The Game Awards 2024 nominations are out, but what will win Game of the Year? Kaitlyn and Sam make their predictions on this final weekly episode of Real Time Strategy. They discuss Elden Ring’s DLC nomination, the difference between Game of the Year and Best Game Direction, if an RPG can take the crown, and more.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:00:32 – Final Episode Farewell

00:06:11 – Game of the Year Nominees

00:08:39 – The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Controversy

00:19:15 – Should We Be Surprised by Black Myth: Wukong’s Nomination?

00:25:57 – Our GOTY Frontrunners

00:37:43 – Best Game Direction Predictions

00:53:11 – Best Adaptation Predictions

01:02:14 – Announcement Predictions

01:08:27 – Outro

Stories discussed:

Polygon – The Game Awards announces Game of the Year 2024 nominees 

IGN – Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Game Awards Nomination Sparks Renewed Debate Among Fans

Polygon – Black Myth: Wukong is one of the lowest-rated Game of the Year nominees in Game Awards history

Dead Game – Unlocking The Cheat Codes To Geoff Keighley's Game Awards 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Phil Spencer says Xbox is working on prototypes for a handheld console. Kaitlyn and Sam discuss how it can compete in a landscape dominated by phones, Nintendo, and the Steam Deck. Then they break down why Take-Two sold its indie-focused publishing division Private Division and how the Nintendo DS changed gaming in honor of its 20th anniversary.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:07:38 – Phil Spencer Says Xbox Is Planning a Handheld. What Should It Be?

00:31:27 – Why Did Take-Two Interactive Sell Private Division?

00:49:54 – Read of the Week: The Guardian’s 20-Year Anniversary Coverage of the Nintendo DS

01:19:17 – Outro

Stories discussed:

Bloomberg – Microsoft’s Gaming Chief Is Still Looking for Acquisitions, Sees Future Growth

GamesIndustry.biz – Zelnick on Private Division sale: "Those projects were smaller, we're in the business of big hits"

Variety – Why Private Division's Mystery Buyer Probably Isn't a Gaming Giant

The Guardian – Nintendo DS at 20 – the console that paved the way for smartphone gaming

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

SAG-AFTRA video game performers are on strike, and Roblox reportedly has a child safety problem. Sam and Kaitlyn break down these stories, then interview entertainment journalist Collier “CJ” Jennings about covering San Diego Comic-Con.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:42 – What Does the SAG-AFTRA Gaming Strike Mean for the Industry?

00:21:59 – Roblox’s Child Safety Problem

00:38:30 – Collier “CJ” Jennings on Covering San Diego Comic-Con

00:40:12 – Deadpool and Wolverine

00:45:51 – CJ’s SDCC Experience

01:03:19 – What Makes a Good SDCC Panel?

01:12:27 – Where to Find CJ’s Work

Stories discussed:

Los Angeles Times – Video game actors are on strike. Here's what that means

Slate – The Video Game Industry Is More Successful Than Ever. Why Are the Workers Treated Like Garbage? 

Aftermath – SAG-AFTRA Striking Because Companies Won’t Offer Same AI Protections To Voice And Physical Performers, Not Happy About GTA VI Exemption

Bloomberg – Roblox’s Child Safety Problem 

Digiday – 'A long-game move': Why Coach is entering Roblox to win over younger shoppers

AIPT Comics – SDCC '24: Hulu's Animayhem Factory returns, bigger and better than ever

AIPT Comics – SDCC '24: Titmouse provided the most unique interview experience in con history

Follow CJ on Twitter @CJWritesThings, and read his work on AIPT Comics and Collider.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Microsoft is raising the price of Xbox Game Pass…again. Join Kaitlyn and Sam as they discuss Microsoft’s decision to hike Xbox Game Pass prices, the changes in tier options, and what Microsoft’s long-term strategy may be. 

Then, in the show’s new “Read of the Week” segment, Sam and Kaitlyn discuss Polygon’s Spicy Take Week story about Roger Ebert’s famous quote that “Video games can never be art” and whether or not video games should be deemed art. They may even share their own spicy takes. 

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:00:34 – Summer So Far Recap

00:09:07 – Xbox Game Pass Changes

00:27:29 – Can Game Pass Compete with Apple Arcade

00:38:54 – Xbox and Amazon Fire TV

00:43:30 – Read of the Week Segment (Polygon's Spicy Takes Week)

00:56:26 – Kaitlyn’s Spicy Gaming Take

01:00:15 – Sam’s Spicy Gaming Take

01:04:34 – Outro

Stories discussed:

The Verge – Microsoft is hiking the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and launching a new ‘Standard’ tier

IGN – Xbox Game Pass Price Hikes Were ‘Inevitable’, Analysts Say 

GamesIndustry.biz – Price hike shows Xbox is determined to make Game Pass work | Opinion

Polygon – Roger Ebert saying video games are not art is still haunting games

Polygon – Watching a video game is basically playing it 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

2024 is expected to be the last year before Nintendo’s next console, so is the Nintendo Switch going out with a bang? Logan Plant, host of IGN’s Nintendo Voice Chat and database manager for IGN Playlist, joins Sam to answer that question. They break down the latest Nintendo Direct, their favorite reveals, and when they expect to hear from Nintendo next.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:48 – Logan’s Favorite Non-Switch Nintendo Console

00:08:17 – Nintendo Direct (June 2024) Review

00:11:17 – Mario & Luigi: Brothership Impressions

00:18:14 – Why Does Nintendo Hide Its Developers?

00:22:54 – The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Impressions

00:33:40 – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Impressions

00:39:09 – Other Direct Highlights

00:50:01 – When Will the Next Nintendo Direct Be?

00:55:26 – What Is IGN Playlist?

01:04:00 – Outro

Follow Logan on Twitter @LoganJPlant, listen to his weekly Nintendo podcasts, Nintendo Voice Chat and Toadstool Boardroom, and check out IGN Playlist here.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Freelance games writer Jason Fanelli joins Kaitlyn and Sam to share his impressions from Summer Game Fest Play Days 2024 and break down what makes a good preview experience for press. Topics include Jason’s favorite SGF demos, if the event can eventually replicate E3, and the most memorable preview events from his career.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:06:24 – Jason’s Most Anticipated Upcoming Games

00:26:18 – SGF Play Days Impressions

00:44:15 – How to Plan Coverage for SGF Play Days

00:49:18 – What Makes a Good Game Preview?

00:53:23 – The Benefits of Virtual Previews

00:59:47 – Preview Do’s and Don’ts

01:06:26 – Jason’s Most Memorable Game Previews

01:14:34 – Where to Find Jason’s Work

01:17:13 – Outro

Follow Jason on Twitter @BigManFanelli, and read his SGF coverage at GameSpot, VGC, and MMORPG.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

A new Doom game, Perfect Dark is back, and too many exciting indie games to count… summer showcase season is here. Kaitlyn and Sam break down Summer Game Fest and the Xbox Games Showcase, their favorite games shown, what makes a good showcase trailer, and why Geoff tempered expectations this year.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:15 – Is Summer Game Fest Close to E3 2.0?

