Colette & Matt Have Entered the Chat
155 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsColette Bennett and Matt Silverman chat weekly about the most important topic in human civilization: video games. They discuss games they’re playing, gaming news, online communities, streaming culture, and emerging trends in virtual and augmented reality.
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Episodes
153 Nintendo's April Indie World Was Short But Exciting
April 19, 2024 13:01 - 1 hour - 81.8 MBA handful of third-party games were showcased on Nintendo's short-but-sweet Indie World on Wednesday, and on second glance, there are some bangers coming up (including multiple cat games!). We run down the full list, and share our impressions of new releases and demos. Meanwhile, Colette bought a cheap ticket back to the post-apocalyptic glory of the original "Fallout," on the heels of the critically acclaimed TV show. And Matt gets his action roguelite fix with the indie shooter "Roboquest...
152 Our Wish Lists Just Tripled After the Triple-i Showcase
April 12, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 96.7 MBThe Triple-i Initiative, a loose collective of successful indie development teams, ran a showcase on Wednesday full of announcements, sequels, updates, and DLC. We run down the games that caught our attention, joined our wish lists, or got a hard pass. Also, some regulatory changes in the EU have big implications for the future of iOS, specifically around emulation. And our favorite game of 2023, Dredge, is getting a feature film! So, how the hell will they turn this atmospheric fishing sim...
151 Discord's New Ads May Not Be as Bad as We Thought
April 05, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 90.6 MBAfter years of monetizing through premium features and publicly dismissing the prospect of ads, Discord will soon roll out its new "Sponsored Quests," as reported by The Wall Street Journal. But unlike algorithmic news feeds or mid-chat interruptions, these ads will be centered around video game discovery and Discord's livestreaming features. We discuss how — if done responsibly — this model could sidestep the "enshitification" that so many other platforms fall victim to. Plus, STOP what yo...
150 How Many of These Video Game Trivia Questions Can You Get Right?
March 29, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 65.5 MBA fascinating Polygon interview with Xbox honcho Phil Spencer kicks off a discussion about about why AAA games are SO expensive to make, and the pressure it puts on them to succeed across platforms. We break down how this relates to the indie space, and debate what players actually want from game experiences in 2024. Plus, a surprise trivia challenge puts Colette and Matt's video game knowledge to the test. Play along at home, and let us know your score in the Discord! Email us with what y...
149 The "Stardew Valley" 1.6 Patch Notes Are Thicc AF
March 22, 2024 13:14 - 1 hour - 71.7 MBThe long awaited 1.6 update for "Stardew Valley" has hit PC, and Colette wasted no time in diving back into her favorite cozy game. We discuss her experiences so far, and react to the absolutely HUGE amount of new content in the patch notes. And if you need more farming in your life, "Lightyear Frontier" has just released into Early Access and Game Pass. Matt has been gorging on this peaceful new base building craft-em-up, where you drive (and customize!) a giant mech and restore nature wit...
148 Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection Is Off to a Rocky Start
March 15, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 64.7 MB"Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection" contains the two original games fans have been salivating over for decades. They look great. They run great. So why does everyone hate them? Plus, a group of "Mario Maker" enthusiasts are attempting to beat all 41,000 player-created levels in the entire game before Nintendo shuts down the Wii U servers in April. And they're already 99% there, with only the most dastardly levels remaining. Will they succeed? Colette shares an update on her "Person...
147 Nintendo Obliterates the Yuzu Switch Emulator in $2.4 Million Settlement
March 08, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 89.4 MBThe Switch emulator Yuzu has been in development since 2018, allowing hobbyists to play Nintendo software on PCs and Steam Decks, often at higher resolutions and frame rates. But the trappings around Yuzu — including a Patreon that raked in $30,000 per month, and specific updates encouraging users to emulate "Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" — have finally triggered the wrath of Nintendo's lawyers. This week's settlement of the lawsuit compels Yuzu's creator to terminate the project (along with...
146 Everything Announced in Nintendo's February Partner Direct
February 24, 2024 13:29 - 1 hour - 59.4 MBColette is on assignment this week, so Matt flies solo to rundown Nintendo's February Partner Direct, which looks like a banger — depending on what kind of games you like. New games, new footage reveals, Xbox exclusives crossing the divide, the return of some Rare classics, and a surprising amount of demos, including "Pepper Grinder" and "Unicorn Overlord." Also, Underwater games galore (!) and a big sad for "Earthbound/Mother" fans in the West. Plus, what our Discord community is hyped fo...
