Episode 404: Rebel Scum

This week’s episode is a little late thanks to unforeseen circumstances, but nothing will stop us from posting new episodes. It’s actually one day late, since last week was a week off, thanks to Podbean limits and Halloween. On that note, this week, Jonah had to erase a spoiler segment about The Force Awakens, but enough remains of the convo discussing other parts of the upcoming movie.

This week’s news:

  • Sony not to offer backwards compatibility
  • Advertising Standards Authority rules Valve misled customers with Grand Theft Auto V Steam Sale
  • The Witcher movie slated for 2017
  • Ubisoft admits poor Syndicate sales are due to franchise fatigue caused by Unity
  • World of Warcraft paid subscribers at a nine year low at 5.5M

The Question of the Week is what we usually ask ourselves, but with all the new games coming out, “What have you been playing this week?”

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Episode 563: Welcome to the CloudEpisode 563: Welcome to the Cloud

This week, the gang discuss the provocative article by Forbes about Microsoft ignoring Sony in favor of combating Google and Amazon in the cloud space — and how Sony is renting Microsoft’s servers. No Gaming Flashback this week, though.

The news includes:

  • Microsoft: Amazon and Google are ‘the main competitors going forward’
  • Stardew Valley creator is working on two new games
  • Capcom removes Denuvo DRM from Devil May Cry 5

Question of the Week: “What’s your favorite videogame trailer or advertisement?”

MGS4 Pushes PS3 Up 300%MGS4 Pushes PS3 Up 300%

Metal Gear Solid 4 was a solid release for the PlayStation 3, the exclusive title that gives Sony an edge over the competition. This was Sony’s Halo 3 title and it needed to be a big success in order to keep gamers confident in the Sony brand.

Sony is reporting a 300% increase in PlayStation 3 sales over last month, mainly due to the desire for people to own Metal Gear Solid 4. Remember, this isn’t an increase in game sales, this is an increase in console unit sales, providing evidence that MGS4 sold consoles.

While Grand Theft Auto 4 seemed to sell a few consoles but, overall, didn’t impact console statistics during its release, this exclusive PS3 title has done just the opposite. Perhaps because of its exclusivity? Xbox 360 consoles have been in the hands of the consumer for a few years now, most of those consumers actually purchased GTA IV (as expected and reflected in sales) but not a lot went out to purchase the console. They already had it or didn’t care to own it for a game like GTA IV.

While many people purchased Metal Gear Solid 4 because it’s “Metal Gear,” you can see from the trailers that the game looked impressive, felt complete and contained a lot of great action. You’ll get a great sales pop the first few days on a title with a huge fan base but to sustain the growth and sell consoles you’ve got to provide a well known title that doesn’t suck.

MGS4 doesn’t suck by any reviewers score; it’s not perfect, but what game is? MGS4 delivered what it was said to deliver with very few bad experiences and that’s all you can ask for a console moving title.

So, what next? Sony has promised us that MGS4 is just the first of many titles to blow our minds. Resistance 2, Little Big Planet and what of that MAG game they showed off at E3? 256 players? We won’t hold our breath for that title, but Resistance 2 and Little Big Planet, combined, may move a few more units.

It may not be about the games today that move the next round of PlayStation 3 consoles, it’s about the promise of the games tomorrow with titles like MGS4 to hold us over until then.

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Episode 665: Wild Hearts Can Be BrokenEpisode 665: Wild Hearts Can Be Broken

This episode is a short one as Jonah flies to Los Angeles in the morning. There’s a followup to the Grand Theft Auto 6 leak, and Aaron Judge hits his 61st home run.

The news includes:

  • Wild Hearts announced by EA and Koei Tecmo
  • Alleged Grand Theft Auto 6 hacker pleads not guilty
  • Skull and Bones delayed yet again, now launching March 2023
  • King of Fighters 15 “Samurai Shodown” character DLC launches in early October

Let us know what you think.