Bayonetta 3 Controversy - Voice Actors and Fair Payment

At this point, trying to find a new or clever way to say that the games industry is in turmoil is a profound exercise in futility. There is no one way to "fix" the problems that seem to follow developers from studio to studio, but there's one pretty clear step in the right direction: unions.

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down with former union organizer and current Austin, TX City Council candidate Adam Powell to chat about — you guessed it — unions. How do they benefit workers? What makes them so offensive to businesses at large? Where do you start if you feel it's time to organize at your workplace? And, most relevant to us, can they help get us closer to the industry devs deserve?

Please, enjoy.

Learn more about Adam's platform and City Council campaign at AdamforAustin.com

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If you've spent any time on the internet as of late, odds are you've stumbled across something about a new game called Palworld - otherwise known as "Pokémon with guns." Hell, with north of 19 million downloads and record-breaking player counts on Steam, it's easily set to be one of the biggest games of the year. But what is it, really?

This week, Zak and Aaron talk about the nitty-gritty of Palworld, from its borderline-plagiaristic use of Pokémon designs to its disjointed art style to its... surprisingly competent gameplay? They also try to quantify the fine line between inspiration and imitation and nail down why this particular mashup was such a runaway success.

Please, enjoy.

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Hello, everybody, and welcome to season three of Some Patches Required! Our intrepid hosts have been away for a while, but the games industry certainly didn't take a break with them, as mass layoffs, leaks, hacks, studio closures, and more dominated the headlines.

This week, Zak and Aaron tackle the messy topics of true early access and the recent boom in paid "early" access as a pre-order bonus. Long story short, one is a frequently misused tool with incredible potential and the other one is the laziest money-making scheme in recent memory. You can guess which is which.

Please, enjoy.

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Have you ever felt exhausted by the neverending onslaught of updates, microtransactions, generic mechanics, and performance issues that seem to define modern AAA games? Well, do we ever have a new title for you!

This week, Zak and Aaron discuss the myriad ways that the newly released Baldur's Gate 3 - and Larian Studios - break the mold established by the major players in the AAA game market. They even dip into some AA and all-indie examples for a healthy dose of contrast.

You'll hear them again (with a few exciting new guests) next season! In the meantime, please enjoy some exquisite music, incredible art, and a few fun, insightful podcasts.

To be continued...

Please, enjoy.


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Listen to: Triple Click

Listen to: The Besties

Listen to: Play, Watch, Listen

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The world is changing, and media is changing with it. What do you own? What does renting even mean in the era of subscription services and online storefronts? More importantly, what happens to a work of art when it's lost to time?

This week, Zak and Aaron dive into the topic of game preservation in the (Alan) wake of several high-profile games going exclusively digital and try to dissect the importance of preserving games for both entertainment and education.

Please, enjoy.

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After a few unfortunate delays, Zak and Aaron are back to ask you a simple question: Do you value visual extravagance over gameplay excellence, or do you think they can work together? Moreover, is there a seat for style at the table?

Between the blocky art of BattleBit, the breathtaking but broken Jedi Survivor, and an endless supply of Aaron's useless opinions on films like Avatar, this is the episode for anyone who has ever engaged in the "gameplay vs. graphics" debate. Or, someone who just wants it to finally end.

Please, enjoy.

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This week, Zak and Aaron chat about what the semi-recently-announced Apple Vision Pro could mean for the VR, AR, and MR market. Will it fall flat on its face like Google Glass? Will it spur on competition like the original Oculus or HTC Vive? Or could it change the game entirely through the power of brand cachet and good marketing? Only time will tell.

As an addendum, Zak's new recording space isn't fully set up yet, so there may be a smidge of echo on his side. Meanwhile, Aaron's computer and hard drive decided to scream their mechanical lungs out during the first 10 minutes or so, even as his cat tried to break down the door. We're genuinely sorry for the audio quality in certain spots, but we're only human.

Please, enjoy.


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This week, Zak and Aaron chat across three different time zones! Was that sensationalist enough to grab your attention?? Good, because the third time zone is occupied by Alex Malcolm, who works in music licensing for Warner Music Group.

This fella has brokered deals for numerous games, and was kind enough to share some insight into the process of what it takes to get your favorite songs into your favorite entertainment products. As they always say in Hollywood, "it's a good time for your ears." They always say that, right?

Please, enjoy.

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This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to talk with the profoundly talented Cameron Paxton - the composer for the game Dome Keeper - about the intricacies of writing music for games. Naturally, Aaron rambles on about esoteric ideas, Zak stays on topic, and our guest brings insight to spare. If you're interested in musical composition, creativity, or just hearing about how someone found their gateway into the industry, this is the episode for you.

Oh, and we'll let you guess who wrote the opening and closing music for this one. Your only hints are that the song was originally meant to hype you up to keep some domes, and may or may not be called Laser Party. Take that for what you will.

Check out Cameron's Work

Take a Peek at Dome Keeper on Steam

Hey! It's Bippinbits!!

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At this point, it's only a few degrees shy of impossible that you haven't heard of the newest Legend of Zelda game, Tears of the Kingdom. Was that sentence confusing? Well, so is trying to evaluate what makes a good sequel.

And yet, Zak and Aaron dive into the murky depths of media to discuss what makes a successful sequel, especially when it comes on the heels of a game-changing work of art. Be prepared for opinions aplenty, hot takes, and a (magical right) handful of puns.

Please, enjoy.


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