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Episode 192 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wins Game Of The Year 2025
In this episode... --> The biggest night in gaming sees hypeman Geoff Keighly dish out shiny awards to the best games of the past 12 months -- including indie sensation Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which walked away with nine awards. Of course, the Game Awards also means hours’ worth of game announcements and trailers to sort through, such as Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, two new Tomb Raider projects, Mega Man: Dual Override, and Larian Studio's bizarre debut trailer for Divinity. --> In a move that will dramatically reshape the entertainment business, Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery announced an agreement under which Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its game studios. --> GameStop’s Trade Anything Day created the chaos the company seemed to be hoping for, but workers on social media complained of "disrespectful" and "belligerent" customers, who took the company's announcement as an invitation to create pandemonium. --> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Gaming History 101
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw - Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com - Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest
In this episode... --> It turns out Saudi Arabia will own 93.4% of EA if the buyout goes through, effectively giving the country control of the entire company. --> GameStop has highlighted its recent payout of more than $30,000 for a rare Pokémon card as evidence that the company’s trade-in program offers fair value — while simultaneously admitting the card had actually been worth at least $3,000 more. --> Microsoft has teamed up with rubber footwear brand Crocs to give us some of the most, uh, eyecatching shoes on the market. --> It appears that Tommy Tallarico is now using a fake name to compete in backgammon events. --> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Gamers Week Debates
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw - Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com - Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest
In this episode... --> Hollow Knight: Silksong’s reviews are slowly eroding as players find it “too difficult.” --> Nintendo now has a US patent on summoning characters and making them battle for you. --> Grand Theft Auto 6 could potentially be the first "AAAAA game." --> The new Street Fighter movie, which has been in the works since 2023, now has a cast and a release date. --> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Nostalgia 101
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw - Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com - Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw
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.
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.
In this episode... --> IO Interactive, developers of the much-beloved Hitman series, showed off its latest title, 007 First Light, during a special September State of Play. --> The Call of Duty video game series is finally getting a Hollywood movie, thanks to a deal between Activision and Paramount. --> Hollow Knight: Silksong's $20 price tag is making some indie developers believe the game is so cheap that it will hurt the pricing options of other indie games. --> One of the most bizarre but charming cultural crossovers has officially come to an end as the Louvre has finally laid its Nintendo 3DS audio guides to rest. --> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Retro Rewind
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw - Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com - Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
In this episode... --> A fresh report has detailed the difficulties faced by some developers keen to launch games for Switch 2 — but who remain unable to do so due to a lack of Nintendo support. --> PlayStation boss Herman Hulst has said that live service failures are good for the development of their future attempts. --> The announcement of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release date has created a ripple effect in the indie game community with several titles that were slated to release on or near that date now collectively jumping out of its blast radius to avoid being overshadowed. --> High on Life 2 continues the absurd tendencies of the original and will feature a playable version of Wisdom Tree’s Bible Adventures video game. --> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Very Important Poll
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw - Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com - Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
In this episode... --> Gamescom Opening Night Live marks the start of the gaming convention in Cologne, and it’s always packed full of announcements, trailers and gameplay reveals. We're discussing all the highlights from the show. --> Animal rights organisation Peta has urged Nintendo to redesign the popular Cow character in Mario Kart World. --> David Hayter — who for many years gave Snake his signature gruff voice — has finally "forgiven" series creator Hideo Kojima for not casting him in 2015's Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. --> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Crazy Uncle Ryan's Conspiracy Corner
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw - Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com - Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
In this episode... --> EA is calling the Battlefield 6 open beta its biggest ever, and Weekend 1 just wrapped up with a peak of 521,079 players, which is also an all-time peak for the entire Battlefield series. --> Nintendo has contacted the organizers of RTA, one of Japan's largest speedrunning charity events, to put a stop to the event's "unauthorized use" of Nintendo IP. --> Nintendo's wading into the baby and toddler market with a new toy, clothing, and general goods range it's pulling together under the My Mario banner. --> "Should we create a Pepsi video game?" the official Pepsi account asked on Twitter last week, apparently unaware that the Pepsiman game already exists. --> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Fan Theory 101
We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us! - Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub - Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw - Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com - Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest
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.
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.
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.