Podcast Summary
Sharing the Challenges of Life with Support from Loved Ones and Community: Despite unexpected life challenges, having the support of loved ones and a community can help get through tough times. Express gratitude and lean on others during difficult moments.
Life can be unpredictable and challenging, but having the support of loved ones and a community can help get through tough times. Kirk Hamilton shared on Triple Quick that he had to take a break due to the unexpected passing of his father and the challenges of dealing with his mother's advanced dementia. Despite the sadness and stress, he expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from family, friends, and listeners. The podcast trio also reminded listeners that they can support the show by becoming members of Maximum Fun and attending their upcoming live show. Through the ups and downs, they remain committed to sharing their passion for video games with their audience.
Disappointment over Tango Gameworks closure and impact on industry: Consolidation in the gaming industry may lead to loss of unique talent and creativity, as seen with the closure of Tango Gameworks and concerns over other studios like Ninja Theory
The gaming industry recently experienced a wave of studio closures under the ZeniMax label, including Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, and Alphadog. These closures have led to a lot of discussion about the future of Xbox and the potential impact on the industry as a whole. Kirk, who missed the initial conversation on the topic, expressed his disappointment over the shutdown of Tango Gameworks, which produced the critically acclaimed game "Hi-Fi Rush." He believes that the studio's success in allowing new talent to rise and create unique games should be celebrated, and the loss of the team is a significant downside to consolidation in the industry. The closures have also raised concerns about the future of other studios, such as Ninja Theory, which is currently releasing a game under the Xbox label. Overall, the conversation highlights the potential negative consequences of consolidation in the gaming industry.
Microsoft's financial decisions led to Tango Gameworks' closure despite a successful game and pitch for a sequel: Microsoft's financial decisions resulted in the closure of Tango Gameworks, a successful studio, despite ongoing projects, potentially damaging their reputation with the gaming community.
The gaming industry, even for successful studios, can be unforgiving and subject to corporate financial decisions. As discussed, Tango Gameworks, known for their hits like The Evil Within, was facing consolidation at Microsoft due to bad timing and pressure to cut costs. Despite having a successful game, Hi-Fi Rush, and a pitch in process for a sequel, the studio was cut along with another due to financial calculations. This decision came despite other studios, like Machine Games and Id, being in active production and not being cut. The long-term ramifications of this decision could lead to a loss of trust and goodwill from the gaming community, making it more difficult for Microsoft to regain their reputation as a supportive and nurturing publisher.
Xbox undergoes cost-cutting measures, but new releases bring excitement: Microsoft's Xbox division undergoes cost-cutting measures, including studio shutdowns and voluntary severance packages. Despite this, new releases like 'Lorelei and the Laser Eyes' from Simogo generate excitement with their unique vibe and challenging puzzles.
Xbox continues to face cost-cutting measures, with recent studio shutdowns and voluntary severance packages offered to employees. This comes as no surprise, as we've discussed Xbox's struggles throughout the year. However, there's still excitement in the gaming community for new releases, such as "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes" from Simogo. This adventure puzzle game has received positive buzz, with its unique vibe and challenging puzzles drawing comparisons to "Device 6." The game's name, "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes," is also a standout, with its catchy rhyme and alliteration. Despite some initial clunkiness, the game has shown promise for those willing to put in the mental effort. Overall, the gaming industry continues to evolve, with both challenges and innovations on the horizon.
Exploring lighter games after heavy ones: Play Duck Detective for a fun, light break between larger games, or appreciate the humor in its heartfelt writing. Be aware of the potential for crunch culture in game development expansions.
Even after an intellectually demanding game like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it's important to balance your gaming experience with something lighter and more playful. Enter Duck Detective: The Secret Salami, a silly, short game by Happy Broccoli Games. Unlike Animal Crossing, Duck Detective is a more casual, cartoony investigation game where you play as a duck detective with an unusual addiction to toast. The gameplay involves filling in blanks and investigating clues in a Mad Libs-style format. It's a palate cleanser between larger, more complex games, clocking in at around 2 hours. Although it's marketed towards younger players, its humor is not exclusively for kids, and older audiences can also find enjoyment in its fun and heartfelt writing. Another news story that sparked some controversy was the announcement of Larian Studios' expansion. The company behind Baldur's Gate 3 is opening a new office in Warsaw, Poland, and working on two ambitious RPGs simultaneously while hiring more staff. While many gamers praised this news as a sign of growth and success in the industry, others saw it as a reminder of the increasing trend of crunch culture in game development. It's important to remember that while expansion and innovation are essential, it's equally crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance for developers.
Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Larian Studios values sustainability and is content with their current pace of growth, admiring companies that save money during good times to prepare for economic downturns.
