Get your tin foil hats on because our main topic this week is a doozy. Who is Hasan Kahraman? What is his company, Blue Box Game Studios, working on? How is Hideo Kojima involved (if at all)? And what game title starts with an "S" and ends with an "L"? We dive into the weird conspiracy surrounding the Dutch indie dev and their mysterious project code-named "Abandoned."

But first, we've got game announcements (like a rumored Castlevania Advance Collection and the upcoming free-to-play Space Jam: A New Legacy – The Game). Then it's on to the headlines. This week, we're talking about the Final Fantasy 9 animated series reported to be co-developed by Square Enix, the Video Game History Foundation's new subscription service for vintage video game magazines, the $150k fine levied at the Pokémon Sword and Shield leakers, and EA's surprise move to let FIFA Ultimate Team players see inside loot boxes before purchase.

Finally, we look back at Final Fantasy Tactics on the game's 24th anniversary.

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The curtains have fallen on gaming's biggest annual week, but before we bid adieu to E3 and Summer Game Fest, let's break down all the big announcements and headlines!

There's Microsoft and Nintendo and Square Enix, oh my! There are indies (like Axiom Verge 2) and AAA exclusives (like Starfield)! We've got new faces (like Elden Ring) and the surprise return of old friends (like Metroid Dread)! It's all here, and it's a long one, so settle in for the ups and downs of E3 week.

Then finally, we wrap up the show with a look back at the infamous Mighty No. 9 on the game's 5th anniversary.

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Welcome to the Story Mode: Outtake Special, Vol. 3! Blue, Red, and Ryan are taking advantage of the lull in gaming news prior to E3 this weekend, and they're giving themselves the week off.  So in place of a normal episode, here's a mix of outtakes and discussions that didn’t make the final cut into Story Mode.

Has there ever been a good food tie-in to a video game? Who would headline your dream Pokémon Day concert? Do we really need MORE of the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie? We cover these hard-hitting topics and more!

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When it comes to ROMs, everyone has an opinion -- including Nintendo, who just won $2.1 million against RomUniverse in “a straightforward video game piracy case.” Is this issue as cut-and-dry as it seems? We explore the murky middle ground of this legal and ethical dilemma.

But first, we're covering game announcements (like Dragon Quest XII's reveal and God of War 2's delay). Then it's on to the news. This week, we're talking about Facebook Gaming's crazy bid to take on YouTube, the possible rebirth of Sega's theme park business, and Twitch's latest plague of DMCA strikes.

Finally, we wrap up the show with a look back at Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers on the game's 30th anniversary.

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Have you ever wished for a gaming PC that you could carry in your pocket? Neither have we, but Valve is reportedly making a Steam handheld that sounds suspiciously like a Nintendo Switch. We discuss the possible pros and cons of one of the more bizarre pieces of news to come out of this timeline.

But first thing's first, and that means game announcements (like new free-to-play Super Bomberman R Online and release dates for the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, and Pokémon Shining Pearl). After that, we're talking news, like how Netflix wants to turn our TVs into consoles by offering an Apple Arcade-like cloud gaming service, how Sony is planning to expand its PlayStation IPs into mobile games and apps that will "complement" their AAA lineup (*cue sinister music*), and how Square Enix is rumored to be working on a Final Fantasy Souls-like spin-off.

Finally, we look back at Breath of Fire IV on the game's 18th PC anniversary (we know it's a stretch, just go with it).

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Alright, we've made it to our 69th episode, and we promise to do our best to get through this with a straight face. That won't be easy considering eBay has announced its new ban on the sale of mature content (including video games). What's behind the company's course change, and what will happen to all those old copies of Leisure Suit Larry?

But before we get to that, we've got game announcements (like the five new titles coming to Nintendo Switch Online and Dragon Quest's upcoming 35th anniversary stream). Next, we move on to the headlines. This week, we're discussing claims that both Sonic and Stadia are "alive and well," Sony's patent that would allow users to bet on esports, Weezer's appearance at the upcoming Summer Game Fest, and how 20% of Switch console sales went to households that already owned one.

Finally, we look back at the TurboGrafx-16 mini on the console's first anniversary.

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The Story Mode crew is together again! Yes, Red has finally returned from his five-week absence that literally turned into a matter of life or death. But now that he's back, he can help us discuss the lawsuits targeted at both Sony and Valve alleging the companies hold monopolies over their respective digital domains.

First, however, we've got game announcements (like the thrilling news that Zombies Ate My Neighbors is coming to Nintendo Switch, as is Calculator, a $10 "game" that does exactly what it says). Next up is the news. This week, we're talking about Sony's admission that the company might have to redesign the PS5 in order to meet demand, how Chris Meledandri--the founder and CEO of animation movie studio Illumination-- will be joining Nintendo as an outside director, and Burger King's new move to draw in kids with a bland AR game.

Finally, we look at Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on the 18th anniversary of the game's PC release.

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The Apple vs Epic trial began this past Monday, and the headlines are just as juicy as we could've hoped. We're joined by Avery from Gaming Source Network to talk about all the big reveals coming from that courtroom.

But first, we've gotta do game announcements (like Limited Run's four upcoming Castlevania Anniversary Collection physical editions and the soon-to-be-released Gas Station Simulator). News is up next. This week, we're discussing the plot twist that is PlayStation’s new partnership with Discord, the departure of Stadia's John Justice from Google, Blizzard's bizarre trademark dispute with Fox over a cartoon dog named Diablo, and Terry Crews' tweet in favor of localizing Mother 3.

Finally, we look back at Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the NES on the game's 32nd anniversary.

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"We do not 'push' people to spend in our games," EA said in a new statement, and we allllllmost believe them. This week, we're joined by Jeff, the other half of the New Dad Gaming Podcast, to discuss the intersection between loot boxes, kids, and EA's perennially bad reputation.

But first, game announcements are up (like the random new update to Super Mario Party and Neil Druckmann's confirmation that the outline for The Last of Us 3 is done). Next, it's headline time. We're talking about the video game industry's first ever Academy Award, the new report that says Gen Z prefers gaming over other forms of entertainment, the new international eBay shop for the famous Super Potato retro store, and how you can buy the Queen of England's infamous golden Wii -- IF you have $300,000, however.

Finally, we wrap up the show with a look back at Super Bomberman on the game's 28th anniversary.

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Have you ever bought a game on sale? Well, shame on you! According to John Garvin, writer of Days Gone, "If you love a game, buy it at f***ing full price." Is there any merit to his argument? We're joined by Trevor of New Dad Gaming Podcast to work through the issue of bargain games and rejected sequels.

But yes, first we've got game announcements (like the upcoming Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic remake and Amazon's cancelled Lord of the Rings MMO). Next, headlines are up. This week, we're talking about Sony's walk-back of their decision to close the PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita, how lots of people missed out on Resident Evil Village's timed demo, how the rumors of Square Enix's sale were greatly exaggerated, and the welcome news that Discord will not be bought by Microsoft (at least not yet).

Finally, we wrap up a show with a look back at the Sega Game Gear on the handheld's 30th anniversary.

Follow New Dad Gaming Podcast:
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Hosts: @retrogamebrews, @wrytersview, @newdadgaming
Music: "Gumption" by Russell Gordon at https://soundcloud.com/shredrussell-1
Editing: @wrytersview
Logo: @thewellredmage

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