The guys were unable to find news for a good podcast, and instead did a Jackbox Party. Enjoy the goofing around!
Special Episode: Jackbox Party Time
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Episode 222: Gorilla LoveEpisode 222: Gorilla Love
This week is a big episode, as it is chock full of surprising news this week, as well as some long, long reader mail. If that weren’t enough, we take a look back at the IntelliVision game Maze-a-Tron, deal with too much love for Paul, and the mystery that is the popularity of gorillas.
This week’s news includes:
- Electronic Arts buys Popcap Games
- Microsoft: Only Master Chief in Halo from now on
- PlayStation Vita dev costs closer to PSP
- Netflix takes aim at usage based billing
- Expert glitcher hired to clean up Modern Warfare 3’s multiplayer
- Skyrim ‘less confusing’, not ‘more accessible‘
There’s no Gaming History this week, but the Question of the Week is: “What old game do you most want to see remade?” There’s no contest behind it, but you can always take heart in the fact that your question was probably the most awesome.
Episode 765: Indy New GameEpisode 765: Indy New Game
The guys talk about Skate Story is finally releasing in December, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is getting a New Game+ mode and some new duds in a free update, Might and Magic: Olden Era is delayed to 2026, a Minecraft Movie sequel is coming in July 23, 2027, and Cities: Skylines 2‘s big Bridges and Ports expansion is finally almost here.
News includes:
- Helldivers 2 developers blame HDDs for the PC version’s file size & delayed updates
Let us know what you think.
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Bejeweled Twist Launched, Casualites RejoiceBejeweled Twist Launched, Casualites Rejoice
After four years of development, Popcap lit up Seattle Monday night with the launch of Bejeweled Twist sparing no expense to show off their new casual game. It took four years to complete but Popcap isn’t going to release a game until it’s perfect. You won’t play it until they believe it is a game their mom would love.
“Popcap builds games for people, not demographics,” says CEO David Roberts. At the launch the founders, John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka talked about the casual game market while the “Gem Girls” walked around looking sexy and flashy. Roberts talked about the casual game industry and forecasts it growing to become an $8 billion market — not too shabby for USD $19.99 games.
Downloads of Bejeweled, of course, show no signs of stopping and Popcap explained that 40% of their revenue comes from the old concepts of “Diamond Mine.” Phil Spencer, Microsoft Game Studios’ General Manager, hopped on stage and explained how Microsoft saw Popcap’s vision in their Diamond Mine flash game and suggested a rename to Bejeweled, the founders hated the name but took the big companies suggestion on the change.
Since then, we’ve had many folks attempt to clone and replicate the success in Popcap’s flagship product. Complete with open bar, Gem Girls, camera flashes and glitter this game launch shows the growing casual games industry the great power and momentum of “simple” casual games.
Nothing about Bejeweled Twist is simple. The game play of Bejeweled Twist aggregates all the knowledge Popcap has acquired over the last seven years to design one blockbuster title. From classic Bejeweled to Chuzzle to Peggle, the game takes pieces of each successful title and combines the game play, sounds, graphics and modes into a product that will bring casual gaming to a new level. Bejeweled Twist is going to be the new bar to reach in the industry in terms of addictive game play and a unified casual vision.
Stay tuned for the full review as we get deep into the full features of Bejeweled Twist. Special thanks to Dale North from Destructoid for hanging out for some drinks during the after party.