Success for a company, like Larian, doesn't always mean infinite growth. The speaker expressed concerns about the potential negative consequences of expanding too much, such as increased financial pressures and higher expectations. They admired how Vox Media had prioritized saving money during good times to prepare for economic downturns and wished to see more companies adopt similar practices. The speaker also expressed contentment with the current pace of Larian's game releases and hoped they would eventually decide that seven offices are enough for them. Ultimately, they acknowledged that it's impossible for a company to have infinite growth due to limitations in resources and player base.
Larian Studios' CEO involvement in Baldur's Gate 3: CEO's creative input leads to game success, but financial pressures may impact future decisions. Players enjoy game 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' due to discovery, friction, and complex mechanics.
The involvement of Larian Studios' CEO and creative director in the decision-making process has been a significant factor in the success of Baldur's Gate 3. This unique arrangement allows for a strong creative vision and financial stability. However, as the game continues to grow, there is a concern that financial pressures may influence creative decisions, which could potentially impact the game's development. Another noteworthy discussion revolved around the game "Animal Crossing: New Horizons." Some players expressed the paradoxical enjoyment of experiencing the game without prior knowledge, as discovering its mysteries firsthand added to the overall excitement. The game effectively employs mechanical, logistical, and informational friction, making for an engaging and challenging experience. The platforming feels smooth and responsive, similar to Super Meat Boy, while the map navigation requires careful planning and the game's mechanics are complex and require extensive exploration to fully understand.
Supergiant Games and Darren Korb's Music Collaboration in Hades and Hades 2: Supergiant Games and composer Darren Korb's music collaboration in Hades and Hades 2 creates a unique and immersive experience through dynamic stem implementation. Hades 2's potential for more content and Diablo 4's Loot Reborn update add excitement to their respective games.
The collaboration between the team at Supergiant Games and composer Darren Korb in creating the music for their games, specifically Hades and Hades 2, is a monumental achievement. The way stems are implemented in the games, allowing them to dynamically layer and build excitement during gameplay, creates a unique and immersive experience that is essential to the identity of the game. Although Hades 2 is still in early access and not fully finished, its size and potential for additional content make it promising for a much bigger sequel. Additionally, Diablo 4 recently received a major update called Loot Reborn, introducing a new season and adding significant changes to the game.
Diablo 4's new loot system aims to make drops feel more impactful: Diablo 4's Loot 2.0 system aims to enhance end game experience by making loot drops less frequent but more satisfying, while the gaming media industry faces consolidation and potential job losses
Diablo 4's new loot system, called Loot 2.0, is a response to criticisms about the end game experience in Diablo 3. The new system aims to make loot drops feel more impactful and less frequent, leading to a more satisfying gameplay experience for both new and returning players. However, the complexity of the new system and the addition of new features might be overwhelming for some, leading to confusion and difficulty in understanding the changes. Additionally, the recent acquisition of several gaming news sites by IGN Entertainment, owned by Ziff Davis, has resulted in layoffs and consolidation within the gaming media industry. This trend of consolidation could potentially lead to further job losses and a reduction in diverse voices and perspectives in gaming journalism.
Changes in the video game journalism industry: The merger of IGN with competitors could lead to closure of some outlets, potentially losing unique voices and perspectives in gaming journalism. Diverse voices and perspectives are crucial in the industry, and it's important to support outlets and writers that uphold these values.
The video game journalism industry is facing significant changes, with some outlets undergoing layoffs and mergers. This has raised concerns about the potential loss of unique voices and perspectives in the field. For instance, the merger of IGN with its competitors, such as Eurogamer, could lead to the closure of some outlets, which would be a significant loss for the gaming community. Moreover, the rise of controversial topics, such as racism towards non-traditional characters in games like Assassin's Creed Shadows, highlights the need for continued advocacy and representation in the industry. Overall, it's essential to recognize the value of diverse voices and perspectives in video game journalism and to support the outlets and writers that uphold these values.
Assassin's Creed: Debate Over Non-Japanese Samurai Protagonist: Fans debate historical accuracy and preference for samurai or ninja protagonist in upcoming Assassin's Creed game.
While some individuals have criticized the casting of a non-Japanese actor to play the samurai protagonist in the upcoming Assassin's Creed game, others argue that historical inaccuracies and apocryphal characters have long been a part of the series. Some fans would prefer a game centered around a ninja character, as they believe it aligns more closely with the Assassin's Creed franchise. The debate also touches on the balance between stealth and melee combat in the game. Ultimately, opinions vary, with some expressing excitement for the new character and narrative, while others expressing a preference for a different protagonist or setting.
Exploring the Possibilities of Multiple Playable Characters in Assassin's Creed Red: The speaker expresses enthusiasm for Assassin's Creed Red's potential use of multiple playable characters and enjoys games with dual protagonists. They also discuss the representation of diverse characters in the series and the backlash faced by the lead writer of Assassin's Creed Hex.
