Just vinegar.

Games we played this week include:

Monster Hunter Wilds (11:35)

Faceminer (32:20)

Shadow Hearts (37:05)

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (53:30)

Blobun (46:15)

---

News things talked about in this episode:

Activision has been using AI to make fake game pitches for market research (47:20)

https://www.eurogamer.net/activision-ai-slop-guitar-hero-advert-is-market-research-for-a-fake-game-that-doesnt-exist-and-maybe-never-will

---

Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

You spoke. We listened.

Games we played this week include:

Avowed (3:20)

Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 (18:40)

Guns of Fury (23:55)

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (29:50)

Wanderstop (40:55)

Drakengard (45:45)

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (53:30)

---

News things talked about in this episode:

Supergiant won’t sign an interim agreement with SAG-AFTRA for Hades II (1:01:12)

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/supergiant-denies-recasting-hades-ii-actor-over-interim-sag-aftra-contract-request

WB Games closes down multiple studios (1:11:15)

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/wb-games-shuts-down-three-internal-devs-including-monolith-and-player-first

Activision discloses use of AI in Call of Duty (1:12:45)

https://www.polygon.com/gaming/528973/activision-generative-ai-call-of-duty-steam-disclosure

PEGI reclassifies Balatro as 12+, promises changes to system (1:13:55)

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/pegi-to-revisit-automatic-18-ratings-for-simulated-gambling-games-after-balatros-successful-appeal

---

Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Powers beyond comprehension

Games we played this week include:

Elden Ring Nightreign (10:35)

A Game About Digging a Hole (28:25)

Dynasty Warriors Abyss (37:20)

Ruffy and the Riverside (48:35)

Astro Bot (50:55)

Dawnfolk (51:55)

Alundra (54:35)

---

News things talked about in this episode:

Bobby Kotick claims harassment suits were fake as part of ploy by unions (1:02:35)

https://www.eurogamer.net/bobby-kotick-says-activision-blizzard-fake-lawsuits-were-simply-a-union-plan-to-drive-up-membership

Lots of people say Bobby Kotick is full of shit (1:10:55)

https://www.eurogamer.net/the-executives-of-our-company-did-not-protect-us-activision-blizzard-workers-hit-back-at-claim-harassment-lawsuits-were-fake

---

Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

We will learn the ways.

Games we played this week include:

Reality Break (11:15)

Rift of the Necrodancer (18:50)

Onimusha 2 (29:30)

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (38:35)

---

News things talked about in this episode:

Sony delists spam games from PlayStation Store (43:40)

https://www.eurogamer.net/playstation-quietly-removes-slop-shovelware-ps5-games-following-investigation

Nightmare Kart getting expansion as Bloodborne PSX gets nuked (58:50)

https://www.eurogamer.net/bloodborne-psx-demake-now-completely-removed-but-nightmare-kart-continues-with-dlc

Steam implements warning for possibly abandoned Early Access titles (48:35)

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/steam-now-warns-players-if-early-access-games-have-been-abandoned

Roblox under investigation by Security and Exchange Commission (51:30)

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-reportedly-part-of-sec-investigation

Patent reveals mouse function for Joy-Con 2 (54:20)

https://www.eurogamer.net/switch-2-patent-seemingly-confirms-previously-rumoured-joy-con-functionality

---

Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Just playing with ourselves over here.

Games we played this week include:

Spirit Swap: LoFi Beats to Match-3 To (14:20)

Dynasty Warriors (21:00)

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black (30:50)

Dome Keeper (39:45)

Red Ninja: End of Honor (43:30)

---

News things talked about in this episode:

Bloodborne PSX videos claimed, raising fears it may get forced offline (46:05)

https://www.eurogamer.net/another-bloodborne-fan-project-gets-the-legal-takedown-treatment-sparking-speculation-an-official-remake-is-coming

Christian gaming site’s editors bail after founder does a Nazi salute (58:50)

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/entire-god-is-a-geek-editorial-staff-walk-out-and-cut-ties-with-alt-right-founder

Treyarch co-founder’s drone damaged firefighting plane during LA fires (1:00:20)

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/treyarch-co-founder-pleads-guilty-to-piloting-drone-during-la-fires

Elliot Page’s production company picks up Beyond: Two Souls for television (1:05:50)

https://www.eurogamer.net/beyond-two-souls-tv-series-announced-produced-by-the-games-star

---

Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

You could have just done the thing and it would have been less work.

