Slightly Above Average Gaming

Summary

In this episode of the Slightly Above Average Gaming Podcast, the hosts discuss their gaming experiences, particularly with Warzone and Call of Duty. They talk about the frustrations of PC gaming, the issues with Warzone crashing, and the challenges of building a new gaming PC. They also discuss the good and bad aspects of Warzone, including the positive aspects of Rebirth Island and the fun gameplay of the High Trios Resurgence mode. They touch on the multiplayer mode and the lack of new content for the big map. They express their frustrations with the unbalanced gameplay, the excessive buybacks, and the lack of communication from the developers. They also mention the potential competition from other games and the need for improvements in Warzone. X Defiant, a game that aims to compete with Call of Duty, is facing challenges and may struggle to succeed. The game has similarities to Call of Duty, but some design decisions, such as the movement mechanics, have received criticism. The game's net code and hit registration also have issues. X Defiant may not appeal to high-level competitive players, but average players may find it enjoyable. Overall, the game may struggle to differentiate itself and attract a large player base. In this final part of the conversation, the speakers discuss the issues with the mechanics and design of certain games, such as Call of Duty and X Defiant, that penalize players for moving and make it less fun. They also talk about the rise of cooperative PvE games like Helldivers and the impact they have on the casual player base. The conversation then shifts to upcoming games like Greyzone Warfare and Assassin's Creed Red, and the speakers express their excitement for these new experiences. They end by sharing their kills of the week and discussing the challenges of capturing and sharing clips.

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Summary

In this episode, J007tv and SuboneKD are joined by Brendan, the partnership manager of AIM controllers. They discuss the business side of content creation and gaming, as well as Brendan's background and experience with AIM controllers. They also touch on the importance of being passionate about the product and working with creators who genuinely support the brand. Brendan shares his approach to partnership management and emphasizes the need for collaboration and genuine relationships in the gaming industry. They also discuss the culture of gatekeeping and the importance of being genuine and supportive in the gaming community. The conversation explores the impact of gaming on social interactions and the digital world. They discuss dealing with online trolls and the shift in how kids are growing up in a digital age. They also touch on the benefits and challenges of technology in education. The conversation then delves into the evolving landscape of gaming, including the rise of content creation and the integration of gaming and streaming. They discuss the competition in the gaming industry and the potential for innovation in battle royale games. In this final part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the current state of gaming and the need for more innovative and affordable games. They also touch on the future of battle royale games and the potential for hybrid gameplay experiences. The hosts share their own experiences and frustrations with certain games and game modes. They also discuss the importance of not waiting for perfection and instead focusing on releasing good content and improving over time.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

09:05 Partnership Management in the Gaming Industry

32:31 Embracing Varying Opinions and Perspectives in Gaming

40:43 Dealing with Online Trolls

48:39 Rise of Content Creation and Streaming

01:08:44 Innovation in Battle Royale Games

01:19:23 The Future of Battle Royale Games

01:32:18 Competition and Innovation in the Gaming Industry

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Summary

In this emergency episode of the Slightly Above Average Gaming Podcast, the hosts discuss the white paper released by Call of Duty, Activision, Raven Software, and Sledgehammer Games on the matchmaking process. They appreciate the increased transparency and openness from the developers. The white paper focuses on the importance of ping in matchmaking and how it is determined. They explain the shift from hosted servers to centralized servers and the impact on ping. The hosts also discuss the challenges of matchmaking with a limited pool of players and the goal of creating the best experience for everyone. They touch on the use of VPNs and the factors that affect latency, such as physical distance and network obstacles. The conversation discusses the challenges of connecting players to data centers and the impact of latency on gameplay. It explores the use of different technologies, such as fiber optic, cellular, microwave line of sight, and VPNs, to improve connection quality. The conversation also touches on the importance of ping and how it affects matchmaking and player experience. The hosts express their desire for more transparency from game developers and the need to continue applying pressure for improvements.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Appreciation for Transparency

