Jiggle Physics

There's more to say about the Activision Blizzard debacle, including a few rays of hope for change. The team also chat about a delay of Horizon Forbidden West to 2022, the painfulness of SSD expansion options for PS5, and loads more.

LINKS:

• Activision Blizzard employees walk out in protest of leadership's response to lawsuit. But they're hopeful. | Windows Central
• Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick calls initial response to lawsuit 'tone deaf' | Windows Central
• Nearly 500 Ubisoft employees sign letter standing with Activision Blizzard walkout | Windows Central
• Horizon Forbidden West for PS5 and PS4 is reportedly delayed to 2022 | Android Central
• Sony's PS5 SSD storage expansions suck, but only for now | Android Central
• PS5: SSD storage expansion guide | Android Central

Activision Blizzard is being investigated by the state of California for sexist practices. Turns out, they appear to be yet another game developer with a toxic workplace. We also have our reviews of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD and Pokémon Unite.

LINKS:

• Activision Blizzard (Call of Duty, WoW) is being investigated for sexist workplace practices | Windows Central
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD for Nintendo Switch review — Improvements can't help this remake from still falling short | iMore
• Pokémon Unite for Nintendo Switch review: A great introduction to the MOBA genre | iMore

The gang share their thoughts on the newly announced Steam Deck, including the target audience and how the experience is likely to differ from other consoles and PC-based gaming rigs. They also talk about enjoying games how you want to play them — and that includes easy mode!

LINKS:

• Steam Deck: Specs, cost, and everything you need to know | Windows Central
• With the Steam Deck, Valve might beat Nintendo at its own game | Windows Central
• How to preorder Nintendo Switch OLED model | iMore
• Xbox is combating exclusion with its accessibility drive, and others should follow | Windows Central

This week, we weigh in on the Nintendo Switch OLED and express some trepidation that Assassin's Creed Infinity will be a "live service" game. The crew also check out Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, a new season of The Witcher, and more.

LINKS:

• Nintendo Switch OLED model revealed, coming in October for $350 | iMore
• Differences between the Nintendo Switch OLED model and the previous models | iMore
• The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) is not the upgrade we wanted | iMore
• Assassin's Creed Infinity reportedly pivoting to live service, yet leadership concerns loom large | Windows Central
• Assassin's Creed Infinity: Release date, gameplay, and everything you need to know | Windows Central
• Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin for Nintendo Switch review — Pokémon could learn a thing or two | iMore
• Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin tips and tricks for beginners — Battles, stats, eggs, genes, Monsties, and more | iMore

Zachary Boddy hangs out with Carli and Jen this week as they talk about some recent Sony acquisitions, Minecraft, upcoming games, and more.

LINKS:

• Zachary Boddy (@BoddyZachary) / Twitter
• Sony acquires Returnal dev Housemarque for PlayStation Studios | Android Central
• Sony acquires PC porting team Nixxes Software for PlayStation Studios | Android Central
• Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut comes to PS4 and PS5 in August alongside new expansion | Android Central
• Bloober Team possibly tackling Silent Hill is bittersweet for a desperate fandom | Windows Central
• Minecraft guide: How to survive your first night in Minecraft | Windows Central
• Report: Dead Space remake is in the works, inspired by Resident Evil remakes | Windows Central
• Doki Doki Literature Club Plus review: The cult horror game is now complete | Windows Central

This week, the gang look back at 30 years of Sonic the Hedgehog and reminisce about their favorite games. From Nintendo's first 3D console, the N64.

LINKS:

• The Sniper Ghost Warrior Press Event Made Me Pretend To Kill Arabs And I Hated It
• Sonic 30th anniversary restrospective: From his highest highs to his lowest lows | iMore

Rebecca, Jen, and Carli recount the most (and least) exciting announcements from this year's E3 and related events. What games are you looking forward to playing? Let us know!

LINKS:

• Summer Game Fest at E3 2021: Everything announced | Windows Central
• Ubisoft Forward at E3 2021: Everything announced | Windows Central
• Xbox and Bethesda at E3 2021: Game reveals, trailers, and everything announced | Windows Central
• Xbox's Starfield: 'It's like Skyrim in space' says Bethesda's Todd Howard | Windows Central
• Future Games Show at E3 2021: Here's everything announced | Windows Central
• Capcom E3 2021 showcase: Everything announced | Windows Central
• Nintendo at E3 2021: Everything announced | iMore
• E3 2021 had some great game reveals, but the show itself was a big mess | Windows Central
• The best games of E3 2021 | Windows Central

Miles Dompier hangs out with the Jiggle Physics team for a fun chat about what we might expect at E3 2021 from Xbox, Nintendo, Ubisoft, and others.

LINKS:

• Mi 🍔 les (@MilesDompier) / Twitter
• Xbox E3 2021: Our expectations and predictions (and hopes and dreams) | Windows Central
• Halo Infinite E3 2021: What we're hoping to see | Windows Central
• Nintendo at E3 2021: Everything we expect to get announced | iMore
• Nintendo Switch Pro: Super Switch rumors, specs, release date, and more | iMore
• Ubisoft Forward E3 2021: Live stream, date and start time, and predictions | Windows Central

This week, we check out all the happenings for Sonic the Hedgehog's 30th Anniversary. We also dig into the juicy morsels found within the Epic vs. Apple court case, Sony's recent investor call, and what secret stuff Nintendo and Microsoft might be working on together.

LINKS:

• Sonic the Hedgehog's 30th Anniversary stream: Everything announced | iMore
• Horizon Forbidden West gameplay looks gorgeous as Aloy battles new beasts | Android Central
• Epic Games v. Apple: Here's everything we've learned so far [Updated] | Windows Central
• 10 quotes that could reveal the outcome of the Apple vs Epic Games trial | iMore
• Yep. Epic and Apple argued, in court, about whether a banana can be naked. | iMore
• Apple slams 'unspeakable' Itch.io content hosted on Epic Games Store | iMore
• Epic CEO: Sony forces Epic to pay for Fortnite cross-play on PlayStation | Android Central
• Epic vs Apple judge dumbfounded over Apple's xCloud policy | iMore
• Epic Games v. Apple case just dropped another bombshell about Microsoft | Windows Central
• Microsoft confirms it doesn't make money off Xbox console sales — it's all about the software | Windows Central
• Tim Cook faces barrage of tough questions in frantic final minutes of testimony | iMore
• What are Microsoft and Nintendo up to? Redacted court documents tease a big secret | Windows Central

The JP crew discuss platform exclusivity and the possibility that Starfield may be an Xbox and Windows only title. They also preview Deathloop for PS5, talk about Nintendo's lack of clear strategy when it comes to amiibo, and more.

LINKS:

• A report suggests Starfield will be exclusive to Xbox and Windows PC, as screenshots leak online | Windows Central
• Xbox is ready to start playing dirty | Windows Central
• Microsoft to host a joint Xbox and Bethesda conference to discuss future projects | Windows Central
• Deathloop for PS5 preview: A stylish immersive sim that could be game of the year | Android Central
• Nintendo turned the beautiful Zelda & Loftwing amiibo into a cheap paywall accessory | iMore
• Nintendo fans don't know what they want from amiibo, but neither does Nintendo | iMore