Podcasts about podquisition

Podquisition 488: Bump on the Noggin It's harder than you'd think. Games we played this week include: Hades II (3:45) Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (23:35) Puppet Master (30:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: Microsoft shuts down studios, including Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin (44:10) https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-closes-redfall-developer-arkane-austin-hifi-rush-developer-tango-gameworks-and-more-in-devastating-cuts-at-bethesda A drunk Microsoft rep forgot to make their pitch to buy Media Molecule (52:45) https://kotaku.com/xbox-little-big-planet-steal-away-buy-playstation-sony-1851462178 Sony gets slammed, then backpedals, over Helldivers 2 PSN requirement on Steam (57:25) https://www.eurogamer.net/sony-overturns-helldivers-2-psn-requirement-following-backlash --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Your robo-friend to the end. Games we played this week include: Stellar Blade (11:00) Hades II (18:25) Harold Halibut (25:45) Fallout (30:20) Vampire Survivors (37:10) Kaichu (40:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Square Enix abandoning projects they've spent a lot of money on (43:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/square-enix-abandons-112m-of-in-development-projects-in-an-effort-to-improve-quality Escape from Tarkov devs surprised by response to locking PvE mode to exorbitant special edition (54:15) https://www.gamespot.com/articles/escape-from-tarkov-boss-didnt-expect-players-to-get-mad-about-paid-pve-content/1100-6523084/ Embracer's CEO admits he made mistakes (53:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/embracer-boss-admits-long-list-of-things-hed-have-done-differently-as-embattled-company-splits-into-three --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Wistful remembrances of days gone by. Games we played this week include: Another Crab's Treasure (5:50) Slime 3K (28:55) Stellar Blade (40:35) Harold Halibut (51:40) Fallout (57:55) Balatro (1:04:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: ReedPop consolidating UK events EGX and MCM (1:07:35) https://www.eurogamer.net/egx-and-mcm-team-up-for-london-2024-dates Nintendo reportedly would have let Samus be in Fortnite, but only for Switch players (54:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/samus-skipped-fortnite-because-nintendo-got-really-hung-up-about-its-characters-on-other-platforms Embracer reorganizing into three companies (1:15:30) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/embracer-group-splits-into-three-everything-you-need-to-know World of Warcraft adding arachnophobia mode ahead of introducing arachnid characters (1:21:05) https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/world-of-warcraft-arachnophobia-mode-2639255/ --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com. Photo Credit: Ian Line / CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED

A saga continues. Games we played this week include: Fallout TV series (8:55) Horrified (29:10) Princess Peach Showtime (36:00) Rose and Camillia (37:50) Balatro (43:15) --- News things talked about in this episode: Apex Legends tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia (48:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/apex-legends-wont-censor-game-for-saudi-arabia-esports-tournament-respawn-says Final Fantasy VII Rebirth menu rephrased after many gameplay hours lost (54:15) https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fantasy-vii-rebirth-patch-retry-from-this-battle-menu Alternate network for Wii U and 3DS online play up and running (56:55) https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/10/24126064/pretendo-resurrects-wii-u-nintendo-network-without-console-hacking Hades 2 about to enter beta, sign-ups open https://www.eurogamer.net/hades-2s-technical-test-set-to-begin-shortly-and-sign-ups-are-open-now --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Anyone who says otherwise is probably an even bigger criminal. Games we played this week include: Botany Manor (9:05) Little Big Adventure (17:25) Virtual Springfield (20:10) Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (31:30) Final Fantasy X (46:51) --- News things talked about in this episode: Management at Life is Strange developer Deck Nine seems pretty awful (48:50) https://www.ign.com/articles/how-hidden-nazi-symbols-were-the-tip-of-a-toxic-iceberg-at-life-is-strange-developer-deck-nine Roblox studio chief basically admits their business is supported by child labor (54:10) https://www.eurogamer.net/roblox-studio-boss-children-making-money-on-the-platform-isnt-exploitation-its-a-gift Yuji Naka claims Dragon Quest producer perjured themselves, provides no evidence (1:08:45) https://www.eurogamer.net/sonic-co-creator-yuji-naka-accuses-dragon-quest-producer-of-lying-during-insider-trading-trial --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

It is what it is, pal. Games we played this week include: Content Warning (11:00) MiG Switch (17:50) Rise of the Ronin (27:50) Islets (35:40) Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth (43:30) Pepper Grinder (54:50) Final Fantasy X (1:00:05) --- News things talked about in this episode: ESRB claims software designed to age verify isn't intended to be used by children (1:01:35) https://www.eurogamer.net/us-government-blocks-age-estimation-technology-that-would-have-analysed-faces After massive sell-offs, Embracer doesn't think it's ready to start acquiring again (54:10) https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/embracer-say-their-restructure-is-over-but-its-too-early-to-start-acquiring-studios-again --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Breathe it in. Games we played this week include: Princess Peach Showtime (6:30) Rise of the Ronin (23:10) Darkwood (34:40) Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line (43:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: First Neuralink patient, upon release, immediately pulls Civ 6 all-nighter (47:10) https://www.ign.com/articles/first-human-patient-to-receive-a-neuralink-brain-implant-used-it-to-stay-up-all-night-playing-civilization-6 $400k worth of PlayDate handhelds misdelivered and stolen (54:10) https://kotaku.com/playdate-handheld-stolen-1851369066 Microsoft wants to invite more storefronts to the Xbox platform (55:15) https://www.polygon.com/24108670/xbox-epic-games-store-phil-spencer-interview An Xbox handheld increasingly seems like a thing that is happening (1:00:30) https://www.polygon.com/24108660/xbox-handheld-console-phil-spencer-interview --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Like you've never thought about it. Games we played this week include: Balatro (3:20) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (10:35) The Veil: Shadow of the Crown (25:12) The Thaumaturge (29:20) Contra: Operation Galuga (29:55) Alone in the Dark (41:35) --- News things talked about in this episode: Ubisoft's AI NPC dialogue generator is pitiful (49:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-boss-generative-ai-is-just-another-new-technology-to-be-tested PS5 Pro confirmed by leak from third-party developer (53:10) https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2024/03/19/ps5-pro-specs-leak-being-investigated-by-sony/ You can now drink mayo (55:15) https://kotaku.com/stardew-valley-16-update-drink-mayonnaise-1851344320 --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