00:11:48 – Summer Game Fest 2024 Review

00:23:35 – Comparing the SGF and Xbox Showcases

00:35:47 – Favorite Games from the Xbox Showcase

00:54:55 – Favorite Games from the Xbox Showcase

01:09:42 – Why We Loved the Astro Bot Trailer

01:13:37 – Outro

Stories discussed: 

GamesIndustry.biz – The spirit of E3 could be felt in LA – now let's bring it back | Opinion

Rock Paper Shotgun – Don't expect big reveals at Summer Games Fest, says Geoff Keighley

Game Informer – Geoff Keighley Says 'People Are Setting Themselves Up For Failure' When Asked About Kingdom Hearts IV At SGF

Kotaku – Geoff Keighley: Big Companies Have To Treat Their Developers Right

Kotaku – A 1-Minute Trailer At Summer Game Fest Costs $250K [Update] 

IGN – Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Addresses Studio Closures - IGN Live 2024 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Andy Lunique wears many hats as a cook, author, and influencer marketing expert in the games industry, and he combined those skills to write “The Ultimate Gamers Cookbook” and “Diablo: The Official Cookbook.” Andy joins Kaitlyn and Sam to discuss how he crafts gaming-friendly recipes, how influencers (including himself) find their brand, and how to reach people without losing authenticity.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:18 – Andy’s Go-To Game Night Meal

00:09:33 – Andy’s Love (and Advice) for Pancakes

00:15:11 – Writing The Ultimate Gamers Cookbook

00:27:53 – Why Are Food and Gaming Synonymous?

00:34:28 – Key Learnings from Andy’s First Two Cookbooks

00:49:43 – How Andy Applied Influencer Marketing to His Book

01:00:21 – How Creators Find Their Brand

01:13:25 – How Andy Keeps Up with the Creator Space

01:20:28 – How Andy Stays Motivated

01:23:06 – Outro

Buy The Ultimate Gamers Cookbook on Amazon, or get a signed copy here. Follow Andy on Twitter @AndyLunique and on TikTok @Andy_Lunique.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Microsoft is betting big on Game Pass by adding Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to the service at launch. Kaitlyn and Sam discuss what this means for Microsoft’s publishing strategy, Xbox’s upcoming showcase, and the price of Game Pass. Then they break down how IGN Entertainment’s acquisition of Gamer Network affects games media.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:03:37 – Assassin’s Creed Shadows Announced

00:06:40 – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Launching on Game Pass

00:11:03 – What Does This Mean for Call of Duty Sales?

00:17:51 – What Does This Mean for the Microsoft Showcase?

00:25:04 – Will Game Pass’ Price Increase?

00:33:45 – IGN Entertainment Acquires Gamer Network

00:50:34 – Outro

Stories discussed: 

The Verge – Microsoft confirms Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is coming to Xbox Game Pass

Wall Street Journal – Microsoft Plans Boldest Games Bet Since Activision Deal, Changing How ‘Call of Duty’ Is Sold

GamesIndustry.biz – IGN Entertainment acquires Eurogamer, GI, VG247, Rock Paper Shotgun and more

Game Developer – IGN Entertainment buys GamesIndustry, RockPaperShotgun, other Gamer Network outlets

Game Developer – Reedpop looking to sell Eurogamer, GI.biz parent company Gamer Network  

Video Games Industry Memo – IGN buys Gamer Network

Media discussed:

“Parable of the Sower” by Octavia E. Butler

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Joost van Dreunen knows the games industry. He literally wrote the book on the business of video games (One Up: Creativity, Competition, and the Global Business of Video Games), and with his next book on the horizon, he joins Kaitlyn and Sam to discuss how gaming has changed since One Up was published in 2020, why so many layoffs are happening, and why the industry is pivoting to “games as a platform.”

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:03:07 – Joost’s Favorite Games

00:09:26 – Joost Explains One Up: Creativity, Competition, And The Global Business Of Video Games

00:12:21 – Why Study The Business Of Video Games?

00:24:44 – How the Industry Has Changed Since 2020

00:31:17 – The Difference Between Games As A Service And Games As A Platform

00:50:45 – What’s the Future of the Apple Vision Pro?

01:02:22 – What Makes Joost Optimistic About the Future of Gaming?

01:07:27 – Outro

Stories discussed: 

VentureBeat – How data can help you understand the game industry | Joost Van Dreunen interview

Buy Joost’s book on Amazon, Audible, or Audiobooks, subscribe to his newsletter here, and follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Microsoft closed a number of Bethesda studios, including Redfall maker Arkane Austin and Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks. Kaitlyn and Sam discuss the implications behind the closures, why these ones were a shock even amongst many closures and layoffs, and what the upcoming Xbox Showcase will look like. The duo also touch on the Nintendo Switch 2 update from Nintendo as well as a spoiler discussion on the finale of Prime Video’s Fallout series and what they’re looking forward to in Season 2. 

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:43 – Microsoft Closes Multiple Studios

00:06:35 – Why Close Hi-Fi Rush Studio Tango Gameworks?

00:25:07 – How Will Xbox Handle Its June Showcase?

00:29:05 – Nintendo Confirms Switch Successor

00:36:50 – What Will Nintendo Release This Fall?

00:42:00 – Fallout TV Series Finale Review

00:54:17 – Favorite Episodes of the Show

01:03:28 – Outro

Stories discussed: 

IGN – Microsoft Closes Redfall Developer Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush Developer Tango Gameworks, and More in Devastating Cuts at Bethesda

Bloomberg – Microsoft’s Xbox Is Planning More Cuts After Studio Closings

The Verge – Microsoft completes Activision Blizzard acquisition, Call of Duty now part of Xbox

Gamesindustry.biz – What do studio closures mean for Xbox strategy? | Opinion

Gamesindustry.biz – Nintendo profits rise to $6.2bn ahead of quiet year

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

TikTok is facing a U.S. ban, so what does that mean for influencers, marketers, gaming fans, and the future of short-form video? Kaitlyn and Sam answer that question, as well as explain Escape From Tarkov’s bad week and their thoughts on Fallout’s fifth episode and Fallout 4’s next-gen update.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:03:19 – What’s the Future of TikTok With the U.S. Ban Looming?

00:15:10 – Potential Effects of the Ban

00:22:03 – How Influencers Will Be Affected

00:26:19 – Escape From Tarkov’s DLC Controversy

00:45:25 – Fallout Episode 5 Recap

00:52:53 - Fallout 4’s Next-Gen Update

01:03:48 – Outro

Stories discussed:

CBS News – TikTok ban measure signed by Biden. Here's what could happen next.

CBS News – After Biden signs TikTok ban into law, ByteDance says it won't sell the social media service

GamesIndustry.biz – The US is banning TikTok, could Fortnite and League of Legends be next?

