On today's episode: Are the chances for standalone, single release titles starting to become a thing of the past? It sure seems to be that way. Games that release once but continue through many years of content updates and "seasons" are becoming more of the norm. MMO's have been notorious for this for some time, but titles such as Fortnite, Warframe, and Destiny have taken the same approach and been successes in their own right. We ask the question again: Are the chances for standalone, single release titles starting to become a thing of the past? We look into that exact question with today's topic: Live Service Games.

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Intro & Outro: Run by J+1

On today's episode: video games as we know them have been around for nearly 50 years, with the release of the Magnavox Odyssey in September of 1972. Over time the industry grew, crashed, revived, and re-grew, and we have experienced 9 generations of consoles and games with memories and experiences tied to each. But to experience those classics in their original form this day and age has become a challenge, as the efforts to maintain a large swath of titles including those with now-defunct online services increases with complexity each and every day. What does that mean for those working to collect and archive these games? Well, let's talk about it in this week's topic: Video Game Preservation.

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Intro & Outro: Run by J+1

I mean, you could be watching the new Space Jam, right?

In this week's NPCs episode, Kyle has gone full throttle into "Mass Effect Legendary Edition" so much so that he's not sure if he's truly working a Paragon path anymore or not. Kyle also talks a bit about "Mario Golf", too! On top of it, Travis reintroduces Kyle to "Minecraft," talk some "Second Extinction," "Battlefield 4," and some of Travis' experience with the updated server hardware for GamePass Game Streaming as he plays through "Yakuza Like a Dragon" and "Halo 3."

Outro Song: Haunt by J+1

In the video game days of yore, a player would be able to purchase a game from KB Toys or K-Mart and know they were getting a fully functioning and complete title. As the internet entered our homes and our consoles, games that were considered complete were found with game breaking bugs or missing content. And thus the Day 1 Patch was born. And to top it off, game companies felt the need to be sure we were always connected to the internet, even if a game may not look like it requires it. Couch co-op was relgated to party games, and game series that used to offer split screen now require two consoles to play. In this week's NPCs Discuss, we talk Online Only!

This week... has been quieter, but still didn't stop some video games from being played! 

Kyle put the rubber to the road in "Road Redemption" - a spiritual successor to the "Road Rash" franchise, was not collecting armor but severed heads as power ups in "Skul the Human Slayer", and even took the proverbial dive into Steam's Summer Sale! Travis, on the other hand, did play some "Warzone" with Kyle and realized that they were both very terrible at the game (back to Battlefield they go), tested some theories in "Minecraft", and both of the NPCs finished off with some "Second Extinction" and wiped those mutated dinos off the face of the earth! 

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Outro Song: Haunt by J+1

Welcome to another week of The NPCs! 

In Part 1: Who did you save in the first "Mass Effect?" Was it Kaiden, or Ashley? Well, let me tell you something... Kyle and Travis agreed on the choice for sure and that's what you'll hear about this week and more! Not only was there more "Mass Effect," but Travis escaped the brig to bring Kyle the news on "Sea of Thieves" Pirates of the Caribbean expansion, "Yakuza: Like a Dragon's" confusing yet enticing game & story, and some further exploration into "Minecraft" and the 1.17 update. Kyle, outside of "Mass Effect," rolled for initiative in "Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance."

In Part 2: Now aptly titled "The NPCs Discuss...", Kyle & Travis get into the world of CrossPlay on consoles and PC, reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of each offering and whether or not the industry has hit the proper targets to meet player's needs.

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Outro Song: Haunt by J+1

It's E3 2021 week, folks! And in Part 1 of this week's episode, The NPCs are here to talk about predictions, thoughts, and more! This episode was recorded on Saturday, June 12th, so the day before the Microsoft/Bethesda E3 livestream, which means you get to sit back and criticize us about how bad our predictions were, or cheer us on with some of our ideas & thoughts on what is yet to be announced!

Outro Song: Haunt by J+1

This week: Kyle dumps a whole mess o' hours into 'Mass Effect Legendary Edition' and decides that bragging about the Mako's handling on PC is... something. Also, The NPCs talk about returning to DICE's 'Battlefield 4' in prep for the upcoming 'Battlefield 6'. Finally, the boys settle into their weekly topic to discuss the impact of all-digital consoles on the market and whether the future for consoles is truly all-digital. 

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Outro Song: Haunt by J+1

The NPCs are back! Well, moreso back in-person doing an episode, but back nonetheless!

This week, The NPCs flip things around to the topic first and talk about the Xbox Series line vs. the PlayStation 5 (and rumored PS5 Pro), as Kyle has now officially been able to experience the 4K-60FPS-HDR goodness that is the Series X (and all it took was coming over to Travis' house to record...). On top of that, Travis & Kyle delve further into the world that is 'Mass Effect Legendary Edition', Kyle finishes 'Resident Evil Village' but is hungry for more vampire-on-Ethan action, and Travis brings forth 'The Wild At Heart'.

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Outro Song: Haunt by J+1

Dear sweet baby Mega Man.... it's already another week? I guess it's time to SIT BACK AND LISTEN TO THE NPC'S WEEKLY PODCAST, HUH?!?

Outro Song: Haunt by J+1