What a lovely surprise. Games we played this week include: Balatro (5:15) Pullfrog (13:40) Mars After Midnight (15:05) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (18:50) The Thaumaturge (31:15) Princess Peach Showtime (48:40) Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley (51:25) Rise of the Ronin (54:40) --- News things talked about in this episode: SAG-AFTRA's video game voice actors might be next to strike over AI (1:01:30) https://variety.com/2024/gaming/news/ai-duncan-crabtree-ireland-sxsw-1235936090/ Bobby Kotick can't stop, won't stop, wants TikTok (1:03:05) https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-activision-ceo-bobby-kotick-wants-to-buy-tiktok-report-2024-3 600 QA employees unionize at Microsoft companies (1:05:30) https://www.polygon.com/24093254/activision-qa-600-workers-union-microsoft --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

Yeah, that's right. We said it. What do you intend to do? Games we played this week include: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (4:30) Supermarket Simulator (33:00) The Outlast Trials (41:05) Warhammer 40k: Boltgun (51:10) --- News things talked about in this episode: Warner Bros. continues to learn the wrong lessons about live services (42:05) https://www.gamespot.com/articles/warner-bros-discusses-volatile-aaa-console-games-will-lean-into-free-to-play-and-mobile/1100-6521597/ Yuzu and Citra emulators quickly fold under legal action from Nintendo (49:05) https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-lawsuit-shuts-down-switch-emulator-yuzu-and-3ds-emulator-citra/1100-6521589/ A complex scam involving imitated games hits Steam (1:15:50) https://www.ign.com/articles/valve-pulls-fake-steam-helldivers-2-games-but-devs-express-concern-they-appeared-in-the-first-place --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at https://thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on https://LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com. Photo Credit: Forest Runner / CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED

It's a lovely day for a drive. Games we played this week include: Pacific Drive (8:00) Geometry Survivor (30:00) Pocket Card Jockey Ride On (33:20) Pepper Grinder (37:30) Penny's Big Breakout (38:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: WWE 2K24 seems to be dropping a couple of significant wrestlers (42:05) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/wwe-2k24s-confirmed-final-roster-seemingly-removes-vince-mcmahon-and-brock-lesnar/ Nintendo sues developer of Yuzu emulator (49:05) https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/27/24085075/nintendo-switch-emulator-yuzu-lawsuit --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

We welcome it. Games we played this week include: Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore (6:35) Helldivers 2 (16:15) Destroy All Humans 2 Reprobed (21:05) Cookie Cutter (25:00) Heartworm (31:15) Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (34:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: MS really bungled their cross-platform announcement (46:45) https://www.techdirt.com/2024/02/20/xboxs-business-update-event-attempts-to-address-rumors-vaguely/ Embracer-owned Flying Wild Hog joins with Polish Gamedev Workers Union (53:55) https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/embracer-owned-studio-flying-wild-hog-has-unionized ZA/UM continues to be a mess (1:04:05) https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-za-um-will-lay-off-25-percent-of-staff-after-project-cancellation --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

The bar has been raised yet again. Games we played this week include: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (10:50) Helldivers 2 (16:30) Mouthwashing (31:10) Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (34:25) Final Fantasy Rebirth (40:45) Destroy All Humans 2 Reprobed (47:15) Hardcoded (49:20) --- News things talked about in this episode: MS to address rumors around console exclusivity (56:10) https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/12/24070445/microsoft-xbox-business-update-event-future-february-15 French worker unions call for strikes at Ubisoft (58:10) https://www.pcgamer.com/unions-call-for-strikes-at-ubisoft-studios-in-france-to-protest-wages-we-cannot-tolerate-being-treated-as-expendable-to-mitigate-their-bad-decisions Microsoft layoffs hit Toys For Bob hard (1:04:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-layoffs-affect-86-staff-at-spyro-crash-bandicoot-studio The FTC seems irritated by Microsoft's layoffs (1:01:30) https://www.polygon.com/24065269/ftc-microsoft-activision-deal-layoffs-appeal Voice actor responsible for PEGI rating stingers was paid 200 Euros for the gig (1:05:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/the-voice-actor-behind-pegi-18-says-he-was-paid-just-200 --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

A crisis averted. Games we played this week include: Silent Hill: The Short Message (7:15) Yakuza: Like a Dragon (27:30) Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (37:25) Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (39:03) --- News things talked about in this episode: Rumors swirl around possible changes to Xbox first-party exclusivity (53:20) https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-microsoft-rethinking-exclusivity-plans-to-bring-starfield-and-indiana-jones-to-ps5 Development of The Day Before was allegedly a shitshow (1:02:10) https://www.eurogamer.net/new-the-day-before-report-alleges-employees-fined-for-making-mistakes Square Enix has decided it wants to make better games (1:04:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/square-enix-reviewing-overall-game-development-to-improve-quality --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

We're just not qualified. Games we played this week include: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (10:30) Metroid Dread (26:50) Granblue Fantasy Relink (32:50) Interaction Isn't Explicit (35:30) Go Mecha Ball (40:30) Celeste 64 (51:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Microsoft lays off 8% of its game division despite 49% revenue increase in Q2 (59:05) https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/25/24049050/microsoft-activision-blizzard-layoffs Eidos Montreal staff laid off, previously unannounced Deus Ex game canceled (1:05:05) https://www.polygon.com/24054575/deus-ex-game-canceled-layoffs-eidos-montreal SEGA of America to drop 61 employees in March (52:15) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sega-of-america-to-lay-off-61-employees Early Suicide Squad players had the game finished for them (59:40) https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-game-pulled-offline-1235890502 Bloodborne Kart won't be Bloodborne Kart anymore (1:10:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/bloodborne-kart-isnt-allowed-to-be-called-bloodborne-kart-anymore-but-it-is-still-coming --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

