Arcade Couch

Is New Pokémon Snap everything we wanted to be? Dylan discusses his time with the game so far, what he likes, and what he’d change.

There’s also a handful of news stories to discuss including developer Toys For Bob being put on Warzone duty and EA activity pushing players to buy loot boxes in FIFA.

Dylan also talks about the two previews he wrote for demo’s available in LudoNaraCon 2021, Tunic and Lake.

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Previews/Reviews

Lake Preview

Tunic Preview

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:00:57 - Today On The Show

REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

00:01:13 - Lake Preview

00:07:30 - Tunic Preview

THE NEWS

00:17:13 - Apex Legends Is Getting An Arena Mode

00:28:08 - Toys For Bob Is Now Working On... Warzone

00:37:34 - EA Is Pushing You To Buy Loot Boxes In FIFA

00:48:52 - JB Hi-Fi Sells Resident Evil Village Early!

WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING

00:54:56 - New Pokemon Snap Impressions

OUTRO

01:11:02 - Goodbye

Resources

Gamasutra

Activision Turns Crash 4 Dev Into Warzone Support Studio, Denies Layoff Rumours

IGN

Why Leaked Documents Revealing "All Roads to FUT" Confirm What Many FIFA Fans Already Know

Kotaku

Apex Legends Is Getting An Arena Mode

Press Start

A JB Hi-Fi Store Has Apparently Sold Resident Evil Village On PS5 A Whole Week Early

Youtube

New Pokemon Snap: The First 17 Minutes of Gameplay

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

It’s all about MORTAL KOMBAT this week as Ashley discusses his thoughts on the film. Is it a good video game movies? That much seems for sure, but that doesn’t mean the film isn’t without its criticisms.

Dylan and Ashley discuss their time playing Operation: Tango, which is a co-op puzzle game due out in June. Plus the two dive into the latest news including Discord no longer for sale, a Battlefield game announcement coming soon and Hades winning big at the 2021 DICE Awards.

Reviews/Preview Mentioned:

Mortal Kombat

Operation: Tango

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:00:49 - Today On The Show

REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

00:01:14 - Mortal Kombat Movie Review

00:10:33 - Operation: Tango Preview

THE NEWS

00:17:04 - Discord Isn't Being Sold... For Now

00:20:30 - Star Wars: The Old Republic Remake Details

00:25:50 - Battlefield News Is Coming Soon

00:33:13 - DICE Awards - Hades Wins Big

00:38:03 - Nintendo Switch Compatible Printer

00:44:25 - Apex Legends Is Shaking Things Up Soon

WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING

00:50:59 - Clap Hanz Golf Thoughts

00:55:40 - Magic: The Gathering - Strixhaven Set Impressions

OUTRO

00:59:10 - Goodbye

Resources

Explosion Network

Apex Legends In-Game Teaser Names ‘The Arena’ Officially

Magic: The Gathering’s Latest Set, Strixhaven: School Of Mages Has Launched In MTG Arena

GamesIndustry.Biz

Hades Wins Game of The Year At DICE Awards 2021

Press-Start

A New Battlefield Game Is Still Coming This Year And A Separate Mobile Battlefield Game Is Coming Next Year

A Nintendo Switch Compatible Pikachu Photo Printer Is Coming Just In Time For Pokemon Snap

VG24/7

Discord Ends Talks With Microsoft, Will Remain An Independent Company

Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic’s Unannounced Remake Is Being Developed By Aspyr - Reports

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Dylan and Ashley discuss all the games shown off during the Nintendo Indie World, and the news and trailers during the Resident Evil Showcase.

Also on the show, we have a job listing point towards an open-world Bioshock game, a job-listing pointing towards the League of Legends cinematic universe and some trailers to discuss.

Buddy beat Ciaran in It Takes Two mini-games.

Reviews/Previews Mentioned:

Oddworld: Soulstorm

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:02:55 - Today On The Show

REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

00:03:04 - Oddworld: Soulstorm Review

THE NEWS

00:04:22 - Apex Legends Hits 100 Million Players

00:07:11 - Next Bioshock To Be Open-World

00:11:50 - League of Legends Cinematic Universe On Its Way

00:17:32 - New Pokemon Snap Details

00:22:57 - Rumours Of Square Enix Being Sold

MAIN TOPIC

00:29:20 - Nintendo Indie World - April 2021

00:52:28 - Resident Evil Showcase - Village & RE4 VR

OUTRO

01:09:20 - Goodbye

Resources

AusGamers

The Next BioShock Looks To Be An Open World Game

Explosion Network

Everything Announced During Capcom’s Second Resident Evil Showcase

Nearly 7-Minute New Pokemon Snap Trailer Details The World, Items And Photography Tools

Eurogamer

Apex Legends Hits 100m Player Milestone

IGN

Riot Is Planning a League of Legends Cinematic Universe

Kotaku

Everything Announced During Today’s Nintendo Indie World

Nintendo Life

Square Enix Says It's Not For Sale, Shoots Down Acquisition Rumours

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

After a week of playing Outriders, Dylan posted his review and has fallen for the games combat, loot and power systems. Is it without faults? Of course not, and Ashley and Ciaran discuss their thoughts on the game as well as some of their complaints. We also touch on the shaky launch period, and why you shouldn’t attack community managers online.