TechCrunch – Gen Z is losing its political voice on social media

PC Gamer – Escape From Tarkov players rage as developers lock co-op PvE behind a new $250 edition, then say they'll offer previous buyers access for just 6 months (Updated)

PC Gamer – How Escape From Tarkov wiped out years of goodwill in one catastrophic week

IGN – Escape From Tarkov Dev's 'Shameless' Controversy Response Called Out By Fans and Esports Company

IGN – Escape From Tarkov Rival Gray Zone Warfare Shoots to Top of Steam Sales But Reviews are 'Mixed'

TechRadar – The Fallout 4 next-gen update will not be available to those who own the game through PS Plus, Bethesda confirms

PC Gamer – Fallout 4's most popular mods are now ones that remove Bethesda's disastrous 'next gen' update

PC Gamer – Bethesda beefing it with a calamitous 'next-gen' Fallout 4 update just as everyone's falling in love with Fallout again is the most Bethesda thing imaginable

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Sean Murrin, CEO of gaming creative agency Waypoint, joins Kaitlyn and Sam to discuss the relationship between creative activations and PR. They highlight Waypoint’s work with physical goods, mailers, stunts, events, and more (including the Elden Ring Pot Boy puppet at the 2021 Game Awards), and how that work can drive word-of-mouth and media coverage.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:06:44 – What is Waypoint?

00:27:39 – Influencer Kits

00:41:40 – How Gaming Trends Have Changed Waypoint

00:49:18 – Making Elden Ring’s Pot Boy Puppet for TGAs 2021

00:59:15 – Sean’s Other Favorite Projects

01:02:00 – How to Be a Good Creative Client

01:09:49 – Outro

Find Waypoint’s work here, and watch the agency’s show, Side Quest Sessions, on YouTube.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Embracer Group is splitting into three companies, Star Wars Outlaws’ premium day-one content is upsetting fans, and Fallout is returning for a second season on Prime Video. Kaitlyn and Sam break down these headlines, their updated Fallout impressions, and Kaitlyn’s Coachella experience on this week’s episode.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:13 – Kaitlyn’s Coachella Weekend

00:09:01 – Embracer Group Splitting Into Three Companies

00:24:32 – Star Wars Outlaws’ Season Pass Has an Exclusive Jabba Mission, and Fans Are Upset

00:44:32 – Fallout Renewed for Season 2

01:02:56 – Outro

Stories discussed:

GamesIndustry.biz – Embracer Group splits into three: Everything you need to know

The Verge – Gaming giant Embracer Group is splitting into three companies

IGN – Ubisoft Responds to Star Wars Outlaws Season Pass Backlash, Insists Jabba the Hutt Is Part of the Experience for All Players

Variety – 'Fallout' Renewed for Season 2 at Amazon    

Ars Technica – Fallout games continue seeing big player jumps after the TV series’ success

GamesIndustry.biz – Fallout Shelter's daily revenue rockets to $80,000 after TV show debut

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Kaitlyn, Sam, and special guest Trisha Hershberger exit the vault this week to review Prime Video’s Fallout. They discuss how well it adapts Bethesda’s beloved game franchise, spoilers from the first two episodes, and what other game adaptations can learn from the series.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:45 – Trisha’s Favorite Fallout Games

00:13:50 – Life in a Fallout Vault

00:19:51 – Trisha’s Fallout Premiere Experience

00:22:20 – Comparing the Show’s Tone to the Games

00:32:19 – How the Show Adapts Fallout’s Lore

00:45:37 – Analyzing Lucy’s Storyline

00:52:49 – Analyzing the Brotherhood of Steel Storyline

01:10:27 – What Can Other Video Game Adaptations Learn From Fallout?

01:17:49 – Outro

Find Trisha on social media @thatgrltrish, subscribe to her on YouTube @TrishaHershberger, and follow her on Twitch at TrishaHershberger.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

IGN’s creative staff formed the IGN Creators Guild this year to collectively work toward a stronger, more equitable workplace. IGN video editor and guild member Chelsea Miller joins Kaitlyn and Sam to explain why the IGN Creators Guild was founded, how it’s brought the staff closer together, and what the union hopes to accomplish next.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:08:37 – Chelsea’s Cults, Cryptids and Conspiracies podcast

00:30:42 – What does it mean to unionize?

00:33:25 – Who makes up the IGN Creators Guild?

00:40:50 – Forming the IGN Creators Guild

00:53:22 – How the IGN Creators Guild handled the recent IGN layoffs

00:57:49 – What are the next steps for the union?

01:13:26 – How can people support the IGN Creators Guild?

01:19:21 – Outro

Stories discussed:

IGN – Polygons, Pixels and Polyamory, Oh My! The 40-Year Evolution of Video Game Romances 

IGN – How Hidden Nazi Symbols Were the Tip of a Toxic Iceberg at Life Is Strange Developer Deck Nine 

Media/artists discussed:

Voynich manuscript

Kholat 

The Last of Us

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

Hades

The Long Dark

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Follow the IGN Creators Guild on Twitter and Instagram @IGNUnion. Follow Chelsea on Twitter @mschelseareed, and listen to her podcast, Cults, Cryptids, and Conspiracies.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Larian Studios isn’t making a Baldur’s Gate 3 sequel or expansion, Rockstar may miss Grand Theft Auto’s “early 2025” launch window, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 launched with a surprising, and to some upsetting, range of microtransactions. Sam and Kaitlyn discuss these headlines, as well as their favorite (and least favorite) April Fool’s gags this year.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:06:03 – Best and Worst of April Fools' Day 2024

00:20:29 – Larian Studios Is Moving on From Baldur’s Gate

00:34:36 – Quick Thoughts on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter

00:36:45 – GTA VI Delayed to 2026?

00:55:28 – Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Microtransaction Drama

01:06:51 – More Thoughts on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter

01:13:58 – Outro

Stories discussed:

IGN – Surprise Steam Hit Content Warning Garnered 6.2 Million Downloads in Free Period

GamesRadar+ – Chaos reigns as new Hollow Knight Silksong store page found on April 1 of all days, Xbox marketing exec says it's not a joke 

PC Gamer – Larian is finished with Baldur's Gate: 'We're going to move away from D&D and we're going to start making a new thing'

Kotaku – GTA 6 Production Reportedly Falling Behind, Rockstar Urges Staff To Return To Office To Avoid Delay [Update] 

PC Gamer – The Dragon's Dogma 2 microtransactions are real and bafflingly silly, since nearly all of them can be found in the game without too much trouble 

IGN – Dragon’s Dogma 2 Director Explains Why Less Fast Travel Can be a Good Thing

Media/artists discussed:

Julien Baker

Black Country, New Road

“Erased Tapes 20・・---0” by Various Artists

Exodus

“Cowboy Carter” by Beyoncé

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Entertainment journalists Lin Codega and Chase Carter launched Rascal News, an independent outlet covering tabletop roleplaying games, in February. One month later, they join Sam to discuss why they launched the reader-supported, worker-owned outlet, their love for tabletop, and why passionate journalists tell the best stories.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:03 – Lin’s Movie, Book, and TV Recommendations

00:04:54 – Chase’s Game and TV Recommendations

00:08:10 – What Is Rascal News?