What a terrible strain. Games we played this week include: Piñata Smashlings (5:35) Turnip Boy Robs a Bank (16:15) Last of Us Part II Remastered (28:15) Palworld (33:35) Home Safety Hotline (48:05) Luck Be a Landlord (53:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: MiG Switch flash cart could lead to bans for second-hand game buyers (59:05) Rockstar and Remedy logo thing got settled late last year (1:05:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/take-two-and-remedy-in-trademark-dispute-over-r-logo Developer Piranha Bytes seemingly dropped by Embracer Group (52:15) https://www.pcgamer.com/embracer-owned-elex-studio-piranha-bytes-is-trying-to-save-itself-from-closure-dont-write-us-off-yet/ Riot lays off more than a tenth of its staff (59:40) https://www.riotgames.com/en/news/2024-rioter-update After selling off all their previously acquired IP, Square Enix things it needs more diverse offerings (1:10:00) https://www.ign.com/articles/square-enix-president-says-the-company-wants-to-release-fewer-more-diverse-games --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com. Photo Credit: Rebecca Brown / CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED

Sounds like a cozy spot, doesn't it? Games we played this week include: Luck be a Landlord (4:25) The Super Mario Bros. Movie (17:20) Last of Us Part II Remastered (24:30) The Gnorp Apologue (33:15) Legend of Grimrock (39:25) Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (39:25) The Shopping List (49:40) The Witcher 3 (51:20) Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (51:55) Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (53:40) --- News things talked about in this episode: UK retailer GAME ends trade-ins because locations are increasingly in Sports Direct stores (43:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/uk-retailer-game-to-cease-video-game-trade-ins-staff-say Rockstar and Remedy Games in a legal tiff over their logos (49:30) https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2024/01/16/rockstar-parent-company-take-two-files-trademark-dispute-over-remedys-logo Lost Boys latest studio hit by Embracer layoffs (52:15) https://www.pcgamer.com/embracer-owned-lost-boys-interactive-reportedly-undergoes-sizable-layoffs/ GameShark re-emerges as AI company and drops a Switch 2 release date rumor (59:40) https://kotaku.com/switch-2-release-date-leak-ces-gameshark-ai-shark-1851159992 --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Just because you're miserable doesn't mean we all should be. Games we played this week include: God of War: Ragnarok (7:45) Luck be a Landlord (15:50) Grand Theft Auto V (22:25) Lies of P (23:15) Buckshot Roulette (26:40) Pokémon (30:10) Orc Massage (33:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Another round of layoffs hits Unity, Twitch, and Bossa Studios (43:30) https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/8/24030695/unity-layoff-staff-25-percent https://blog.twitch.tv/en/2024/01/10/a-difficult-update-about-our-workforce/ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/bossa-studios-lays-off-one-third-of-its-staff Netflix considering plan to insert ads into its published games (49:30) https://www.wsj.com/business/media/netflix-eyes-ways-to-make-money-from-videogames-in-potential-pivot-705bd3b3 SAG-AFTRA makes AI deal for game voice workers seemingly without consulting them (52:15) https://www.pcgamesn.com/sag-aftra-ai-voice-actor-reaction Lawsuit claims discrimination at Activision-Blizzard against old, white men (59:40) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ex-activision-exec-accuses-publisher-of-discriminating-against-old-white-guys Xbox bans Baldur's Gate 3 players who have default share settings on while saving sexy content (1:05:45) https://www.pcgamer.com/xbox-insists-its-willy-nilly-bans-of-baldurs-gate-3-players-from-its-online-services-are-not-automatic-suggests-turning-off-its-opt-out-feature-to-avoid-horny-upload-crimes/ --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com. Photo Credit: Santosh Kumar

The future is inevitable. Games we played this week include: Tekken 8 (23:35) Grand Theft Auto V (26:50) Midnight Suns (40:55) --- News things talked about in this episode: Switch flash cartridge announced, internet immediately links Gary Bowser to it (14:55) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/jailed-nintendo-hacker-gary-bowser-denies-link-to-new-switch-flash-cart/ Square Enix will commit even harder to AI in 2024 (47:10) https://kotaku.com/square-enix-president-artificial-intelligence-ai-games-1851133573 As Kotick leaves ABK, former employees point out how he made games worse (1:21:50) https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/01/former-call-of-duty-dev-says-decisions-made-by-bobby-kotick-made-our-games-worse --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com. Photo Credit: Hamed Saber

Oh, yeah, that thing is about to happen isn't it? Games we played this week include: Vampire Survivors (18:35) Midnight Sons (19:40) Grand Theft Auto V (25:24) Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (33:25) Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising (41:15) Diceheart (53:20) Slay the Princess (1:00:00) --- News things talked about in this episode: Ransomware group releases trove of material stolen from Insomniac Games (1:07:15) https://www.cyberdaily.au/culture/9959-snikt-rhysida-dumps-more-than-a-terabyte-of-insomniac-games-internal-data Internal Sony documents give candid view of concerns over ABK acquisition (1:19:15) https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/microsoft-could-disrupt-and-threaten-playstation-business-sonys-alleged-xbox-fears-laid-bare-in-massive-hack ABK studios are ending hybrid work (1:21:50) https://www.eurogamer.net/abk-workers-alliance-responds-to-activision-blizzard-ending-hybrid-working ABK settles California worker discrimination suit (1:24:20) https://www.wsj.com/tech/activision-blizzard-to-pay-around-50-million-to-settle-lawsuit-that-spurred-microsofts-takeover-4dc1178b Valve delivers festive DOTA 2 bans (1:26:00) https://www.polygon.com/24002666/dota-2-frostivus-2023-bans-valve-toxic-lump-coal --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com. Photo Credit: Daderot

