Weekend at Dave's

A new week, a new Weekend at Dave’s! This episode brings us some juicy subject matter, as we delve into Gearbox, stonks, and video game industry consolidation.

Catch the full episode here:

https://punishedbacklog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Weekend-at-Daves-Episode-7.mp3

Download MP3 | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

(Note: Despite the acquisition, 2K shared that it will continue to publish the Borderlands games.)

(00:29) Hi everyone! My name’s David Silbert, and you’re listening to Weekend at Dave’s. Each week, we dig deep into a topic in the entertainment industry—usually to do with games. 

(00:39) This week’s discussion is particularly spicy, and comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Gearbox Entertainment—the makers of Borderlands—will be acquired by Embracer Group in a deal worth 1.3 billion dollars.

(00:51) If you’re unfamiliar with Embracer Group, they’re a Swedish holding company, meaning they hold majority stakes in a bunch of other companies. Their subsidiaries include THQ Nordic, Koch Media, Saber Interactive… and now Gearbox. (Side note: There are some bizarro policies that come along with holding these subsidiaries—case in point.)

(01:04)  The finer details of the deal are pretty complex, but the long and short of it is that a major game company just got bigger. And when you consider this is just the latest in a string of industry M&As—Microsoft buying Bethesda, EA buying Codemasters, etc.—it begs the question:

(01:19) Should consolidation in the video game industry concern us?

(01:23) There’s a case to be made that it certainly should. In a piece for GamesIndustry.biz, Simon Carless of GameDiscoverCo related these consolidation moves to the ongoing stock market bubble. As institutional and retail investors fixate on deep value stocks—to the moon!—the speculative value of these game companies is getting further and further removed from reality.

(01:44) Carless used the examples of Unity (NYSE: U), which launched an initial public offering (IPO) in August 2020, and Roblox (NYSE: RBLX), which is gearing up for an IPO of its own. Based on current valuations, Roblox would be worth more than Unity, despite the fact that it’s less established and currently operating at a loss.

(02:00) I encourage you to read the full article, as it raises some great points. That said, given I’m certainly not a financial expert, I’d like to focus on a different piece of this discussion entirely. And that’s the impact of consolidation on game makers and players.

(02:13) Consolidation has always been a part of this industry. Think back to 2007, when Activision and Vivendi (the owner of Blizzard) announced they’d be joining forces. If you’re an RPG lover, think even further back to the days of Squaresoft, Enix, and the subsequent merger. 

(02:29) No matter where you look, publishers and studios are always changing hands, and that undoubtedly has an impact on the gaming landscape.

(02:36) The best example I can think of is that of the so-called “AA” studio. In the past, we had mid-sized studios like Telltale, Obsidian, and Focus Home. And these studios would put out compelling games, albeit at a fraction of the budget of your Uncharteds and your Halos.

(02:50) But then in 2018, Telltale went under. And Obsidian, quite possibly to avoid a similar fate, joined Team Xbox. While we still have Focus Home, Iron Galaxy, and other studios that live in that precarious mid-tier, they feel few and far between. The Gearbox acquisition only drives this point home.

(03:09) Of course, for the studios getting acquired, this consolidation isn’t necessarily bad. If anything, it’s a good thing! It’ll ensure they have financial footing, and can pursue their true creativity without fear of failure… within reason. Their new parent publisher will have its own rules and expectations, and there’s no guarantee of a blank check.

(03:28) Still, it’s better than ending up like Telltale, or Midway Games, or THQ. (Incidentally, THQ didn’t disappear completely. Embracer Group would later scavenge those THQ assets to resuscitate, in the form of THQ Nordic.)

(03:43) But to return to the bigger picture, consolidation is a problem. As that middle tier falls out of favor, we’re left with two extremes: massive industry vets like Microsoft, and small-scale indie publishers like Devolver Digital, Team 17, and Yacht Club Games. 

(03:58) These indie studios may have their place in the market now, but that could change five, 10 years down the road. And that’ll only make it harder for new game developers and companies looking to break into the industry.

