Gamers Week Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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In this episode...
--> California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2426, a new law that requires digital marketplaces to make clearer to customers when they are only purchasing a license to access media.
--> Steam just removed its forced arbitration policy, opening the door for lawsuits against its parent company, Valve.
--> The next generation of Xbox consoles reportedly could include both a console and a handheld.
--> A video game based on The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and Steam this October.
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Portland Retro Game Expo 2024 Pickups & Recap!

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
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40
- Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com

Hosts: wrytersview, retrogamebrews, donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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In this episode...
--> Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair, makers of Palworld, eight months after the game's release.
--> Tony Hawk has been "talking to Activision again" ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Pro Skater series and promises that "we're working on something."
--> Italian police have seized a haul of counterfeit retro game consoles worth almost €50m ($55.5m).
--> When Concord when offline for good, a very nice 69 players had earned the Platinum trophy according to psnprofiles. Now one more player who also received the trophy has signed up for a psnprofiles account, forever changing the 69 etched in Concord's history to a tragic 70.
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Trivia

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
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40
- Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com

Hosts: retrogamebrews, donniegretro, wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode...
--> Microsoft has revealed a Deadpool and Wolverine–inspired controller that’s business in the front, party in the back.
--> Sega has announced that it has taken legal action against an individual committing consistent harassment against one of its employees.
--> Nintendo's mysterious Emio teaser isn't a full-blown horror game after all, but the first new Famicom Detective Club game in 35 years.
--> 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
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Hosts: retrogamebrews, donniegretro, wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

Support the show

Send us a text

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.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

Thank you to J+L Game for sponsoring our giveaway! Visit their store at JNLgame.com/j-l-video-games-new-york-city.

Hosts: @donniegretro, @retrogamebrews, @wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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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.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

Hosts: @retrogamebrews, @wrytersview, @donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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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's ownership 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.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

Hosts: @wrytersview, @donniegretro, @LudoTimbo
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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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.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

Hosts: @donniegretro, @retrogamebrews, @wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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Time codes at the bottom!

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.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

Hosts: @retrogamebrews, @wrytersview, @donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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

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Time codes at the bottom!

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.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

Hosts: @wrytersview, @donniegretro, @retrogamebrews
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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

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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.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

Hosts: @donniegretro, @retrogamebrews, @wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

Support the show