02:55 The Importance of Ping in Matchmaking

06:31 Understanding Connection and Data Centers

12:02 Reducing Latency: Identifying Good Data Centers

29:24 Challenges in Routing Data to Data Centers

32:22 The Role of VPNs in Manipulating Matchmaking

36:07 The Importance of Transparency from Game Developers

43:12 Continued Pressure for Improvements in Matchmaking Systems

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Summary

In this episode, J007tv and SuboneKD discuss their experiences with farming and ranching, as well as their transition to PC gaming. They also talk about the differences between console and PC lobbies in multiplayer games. They share their first impressions of Season 3 in Call of Duty: Warzone, including the new maps and weapons. They discuss the challenges of sniping in the game and the impact of aim assist. They also touch on the changes to Rebirth Island and the mixed reactions from players. The conversation in this part focuses on the gameplay experience in Warzone, specifically on the map Rebirth Island and the mechanics of respawning. The hosts discuss the addition of a new building on the map and the various ways players can access it. They also talk about the controversial mechanics and play styles in Rebirth Island, including the high number of respawns and the impact on the battle royale experience. The conversation then shifts to the lack of updates and changes in the larger map, Urzikstan, and the frustration of players. They discuss the need for a better separation between Rebirth Island and Urzikstan and the importance of a satisfying shooting experience with unique and fun guns. The hosts also mention the introduction of new modes in the upcoming season and compare Warzone to other battle royale games like Apex Legends and Fortnite. In this final part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the stacking mechanic in Warzone and the different perspectives on it. They also touch on the importance of letting players play the game how they want and not restricting play styles. They share their own experiences with stacking and how it can be frustrating but also a valid strategy. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the Kill of the Week, where both hosts share impressive gameplay moments.

Your Hosts:

J007tv:

https://twitter.com/FakeJ00712

https://www.twitch.tv/j007tv

SuboneKD:

https://twitter.com/Subonekd

https://kick.com/subonekd

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Life on the Ranch

02:30 Console vs PC Gaming

03:54 Season 3 in Call of Duty: Warzone

05:15 The Art of Sniping

07:42 The Controversy of Aim Assist

13:28 Rebirth Island Changes and Reactions

36:18 The Controversial Mechanics and Play Styles in Rebirth Island

40:45 The Frustration with the Lack of Updates in Urzikstan

46:34 The Importance of a Satisfying Shooting Experience

50:47 Comparing Warzone to Other Battle Royale Games

01:07:59 The Controversy of Stacking in Warzone

01:15:13 Letting Players Play the Game Their Way

01:25:02 The Frustration and Rewards of Stacking

01:42:57 Showcasing Impressive Gameplay in the Kill of the Week

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Summary

In this episode of the Slightly Above Average Gaming Podcast, the hosts discuss the challenges of game development and the importance of meeting deadlines. They also explore the balance between fun and monetization in live service games and the pressure of annual releases. The conversation highlights the need for games to be both functional and enjoyable for players. Ultimately, the hosts emphasize the importance of understanding the business perspective while also considering the consumer's perspective. The conversation covers the importance of shipping and fixing products, the timing and competition in the gaming industry, the introduction of new maps and game modes in Call of Duty, and the updates to Warzone and Rebirth Island. The conversation explores the shift from Battle Royale (BR) to Resurgence mode in Call of Duty: Warzone. The hosts discuss the consequences of buybacks and the impact on the overall gameplay experience. They compare Warzone Mobile to Warzone BR and highlight the dissatisfaction with spectating in the BR mode. The conversation delves into the importance of data-driven decision-making and the need to differentiate between BR and Resurgence modes. The hosts express their frustration with the current state of Warzone and emphasize the importance of player feedback in shaping the future of the game.

Your Hosts:

J007tv:

https://twitter.com/FakeJ00712

https://www.twitch.tv/j007tv

SuboneKD:

