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The June 2022 Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase has come and gone, and left us with a host of fresh announcements, release date news, surprise drops, and other tidbits. We discuss the good, the bad, and the underwhelming of Nintendo's latest.

We'll also be talking about how Final Fantasy 16 will use "British English only" to avoid pissing off Americans, the new Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration collection, the Mega Drive Mini 2 console's $150 controller, and the new study that says the ‘90s had the best video game music.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at Tengen vs Nintendo lawsuits.

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Hosts: @retrogamebrews, @wrytersview, @donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
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Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
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The video game industry is in flux. We’re 19 months into a fresh console cycle, the pandemic slowed or paused development on a generation of games, and studios of all sizes are being absorbed by the biggest names in the room.  Put simply, there aren’t a lot of huge games coming out in the second half of 2022. But is this actually a bad thing? We discuss the pros and cons of the AAA development machine and wonder if the indies will save us.

We'll also be discussing Sega's new multiplayer FPS game Hyenas, Sony's upcoming announcement regarding new hardware (including a supposed PS5 Pro controller), the news that Final Fantasy XVI will not be open world (but will have a Mature rating), and the streamer who spent $15k on Diablo Immortal only to quit the game.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at two early Nintendo lawsuits.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
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Thank you to J+L Game for sponsoring our giveaway! Visit their store at JNLgame.com/j-l-video-games-new-york-city.

Thank you to Grid Studio for sponsoring our giveaway! Visit their store at gridstudio.cc.

Hosts: @wrytersview, @retrogamebrews, @donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
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Although there's technically no E3 this year, you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Over the course of a few days, we got a ton of trailers, gameplay reveals, and announcements for some huge titles, including Starfield, Diablo IV, Silksong, and more. We're joined by Kade Call of the Gaming Memories Podcast to break down all the biggest news from not-E3 week.

We'll also be discussing how Sonic Team's boss says Sonic Frontiers won’t be delayed as a result of fan feedback, the upcoming Gran Turismo movie, and Sega's promise that Sonic won't be kissing anymore human characters in his games.

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

Follow Kade Call and the Gaming Memories Podcast!
- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gaming-memories-the-one-true-video-game-podcast/id1474846493
- tiktok.com/@gamingmemoriespod

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Thank you to J+L Game for sponsoring our giveaway! Visit their store at JNLgame.com/j-l-video-games-new-york-city.

Hosts: @retrogamebrews, @wrytersview, @GamingMemories1
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
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The latest PlayStation State of Play has arrived bringing with it a new look for Final Fantasy 16, the long-awaited reveal of Resident Evil 4 Remake, the first gameplay of Street Fighter 6, and much more.  We're joined by Hugues of the Retro Game Club Podcast to discuss the titles featured in this State of Play.

We'll also be talking about how Sega chose the Mega Drive Mini 2 over a Dreamcast mini or Saturn mini due to worries over extreme costs, the new Nintendo leak teasing more movies in development, and how fans are calling for Sega to #DelaySonicFrontiers after "soulless" gameplay unveiled.

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Hosts: @donniegretro, @wrytersview, Hugues at @rgcpodcast
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
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Sonic Frontiers, Sega's upcoming open-world video game starring everyone's favorite Blue Blur, got a seven-minute gameplay video, and well... it all looks strangely familiar. We're joined by our good friend, streamer, YouTuber, and all-around great guy Ducks in Disguise to help us break down this first look at gameplay and talk about what we still hope to see in the full game.

We'll also be discussing Microsoft's confirmation that the company is working on a "Keystone" Xbox game streaming dongle and XBox's new update that finally lets you see hidden achievements. And because we're in the lull before E3 season (or as is the case this year, Not-E3 season), we're taking a trip down memory lane with some retro gaming-inspired discussion topics.

Finally, Donnie takes us on a Retro Rewind in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at what was going on in the gaming world in June 1998.

