**DISCLAIMER: While recording this episode on August 17th 2024, we ran into numerous technical issues that led to some Audio and Visual glitches in the final product. We still wanted to commit to putting out this episode but also wanted to forewarn our viewers and listeners who are used to a certain level of quality from us. Thank you for understanding!**

In this episode of the Press Start Select Podcast, the Pod Boys kick off the topics with a discussion about the release of Kawaki as a DLC character in Naruto Storm Connections as well as the latest updates with Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. They also discuss their hopes for future DLC characters, including characters from the Dragon Ball movies and the Naruto filler arcs.

The conversation then moves to the state of Warner Brothers games. They talk about the need for Warner Brothers to reevaluate their strategy and really focus on their IPs. The conversation then shifts to the recently released trailer for Cyrax in Mortal Kombat 1 and the direction of the game's story expansion. They discuss the creativity in Cyrax's redesign and the potential for future characters. They also touch on the idea of Kameo characters and who Ed Boon has "teased" may be next.

The last half of this episodes also touches on the upcoming Gamescom event, a discussion about Final Fantasy 7 Remake Pt 3 and the challenges of episodic releases as well as the seeming collapse of Bungie Studios and the closure of Game Informer. As always, thank you for watching, listening, commenting and subscribing!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Discussion on Naruto Storm Connections

17:18 Discussion on Dragon Ball Sparking Zero

39:13 Warner Brothers' IP Strategy

58:30 The 'New' Cyrax in Mortal Kombat

01:08:48 The Importance of Character Design and Story Expansion

01:15:32 Upcoming Kameo Characters in Mortal Kombat

01:28:01 Expectations for Gamescom and New Game Announcements

01:55:40 The Challenges Faced by Bungie Studios and the Fate of Destiny

02:09:48 The Pros and Cons of Physical Media vs. Digital Content

02:24:06 The Closure of Game Informer and the Changing Landscape of Gaming Journalism

#sparkingzero #mortalkombat1 #gamescom #bungie #gameinformer