut down.
We'll also be talking about Sony's acquisition of Savage Game Studios and the new PlayStation Studios Mobile Division, how Nintendo is apparently not involved in the new Switch DRM initiative, Konami's confirmation that a new game from one of their world-famous franchises will be announced at Tokyo Game Show, and how the last remaining cartridges found in Alamogordo landfill's Atari Tomb will be sold on eBay.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of Hideo Kojima and the Metal Gear series.
Having a backlog of games can be overwhelming. Knowing that you have potentially hundreds of games that you haven't played yet has been a lament of many gamers. In this episode, we're joined by Jim from Drink a Beer and Play a Game to discuss tips and tricks on how to manage your backlog of games like a pro.
We'll also be talking about Xbox's Game Pass Friends and Family Bundle, Nintendo's removal of loot boxes for its mobile title Mario Kart Tour, the rumored new 2D Super Mario game in development, and a seller on eBay who is attempting to sell off a collection of every game console ever made for $1 million.
We have a special interview with John Roo and Steven Long, discussing their new Gameboy homebrew game, Gelatinous: Humanity Lost (and we're even giving away a kick-starter copy!).
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to September 1997 with his Retro Rewind.
It's been a big week for gaming news! This past Tuesday brought us both a Nintendo Direct and a PlayStation State of Play, so we're covering as much as we can from both showcases.
We'll also be discussing how PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan says Xbox's Call of Duty offer was "inadequate on many levels," how Gargoyles is the next classic Disney game getting a remaster, and Billy Mitchell's claims that his doctor won't see him due to accusations that he cheated at Donkey Kong.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of Jerry Lawson and the Fairchild Channel F.
With the much-hyped Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake changing developers, fans are hoping that the game will survive its problems and live to see its release. However, if it doesn't, it would be far from the biggest title to ultimately get canceled. We're joined by G to the Next Level to look at the ten video game cancelations that gamers found most disappointing.
We'll also be discussing how the big Grand Theft Auto 6 leak may not be so big after all, Sega's explanation of what Sonic Frontiers' "Open Zone" concept actually means, Sony’s first major PS5 redesign that will reportedly have a detachable disc drive, and the La Mulana director who won Konami's contest to revive one of its old IP.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of the Sega Master System.
Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Mega Man, Metroid... the best NES games are all classics. They aren't just fantastic video games in their own right, but experiences that helped to establish Nintendo's biggest franchises and make the manufacturer a force to be reckoned with in the industry. We debate the ten best titles of the NES library, and (spoiler alert!) we don't all agree.
We'll also be discussing how the US Department of Homeland Security has awarded a nearly $700,000 grant to investigate "radicalization" through video games, how Sony's head of PlayStation Indies says PS Plus should be used to manage the lifecycle of a game, Logitech's officially announced $350 gaming handheld, and Cyberpunk 2077's one million player revival.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of the survival horror game Sweet Home on the Famicom.
Google Stadia's 2019 announcement promised several features that actually could have been disruptive game-changers for the industry (such as State Share, Stream Connect, Crowd Play, and Crowd Choice). Unfortunately, however, each of those features was absent from launch, and as of late 2021, less than 10% of the total library included one or more of these features. As the death knell tolls for Stadia, we look back on the service and wonder what could have been had Google taken the platform's good ideas more seriously than its bad ones.
We'll also be discussing how Overwatch 2's launch day was marred by DDoS attacks, why Mario's butt in the new Super Mario Bros. Movie poster is so controversial, how PlayStation Stars is giving top members "priority" chat support, and how milk has declared itself the "official performance drink of gamers."
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to October 1992 with his Retro Rewind.
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has released its initial report on Microsoft's buyout of Activision Blizzard, and the Xbox maker is not happy. The company is calling the criticism of the deal “unsupported” and accusing the CMA of listening too much to Sony's lawyers. Is Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal really a good thing for the gaming industry? We debate the possible implications of the largest acquisition in gaming history.
We'll also be discussing how Blizzard is now requiring players to link a phone number to access its games (and mobile phones with prepaid plans "may not work"), the jaw-dropping price of Meta's upcoming Quest Pro VR headset, how Square Enix's Final Fantasy 7 The First Soldier will shut down barely a year after it was released, and how the Oregon Trail is set to become a musical film.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of motion controls.
Tune in to the Blockbuster Video World Championships 3 at PRGE this weekend! - twitch.tv/retrogamingexpo
The long-awaited release of Platinum Games' Bayonetta 3 has been marred by a rather messy controversy. The voice of Bayonetta in the previous two entries publicly stated that she did not return for the third installment because the pay was insultingly low. She then encouraged fans to boycott the game, igniting a debate about the chronically low pay offered to video game voice actors. Platinum Games has disputed her claims, and as more information comes to light, which party's version is closer to the truth? We discuss the drama and whether or not gamers really should boycott the upcoming title.
We'll also be talking about everything announced in the Silent Hill Transmission showcase (including the leaked Silent Hill 2 remake), the developer who claims the Xbox Series S console has "hamstrung" an entire generation of video games, and the newly announced Mortal Kombat role-playing game (don't get your hopes up, there's a catch).
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of the Atari Jaguar.
Most video games have a good mixture of easy and hard levels to keep gamers properly entertained and challenged throughout the game. But some levels dial the difficulty up to 11, and apparently, Reddit has a lot to say about what it considers to be the hardest video game levels ever. We're joined by Brian from Drink A Beer & Play A Game to debate the levels on this list while adding a few of our own.
We'll also be discussing how the system requirements to run the upcoming Silent Hill 2remake will push your PC to its limits, the news that Xbox has shelved its "Keystone" streaming dongle, how the Resident Evil 4 remake has already made an unforgivable mistake, and how Rockstar is throwing a life preserver to that guy with 6,000 hours of Red Dead Online on Stadia.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to October 1994 with his Retro Rewind.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer gave several interviews this week, and his quotes have fueled much of the world’s recent gaming news. This week, we're diving into a roundup of Xbox headlines, including Spencer's claim that Xbox loses as much as $200 on every console it sells, Xbox's changing tone on Game Pass in light of the service failing to hit target numbers, and Spencer's admission that "it’s been too long" since Xbox’s last big first-party game.
