Tag: Game Pick-Ups

Are Video Games Better Without Stories? – Episode 016

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Author & professor Ian Bogost theorized that video games, as a medium, are poor conduits for storytelling and that games are better without stories. Do Caleb & Scott agree?

Show Notes

  • Epic Set List:
    • Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
  • What’s News:
    • ESRB unveils its new “In-Game Purchases” label – is it a half-measure?
    • Playstation Plus dropping PS3 and Vita from monthly free video game giveaway
    • Judge bans teenager from playing “violent video games”

What Do Gamers Think About Gaming in 2018? – Episode 015

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Caleb & Scott dive into a new report by social site Qutee about what video gamers think about gaming in 2018.  They examine the results of the report and ask whether it actually tells us anything scientific about gamers or the game industry.

Show Notes

  • Gaming Archaeology:
    • Caleb and VGCollectaholic recap their recent game pickups
  • Epic Set List:
    • Discussion of what we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
  • What’s News:
    • Google rumored to be creating a new game console?
    • Hawaii introduces new Loot Crate legistlation
    • Did Nintendo download a ROM and sell it to us?  If so, is it legal?
    • Assassin’s Creed: Origins’ new “Discovery Tour” mode goes live
    • Using IFTTT to find free video game deals online
    • Valve pulls a developer from Steam for reviewing its own games
  • Main Event:
    • Social site Qutee releases a “study” on what video gamers think about gaming in 2018… we discuss the findings and our thoughts.

Which Game Publisher SHOULD Microsoft Acquire? – Episode 014

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The rumor mill is running wild about Microsoft buying EA, Valve, or PUBG.  We look at why those don’t make sense and propose three new contenders for who we think House Xbox SHOULD acquire.

Show Notes

  • Epic Set List:
    • Discussion of what we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
  • What’s News:
    • Toys R Us closing 20% of its stores – we reminisce about TRU and Kay*Bee Toys
    • I spent 453 hours in Fallout 4 and all I got was this stinking inner peace
    • A truly unique piece of Zelda: Breath of the Wild art
    • Mario Kart coming to a smartphone near you
    • Red Dead Redemption 2 delayed
    • Nintendo Switch’s online service finally gets a date
    • Father of Playstation stepping down as Sony’s CEO
  • Main Event:
    • Rumors abound about a potential looming video game publisher acquisition by Microsoft.  We look at the rumored names – EA, Valve, and PUBG Corp – and then ask who SHOULD Microsoft acquire?  Turns out… it’s not one of those three.

Overwatch League & Twitch; YouTube Demonetization – Episode 013

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No shortage of news this week as we discuss the Overwatch League debut, CES video game announcements, Nintendo unveiling cardboard Legos, and a business look at the YouTube demonetization drama.

Show Notes

  • Gaming Archaeology:
    • Caleb and VGCollectaholic recap their recent game pickups
  • Epic Set List:
    • Discussion of what we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
  • What’s News:
    • Twitch paid Blizzard $90M for the rights to the Overwatch League; is that an insane price?
    • You probably love video games… but can you LOOOOVE video games?
    • Switch console sales in Japan have gone to Ludicrous Speed
    • Nintendo Labo… perhaps you’ve heard of it?
    • Controllers Galore!  We discuss some awesome game controller announcements from CES
  • Main Event:
    • We discuss YouTube’s recent controversial decision to demonetize small channels – do the perspectives of a content creator and a video industry insider clash?

Video Gaming’s Rich Legacy at CES – Episode 012

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This week the global electronics industry descends on Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES).  These days, the show is dominated by televisions, the Internet of Things, and 5G smart toasters, but it wasn’t always so… in this episode of Masters of Unlocking, we take a look back at the rich history of video gaming at CES.

Show Notes

  • Gaming Archaeology:
    • Caleb and VGCollectaholic recap their recent game pickups
    • VGCollectaholic adds a new complete game set to his collection
  • Epic Set List:
    • Discussion of what we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
  • 2018 Gaming Goals
    • We discuss our gaming-related goals for 2018
  • What’s News:
    • Flog Gets Sacked
    • How Wolfenstein II’s Hero Draws on his Jewish Heritage for Strength
    • Platinum Games get Delisted from Online Marketplaces
    • Microsoft Officially Kills Kinect Adapter
    • World Health Organization (WHO) to Recognize “Gaming Disorder” as a Mental Health Condition in 2018
    • Mad Catz – Back from the Dead
  • Main Event:
    • We look back on the history of the Consumer Electronics Show and the many gaming introductions it brought us

Happy 30th Birthday Final Fantasy – Episode 011

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It’s that time of year – Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, and Final Fantasy’s birthday.  Want to feel old?  The Final Fantasy franchise turns 30 years old this month. We discuss some of our memories from the landmark franchise.

Show Notes

  • Gaming Archaeology:
    • Caleb and VGCollectaholic recap their recent game pickups, including Soedesco indy games and Playstation VR rarities.
  • Epic Set List:
    • Discussion of what we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
      • Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for Nintendo Switch
      • Geometry Wars Evolved
      • Playstation VR fun with friends
  • Main Event:
    • The Final Fantasy franchise turns 30 years old this month.  We discuss what the franchise meant to our own personal histories with gaming.

 

Couch Co-Op Holiday Family Fun- Episode 010

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Take a timeout from your crazy family conversations this holiday season and gather ’round for some great family-friendly couch co-op games!  We list our recommendations for best local multiplayer games to play with gamers and non-gamers.

Show Notes

  • Gaming Archaeology:
    • Caleb and VGCollectaholic recap their recent game pickups, including a Neo Geo AES system, flash carts, improved Switch Pro Controller, and more.

 

(The awesome background image for this episode’s banner is by Haruningster on Deviantart.)

 

And the BEST Games of 2017 Are… – Episode 009

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We compare the Power Pak and Everdrive N8 Nintendo flash carts, discuss a slew of microtransaction-related news, and then dive into our thoughts on the 2017 Game Awards!

Show Notes

  • FREE GAME Contest Announcement
    • Win a free game, details here:

Xbox’s 16th Birthday & Black Friday Prepping – Episode 008

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We wish the Microsoft Xbox a happy 16th birthday and prepare you for Black Friday 2018 with a discussion of video game deals and strategic tips for scoring your epic Black Friday loot.

Show Notes

improvised ninja smoke bombs book

Nintendo Switch’s First Holiday Season – Episode 007

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Caleb J. Ross & VGCollectaholic explore what’s in store for the Nintendo Switch in its inaugural holiday season as more physical games begin to arrive.

Show Notes