Insert Coins!

With the Series X reveal in the books and still at a stand off with dates and prices in the console wars we focus in on the ever changing situation around Live Gold subscriptions possibly being included for free after November and Game Pass staying exclusively Microsoft for what could be a disruptive and ingenious strategy to win the console wars.

Episode 8 is all next generation console focused as we discuss the posturing of both Sony and Microsoft as they continue to play cat and mouse in their positioning heading towards pricing, release and pre-order dates.  Then it's Digital versus Physical as gamers will have choice in terms of the type of console they want this time around right at launch.  Do you care about physical media anymore?

As always you can reach us with your thoughts at [email protected]

Happy National Video Game Day, today we celebrate gaming and what better way that diving into the memory banks and ten of the most memorable gaming moments throughout my life.  With so many to choose from it was hard to just settle on ten but take a trip back in time and relive some of my happy gaming moments through the age of the video game.

In today's show we head back down memory lane to the creation of Punch Out on the Wii.  We discuss how the opportunity came around, the vision for the product and some of the creative inspirations for the modern version in the series.  A truly amazing privilege it was to work on this game, and an experience that still seems surreal today, including being the voice of Super Macho Man.

Today we welcome special guest Quincy Roach to the show to discuss the exclusive licensing deals in the sports genre.  From the end of Madden being the only NFL licensed football game to the back and forth licensing war between Konami and EA in the soccer genre.  We also stop on the ice to talk hockey, the hardwood to discuss the latest with the NBA and finally on the diamond to talk the baseball genre.

Quincy has years of experience in game development with stints at Jaleco, Gameloft and Gametek before it become Rockstar Toronto.  He is also a passionate gamer and continue to work in development creating media applications.

A quick look at the upcoming PGA2K21 and the successful evolution of the Golf Club series made by HB Studios which has taken advantage of a wide open golf genre with no competition.

It's always fun to reflect on the best experiences over the journey through a career and today I look back at some memories and takeaways from working with Nintendo of Japan and Kensuke Tanabe on the Mario Strikers Series on Gamecube and the Wii.  It was a pivotal experience in my career where I learned so much and will always be grateful for the incredible experience.

On today's show we take a look at the newest entrant in the retro gaming market with the Evercade and some thoughts on this pricy trip down the nostalgia road.  

Then we shift gears and talk about one of the best alternative sports series in the market with Super Mega Baseball and how the sports genre in general could use some additional fresh games with this type of quality.

The first ever episode of Insert Coins! 

Today we talk about The PS5 Details that surfaced this week as Sony brings E3 into your living room!  And we also discuss the Summer of Gaming at IGN and their exclusive story on Arcade 1UP's new cabinets and their continued success!

Enjoy the show and thanks for listening!

If you have any comments, suggestions or show topics feel free to let us know in the comments!

Mike