We'll also be discussing Sega's announcement that the Sonic franchise has surpassed 1.5 billion sales and downloads, how Square Enix wants to focus on “hit global titles” due to Japan’s aging population, the developer backlash against the Call of Duty fan who turned up in person to protest their Modern Warfare 2 ban, and Sega's long-lost $3 million live-action erotic thriller that has been preserved and made playable online.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're going on a backstage tour of the video game collection at the Strong National Museum of Play.
Sales numbers always generate big headlines in the video game industry. But while some titles come and go, others remain heavy hitters, sitting atop the sales record books and accumulating numbers that most games can only dream of. We take a look at these top 10 video game juggernauts and wonder... is this not only a list of the best-selling games of all time but the flat-out best games of all time?
We'll also be discussing how Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 hit $1 billion in revenue faster than any past CoD title, the news that Final Fantasy 16 will be a PS5 exclusive for 6 months according to Sony marketing, Sega's new job posting for an "Associate Manager, Lore" to help keep Sonic's lore in check, and the McCrispy, McDonald's new grease-resistant gaming chair.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the legacy of video game designer Kenji Eno.
The nominees for the Game Awards 2022 have been revealed, but the response from much of the gaming world has been... *shrug*. Why do the Game Awards garner such apathy from gamers (if not outright hatred)? And having acknowledged that the awards are largely nonsense, which games are we rooting for?
We'll also be discussing the mayhem caused by Twitter Blue users impersonating video game companies, how Xbox proactively suspended up to 4.8m user accounts in the first half of 2022, the news that Nintendo still won't commit to backwards compatibility for its next-gen consoles, and how Rockstar reportedly turned down a Grand Theft Auto movie starring Eminem.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of laserdisc games.
The feud between Sony and Microsoft surrounding theXbox maker’s attempted acquisition of Activision Blizzard has continued to heat up, so for our main topic this week, we’re looking at a roundup of Sony vs Microsoft headlines. This includes Sony's claim that Microsoft is trying to turn it into Nintendo, Sony's assertion that Xbox Game Pass has reached 29 million subscribers, and Microsoft's admission that "many" PlayStation exclusives are "better quality" than those on Xbox.
We'll also be discussing how Phil Spencer has all but confirmed that The Elder Scrolls VI will be an Xbox console exclusive, how Sonic creator Yuji Naka has been arrested in an insider trading scandal, China's claims that it's solved youth game addiction, and the upcoming video game console that's tailored for dogs.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to November 1998 with his Retro Rewind.
So much has changed in the video game industry in the last 30 or so years that sometimes it feels like modern games are nearly unrecognizable when compared to their retro counterparts. We're joined by Christopher Cross, a long-time game dev who has worked in the video game industry since 1996 (Diablo, Medal of Honor, and Marvel Avengers are just a few of the titles on his resume), to chat about how gaming has changed over the past few decades and even where it may go in the next few.
We'll also be discussing how Microsoft has entered into a "10-year commitment" to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo consoles following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the new Mario Kart 8 Deluxe update that lets players finally customize their items, and the upcoming ToeJam & Earl movie in the works from Amazon and Stephen Curry.
The Game Awards aired last week, and thanks to the Wednesday curse, we’re just now able to do our wrap-up of the live stream. So for our main topic, we’re going to review our predictions and find out which one of us got the most picks correct. Then we’ll be recapping the biggest game announcements from the show, including Hades 2, Crime Boss: Rockay City, Death Stranding 2, and more.
We'll also be discussing Bloomberg's claim that the esports boom is fading as investors and sponsors dry up, how Diablo IV developers are bracing for the game's impending release, the Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit to block Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and the newfound footage of a long-lost Michael Jackson Sega game.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of Game Freak founder and creator of Pokémon, Satoshi Tajiri.
According to the FTC, Epic will pay $275 million for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and another $245 million for design relying on dark patterns "to dupe millions of players into making unintentional purchases." Is this just a case of parents not paying enough attention to what their children are doing online? Or does Epic bear some responsibility to help keep kids safe? We discuss this landmark case and what it might mean for the future of online gaming.
We'll also be talking about how Microsoft might introduce an ad-supported Game Pass tier, John Carmack's announcement that he's leaving Meta, the gamer that claims parents have hired him to beat their children at video games and crush their confidence, and the biggest gaming news stories of 2022.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the 1980 lawsuit in which Atari sued Phillips over Pac-Man.
While some might say that 2022 was a slow year as far as new releases were concerned, that doesn't mean there weren't still some absolutely stellar titles making their debut. With Sony's God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West, Nintendo's Splatoon 3 and Pokemon Arceus, and killer third-party releases like Elden Ring and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, there was no shortage of amazing games to play. We're counting down the best games of 2022 and picking our own personal GOTYs.
We'll also be discussing how 2022 saw the rise (and fall) of the video game leaker, how the Xbox Series X has a lot to prove in 2023 after its unusually quiet 2022, a hot take that performance mode has destroyed the point of video game consoles, and how Hideo Kojima believes he'll still be making video games as an AI in a hundred years.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at first-to-market video game consoles that were later overshadowed by more successful competitors.
Tune in to the Gamers Week one-year anniversary Twitch livestream celebration! - Tuesday, January 3rd - 6 PST/9 EST - twitch.tv/gamersweekpodcast
Gamers Week Podcast is officially one year old!! This means it's time once again to gaze into our proverbial crystal balls to see what the world of video games might bring in 2023. We'll hear what a few analysts have to say about the coming year and then make some predictions of our own.
We'll also be discussing how video game QA testers have formed Microsoft's first union, Sony's claim that the PS5 has cleared 30 million sales after its "biggest month yet," Sony's newly announced PS5 accessibility controller dubbed Project Leonardo, and the once-in-a-lifetime E3 comet (which has nothing to do with gaming) that's coming close to earth soon.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to January 1991 with his Retro Rewind.
