This week the Prof, Larry, was able to play the new Valve game Deadlock and the Dev, Anthony, spent a day at PAX West. They then talk a bunch about Diablo 4 on what they've been playing; the latest season, the expansion, first time impressions on the Steam Deck.

Anthony, the Dev, has returned and just in time to discuss a new Nintendo Indie and Partner Showcase with the Prof, Larry. They dive in to the announcements and then talk about what they've been playing recently.

While Anthony the Dev is away, Larry the Prof discusses known knowns from the upcoming Opening Night Live presentation and then shares what he's been playing: Suika, Tetris Effect, Humanity, Link's Awakening, Final Fantasy Adventure, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Witcher 2, Stray, and Another Crab's Treasure.

Anthony, the Dev, and Larry, the Prof, discuss some somber news this week: Bungie layoffs and Game Informer getting shut down. Then, they move onto happier news: What they've been playing: Path of Exile's new league and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

TIMESTAMPS

00:57 Bungie Layoffs

18:26 Game Informer Closure

26:45 What We've Been Playing

Anthony the Dev and Larry the Prof speak about Unionization in the World of Warcraft team at Blizzard. Then, Prof shares his experience attending San Diego Comic Con (SDCC)--SAG-AFTRA strike, Dragon Age Veilguard, Critical Role, Mortal Kombat 1, and more! Also, there is a giveaway for Yakuza: Like a Dragon on Steam somewhere in this episode! Good luck finding the key--which we read out in its entirety.

TIMESTAMPS

02:01 Unionization at Blizzard 15:35 San Diego Comic Con Report 1:00:50 What We've Been Playing

This week, Anthony (the Dev) and Larry (the Prof), discuss two of the biggest pieces of news from this past week; Wall-to-Wall unionization at Bethesda Game Studios and Microsoft reorganizing and repricing their Game Pass tiers. Beyond that we chat about the games we've been playing; Kunitsu-Gami, MTG Arena, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore, EA Sports College Football, Gato Roboto, and more.

While Prof is off in Canada, enjoy this episode from our sibling podcast, The RPG Backlog. The RPG Backlog, available everywhere you get your podcasts, is exactly what it sounds like: a podcast where we play RPGs from our backlog and discuss what we thought. In this episode, the first of a multi-episode arc, we dig into Final Fantasy 2.

This week, Anthony (the Dev) and Larry (the Prof), discuss two big new Free to Play game releases, The Last Descendant and Zenless Zone Zero. Is Free to Play necessarily bad? What does it change for a games design and mechanics when it is Free to Play? Then, they discuss the Shadow of the Erdtree Elden Ring DLC and the Kinutsu Gami Demo.

Anthony (the Dev) and Larry (the Prof) discuss multiple favors of Miyazaki--from Ghibli Films to FromSoft. Then, they discuss the Shadow of the Erdtree Elden Ring DLC. Last, they wrap up with games they're eyeing on the Summer Steam Sale.

Prof and Dev go through everything announced and shown at the latest Nintendo Direct; new Mario & Luigi, Zelda, tons of 3rd party games, and finally a Metroid Prime 4 trailer!