Want more from Ducks in Disguise?
- twitter.com/ducksindisguise
- twitch.tv/ducksindisguise

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Hosts: @wrytersview, @donniegretro, @ducksindisguise
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
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Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
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In 1980, Atari held a tournament to determine the best player in the nation on its 2600 port of the arcade sensation Space Invaders. The tournament was won by a Los Angeles teenager who went on to change the landscape of video games. We're joined by Rebecca Heineman to hear her stories of the world's very first esports tournament.

We'll also be discussing how the Xbox Series S outsold the PS5 in Japan for the first time since 2014, how Activision Blizzard employees have finally formed the first major North American games union, and Sega's admission that it’s targeting high review scores for Sonic Frontiers.

Interested in hearing more from Rebecca Heineman?
- twitter.com/burgerbecky
- oldeskuul.com

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Hosts: @donniegretro, @wrytersview, @retrogamebrews
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
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To the surprise of almost no one in the retrogaming sphere, game-grading company Wata Games is the target of a new US class-action lawsuit. The suit accuses Wata of "engaging in affirmative acts to manipulate the retro video game market" and of "engaging in unfair business practices." We discuss the allegations and what this could potentially mean for the future of the retrogaming secondhand market.

We'll also be talking about how Saudi Arabia’s PIF now owns a 5% stake in Nintendo, the newly revealed PlayStation Plus games lineup, the backlash over Activision's video game diversity tool, and PlayStation's strangely useful online "Gamer Dictionary."

Finally, Donnie takes us on a Retro Rewind in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the May 1996 issue of GamePro Magazine.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
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Hosts: @wrytersview, @retrogamebrews, @donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
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Any child of the '80s and '90s knows that these years were the golden age of Rare, the British video game development company. Kev Bayliss is the creator of Diddy Kong and a long-time game developer who has worked on some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history, including Battletoads, Killer Instinct, GoldenEye 007, Diddy Kong Racing, and more. He joins us to share stories of what it was like making games during this heyday.

We'll also be discussing a new Microsoft patent that could allow physical games to be verified for digital use, the court ruling that Valve will face an antitrust lawsuit over Steam policies, and the 2022 World Video Game Hall Of Fame inductees.

Looking for more Kev Bayliss?
- twitter.com/FulgoreAndMore
- DKcreationsltd.com

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Thank you to J+L Game for sponsoring our giveaway! Visit their store at JNLgame.com/j-l-video-games-new-york-city.

Hosts: @retrogamebrews, @donniegretro, @wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
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Square Enix has been making major headlines this week, and unfortunately, it’s not because the pixel remasters of Final Fantasy 1 through 6 are finally coming to consoles.  The Tomb Raider publisher has announced that it is selling several of its Western studios in order to focus on what it considers most important -- blockchain.

Additionally, legendary game dev Yuji Naka has shared details about why he took Square Enix to court over Balan Wonderworld. We discuss our once favorite video game publisher and wonder if there's anything left of the Square Enix we love.

We'll also be talking about how Sony will reportedly handle creating PlayStation Plus game demos itself, the reports that Nintendo contractors are criticizing the company's culture and treatment of workers, the first look at Netflix's new animated series Sonic Prime, and the tale of how Reggie Fils-Aimé had to fight for Wii Sports as a pack-in game against Miyamoto's and Iwata's wishes.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the early history of the XBⱯND and console online gaming.

We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!
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Thank you to J+L Game for sponsoring our giveaway! Visit their store at JNLgame.com/j-l-video-games-new-york-city.

Hosts: @donniegretro, @wrytersview, @retrogamebrews
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
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It seems Sony will be making a few other changes to go along with its newly revamped PlayStation Plus subscription service. The company announced this week that any game costing $34 or higher must have an accompanying game trial that lasts for at least 2 hours. Additionally, the notoriously anti-game preservation company has just launched a new game preservation team. We examine these two surprisingly player-centric moves and suspect that all is not quite as positive as it initially seems.

We'll also be discussing how Twitch is exploring subscription revenue cuts for streamers, Sega's announcement that it will delist digital versions of classic Sonic games in preparation for the release of Sonic Origins, how Call of Duty has lost 50 million players in a year, and how Final Fantasy's creator has called out Square Enix for pricing a collectible statue at $11.6k.

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

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: @wrytersview, @retrogamebrews, @donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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