Podcast Archives - Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast

A Conversation With Giant Sparrow’s Ian Dallas – Episode 017

March 20, 2018March 22, 2018 VGCollectaholic 1 Comment

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We sit down for a conversation with Giant Sparrow’s Ian Dallas – creative director of the 2017 hit What Remains of Edith Finch and 2014’s The Unfinished Swan. This episode of Masters of Unlocking follows a bit of a different structure than our normal episodes – we kick things off with our interview with Ian and, afterwards, Caleb & Scott dive into an in-depth discussion of our thoughts about the interview and the game itself.

WARNING – the interview and following discussion contain SPOILERS about the game. Read More

Are Video Games Better Without Stories? – Episode 016

March 6, 2018 VGCollectaholic Leave a comment

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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

Gaming Archaeology:
- Caleb J. Ross (@CalebJRoss) and VGCollectaholic (@VGCollectaholic) recap their recent game pickups

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”

Main Event:
- Professor Ian Bogost thinks Video Games as a medium are better without stories… is he right?
  - Read his article in The Atlantic here

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

February 23, 2018 VGCollectaholic Leave a comment

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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
  - In the discussion, we mention a Harvard Business School article, “Fake It Till You Make It”… read the full article here

Main Event:
- Social site Qutee releases a “study” on what video gamers think about gaming in 2018… we discuss the findings and our thoughts.
  - Read the full report here

Which Game Publisher SHOULD Microsoft Acquire? – Episode 014

February 5, 2018February 5, 2018 VGCollectaholic Leave a comment

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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

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:
- 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

January 22, 2018January 23, 2018 VGCollectaholic Leave a comment

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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

January 8, 2018January 9, 2018 VGCollectaholic Leave a comment

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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

December 25, 2017 VGCollectaholic Leave a comment

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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

What’s News:
- Can a horror game still be scary without the threat of death? – Soma’s new “Safe Mode”
  - We explore why fandom often devolves into arguments over “what is the RIGHT way to be a fan?”
- What was the one exciting tidbit to come out of 2017 Playstation Experience event?
- Do you have a Launch Model Playstation 3? If so, you can score up to $65 in Sony’s “Other OS” settlement
- We have a gaming console generations discussion spurred by gamers freaking out over a PS2 classics bug on PS4 store

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

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017 VGCollectaholic Leave a comment

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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.

Epic Set List:
- Discussion of what we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
  - South Park: Fractured But Whole, Rime, Ittle Dew 2+, & more.
2017 Game Awards Recap and Thoughts
What’s News:
Announcing the winner of the Masters of Unlocking free video game giveaway contest
Main Event:
- Turn your family’s holiday gathering into a video gaming delight with our highly recommended current-gen couch co-op favorites!

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

And the BEST Games of 2017 Are… – Episode 009

November 28, 2017November 28, 2017 VGCollectaholic Leave a comment

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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:

Want a chance to win a FREE video game and help out a new gaming podcast all at the same time!?!

Follow us, RT this post, & leave us a review on iTunes for a chance to WIN your choice of #FireEmblemWarriors, #SamusReturns, #FinalFantasyXII, or #GearsofWar!

See pic for details! pic.twitter.com/N8iM5zrGxV

— Masters of Unlocking (@MoUPodcast) November 16, 2017

Gaming Archaeology:
- Caleb and Scott recap their recent game pickups, including Road Rage, Axiom Verge, and Mario Kart 8.
Epic Set List:
- Discussion of what we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
  - South Park: Fractured But Whole, Wolfenstein II, & more.
Listener Q&A
- What is the best Nintendo NES flash cart – RetroUSB’s PowerPak or Krikzz’s Everdrive N8? (from: @itsrocketsauce)
What’s News:
Main Event:
- We discuss the 2017 Game Awards – including our votes and what games we think will win

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

November 14, 2017November 19, 2017 VGCollectaholic Leave a comment

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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

Gaming Archaeology:
- Caleb and Scott recap their recent game pickups, including Xbox One X and a Neo Geo Pocket Color flash cart!
Epic Set List:
- Discussion of what we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
  - Super Mario Odyssey, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Wolfenstein II
What’s News:
- Happy 16th Birthday Xbox!
- Highlights & thoughts on Playstation’s Paris Games Week announcements
- GameStop’s new Power Pass rental program
- ActivisionBlizzard reports record revenues as a result of Destiny 2 digital sales
- Playstation VR finally gets a redesign
- Telltale Games lays off 25% of its workforce
Main Event:
- Black Friday is here! We discuss some of the best gaming deals, Black Friday resources, and some of our previous Black Friday scores.
  - CheapAss Gamer’s 2017 Black Friday Deals thread
  - BFads.net

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