Tag: Loot Boxes

Fallout 76, Red Dead Redemption 2, & Are Loot Boxes Gambling? – Episode 029

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After a lengthy hiatus following the close of Season One, Masters of Unlocking returns!  In this episode, we explore potential legal problems for Fallout 76, initial thoughts on Red Dead Redemption 2, ask the question “Are Loot Boxes gambling?” and more…

Show Notes

  • Epic Set List:
    • Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
      • Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
      • Fallout 76
      • Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Black Friday & Cyber Monday Pickups:
    • We discuss our recent gaming-related pickups and scores from the 2018 Thanksgiving shopping holiday
  • What’s News:
    • Fallout 76’s bug-riddled release prompts one class action specialist law firm to investigate “deceptive trade practices”
    • Valve discontinues Steam Link hardware
    • Game guide publisher Prima Games will shut down in Spring 2019
    • Sony will skip E3 2019 – are they prepping for a 2019 Playstation 5 announcement?
    • Resident Evil movie reboot plans to return the cinematic adaptation to it’s horror roots
    • Eiji Aonuma teases a Zelda: Skyward Sword release on Nintendo Switch
    • Microsoft rumored to be releasing an Xbox One S console without a disc drive
  • Main Event:
    • We dive into an impromptu discussion of whether Loot Boxes are gambling, prompted by the United States’ Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announcing that they will investigate the practice of Loot Boxes

Who Had a Better 2017, Sony or Nintendo? – Episode 020

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Sony & Nintendo recently released their 2017 fiscal year earnings reports – spoiler: they both did pretty damned well!  We dive into the results and ask what’s next?

Show Notes

  • Epic Set List:
    • Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
      • Okami HD
  • Pickups:
    • Scott buys ~900 OG Xbox games and a bunch of sealed Lynx games
    • Caleb buys Nintendo Labo and gives his thoughts
  • What’s News:
    • Fortnite Scholarships: coming to a university near you
    • Atari VCS (formerly Atari Box) pre-orders announced… why you shouldn’t care
    • Capcom & iam8bit partner for Mega Man NES/SNES repros
    • Game collector finds drugs inside NES carts
    • Loot Boxes deemed illegal gambling in Belgium
    • Valve acquires Firewatch developer Camp Santo
    • The Loss Levels – a game about shock, grief, and powerlessness
  • Main Event:
    • Nintendo and Sony’s Playstation division both post fiscal year profits of $1.6 billion.  We break down the numbers and explore what’s on the horizon for the two gaming behemoths.

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”