With dozens of games delayed to 2023, a greater emphasis on new-gen hardware, and at least one major exclusive from each platform holder, 2023 easily boasts the most exciting release lineup that gamers have seen in years. We're looking over the biggest titles set to launch this year and discussing which games we are (and are not) looking forward to the most.
We'll also be talking about the Cyberpunk 2077 class-action lawsuit that settled for $1.85 million, Todd Howard's claim that The Elder Scrolls VI will last decades, and how YouTube could broadcast the "Gamer's Lawsuit" against the Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at Virtuality, the line of early virtual reality gaming machines.
Google Stadia, the tech giant's ill-fated venture into the video game industry, is taking its final breaths after little more than three years. But will the passing of Stadia signal the end of cloud gaming? We discuss what the future of game streaming might look like and whether or not there may yet be a place in this world for Stadia.
We'll also be talking about the Microsoft layoffs that are confirmed to affect Bethesda and Xbox, how Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot is apologizing over his "ball in your court" comments to staff, how Shigeru Miyamoto said "no" to a Wario-style Princess Peach character, and how a pet fish accidentally revealed a streamer's credit card details during a Pokémon Violet livestream.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're remembering the early history of Newsfield Publications and its leader, Roger Kean.
Microsoft has ambitions to transform the Xbox into the world’s first “carbon-aware console,” and the announcement of an update that will include an optional energy-saving mode seemed to be a step toward that end. However, the internet gotta internet, and a vocal minority is now claiming it’s all part of a ploy to make Microsoft go “woke.” We debate whether there's any merit to this claim (spoilers: there isn't) while still maintaining our usual politics-free standard.
We'll also be discussing Microsoft's first-ever Developer Direct and the surprise shadow drop of Tango Gameworks' rhythm-action game Hi-Fi Rush, how Twitch will be updating its ads incentive program in 2023, how two marines managed to fool a military AI using a classic Metal Gear Solid technique, and the opinion that video game remakes should be more than just HD clones of old games.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking back at the Blockbuster World Video Game Championships.
Even though the developers have made sincere attempts to distance Hogwarts Legacy from J.K. Rowling (the controversial Harry Potter creator who is now infamous for loudly espousing transphobic views), the author still stands to profit from the title's sale. So should gamers boycott? We attempt to consider all sides of the issue as we delve into this messy topic that has much bigger implications than just one video game.
We'll also be discussing Sony's announcement that the company is closing the PlayStation Plus Collection, how Amazon is reportedly planning a Marvel-style Tomb Raider universe, the surprising waistline restrictions that mean the average American male is too large to go on Super Nintendo World's Mario Kart ride, and the claim that Sonic was "the lesser of two evils" according to Sega's former head of marketing.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're testing ourselves with random retrogaming quick facts.
A brand-new Nintendo Direct has arrived, giving us a look at The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Metroid Prime Remastered, Pikmin 4, and so much more. We're joined by SanityCrypto of It's Virtually A Podcast to talk about all the highlights from the show.
We'll also be discussing how the UK's CMA is suggesting that Microsoft sell off Call of Duty in order to get its Activision Blizzard acquisition approved, how we wish SNL's apocalyptic Mario Kart skit with Pedro Pascal was a real show, the news that Meta lost $14 billion on VR and metaverse projects in 2022, and the updated status of Soulja Boy's delayed $400 TRDR Pocket game console.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to February 1997 with his Retro Rewind.
Microsoft has admitted that putting games on its Xbox Game Pass subscription service leads to a marked decline in base sales. This may seem like a headline written by Captain Obvious, but it's a 180 for Microsoft, which previously maintained that being included in Game Pass resulted in higher sales for games. So does Game Pass actually hurt AAA games? We discuss the pros and cons of going the Game Pass route from a publisher standpoint.
We'll also be talking about the $70 price point for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Nintendo's explanation that the company will evaluate Switch game prices on a case-by-case basis, how the many recent live-service game closures may herald a greater change on the horizon, the official Cocaine Bear browser game, and the debate over whether the golden age of video gaming is actually behind us.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at bizarre video game marketing campaigns from the early 2000s.
This week, Microsoft met with European Union regulators in a closed-door hearing in Brussels to defend its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. The UK’s CMA previously suggested that the deal may be approved if Microsoft were to divest the Call of Duty division of ABK, but on Tuesday, Microsoft Corp. made it clear that there will be no deal unless it comes with the blockbuster IP. We’re joined by streamer Sensitive Joy to discuss the implications of this hearing and try to predict the outcome of the biggest deal the video game industry has ever seen.
We'll also be talking about the announcement that the next Capcom Cup will have a 1st place prize of $1 million, how horror movie powerhouse Blumhouse is getting into video games, Miyamoto’s admission that Nintendo is “always working on Mario” but isn’t ready to share anything just yet, and the new partnership between Generation Esports and Nintendo that will bring Nintendo games into the Middle School Esports League.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the development of Chrono Trigger.
While the world's financial heavyweights rush to invest in the burgeoning video game industry, gaming journalism may be on its last legs. Many high-profile outlets have either downsized significantly or closed up shop for good. Those that remain have largely replaced gaming news coverage with listicles and playthrough guides. In an online world funded by SEO optimization and clickbait, is there any hope for a future for true gaming journalism?
We'll also be discussing the new report that claims Konami is planning to reveal a new Castlevania and a Metal Gear Solid 3 remake at this year's E3, how the upcoming Olympic Esports Series will feature games like Just Dance and Gran Turismo, and how Final Fantasy XVI's new take on difficulty settings was inspired by producer Naoki Yoshida's "pride as a gamer."
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to March 1992 with his Retro Rewind.
It’s recently been discovered that leaving the Wii U unattended for too long can brick the console. Apparently, none of Nintendo’s suggestions for fixing the issue have worked, nor does the company seem to care that much about finding a solution. It's a huge blow for video game preservation and collecting, as well as an ominous sign for the future. Will Nintendo soon be a company whose games are pointless to collect?
