Episode 552: No TJ

This Halloween episode lacks TJ, who was dealing with technical issues. No Gaming Flashback this week either.

  • Minecraft’s Bedrock Edition adds character creator
  • Iceberg Interactive to publish Pirate Battle Royale Blazing Sails

Let us know what you think.

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Episode 362: Getting PoliticalEpisode 362: Getting Political

This week’s episode gets a little political as certain factions get into the videogame discussion and have some interesting ideas about them, which is enough to get Paul a little angry and a lot disappointed.

This week’s news includes:

  • Rust creator: “I’d have done the same thing” on Mojang deal
  • Conservative group issues video lambasting gaming’s feminist critics
  • Trade your violent games in for ice cream in California
  • Xbox games may soon be streamed to PC

This episode also features the Question of the Week discussion about preorders and bonus content.

Konami Owns Musical Rhythm-Matching Game Patents?Konami Owns Musical Rhythm-Matching Game Patents?

Apparently Konami just realized Harmonix, MTV Networks and Viacom have made some game called Rock Band and want to take legal action. Konami has created some Japanese games involving karaoke called Karaoke Revolution. Why take legal action now?

Probably because Konami is working towards Rock Revolution, a title which puts together drums, vocals and guitar. How odd, don’t we have a game called Rock Band which has done that for awhile now? It’s much easier to be competitive in the market if you can squeeze your opponent out of the market by telling them you hold a patent on the entire concept…which you let slide for a year.

It seems a bit convenient to force a lawsuit, now, after Rock Band is proven successful and before you launch your own “clone.”

Its suit claims that Rock Band violates a series of US Patents registered in 2002 and 2003 relating to “simulated musical instruments” and “musical rhythm-matching game.” (gamespot)

Although the developers of Rock Band should have gone through some patents on the topic prior to make it (or maybe they did?), it seems a bit out of place to patent such a generic concept. As far as I know, Musical Chairs is also a musical rhythm-matching game but nobody put up any stink when Konami filed a patent for the same concept…

Podcast DelayPodcast Delay

The 265th podcast will be a little delayed, as it will be recorded on Wednesday, the day the podcast is usually released.

There will be one this week, though, so keep your eye on the iTunes RSS feed.