00:10:14 – Starting Rascal News

00:17:05 – Advice for Independent Outlets

00:26:51 – Rascal’s Founding Principles

00:41:10 – Coverage at Rascal vs. Previous Sites

00:49:12 – Rascal’s Future Plans

01:04:31 – Lin and Chase’s Dream Stories

01:10:04 – Developing Investigative Stories (Including Lin’s Dungeons & Dragons OGL Piece)

01:18:26 – Outro

Stories discussed:

Gizmodo – The Dungeons & Dragons’ OGL 1.1 Tightens Grip On Competition 

Rascal – GUDIYA: The horrors of being Bluebeard's latest plaything 

Rascal – The Harlem Renaissance is here again 

Rascal – Stumble Guys x D&D is goofy, but Hasbro’s direct links to the PIF are nothing to laugh at 

Rascal – Baldur’s Gate 3 developer isn’t interested in being another Hasbro show pony 

Rascal – Chuck Tingle, the World’s Greatest DM, trots to 2e and has never regretted it 

Gizmodo – Our Flag Means Death's Finale Was Full of Hurt For Izzy Hands Fans 

Media discussed:

Dune: Part Two

“The Mars House” by Natasha Pulley

“Starling House” by Alix E. Harrow

“Our Share of Night” by Mariana Enríquez

Stardew Valley

True Detective: Night Country

Read and support Rascal here, and follow the site on Twitter, Bluesky, and TikTok. Follow Lin on Twitter @lincodega and Chase on Bluesky @chasecarter.bsky.social.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Sam on social media @SamScotMosher.

World of Darkness – a connected story universe including Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, and more – is coming off its most successful year ever in 2023. Jason Carl, brand marketing manager for World of Darkness and storyteller for the “By Night” actual play series, joins Sam and Kaitlyn to dive deep into the universe, what makes it different from other transmedia brands, and why World of Darkness succeeds as a licensing partner.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:03:54 – Wine and Book Pairings

00:07:21 – What is World of Darkness?

00:14:12 – How To Get into World of Darkness

00:23:02 – The Popularity of World of Darkness

00:35:06 – What Is the “By Night” Series?

00:48:24 – Licensing World of Darkness

01:03:50 – Producing the “By Night” Series

01:15:06 – Outro

Follow Jason on social media @vampiresnvino, learn more about World of Darkness here, and check out the Darkness Emergent event page here.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

It’s finally time for Kaitlyn and Sam to flex their love for movies. This week, they discuss the 2024 Academy Awards and how Hollywood’s biggest night compares to gaming’s awards slate. They break down where The Game Awards, DICE Awards, and BAFTA Games Awards stand in the gaming industry, how a video game adaptation could be recognized at the Oscars, and what upcoming adaptation stands the best shot at a nomination.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:05:56 – The Bradley Cooper Oscars Discourse

00:14:32 – Oscars Highlights (I’m Just Ken)

00:18:36 – Oscars Winners

00:32:33 – Game Awards vs. Oscars

00:41:17 – How the Oscars Could Recognize Video Games in the Future

00:54:16 – Celebrities at Gaming Awards Shows

01:04:59 – Amazon Drops New Fallout TV Show Trailer

01:11:29 – Outro

Stories discussed:

The Hollywood Reporter – Oscars: Full List of Winners 

IGN – Upcoming New Video Game Movies and TV Shows: 2024 Release Dates and Beyond

Game Informer – Here Are The Nominees For The 20th Annual BAFTA Games Awards 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

PlayStation and EA laid off hundreds of people last week, adding to the thousands of people affected by layoffs in the games industry in 2024. Sam and Kaitlyn discuss why layoffs are sweeping the industry, what they mean for the state of AAA game development, and how PlayStation and EA’s cuts signal major changes for their content strategies.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:27 – The Games Industry’s Layoff Epidemic 

00:04:24 – PlayStation Layoffs

00:23:31 – EA Layoffs

00:45:10 – State of PSVR 2

00:52:28 – Dune: Part Two and Dune: Awakening

01:02:05 – Outro

Stories discussed:

Kotaku – Every Video Game Industry Layoff In 2024

The Verge – Sony is laying off 900 PlayStation employees 

IGN – EA to Lay Off Around 670 Workers, Sunsetting Games, 'Moving Away From Future Licensed IP' 

Entertainment Weekly – 'Dune: Part 2' tops the box office with $81.5 million 

Polygon – Surviving the new Dune MMO sounds like hell, but at least you can drink the blood of your enemies  

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior reinvents the hack ‘n’ slash genre by empowering players to rewind time and fight with an army of their past selves. Thibault Legouet, game director and lead game designer at Sand Door Studio, joins Sam to discuss Lysfanga’s innovative combat, its origins as a student project, and the challenges of making a game where you can play co-op with yourself.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:44 – Thibault’s favorite game of all-time

00:04:27 – What is Lysfanga?

00:09:48 – Why Thibault went down the game design path

00:17:43 – How did Lysfanga go from a student project to a commercial project?

00:21:44 – Where does the name Lysfanga come from?

00:32:44 – What did they learn from the student version to the commercial version?

00:44:42 – Coming up with the character designs

00:51:42 – Surprises from people playing

00:54:24 – Thibault’s advice to new game designers

01:00:49 – Outro

Find Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior on Steam and Epic Games Store now.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Sam on social media @SamScotMosher.

Xbox is staying in the hardware and exclusives business, PlayStation has no “major existing franchise titles” this year, and Nintendo’s next console is reportedly delayed to 2025. Sam and Kaitlyn break down the state of the first parties and what their strategies mean for major gaming franchises, as well as share their favorite (and least favorite) media from the Presidents' Day weekend.

Timecodes:

00:01:33 – Kaitlyn Discovers EA’s Dante’s Inferno

00:10:09 – Kaitlyn Reviews Her Presidents' Day Movies

00:16:48 – Sam’s Presidents' Day Weekend

00:25:24 – Xbox’s Business Update

00:44:39 – The State of Franchises in Gaming

00:57:27 – Nintendo Switch 2 Reportedly Delayed to 2025

01:17:23 – Outro

Games/stories discussed:

GamesRadar+ – Xbox Podcast - everything announced at the Future of Xbox event 

IGN – Sony Will Not Release Any New Major Existing PlayStation Franchise Titles Before April 2025

IGN – When the PlayStation 6 Might Be Released

VGC – Sources: Nintendo Switch 2 will now launch in 2025

Bloomberg – Nintendo Is Telling Game Publishers Switch 2 Will Be Delayed

CNBC – Nintendo shares fall nearly 6% after report that the Switch 2 will be delayed until 2025 

Media discussed:

Dante’s Inferno – #EAFail: the absolute worst (best?) PR campaign in gaming | Ars Technica

Anyone But You

Argylle 

The Beekeeper

Upgraded

All of Us Strangers

Dream Scenario

Clueless

Chain-Gang All-Stars

The Taste of Things

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Ubisoft has disbanded Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s development team, so does that make the game a failure? Kaitlyn and Sam discuss the game’s launch and what may have affected its sales, including its PC release strategy, January release date, and the state of the Prince of Persia franchise. Then they dissect the reception to Amazon’s Like A Dragon: Yakuza and discuss the awesome new showrunner for the God of War series.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:04:58 – Ubisoft Disbands Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s Team

00:34:21 – Amazon’s Like A Dragon: Yakuza Gets Mixed Reviews

00:49:15 – Amazon’s God of War Series Gets New Showrunner

00:55:09 – Outro

Stories/media discussed:

IGN – Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Team Disbanded After Critically Lauded Platformer Fails to Meet Expectations - Report

Eurogamer – Ubisoft responds to report Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown development team disbanded

Polygon – Why did Ubisoft send Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown out to die? 