Back to the drawing board. Games we played this week include: Vampire Survivors (18:35) Grand Theft Auto V (26:40) Thirsty Suitors (33:55) Persona 5 Tactica (39:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: E3 officially pronounced dead after years on life support (41:15) https://kotaku.com/is-e3-dead-2023-canceled-esa-1851092261 Zelda producer thinks older style Zelda games are worthless garbage now (49:10) https://www.ign.com/articles/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-interview-nintendo-eiji-aonuma-hidemaro-fujibayashi The Day Before imploded a few days after (53:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/the-day-before-publisher-apologises-for-game-as-steam-refunds-open Union workers at Zenimax get historic win over use of AI (1:02:30) https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/zenimax-union-strike-tentative-agreement-over-ai-usage-in-workplace --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com. Photo Credit: Tony Knox

Talk to your doctor. Games we played this week include: In Stars and Time (11:20) While the Iron's Hot (26:25) PS Access Controller (36:10) Gangs of Sherwood (45:05) Pinball M (1:04:15) --- News things talked about in this episode: Layoffs at New World Interactive and Codemasters (1:12:40) https://www.pcgamer.com/the-embracer-spiral-continues-as-insurgency-sandstorm-studio-new-world-interactive-lays-off-employees/ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/f1-developer-codemasters-affected-by-layoffs Electronic Arts frees a few more accessibility patents (1:15:15) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ea-shares-more-accessibility-patents You could have a branded Yorkshire Tea controller (1:18:45) https://www.eurogamer.net/you-can-get-yorkshire-tea-xbox-and-playstation-5-controllers-for-150 --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Such pain. Games we played this week include: In Stars and Time (16:00) Loop Hero (27:25) Dave the Diver (31:00) Knuckle Sandwich (42:00) Lonovo Legion Go (49:50) Yakuza 0 (53:05) Deadly Premonition (54:50) Laika Aged Through Blood (1:07:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Layoffs at Unity, Free Radical and Fishlabs (1:12:40) https://www.polygon.com/23980876/unity-layoffs-weta-digital https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/embracer-ceo-confirms-timesplitters-studio-faces-closure-before-christmas/ https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/embracer-lay-off-around-50-people-at-chorus-and-galaxy-on-fire-developer-fishlabs Full-screen ads interrupt gameplay in Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft claims technical error (1:15:15) https://www.pcgamer.com/assassins-creed-players-started-having-their-games-interrupted-by-full-screen-pop-up-ads-but-ubisoft-says-it-was-a-technical-error-and-quickly-patched-it/ Court docs reveal Google wanted to acquire Epic with the help of Tencent (1:18:45) https://www.pcgamer.com/google-considered-buying-epic-games-according-to-updated-court-documents/ EA filed patent for using player's voice for generated character speech in games (1:20:55) https://www.veryaligaming.com/ea-player-voiced-characters-games/ --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

We get the job done. Games we played this week include: PS Portal (5:40) Liyla and the Shadows of War (13:40) Karmazoo (17:05) An Arcade Full of Cats (23:40) FlipWitch: The Forbidden Sex Hex (25:55) AMC's The Walking Dead: Destinies (34:45) Quantum Break (49:00) Dave the Diver (59:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Sexual bias case against Niantic moving forward (1:07:00) https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/22/23972339/niantic-sexual-discrimination-lawsuit-gender-bias-arbitration Epic rollout of age-restricted content in Fortnite has not gone well (1:08:40) https://www.pcgamer.com/epic-admits-fortnites-new-age-ratings-didnt-hit-the-mark-says-a-new-system-is-coming-soon-as-part-of-a-big-in-game-event/ Unity releases early access AI tools for developers (1:17:15) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/unitys-push-for-responsibly-sourced-ai-tools SEGA allegedly threatened its unionized workers with layoffs (1:15:45) https://kotaku.com/sega-sonic-union-layoffs-persona-yakuza-1851026309 --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

It would take so little to change the tone. Games we played this week include: Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (9:55) Karmazoo (18:40) Alien Hominid Invasion (36:10) Backpack Hero (45:55) Bladestorm (51:05) --- News things talked about in this episode: Call of Duty Modern Warfare III only given 16 months dev time (1:02:05) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-09/cod-modern-warfare-3-faces-bad-reviews-after-rushed-development Strauss Zelnick said a bunch of troubling stuff about AI, pricing (1:08:25) https://www.inverse.com/gaming/gta-6-generative-ai-take-two-ceo https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/gta-6-publisher-ceo-thinks-videogame-prices-are-very-very-low-for-what-they-offer Nintendo continues to suggest Switch 2 coming next year while not confirming its existence (1:14:15) https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/10/nintendo-president-reiterates-switch-software-support-into-fy2425 Layoffs hitting Free Radical, Humble Games, and Unity (1:15:45) https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/9/23954709/unity-layoffs-q3-earnings-runtime-program https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/timesplitters-devs-free-radical-are-reportedly-the-next-embracer-studio-facing-closure https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/humble-games-layoffs-report Sony significantly cuts plans for live service games (1:29:55) https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2023/11/09/sony-has-delayed-half-of-its-planned-playstation-live-service-games --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Like (smuggling) ships passing in the night. Games we played this week include: Alan Wake II (5:05) Thirsty Suitors (17:05) Robocop: Rogue City (35:05) Dave the Diver (38:55) WarioWare: Move It (1:07:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Out of the blue, a live-action Zelda film is announced (52:10) https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/7/23951339/the-legend-of-zelda-movie-live-action-nintendo Microsoft going all-in on AI game dev tools (55:35) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/microsoft-and-inworld-team-up-to-create-ai-game-dev-tools Nintendo denies anyone has seen Switch 2 (1:07:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-addresses-switch-2-reports-denies-it-has-briefed-developers SEGA executive wants Sonic to surpass Mario as a franchise (1:10:40) https://noisypixel.net/sega-wants-sonic-games-movies-surpass-mario/ Epic Store still losing money, expected to own half of PC market by now (1:14:30) Ubisoft lays off another batch of employees (1:16:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-montreal-latest-studio-struck-by-layoffs --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Somebody is going to need to step up. Games we played this week include: Alan Wake II (6:10) Dave the Diver (47:22) Robocop (54:14) Spin Rhythm XD (1:07:50) Lords of the Fallen (1:09:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Bungie lays off a hundred employees, delays projects (1:15:55) https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/30/23938990/bungie-sony-layoffs-delays-destiny-final-shape-marathon Microsoft warns it will soon disable unlicensed peripherals on Xbox (1:03:20) https://variablemag.com/games/microsoft-banning-unauthorized-xbox-controllers-and-accessories/ Nintendo announces new restrictions on events involving their products (1:22:45) https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Legal-information/Community-Tournament-Guidelines-2467744.html Ubisoft Chief People Officer announces her departure (1:24:10) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zen-studios-reportedly-has-more-than-30-redundancies --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

