Episode 588: Microsoft Buys ZeniMaxEpisode 588: Microsoft Buys ZeniMax

So, a day before the Xbox Series X preorder launch (which after the podcast was a complete shitshow), Microsoft drops the mic by announcing they just essentially purchased The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Prey, DOOM, and other major properties. Not much else to talk about, really.

The game news includes:

  • Microsoft purchases ZeniMax for $7.5B
  • Bethesda’s overhauling its engine for Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6
  • Former Skullgirls developers have launched a new studio called Future Club
  • Hades has sold 1m copies
  • Blizzard confirms BlizzCon 2021 dates

Let us know what you think.

Episode 587: Ubisoft ForwardEpisode 587: Ubisoft Forward

This week the gang reacts to Ubisoft’s pseudo-E3 presentation showing off their upcoming games, including Watch Dogs Legion, Immortals Fenyx Rising, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World: The Game: The Remaster, and Riders Republic, and Yves Guillemot’s strange pre-show video.

Other news items include:

  • Bungie emphatically denies Microsoft buyout rumor
  • Former Witcher 3 devs are launching a sci-fi novel-inspired game

Let us know what you think.

Episode 584: More #MeTooEpisode 584: More #MeToo

Depressingly, sexual harassment in a development studio is once again the lead news item this week, and from a studio most gamers would never think it could happen. That, and major seismic shifting in the power structure of the digital storefront landscape.

The news includes:

  • Multiple employees resign over Skullgirls studio head’s behavior
  • Microsoft sides with Epic in legal battle with Apple
  • Another intimidating obelisk has been found in Microsoft Flight Simulator

Let us know what you think.

Episode 583: #MeToo in VideogamesEpisode 583: #MeToo in Videogames

The latest sexual harassment scandal rocks, and things are not steady with the developer. Bad puns aside, the industry continues to have to grow up from dude-bro heaven to actual places of business.

All that, as well as the following news items:

  • Batman: Arkham studio accused of failing to prevent sexual harassment
  • Spelunky 2 is now on Steam with an updated release window
  • Nintendo’s next Switch indie presentation tomorrow
  • 7.5 million players claimed a free copy of Total War Saga: Troy

Let us know what you think.

Episode 582: Is the Lockhart Real?Episode 582: Is the Lockhart Real?

Well, yes, it is real, just unannounced. The Xbox Series S is probably the worst kept secret at this point. In addition to the rumors, there’s some other interesting stuff going on pre-Gamescom.

The news includes:

  • EA Access page is now live on Steam
  • Injustice 3, featuring the Watchmen, has been seemingly teased
  • Xbox Series S name pops up on Microsoft’s next-gen controller packaging

Let us know what you think.

Episode 581: Double Stuffed EpisodeEpisode 581: Double Stuffed Episode

This week’s episode is almost two hours long thanks to the ID@Xbox Showcase and the Microsoft Xbox Series X stream.

There was also news, which includes:

  • Hideo Kojima in talks with Junji Ito bbout a new project
  • Mysterious white next-gen Xbox controller appears online
  • Fall Guys was the top game on Twitch during its beta weekend

Let us know what you think.

Episode 580: Virtual E3Episode 580: Virtual E3

Publishers are doing their virtual E3 announcements, such as Ubisoft Forward and ID@Xbox’s Indie Showcase. There’s other wild news going on, and some not even in the official news items below.

Said news items include:

  • Ubisoft executives quit over misconduct allegations
  • Microsoft has stopped making the Xbox One X
  • Blasphemous gets free Stir of Dawn DLC on August 4

Let us know what you think.

Episode 577: Slow News WeekEpisode 577: Slow News Week

There really wasn’t all that much going on this week in terms of hard news, but there was a bunch of mini-items that got discussed, as well as a Gaming Flashback of the terrifying game Amnesia: The Dark Descent.

What little news this week had included:

  • Microsoft shutting down Mixer streaming platform
  • Street Fighter 5 pros forfeit Capcom Pro Tour matches over lag

Let us know what you think.

Episode 575: Resident Rock of AgesEpisode 575: Resident Rock of Ages

This week’s episode features a Gaming Flashback about… nothing. The week before the PC Gaming Show and PlayStation 5 show is kinda slow, but there was some chatter in the industry.

The news topics feature:

  • Resident Evil 3 will not receive any DLCs or significant updates in the future
  • Elite Dangerous: Odyssey will let players walk around
  • The Rock of Ages 3 open beta starts on June 9th
  • Persona 4 Golden reportedly heading to PC this week

Let us know what you think.