Game – Consoles aren't dying, but they are changing 

Kotaku – Amazon’s Like A Dragon: Yakuza Is Already A Divisive Adaptation Of The Beloved Games

Deadline – 'God Of War': Ronald D. Moore Boards Amazon Series As New Showrunner

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

A record-breaking Super Bowl, Disney’s $1.5 billion Fortnite deal, and rampant speculation about Xbox’s multiplatform future dominated this week in pop culture, so Kaitlyn and Sam break it all down on this week’s episode.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro (Super Bowl Chat)

00:04:07 – Favorite Super Bowl Commercials

00:10:10 – Deadpool & Wolverine Trailer

00:19:51 – Disney and Epic Games Partner for Massive Fortnite Deal

00:40:10 – Xbox Reportedly Bringing Its Exclusives to Rival Platforms

01:04:09 – Society of the Snow Review

01:14:31 – Outro

Stories/media discussed:

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Deadpool & Wolverine

Despicable Me 4

Walt Disney Company – Disney and Epic Games to Create Expansive and Open Games and Entertainment Universe Connected to Fortnite

The Verge – Microsoft prepares to take Xbox everywhere

Society of the Snow

Anatomy of a Fall

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Spawn On Me founder Kahlief Adams joins Sam to discuss The Spawnies, his annual awards show celebrating game developers. This year marks the third annual Spawnies, airing February 29, and Kahlief breaks down the making of the show and its mission to recognize underrepresented artists.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro (Kahlief’s Dream Co-Host for The Spawnies)

00:03:54 – What Are The Spawnies?

00:14:47 – How Kahlief Plans The Spawnies

00:17:47 – What to Expect from The Spawnies This Year

00:23:24 – Kahlief’s Spawnies Collaborators

00:34:38 – Category Names

00:43:51 – Voting Process

00:53:27 – Spawn On Me Goals for 2024

01:03:07 – Outro

Watch The Spawnies live on SpawnOnMe’s Twitch channel and IGN on Thursday, February 29, at 6pm PST. Catch up on The Spawnies with the 2022 and 2023 shows.

Follow Kahlief on Twitter @KahliefAdams, and find links to Spawn On Me here. For Kahlief’s recommended episodes, find A Lesson in Blackness here and his Sarah Bond interview here.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Sam on social media @SamScotMosher.

IGN executive editor Tom Marks joins Sam and Kaitlyn to discuss his new position leading game reviews at IGN and how the outlet approaches reviews of remasters like The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Early Access games like Palworld, and titles with staggered launches like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro (Tom’s Most Anticipated Indie Games of 2024)

00:07:49 – Becoming Executive Editor of Reviews

00:11:11 – Reviewing The Last of Us Part II Remastered

00:24:44 – Reviewing Palworld

00:36:12 – Early Access Reviews

00:45:26 – Reviewing Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

01:06:19 – Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Trailer Impressions

01:15:03 – Outro

Stories discussed:

IGN - The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered's Roguelike Mode Is More Than Just a Novelty 

IGN - The Last of Us: Part 2 Remastered PS5 Performance Review 

IGN - Palworld Early Access Review - Steam Version 

IGN - Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Review in Progress 

IGN - Netflix Releases New Avatar: The Last Airbender Trailer 

Find Tom’s work at IGN here, and follow him on Twitter @TomRMarks.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher.

Kinda Funny Xcast host Mike “SnowBikeMike” Howard joins Sam and Kaitlyn to preview Xbox’s year ahead. The trio reviews Xbox’s Developer Direct presentation, discusses the platform’s big 2024 releases (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, Avowed), and predicts what we’ll see from Xbox’s summer showcase.

Note: This episode was recorded and published before Microsoft announced its gaming layoffs, so we were unable to address them on the show.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro (Chiefs vs. Bills Game)

00:07:57 – What Xbox Franchise Does Mike Want Back?

00:12:42 – Xbox Developer Direct Review

00:20:20 – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

00:36:16 – Are We Hyped for Avowed?

00:41:30 – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Is Digital-Only and a Shorter, Narrative-Led Experience

01:00:49 – Mike’s Xbox 2024 Predictions

01:08:08 – Outro

Games discussed:

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Ara: History Untold

Avowed

Visions of Mana

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Listen to Mike talk about Xbox every week on the Kinda Funny Xcast, and watch him stream with the Kinda Funny crew on YouTube and Twitch. Follow him on Twitter and Twitch @SnowBikeMike.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher.

Artificial intelligence was the hot tech topic of 2023, and 2024 will be no different. Kaitlyn Red Wing and Sam Mosher dig into the industry’s evolving relationship with AI, how legislation and workers’ groups will affect AI usage, and how AI does (or does not) relate to the Switch 2’s launch. Then the duo closes out with their impressions of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and HBO’s The Last of Us season two casting news.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:11 – Sam vs. Snow (Why The Episode Was Late)

00:16:11 – AI Shark Claims Nintendo Switch 2 Is Launching in September

00:26:47 – AI in the Games Industry

00:40:39 – Examples of AI in Games (The Finals, Foamstars)

00:54:04 – Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s Reviews and Demo

01:11:46 – HBO’s The Last of Us Season Two Casting News

01:25:13 – Outro

Stories discussed:

Digital Trends – AI company claims Nintendo Switch 2 launches this September

GamesIndustry.biz – AI, online platform regulation and loot boxes: Legal trends to watch in 2024

Aftermath – As Video Game Industry Goes All-In On AI, Workers Race To Secure Their Rights

Axios – The Finals' AI voices were made with human actors' input, studio says 

GamesIndustry.biz – Square Enix confirms Foamstars uses AI-generated assets

Variety – SAG-AFTRA Signs Deal With Voiceover Studio for AI Use in Video Games 

GameSpot – Free Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Demo Is Available Now 

The Hollywood Reporter – Kaitlyn Dever Officially Cast in 'The Last of Us' Season 2 as Abby 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Two months ago, Nick Calandra and The Escapist’s former video team launched Second Wind after Nick was fired. Today, Second Wind has over 400,000 YouTube subscribers and over 14,000 Patreon supporters. Nick joins Sam Mosher and Kaitlyn Red Wing to discuss Second Wind’s success, the business of independent content creation, the failings of corporate ownership, and more.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro (Nick’s Most-Anticipated Games of 2024 and Favorites of 2023)

00:09:21 – What is Second Wind?