(04:08) Further complicating matters? The industry is only growing. Esports and streaming are on the rise. Revenue for major publishers continues to soar. And tools like Unity and Unreal Engine make it easier for passionate programmers to start their dream project.

(04:23) So, I guess I see it two ways. On the one hand, gaming is still in its infancy, and the market will correct itself as things mature. On the other hand… gaming is still in its infancy. If it’s one-sided now, it’ll only get more drastic in time. 

(04:38) As video game popularity soars, more programmers and artists will flock to the industry. More games will hit storefronts like Steam and the Nintendo eShop, and the market will become even more saturated than before. On top of it all, publishers will continue to lean on predatory monetization models, simply because they know consumers will pay.

(04:55) And so the flywheel turns. Demand fuels AAA games, AAA prices, and AAA crunch. The rich get richer, the poor stay poor, and everyone else gets lost in the shuffle. This is a far cry from the current landscape—at least I hope it is—but it’s hard not to think about moves like Gearbox and not hit the panic button.

(05:14) So, what’s the fail safe? Don’t let the big ones win. Support the indie games you care about. Make sure those studios grow, and push back on microtransactions that’re causing companies like EA and Activision to skyrocket.

(05:27) As a player, your voice goes a long way. Don’t let it go to waste!

(05:33) Well, that got a little depressing, didn’t it? In any case, I hope you enjoyed this food for thought. Agree with my take? Think I’m way off? Let me know over on punishedbacklog.com, or Tweet me @David_Silbert on Twitter.

(05:46) With that off my chest, all that’s left to say is thanks, stay safe, and peace out.

Song Credit:

The post Weekend at Dave’s: Episode 7 – Should Video Game Industry Consolidation Worry Us? appeared first on The Punished Backlog.

2021 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for gaming. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X | S are in their infancy. Halo: Infinite and Horizon: Forbidden West are on the—erm, horizon. And there are a smattering of indie games in 2021 (where my Hollow Knight: Silksong fans at?) to break out the Switch for.

But those games are old news: What other indie surprises can you expect in the New Year? To kick off 2021, the Weekend at Dave’s podcast is back, and we’re asking the important questions.

New format, new insights, same charming host! Catch the latest episode of Weekend at Dave’s here:

https://punishedbacklog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Weekend-at-Daves-Episode-6-3-Indie-Sleepers.mp3

Download MP3 | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

(0:00 – 2:49) — Intro

(2:50 – 5:14) — UFO 50

(5:15 – 7:09) — Chicory: A Colorful Tale

(7:10 – 8:29) — The Wild at Heart

(8:30 – 9:13) — Outro

Hi everyone! My name’s David Silbert, and I’m the host of Weekend at Dave’s, a chill, solo podcast where I ramble about games and other hot topics in the entertainment industry.

2021 marks a new year, and I don’t know if you noticed, but Weekend at Dave’s was virtually MIA for the entirety of 2020. To be fair… It was a bad year! But to those who’ve enjoyed the show, I apologize, and let this be an olive branch I’m offering to show that, A) I’m back, and B) I want 2021 to be the strongest year for Weekend at Dave’s yet!

So, what’s new about the podcast this year that’ll help us get there! For one, more bite-sized topics! I’ve always tried to keep things brief, given how many podcasts are out there, but this year I want to drill that down even more. Expect more frequent episodes, but ones that are only 10 to 15 minutes in length, tops.

Secondly, more in-depth thoughts! I’ll be working harder to script out a lot of what I talk about during the show. I’ll have my notes handy, so hopefully that means better lines of thought, deeper insights, and more enjoyable content on the whole.

Lastly, I want to branch out! I want to bring guests on the show, maybe get a couple of developers to interview. And, for the very first time, I want to take Weekend at Dave’s to YouTube, where I’ll be experimenting with b-roll, video editing, and all. that. Jazz.

So! *clap* It should be a lot of fun! Let’s dive right into things, with our first topic of the year… 

Indie sleepers!

