Gamers Week Podcast

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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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- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub
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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
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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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!
- 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, @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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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

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

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

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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!
- 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

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

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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
- Visit the Leetist Podcast at linktr.ee/LeetistPodcast
- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw

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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Send us Fan Mail

Remember a time before microtransactions? Yeah, neither do we. That's why the news that Microsoft and Sony are considering including ads in Xbox and Playstation games has us more than a little nervous. Is this intrusion into our games the inevitable future? Or do gamers still have a voice that rings stronger than corporate greed?

We'll also be discussing the apparent leak of a Nintendo Switch Game Boy emulator, the newly announced Sonic Origins, and the upcoming Streets of Rage film that's being penned by the creator of the John Wick series.

Finally, we're joined by Andrew Borman of the Strong National Museum of Play to talk about gaming history, preservation, and art.

Learn more about the Strong National Museum of Play at museumofplay.org.
Follow Andrew Borman on Twitter at @Borman18.

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: "Neon City" by @donniegretro
Merch: gamers-week-podcast.creator-spring.com

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Send us Fan Mail

Thanks to numerous allegations of misconduct and abuse, Activision Blizzard has been a mainstay in the headlines for the last year. This week was no different, except... it's only PARTIALLY bad news?? We look at the recent goings-on at the embattled company, including the move to give 1,100 QA testers full-time jobs and higher base pay, the newly hired chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, and reports that the California governor has been interfering in the Activision Blizzard lawsuit.

We'll also be discussing how PlayStation Plus was "devastating" for Oddworld: Soulstorm sales, China's first new video game approvals in almost a year, Sony and Lego's $2 billion investment in Epic Games, and Sega's reports that its "Super Game" plan is actually multiple games (and may include NFTs).

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

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, @retrogamebrews
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

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

E3's efforts last year to keep its showcase alive in digital form in the midst of a global pandemic were lackluster at best. Perhaps then it's not all that shocking to hear the event is canceled completely this year -- both in-person and digitally. One question remains, however: does it even matter? In a world that now thrives on digital showcases by the likes of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, do we really need an event such as E3? And can E3 do anything to remain relevant and save itself?

We also discuss the reports that the SNK Corporation is almost entirely owned by Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman's foundation, the latest drama over Blue Box Game Studios and its title Abandoned, SIE President Jim Ryan's confirmation that Sony "has more studio acquisitions planned," and the official Halo cookbook that is due out in August.

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

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

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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For years, Microsoft's Game Pass has been the king of video game subscription services. The internet has long been filled with chatter over if/when Sony's PlayStation would throw its hat in the ring and challenge Xbox on its home turf. Today, we have that answer. Sony unveiled its all-new PlayStation Plus subscription service. We dive into the details to see if it's a worthy competitor to Game Pass.

We'll also be discussing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel's delay to spring 2023,  how Dead by Daylight has fifty million players and an upcoming board game adaptation, and the new study that says esport athletes face the same level of mental stress as athletes in traditional sports.

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

Buy RedAuxPDX's Castlevania album: redaux.bandcamp.com/album/castlevania

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

Hosts:@retrogamebrews, @donniegretro, @wrytersview,
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

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

For decades, governments and media have made video games a scapegoat for the ills of modern society, and violence in games is blamed for all kinds of real-life violence. But what does the science say? You may be surprised to learn that violence in video games isn't the problem at all, and that rage quitting is actually...healthy!

We also discuss the Intellivision Amico's new official unboxing video, how the Witcher 4 director is promising there will be no crunch "on my watch," and the PS5 Pro rumors claiming a possible 2023 launch and doubled performance.

Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking at the history of Earthbound 64.

Connect with RedAux!
- twitter.com/RedAuxPDX
- twitch.tv/redauxpdx
- Buy her Castlevania album: redaux.bandcamp.com/album/castlevania

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

Hosts: @donniegretro, @wrytersview, @retrogamebrews, @redauxpdx
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

Support the show