Also on the show this week there are rumours Hideo Kojima could be joining forces with Xbox, Apple Arcade gets a massive update to its library, E3 2021 is going all-digital and much more — including a Ciaran v Buddy update.

Reviews/Previews

Outriders Review

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:02:17 - We Have PAX AUS 2021 Tickets!

REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

00:15:29 - Outriders Review

THE NEWS

00:43:38 - Outriders Players Get Free Community Appreciation Pack After Server Issues

00:48:58 - DontNod Is Publishing Games Now

00:54:25 - Apple Arcade Gets A Big Update

00:59:58 - E3 Goes Digital For 2021

01:13:33 - Could Hideo Kojima Release An Xbox Exclusive Game?

OUTRO

01:28:34 - Ciaran v Buddy Update In It Takes Two Mini-Games

01:34:55 - Goodbye

Resources

E3Expo.Com

E3 2021: Game On

GameIndustry.Biz

Dontnod Moves Into Third-Party Publishing

Kotaku

Apple Arcade’s Biggest Expansion Yet Adds 30 New Games Including Fantasian, NBA 2K21, And Oregon Trail

Punters Report 502 Errors, Double Charging & Queue Jumpers While Trying To Get PAX Aus Tickets

PlayStation Lifestyle

Outriders Offers Free Community Appreciation Package for Those Affected by Launch Server Issues

Press Start

Xbox Is Apparently Trying To Steal The Deal For Hideo Kojima’s Next Game

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We’ve all been playing It Takes Two and have a lot of thoughts on the follow up to A Way Out. Dylan’s also discusses his reviews for the Xbox Wireless Headset, and the iOS version of Magic: The Gathering Arena.

Plus Ciaran’s been playing Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, which, as of recording, was still being sold on Steam, even though the game was refused classification in Australia. Long story short: Ciaran is loving it, and just wished someone had told him to play it earlier.

There’s also some heavy NERD segments this week between the Magic: The Gathering and DOTA/LoL discussions. Enjoy.

Reviews/Previews Mentioned

It Takes Two

Magic: The Gathering Arena Review

Xbox Wireless Headset

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:00:49 - Today On The Show

REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

00:01:07 - It Takes Two Review

00:19:18 - Xbox Wireless Headset Review

00:28:09 - Magic: The Gathering Arena Review

THE NEWS

00:42:21 - DOTA: Dragon's Blood Skyrockets Character Popularity

00:51:02 - Niantic Are Making Some Kind Of AR Headset

00:58:23 - Disco Elysium Is Still Being Sold In Australia

WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING

01:00:53 - Ciaran's Been Playing Disco Elysium - The Final Cut

01:07:32 - Dylan's Started Shadow of The Tomb Raider

OUTRO

01:13:59 - Goodbye

Resources

IGN

Dota 2 Dragon Knight Pick Rate Increased Following Netflix Show

Kotaku

Disco Elysium Is Basically Banned In Australia, But Steam Is Like Fuck It, We’ll Keep Selling It Anyway

VR Scout

‘Pokémon Go’ Developer Niantic Is Working On Its Own Headset

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Microsoft is reportedly close to closing a deal to buy Discord. Would this be good news for gamers, and the general public — or just bad news bears? We discuss the implications of this purchase, compared to something like Skype and what it could achieve for a cross-system party play, communication, and community building.

Dylan talks about popping his Monster Hunter cherry this episode as he’s been playing the latest entry in the franchise, Monster Hunter Rise. He’s also been playing Crash Bandicoot’s latest adventure, which is on mobile.

Both Dylan and Ashley also discuss Gotham Knights delay, Xbox Live dying, a bunch of ID@Xbox Games and how Peter Dutton is sucking-ass on a daily.

