Part of this long episode was recorded live from the LA Convention Center floor at E3 2015, where Jonah and Paul were fresh off waiting in line for Disney amibos. There were some news items covered there, while a few more news items were recorded here.
Rather than list all of the news items, we’ll just relay the Question of the Week: “If Nintendo isn’t revealing a new console, should they skip E3 altogether in 2016?”
All this and listener feedback, too.
This week includes a Gaming Flashback about the sticky puzzle game World of Goo, which was one of the first games released without DLC — which is one of the main themes running through this podcast: videogame obsolescence. The guys also discuss James Gunn’s work on Lollipop Chainsaw and speedrun cheating.
The news for the week includes:
All this and Listener Feedback.
Ensemble Studios, owned and operated by Microsoft or, Microsoft Games Studios, has been targed to be dissolved. All employees will find new homes, a large quantity will start a new studio and continue maintaining the later released Halo Wars franchise.
Microsoft has chosen to close the studio as part of their growth plan of Microsoft Games Studios much like FASA was closed in the past. The difference, there is a new landing point for Halo Wars unlike the uncertain future of Shadowrun.
Commenting on the reason for the closure, Microsoft said, “This was a fiscally rooted decision that keeps MGS on its growth path. While the decision to dissolve Ensemble was not an easy one, Microsoft is working to place as many Ensemble employees who do not move to the newly formed studio into open positions within Microsoft as possible.” (gamespot)
Ensemble Studio’s folks will continue to work with Microsoft and will continue to support Halo Wars after its launch. It is important to stress their statement of continuing to support Halo Wars, there is no need to think the project will be done half-assed or without pride as the project will live on with a different studio name.
The only question is… what is causing Microsoft to close down studios with actively working real franchise projects? FASA went down, Bungie was let go on their own and now Ensemble Studios? There has to be something going on here… idea?
As those of you who might have noticed when going to Google.com, Google has turned 14 today. Back in 1998, who knew that it would become the premiere search engine, before branching out to pick up such sites as YouTube, and starting its own web browser?
Here’s to Google, which is in the midst of puberty. Salud.
Paul should stay because he loves Amibos and there’s nothing like collecting them. Can’t wait for Disney Infinity 3.0 and please, please, please stay, Paul. We need you!
Great long episode with many topics to respond to!
@Gamergate at E3: I agree with Paul women have been in gaming since their was video games. I’ve grown up with Rosella of Daventry, Laura Bow (From Dagger of Amon Ra and Colonel’s Bequest), Final Fantasy 6’s Terra and Celese, Crono Trigger’s Luca, Ayla and Nadia/Marle, Jill of the Jungle, Chell from Portal, etc. The list of characters goes on and there are many of those available online, not to mention all the games that allow you to choose your gender. So really there shouldn’t be any of this “worry” or “hesitation” when games with female leads do fine.
Also in Fallout 3 you can play female, here’s my daughter’s character Stella:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=469288564
I made an error on last episodes comments I meant that Fallout4’s Boston will be 2x the size of Skyrim and was commenting on Jonah’s feeling burned out on huge Open world games.
While still on the topic of Fallout Paul I’m sorry if you feel snubbed but you made your disdain of the series pretty clear, I didn’t think you would be interested at all.
I’ve never liked this mentality and have rebelled against the idea that hardware should be replaced after 2 years. I know my Nes and Super Nes lasted MUCH longer than 2 years.
@QotW: I think Nintendo should represent it’s self, I would still want to know what games they are working on for current hardware.
Great and entertaining episode guys!
This is the first time I’ve written in, and I just have to ask this of Paul: which are you more into, Disney or My Little Pony?