Now, we’re at a time where there are so many games, and so many ways to play them. We’ve got next gen consoles that just launched, a plethora of subscription-based game services, other reward systems that dole out games like candy… It’s a bit of a madhouse.

So! With so much out there, and so much existing coverage of popular games, I wanted to dive deep into a couple of indies that seem to be off a lot of folx’s radars. I’m talking real deep sleepers here, the type to hit snooze at noon and roll out of bed at 2 p.m. sleepers. Ya feel me?

Basically, the following three games are three indies I’m super excited to see more of in 2021—and I think you’ll be excited to see more, too.

Sound good? Let’s get to it:

Starting off, we’ve got one that’s near and dear to me: UFO 50. Developed by Mossmouth, aka Derek Yu, aka the maker of Spelunky 1 & 2, UFO 50 is a collection of not one, not two, but fifty retro-inspired games, spanning a mix of styles and genres.

UFO 50’s been in development for a long time, and we even have some past coverage on The Punished Backlog about it. (I’ll link it in the written transcript.) The game’s a collaboration between Yu and five other indie developers (whose handles I’ll also link).

In addition to Derek Yu, we have:

So, it’s a six-person project, covering 50 games, each of which is being touted as its own full-fledged game, and not a mini-game or micro-game.

It’s an ambitious project! Which is also what makes it so exciting! Interestingly enough, each game has its own director and supporting roles among the six devs, and these roles cycle from game to game. 

The full collection includes an Advance Wars-esque turn-based strategy game, plus platformers, RPGs, fighting games, point-and-clicks…. There’s so much potential here, not just in terms of playtime or replayability, but just sheer quality of experiences.

All 50 games are tied together with a common story thread—that they were made in the 80s by a fictitious game company, seemingly “ahead of its time,” according to the official UFO 50 website. I take that to mean these games will be innovative, charming, and—hopefully—pretty good!

Of the 50 games, roughly a third will also offer co-op or competitive multiplayer modes, offering even more bang for your buck.

UFO 50 was originally slated for 2018 on PC, so obviously Mossmouth and company blew past that. It’s currently in “Done when it’s done” mode, and has been for a while, now. With the craziness that was 2020, I’m assuming 2021 definitely isn’t a lock, but who knows! Time will tell.

For those looking to learn more about UFO 50, I’ll link a great video by the YouTube channel Rude Boys Podcast, which summarizes key info on each of the 50 games.

But yeah, I’m very excited for this one, and I hope it comes out soon.

Next up, we have Chicory: A Colorful Tale. The game’s being developed by Greg Lobanov, maker of Wandersong, and published by Finji, responsible for indies like Overland, Night in the Woods, Wilmot’s Warehouse, and the upcoming game Tunic.

Chicory is a top-down PC adventure game that plays in the style of a 2D Zelda game. You play as Chicory, a talented artist, who lives in a land that’s lost its color—literally. With a magical paintbrush, you must explore a black-and-white overworld littered with secrets and puzzles, restoring color to the land as you go. (Correction: I misspoke! You play a nameless MC in Chicory. The titular name belongs to a different character in the game.)

I played Chicory as part of the Steam Festival back in late 2020, and was blown away. It really does feel like a Zelda game in all the right ways. It’s got scrolling screens, charming NPCs, dungeons and collectible items… everything you might expect. And yet, there’s so much that’s unique here and sets Chicory apart. 

The main hook is your ability to add color as you navigate the world. You actually paint the land, using the mouse—and that’s incorporated into puzzles in unique ways. You may have to paint obstacles a certain color in order to gain access to areas and progress. Or, NPC side quests may ask that you add a dash of flair to their everyday lives.

Whatever you’re doing in this game, it’s bound to be fun, if my 30-ish minute demo was any indication. What’s more, the music’s stellar, and done by the incredible Lena Raine, composer for Celeste. (I’ll link some of that music for you here as well.) If that wasn’t enticing enough, Greg (the developer) made the game while living with Maddy Thorson, the genius behind Celeste.