We'll also be discussing how the United Nations is about to host its first-ever video game event, how Blumhouse is turning Dead by Daylight into a movie, and the best video games for beginners and non-gamers in 2023.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of arcades.
It’s one thing to require multiplayer games to be online at all times so that people can play with each other, but it’s another thing entirely to lock single-player console games behind that same obligation. It’s a practice that creates hurdles for game preservation, as well as unnecessarily gatekeeping those with slower internet speeds. We look at this increasingly common trend among game devs and discuss whether anything can be done to combat it.
We'll also be talking about the 2023 Video Game Hall of Fame finalists (including The Last of Us, GoldenEye 007, and Wii Sports), how the synopsis of the new Silent Hill movie reboot hints at changes to the video game, and the bizarre controversy over signposting in the Resident Evil 4 Remake demo.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the launch of the Nintendo 64.
At GDC this week, Ubisoft sparked debate by showing off its new Ghostwriter tool, an AI designed to aid its writers in creating dialogue for in-game NPCs. The company says the tool was designed to mitigate "pain points" for its writing staff, but some industry writers fear it's just the first small step to having AI programs take over more and more of game development. We discuss the pros and cons of AI as it relates to video games and wonder what else could be made easier with the use of AI (perhaps this podcast...?).
We'll also be discussing the YouTuber who bought every single Wii U and 3DS e-shop game ahead of the store closure, the news that Twitch's CEO is stepping down after 16 years (accompanied by mass layoffs), the controversy over KFC's Diablo 4 beta codes, and the impending video game-to-TV adaptation boom.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the career of video game composer Nobuo Uematsu.
You know her for her roles in NBA JAM, the Aerosmith game Revolution X, and of course, the sacred role of the toughest woman in video games, Mortal Kombat's Sonya Blade. Yes, this week, we're joined by Kerri Ann Hoskins to talk about her history with video games, her behind-the-scenes stories of Mortal Kombat, and what she REALLY thinks about those crazy obsessive fans.
We'll also be talking about the bleak rumors surrounding E3’s future as more and more publishers back out of the show, how US congress members are accusing Sony of hurting Xbox in Japan, the news that GameCube and Wii emulator Dolphin will be coming to Steam this year, and Tony Hawk's admission that he considered backing another skating game before signing with Activision.
Since the first trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we've known that the game is basically going to be more Breath of the Wild. In fact, when it comes to selling audiences "more of the same," nobody does it better than Nintendo. But is that really a bad thing? We're joined by Kenny Thomas of the Leetist Podcast to debate the merits of iterative sequels, as well as discuss what we hope to see from the next big entry in the Zelda series.
We'll also be talking about how sales of the PSVR2 headset are off to a slow start, how Monster Energy is once again starting beef with a game developer over its name, the news that a new live-action Street Fighter adaptation is on the way, and how Shigeru Miyamoto cruelly teased new Mario games for "future Nintendo Directs."
Finally, Kenny quizzes our gaming trivia knowledge in "Wikiliteration."
In the past week or so, a few reports have emerged about Sony having a new handheld device in the pipeline. The commercial case for Sony re-entering that market is tough to make, however, Sony will never fully accept ceding the handheld space to Nintendo, especially in the company's native Japan. We debate the pros and cons of Sony's possible return to the handheld landscape, as well as discuss what we'd like to see from the rumored device.
We'll also be talking about Microsoft's claim that Nintendo had nothing to do with the Xbox emulator crackdown, the IGDA's new game-crediting policies to help developers get recognition, Nintendo's newly announced Nintendo Live 2023 event, and how The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog has hit 1 million downloads on Steam.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the launch of the Panasonic 3DO.
Sega has officially confirmed that it is planning to acquire Rovio Entertainment, a deal that will see the video game company pay $776 million for the Angry Birds developer. Sega says that acquiring Rovio will allow it to strengthen its own mobile game portfolio, and at the same time, it'll be able to use its video game console expertise to help Rovio expand beyond mobile devices. We discuss this new acquisition and try to decide whether this counts for Donnie's prediction that Sega "will be back in a big way."
We'll also be talking about how the Nintendo hacker Gary Bowser has been released from prison but still owes millions, how Jack Black’s "Peaches" from The Super Mario Bros Movie has hit the Billboard Hot 100, and ten rumored video games that could still release in the second half of 2023.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to April 1996 in Retro Rewind.
If Nintendo continues its current pattern, the Gamecube will be the next console added to the Nintendo Switch Online service. As one of Nintendo's more underloved consoles, there's a wealth of excellent games waiting to be discovered by a whole new audience. We discuss the titles likely to make the service's launch lineup (if and when it arrives), plus some sleepers that we'd like to see.
We'll also be talking about how Metacritic has once again promised better moderation after "abusive" Horizon DLC comments, how the Red Cross wants gamers to stop committing virtual war crimes, Nintendo's confirmation that the company will attend Gamescom 2023 later this year, and John Leguizamo's admission that real strippers were hired for the filming of the live-action Super Mario Bros. movie.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of point-and-click games.
Redfall has finally launched, but Microsoft may be wishing they'd left this one on the shelf. What was once anticipated as one of the biggest releases of the year (and certainly a crucial release for the Xbox platform) is instead being called the worst AAA release in recent memory. We"re joined by Rob from the Retro Game Club Podcast to discuss the fallout of the title's disastrous launch and what it may mean for Microsoft and the future of the Xbox brand.
We'll also be talking about how nine million people watched the full Super Mario Bros. Movie after it was illegally posted on Twitter, how PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida thinks a future dominated by live-service games would be "boring," and the news that indie game super hit Vampire Survivors is getting an animated series.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of toys-to-life peripherals.
Looking for more from Rob and the Retro Game Club Podcast? Head over to retrogameclub.net.
Best-of video game lists usually offer predictable rankings of the greatest games of all time. GQ Magazine set out to do things differently by inviting industry "experts" to rank their top games based on their own individual criteria. We discuss the resulting list, including what titles we feel don't belong and which ones we think were left out.