The speaker expresses excitement for the upcoming Assassin's Creed game, Assassin's Creed Red, while acknowledging the potential narrative possibilities of having multiple playable characters. They also mention their enjoyment of games like Shadow Tactics and Syndicate, which feature dual protagonists. The speaker also discusses the representation of female and historically marginalized characters in Assassin's Creed games and the backlash faced by the lead writer of Assassin's Creed Hex upon the game's announcement. Despite this, they remain optimistic about the future of the series and its commitment to diverse representation. The speaker also shares their love for the classic Assassin's Creed games and the historical figures they feature. However, they lament the fact that the lead writer of Assassin's Creed Hex faced harassment after the game's announcement.
Exploring hidden gems in media: podcasts, books, and games: Discover unique worlds and cultures through podcasts like Primer, books such as The Lost Shtetl, and games like Hades 1. Each offers a fresh perspective and valuable insights.
There are hidden gems worth exploring in various forms of media, whether it's unforgettable music from outside the English speaking world on the podcast Primer, or free movies from the depths of the internet on Free with Ads. In addition, there are intriguing works of fiction that transport us to unique worlds, like The Lost Shtetl by Max Gross, a novel set in a secluded Jewish village that has miraculously survived into the modern era. This book offers a fascinating exploration of culture and identity as the inhabitants grapple with the decision to leave their isolation and embrace the modern world. Meanwhile, in the gaming world, Hades 1 provides an engaging alternative to its sequel, offering a fresh experience before the developers make improvements in Hades 2. Overall, there's a wealth of intriguing content waiting to be discovered, whether it's through podcasts, books, or video games.
Hades 1 and 2: Different Experiences, Same High Standard: Hades 1 sets a high standard for storytelling and character introduction. Though Hades 2 offers a different experience, its narrative continues the exceptional quality. Reading Lois McMaster Bujold's Miles Verkosecond novels also highlights the importance of a well-crafted narrative and character development.
Hades 1, an early access game, sets a high standard for storytelling and character introduction with its methodical and economical approach. The speaker was initially disappointed with the opening of Hades 2 but realized that it continues the exceptional narrative of Hades 1. However, Hades 2's overwhelming number of characters and somber tone make it a different experience from Hades 1. The speaker highly recommends playing Hades 1 first, as it's a spectacular game and a worthy investment of time. Additionally, the speaker discovered the fantasy novels of Lois McMaster Bujold and thoroughly enjoyed reading them. The series, which includes Miles Verkosecond books, offers a large body of work that is lovely and fun to read. Overall, the speaker's takeaway is the importance of a well-crafted narrative and character introduction, as exemplified by Hades 1 and the works of Lois McMaster Bujold.
Lois McMaster Bujold's Novels: A Must-Read for Fantasy and Science Fiction Fans: Lois McMaster Bujold is a versatile storyteller known for her captivating introductions, character development, and tension building. Her unique writing style results in complete and compelling stories, making her a must-read author for fans of fantasy and science fiction.
Lois McMaster Bujold is a highly capable and versatile storyteller, known for her ability to introduce situations, develop characters, and build tension in a captivating way. Her stories, whether they're set in the worlds of the 5 Gods (Chalion) or the Vorkosigan Empire, are well-crafted and engaging. She excels at both action and romance, often blending the two seamlessly. For those looking for a fun and quick summer read, any of Bujold's novels are a great choice. Her writing style is unique, as she often writes whatever she's feeling in the moment, which results in complete and compelling stories. Some of her most popular works include "The Curse of Chalion" and "Paladin of Souls," set in the world of Chalion, as well as "The Sharing Knife," a four-part series about an ordinary girl and her extraordinary adventures in a post-apocalyptic America. Overall, Lois McMaster Bujold's novels offer a rich and immersive reading experience, and her mastery of storytelling makes her a must-read author for fans of fantasy and science fiction.
Exploring spiritual themes in Paladin of Souls and Elden Ring: The hosts discuss their admiration for the intricate spiritual elements in Paladin of Souls and Elden Ring, and share their excitement for potential crossover gameplay using the Sharing Knife.
During this episode of Triple Click, the hosts discussed their shared appreciation for the subtle spiritual themes in the heavy metal band Paladin of Souls and the powerful use of the Sharing Knife in Elden Ring. Kirk also expressed his excitement for a potential fight against the Paladin of Souls boss using the Sharing Knife. The hosts also reminded listeners that Triple Click is produced by a team, and the show is a proud member of the Maximum Fun Network, which is supported by its listeners. They encouraged listeners to check out their ethics policy and Discord community. Overall, the episode showcased the hosts' passion for gaming and their enthusiasm for exploring the nuances of various games.