Jiggle Physics

We open this episode with an "interesting" and extremely unofficial Animal Crossing add-in product, then follow up on last week's show with some news about misconduct accusations at Ubisoft.

They also talk about criticism of The Last of Us Part II, a price increase to $70 for major titles on next-gen consoles, and a ton more!

LINKS:

• Ubisoft suspends two executives, several others following misconduct accusations | Windows Central
• NBA 2K21 is $70 on Xbox Series X and PS5 | Windows Central
• With next-gen Xbox Series X and PS5 games at $70, Xbox Game Pass becomes even more valuable | Windows Central

Cas Holly joins the show once again to chat with Carli and Jen about Cyberpunk 2077, microtransactions within Pokémon games, brushing your teeth, and more.

Most importantly, they take a sobering look at the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct in the video game industry and why the business side of what we love is due for a reboot.

LINKS:

• Ending sexual assault in the video game industry requires a total reboot | Android Central
• Ubisoft to investigate accusations of sexual misconduct | Windows Central
• Twitch to issue 'permanent suspensions' and more following multiple sexual misconduct allegations | Windows Central
• Cyberpunk 2077 lets you hop into memories in new Braindancing gameplay | Windows Central
• Pokémon Unite and Pokémon Café Mix show microtransactions shouldn't be on the Nintendo Switch | iMore

Team Jiggle Physics recap the game announcements from EA Play Live 2020. Jen shares her review of The Last of Us Part 2, including the challenge of writing under embargo and being limited to discussing only about half the game.

From disease, violence and sadness, we turn to the happier world of Pokémon. There’s new DLC for Sword and Shield, plus lots of new non-core games that were announced via Pokémon Presents.

LINKS:

• Here's every EA Originals title announced during EA Play Live 2020 | Windows Central
• The Last of Us Part 2 for PS4 review: Emotional, complex, and extremely divisive | Android Central
• Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass review — Is the DLC worth buying? | iMore
• Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass: All Pokémon in the expansion | iMore
• Everything announced during the June 2020 Pokémon Presents | iMore

The Jiggle Physics crew is joined this week by Reb Valentine of gamesindustry.biz for a reaction to the Sony PlayStation 5 reveal! They talk about the hardware design and discuss many of the titles that were announced.

Check out the episode to find out which games they're most excited about. Mild spoiler: One of them stars a cat with a backpack!

LINKS:

• Reb Valentine (@duckvalentine) / Twitter
• GamesIndustry.biz
• Check out the PS5 design officially revealed by Sony | Android Central
• Here are all the announcements from the PS5 reveal | Android Central
• Sony's PS5 reveal just put Xbox Series X's to shame | Windows Central
• Sony's PS5 reveal blew Xbox Series X's out of the water, but it lacked some crucial clarity | Android Central

As Rebecca prepares for the release of Paper Mario, the crew chat about the 50+ indie games in the recent Wholesome Direct 2020. There's also more The Last of Us Part II gameplay to check out, and Christopher Nolan plans to stream a film in Fortnite this summer.

Among many other digressions and diversions, there's a great side tangent about blind boxes and other collectibles.

LINKS:

• Fans are giving classic games like Sonic, Zelda, and Pokémon the Paper Mario makeover | iMore
• All 50+ Indie games shown during the Wholesome Direct 2020 | iMore
• The Last of Us Part II State of Play gameplay shows Ellie throwing down ropes, swimming and more | Android Central
• Christopher Nolan to stream one of his films in Fortnite this summer | Android Central
• Arkane Studios' work on immersive sims shouldn't be lost next generation | Android Central

Amazon Game Studios has released Crucible. It's been getting a lot of play by streamers on Twitch, but many people have been experiencing connectivity issues with the game. Speaking of Twitch, it continues to grow by leaps and bounds as it dominates game streaming.

The gang also chat about the remakes of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 and 2 which are being updated to bring the skaters to their current ages.

There's more talk about Ghost of Tsushima as Jen recounts her interview with the game's creative director. Rebecca delves into the real-world economic parallels of Animal Crossing. And in some cases, the actual real-world economy of the game.

LINKS:

• Crucible currently undergoing connectivity issues at launch | Windows Central
• System Shock 3 development now supported by Tencent | Windows Central
• As the streaming industry booms, Microsoft's Mixer remains dead in the water | Windows Central
• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2: Gameplay, release date, and everything you need to know | Windows Central
• Ghost of Tsushima interview: On why the game doesn't have waypoints, inspirations, and more | Android Central
• Here's how Animal Crossing: New Horizons simulates the real-world economy | iMore

Unreal Engine 5 was announced this week and demoed on PlayStation 5. The gang also talk about a pair of upcoming games: Ghost of Tsushima for PS4, and Paper Mario: The Origami King for Switch.

The fighting game tournament EVO 2020 will take place online this year. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is absent from the roster — possibly due to reliability issues with playing via the Internet? Or maybe because it's just a quirky game compared to more traditional fighters?

LINKS:

• PlayStation 5 showcases 9 minutes of Unreal Engine 5 footage | Android Central
• I don't care whether PS5 or Xbox Series X has better graphics, and neither should you | Android Central
• Ghost of Tsushima for PlayStation 4: Release date, trailers, gameplay, and everything you need to know | Android Central
• Paper Mario: The Origami King — Release date, price, rumors, and everything we know so far | iMore
• EVO 2020 to take place online, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate cut from lineup | iMore

Microsoft's recent Xbox Series X showcase provided a look at a lot of games. But it disappointed the gang with a lack of actual gameplay. The gang chat about what's coming to the new console and discuss controversy surrounding the soundtrack to Doom Eternal. They also offer suggestions for what can be done to improve Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

LINKS:

• Microsoft's Xbox Series X showcase offers a look at the (sad) new reality of marketing in the pandemic era | Windows Central
• All the announcements from Xbox Series X gameplay reveal May 2020 | Windows Central
• Doom Eternal EP says company won't work with composer Mick Gordon again after soundtrack controversy | Windows Central
• Animal Crossing | iMore

This week, the gang meet up inside Animal Crossing: New Horizons for a special, super-meta, audio and video edition of the podcast! The Last of Us Part II spoilers have leaked, but you can avoid them. Carli, Jen, and Rebecca also team up for a conversation about vikings and Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

Rebecca reviews the remake of Trials of Mana on PC — Of course there's Animal Crossing talk as well. Learn what's up for May Day and the upcoming Wedding Season!

LINKS:

• The Last of Us Part II spoilers have leaked, here's how you can block them (update) | Android Central
• The Last of Us Part II leakers identified by Sony, not affiliated with Naughty Dog | Android Central
• Everything we know about Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Setting, gameplay, and release date | Windows Central
• Trials of Mana on PC review: A remade classic that's enjoyable, but a little too simple | Windows Central
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons May Day guide — How to get through the maze and meet Rover | iMore
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Wedding Season guide | iMore

In an episode filled with multiple side quests, the team talk about record-setting video game sales in March 2020. Final Fantasy VII is absurd and awesome, and more updates to Animal Crossing: New Horizons help keep the game fresh without shelling out for paid DLC. And in other Nintendo news, a data leak exposed credentials for 160,000 users.

LINKS:

• Travis Scott turns Fortnite into Astroworld, previews new song | Android Central
• March 2020 NPD — Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the fastest-selling Nintendo games in history | iMore
• I've never played Final Fantasy before, and the FF7 remake blew my mind | Android Central
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons update 1.2.0 adds more events and visitors | iMore
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons — How to spot Redd's fake artwork | iMore
• Nintendo Switch data leak exposes 160,000 users by impersonating NNID | iMore