We'll also be talking about Xbox's response to Redfall's poor reception at launch, the newly announced dates for Nintendo Live 2023 (plus the weird way audiences must get tickets), and the latest inductees into the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to May 1993 in Retro Rewind.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has only been officially available for a few days, but Nintendo has already confirmed that it's the fastest-selling Zelda game ever. In an industry enamored with trendy titles that are online, multiplayer, free-to-play, battle royale, and riddled with season passes and microtransactions, should the massive sales of a traditional single-player game be a wake-up call? We discuss what the early success of TOTK might mean for the gaming world.
We'll also be talking about Amazon's newly announced mulligan at a Lord of the Rings MMO, how EA Sports' relaunched college football game series will allow players to opt-in, Summer Game Fest's confirmed lineup of 40+ partners (including PlayStation and Xbox), and Nicolas Cage's upcoming role in Dead by Daylight.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of Tiger Electronics.
After a nearly two-year wait, PlayStation Showcase is finally back to share what’s next for first-party, third-party, and indie games on the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2. We discuss the highlights and lowlights of the presentation, including Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Sony's strange Project Q.
We'll also be talking about how Mortal Kombat 12 is really Mortal Kombat 1, the surprise Nintendo 3DS update that breaks several hacking tools, and how McDonald’s in China has an exclusive Tetris handheld in the shape of a McNugget.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're sharing our top 5 games of all time.
The recent release date announcement for Alan Wake 2 came alongside news that developer Remedy Entertainment and publisher Epic Games currently have "no plans to release Alan Wake 2 on disc." In many ways, it's not that surprising. The number of players buying games on discs has been shrinking in the past decade, and physical releases have only become more and more expensive to produce. But while this digital-only future may be inevitable, it raises enormous concerns over accessibility, preservation, and more. We discuss the problems ahead, as well as ways we may be able to mitigate them.
We'll also be talking about Nintendo's move to block the Steam release of the GameCube/Wii emulator Dolphin, Blizzard's claims that the company feels "really confident" of a smooth Diablo 4 launch following server stress tests, and how the new Gollum game is the worst reviewed of the year so far.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at video game-sponsored food products.
Summer Game Fest, the summer's premier gaming showcase, has officially wrapped up after dropping announcements for several new titles as well as in-depth looks at previously announced games. We discuss the show's biggest names, including Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Sonic Superstars, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and more.
We'll also be talking about how Microsoft is being fined $20 million by the Federal Trade Commission for collecting personal information from children via Xbox, how Street Fighter 6 is just the 29th recipient of a perfect review score in 37 years from gaming magazine Famitsu, and the new report that says Redfall devs reportedly hoped it would be canceled or rebooted by Microsoft.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the birth of video game music.
The Xbox Games Showcase 2023 brought a ton of content, giving us a good idea of what to expect on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC for the foreseeable future. The Starfield Direct aired immediately after and gave us our first in-depth look at the game's exploration, combat, customization, and even a strange new power for the player character. We discuss the highlights of the two showcases, including some titles we didn't expect to grab our interest.
We'll also be talking about how Xbox Game Studios chief Matt Booty says people need to realize games now take 4-6 years to make, how college football players are being urged to boycott EA Sports' new NCAA game over low pay, and the strange new way McDonald's is tapping into serious video game nostalgia in honor of Grimace's birthday.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to June 1998 in Retro Rewind.
A brand-new Nintendo Direct was shadow-dropped this week, and it just may be the best showcase of the summer. The show lasted a bit over 40 minutes and was filled with tons of exciting announcements, including a remake of SNES' Super Mario RPG, a remaster of 3DS' Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, a brand-new game starring Princess Peach, and the coup de grâce... Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a brand-new 2D Mario title. We're joined by Bill Tucker of A Gamer Looks At 40 podcast to discuss our favorite announcements from the Direct.
We'll also be talking about how Twitch's new Partner Program will finally give streamers a 70/30 cut of the revenue pie (but... there's a catch), how Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot wishes he'd waited for the Nintendo Switch 2 to release Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, and the news that the missing Titanic tour vessel was controlled by a Logitech game controller over a decade old.
Finally, class is in session with substitute Professor Tucker in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of the Super FX chip.
Microsoft went to court on June 22nd to face the Federal Trade Commission in a five-day case that will determine the future of its $69 billion proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Over the course of the trial, gamers have been treated to an array of insider info that would have normally remained under lock and key. So for our main topic this week, we’re looking at a roundup of headlines from the Microsoft FTC trial. This includes how Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick says the Switch successor will be closer to the Xbox One and PS4's performance, how Sony accidentally revealed that Call of Duty is worth $800 million to PlayStation, and how PlayStation boss Jim Ryan says publishers "unanimously" hate Xbox Game Pass.
We'll also be talking about how YouTube is testing a new online gaming service just months after the Google Stadia shutdown, how CD Projekt Red says Cyberpunk 2077's launch wasn't that bad, and how a Nintendo shareholder meeting was disrupted by a ranting Splatoon 3 fan.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of graded video games.
One of the more jaw-dropping leaks to come from the Microsoft FTC trial is the confirmation that both Horizon: Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part 2 cost Sony more than $200 million to develop. With AAA games getting bigger and bigger (and taking longer and longer to make), will there come a time when that bubble bursts? We discuss the possible future of gaming in such a landscape and how platform exclusives may or may not fit into such a world.
We'll also be talking about how Sony blocked Roblox on PlayStation due to concerns it could "potentially exploit" a young audience (however, the company is now reconsidering), how Apple is asking the US Supreme Court to overthrow the ruling in the Epic antitrust case, and how Nintendo veteran Takaya Imamura says that F-Zero hasn't been revived because Mario Kart is Nintendo's most popular racing game.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to July 1995 in Retro Rewind.
The FTC has moved to appeal the recent court order ruling not to grant the temporary injunction to block Microsoft's Activision Blizzard merger from moving forward. This news comes a mere day after Microsoft won its court battle against the FTC, with the court ultimately ruling that Microsoft's acquisition would not "substantially lessen competition" in the games industry. We discuss the current state of the merger, as well as speculate about life after Microsoft's Activision Blizzard buyout.
