Gamers Week Podcast

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2023 was a blockbuster year for video games, the likes of which we'll probably not see again any time soon. So before we flip the calendar to 2024, let's take a moment to remember the best of the best of an absolutely epic year of new titles.

We'll also be discussing how China is in damage-control mode after its crackdown on video games sparked an $80 billion market meltdown, how researchers in Germany recently published a study that found video games may be able to help treat cognitive symptoms of major depressive disorder, and the ten worst games of 2023 according to Metacritic.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the career and legacy of the notorious gaming hype maker Peter Molyneux.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
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Hosts: retrogamebrews, wrytersview,  donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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The year is coming to a close, and what a year it's been for video game news! We're joined by Patrick Brickhouse of the Retro Blast Podcast to remember the biggest gaming headlines of 2023, as well as discuss where we hope the industry goes from here.

We'll also be talking about how the Insomniac hackers have made good on their threat  to release confidential data (revealing big plans about upcoming Marvel games like Wolverine, Venom, X-Men, and more), how Bobby Kotick's reign at Activision Blizzard is finally coming to an end, and how Ρornhub has revealed the year's most searched video game characters.

Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to December 2000 in Retro Rewind.

MOAR Patrick Brickhouse! ---> linktr.ee/RetroBlastPodcast

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Hosts: wrytersview,  donniegretro, RetroBlastUS
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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The Electronics Entertainment Expo was finally taken off life support earlier this week, its epitaph being a brief statement reading, “After more than two decades of E3, each one bigger than the last, the time has come to say goodbye. Thanks for the memories.” It was a long time coming. Although no one who has been paying any attention can say they're surprised by this news, for gamers of the '90s and '00s, it still hits hard. We discuss the death of E3, what could have been, and reminisce about our favorite E3 moments.

We'll also be talking about how developer Fntastic is closing its doors just four days after the ugly launch of The Day Before on Steam, how Twitch now allows ‘artistic depictions of nudity’ in update to sexual content policy, and how Valve is asking Steam Deck owners to not to smell the handheld's vent fumes.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the Atari 2700.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Hosts: wrytersview,  donniegretro, retrogamebrews
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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Send us Fan Mail

The Game Awards celebrated the technical and artistic achievements of the video game industry on Thursday night, ending with the naming of the role-playing adventure Baldur’s Gate 3 as game of the year. The awards show in Los Angeles also served as one long commercial for upcoming games, including a new look at Jurassic Park, OD (the a new horror title from Hideo Kojima), Rise of the Ronin, and Light No Fire (the new game from No Man's Sky developer Hello Games). We discuss the highs and lows of this year's Game Awards, as well as tally up our prediction winner.

We'll also be talking about how the Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer smashed through 60 million YouTube views in 12 hours, how the Legend of Zelda movie director wants it to be "live-action Miyazaki," and how premium watchmaker Anicorn is releasing a set of $800 Mega Drive / Genesis watches.

Finally, we celebrate our 100th episode with a look back at the moments and people who got us here.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Hosts: @donniegretro, retrogamebrews, wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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Send us Fan Mail

You may want to sit down for this one. Consulting firm Deloitte predicted this week that the  landscape of storytelling is undergoing a monumental shift, and the convergence of film, TV, and video games is reshaping entertainment, blurring the boundaries between cinematic and game world universes. In other words, the future holds more video game adaptations for TV and film -- which is pretty obvious to anyone who paid even a glancing look towards pop culture in 2023. We discuss what this bold new future of gaming adaptations may look like based on the successes and not-so-successes of the MCU.

We'll also be talking about how Geoff Keighley has said The Game Awards will beef up security to prevent stage-crashers this year, the new survey that says US kids want subscriptions and virtual currency more than games this Christmas, and how someone bought a retail Wii U for the first time in 17 months.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Nostalgia 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at '90s Christmas commercials.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Hosts: retrogamebrews, wrytersview, @donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Millions of gamers will be tuning in on Thursday, December 7, to see which games win which awards at The Game Awards 2023. However, it's safe to say that most are interested in which game will take home the coveted Game of the Year prize. We continue our cutthroat tradition from last year by competing against each other to see who can make the most correct predictions for the winners.

We'll also be talking about how Sony has confirmed it's delaying half of its planned live service games, how Sega is teasing movie adaptations of Persona and Yakuza, and how the mathematical concept of Pi can now play Pokémon (but still can't find the first gym after 16,000 hours of trying).

Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to November 1996 in Retro Rewind.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Hosts: wrytersview, @donniegretro, retrogamebrews
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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Shigeru Miyamoto temporarily took over Nintendo’s Twitter on Tuesday to announce a Legend of Zelda live action film. Such a film has been rumored to be in development for years, and this is no doubt inspired by the success of Nintendo’s animated Super Mario Bros. However, the early announcements on who will be helming the film are leaving us... a bit hesitant. We discuss our hopes and fears for the movie and make some early casting predictions (spoiler: it's not who you think).

We'll also be talking about how Microsoft’s new Xbox generative AI tech partnership is sparking widespread backlash; how Microsoft, EA, Activision, Ubisoft and Epic are the targets in a new game addiction lawsuit; and how Valve is working on a new Steam feature that will let you hide all those weird sex games from your friends.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Nostalgia 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at gaming myths and urban legends.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Hosts: @donniegretro, @retrogamebrews, wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Xbox has released a patch that quashes various third-party accessories not explicitly authorized by Microsoft. Any device that Xbox doesn’t license will now receive a “0x82d60002” error code. Users then have two weeks before the Xbox disables it, permanently blocking the device (although Microsoft has said there "should" be no issue with players using the Xbox Adaptive Controller). We discuss this sweeping, rather harsh new move by Microsoft, but come away with more questions than answers.

We'll also be talking about how Bungie's CEO claims the company's recent round of layoffs were due to Destiny 2 underperformance, how Sega says development of its first "Super Game" is progressing steadily, and how 2023 has the best-reviewed slate of video games of the last 20 years.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Nostalgia 101 segment. In this episode, we're remembering the Halloween holiday from the perspective of '80s/'90s kids.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Hosts: @retrogamebrews, wrytersview, @donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Nintendo caused a stir across its competitive fanbase this week when it announced new guidelines regulating community tournaments, defining the terms that organizers would have to follow in order to qualify as a small-scale event (allowing for them to function without an official license from Nintendo). Reaction to the guidelines has been nearly universally negative, with fans pointing out how the new rules that are meant to protect Nintendo's IP will ultimately result in the exclusion of fans who love the company's games. We discuss the new guidelines and debate whether Nintendo can actually back them up.

We also talk about how Twitch will now allow users to simulcast to competitor streaming platforms, the "shocking" news that Konami phoned in the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection, and how Blizzard is giving away a PC infused with real human blood.

Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to October 1998 in Retro Rewind.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Hosts: wrytersview, @donniegretro, @retrogamebrews
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This year, Gamers Week was invited to host the Blockbuster World Video Game Championships IV at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023! Now fresh off our flights home, we recap our entire crazy experience -- the good, the bad, and the unexpectedly heartwarming.

We'll also be talking about how Sony has finally confirmed the heavily rumored PlayStation 5 slim for this holiday season, how Activision hired James Corden to host an employee meeting with Bobby Kotick, and how Super Mario Bros Wonder devs were allowed "to prioritize content over schedule" - so they ended up with 2,000 sticky notes of inspiration.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw
- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Hosts: @donniegretro, @retrogamebrews, wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

Support the show