That part isn't supposed to do that. Games we played this week include: Super Mario Bros. Wonder (8:15) Sonic Superstars (38:45) Sorry, We're Closed (40:10) Ebenezer and the Invisible World (44:25) Vampire Survivors (49:25) Meta Quest 3 (49:50) Smash Drums (51:05) Metal Gear Solid Master Collection (52:55) --- News things talked about in this episode: Game about drunk driving pulled from eShop for 3+ age rating (1:01:05) https://www.techradar.com/gaming/nintendo-switch/drink-and-drive-simulator-pulled-from-switch-eshop-after-releasing-with-a-pegi-3-age-rating Skull Island devs were given a year to develop, most of it crunch (1:03:20) https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/20/23925326/skull-island-rise-of-kong-development-gamemill-entertainment Doug Bowser says Nintendo of America employees too happy to want a union (1:09:05) https://www.inverse.com/gaming/doug-bowser-super-mario-bros-wonder-switch-2-nintendo-union Embracer Group cuts staff at Zen Studios (1:13:20) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zen-studios-reportedly-has-more-than-30-redundancies --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com. Photo Credit: Hellerhoff / CC BY-SA 3.0

Utterly drenched. Games we played this week include: Super Mario Bros. Wonder (8:30) Sonic Superstars (18:30) Amanda the Adventurer (37:15) Spider-Man 2 (39:50) Lords of the Fallen (47:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: Microsoft acquisition closed, Kotick expected to leave by end of year (1:17:05) https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/10/13/activision-blizzard-ceo-bobby-kotick-set-to-leave-in-december-heres-what-to-know-about-his-controversies/ Microsoft promises not to interfere with union organizing for a couple months (1:21:30) https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2022/06/02/employee-organizing-engagement-labor-economy/ PS5 Slim needs a $30 stand to go vertical (57:55) https://www.thegamer.com/sony-playstation-5-slim-vertical-stand-sold-seperately/ Modders have already made Mario Wonder flower say naughty words (1:27:15) https://www.ign.com/articles/super-mario-bros-wonder-mod-turns-talking-flowers-foul-mouthed-nintendo-quickly-takes-action --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

This is all on the up and up, we promise. Games we played this week include: PS5 Access Controller (8:30) Elemental Survivors (22:15) Warhammer 40k: Darktide (33:50) Stardew Valley (36:55) GWAR: Rumble in Antarctica (40:30) Forza Motorsport 2023 (44:10) A Tiny Sticker Tale (55:00) Whisker Squadron: Survival (57:05) Another Crab's Treasure (58:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Bungie sued for wrongful termination by former HR manager (1:17:05) https://www.ign.com/articles/former-bungie-hr-manager-is-suing-for-wrongful-termination-after-she-reported-potential-racial-bias BioWare accused of underpaying severance for laid off workers (1:21:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/former-dragon-age-staff-seek-further-compensation-following-layoffs Recently unionized QA workers for BioWare all lost their jobs (57:55) https://www.polygon.com/23903782/dragon-age-dreadwolf-qa-workers-laid-off-keywords-studios Game developer union forms in Poland, including staff at CD Projekt Red (1:27:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/cd-projekt-red-devs-unionise-after-its-third-round-of-layoffs-in-three-months John Riccitello quietly slinks away from CEO post at Unity (1:13:50) https://www.wired.com/story/john-riccitello-retires-unity-ceo-controversy/ Everything is okay at Ubisoft now, says Ubisoft, using Ubisoft surveys as evidence (1:16:20) https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/4/23901575/ubisoft-executives-arrest-sexual-harassment-investigation As ABK merger set to close, Kotick inflicts one more torment on employees (1:22:00) https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/activision-offers-a-timeframe-for-xbox-game-pass-inclusions-ahead-of-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3s-launch --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

I want something else. Like a bed. Games we played this week include: El Paso Elsewhere (8:30) Amanda the Adventurer (30:00) Model Builder (35:00) Deep Rock Galactic Survivor (49:30) Forza Motorsport 2023 (56:20) Dynasty Warriors 9 (1:02:10) Helldivers (1:05:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: Epic lays off 16% of workers, gutting studios and seeking to liquidate assets (1:17:05) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/epic-laying-off-more-than-800 Hatoful Boyfriend dev claims two years of royalties unpaid by Epic (1:21:30) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/hatoful-boyfriend-dev-accuses-epic-of-unpaid-royalties Fortnite to implement individual age ratings for all third-party content (57:55) https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/3/23899988/fortnite-creative-age-ratings Team 17 also lays off workers (1:27:15) https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/10/02/worms-dredge-publisher-team17-is-the-latest-to-be-hit-by-layoffs Naughty Dog quietly severing developer contracts early https://kotaku.com/naughty-dog-ps5-playstation-sony-last-us-part-3-layoffs-1850893794 Former Ubisoft executives arrested on charges of sexual assault (1:33:55) https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/4/23901575/ubisoft-executives-arrest-sexual-harassment-investigation --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Worship that? Never. Games we played this week include: Payday 3 (12:30) Amanda the Adventurer (18:25) Rewind or Die (24:30) Sniper Killer (26:40) Train Sim World 4 (34:00) Pinball Wicked (36:55) Xenotilt (38:55) Trombone Champ (41:10) Halls of Torment (46:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: CMA withdraws major objections to Microsoft acquisition of ABK (52:42) https://gamerant.com/microsoft-activision-acquisition-cma-preliminary-approval/ More layoffs at Embracer Group, including Crystal Dynamics (50:45) https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/09/embracer-group-more-tough-decisions-to-come-as-crystal-dynamics-suffers-layoffs Capcom issues statement on Microsoft desire to acquire them (57:55) https://www.eurogamer.net/capcom-would-gracefully-decline-an-acquisition-offer-from-microsoft SAG-AFTRA votes to approve voice actor strike (1:00:00) https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hollywoods-video-game-performers-authorize-strike-if-labor-talks-fail-2023-09-26/ --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