We'll also be talking about the 20 new physical releases announced at LRG3 2023 (including Castlevania Advance Collection, Clock Tower, Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore, and more), how the banned Rainbow Six Siege player who swatted Ubisoft Montreal’s offices in 2020 has finally received their sentence, the new study that says just 13% of video games released before 2010 are commercially available, and the news that New York is getting an Angry Birds café.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of educational video games.
Both the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are currently on strike. The strike effectively puts a stop to most film and TV production in the US, and it doesn’t seem like it’ll be letting up anytime soon. But this is just a Hollywood problem, right? Not quite. We discuss the issues at the core of the strike and why gamers should be very much concerned with how these points play out.
We'll also be talking about Microsoft’s new Xbox Game Pass Core that will replace Xbox Live Gold in September, how streamers are calling Twitch's Partner Plus program "anti-community", and the new regulation in the European Union that means handheld gaming consoles will soon require replaceable batteries.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of video game retail chains.
This week, reports surfaced that the Entertainment Software Ratings Board is partnering with Yoti, a digital identity firm, to use facial age estimation tech to check the ages of users. Even though the ESRB later clarified that this technology is intended to be used on parents rather than children, concerns over the tech don't stop there. We discuss the issues surrounding this innovation and wonder... what problem is this really meant to solve?
We'll also be talking about the news that Microsoft is finally done making Xbox One games, how Activision is suing a music critic over a TikTok pizza clip, and how Microsoft's latest Xbox marketing stunt is a pizza-scented controller.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of racing video games.
According to anonymous sources, development kits for Nintendo’s next console are now with key partner studios, and the console's launch is planned for next year. Although specific details on the console are being kept closely guarded, Nintendo has previously stated that it wants to convert as many of the Switch’s 100m+ user base as possible to its next system, although some third-party publishers are said to have expressed concern that legacy support for Switch games could negatively affect sales of next-gen titles. We discuss this idea, as well as imagine what the next gen of Nintendo might look like.
We'll also be talking about how Microsoft is now selling controller replacement parts for Xbox, how Final Fantasy 6's director admits Square Enix staff want a remake of the title as much as fans do, and how indie games have entered the era of bespoke publishing.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to August 1997 in Retro Rewind.
Rockstar has been teasing a new announcement in the Red Dead universe for awhile now, and this week, the project was finally revealed: a port of 2010's Red Dead Redemption coming to Nintendo Switch and PS4/PS5. Not a remaster. Not a remake. A literal port. And it boasts a $50 price tag, very high for a 13 year old game that's not getting any significant updates. We discuss this apparent cash grab move by Rockstar and wonder whether we can find any justification for the game's price point (spoiler: we can't).
We'll also be talking about the long-rumored but newly-confirmed reboot of Modern Warfare III, how Square Enix is blaming its plummeting share prices on the underperformance of Final Fantasy 16, and how Gizmodo editor-in-chief Daniel Ackerman is suing Apple over the Tetris movie, alleging it rips off his 2016 book The Tetris Effect.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the 2011 court case Brown vs Entertainment Merchants Association.
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A video by IGN claiming “Baldur’s Gate 3 is Causing Some Developers to Panic” has stirred up quite a buzz in the gaming world this week. The video (which suggests that game devs are unhappy about being expected to meet the high standard set by titles like Baldur's Gate 3) already has over a million views on YouTube alone.
The idea has struck a cord with gamers who are tired of the microtransaction-leaden glitch fests that make up much of AAA gaming these days. However, as is usually the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. We look at both sides of the issue posed by this video and give our take on concrete ways gamers can help to steer the industry in a better direction.
We'll also be discussing Xbox's new "strike" system that's intended to curb online harassment, how Netflix is testing game streaming on smart TVs and desktop browsers, and how John Carmack finally made his return to QuakeCon for the first time in a decade.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're taking a closer look at how Japan avoided the 1983 video game crash.
Thank you to The Leetist Podcast for their long sponsorship! Listen to their episodes at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast.
Gamescom Opening Night Live has officially kicked off, bringing with it dozens of new trailers and deep dives into upcoming games, including Black Myth Wukong, Little Nightmares III, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and more. We go over the show's biggest announcements and discuss what we're most excited (and not so excited) to see in the year to come.
We'll also be talking about the newly unveiled Atari 2600+, how Sony's handheld gaming device Project Q now has a proper name and a price, and how the developers of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre video game have promised it will not face the same legal obstacles as their previous title, Friday the 13th.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the early history of North American video game game shows.
Thank you to The Leetist Podcast for their long sponsorship! Listen to their episodes at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast.
Join us for the 3rd annual Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tournament to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer! - Saturday, 10/26, 5pm EST/ 2pm PST - twitch.tv/thefinerthingsttv
Starfield officially launches on Wed, Sept. 6, although players with the Constellation edition or Premium edition upgrade can get access five days earlier. But even though it’s not quite out yet, the headlines this week have been buzzing about Bethesda’s newest RPG. So for our main topic, we’re looking at a roundup of Starfield headlines, including the Starfield leaker who was arrested after allegedly stealing copies of the game, Todd Howard's claim that Starfield "doesn't really even get going until you finish the main quest," and how Starfield's player character was initially going to be voiced.
We'll also be discussing Epic Games' new program that will offer devs a 100% revenue split for launching their game exclusively on the company's store, how Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka says pixel art won't be a viable style for Sonic in 10 to 20 years, and how the newly announced Qomp2 is Atari’s thrilling continuation of the Pong saga.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, Professor Ryebread is sharing his top 5 list of influential women in the gaming industry.
Thank you to The Leetist Podcast for their long sponsorship! Listen to their episodes at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast.
With SAG-AFTRA members already on strike against films and TV shows, voting is now underway to authorize a separate strike against the video game industry. The guild’s leaders are saying that a dual strike, if it comes to that, “makes sense” because the issues at stake in both contracts (namely wages and unregulated AI use) “mirror” each other. We discuss the issues at stake in this possible strike, as well as the ways this may affect our hobby in the years to come.
