Gametalk

Episode 152

The specs for the PlayStation 5 Pro have leaked, and they paint a picture of high resolutions and framerates via Sony's proprietary upscaling solution, PSSR. But do we need a PlayStation 5 Pro? Today, we discuss the Pro specs and the technology behind them, and talk about historical mid-gen refreshes and they impact they have. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Helldivers 2, Balatro, Baldur's Gate 3). This episode was recorded in March 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

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Timestamps:

0:00 - The PS5 Pro Specs and PSSR

12:27 - 8K and Upscaling Tech

29:32 - Historical and Modern Pro Consoles

51:07 - Helldivers 2

53:06 - Balatro

1:00:19 - Baldur's Gate 3

Episode 151

In today's somewhat somber episode, we take a step back and reflect on the Rooster Teeth shutdown and the death of the legendary Akira Toriyama. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Balatro, Infinite Craft, Persona 3 Reload). This episode was recorded in March 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Tweet @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Reflecting on Rooster Teeth's Shutdown

27:14 - Processing Toriyama's Death

44:45 - Balatro

1:02:21 - Infinite Craft

1:05:15 - Persona 3 Reload

Episode 150

As long as the games industry has been around, various moral panics have cropped up around certain games and sparked public outcry. Games like Grand Theft Auto, Mass Effect, and more have drawn unwarranted suspicion for their controversial content. Today, we talk about games that have stirred controversy over the years and why those opinions are almost always misguided. As always, we conclude by talking about the games we're playing (Resident Evil 2 Remake, Human Fall Flat, Timberborn). This episode was recorded in January 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Tweet @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Examples of Games that Caused a 'Moral Panic'

22:45 - Growing Up with Parents That Don't Understand Games

41:05 - Controversial Material in Games and How The Kids and Parents Handle It

52:35 - Resident Evil 2 (Remake)

58:48 - Human Fall Flat

1:01:53 - Timberborn

Episode 149

Sony has laid off around 900 PlayStation employees, or roughly 10% of their workforce. This is just the latest in a seemingly never-ending bombardment of workforce reductions in triple-A game studios. Industry experts have long-warned of the unsustainability of the triple-A games space, and it seems as though the bubble is in the midst of bursting. Today, we discuss the PlayStation layoffs and what they portend for the triple-A games industry as we know it. As always, we conclude by talking about the games we're playing (Persona 3 Reload, A Little to the Left, Helldivers 2). This episode was recorded in February 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Tweet @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - PlayStation Layoffs

15:09 - Triple-A Fallout and Ballooning Budgets

22:47 - Yearning For Old PlayStation

28:03 - Sacrifices for Sustainable AAA Games

41:25 - Industry-Wide Layoffs and AAA Limitations

49:45 - Persona 3 Reload

53:53 - A Little to the Left

56:56 - Helldivers 2

Episode 148

Helldivers 2 has come out and conquered the gaming world - with its frenetic (and hilarious) co-op action, the game has gone viral and its popularity continues to climb. In today's episode, we discuss the game and why it works so well, and what its successful launch could mean for Sony's future first party plans. As always, we conclude by talking about the games we're playing (Remnant 2). This episode was recorded in February 2024. The music in this episode is from Helldivers 2 (created by Arrowhead Game Studios) and is owned by Sony, and was composed and produced by Wilbert Roget, II.

Questions or comments? Tweet @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Helldivers 2 Impressions

11:52 - Discussing Helldivers 2 Gameplay and Design

28:00 - The Future of Helldivers 2

34:28 - Sony's Strategy and Helldivers' Success

48:48 - PlayStation VR Tangent and Evolving 1st Party Strategy

56:02 - Final Thoughts on Helldivers 2 and Upcoming Games

1:01:45 - Remnant 2

Episode 147

After a week of frenzy and anticipation, Microsoft finally comes forward with their plans for the future of Xbox - and while their brief announcement threw cold water on the ongoing discussion, this week we talk about what Phil and co. said (and didn't say), and analyze Xbox's position going forward. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Red Dead Redemption 2, Tale of Two Wastelands, Persona 3 Reload). This episode was recorded in February 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Tweet @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Microsoft Porting Four Games to Other Consoles

8:36 - Microsoft, PlayStation, and Nintendo's Long Term Monetization Strategy

12:56 - Activision Blizzard Games On Gamepass

16:47 - Layoffs and Sustainability

23:30 - Xbox Teasing Next Gen and PlayStation Strategy

29:25 - Final Thoughts on the Announcement

32:50 - Red Dead Redemption 2

40:55 - Tale of Two Wastelands

42:07 - Persona 3 Reload

Episode 146

Ahead of a major business announcement next week, we discuss the rumors surrounding Microsoft's potentially historic third party strategy, and what that could mean for the Xbox brand as well as the impact around the wider industry. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Sea of Thieves, Persona 3 Reload, Warframe, Fortnite). This episode was recorded in February 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Tweet @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Microsoft Potentially Going Third Party

15:38 - The Future of Xbox Hardware and Gamepass

24:45 - Valve Console Discussion

33:33 - The Hypothetical Xbox Software Future

48:19 - Sea of Thieves

50:49 - Persona 3 Reload

1:08:09 - Warframe

1:11:12 - Fortnite

Episode 145

In today's episode, we predict the shape of the games industry in 2024. Early signs are showing a scramble for maximum profits, with studios resorting to layoffs, consolidation, and AI to reach their goals. Conversely, we predict a strong year for VR and Nintendo, as they pursue their financial ambitions in more palatable ways. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (The Quarry, Half-Life: Alyx, Volcanoids, NomaiVR). This episode was recorded in January 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Tweet @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Live Service Reckoning and Layoffs

18:16 - Continuing Consolidation

27:05 - Nintendo Switch 2 Speculation

40:11 - Game of the Year 2024

43:20 - AI In Games

1:00:43 - VR and 1st Party Predictions

1:13:40 - The Quarry

1:18:27 - Half-Life: Alyx

1:23:00 - Volcanoids

1:28:19 - NomaiVR

Episode 144

In today's episode, we talk about Palworld! As always, we end with the games we're playing (The Finals). This episode was recorded in January 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Tweet @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Palworld Impressions

9:52 - Palword Reception and Development/Design

16:14 - Our Experiences With Palworld

23:15 - Palworld vs Pokémon

40:00 - Palworld's Weird Tone

46:50 - Palworld's Future

51:14 - Yakuza/Like a Dragon Tangent

55:13 - Palword Final Thoughts and Pokémon Mod

1:01:48 - The Finals

Episode 143

In today's episode, we give our impressions on the Meta Quest 3, discuss the overall VR landscape, and talk about where the games industry is at with respect to VR adoption. As always, we end with the games we're playing (The Light Brigade, Asgard's Wrath 2, Vampire Survivors, Nintendo 64 games). This episode was recorded in January 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

Questions or comments? Tweet @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Meta Quest 3 Overview and Other Modern VR Hardware

38:37 - Modern VR Games and The State of the VR Industry

1:02:31 - The Ideal VR Headset and VR Mods

1:20:10 - The Light Brigade

1:24:35 - Asgard's Wrath 2

1:34:12 - Vampire Survivors

1:40:27 - Nintendo 64 Games