00:10:10 – How Second Wind Arose from The Escapist

00:17:21 – Transparency as an Independent Media Organization

00:28:06 – Second Wind’s Launch

00:43:50 - Second Wind’s Content Lineup

00:56:57 – Second Wind’s 2024 Goals

01:13:14 – Outro

Games discussed:

Pioneers of Pagonia

Wildfrost 

Lords of the Fallen

Baldur’s Gate 3

Support Second Wind on Patreon here, find the group’s videos on YouTube and Twitch, and follow their updates on Twitter @SecondWindGroup. Follow Nick for his gaming takes and recommendations @nickjcal.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

A new year means new games, so Kaitlyn Red Wing, Mel Gazazian, and Sam Mosher share their most anticipated releases and predictions for 2024. Topics include Hades II, Nintendo’s next console, and the big game adaptations coming to TV and film this year. Then the trio closes out the episode with their favorite media from the holiday break.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:13 – Gifts we gave and received this holiday

00:14:54 – 2024 preview

00:16:14 – Mel’s most anticipated games

00:27:38 – Kaitlyn’s most anticipated games

00:32:08 – Sam’s most anticipated games

00:36:25 – Predicting Nintendo’s next console

00:55:27 – 2024 video game adaptations

01:02:55 – Media recommendations from break

01:32:26 – Outro

Stories/media discussed:

Hades II

Jusant

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

The Plucky Squire

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Deadline – Jack Black Levels Up For 'Minecraft' At Warner Bros 

The Holdovers

Eyes Wide Shut

The Apartment

Sea of Stars

“The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston

Teen Wolf

Metroid Dread

Super Mario 3D World

The Boy and the Heron

Maestro

Ferrari

The Iron Claw

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn, Mel, and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing, @melaniegazaz, and @SamScotMosher respectively.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — Game of the Year season — so PC Gamer global editor-in-chief Evan Lahti joins us to break down how PC Gamer picks the best games of every year. He also pulls back the curtain on other PC Gamer projects, including game adaptation coverage, the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted showcase, and the Top 100 PC games list.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro (Evan’s Holiday Backlog)

00:07:55 – PC Gamer’s Game of the Year Awards

00:14:00 – Creating Genre Awards

00:17:38 – The GOTY Selection Process

00:22:03 – How the Process Has Changed Over 15 Years

00:24:49 – Covering Deep Gaming Communities

00:40:43 – Covering Video Game Adaptations

00:49:08 – PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted

00:51:34 – Building “The Council” Jury Behind the Most Wanted List

01:06:53 – Evan’s Personal Most Wanted List

01:11:40 – PC Gamer’s Top 100 Games List

01:23:21 – Outro

Stories discussed:

PC Gamer – PC Gamer's Game of the Year Awards 2023 

PC Gamer – The 25 Most Wanted games, as revealed in PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted

PC Gamer – The top 100 PC games

Media discussed:

Alan Wake 2

Lethal Company

Xenotilt: Hostile Pinball Action

Jagged Alliance 3

Hunt: Showdown

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Unforetold: Witchstone

Sulfur

Follow Evan on Twitter @ELahti, and find his work at PC Gamer here.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

The Game Awards 2023 was jam-packed with trailers (Light No Fire!), surprises (Blade!), and celebrities (Jordan Peele!), but did it give enough time to the awards themselves? Kaitlyn Red Wing, Mel Gazazian, and Sam Mosher review this year’s show, discuss how it can better celebrate developers, and share their favorite announcements.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:04:57 – The Game Awards 2023 Review

00:17:27 – Awards vs. Announcements Time

00:34:34 – TGA 2023 Winners

00:36:39 – Our Favorite Announcements (Starting with Senua's Saga: Hellblade II)

00:45:24 – Mel’s Highlights (Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, Light No Fire)

00:56:03 – Sam’s Highlights (Jurassic Park: Survival, Blade, SEGA Power Surge)

01:23:58 – Day of the Devs: The Game Awards Edition

01:28:43 – Outro

Stories/media discussed:

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU (Polygon story: Assassin’s Creed Origins actor announces new game at The Game Awards) 

Light No Fire (The Verge story: Light No Fire is the next ambitious game from the studio behind No Man’s Sky) 

Jurassic Park: Survival

Blade

SEGA Power Surge (Washington Post story: Sega is reviving classic games including ‘Crazy Taxi,’ ‘Jet Set Radio’)

OD: A Hideo Kojima Game

Exodus

Harmonium: The Musical 

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

The Casting of Frank Stone

Loose Leaf: A Tea Witch Simulator

Simpler Times (Engadget story: 'Simpler Times' is the coziest game I've played in a long time) 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn, Mel, and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing, @melaniegazaz, and @SamScotMosher respectively.

The Grand Theft Auto VI trailer is finally here, so Kaitlyn Red Wing and Sam Mosher break it down, discuss its leak, and predict how Rockstar will show the game next. As if that trailer wasn’t enough, Fortnite and Amazon Prime’s Fallout series released huge trailers this week, so the duo also digs into Fortnite’s new experiences (Lego Fortnite, Rocket Racing, Fortnite Festival) and whether Amazon’s game adaptation is shaping up to be a hit.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:06:43 – Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer Breakdown

00:19:55 – When Will We See Grand Theft Auto VI Again?

00:26:00 – The GTAVI Trailer Leak

00:39:10 – Fortnite’s Big Bang Event

00:46:35 – Fortnite’s Lego Crossover

00:57:07 – Fallout TV Series Trailer Discussion

01:11:23 – May December and Saltburn Reviews

01:20:00 – Outro

Stories/media discussed:

WIRED – The 'Grand Theft Auto VI' Trailer Is Here. And It’s Already Causing Mayhem

GamesIndustry.biz – GTA 6 trailer leak spoiled the biggest video game moment in a decade | Opinion

The Verge – Fortnite’s Eminem concert teased the future of the game 

IGN – Fortnite OG and the Original Map Will Return in 2024 Due to Their Overwhelming Popularity

Vanity Fair – ‘Fallout’ First Look: This Is How the World Ends—With a Smiling Thumbs-Up 

May December

Saltburn

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden recently said AA games are gone, but what does that mean for the industry? Kaitlyn and Sam explain the state of mid-market games on this week’s episode and then dig into two of Amazon’s upcoming gaming shows, God of War and Secret Level.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:09:13 – The State of AA Gaming

00:30:42 – Amazon’s God of War Show Changing Creative Team

00:41:43 – Why We’re Excited for Amazon’s Secret Level

00:56:43 – Outro

Stories/media discussed:

GamesIndustry.biz – Shawn Layden: "AA is gone and that's a threat to the ecosystem going forward"

PlayStation LifeStyle – Space Marine 2 Studio Wants to Focus on ‘Middle Market’ Games Like Helldivers 2

Deadline – ‘God Of War’: Sony And Amazon Starting Over On Series After Departure Of EPs Rafe Judkins, Hawk Ostby & Mark Fergus 

Collider – Tim Miller and Dave Wilson Describe Every Episode of 'Secret Level' [Exclusive] 

Variety – Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger Among Voice Cast for Amazon Video Game Anthology Series ‘Secret Level’ 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

The Game Awards are a week away, and Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are ready to duke it out! Hosts Kaitlyn Red Wing and Sam Mosher dig into this year’s TGA nominations and predict the big winners, cameos, and surprises of the night. Then the duo discusses the recently announced The Last of Us Part II Remastered and their favorite media from the Thanksgiving break.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:07:43 – The Game Awards 2023 Nominations

00:11:31 – Is Baldur’s Gate 3 the Game of the Year Frontrunner?