https://twitter.com/Subonekd

https://kick.com/subonekd

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Week in Gaming

02:59 Issues with X Defiant and Game Development

08:10 The Challenges of Developing Live Service Games

15:05 The Importance of Meeting Deadlines in the Gaming Industry

28:10 Balancing Fun and Monetization in Live Service Games

32:02 The Pressure of Annual Releases and Launch Issues

35:00 The Business Perspective vs. the Consumer Perspective

37:14 The Importance of Shipping and Fixing

39:15 Timing and Competition

48:10 New Maps and Game Modes

56:21 Updates to Warzone and Rebirth Island

01:11:36 The Shift from BR to Resurgence

01:12:39 The Consequences of Buybacks and Resurgence

01:13:39 The Impact of Changes in Warzone

01:15:50 Comparing Warzone Mobile and Warzone BR

01:16:20 The Dissatisfaction with Spectating

01:17:21 The Shift from BR to Resurgence

01:19:23 The Future of Warzone BR

01:23:17 The Importance of Data and Decision-Making

01:25:21 The Unfun Experience of Warzone BR

01:27:12 The Difference Between BR and Resurgence

01:28:41 The Future of Warzone

01:31:06 The Manipulation of Data

01:34:30 The Importance of Comprehensive Data

01:38:04 The Frustration with Data-Driven Decisions

01:45:20 The Need for Differentiated Modes

01:47:03 The Importance of Player Feedback

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Summary

In this conversation, the speakers discuss various topics related to gaming, including the purchase of a streaming PC, the process of buying games on PC, and the challenges of the weekly camo grind in Warzone. They also talk about the lack of map changes in Warzone and the stale ground loot. The speakers share their thoughts on the Gulag and the use of lasers, as well as the viability of different weapons in multiplayer. The conversation in this part of the recording focused on various topics related to the gameplay experience in Call of Duty: Warzone. The speaker discussed strategies in the Gulag, the lack of gun variety and identity in MW3, the importance of finding the right attachments for guns, and the challenges of optimizing games for mobile devices. They also touched on the tension between realism and non-realism in the Call of Duty community and the expectations for graphics in mobile games. The conversation discusses the experience of playing Call of Duty Mobile and highlights several key points. The speaker initially mentions technical issues and frustrations with the game, but ultimately finds it fun and enjoyable. They note that the game lacks skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), resulting in matches that feel random. The speaker also praises the familiarity and nostalgia of the map, which plays well and allows for strategic gameplay. They discuss the differences in aim assist between the mobile version and the main game, highlighting the need for manual correction and the rewards of skill. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of practice and the speaker's differing opinions on SBMM. The conversation in this part focuses on the negative impact of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in games. The speaker believes that SBMM should only be implemented within loose parameters and that there should be a minimum skill level for matchmaking. They argue that players who are brand new to gaming or have disabilities should not face highly skilled players. The speaker also discusses the frustration of facing tough opponents due to SBMM and the need for a better matchmaking system. They mention the mixed experience in Warzone Mobile, where players face a variety of skill levels.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Gaming PC Upgrade

03:03 State of Warzone and Weekly Challenges

09:09 Lack of Map Changes and Ground Loot

15:02 Gulag Changes and Sound Improvements

33:30 Gun Identity and Fun Factor

36:48 Different Muzzle Attachments

41:18 Comparing Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare

43:15 Realism vs. Graphics

45:42 Realism and Graphics in Warzone Mobile

53:31 Challenges of Mobile Gaming

59:19 SBMM in Warzone Mobile

01:08:05 Aim Assist in Warzone Mobile

01:14:44 Discussion on Aim Assist and Skill

01:15:44 The Skill Gap Between Mouse and Keyboard and Controller

01:16:40 Different Skill Levels and Gripes with Aim Assist

01:17:21 The Skill Level of Mouse and Keyboard Players

01:18:21 Comparing Skill Levels on Mouse and Keyboard and Controller

01:19:06 The Experience of Playing Controller on COD Mobile

01:20:01 Improvements in Gameplay and Learning the Input

01:20:45 The Importance of Practice and Drills

01:21:49 The Benefits and Drawbacks of Different Inputs

01:23:21 The Negative Impact of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM)

01:24:15 The Need for Changes in SBMM

01:26:24 The Impact of SBMM on the Player Base

01:28:27 The Frustration with SBMM and the Desire for Random Lobbies

01:31:13 The Negative Effects of SBMM on the Player Experience

01:34:59 Proposed Changes to SBMM

01:38:21 Speculation on Changes to Matchmaking

01:48:21 Kill of the Week

01:51:44 Closing Remarks

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Summary

In this episode, J007tv and SuboneKD are joined by Chad of Duty, a Call of Duty fan who has taken it upon himself to collect and report bugs in the game. Chad explains how he started the COD Community Trello Board to connect fans with developers and provide a platform for feedback. He shares his process of testing and reproducing bugs, as well as his desire to get into game development. The hosts discuss the response from the Call of Duty community and how Chad deals with hate and negative feedback. The conversation explores the importance of constructive feedback and the challenges of giving feedback to game developers. It emphasizes the need for respectful and reasonable communication to make meaningful changes in the gaming industry. The conversation also discusses the impact of hostility on developers and the difficulty of balancing weapons in games. It highlights the role of understanding developers' decision-making and the introduction of counter weapons to address gameplay issues. The conversation concludes by acknowledging the potential for a new golden era in Call of Duty and the importance of providing feedback in a constructive manner. The conversation covers various topics related to Call of Duty and the gaming industry. The hosts emphasize the importance of providing objective content and fair analysis for their audience. They discuss the balance between positivity and criticism, acknowledging both the strengths and weaknesses of the game. The future of extraction shooters and the uncertainty surrounding DMZ and MW Zombies are explored. The conversation also touches on content delivery, player satisfaction, and the value of Call of Duty. The hosts speculate on the licensing relationship between Call of Duty and The Walking Dead. The episode concludes with the hosts sharing their memorable kills of the week and expressing gratitude for the gaming community and developers.

