Gamers Week Podcast

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It’s recently been discovered that leaving the Wii U unattended for too long can brick the console. Apparently, none of Nintendo’s suggestions for fixing the issue have worked, nor does the company seem to care that much about finding a solution. It's a huge blow for video game preservation and collecting, as well as an ominous sign for the future. Will Nintendo soon be a company whose games are pointless to collect?

We'll also be discussing how the United Nations is about to host its first-ever video game event, how Blumhouse is turning Dead by Daylight into a movie, and the best video games for beginners and non-gamers in 2023.

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

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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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While the world's financial heavyweights rush to invest in the burgeoning video game industry, gaming journalism may be on its last legs. Many high-profile outlets have either downsized significantly or closed up shop for good. Those that remain have largely replaced gaming news coverage with listicles and playthrough guides. In an online world funded by SEO optimization and clickbait, is there any hope for a future for true gaming journalism?

We'll also be discussing the new report that claims Konami is planning to reveal a new Castlevania and a Metal Gear Solid 3 remake at this year's E3, how the upcoming Olympic Esports Series will feature games like Just Dance and Gran Turismo, and how Final Fantasy XVI's new take on difficulty settings was inspired by producer Naoki Yoshida's "pride as a gamer."

Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to March 1992 with his 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
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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
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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This week, Microsoft met with European Union regulators in a closed-door hearing in Brussels to defend its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. The UK’s CMA previously suggested that the deal may be approved if Microsoft were to divest the Call of Duty division of ABK, but on Tuesday, Microsoft Corp. made it clear that there will be no deal unless it comes with the blockbuster IP. We’re joined by streamer Sensitive Joy to discuss the implications of this hearing and try to predict the outcome of the biggest deal the video game industry has ever seen.

We'll also be talking about the announcement that the next Capcom Cup will have a 1st place prize of $1 million, how horror movie powerhouse Blumhouse is getting into video games, Miyamoto’s admission that Nintendo is “always working on Mario” but isn’t ready to share anything just yet, and the new partnership between Generation Esports and Nintendo that will bring Nintendo games into the Middle School Esports League.

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

Want more Sensitive Joy?
- https://sensitivejoy.carrd.co/

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- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
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Hosts: @retrogamebrews, @donniegretro, @ItsSensitiveJoy
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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Microsoft has admitted that putting games on its Xbox Game Pass subscription service leads to a marked decline in base sales. This may seem like a headline written by Captain Obvious, but it's a 180 for Microsoft, which previously maintained that being included in Game Pass resulted in higher sales for games. So does Game Pass actually hurt AAA games? We discuss the pros and cons of going the Game Pass route from a publisher standpoint.

We'll also be talking about the $70 price point for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Nintendo's explanation that the company will evaluate Switch game prices on a case-by-case basis, how the many recent live-service game closures may herald a greater change on the horizon, the official Cocaine Bear browser game, and the debate over whether the golden age of video gaming is actually behind us.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at bizarre video game marketing campaigns from the early 2000s.

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
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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A brand-new Nintendo Direct has arrived, giving us a look at The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Metroid Prime Remastered, Pikmin 4, and so much more. We're joined by SanityCrypto of It's Virtually A Podcast to talk about all the highlights from the show.

We'll also be discussing how the UK's CMA is suggesting that Microsoft sell off Call of Duty in order to get its Activision Blizzard acquisition approved, how we wish SNL's apocalyptic Mario Kart skit with Pedro Pascal was a real show, the news that Meta lost $14 billion on VR and metaverse projects in 2022, and the updated status of Soulja Boy's delayed $400 TRDR Pocket game console.

Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to February 1997 with his Retro Rewind.

Want more from SanityCrypto?
- twitter.com/SanityCrypto
- twitch.tv/itsvirtuallyapodcast

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

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Even though the developers have made sincere attempts to distance Hogwarts Legacy from J.K. Rowling (the controversial Harry Potter creator who is now infamous for loudly espousing transphobic views), the author still stands to profit from the title's sale. So should gamers boycott? We attempt to consider all sides of the issue as we delve into this messy topic that has much bigger implications than just one video game.

We'll also be discussing Sony's announcement that the company is closing the PlayStation Plus Collection, how Amazon is reportedly planning a Marvel-style Tomb Raider universe, the surprising waistline restrictions that mean the average American male is too large to go on Super Nintendo World's Mario Kart ride, and the claim that Sonic was "the lesser of two evils" according to Sega's former head of marketing.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're testing ourselves with random retrogaming quick facts.

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
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

Support the show

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Microsoft has ambitions to transform the Xbox into the world’s first “carbon-aware console,” and the announcement of an update that will include an optional energy-saving mode seemed to be a step toward that end. However, the internet gotta internet, and a vocal minority is now claiming it’s all part of a ploy to make Microsoft go “woke.” We debate whether there's any merit to this claim (spoilers: there isn't) while still maintaining our usual politics-free standard.

We'll also be discussing Microsoft's first-ever Developer Direct and the surprise shadow drop of Tango Gameworks' rhythm-action game Hi-Fi Rush, how Twitch will be updating its ads incentive program in 2023, how two marines managed to fool a military AI using a classic Metal Gear Solid technique, and the opinion that video game remakes should be more than just HD clones of old games.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking back at the Blockbuster World Video Game Championships.

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
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Google Stadia, the tech giant's ill-fated venture into the video game industry, is taking its final breaths after little more than three years.  But will the passing of Stadia signal the end of cloud gaming? We discuss what the future of game streaming might look like and whether or not there may yet be a place in this world for Stadia.

We'll also be talking about the Microsoft layoffs that are confirmed to affect Bethesda and Xbox, how Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot is apologizing over his "ball in your court" comments to staff, how Shigeru Miyamoto said "no" to a Wario-style Princess Peach character, and how a pet fish accidentally revealed a streamer's credit card details during a Pokémon Violet livestream.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're remembering the early history of Newsfield Publications and its leader, Roger Kean.

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
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

With dozens of games delayed to 2023, a greater emphasis on new-gen hardware, and at least one major exclusive from each platform holder, 2023 easily boasts the most exciting release lineup that gamers have seen in years. We're looking over the biggest titles set to launch this year and discussing which games we are (and are not) looking forward to the most.

We'll also be talking about the Cyberpunk 2077 class-action lawsuit that settled for $1.85 million, Todd Howard's claim that The Elder Scrolls VI will last decades, and how YouTube could broadcast the "Gamer's Lawsuit" against the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at Virtuality, the line of early virtual reality gaming machines.

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
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Gamers Week Podcast is officially one year old!! This means it's time once again to gaze into our proverbial crystal balls to see what the world of video games might bring in 2023. We'll hear what a few analysts have to say about the coming year and then make some predictions of our own.

We'll also be discussing how video game QA testers have formed Microsoft's first union, Sony's claim that the PS5 has cleared 30 million sales after its "biggest month yet," Sony's newly announced PS5 accessibility controller dubbed Project Leonardo, and the once-in-a-lifetime E3 comet (which has nothing to do with gaming) that's coming close to earth soon.

Finally, Donnie takes us all the way back to January 1991 with his Retro Rewind.

Watch Donnie's guest spot on the PRGE Twitch channel (and don't forget to give them a follow)!
- twitch.tv/videos/1698966507
- twitch.tv/retrogamingexpo

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
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

Support the show