Jiggle Physics

The Jiggle Physics team report on Sony's unveiling of the PlayStation VR2, which looks to ready to compete with the full VR market. A new Pokémon Legends: Arceus trailer shows off gameplay for the upcoming game, and there are rumor that Mario Kart 9 is on the way.

LINKS:

• PS5 VR is officially called PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2) | Android Central
• PlayStation VR2 appears ready to compete with the full VR market. That's bad news for Windows Mixed Reality. | Windows Central
• New Pokémon Legends: Arceus trailer shows off gameplay | iMore
• Mario Kart 9 currently being developed with a "twist", says insider | iMore

Rebecca, Jen, and Carli commemorate the end of 2021 by sharing their favorite games of the year. They also touch on what they're hoping to see in 2022. Happy New Year!

Ubisoft has announced a Splinter Cell remake, and sales of FFXIV have been suspended due to server issues. The team also chime in on NFTs in the video game industry, the latest Nintendo news, and more.

LINKS:

• Splinter Cell remake being developed by Ubisoft | Windows Central
• Final Fantasy 14 (FFXIV) sales suspended due to Endwalker server issues | Windows Central
• On NFTs, and why Ubisoft hates video games (and you) | Windows Central
• Nintendo recap: Breath of the Wild 2 patents show off some moves and Pokémon trailer leaves us with more questions | iMore
• Nintendo Indie World: Everything announced during the December 2021 showcase | iMore

Bungie is pulling a "Me Too" of the worst kind. The JP crew talk all about The Game Awards 2021. Which, if we're being honest, is more of an announcements show than a celebration of the present.

LINKS:

• Report: Bungie workplace mired in sexist, toxic behavior | Windows Central
• The Game Awards 2021: Game announcements, trailers, and everything you missed | Windows Central
• Here are all the winners from The Game Awards 2021 | Windows Central

Rebecca is sick this week, so "Old Miriam" joins us for news about Titanfall, new leadership for the Battlefield franchise, Pokémon, and more!

LINKS:

• Respawn Entertainment is discontinuing sales of original Titanfall | Windows Central
• An ode to Titanfall: The last twitch shooter I'll probably ever enjoy | Windows Central
• Respawn head Vince Zampella now leading Battlefield franchise, announces connected universe | Windows Central
• Nintendo recap: Pokémon BDSP outsells Sword and Shield at launch and '97 Zelda Ocarina of Time demo available | iMore

This week, we save the WB Multiverse by pitching a bunch of amazing ideas. The crew also discuss problems with Rockstar Games' GTA Trilogy and offer hot takes on the Game Awards 2021 nominees. And as a special bonus, Jen cracks open some fresh Pokémon booster packs live on the show!

LINKS:

• Report: Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick knew of sexual harassment claims | Windows Central
• Bobby Kotick must resign | Windows Central
• Xbox head Phil Spencer reportedly reevaluating relationship with Activision Blizzard | Windows Central
• Activision Blizzard employees, contractors call for CEO Bobby Kotick's removal | Windows Central
• Petition · REMOVE BOBBY KOTICK FROM ACTIVISION/BLIZZARD · Change.org
• Rockstar Games addresses GTA Trilogy Issues and gives free games as apology | Windows Central
• MultiVersus is WB Games' free-to-play Smash Bros competitor | Windows Central
• Game Awards 2021 nominees revealed, led by Xbox and Bethesda | Windows Central
• Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl for Nintendo Switch: Everything you need to know | iMore

Our adventuring party is back at full strength! Plus, special guest Zachary Boddy joins us for a review of Forza Horizon 5 and a whole lot more.

LINKS:

• Zachary Boddy (@BoddyZachary) / Twitter
• Nintendo recap: The Pokémon Company takes action against leakers and future Switch plans revealed | iMore
• Forza Horizon 5 cloud gaming review: Diet Forza tastes nearly as sweet | Android Central
• Forza Horizon 5 review: The unchallenged champion of open-world racers | Windows Central

Sara Gitkos is in the house with Rebecca and Carli as they check out the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2.0 update and Mario Party Superstars. They also talk about Microsoft's take on the Metaverse and delays of Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 as Blizzard continues to hemorrhage executives and customer good will.

LINKS:

• Sara Gitkos (@sara_snax) / Twitter
• Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 delayed, Jen Oneal leaves Blizzard | Windows Central
• Microsoft is bringing the metaverse to Microsoft Teams with Mesh in 2022 | Windows Central
• Animal Crossing: New Horizon's 2.0 update is now available — and two days early! | iMore
• Mario Party Superstars for Nintendo Switch review: The ultimate party game for all ages | iMore
• Is the N64 Controller worth it for Nintendo Switch? | iMore
• No more N64 controllers to be sold this year, says Nintendo | iMore

Carli and Jen are joined by our very own Nadine Dornieden for the latest news about the mess at Blizzard and significant performance issues with games in the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. They also talk about games announced at Sony's recent State of Play, VR, and the Metaverse.

LINKS:

• Nadine Dornieden ✨🎮 (@stopthenadness) / Twitter
• Blizzard confirms BlizzConline won't be held in early 2022 | Windows Central
• Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick to take pay cut, announces company-wide changes | Windows Central
• Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack: Are N64 & Sega Genesis games worth it? | iMore
• The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack has some serious lag issues | iMore
• The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack doesn't let you remap controls | iMore

Jen, Rebecca, and Carli celebrate spookiness by sharing their favorite horror and Halloween-themed games.

LINKS:

• Activision requests pause in lawsuit to investigate alleged ethics violation by DFEH | Windows Central
• Report: Activision Blizzard fires 20 employees in response to harassment claims | Windows Central
• Overwatch's McCree gets a new name: Cole Cassidy | Windows Central
• Stardew Valley developer announces new game, Haunted Chocolatier, now in development | Windows Central
• Back 4 Blood review: The Left 4 Dead 3 we've been waiting for | Windows Central
• Resident Evil Village for PS5 review: A showcase for series fans and horror newcomers alike | Android Central
• Best Nintendo Switch Halloween games 2021 | iMore
• New Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark coming to Pokémon Legends: Arceus | iMore