In other words, this game is being created by—and inspired by—some truly prolific industry veterans. It’s due out August 2021 on PC.

Last on our list is The Wild at Heart. The game is being developed by Moonlight Kids, and published by Humble Games.

The best way I can describe this one is Pikmin meets Knights and Bikes. As a young boy, you and your friend have wandered into a mysterious forest teeming with fantastical creatures. With the help of tiny creatures named Spritelings, you must guide these little critters around the map, using them to gather resources, build contraptions, and solve puzzles.

So, that’s the Pikmin angle, and if you haven’t played Pikmin before, I heavily recommend you grab the recent Pikmin 3 re-release on Switch to get acquainted. But The Wild at Heart differentiates itself from Nintendo’s hit series with its distinct 2D style. Visually, it looks like a cut-out book, very reminiscent of games like Knights & Bikes, or even Paper Mario. 

In any case, I had the chance to play the game at PAX East 2020 (back before life went AWOL). And… I loved it. It was colorful and charming, with a nice hook of a story. More importantly, though, the demo I played was super well designed, and immediately served to scratch that Pikmin itch of mine in a whole new way.

It remains to be seen whether The Wild at Heart will be as unique as the other two games on this list. But in terms of sheer quality, it’s quite possibly my most anticipated indie sleeper of 2021. It’s due out sometime this year, on Xbox and PC.

And that’s that! I hope you’ve enjoyed this new take on Weekend at Dave’s. Let me know your comments over on punishedbacklog.com, and tell me what topics or games you’d like to see covered next.

With that, I’ll say thank you, and peace out.

Song Credit:

The post Weekend at Dave’s: Episode 6 – 3 Indie Games To Watch in 2021 appeared first on The Punished Backlog.

PAX East 2020 has come and gone. While many will remember it for some killer games, most will remember it for the killer virus it narrowly avoided.

As of publication, COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus) has shut down everything from E3 to Disney World. The NBA and NHL are on hiatus. Supermarkets look like a scene ripped straight from Fallout. Looking back just two weeks, it’s a miracle PAX East went off without a hitch.

Even the grievances fans aired before the show seem superfluous, now. Many fans (me included) chastised Sony for pulling out of the show. The thinking was two-fold: A) Sony’s causing unnecessary panic with its decision. B) It’s hiding from the public on account of PlayStation 5 cost issues.

Neither turned out true. If anything, Sony showed extreme foresight in forgoing the event. With the severity of the pandemic, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the next PlayStation slip to 2021. That’s how serious this thing has become.

But I digress. After all, PAX survived the Coronavirus. And that means I have a smattering of awesome games to talk about.

On this very special Weekend at Dave’s, I recap the top 10 games I played at PAX East 2020. Check it out here:

https://punishedbacklog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PAX-East-2020-Special.mp3

Download MP3

0:00 – 3:27 — Intro

3:27 – 10:05 — 10) Dunk Lords

10:06 – 14:20 — 9) Carrion

14:21 – 18:59 — 8) The Artful Escape

19:00 – 23:32 — 7) Cyber Shadow

23:33 – 29:04 — 6) Panzer Paladin

29:05 – 33:42 — 5) Spiritfarer

33:43 – 38:58 — 4) Final Fantasy VII Remake

38:59 – 44:31 — 3) Streets of Rage 4

44:32 – 50:16 — 2) Knuckle Sandwich

50:17 – 57:22 — 1) The Wild at Heart

57:23 — Outro

That’s a rap on my top 10 games of PAX East 2020! As always, thanks for listening to Weekend at Dave’s. I have plenty more episodes where this came from. Stay tuned, and stay safe!

(Episode music credit: “Welcome” by RoccoW)

The post Weekend at Dave’s: Top 10 Games of PAX East 2020 appeared first on The Punished Backlog.

