Podcast Summary
Exploring digital game showcases and fan favorites: The gaming community embraces digital events like Sony's State of Play and Summer Games Fest, and looks forward to upcoming games, especially those related to ongoing projects like 'We Code and 2'.
The gaming community is adapting to the changing landscape of video game announcements and events, with various digital showcases like Sony's State of Play, Summer Games Fest, and Xbox and Bethesda Showcase becoming the new norm in place of the traditional E3. The hosts of TripleClick discussed their experiences with these events and shared their excitement for upcoming games, particularly those related to their ongoing project, "We Code and 2." Additionally, they joked about their listeners' apparent preference for the "We Code" segments over other gaming news, and even entertained the idea of transforming the podcast into a show focused solely on old JRPGs if the hosts lost a bet. Overall, the podcast highlighted the flexibility and adaptability of the gaming community as they navigate the evolving world of video game announcements.
Disappointing 'fake E3' leaves industry feeling sad and underwhelmed: The virtual 'fake E3' failed to deliver the excitement and major surprises of the traditional in-person video game trade show, leaving many feeling disappointed and longing for its return.
This year's "fake E3" was a disappointing substitute for the traditional in-person video game trade show. The lack of major surprises and the scattershot approach to announcements did not compare to the excitement and constant stream of news that comes out of the real E3. Kirk, as a total outsider, found the Xbox press conference to be the most E3-like event, but even that lacked the usual shocking revelations. Maddie, as someone who had to cover the event, shared the same sentiment of missing the normal E3 experience. Overall, the absence of E3 this year left many feeling sad and underwhelmed, and the industry will hopefully return to its normal format soon.
Gaming events lacked the excitement of traditional shows: Despite some notable announcements, the lack of a centralized, concentrated event left many feeling disconnected and underwhelmed.
This year's gaming events, such as Summer Games Fest and the Sony and Xbox showcases, didn't live up to the excitement and anticipation of traditional events like E3. While there were notable announcements, like the Resident Evil 4 remake and the Last of Us remake, the lack of a centralized, concentrated event left many feeling disconnected and tired from the constant stream of content. From a reporting perspective, covering these events was more challenging due to the scattered schedule and time zones. The standout shows for me were the Sony State of Play and the Xbox and Bethesda showcase, which felt more like traditional press conferences with exciting and new announcements. Overall, while there were some highlights, the lack of a cohesive and exciting event left many in the industry and media feeling underwhelmed.
Uncertainty and lack of clear communication mark video game events: Despite some exciting reveals, video game events were marked by uncertainty and a lack of clear communication from publishers, leading to a disappointing showing for some fans and a chaotic news cycle.
This year's video game events, including Summer Games Fest and the various publisher showcases, have been marked by uncertainty and a lack of clear communication from publishers. This made it challenging for news outlets like Polygon to cover the events effectively, as it was unclear which streams would have substantial news and which would be light on announcements. Major players like EA, Ubisoft, and Nintendo were absent from many of the events, leading to a disappointing showing for some fans. Despite these challenges, there were still exciting reveals, such as the Resident Evil 4 remake and Final Fantasy 16 footage. However, many games were given release windows far into the future, leaving some fans feeling let down. Overall, the lack of clear communication and the uncertainty surrounding these events made for a chaotic and confusing news cycle.
The Game Awards 2022: A Horror-Filled Showcase: The Game Awards 2022 featured several horror game announcements, including the return of Callisto Protocol and a standalone multiplayer version of The Last of Us 2, as well as exciting new titles like Stormgate.
The Game Awards 2022 showcased both recently released and upcoming games, with a notable focus on horror titles. During the event, Jeff Gilliland announced several space horror games, including the return of "Callisto Protocol," which had been announced ages ago. The speaker expressed amusement over the coincidental naming of two space horror games, "Protocol" and "Routine." Horror games have been thriving in the post-pandemic era, with notable releases like "The Quarry" and the upcoming "Dead Space remake." The speaker also expressed excitement for the upcoming real-time strategy game "Stormgate," created by ex-Blizzard employees who were unable to get their game off the ground there and decided to start their own studio. Additionally, Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog announced a standalone multiplayer version of "The Last of Us 2," which will be released next year alongside a remake of the original game. Despite the remake having been known for a long time, its $70 price tag as a standalone release came as a surprise. Overall, the Game Awards 2022 showcased a diverse range of games, with a notable emphasis on horror titles and long-awaited returns.
Exploring The Last of Us games at Summer Games Fest 2022: Attendees enjoyed discovering new indie games, big announcements from Xbox, and engaging with The Last of Us content, despite some uneven experiences.
Summer Games Fest 2022 offered an opportunity for people to engage with video games featured in the HBO show "The Last of Us" and make purchases easily. The event primarily showcased indie games, which presented an uneven experience for some attendees. However, the potential for discovering new sleeper hit games was a positive aspect. The Xbox show during the event was the most reminiscent of the E3 experience, featuring big announcements and a return to form for Bethesda/Xbox. The standout games included Redfall, which although different from Left 4 Dead, generated significant hype. Other notable games showcased were High Wire, American Arcadia, Dust of the Memories Between, and Choo Choo Charles. Overall, while the event had its ups and downs, the potential for discovering new gaming gems made it worthwhile.
Redfall: A Single-Player Game with Cooperative Elements: Redfall, developed by Arkane Austin, is a single-player game with cooperative elements, focusing on a story, character abilities, and a day-night cycle for strategy. Developers have more freedom to create a high-quality single-player experience without multiplayer pressure.
Redfall, developed by Arkane Austin, is positioning itself as a single-player game with cooperative elements, distancing itself from the multiplayer-focused games as a service model. The game features a story, different character abilities, and a day-night cycle that affects enemy behavior, adding an element of strategy. The developers, who were previously under pressure to create multiplayer games, now have more freedom to focus on creating a single-player experience. Despite some reservations about the potential ending, the speaker is excited for the game's immersive sim elements and is looking forward to its release, which is expected to be day 1 on Xbox Game Pass. The developers, known for their perfectionism, are taking their time to ensure the game is of high quality before releasing it. Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard may also impact the game's release, but the speaker remains optimistic about its imminent arrival.
Xbox's New Gaming Lineup with Bethesda and Activision Blizzard: Xbox's gaming portfolio expanded with Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, featuring titles like Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4, but concerns over monetization models and the absence of major Blizzard announcements left some fans underwhelmed.
The integration of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard into Xbox's portfolio is a significant development in the gaming industry, and the recent Xbox and Bethesda showcase provided a first glimpse into what this means for gamers. The event featured announcements for games like Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4, which will now be part of Xbox's lineup. However, the lack of BlizzCon this year and the absence of major announcements from Blizzard left some fans feeling underwhelmed. The free-to-play model for Overwatch 2 and the controversy surrounding Diablo Immortal's monetization cast a shadow over the Blizzard segment of the show. Despite these concerns, Xbox emphasized that Diablo 4 will only offer cosmetic microtransactions and expansions. The event marked a new chapter in gaming, with Xbox expanding its offerings and bringing more beloved franchises under its umbrella. The future of these games and their monetization models will be worth watching closely.
Microsoft's game acquisitions and Game Pass bring diverse gaming experiences: Microsoft's acquisition of studios and implementation of Game Pass allow for the release of unique games and the addition of classic titles, providing subscribers with a vast library and diverse range of gaming experiences.
Microsoft's acquisition of studios like Obsidian and the implementation of Game Pass are allowing for the release of more experimental and unique games, such as Pentiment, which may not have been possible under previous circumstances. Additionally, the announcement of classic games like Overwatch 2, Diablo 4, Persona 3, 4, and 5 coming to PC and Xbox Game Pass provides subscribers with a vast library of titles to explore. The addition of these games to Game Pass, along with Microsoft's acquisition of studios, is enabling a diverse range of gaming experiences for players. Furthermore, the discussion highlighted the excitement surrounding the upcoming releases of Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4, and the potential for new and interesting projects from Blizzard after these titles.
Balancing Scale and Depth in Game Development: Developers must balance intricate systems and compelling stories to create engaging and satisfying experiences, avoiding the pitfalls of oversized, underdelivering titles.
While some games, like Persona 5, have aged well since their release, others, such as Starfield, face the challenge of delivering on multiple complex systems, including procedurally generated planets, compelling stories, and engaging combat, which can be exhausting for players who have been disappointed by oversized, underdelivering titles in the past. For instance, the speaker expressed mixed feelings about Starfield, noting its focus on exploration, crafting, and combat, but also expressing concerns about its art style and story. The speaker also mentioned the influence of past disappointments, such as No Man's Sky and Cyberpunk, on their expectations for Starfield. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of balancing scale and depth in game development to create engaging and satisfying experiences for players.
Size vs. Substance in Video Games: Focusing too much on game size can overshadow the importance of engaging gameplay, compelling stories, and rich lore.
Focusing too much on the size of a game rather than the depth and quality of the experience can be a red flag. During a presentation about Starfield, the speaker expressed skepticism towards the game's emphasis on its vastness and length, preferring to know about engaging verbs, exciting stories, and intriguing lore. The speaker was initially underwhelmed by the gameplay shown, which featured combat and building an outpost, but became more optimistic after seeing character creation and potential for humor and backstory. While Kojima's appearance at the event was exciting, it didn't generate as much enthusiasm as the potential of Tom Francis' new game, Breach Wizards, which has been in development for a long time and is highly anticipated. Overall, the speaker emphasized the importance of substance over size in video games.
New VR Mod and Gaming Announcements at The PC Gaming Show: Half Life Alyx: Levitation mod impresses with acting and tech, Capcom announces Dragon's Dogma sequel, Devolver reveals The Plucky Squire, Ubisoft, Sony, and Square Enix share upcoming announcements, rumors suggest Nintendo Direct and Switch Pro launch.
The PC Gaming Show brought exciting news for gaming enthusiasts, particularly in the VR space. A Half Life Alyx mod called "Half Life Alyx: Levitation" was revealed, showcasing impressive acting and technology. Capcom announced a new Dragon's Dogma sequel, while Devolver showcased an intriguing new game called "The Plucky Squire." Ubisoft, Sony, and Square Enix also have upcoming announcements. Additionally, rumors suggest a potential Nintendo Direct and the possible launch of a Switch Pro. The absence of E3 this year was felt, but the ongoing reveals kept the gaming community engaged. The anticipation continues as more announcements are expected throughout the summer.
Discussing exploitative microtransactions in Diablo Immortal: Diablo Immortal uses manipulative pricing structures for chips, which are needed to buy legendary crests, encouraging excessive spending
Some games, like Diablo Immortal, use manipulative and exploitative microtransactions to encourage players to spend real money. This was discussed in detail on a podcast, with a particular focus on the game's use of casino chips as a sub-currency. Players must buy these chips in specific quantities, which are then used to purchase legendary crests that enhance loot in the game. The pricing structure is designed to keep players just short of being able to buy a full set, encouraging them to spend more money to get the desired result. This approach is a psychological trick that can lead to excessive spending.
Discussing Destiny 2's use of psychological tactics to encourage spending: Destiny 2 uses crests, consumable items, to incentivize players to buy more, creating a sense of urgency and scarcity, ultimately funneling players into spending more money.
Some video games use psychological tactics to encourage players to spend more money than intended. The discussion centered around the game "Destiny 2" and its use of "Crests," which are consumable items used to open chests. Players are incentivized to buy larger quantities of crests to maximize their loot, as the game only allows a certain number of crests to be used at once. This system is designed to funnel players into spending more money, creating a sense of urgency and scarcity. The game's use of specific pricing and hidden features is a deliberate attempt to manipulate player behavior and increase revenue. It's a reminder that while some games can provide enjoyable experiences, it's essential to be aware of potential manipulative tactics.
Enjoy more of Tom Hardy's humor in Venom: Let There Be Carnage: If you liked the first Venom movie's banter between Tom Hardy and Venom, you'll enjoy this sequel. Otherwise, it might not be for you. Morbius is part of the Marvel Universe but debatable if necessary to see. Read 'How I Became a Famous Novelist' for a humorous take on the publishing industry.
If you enjoyed Tom Hardy's humorous banter between himself and Venom in the first Venom movie, then you'll likely enjoy Venom: Let There Be Carnage for approximately two hours of the same. However, if that's not your cup of tea, then this sequel might not be for you. As for the extended Marvel Universe, Morbius is technically part of it, but whether or not you need to see it is debatable. Lastly, I'd recommend the book "How I Became a Famous Novelist" by Steve Healy. It's a hilarious tale about a man seeking revenge by writing a bestselling novel, and it's filled with satire of the publishing industry. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a well-crafted story.
A humorous and entertaining novel about becoming a famous novelist: This book uses fictional book titles and excerpts to showcase creativity and connects to 'Misery' while adding enjoyable interludes between chapters
"How I Became a Famous Novelist" by Steve Heller is a humorous and entertaining novel that showcases the author's creativity through the invention of fictional book titles and excerpts. The discussion also highlights the book's connection to Stephen King's "Misery," as both novels involve authors writing about other authors. The interludes between chapters, which consist of fake excerpts from these fictional books, add to the overall enjoyment of the reading experience. Overall, "How I Became a Famous Novelist" is a palate cleanser and a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good dose of humor and creativity in their literature.