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:00:34 - Today On The Show

THE NEWS

00:01:15 - Gotham Knights Delayed Until 2022

00:04:53 - Xbox Live Is Dead

00:08:59 - Six Best Games From ID@Xbox Presentation

00:35:28 - Day & Date Games Announced For Game Pass

00:37:38 - Ikumi Nakamura Starts Her Own Studio

00:41:48 - Peter Dutton Blames Toxic Workplace Culture On Video Games

00:50:33 - Microsoft In Talks To Buy Discord

WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING

01:00:06 - Monster Hunter Rise Impressions

01:07:18 - Crash On The Run Is An Okay Mobile Runner

OUTRO

01:13:00 - Goodbye

Resources

IGN

Over 20 ID@Xbox Games Are Launching Day One With Xbox Game Pass

Kotaku

Report: Microsoft Wants To Buy Discord For "Over $10 Billion"

RIP, Xbox Live (2002-2021)

Press Start

Gothan Knights Has Been Delayed Until Next Year

Peter Dutton Suggested That Grand Theft Auto Could Be Partly To Blame For Men’s Toxic Behaviour

VG24/7

Ghostwire: Toky Developer Ikumi Nakamura Has Set Up Her Own Studio

Youtube

Death's Door - Announcement Trailer

Moonglow Bay | Announce Trailer

Nobody Saves The World - Reveal Trailer

The Ascent | Co-op Trailer

The Wild at Heart | Release Date Trailer

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We discuss everything show during ‘Square Enix Presents,’ with the highlight being the reveal of a brand new Life is Strange game. It’s being developed by Deck Nine Games, the team behind Life is Strange: Before The Storm. Which, by the way, is getting released alongside the original game in a remastered package. Exciting!

This week we also talk about Sony buying Evo and what that means for the fighting game esports world. Plus Disco Elysium: The Final Cut has been refused classification in Australia. It’s ridiculous, it’s stupid, it’s a sign of how out-dated the classification system, but we sure hope it’s rectified.

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:00:34 - Today On The Show

MAIN TOPIC

00:01:10 - Square Enix Showcase - Overall Thoughts

00:08:25 - Outriders Presentation

00:11:55 - Tomb Raider 25th Anniversary

00:13:29 - Square Enix Mobile Game Announcements

00:15:17 - Marvel's Avengers Showcase

00:22:24 - Balan Wonderland Is A Game

00:23:22 - Life is Strange: True Colours Revealed

00:36:02 - Forspoken Officially Revealed

THE NEWS

00:39:15 - Sony Buys EVO

00:43:58 - Starfield To Release This Year?!

00:49:57 - EA Play Joins Game Pass For PC

00:55:13 - Dying Light 2 Is Still A Game That's Coming Out

00:57:07 - You Can Finally Buy Devotion Again

00:59:29 - Are Pokemon GO Eggs Lootboxes?

01:06:04 - Fortnite Is Trying To Build A Story

01:10:45 - Disco Elysium Refused Classification In Australia

OUTRO

01:15:20 - Goodbye

Resources

Kotaku

Disco Elysium Has Been Refused Classification

Everything We Saw In Today’s Square Enix Presents

Pokemon Go’s Eggs Aren’t Lootboxes, They’re Fun Presents

Sony Buys Evo

PC Gamer

The Avengers Directors Were Behind Fornite’s Season 6 Cinematic

Press Start

Dying Light 2 Is Apparently Still Releasing This Year

EA Play Has Joined Xbox Game Pass PC Bringing 60+ Free Games To The Service

Polygon

Censored Horror Game Devotion Available Once Again On New Store

VG24/7

Starfield Seemingly Targeting 2021 Release, Bethesda Considering Summer Reveal

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Xbox finally got approval from the US and EU to acquire ZeniMax Media. After adding a stack of Bethesda’s back catalogue to Gamepass, Phil Spencer was unclear about the exclusivity of future titles. Will we see future titles on PS5 or are Deathloop and Tokyo: Ghostwire the final Bethesda Playstation games?

Ashley and Ciaran also discuss their feelings about the announcement of dates for Pax Australia in October, the “EAGate” scandal that has hit Fifa 21 and Roblox being worth so much money.

Hosts:

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

THE NEWS

00:01:09 - Country Roads Take Me Home To Pax Aus

00:06:34 - Square Enix Presents Coming

00:21:25 - What was “EAGate”?

00:28:28 - Roblox Rock Wall Street

00:35:06 - A New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s Game Has Us Excited

00:38:26 - Esports Growth Predicted to Continue

WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING

00:43:45 - Yakuza: Like A Dragon Impressions

MAIN TOPIC

00:49:29 - Bethesda Officially Joins Xbox

OUTRO

01:00:22 - Goodbye

Resources

Eurogamer

FIFA 21 rocked by "EAGate" scandal after company employee is alleged to have sold coveted Ultimate Team cards for thousands of pounds

GamesIndustry.Biz

Global esports, game streaming markets to reach $3.5b by 2025 - Juniper

Newzoo anticipates global esports market will grow to $1.08b in 2021

Kotaku

PAX Australia Is Back [Update]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge Is A Brand-New Old-School Beat-Em Up

Microsoft Confirms Some Future Bethesda Games Will Be Exclusive To Xbox And PC

Polygon

What is Roblox? And how did it get so huge?

