In this episode, the hosts discuss various topics in the gaming industry, including personal gaming experiences, the impact of Monster Hunter on players, trends in game development, and the acquisition of Niantic's game division. They also explore Sega's strategic focus on fewer but deeper investments in key franchises, Lego's shift towards in-house game development, and the implications of microtransactions in upcoming games like EA's Skate. The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of gaming, including Riot Games' efforts to engage new players and the success of horror games like Outlast Trials.Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Surprises

03:00 Gaming Experiences and Technical Issues

05:58 Exploring New Games and Recommendations

09:02 Monster Hunter Insights and Gameplay

12:00 Game Releases and Market Trends

15:10 Emerging Games and Future Prospects

19:07 Niantic's Strategic Shift: Selling Pokemon Go Division

25:08 Steam's Chinese User Surge

31:29 Ori Studio Goes Independent

33:45 Lego's In-House Game Development

36:14 LEGO and Video Games: A Unique Challenge

37:34 Microtransactions in Gaming: A Double-Edged Sword

39:09 Sega's Strategic Shift: Fewer Games, Deeper Investments

40:53 Netflix's Gaming Ambitions: A Cautionary Tale

43:55 Riot Games: Adapting to a New Generation of Players

46:57 The Impact of Food in Gaming: A Delicious Trend

49:31 Xbox's Hardware Rumors: The Future of Gaming Devices

51:39 Game Pass vs. PlayStation Essentials: A Comparative Analysis

53:11 Rumors of Cancellations: The Uncertain Future of Game Development

54:28 The Outlast Trials: Success in the Horror Genre

Connect With Us:

• ⁠Casey Al-Kaisy⁠
• ⁠Dave Thier⁠
• ⁠Manu Rosier