Welcome to another Weekend at Dave’s! In this packed episode (recorded Saturday, August 17, 2019), I start by discussing the value of Xbox Game Pass and how it fits into Microsoft’s “Play Anywhere” mission. Things then get a bit more introspective, as I share my personal backlog “keys” to preparing for fall 2019’s biggest releases. To end, I talk about my experiences playing a particular Game Pass title I recently checked off the to-do list: Remedy Games’ Quantum Break.

Tune in below!

http://punishedbacklog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Weekend-at-Daves-Episode-5.mp3

Weekend at Dave’s – Episode 5 (Download Link)

(Correction #1: During the episode, I accidentally refer to Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon as Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Side of the Moon. I didn’t listen to Pink Floyd while writing this, I swear, and apologize for the error.)

(Correction #2: Ironically, while I correctly identify the upcoming The Outer Worlds as an Xbox Game Pass title, I somehow overlook the fact that Gears 5 — aka Microsoft’s biggest exclusive of the year — is also being included as part of the service. Duh. Needless to say, I’ll be picking this one up on day one, because it’ll be “free”!)

0:00 – 2:24 — Intro

2:25 – 18:22 — Is Xbox Game Pass the Best Value in Gaming?

18:23 – 43:42 — My Backlog “Keys” to Fall 2019

43:43 – 53:01 — An Overlooked Gem and Game Pass Standout: Quantum Break

53:02 — Outro

While I dive into my full thoughts on the state of Xbox Game Pass in the podcast, I thought I’d share four supplementary headlines that — for one reason or another — were not touched upon in today’s episode:

With the fall/holiday season fast approaching, I thought it pertinent to be honest with myself. With so many impressive games hitting before the end of the year, which games do I actually have time, and reason, to play? My solution? Backlog “keys”: a way of giving myself a defined goal that, upon completion, unlocks the right to procure and play the anticipated game in question.

The following list — intended for those who’d like a guide, or the Sparknotes version — summarizes my list of personal backlog keys as detailed in today’s podcast episode.

As promised, here’s a link to view the cast of Quantum Break (via IMDb). Here’re a few you may recognize:

Thanks for listening! Check back soon for another episode of Weekend at Dave’s.

(Episode music credit: “RUNNING WATERS” by Jason Shaw)

The post Weekend at Dave’s: Episode 5 – The Value of Xbox Game Pass, Backlog ‘Keys’ to the Fall, and Quantum Break appeared first on The Punished Backlog.

PAX East 2019 has come to a close, ladies and gents. While I will miss the phenomenal games on display during the convention, I certainly will not miss the crowds and the lines. Seriously, there were lines to grab lunch, lines to get back into the building, lines to use the restroom… you name it, you were waiting.

This final episode of our PAX coverage is a doozy, clocking in at just under an hour. However, I promise y’all that it’s worth it, as there are some truly fantastic gems you likely wouldn’t have heard of up till now.

Grab some popcorn, strap in, and get ready to hear about the Dawn of the Final Day of PAX East 2019.

http://punishedbacklog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/PAX-2019-Day-4-edited.mp3

Weekend at Dave’s – PAX East 2019 (Day 4)

0:00 – 3:37 — Intro

3:38 – 7:17 — Dreams

7:18 – 10:16 — Bloodroots

10:17 – 14:00 — Creature in the Well

14:01 – 16:28 — Super Crush K.O.

16:29 – 18:56 — Felix the Reaper

18:57 – 22:11 — Hamsterdam: Paws of Justice

22:12 – 24:03 — 0°N 0°W

24:04 – 26:47 — One Step from Eden

Download the demo from the game’s website.

26:48 – 29:46 — Cardpocalypse

29:47 – 36:30 — Close to the Sun

36:31 – 40:00 — Rad

40:01 – 45:25 — Sparklite

45:26 – 48:19 — Eagle Island

48:20 – 51:36 — Devil’s Hunt

51:37 – 53:51 — Sayonara Wild Hearts

53:52 — Outro

Thanks for listening! Check back soon for another episode of Weekend at Dave’s.

(Episode music credit: “The White Frame” by rolemusic)

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