Mastering The Game Podcast

In this episode, Jermaine Harris discusses the most underrated Tom Clancy games, focusing on Ghost Recon Future Soldier. Despite other well-known titles like The Division 2 and Rainbow Six Vegas, he argues that Future Soldier doesn’t receive enough praise. Released in 2012, the game features adaptive camouflage, extensive weapon customization, and an absence of microtransactions, which set it apart. Jermaine appreciates the game’s simplicity and the lack of intrusive monetization common in modern gaming. He highlights the satisfaction of the gameplay, solid level design, and straightforward storyline, inviting listeners to share their experiences with Ghost Recon Future Soldier. The episode concludes with a call to leave a 5-star review and subscribe to their YouTube channel, Unleashed Pro Plays.

Equipment

Microphone: HyperX QuadCast S - https://amzn.to/3PgZUEm

Headphone: Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 - https://amzn.to/3qJi5bz

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In this episode, Jermaine Harris discusses the enduring appeal of the 2009 game “Batman Arkham Asylum.” He highlights several aspects that contribute to its popularity. Firstly, he emphasizes the game’s haunting environment set within the Arkham Asylum, capturing the grim atmosphere of Gotham City. The free-flow combat system introduced in the game is praised for its fluidity and influence on other franchises. Detective Vision, a crucial tool for solving puzzles and stealth, is also discussed as a game-changer. The podcast host notes the memorable villains, particularly highlighting Scarecrow’s use of fear toxin to force Batman to confront his fears. Ultimately, the episode celebrates the game’s ability to immerse players in the iconic world of Batman, encouraging both new and returning players to experience the game.

Equipment

Microphone: HyperX QuadCast S - https://amzn.to/3PgZUEm

Headphone: Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 - https://amzn.to/3qJi5bz

Solid State Drives (SSDs): Samsung T7 2TB - https://amzn.to/43Mptl6 & Samsung T7 SSD 4TB - https://amzn.to/42LtOnt

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Social

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In this episode, Jermaine Harris focuses on Unity’s announcement of a new fee structure, the Unity Runtime Fee, for games using their engine. This fee, effective from January 1st, 2024, applies when a game is installed for the first time and is based on the Unity subscription tier. The fee ranges from half a cent to 20 cents per install, potentially impacting developers’ profits, especially for games with large installations. Harris criticizes this change, expressing concerns about increased game prices, negative impacts on developers, and potential price hikes for subscription services. He predicts a possible shift away from Unity to other engines like Unreal due to the new cost. Additionally, he connects this move to the CEO’s past involvement with microtransactions in EA, suggesting a potential influence on the gaming industry as a whole. Developers may delist games or switch engines, potentially leading to delays in game development. Harris encourages audience feedback on this issue.

Check out our sister podcasts at: AtomikFalconStudios.com

In this episode, Jermaine Harris discusses the concept of live service video games and the games-as-a-service model. Host Jermaine Harris discusses the origins of this model, citing World of Warcraft as an early example. He explores various aspects of games as a service, including subscription-based games, microtransactions, and the controversy surrounding the inclusion of useful content behind paywalls. The host expresses concern about the heavy push for monetization in modern gaming, referencing examples from popular franchises like Star Wars Battlefront 2, FIFA, and NBA2K. While acknowledging the need for game developers to make money, the host advocates for a focus on providing the best experience for players to establish trust and long-term engagement, expressing a desire to see a shift away from excessive monetization.

Equipment

Microphone: HyperX QuadCast S - https://amzn.to/3PgZUEm

Headphone: Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 - https://amzn.to/3qJi5bz

Solid State Drives (SSDs): Samsung T7 2TB - https://amzn.to/43Mptl6 & Samsung T7 SSD 4TB - https://amzn.to/42LtOnt

Webcam: Logitech 4K Webcam - https://amzn.to/42Ns6lB

Ring Light: Elgato Ring Light - https://amzn.to/3paFulT

Social

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In this episode, Jermaine Harris discusses the Batman Arkham series, expressing his enjoyment of all four games. He particularly favors Arkham City for its open-world depiction of Gotham City. While the games offer a fun representation of Batman and stay true to the comics, some criticism surrounds the use of the Batmobile in Arkham Knight, as it becomes repetitive and mandatory in various missions. Jermaine hopes for a new release in the Arkhamverse soon, especially after the non-Arkhamverse game Gotham Knights failed to capture the essence of a true Batman game.

Equipment

Microphone: HyperX QuadCast S - https://amzn.to/3PgZUEm

Headphone: Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 - https://amzn.to/3qJi5bz

Solid State Drives (SSDs): Samsung T7 2TB - https://amzn.to/43Mptl6 & Samsung T7 SSD 4TB - https://amzn.to/42LtOnt

Webcam: Logitech 4K Webcam - https://amzn.to/42Ns6lB

Ring Light: Elgato Ring Light - https://amzn.to/3paFulT

Social

Follow @UnleashedProPlays on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. @UnleashedPlays on Twitter

Check out our sister podcasts at: AtomikFalconStudios.com

In this episode, host Jermaine Harris delves into the world of eSports, highlighting its surge in popularity over the past decade and its role in creating a community and fostering competition. He explains that eSports has a rich history dating back to the 1970s with games like Space War and Space Invaders. The episode discusses popular eSports games such as League of Legends, Dota, Super Smash Bros., Madden NFL, and Call of Duty. While Jermaine hasn’t actively participated in competitive eSports, he expresses a keen interest in the concept, particularly due to its team aspect and his love for video games. Notably, projections suggest that eSports is expected to generate over $1 billion and reach 500 million people worldwide. Harris also expresses a desire to own an eSports team in the future.