Special Guest

Chad of Duty

https://twitter.com/ChadOfDuty

https://t.co/i2a5ospyWi

Your Hosts:

J007tv:

https://twitter.com/FakeJ00712

https://www.twitch.tv/j007tv

SuboneKD:

https://twitter.com/Subonekd

https://kick.com/subonekd

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:19 Chad's Undertaking in Collecting Call of Duty Bugs

06:04 The Creation of the COD Community Trello Board

10:19 Chad's Process of Testing and Reproducing Bugs

25:31 Building a Relationship with Sledgehammer Games

28:58 Response from the Call of Duty Community

31:27 Dealing with Hate and Negative Feedback

32:31 The Importance of Constructive Feedback

34:06 Developers and Community Interaction

35:32 The Challenges of Giving Feedback

37:04 The Impact of Hostility on Developers

38:45 The Difficulty of Balancing Weapons

45:29 Understanding Developers' Decision-Making

49:05 The Introduction of Counter Weapons

52:25 The Sword as a Secondary Weapon

59:15 The State of Call of Duty

01:04:27 Objective Content and Fair Analysis

01:05:15 Balancing Positivity and Criticism

01:08:09 The Future of Extraction Shooters

01:09:22 The Uncertainty of DMZ and MW Zombies

01:10:19 Content Delivery and Player Satisfaction

01:11:09 The Walking Dead Crossover and Licensing

01:13:31 Setting Realistic Expectations for Content

01:15:13 The Value of Call of Duty and Content Consumption

01:16:03 The Game as a DLC and Content Quantity

01:19:10 Fair Criticisms and Improvement

01:20:36 The Licensing Relationship and Content Restrictions

01:24:41 Kill of the Week: Memorable Kills

01:31:16 Closing Remarks and Appreciation

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Summary

In this episode of the Slightly Above Average Gaming Podcast, J007TV and Sub1KD discuss their personal updates, including camping trips and family events. They then delve into a discussion on matchmaking and gameplay experiences, sharing their wins and losses. The hosts review the new additions to multiplayer, including the DOS House map and the Subverter weapon. They also discuss the challenges of unlocking new weapons and the excitement surrounding them. The episode concludes with a review of UI and gameplay changes, as well as a critique of realistic features and customization options. The conversation covers weapon attachments and filters, changes to weapons in multiplayer, new content for zombies, a new point of interest in Warzone, buffs and nerfs to specific guns, and improvements to the meta. The conversation covers various topics related to Call of Duty Warzone, including attachments, audio improvements, stat tracking, new features, and the manipulation in game design and matchmaking. The hosts also share their Kill of the Week highlights. Overall, the discussion provides insights into the recent updates and issues in the game.

Your Hosts:

J007tv:

https://twitter.com/FakeJ00712

https://www.twitch.tv/j007tv

SuboneKD:

https://twitter.com/Subonekd

https://kick.com/subonekd

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

01:21 Discussion on Matchmaking and Gameplay

08:28 Review of DOS House Map

11:10 New Weapons and Unlocking Challenges

20:44 Discussion on Aftermarket Parts and Game Modes

28:25 Review of UI and Gameplay Changes

33:12 Critique of Realistic Features and Customization

33:31 Weapon Attachments and Filters

36:18 Changes to Weapons in Multiplayer

39:39 New Content for Zombies

47:23 New Point of Interest in Warzone

53:31 Buff to MCW and Bruin

58:00 Nerfs to RAM 7 and MTZ 7.62

01:08:06 Improvements to the Meta

01:08:51 Changes to Snipers

01:09:18 Discussion about attachments and audio improvements

01:11:04 Audio improvements and changes in Warzone

01:12:11 Review of the Resurgence mode and stat tracking

01:13:03 Introduction to the Personal Decontamination Station and Bunker Buster kill streak