It's really important you know that they're on your side. Games we played this week include: Lies of P (16:00) Solar Ash (17:35) F-Zero 99 (20:20) Nun Massacre (27:10) No One Lives Under the Lighthouse (27:35) Blood Wash (31:40) Trombone Champ (39:55) Gloomhaven (42:05) MythForce (47:05) --- News things talked about in this episode: Microsoft leaks everything, like, everything, on FTC website (52:42) https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/19/23880165/xbox-leak-ftc-documents-new-xbox-series-x-controller-next-gen Ubisoft Montreal workers get screwed by sudden “return-to-office” demands (1:13:15) https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/09/11/xbox-mastercard/ Unity makes a crap “apology” for runtime fees, but has not reversed course yet (1:37:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/unity-apologises-for-confusion-and-angst-over-fee-changes Terraria developer Re-Logic donated $200k to alternative game engines Godot and FNA (1:25:35) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/re-logic-donating-100000-to-godot-and-fna-in-response-to-unity-backlash Bobby Kotick might be only person outside of Nintendo to play a Switch 2 https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/18/23878412/nintendo-switch-2-activision-briefing-next-gen-switch --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Everyone is being very reasonable about differences of opinion. Games we played this week include: Starfield (13:35) Stardew Valley (20:15) Lies of P (24:40) Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (56:50) Night at the Gates of Hell (58:15) The Booty Creek Cheek Freak (1:04:55) --- News things talked about in this episode: Unity to introduce ‘Runtime Fees', charging devs for every install of a game (1:13:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/unity-reveals-plans-to-charge-per-game-install-drawing-criticism-from-development-community An Xbox credit card is coming (1:36:10) https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/09/11/xbox-mastercard/ ReedPop officially pulls out of E3 after putting on zero events (1:37:30) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/reedpop-and-esa-part-ways-over-e3 --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

It's a good scene and all, but… Games we played this week include: Starfield (14:30) Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (45:05) Goodbye Volcano High (54:25) Halls of Torment (1:01:10) Sea of Stars (1:02:55) --- News things talked about in this episode: Volition closed by Embracer Group (1:03:30) https://www.polygon.com/23853963/saints-row-volition-closure-layoffs Baldur's Gate 3 wasn't meant to be quite that horny (1:03:35) https://www.pcworld.com/article/2055007/baldurs-gate-iii-game-bug-made-its-characters-too-horny.html Charles Martinet doesn't know what his new job is (1:23:15) https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/09/charles-martinet-on-his-new-role-as-mario-ambassador-i-dont-know-what-that-is-yet --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Painful payoff. Games we played this week include: Star Trucker (8:00) Pizza Possum (11:20) Immortals of Aveum (13:25) Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (24:00) Jackbox Party Pack 10 (32:00) Sonic Superstars (39:55) WrestleQuest (43:40) S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (52:20) Black Myth Wukong (54:10) Homeworld 3 (58:35) Billie Bust Up (1:00:45) Space Boat (1:03:16) Sea of Stars (1:05:15) Goodbye Volcano High (1:08:20) --- News things talked about in this episode: Bethesda didn't give Starfield review code to many UK publications (1:12:40) https://www.eurogamer.net/eurogamer-and-bethesda-starfield Black Myth Wukong developer's CEO has made some weird, sexually inappropriate posts (1:15:50) https://www.resetera.com/threads/black-myth-wukong-developers-sexist-culture-and-sexually-explicit-remarks.474300/ Mortal Kombat 1 adds audio descriptors for fatalities (1:23:15) https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/08/mortal-kombat-1-ps5-has-gruesomely-descriptive-audio-fatalities Microsoft's Xbox X/S parity requirements begin to erode with Baldur's Gate 3 (1:25:30) https://www.vg247.com/baldurs-gate-3-could-still-get-split-screen --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Oh, did you expect it to be opened first? Games we played this week include: Atlas Fallen (5:50) Baldur's Gate 3 (6:45) SnowRunner (23:25) Vampire Survivors (30:25) PowerWash Simulator (38:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: MS to sell 15 years of streaming rights for ABK games to Ubisoft if merger succeeds (40:50) https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-submits-revised-activision-blizzard-takeover-deal-2023-8 Charles Martinet announces retirement from voice acting for Nintendo (45:50) https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/mario-voice-actor-retires-charles-martinet-nintendo-1235701097/ --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (https://patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at https://mercenarycreative.com.