We'll also be talking about how Sony's newly announced PS Plus price increase is not going down well with consumers, how former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden views Apple and Amazon as big threats to the games industry, and how Charles Martinet (the now former voice of Mario) will be transitioning to his new role as “Mario Ambassador” for Nintendo.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to September 1990 in Retro Rewind.
For years, the Unity Engine has operated with a royalty-free licensing structure, which meant developers incurred no extra costs based on how well a game sold. On Tuesday, however, the company announced a new fee structure that will start charging developers on a "per-install" basis. "We're not nickel-and-diming people," Unity CEO John Riccitiello once memorably said. "When we say it's free, it's free." LOL. We discuss this deeply unpopular move by Unity and take bets on how long it will be before the company walks it back entirely.
We'll also be talking about Microsoft's brand new Xbox credit card, how Square Enix has lost nearly $2 billion in value since the launch of Final Fantasy 16 (and a new report has cast doubt on the company’s ability to recover), and the announcement that Nintendo is sunsetting Mario Kart Tour next month.
Finally, Blue takes us to Subcon with Mario & Luigi in the first ever Gamers Week Book Club.
In what’s being cited as the biggest leak in the company’s history, Microsoft revealed a massive amount of information about forthcoming Xbox refreshes, next-gen systems, and more after uploading a series of unredacted documents to a court website as part of the ongoing Federal Trade Commission v. Microsoft case. We discuss the headlines included in the leaks and wonder...is any of it REALLY news??
We'll also be talking about how series creator Ed Boon promises that the widely panned port of Mortal Kombat 1 on the Nintendo Switch will be fixed, how Unity has apologized for its install fee policy and says it "will be making changes" to it, and how the original Call of Duty Warzone is shutting down for good this week.
Finally, in News Rewind, we look at the New York Times article "The Gaming of Violence," published on April 30, 1999.
Epic Games has announced its laying off roughly 16% of its workforce, resulting in around 830 employees losing their jobs. Epic president Tim Sweeney states that these departures will not come at the expense of game development and that Epic will still be hiring for “critical roles.” We discuss this mass layoff in light of other recent Epic headlines (such as the company refusing to back down on its lawsuit vs Apple, offering 100% revenue to game devs who promise exclusivity, and the company's metaverse focus) and wonder whether this move was really the only way to go.
We'll also be talking about how SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a video game strike, how Sony has a crucial decision to make after Jim Ryan's retirement as PlayStation CEO, and what other games we think need a 99 version.
Finally, in News Rewind, we look at CES coverage from the July/August 1983 volume of Atari Age magazine.
Things have come a long way since the original Resident Evil 4's infamous mobile version more than a decade ago, and now Resident Evil Village runs natively on iOS, bringing AAA console parity to the mobile gaming market. We discuss what this development might mean for the future of not only mobile gaming, but ALL video games. Are we (*gasp!*) finally onboard the mobile game hype train??
We'll also be talking about Elon Musk's doomed quest to turn Twitter/X into a Twitch killer, how canceled loot shooter Hyenas was allegedly Sega's biggest budget game ever, and how Capcom’s greatest ever catch phrase has been decided by its players for the company's 40th anniversary.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Nostalgia 101 segment. In this episode, Professor Ryebread is sharing his top 5 list of '90s games shows for kids.
This year, Gamers Week was invited to host the Blockbuster World Video Game Championships IV at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023! Now fresh off our flights home, we recap our entire crazy experience -- the good, the bad, and the unexpectedly heartwarming.
We'll also be talking about how Sony has finally confirmed the heavily rumored PlayStation 5 slim for this holiday season, how Activision hired James Corden to host an employee meeting with Bobby Kotick, and how Super Mario Bros Wonder devs were allowed "to prioritize content over schedule" - so they ended up with 2,000 sticky notes of inspiration.
Nintendo caused a stir across its competitive fanbase this week when it announced new guidelines regulating community tournaments, defining the terms that organizers would have to follow in order to qualify as a small-scale event (allowing for them to function without an official license from Nintendo). Reaction to the guidelines has been nearly universally negative, with fans pointing out how the new rules that are meant to protect Nintendo's IP will ultimately result in the exclusion of fans who love the company's games. We discuss the new guidelines and debate whether Nintendo can actually back them up.
We also talk about how Twitch will now allow users to simulcast to competitor streaming platforms, the "shocking" news that Konami phoned in the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection, and how Blizzard is giving away a PC infused with real human blood.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to October 1998 in Retro Rewind.
Xbox has released a patch that quashes various third-party accessories not explicitly authorized by Microsoft. Any device that Xbox doesn’t license will now receive a “0x82d60002” error code. Users then have two weeks before the Xbox disables it, permanently blocking the device (although Microsoft has said there "should" be no issue with players using the Xbox Adaptive Controller). We discuss this sweeping, rather harsh new move by Microsoft, but come away with more questions than answers.
We'll also be talking about how Bungie's CEO claims the company's recent round of layoffs were due to Destiny 2 underperformance, how Sega says development of its first "Super Game" is progressing steadily, and how 2023 has the best-reviewed slate of video games of the last 20 years.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Nostalgia 101 segment. In this episode, we're remembering the Halloween holiday from the perspective of '80s/'90s kids.
Shigeru Miyamoto temporarily took over Nintendo’s Twitter on Tuesday to announce a Legend of Zelda live action film. Such a film has been rumored to be in development for years, and this is no doubt inspired by the success of Nintendo’s animated Super Mario Bros. However, the early announcements on who will be helming the film are leaving us... a bit hesitant. We discuss our hopes and fears for the movie and make some early casting predictions (spoiler: it's not who you think).
We'll also be talking about how Microsoft’s new Xbox generative AI tech partnership is sparking widespread backlash; how Microsoft, EA, Activision, Ubisoft and Epic are the targets in a new game addiction lawsuit; and how Valve is working on a new Steam feature that will let you hide all those weird sex games from your friends.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Nostalgia 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at gaming myths and urban legends.