01:16:30 Conversation about the manipulation in game design and matchmaking

01:46:26 Discussion on the history of video game manipulation and addiction

01:49:48 Kill of the Week highlights

01:51:00 Conclusion and announcement of upcoming guest

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Summary

In this episode, the hosts discuss recent layoffs in the gaming industry, the independence of Toys for Bob Studio, the formation of David Vandahar's new studio, the future of battle royale games, the appeal of cooperative games, and the advantages of custom controllers. This conversation covers various topics related to gaming controllers, including the weight and customization options, adjustable tension and control freak rings, issues with bumpers and triggers, warranty and repair processes, hall effect joysticks, the future of controller technology, Warzone mobile and controller compatibility, cross progression, and cheating in Warzone and anti-cheat measures. The hosts discuss the prevalence of cheaters in Call of Duty and the importance of identifying and exposing them. They explore different cheating techniques and the challenges of detecting cheaters. They also address the value of content creators in raising awareness about cheating and pressuring game developers to improve anti-cheat measures. The conversation shifts to the increase in low-level accounts and the impact on gameplay. They discuss the frustrations of predatory matchmaking and the lack of gun balance in Warzone. The hosts express their concerns about the state of the game and the lack of opportunities for fair fights in the end game. They emphasize the need for open discussion and action to address cheating and improve the overall gaming experience.

Your Hosts:

J007tv:

https://twitter.com/FakeJ00712

https://www.twitch.tv/j007tv

SuboneKD:

https://twitter.com/Subonekd

https://kick.com/subonekd

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

02:59 Layoffs in the Gaming Industry

07:55 Toys for Bob Studio Becoming Independent

12:04 David Vandahar's New Studio

25:03 The Appeal of Cooperative Games

31:04 The Advantages of Custom Controllers

34:21 Weight and Customization of Controllers

35:00 Adjustable Tension and Control Freak Rings

36:14 Issues with Bumpers and Triggers

38:30 Warranty and Repair Process for Controllers

43:13 Hall Effect Joysticks

45:41 The Future of Controller Technology

49:12 Warzone Mobile and Controller Compatibility

53:12 Cross Progression and Cheating in Warzone

01:00:10 Cheating in Warzone and Anti-Cheat Measures

01:05:17 Identifying Cheaters

01:06:16 Different Cheating Techniques

01:06:52 The Value of Exposing Cheaters

01:07:38 Accusations of Cheating

01:08:10 Increase in Low-Level Accounts

01:08:51 Predatory Matchmaking and Gun Balance

01:09:21 The State of Warzone

01:10:16 Regain Ability and Frustration

01:11:02 End Game Imbalance

01:13:23 Covering Newsworthy Topics

01:14:34 Dealing with Cheating and Frustration

01:15:19 Kill of the Week

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Summary

In this episode, the hosts interview Rebirth Rat, a content creator known for his unique and entertaining gameplay using riot shields in Call of Duty: Warzone. Rebirth Rat started creating content for fun and never expected it to gain popularity. However, his TikTok videos started circulating and received positive feedback. He enjoys creating short-form content but is also exploring longer-form content on YouTube. Rebirth Rat believes that the gaming community needs more creators focused on fun and unique gameplay, as the competitive scene can become overwhelming. He discusses the impact of proximity chat, the backpack system, and his favorite and least favorite maps in Warzone. The conversation covers various topics related to Call of Duty, including sniping, melee weapons, the future of the game, content flow, zombies mode, and the availability of Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass. The conversation covers Xbox's new contract, the impact on gaming, the end of exclusive content for PlayStation, turning off cross-play on Xbox, and the Kill of the Week segment.

Special Guest:

The Rebirth Rat

https://twitter.com/therebirthrat

https://www.tiktok.com/@therebirthrat

Your Hosts:

J007tv:

https://twitter.com/FakeJ00712

https://www.twitch.tv/j007tv

SuboneKD:

https://twitter.com/Subonekd

https://kick.com/subonekd

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Initial Impressions

01:10 Discovering Rebirth Rat's Content

04:26 Starting as a Fun Hobby

06:04 Growing Social Media Presence

08:04 Challenges of Streaming

09:46 Importance of Consistent Streaming Schedule

12:26 Creating Short Form and Long Form Content

13:20 Response to Content

17:34 Collaboration with Other Content Creators

19:07 Encounter with Rolopolo

20:31 Rivalry with Timmy Toucans

22:32 Bringing Fun Back to Gaming

26:07 Impact of Proximity Chat

28:05 Effect of Backpack System

29:12 Comparison of Warzone Eras

32:32 Favorite and Least Favorite Maps

36:58 Discussion on Sniping and Melee Weapons

44:33 Speculation on the Next Call of Duty Game

49:08 Evaluation of Content Flow in Call of Duty

50:20 Opinions on Zombies Mode

01:00:43 Concerns about the Future of Warzone

01:08:42 Favorite Changes to Maps

01:15:28 Discussion on Xbox Game Pass and Call of Duty

01:16:48 Xbox's New Contract and Impact on Gaming

01:17:51 No Exclusive Content for PlayStation

01:18:13 Turning Off Cross-Play on Xbox

01:19:16 Kill of the Week

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