Equipment

Microphone: HyperX QuadCast S - https://amzn.to/3PgZUEm

Headphone: Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 - https://amzn.to/3qJi5bz

Solid State Drives (SSDs): Samsung T7 2TB - https://amzn.to/43Mptl6 & Samsung T7 SSD 4TB - https://amzn.to/42LtOnt

Webcam: Logitech 4K Webcam - https://amzn.to/42Ns6lB

Ring Light: Elgato Ring Light - https://amzn.to/3paFulT

Social

Follow @UnleashedProPlays on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. @UnleashedPlays on Twitter

Check out our sister podcasts at: AtomikFalconStudios.com

In this episode, Jermaine Harris discusses the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises. He reminisces about the immense popularity of these games during the mid to late 2000s and shares personal experiences with them. He notes that while both franchises had a significant impact on his music preferences, the excessive number of game releases within a short span caused consumer fatigue. For instance, between 2005 and 2015, there were 15 Guitar Hero games, with 14 released between 2005 and 2010. Similarly, the Rock Band franchise also faced challenges due to multiple releases in a short period. He suggests that pacing the releases better might have sustained the relevance of both franchises.

Equipment

Microphone: HyperX QuadCast S - https://amzn.to/3PgZUEm

Headphone: Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 - https://amzn.to/3qJi5bz

Solid State Drives (SSDs): Samsung T7 2TB - https://amzn.to/43Mptl6 & Samsung T7 SSD 4TB - https://amzn.to/42LtOnt

Webcam: Logitech 4K Webcam - https://amzn.to/42Ns6lB

Ring Light: Elgato Ring Light - https://amzn.to/3paFulT

Social

Follow @UnleashedProPlays on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. @UnleashedPlays on Twitter

Check out our sister podcasts at: AtomikFalconStudios.com

In this episode of the Mastering the Game Podcast, host Jermaine Harris discusses the Pokémon franchise, sharing his personal experiences and thoughts. He reminisces about watching the Pokémon TV shows on WBKids and Cartoon Network and reflects on how the animated series complemented his gaming experiences. Discussing the various generations of Pokémon games, he expresses some disappointment with the latest releases, particularly Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, feeling they strayed from the core fun of the franchise. Jermaine highlights his preference for the earlier generations and expresses a desire to see familiar Pokémon in newer games. He also invites listeners to share their favorite Pokémon generations. Despite his reservations, he intends to complete Pokémon Violet and encourages feedback from the audience.

Equipment

Microphone: HyperX QuadCast S - https://amzn.to/3PgZUEm

Headphone: Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 - https://amzn.to/3qJi5bz

Solid State Drives (SSDs): Samsung T7 2TB - https://amzn.to/43Mptl6 & Samsung T7 SSD 4TB - https://amzn.to/42LtOnt

Webcam: Logitech 4K Webcam - https://amzn.to/42Ns6lB

Ring Light: Elgato Ring Light - https://amzn.to/3paFulT

Social

Follow @UnleashedProPlays on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. @UnleashedPlays on Twitter

Check out our sister podcasts at: AtomikFalconStudios.com

In this episode, Jermaine Harris discusses the importance of diversity and representation in video games. He emphasizes that as a form of media, video games serve as a mirror to society, shaping perceptions and beliefs. Highlighting three games released within the past decade, he discusses how they have been praised for their diverse characters and storylines. “The Last of Us Part II” by Naughty Dog features a young gay protagonist and a prominent transgender character, exploring themes of identity and survival. “Tell Me Why” by Dontnod Entertainment includes a transgender man as one of its main characters, delving into the mysteries of their troubled childhood. Additionally, “Overwatch” is commended for its diverse roster of characters, representing different races, nationalities, ages, and physical abilities. Jermaine stresses that diversity and representation in video games are about reflecting real life and crafting stories that resonate with all players.

Equipment

Microphone: HyperX QuadCast S - https://amzn.to/3PgZUEm

Headphone: Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 - https://amzn.to/3qJi5bz

Solid State Drives (SSDs): Samsung T7 2TB - https://amzn.to/43Mptl6 & Samsung T7 SSD 4TB - https://amzn.to/42LtOnt

Webcam: Logitech 4K Webcam - https://amzn.to/42Ns6lB

Ring Light: Elgato Ring Light - https://amzn.to/3paFulT

Social

Follow @UnleashedProPlays on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. @UnleashedPlays on Twitter

Check out our sister podcasts at: AtomikFalconStudios.com

In this episode, Jermaine Harris discusses the progression of video game graphics from the early days of pixel art to the present era of 4K gaming and virtual reality. He highlights the revolutionary impact of classic games like Pong and Space Invaders, emphasizing how they set the stage for future innovations despite their simplicity. Harris then explores the introduction of 3D graphics in the 1990s with games like Wolfenstein 3D and Doom, which significantly enhanced immersion and changed game design. The episode also delves into the leap in graphic quality during the 2000s with games such as Half-Life 2 and Crysis, demonstrating how graphics contribute to immersive storytelling and gameplay. Harris concludes by expressing excitement for the future of gaming graphics and encourages listeners to appreciate the advancements made, while contemplating the potential for further progress.

Equipment

Microphone: HyperX QuadCast S - https://amzn.to/3PgZUEm

Headphone: Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 80 - https://amzn.to/3qJi5bz

Solid State Drives (SSDs): Samsung T7 2TB - https://amzn.to/43Mptl6 & Samsung T7 SSD 4TB - https://amzn.to/42LtOnt

Webcam: Logitech 4K Webcam - https://amzn.to/42Ns6lB

Ring Light: Elgato Ring Light - https://amzn.to/3paFulT

Social

Follow @UnleashedProPlays on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. @UnleashedPlays on Twitter

Check out our sister podcasts at: AtomikFalconStudios.com