145 What "Persona 3 Reloaded" Gets Right
February 16, 2024 08:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBColette shares her early impressions of "Persona 3 Reloaded," the remake of the 2006 Atlus classic that updates and streamlines in all the best ways. Also, is Colette a min/maxer now???! Plus, Matt launches a demo for the highly anticipated "Homeworld 3," but it's missing a key element. Also, a $2 game with bad reviews is actually...great? Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ...
144 "Elden Ring," But On Your Telephone
February 09, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 65.8 MBReuters is reporting that Tencent and FromSoft have a mobile spinoff of "Elden Ring" well underway. So, how would a Genshin-style Souls-like actually work? We discuss the continued convergence of platforms and IP, and the future dominance of mobile for game devs. Plus, Xbox influencers are crying about exclusives becoming cross-platform, and our "Silent Hill" correspondent Colette shares her impressions of "Short Message," the free game in the franchise that dropped at last week's State of ...
143 All the Announcements From January's PlayStation State of Play
February 02, 2024 14:02 - 1 hour - 99.9 MBSony revealed a variety of 1st and 3rd party games, sequels, and DLC on its January 2024 State of Play livestream. We discuss the items that piqued our interest using our patent-pending scale of "How Many Fucks Given?" Plus, the ever-expanding Kojima-verse, and why the "Silent Hill" franchise is returning in a big way, including a brand new free game you can play right now. Also, Colette's first book, "Enter the Meta," is now available as an audiobook! We chat about the surprise voice acto...
142 We Have to Talk About "Palworld"
January 26, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBThe only story in video games this week is the explosive debut of "Palworld," an open world survival craft-em-up where you also use magic balls to capture (and enslave) adorable creatures that look ... a LOT ... like other Pocket Monsters you may be familiar with. Colette and Matt share their hands-on review of the oft-dubbed "Pokemon with Guns," and the experience of playing it online with our community! We discuss what makes the game SO addictive, the many reasons players feel drawn to th...
141 The Dumbest Video Game Lawsuit We've Seen in a While
January 19, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 75.8 MBColette is back to discuss the mind-blowing way a 13-year-old reached the "end" of NES "Tetris." On December 21, BlueScuti (aka Willis Gibson) became the first person to reach the breakneck mathematical end of "Tetris" for the NES, which causes the game to crash. While this made headlines around the gaming world, other "Tetris" pros quickly learned from Gibson's strategy, and one actually reached the "end" 21 seconds faster on January 3. Plus, the GBA gem "Golden Sun" comes to Switch Online...
140 An In-Depth Discussion About the Ethics of AI-Generated Art (w/ Human Artist Sky Burkson)
January 12, 2024 21:30 - 1 hour - 109 MBMiniature artist and video game connoisseur Sky Burkson returns to the show to fill in for Colette. And while we set out to talk about some video game news, we veer into a wide-ranging and deeply philosophical discussion about the artistic process, and the ethics of AI art, which has reared its head in nearly every industry — including video games. We discuss the very purpose of (capital "A") Art, and the scenarios in which AI tools could ethically be used (if at all), including a model of ...
139 More "Switch 2" Predictions, and Mickey Mouse Goes on a Killing Spree
January 05, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 86.6 MBWe're back after a long and virus-infused holiday break to dive into the latest Switch 2 rumors which predict that...The Switch 2 will definitely happen! Also, what are Square Enix's "aggressive" plans to use AI in game design? And, the difference between using tech to eliminate drudgery vs. eliminating workers. Plus: The first iteration of Mickey Mouse (as Steamboat Willie) has entered the public domain, and he's already popped up in a horror video game (thank you, Internet!). We discuss c...
138 We Tried So Hard to Like Farming MMO "Palia"
December 22, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 75.6 MBFarming MMO "Palia" came out for Nintendo Switch after some time in the PC oven, and it has everything we want from this kind of game. So...why is it so bad? Also, to the surprise of no one, "Dave the Diver" is GREAT! Plus: A huge data breach at Insomniac/Sony reveals interesting conversations about the future of the games business. We say BUH-BYE to one of the industry's most disliked CEOs, and we pay respects to "Max Payne" voice actor James McCaffrey, who sadly passed away this week. R...
137 Our Top 5 Games of the Year for 2023
December 15, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 85.2 MB🎵 It's the most wonderful time of the year 🎵 when we rank our absolute favorite video games of 2023. We reveal our 5 favorites to each other, and to you in real time! Get ready for a few surprises, and of course some obvious choices. Plus: E3 is officially dead. We mourn the loss of the trade show institution, and discuss what has replaced it. Colette shares her memories of being on the ground at the show for three years, from 2007 to 2010. We also discuss a few of the announcements and tr...