The answer was inside yourself all along. Games we played this week include: Baldur's Gate 3 (13:50) 30XX (34:50) Stray Gods (42:00) Atlas Fallen (52:25) Vampire Survivors (54:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Failed Embracer Group deal discovered to have been with Saudis (58:50) https://www.axios.com/2023/08/14/saudi-arabia-savvy-games-embracer-group Pokémon Company announces tournament in Honolulu at the worst time (1:10:20) https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-company-makes-donation-for-hawaii-relief-after-honolulu-2024-world-championships-announcement/1100-6516845/ New Xbox policy to ban players sure gives a lot of leeway (1:16:02) https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/08/15/xbox-enforcement-strike-system/ --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Peak comedy, that's what this is. Games we played this week include: Vampire Survivors (7:45) Clash: Artifacts of Chaos (18:50) Halls of Torment (19:40) Venba (28:35) What the Golf? (34:50) My Friendly Neighborhood (36:35) Techtonica (44:20) Fall Guys (46:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Devolver announces delays in a very Devolver way (48:00) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkvgkZH6hYc Microsoft makes its final appeal to UK's CMA over their blocking of Activision merger (1:10:20) https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-sends-final-submission-to-cma-as-activision-blizzard-buyout-saga-enters-endgame Yes, Baldur's Gate 3 has done very well (1:16:02) https://gamingbolt.com/baldurs-gate-3-sold-over-2-5-million-in-early-access --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Sometimes you just have to stick your arm in that hole. Games we played this week include: Pikmin 4 (7:45) Exoprimal (42:52) YEAH! YOU WANT "THOSE GAMES," RIGHT? SO HERE YOU GO! NOW, LET'S SEE YOU CLEAR THEM! (48:10) Spirit Hunters (54:50) Army of Ruin (56:05) Binding of Isaac: Repentance (59:05) --- News things talked about in this episode: Games media being used by film studios to fill marketing holes caused by strikes (1:01:25) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvFZjo5PgG0 GLORBO (1:10:20) https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/07/redditors-prank-ai-powered-news-mill-with-glorbo-in-world-of-warcraft/ Ubisoft poorly communicates their plan to prune inactive accounts (1:16:02) https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-is-suspending-inactive-accounts-disabling-access-to-game-libraries --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Obviously, the police just need more funding. Games we played this week include: Viewfinder (10:20) Frostpunk (18:55) Exoprimal (23:30) My Friendly Neighborhood (43.10) Gravity Circuit (53:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: UK games industry trade group agrees to guidelines regarding kids and loot boxes (58:20) https://www.eurogamer.net/uk-games-industry-to-restrict-access-to-loot-boxes-for-children Deadlines pushed back on closing date of Microsoft acquisition of ABK, UK authority decisions (1:12:10) https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/19/23797238/microsoft-activision-blizzard-merger-agreement-extension https://www.gamesindustry.biz/uk-regulator-extends-deadline-on-final-decision-over-microsofts-acquisition-of-activision-blizzard Sony deal ensures Call of Duty remains on PlayStation for a decade (1:02:25) https://twitter.com/XboxP3/status/1680578783718383616 GTA 6 leaker deemed unfit to stand trial (1:03:15) https://www.reuters.com/technology/teen-hacked-uber-revolut-grand-theft-auto-maker-london-court-hears-2023-07-11/ TinyBuild CEO lays out how his company definitely isn't using AI in their human resources department (1:05:35) https://whynowgaming.com/hello-neighbor-publishers-boss-says-his-company-uses-ai-to-monitor-employees/ New handheld consoles will be required to have removable batteries by 2027 (1:12:45) https://overkill.wtf/eu-replaceable-battery-legislation-steam-deck-switch-handhelds/ --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Show some respect. Games we played this week include: The Last Hope (11:20) NieR:Automata (29:00) Pokémon Sleep (31:30) Bitzee (42.55) Common'hood (48:40) Aliens: Dark Descent (53:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: Judge rules FTC cannot delay Microsoft acquisition of ABK, CMA still hanging on (1:01:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-wins-crucial-ftc-case-on-activision-blizzard-acquisition https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-11/ftc-leaning-toward-appealing-microsoft-activision-loss https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/12/23792245/uk-cma-microsoft-activision-blizzard-deal-negotiations The number of legally unobtainable games is staggering (1:12:10) https://gamehistory.org/87percent/ Nintendo hasn't made much headway in terms of gender gap (1:21:55) https://www.axios.com/2023/07/06/nintendo-pay-gap-women Yuji Naka sentenced for his financial crimes (1:23:35) https://gonintendo.com/contents/22870-yuji-naka-sentenced-to-2-5-years-in-prison-for-insider-trading --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Our position is now in question. Games we played this week include: Everybody 1-2-Switch (1:05) NieR:Automata (24:10) Playdate (36:35) The Last Hope (54:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: So many things have leaked because of poor redaction by FTC (1:04:55) https://www.eurogamer.net/sony-court-documents-removed-after-redacted-details-spotted Microsoft wanted to buy Square Enix in 2019 (1:01:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-considered-square-enix-buyout-court-documents-reveal Microsoft's lawyer keeps saying unannounced things as though they're public knowledge (1:04:07) https://www.theverge.com/23768244/ftc-microsoft-activision-blizzard-case-news-announcements https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-expected-to-release-a-playstation-5-slim-later-this-year-priced-39999-microsoft-says Satya Nadella claims he doesn't like console exclusives (1:06:50) https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-ceo-if-it-were-up-to-me-id-get-rid-of-exclusives Ubisoft announces its first blockchain game (1:09:05) https://www.kotaku.com.au/2023/06/ubisoft-blockchain-champions-tactics-grimoria-chronicles/ Niantic lays off 230 people and cancels projects after successfully alienating Pokémon Go fans (1:10:37) https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/niantic-layoffs-pokemon-go-shutting-down-games-1235658759/ --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Little, but mighty. Games we played this week include: Choo Choo Survivor (13:35) Pikmin 3 Deluxe (25:00) Final Fantasy XVI (31:40) Dr. Fetus' Mean Meat Machine (58:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: Evidence in FTC hearings provide inside look into console manufacturers (1:04:55) https://www.eurogamer.net/microsofts-pledge-to-keep-call-of-duty-on-playstation-sparked-concern-at-bethesda-email-shows https://www.eurogamer.net/xbox-exec-matt-booty-wanted-to-spend-sony-out-of-business https://www.vg247.com/microsoft-bought-bethesda-zenimax-stop-starfield-playstation-exclusive https://www.eurogamer.net/in-private-playstation-didnt-seem-concerned-about-xbox-exclusivity-for-call-of-duty-at-all https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-says-we-have-lost-the-console-waras-ftc-hearing-gets-underway https://www.vg247.com/ps6-release-date-indiana-jones-exclusivity-game-pass-everything-learned-from-day-one-of-ftc-trial https://www.eurogamer.net/sony-says-it-wouldnt-share-ps6-details-with-microsoft-owned-activision https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-internal-documents-reportedly-show-it-considered-buying-sega-bungie --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