20 Bethesda games coming to Xbox Game Pass: Here's the full list

Press Start

Square Enix Is Holding A Digital Showcase With Game Announcements And Updates

Xbox

Officially Welcoming Bethesda to Team Xbox

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Arcade Couch is the Explosion Network’s premiere video games podcast featuring discussions on the latest releases, tech, industry news and more, available every Saturday at 6 AM AEST

There’s credible reporting that states that a New Nintendo Switch model is about to hit production. This new Switch will include a larger OLED 720p screen. There’s also reports that the dock could display the Switch up to 4K. We discuss all of this, and if it’s a smart move for Nintendo to release an upgraded Switch wit the potential to alienate fans.

Post Malone had his Pokemon Concert and Dylan was a fan, plus he discusses how much he likes the idea of Pokemon with HoloLens. Ciaran and Ashley aren’t sold as much. But there’s bickering to be had between both of them as soon as Ciaran once again dares to call Fall Guys a dead game. Even though Epic Game just bought the developer.

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

THE NEWS

00:01:58 - We're Not Watching The Elden Ring Trailer

00:08:44 - That Post Malone Pokemon Concert Was Good

00:15:28 - Pokemon Go x Microsoft HoloLens

00:20:37 - Aliens: Fireteam Revealed

00:25:11 - Dungeons & Dragons AAA RPG In Development

00:28:01 - Epic Games Buys Fall Guys

WHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING

00:34:44 - Fights In Tight Places Impressions

MAIN TOPIC

00:43:04 - Report: Nintendo Switch With 4K Dock/720P OLED Screen In Production

OUTRO

01:05:21 - Goodbye

Resources

Explosion Network

Post Malone Pokemon Concert Was Short & Sweet

PC Gamer

There’s A Big-Budget Open-World Dungeons & Dragons Game In Development

UploadVR

Watch: Pokemon Go HoloLens Demo Uses Microsoft Mesh For Multiplayer Battles

Youtube

Aliens: Fireteam - Exclusive 25 Minutes of Gameplay | IGN First

Kicking Heads & Taking Names | Fights in Tights Spaces First Hour [Explosion Network Plays]

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

It’s been a big week in video games news with a Pokemon Presents to discuss and Blizzconline from the back end of last weekend. We also talk about a bunch of games being cancelled like Anthem, but also once again talk about Hogwarts Legacy’s latest controversy and end up in a “is cancel culture a real thing?” conversation.

Dylan and Ashley had also played some of the Outriders demo this past week, so they give their thoughts on that upcoming game.

Hosts:

Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil

Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Review/Previews:

Outriders Preview

Episode Timecodes

INTRO

00:00:00 - Hello

00:01:36 - Today On The Show

MAIN TOPIC

00:02:14 - Pokemon Presents Thoughts

00:06:04 - New Pokemon Snap

00:09:27 - Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shinning Pearl

00:12:47 - Pokémon Legends: Arceus

REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

00:25:20 - Outriders Preview

THE NEWS

00:37:56 - Blizzconline 2021 Thoughts [Overwatch 2, Diablo 4]

00:49:26 - Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 Is Over, For Now

00:53:01 - Anthem Is Officially Cancelled

00:59:33 - Hogwarts Legacy Stirs Up Some More Controversy

01:01:00 - Cancel Culture Discussion

01:30:41 - Halo TV Series Officially Coming Next Year

01:35:39 - Hot Wheels: Unleashed Sounds Great

01:38:35 - Aussie Indie Devs Getting Funding From Film Victoria

OUTRO

01:44:23 - Goodbye

Resources

Eurogamer

Halo TV Series To Premiere In Early 2022

Explosion Network

Everything Announced During Pokemon Presents 25

Kotaku

BioWare Says It’s Giving Up On Anthem

Everything Announced At BlizzConline, The Virtual Blizzcon

Polygon

Upcoming Harry Potter Game Keeps Brewing Trouble

WellPlayed

Film Victoria Announces Which Games Will Share $550,000 In Funding

Get Ready To Pedal To The Mattel In Hot Wheels Unleashed

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 Developer Dropped From Project; Will Not Release In 2021

Arcade Couch Credits:

Music by: Dylan Blight

Art by: Cherie Henriques

All Episodes:

https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion