Gaming Podcast 112: Ubiquitous, Is That a Word?

This week we’re flashing back to Zaxxon and into a bit of a reflective history on the NES Satellite accessory. We reflect upon how bad Don sucks at Mass Effect and get tips from the community. We’re also checking in on some news this week including:

We’re also asking a few questions of the week, you can answer them all, one or none (but we’ll give you sad face)! What’s your favorite video game accessory since you started gaming, what actor can make a video game movie a success?

0 thoughts on “Gaming Podcast 112: Ubiquitous, Is That a Word?”

  1. The Japanese didn’t buy the Xbox 360 on Star Ocean: The Last Hope alone that week. It was more like, “Oh, an exclusive Star Ocean. That tears it. I was on the bubble with Blue Dragon and Tales of Vesperia and some of the other 360 RPGs that I was interested in, but now Star Ocean, too? I’ll pick this up, get Ocean, then get Blue Dragon and the other games that piqued my interest but weren’t enough for me to buy a 360.” Sort of like you and the PS3, Derrick. Yes, you covet LittleBigPlanet, but it alone isn’t enough. You’re waiting for your PS3 Star Ocean (and Killzone 2 isn’t it.)

  2. The Japanese didn’t buy the Xbox 360 on Star Ocean: The Last Hope alone that week. It was more like, “Oh, an exclusive Star Ocean. That tears it. I was on the bubble with Blue Dragon and Tales of Vesperia and some of the other 360 RPGs that I was interested in, but now Star Ocean, too? I’ll pick this up, get Ocean, then get Blue Dragon and the other games that piqued my interest but weren’t enough for me to buy a 360.” Sort of like you and the PS3, Derrick. Yes, you covet LittleBigPlanet, but it alone isn’t enough. You’re waiting for your PS3 Star Ocean (and Killzone 2 isn’t it.)

  3. Long time listener, first time commenter. Really love your show, thanks and keep it up.

    In regards to your discussion relating to what MMO’s need to do break into a market dominated by WoW, a good concept that I believe would work well with many of the more recent MMO releases is the strategy used by Dofus (the french 2.5D flash based MMO) .

    Dofus allows all users to play for free but they are restricted to the beginning area and the area surrounding the first major town. This includes the first dungeon which by itself is addictive enough to play hundreds of times over in the hope for some great beginners loot and quest rewards. There are also a few other restrictions for Free-to-play characters, such as being unable to see items via the shop mode and decreased chances of getting rare loot.

    The game is well designed and very diverse in character play styles, but having over 10million users and over 1 million paid players, shows that this strategy may have more potential long term rather than the short term subscribe form the beginning cash boost with only 10 day free trials which tend teeter out and diminish in profitability as time goes on.

    For a game such as AoC, Warhammer or LotR Online, a system where players could play for free forever but if they want to go beyond the the first 20 levels (or a 1/3 of total cap depending on how many levels are available) they have to subscribe may reduce initial income from the game but help games to gain more sustainability and secure a longer term future. You would expand your base of potential customers with all those trying it as it’s free, and as they get to experience or see paying customers enjoying some of the great features of the game, it would encourage the to move onto subscription.

    With a larger player base (including all the free-to-play customers), it would also create a better gaming atmosphere and make it friendlier to new players with grouping being easier and full servers. Just my thoughts on the issue.

    Once again thanks for the great podcast. Looking forward to the next one ^.^

  4. Long time listener, first time commenter. Really love your show, thanks and keep it up.

    In regards to your discussion relating to what MMO’s need to do break into a market dominated by WoW, a good concept that I believe would work well with many of the more recent MMO releases is the strategy used by Dofus (the french 2.5D flash based MMO) .

    Dofus allows all users to play for free but they are restricted to the beginning area and the area surrounding the first major town. This includes the first dungeon which by itself is addictive enough to play hundreds of times over in the hope for some great beginners loot and quest rewards. There are also a few other restrictions for Free-to-play characters, such as being unable to see items via the shop mode and decreased chances of getting rare loot.

    The game is well designed and very diverse in character play styles, but having over 10million users and over 1 million paid players, shows that this strategy may have more potential long term rather than the short term subscribe form the beginning cash boost with only 10 day free trials which tend teeter out and diminish in profitability as time goes on.

    For a game such as AoC, Warhammer or LotR Online, a system where players could play for free forever but if they want to go beyond the the first 20 levels (or a 1/3 of total cap depending on how many levels are available) they have to subscribe may reduce initial income from the game but help games to gain more sustainability and secure a longer term future. You would expand your base of potential customers with all those trying it as it’s free, and as they get to experience or see paying customers enjoying some of the great features of the game, it would encourage the to move onto subscription.

    With a larger player base (including all the free-to-play customers), it would also create a better gaming atmosphere and make it friendlier to new players with grouping being easier and full servers. Just my thoughts on the issue.

    Once again thanks for the great podcast. Looking forward to the next one ^.^

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Post

Episode 751: Oblivion’s BackEpisode 751: Oblivion’s Back


[Audio issues]
The guys talk about the new trailer for Doom: The Dark Ages, which reveals the medieval equivalent of the BFG is a huge crossbow, Another Crab’s Treasure getting a huge ‘Year Of The Crab’ update, Devolver Digital revealing Cult of the Lamb is its best-selling IP at around $90 million in revenue.

The news includes:

  • Star Wars Zero Company gets first trailer with 2026 release window
  • Gamers shocked as Elder Scrolls IV revealed and launched on same day

Let us know what you think.

Episode 708: Hello 2024Episode 708: Hello 2024

The first episode of 2024 is a short one, though the guys discuss the original Mickey Mouse hitting the public domain, Square Enix declaring it will be “aggressive in applying AI”, CD Projekt RED staying independent, and Valve ending all support for CSGO in favor of Counter-Strike 2.

The news includes:

  • Activision Blizzard workers speak out after Bobby Kotick’s CEO exit
  • Star Wars Outlaws releasing “late” 2024
  • Studio behind PlayStation Firewall games shuts down due to “lack of support” for VR within industry

Let us know how your 2023 went.

Episode 666: Nintendo Hentai BanEpisode 666: Nintendo Hentai Ban

This week is plagued by the Mark of the Beast, but next week’s will be a giant landmark, too. No Gaming Flashback, but a lot of legal happenings in the past week.

The news includes:

  • USB-C charging ports will be required by law in the EU for most portable tech from 2024
  • NetherRealm’s next game won’t be revealed during Mortal Kombat anniversary events
  • Cyberpunk 2077 sequel is why there’s only one expansion, says dev
  • Nintendo has updated eShop rules on adult content, publisher says

Let us know what you think.