00:21:41 – Dave the Diver’s Best Indie Game Controversy

00:30:00 – Other Category Predictions

00:40:52 – Announcement and Cameo Predictions

00:45:15 – The Last of Us Part II Remastered Announced

00:58:19 – Favorite Media from Thanksgiving Break

01:15:02 – Outro

Stories/media we discussed:

IGN – The Game Awards 2023 Nominations See Baldur's Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2 Leading With 8 Nods Each 

PC Gamer – Should facts or vibes determine whether an 'indie game' is really indie? 

IGN – Geoff Keighley Confirms The Game Awards Will Move Away From 'World Premiere' Label, Beef Up Security 

PlayStation Blog – The Last of Us Part II Remastered coming to PS5 on January 19, 2024 

Five Nights at Freddy’s

“Babel, or the Necessity of Violence” by R. F. Kuang

“A Memory Called Empire” by Arkady Martine

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

It’s a huge gaming news month, and hosts Kaitlyn Red Wing and Sam Mosher are joined by Mel Gazazian to break it all down. The trio discusses Blizzard’s first BlizzCon since 2019, the first trailer for the “next Grand Theft Auto” (a.k.a. Grand Theft Auto 6) coming in December, and Nintendo’s announcement of a live-action Legend of Zelda movie.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:48 – What Are We Thankful For?

00:11:12 – We Attended BlizzCon 2023 

00:15:12 – Favorite Opening Ceremony Moments

00:25:39 – Fan Interactions and Energy

00:39:29 – Rockstar Announces GTA 6 Trailer Is Coming in December

01:00:30 – Nintendo Announces Live-Action Legend of Zelda Movie

01:10:09 – We Cast the Zelda Movie

01:27:36 – Outro

Stories/videos we discussed:

IGN – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer Arriving in December 

The Verge – Nintendo is making a live-action Zelda movie 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

Puzzmo is a digital reinvention of the daily newspaper puzzle page, complete with a more accessible crossword, hit word games like Spelltower and Typeshift, and more to come. Co-founder and game designer Zach Gage joins Sam this week to discuss Puzzmo, its puzzle-locked limited launch, and how it rethinks newspaper games while preserving what makes them fun.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:00:46 – Zach’s Favorite Games

00:10:59 – What Is Puzzmo?

00:17:23 – Gamifying Puzzmo’s Limited Launch

00:26:05 – Preserving the Fun of Physical Newspaper Games

00:43:21 – How to Improve Crossword Puzzles

00:55:51 – The Puzzmo Team

01:08:58 - The Puzzmo Mascot

01:17:09 – Outro

Play Puzzmo here, and follow Zach on Twitter @helvetica.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

NYU Game Center director Frank Lantz set out to explain why games are beautiful in his book, “The Beauty of Games,” and it became one of Sam’s favorite reads of the year. Frank and Sam discuss the book, how to reframe the “are games art?” conversation, why games are most similar to music, and more.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:00:44 – Frank’s Favorite Games

00:07:23 – The Origins of “The Beauty of Games”

00:12:21 – Changing the “Are Games Art?” Conversation

00:22:42 – How Our Minds Work with Games

00:37:53 – How Games Can Be Dangerous

00:55:16 – The Editing Process of “The Beauty of Games”

01:11:06 – Outro

Order a copy of “The Beauty of Games” here, follow Frank on Twitter @flantz, and read more about his work here.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

TwitchCon moved to Vegas for its 2023 event, and host Kaitlyn Red Wing and TriplePointer Mel Gazazian have the first-hand report. They join Sam to discuss the streamer convention, the state of Twitch, and how it’s competing with rival services. Then they enter the Spider-Verse to discuss Spider-Man 2, Kaitlyn’s first hours with the game, and whether its length is worth $70.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro (Mel’s Favorite Game)

00:10:46 – TwitchCon 2023

00:22:54 – Main Benefits of TwitchCon

00:27:25 – How to Network at TwitchCon

00:40:45 – Twitch Competitors

00:45:17 – Spider-Man 2 Impressions

00:52:40 – Is Spider-Man 2’s Length Worth $70?

01:05:43 – Outro

Stories/videos we discussed:

Digiday – 'Brands are a really important audience': A pre-TwitchCon Q&A with Twitch CMO Rachel Delphin

The Verge – Twitch will now let streamers simultaneously stream on any service they want

Forbes – Kick Signs Nickmercs To $10 Million Deal 

Polygon – Streaming platform Kick took on Twitch at TwitchCon

BBC – Spider-Man 2: PS5 developer on stories, game length, and what's next

Check out Shaurya Chawla’s YouTube channel for his Spider-Man 2 review with Kaitlyn.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

Microsoft has officially closed its Activision Blizzard acquisition, so what does that mean for Xbox? Kaitlyn and Sam discuss the largest gaming acquisition ever and what to expect from it on this week’s episode, as well as rumors of Disney making a major gaming acquisition and John Riccitiello stepping down as Unity’s CEO.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro (Our Halloween Costume Plans)

00:14:19 – Microsoft Closes Activision Blizzard Deal

00:20:37 – Will Microsoft Make Any Games Exclusive?

00:29:40 – Call of Duty on Game Pass?

00:35:37 – Xbox’s Mobile Plans

00:40:14 – Xbox’s Cloud Gaming Future

00:45:34 – Disney Looking to Purchase EA?

01:01:10 – Unity CEO Steps Down

01:12:42 – Outro

Stories/videos we discussed:

Game Maker’s Toolkit – A puzzle game where you decipher languages (Chants of Sennaar)

The Verge – Microsoft completes Activision Blizzard acquisition, Call of Duty now part of Xbox

Bloomberg – Has Bob Iger Lost the Magic? Inside Disney CEO’s Billion-Dollar Crisis

Polygon – Unity CEO out following widely criticized pricing model update 

Polygon – Unity walks back some of its widely criticized pricing updates 

GamesIndustry.biz – Unity's crisis is much bigger than John Riccitiello 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

It’s spooky season, so let’s get into the ghoulish spirit and talk horror games! TriplePointers Alyx Evans and Paul Lombardo join Sam this week to discuss their introduction to the horror genre, their favorite scary games, memorable horror marketing, and more.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:15 – Adapting scary movies into games

00:09:36 – Horror gaming memories

00:23:03 – Outlast and Amnesia

00:26:21 – Stealth horror games

00:34:38 – All-time favorite horror games

00:44:17 – Memorable horror game marketing

00:55:19 - P.T. and Silent Hills

01:04:09 - Outro

Find Alyx and Paul on Twitter @OddLifeAlyx and @KopiKitten respectively. Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

We go under the sea this week with lead game designer Thomas Bardet to talk about Under The Waves, the new narrative-driven adventure game from Paris-based Parallel Studio. Thomas explains the challenges of making a game set underwater, the team’s visual and narrative inspirations, striking a balance between cozy gameplay and emotional storytelling, and more.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:40 – Thomas’ favorite games of all time

00:06:44 – What is a lead game designer?

