Gamers Week Podcast

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This week, reports surfaced that the Entertainment Software Ratings Board is partnering with Yoti, a digital identity firm, to use facial age estimation tech to check the ages of users. Even though the ESRB later clarified that this technology is intended to be used on parents rather than children, concerns over the tech don't stop there. We discuss the issues surrounding this innovation and wonder... what problem is this really meant to solve?

We'll also be talking about the news that Microsoft is finally done making Xbox One games, how Activision is suing a music critic over a TikTok pizza clip, and how Microsoft's latest Xbox marketing stunt is a pizza-scented controller.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of racing video games.

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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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Both the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are currently on strike. The strike effectively puts a stop to most film and TV production in the US, and it doesn’t seem like it’ll be letting up anytime soon. But this is just a Hollywood problem, right? Not quite. We discuss the issues at the core of the strike and why gamers should be very much concerned with how these points play out.

We'll also be talking about Microsoft’s new Xbox Game Pass Core that will replace Xbox Live Gold in September, how streamers are calling Twitch's Partner Plus program "anti-community", and the new regulation in the European Union that means handheld gaming consoles will soon require replaceable batteries.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of video game retail chains.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
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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

The FTC has moved to appeal the recent court order ruling not to grant the temporary injunction to block Microsoft's Activision Blizzard merger from moving forward. This news comes a mere day after Microsoft won its court battle against the FTC, with the court ultimately ruling that Microsoft's acquisition would not "substantially lessen competition" in the games industry. We discuss the current state of the merger, as well as speculate about life after Microsoft's Activision Blizzard buyout.

We'll also be talking about the 20 new physical releases announced at LRG3 2023 (including Castlevania Advance Collection, Clock Tower, Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore, and more), how the banned Rainbow Six Siege player who swatted Ubisoft Montreal’s offices in 2020 has finally received their sentence, the new study that says just 13% of video games released before 2010 are commercially available, and the news that New York is getting an Angry Birds café.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of educational video games.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

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

One of the more jaw-dropping leaks to come from the Microsoft FTC trial is the confirmation that both Horizon: Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part 2 cost Sony more than $200 million to develop. With AAA games getting bigger and bigger (and taking longer and longer to make), will there come a time when that bubble bursts? We discuss the possible future of gaming in such a landscape and how platform exclusives may or may not fit into such a world.

We'll also be talking about how Sony blocked Roblox on PlayStation due to concerns it could "potentially exploit" a young audience (however, the company is now reconsidering), how Apple is asking the US Supreme Court to overthrow the ruling in the Epic antitrust case, and how Nintendo veteran Takaya Imamura says that F-Zero hasn't been revived because Mario Kart is Nintendo's most popular racing game.

Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to July 1995 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
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
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Hosts: @wrytersview, @retrogamebrews, @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

Microsoft went to court on June 22nd to face the Federal Trade Commission in a five-day case that will determine the future of its $69 billion proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Over the course of the trial, gamers have been treated to an array of insider info that would have normally remained under lock and key. So for our main topic this week, we’re looking at a roundup of headlines from the Microsoft FTC trial. This includes how Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick says the Switch successor will be closer to the Xbox One and PS4's performance, how Sony accidentally revealed that Call of Duty is worth $800 million to PlayStation, and how PlayStation boss Jim Ryan says publishers "unanimously" hate Xbox Game Pass.

We'll also be talking about how YouTube is testing a new online gaming service just months after the Google Stadia shutdown, how CD Projekt Red says Cyberpunk 2077's launch wasn't that bad, and how a Nintendo shareholder meeting was disrupted by a ranting Splatoon 3 fan.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of graded video games.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

Hosts: @retrogamebrews, @donniegretro, @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

A brand-new Nintendo Direct was shadow-dropped this week, and it just may be the best showcase of the summer. The show lasted a bit over 40 minutes and was filled with tons of exciting announcements, including a remake of SNES' Super Mario RPG,  a remaster of 3DS' Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, a brand-new game starring Princess Peach, and the coup de grâce... Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a brand-new 2D Mario title. We're joined by Bill Tucker of A Gamer Looks At 40 podcast to discuss our favorite announcements from the Direct.

We'll also be talking about how Twitch's new Partner Program will finally give streamers a 70/30 cut of the revenue pie (but... there's a catch), how Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot wishes he'd waited for the Nintendo Switch 2 to release Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, and the news that the missing Titanic tour vessel was controlled by a Logitech game controller over a decade old.

Finally, class is in session with substitute Professor Tucker in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of the Super FX chip.

Want to hear more from Bill Tucker?
- linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

Hosts: @donniegretro, @wrytersview, @agamerlooksat40
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

The Xbox Games Showcase 2023 brought a ton of content, giving us a good idea of what to expect on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC for the foreseeable future. The Starfield Direct aired immediately after and gave us our first in-depth look at the game's exploration, combat, customization, and even a strange new power for the player character. We discuss the highlights of the two showcases, including some titles we didn't expect to grab our interest.

We'll also be talking about how Xbox Game Studios chief Matt Booty says people need to realize games now take 4-6 years to make, how college football players are being urged to boycott EA Sports' new NCAA game over low pay, and the strange new way McDonald's is tapping into serious video game nostalgia in honor of Grimace's birthday.

Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to June 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
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

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

Summer Game Fest, the summer's premier gaming showcase, has officially wrapped up after dropping announcements for several new titles as well as in-depth looks at previously announced games. We discuss the show's biggest names, including Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Sonic Superstars, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and more.

We'll also be talking about how Microsoft is being fined $20 million by the Federal Trade Commission for collecting personal information from children via Xbox, how Street Fighter 6 is just the 29th recipient of a perfect review score in 37 years from gaming magazine Famitsu, and the new report that says Redfall devs reportedly hoped it would be canceled or rebooted by Microsoft.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the birth of video game music.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

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

The recent release date announcement for Alan Wake 2 came alongside news that developer Remedy Entertainment and publisher Epic Games currently have "no plans to release Alan Wake 2 on disc." In many ways, it's not that surprising.  The number of players buying games on discs has been shrinking in the past decade, and physical releases have only become more and more expensive to produce. But while this digital-only future may be inevitable, it raises enormous concerns over accessibility, preservation, and more. We discuss the problems ahead, as well as ways we may be able to mitigate them.

We'll also be talking about Nintendo's move to block the Steam release of the GameCube/Wii emulator Dolphin, Blizzard's claims that the company feels "really confident" of a smooth Diablo 4 launch following server stress tests, and how the new Gollum game is the worst reviewed of the year so far.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at video game-sponsored food products.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

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

After a nearly two-year wait, PlayStation Showcase is finally back to share what’s next for first-party, third-party, and indie games on the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2. We discuss the highlights and lowlights of the presentation, including Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Sony's strange Project Q.

We'll also be talking about how Mortal Kombat 12 is really Mortal Kombat 1, the surprise Nintendo 3DS update that breaks several hacking tools, and how McDonald’s in China has an exclusive Tetris handheld in the shape of a McNugget.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're sharing our top 5 games of all time.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

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