Millions of gamers will be tuning in on Thursday, December 7, to see which games win which awards at The Game Awards 2023. However, it's safe to say that most are interested in which game will take home the coveted Game of the Year prize. We continue our cutthroat tradition from last year by competing against each other to see who can make the most correct predictions for the winners.
We'll also be talking about how Sony has confirmed it's delaying half of its planned live service games, how Sega is teasing movie adaptations of Persona and Yakuza, and how the mathematical concept of Pi can now play Pokémon (but still can't find the first gym after 16,000 hours of trying).
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to November 1996 in Retro Rewind.
You may want to sit down for this one. Consulting firm Deloitte predicted this week that the landscape of storytelling is undergoing a monumental shift, and the convergence of film, TV, and video games is reshaping entertainment, blurring the boundaries between cinematic and game world universes. In other words, the future holds more video game adaptations for TV and film -- which is pretty obvious to anyone who paid even a glancing look towards pop culture in 2023. We discuss what this bold new future of gaming adaptations may look like based on the successes and not-so-successes of the MCU.
We'll also be talking about how Geoff Keighley has said The Game Awards will beef up security to prevent stage-crashers this year, the new survey that says US kids want subscriptions and virtual currency more than games this Christmas, and how someone bought a retail Wii U for the first time in 17 months.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Nostalgia 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at '90s Christmas commercials.
The Game Awards celebrated the technical and artistic achievements of the video game industry on Thursday night, ending with the naming of the role-playing adventure Baldur’s Gate 3 as game of the year. The awards show in Los Angeles also served as one long commercial for upcoming games, including a new look at Jurassic Park, OD (the a new horror title from Hideo Kojima), Rise of the Ronin, and Light No Fire (the new game from No Man's Sky developer Hello Games). We discuss the highs and lows of this year's Game Awards, as well as tally up our prediction winner.
We'll also be talking about how the Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer smashed through 60 million YouTube views in 12 hours, how the Legend of Zelda movie director wants it to be "live-action Miyazaki," and how premium watchmaker Anicorn is releasing a set of $800 Mega Drive / Genesis watches.
Finally, we celebrate our 100th episode with a look back at the moments and people who got us here.
The Electronics Entertainment Expo was finally taken off life support earlier this week, its epitaph being a brief statement reading, “After more than two decades of E3, each one bigger than the last, the time has come to say goodbye. Thanks for the memories.” It was a long time coming. Although no one who has been paying any attention can say they're surprised by this news, for gamers of the '90s and '00s, it still hits hard. We discuss the death of E3, what could have been, and reminisce about our favorite E3 moments.
We'll also be talking about how developer Fntastic is closing its doors just four days after the ugly launch of The Day Before on Steam, how Twitch now allows ‘artistic depictions of nudity’ in update to sexual content policy, and how Valve is asking Steam Deck owners to not to smell the handheld's vent fumes.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the Atari 2700.
The year is coming to a close, and what a year it's been for video game news! We're joined by Patrick Brickhouse of the Retro Blast Podcast to remember the biggest gaming headlines of 2023, as well as discuss where we hope the industry goes from here.
We'll also be talking about how the Insomniac hackers have made good on their threat to release confidential data (revealing big plans about upcoming Marvel games like Wolverine, Venom, X-Men, and more), how Bobby Kotick's reign at Activision Blizzard is finally coming to an end, and how Ρornhub has revealed the year's most searched video game characters.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to December 2000 in Retro Rewind.
2023 was a blockbuster year for video games, the likes of which we'll probably not see again any time soon. So before we flip the calendar to 2024, let's take a moment to remember the best of the best of an absolutely epic year of new titles.
We'll also be discussing how China is in damage-control mode after its crackdown on video games sparked an $80 billion market meltdown, how researchers in Germany recently published a study that found video games may be able to help treat cognitive symptoms of major depressive disorder, and the ten worst games of 2023 according to Metacritic.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the career and legacy of the notorious gaming hype maker Peter Molyneux.
Once again, it's prediction time! As is tradition, we look at predictions from industry analysts for the coming year and review how well they guessed last year. Then it's our turn to grade our 2023 predictions before gazing into the crystal ball and making our own forecasts for 2024.
We'll also be discussing the shocking revelation that a 13 year-old has "beaten" Tetris, how Square Enix's new years resolution is to become "aggressive in applying AI," and how Mario mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto supposedly has no plans to ever retire from Nintendo.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Nostalgia 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the top 6 toys Ryan coveted as a child but never owned.
CES, “the most powerful tech event in the world,” kicked off its 2024 event in Las Vegas on January 9th. While CES bills itself as “the only trade show that showcases the entire tech landscape at one event,” the gaming industry has already been getting its fair share of headlines. So for our main topic this week, we’re looking at a roundup of CES 2024 news, including how SAG-AFTRA has pulled a 180 and approved AI voice acting for video games, the newly announced MSI Claw, and how Aromajoin has unveiled its new scent-based XR devices.
We'll also be discussing Valve's newly updated rules on how Steam will approach AI content, how Netflix is reportedly exploring adding in-game ads to its gaming service, and how Kim Kardashian's mobile game is shutting down after players spend millions.
Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to January 2004 in Retro Rewind.
Just in time for the rebranding of its subscription service to Ubisoft+ and the release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Ubisoft has found another way to make sure its name is at the forefront of gamers' minds this month. Philippe Tremblay, director of subscriptions at Ubisoft, has stated "gamers are used to...having and owning their games. That's the consumer shift that needs to happen." But does it though? We discuss this claim and whether there's any merit to it, as well as wonder which will be the next company to take a similar bold step.
We'll also be talking about how Twin Galaxies has restored Billy Mitchell’s scores following a legal settlement, how GameStop is bidding farewell to crypto with the closure of its NFT marketplace, and how Peanut Butter, GDQ’s first dog speedrunner, is adorable and extremely good at Gyromite.
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. This week, we're looking at the infamous GTA: San Andreas "Hot Coffee" mod.
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