00:12:30 – Designing Under The Waves’ gameplay

00:23:42 – Level and world design

00:27:07 – Development inspirations

00:36:25 – Ocean preservation

00:51:10 – Music of Under the Waves

01:06:12 - Outro

Find Thomas on Twitter @TomBuston, and check out Under The Waves here.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

MMORPG managing editor Joseph Bradford joins us to discuss the week’s biggest headlines, including Starfield reviews, the Unity Runtime Fee controversy, and our favorite games from the latest Nintendo Direct and PlayStation State of Play. Look forward to new weekly episodes of Real Time Strategy every Wednesday.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:07:41 – PAX West 2023 thoughts

00:14:17 – Nintendo Switch 2 at PAX West 2024?

00:18:10 – Starfield review codes

00:34:31 – Maintaining PR relationships

00:39:42 – The Unity Runtime Fee outrage

00:59:33 – PlayStation State of Play and Nintendo Direct highlights

01:18:36 – Outro

Stories we discussed:

Eurogamer - Starfield review - a game about exploration, without exploration

Axios - Unity rushes to clarify price increase plan, as game developers fume 

GamesIndustry.biz - Unity's self-combustion engine | This Week in Business

Polygon - Game devs say Unity's big change puts studios at risk 

Find Joseph on Twitter @LotRLore, and read his work on MMORPG.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

Five years after its announcement, Starfield is finally here. TriplePoint’s Sam Mosher, Nick Shepherd, and Blane Humphries break down its campaign from announcement to launch and discuss what other games can learn from Starfield’s deep-dive showcase, messaging, and review strategy.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:50 – Baldur’s Gate 3 and other favorite 2023 games

00:07:52 – Starfield’s launch campaign

00:19:32 – Messaging the “Bethesda Jank”

00:28:36 – Why Bethesda touted Starfield’s length

00:34:45 – Explaining Starfield’s 1000 planets

00:47:38 – Starfield’s UK review code drama

00:59:19 – Starfield’s effect on the media landscape

Stories we discussed:

Kotaku - It Could Take 130 Hours To Really Start Starfield, Bethesda Exec Says

GamesIndustry.biz - Pete Hines on Starfield, Bethesda and bugs: "We embrace chaos"

New York Times - Starfield’s 1,000 Planets May Be One Giant Leap for Game Design

Eurogamer - Eurogamer and Starfield: Why our review will be late 

GamesIndustry.biz - Starfield review controversy traces game journalism's orbital decay

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

Why did Annapurna Interactive’s staff resign? Kaitlyn and Sam dig into that question on this week’s episode. Then the pair breaks down GamesIndustry.biz’s great post-pandemic analysis of the games industry before concluding with a new segment about the hype for Nintendo’s next console.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:07:17 – Annapurna Interactive Staff Resigns

00:23:05 – Read of the Week: GamesIndustry.biz on “How the games industry turned pandemic success into disaster”

00:51:23 – Developer Cites “Future Nintendo Platforms” in Game Announcement. Was That a PR Tactic?

00:59:44 – Outro

Stories/media discussed:

Bloomberg – Annapurna Video-Game Team Resigns, Leaving Partners Scrambling 

Eurogamer – Developers rush to reassure players of forthcoming releases following Annapurna Interactive mass exodus

GamesIndustry.biz – Cheap money and bad bets: How the games industry turned pandemic success into disaster

IGN – My Time at Portia Dev Announces Sequel for PC, Xbox Series X and S, PS5 and ‘Future Nintendo Platforms Yet to Be Announced’

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Games journalist Patrick Klepek (VICE’s Waypoint, Kotaku, Giant Bomb) has covered the industry for over 20 years, and now he’s applying his experience to a needed space for games writing: parenting. Patrick joins us to discuss his gaming and parenting newsletter, Crossplay, give his advice to TriplePoint’s newest dad Nick Shepherd, explain Roblox, and more.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:07 – Patrick’s first E3

00:07:04 – Ahsoka premiere impressions

00:14:40 – What is Crossplay?

00:21:07 – Writing about gaming for parents

00:30:23 – Building a community on Substack

00:42:24 – Personal life boundaries for writing

00:52:43 –  Introducing video games to kids

01:03:43 – Most enjoyable children’s games

01:22:52 - Outro

Find all of Patrick’s work here, and check out the Crossplay newsletter here. Follow Patrick on Twitter, and listen to him discuss the latest game releases and headlines at Remap Radio.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

Podcasting legend Danny Peña is the founder and host of Gamertag Radio, the first gaming podcast to reach 1,000 episodes. He was an inaugural inductee to the Podcasters Hall of Fame, and he’s interviewed countless industry icons like Phil Spencer, Reggie Fils-Aimé, and more. Danny breaks down his career, how his hip-hop promoting experience helped him build the Gamertag audience, and how he plans to keep giving back to his community.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:52 – Dream rapper or producer for a video game

00:08:49 – Danny’s hip-hop promoting experience

00:11:17 – Getting over interview nerves

00:13:16 – Celebrity interviews vs. video game interviews

00:27:57 – Creating unique podcast episodes

00:40:11 – Building a podcast community

00:49:19 – Meeting the Gamertag crew

01:00:19 – Speaking with hip-hop artists through gaming

01:13:51 – Danny’s children’s book, Danny Loves Video Games

01:22:32 - Outro

Follow Danny on Twitter and Instagram @godfree and on YouTube @thedannypena. Listen to Gamertag Radio here, and find his book, “Danny Loves Video Games,” on Amazon.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

iam8bit founders Jon Gibson and Amanda White are experts at bringing games into the real world, whether through collectibles, vinyls, physical editions, or some of the year’s coolest events like Summer Game Fest and Day of the Devs. Jon and Amanda join us to break down the company’s history, growth, and mission to celebrate gaming communities.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:36 – Jon and Amanda’s favorite physical item

00:06:23 – What is iam8bit

00:22:11 – Eureka moments in the past 18 years

00:35:36 – Tron Evolution cover

00:42:44 – Day of the Devs

00:51:18 – Play Days

01:03:45 – Dream collaborations

01:04:59 - Outro

Shop at iam8bit here, and keep up with the company’s latest releases on Twitter @iam8bit. To learn more about Day of the Devs, visit the official website.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.

Kate Sánchez, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of But Why Tho? and recruiter for Iron Galaxy Studios, joins us to talk about her many years of experiences as a diversity specialist. Kate dives into what exactly is a diversity specialist, what recruitment in the games industry looks like, especially for underrepresented groups, and more. We also discuss But Why Tho’s inception, what sets them apart from the rest, and more. 

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:13 – What’s one video game IP would Kate like to see adapted?

00:07:01  – What is a Diversity Recruiter?

00:11:09 – Tools Kate uses for recruiting 

00:19:41 – Setting up your Linkedin Profile

00:34:30 – Networking

00:36:20 – POC women leaving established roles

00:47:28 – But Why Tho’s? inception

00:54:18 – Balance in diversity writing

00:58:48 – Patreon pitch

01:06:00 – Connecting people to opportunities

01:09:02 – Iron Galaxy Press Start

01:13:13 - Outro

Follow Kate on Twitter or other social media @OhMyMithrandir. You can find But Why Tho’s patreon here and if you’re on the job hunt and want to work in the games industry, check out Iron Galaxy Studios on LinkedIn here. 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com.