You just can't depend on anything these days. Games we played this week include: Chocobo GP (8:30) Lies of P (14:20) Street Fighter 6 (20:28) Kapital Punishment 22XX (27:10) Aliens: Dark Descent (35:15) --- News things talked about in this episode: Geoff Keighly wants you to know he wanted a woman at Summer Games Fest (46:50) https://kotaku.com/summer-game-fest-geoff-keighley-women-diversity-1850553957 After Redfall flop, Microsoft says they won't close Arkane, honest (49:50) https://www.eurogamer.net/saints-row-owner-embracer-announces-comprehensive-restructuring-program-to-close-studios-cut-jobs Internal Microsoft email from 2019 has executive saying they want to put Sony out of business (53:55) https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1671304215006773257 FTC is pointing to MS acquisition of Bethesda as evidence they would make Call of Duty exclusive (56:10) https://www.ign.com/articles/ftc-xbox-making-starfield-and-redfall-exclusive-powerful-evidence-against-activision-blizzard-merger --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

When faced with absurdity, return it in kind. Games we played this week include: Choo Choo Survivor (15:10) Street Fighter 6 (31:02) Ollie Frog: Toad Skater (48:50) Station to Station (50:05) Venba (51:30) Lies of P (53:50) Final Fantasy XVI (59:45) Cassette Beasts (1:11:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: FTC files case to block Microsoft acquisition of ABK until scheduled hearing in August (1:14:30) https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-activision-blizzard-xbox-ftc-ab5dd455ed5a2785983d8373915e3531 Embracer Group closing studios and canceling games after $2bn deal falls through (1:17:10) https://www.eurogamer.net/saints-row-owner-embracer-announces-comprehensive-restructuring-program-to-close-studios-cut-jobs Bioware announces and immediately canceled a collectible statue of floating dead FemShep (1:22:45) https://kotaku.com/mass-effect-shepard-dead-statue-bioware-pull-femshep-1850532001 --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

A film out of time. Games we played this week include: Amnesia: The Bunker (19:00) Infernax (28:50) Street Fighter 6 (33:10) Outriders (40:50) Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (44:05) --- News things talked about in this episode: Bobby Kotick allowed to make wild claims about abuse allegations and unions in Variety interview (49:34) https://www.pcgamer.com/activision-blizzard-ceo-audaciously-claims-that-sexism-and-harassment-problems-were-made-up-by-an-aggressive-labor-movement-trying-to-destabilize-the-company/ Microsoft seems willing to pull out of UK over CMA refusal to allow merger with Activision (1:00:15) https://www.vg247.com/microsoft-withdraw-activision-uk Yuji Naka likely to do time for financial crime (1:01:35) https://kotaku.com/yuji-naka-prison-square-enix-sonic-final-fantasy-1850501221 Nintendo set to launch game reported to have performed very poorly in focus testing (1:03:15) https://www.polygon.com/23746686/1-2-switch-sequel-release-date-nintendo-party-game Report from Bloomberg sheds light on issues at Arkane which resulted in Redfall (1:07:30) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-01/arcane-s-redfall-misfire-for-xbox-panned-after-7-5-billion-microsoft-deal Niantic swears low shiny rate for remote raids in Pokémon Go event was totally an accident (1:11:35) https://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-go-developer-sorry-for-technical-issue-which-saw-recently-nerfed-remote-raids-offer-worse-shiny-odds --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

These milkers won't stop. Games we played this week include: Lord of the Rings: Gollum (12:30) Demon Throttle (34:00) Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (40:25) Outriders (49:05) Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (54:40) --- News things talked about in this episode: People Makes Games publishes deep investigation of Disco Elysium dispute (57:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGIGA8taN-M Microsoft appeals CMA decision rejecting ABK merger (1:00:15) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/how-microsoft-hopes-to-defeat-the-cmas-block-against-its-abk-acquisition Last of Us multiplayer game put on the backburner (1:06:15) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/how-microsoft-hopes-to-defeat-the-cmas-block-against-its-abk-acquisition Valve removes Dolphin emulator page from Steam after DMCA request from Nintendo (1:08:55) https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2023/05/27/dolphin-steam-indefinitely-postponed/ --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

We didn't see it coming. Games we played this week include: Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (12:10) Boomerang Fu (49:05) Warhammer 40k: Boltgun (52:20) --- News things talked about in this episode: Activision-Blizzard pays a pittance for not disclosing loot boxes to PEGI (56:30) https://www.thegamer.com/activision-blizzard-fined-diablo-immortal-loot-boxes-pegi/ Nintendo sued for loot boxes in Mario Kart Tour (1:03:15) https://kotaku.com/nintendo-class-action-lawsuit-loot-box-mario-kart-tour-1850462828 Niantic gets backlash for rolling back Pokémon Go remote raids which aided disabled players (1:08:02) https://www.ign.com/articles/pokemon-go-developers-respond-to-remote-raid-criticism-announce-shadow-raids --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon. You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

It's not tears, exactly… Games we played this week include: Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (4:05) Humanity (57:00) Alundra (1:02:20) --- News things talked about in this episode: Saudi Arabia makes another big investment in Electronic Arts (1:03:45) https://tech4gamers.com/call-of-duty-warzone-introduces-pay-to-win-dlc/ EU approves Microsoft acquisition of ABK; UK regulators hold firm against it (1:04:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/eu-approves-microsofts-687bn-activision-blizzard-bid Years after launch, only sequel-exclusive mode for Overwatch 2 got canned without release (1:08:02) https://www.gamespot.com/articles/overwatch-2s-pve-mode-is-being-scrapped-blizzard-explains-what-happened-and-why/1100-6514242/ Xbox's Phil Spencer expected reviews of Redfall to be significantly better (1:10:50) https://www.thegamer.com/redfall-mock-reviews-ten-points-higher-says-phil-spencer/ Sony did not appeal Australian court requiring it to reimburse FIFA customers over gambling laws (1:15:50) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/report-sony-fails-to-appeal-austrian-loot-box-verdict Horror film lifts its Inquisition logo from Dragon Age (1:19:35) https://www.thegamer.com/the-popes-exorcist-dragon-age-inquisition-logo-mistake/ ESRB reveals very erotic pillow talk found in Starfield (1:21:05) https://www.esrb.org/ratings/39293/starfield/ --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.