Games we played this week include:

Dynasty Warriors (21:45)

Codenames (25:10)

Donner Dinner Party (27:40)

Battlestar Galactica (30:05)

For Sale (35:55)

Sengoku Basara 2 (42:15)

Spartan: Total Warrior (44:50)

Buccaneer (48:15)

Babysitting Mama (50:05)

---

News things talked about in this episode:

Ubisoft lays off 185 UK workers (53:40)

https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-announces-studio-closure-as-it-lays-off-185-staff

Activision employees harassed after leaked Slack conversations about DEI policy (55:05)

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/it-looks-like-someone-at-activision-is-leaking-slack-screenshots-to-right-wing-x-users

Nintendo loses lawsuit against Super Mario Market in Puerto Rico (1:00:20)

https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-loses-trademark-fight-against-super-mario-supermarket

---

Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Call toll-free, operators are standing by.

Games we played this week include:

Mindwave (8:45)

Wii Music (15:25)

Alien: Fate of the Nostromo (19:25)

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair (25:45)

Ticket to Ride London (29:30)

Switch 2 (31:55)

---

News things talked about in this episode:

Backers of Silksong upset over developer’s post which led them down rabbit hole (35:15)

https://www.eurogamer.net/silksong-fans-believe-creators-switch-2-hint-points-to-april-announcement-and-its-all-thanks-to-a-slice-of-cake

David Lynch’s PlayStation 2 commercial (46:20)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Laf9vpJMDjA

GDC’s annual survey shows industry in decline, rising interest in unions (49:20)

https://www.eurogamer.net/gdcs-state-of-the-games-industry-survey-says-one-in-ten-respondents-laid-off-in-2024

Genshin Impact pays fine for privacy violations and deception (52:55)

https://www.eurogamer.net/genshin-impact-maker-agrees-to-pay-20m-in-ftc-case-accusing-it-of-violating-childrens-privacy-and-deceiving-players

Lords of the Fallen publisher declares DEI to blame for industry woes (1:04:50)

https://www.eurogamer.net/lords-of-the-fallen-publisher-ci-games-publicly-shuns-dei-says-it-wont-embed-social-or-political-agendas

Until Dawn movie has tenuous links to game’s mechanics (1:08:50)

https://www.eurogamer.net/until-dawn-movie-teaser-reveals-how-its-replaced-the-games-branching-narrative

---

Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Well, it works.

Games we played this week include:

Cooking Mama Cookstar (7:35)

Spirits Abyss (13:00)

Dynasty Warriors Origins (16:25)

Scarlet Maiden (41:35)

Sengoku Basura: Samurai Heroes (50:30)

---

News things talked about in this episode:

Retro Studios excluded from credits on Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (42:25)

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/01/retro-staff-credits-removed-from-donkey-kong-country-returns-hd-forever-entertainment-confirmed-as-devs

Nintendo issues a warning about community created alternative for shuttered Wii U services (56:05)

https://x.com/nintendo_cs/status/1879332711451795501

Accessory maker who claimed to have Switch 2 at CES has encounter with Nintendo (1:01:45)

https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-breaks-silence-on-this-weeks-switch-2-leaks

Microsoft going all-in on bringing properties to Switch 2 (1:04:00)

https://www.eurogamer.net/switch-2-reportedly-getting-halo-and-another-big-xbox-game-with-microsoft-set-to-be-a-very-big-supporter

Lords of the Fallen publisher declares DEI to blame for industry woes (1:04:50)

https://www.eurogamer.net/lords-of-the-fallen-publisher-ci-games-publicly-shuns-dei-says-it-wont-embed-social-or-political-agendas

Until Dawn movie has tenuous links to game’s mechanics (1:08:50)

https://www.eurogamer.net/until-dawn-movie-teaser-reveals-how-its-replaced-the-games-branching-narrative

---

Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

You’re soaking in it.

Games we played this week include:

Babysitting Mama (7:00)

Satisfactory (16:55)

Dynasty Warriors M (18:30)

Factorio (30:25)

Sengoku Basura: Samurai Heroes (33:00)

---

News things talked about in this episode:

Reports of abuse at support studio (42:25)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR9HQ2C6h_4

Accessory maker claims to have acquired retail Switch 2 hardware (48:05)

https://www.eurogamer.net/switch-2-leaks-turn-into-deluge-as-dummy-units-shown-at-ces

Tencent is deemed a “Chinese military company” by US Department of Defense (57:45)

https://www.eurogamer.net/us-labels-tencent-as-a-chinese-military-company

---

Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

What the birthday girl wants, the birthday girl gets.

Games we played this week include:

Punirunes (14:00)

Among Ashes (20:50)

Devil Kings (25:15)

Stars in the Trash (37:24)

Sengoku Basura: Samurai Heroes (43:55)

---

Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Photo Credit: Esra Kelepircioğlu