136 Our Faves From the Wholesome Snack Showcase
December 08, 2023 13:44 - 1 hour - 76.9 MBWe woke up WAY too early to recap the Wholesome Snack showcase and pluck out the cozy, adorable, and beautiful games that caught our attention. Don't worry, they're not ALL farming sims. From communal city builders to 2D-3D cats, we've got the scoop on all things Wholesome. Plus: Crabs with guns and a boomer (magic) shooter that respects its roots. We'll be back next week with our reactions to The Game Awards. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! HaveEnteredThe...
135 We Tried to Play a Video Game Together on the Internet
December 01, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 86.3 MBFor possibly the first time ever, Colette and Matt attempted to play a video game together. It was a spectacular failure, but not for the reasons you'd suspect. Plus: Would you want your OWN voice to be the protagonist in your next game? EA's new patent bets you will. We discuss the complications of AI voice synthesis in games and other media. Also, the economics of Game Pass in a world of platform convergence, and the grind that keeps us coming back for more "Genshin Impact." Email us wi...
134 Bring Your Nintendo DS to Thanksgiving
November 24, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBIt's that time of year when we gather with family and friends, only to sneak away and grind out a few levels between the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. We asked our listeners what they've queued up over the long Thanksgiving weekend, and discuss the legacy (and current second-hand market) of the Nintendo (3)DS. Plus: What would it take to fork over $60 on the "Super Mario RPG" remake? Colette's continued obsession with "Genshin Impact," Matt rolls credits on "Tears of the Kingdom," more...
133 "Hades" Is Coming to (Certain) Telephones, and Our Fave November Nindies
November 17, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 91 MB"You can play 'Hades' on a telephone via Netflix" is a sentence we never thought we'd say, but it's happening. We continue to be fascinated by Netflix's innovative approach to game licensing, and the convergence of platforms (console, PC, mobile, and streaming) that make this all possible. Plus, "Persona 6" is happening, Amazon lays off 180 in its gaming division, the Game Awards nominees are in, and the games that caught our eye in Nintendo's Indie World November showcase. Also, will Cole...
132 Who Will Play Link in the Zelda Movie? And a New Steam Deck!?
November 10, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 108 MBWe fell asleep for a week and woke up to an unhinged amount of video game news, including the green light for a live action "Legend of Zelda" movie, "GTA 6" announced, a new "Mass Effect," more Switch 2 rumors, and the surprise launch of the Steam Deck OLED, which is actually more than a pretty screen. Plus, the thing that finally got Colette hooked on "Genshin Impact," Matt's space cruise continues, "Alan Wake II," and an adorable game about cleaning up the ocean and petting fish. Email u...
131 Our One Big Problem With "Super Mario Bros. Wonder"
October 27, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 92.7 MBSMB Wonder is an extraordinary game, full of absolute joy and unbridled creativity...except for one REALLY annoying part. Meanwhile, Colette looks back at the legacy of Alan Wake in preparation for the sequel, and some other spoopy games for the season. And Matt prepares to board a community-driven space cruise ship in Elite: Dangerous. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ F...
130 "Super Mario Bros. Wonder" First Impressions
October 20, 2023 18:24 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBSuper Mario Bros. Wonder is in the wild, and we've played a few hours of it. We share what makes it charming, innovative and dare we say...FUN? Also, somehow we end up talking about Howie Mandel for like 20 minutes. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Follow and subscribe to Colette: https://twitter.com/colettebennett https://www.twitch.tv/hellococobee Follow and subscri...
129 The Zelda Timeline Officially Makes Even Less Sense Now!
October 13, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 81.3 MBHow much Halloween decorating is TOO much? The answer: It's never enough! This week, Unity's CEO gets the boot, Activision/Blizzard games are (probably) enroute to Game Pass, "Guitar Hero" might be coming back(?), and the director of "Tears of the Kingdom" explains why the game's lore makes literally no sense. Also, we take a peek at some Steam Next Fest Demos, share an extremely short but emotional game, and an objectively bad Switch port that's actually kinda awesome. Colette's playing:...
128 "Dotage" Combines the Best Parts of "Rimworld" and "Civ"
October 06, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 73.1 MBEpic lays off 830 people and Jim Ryan is out at PlayStation, but in not-crappy news: Indie games are great! This week, we crank up the hype meter even further for "Stardew" 1.6, ponder why anyone would buy a PS5 in 2023, and go further in depth on "Dotage," an apocalyptic village management sim that combines the best parts of "Rimworld" and "Civilization" without skimping on depth or meta progression. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! HaveEnteredTheChat@gmail...
127 Meta Quest 3 vs. SteamVR 2.0: The VR Race (Finally) Heats Up
September 29, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBThe Meta Quest 3 VR headset has been revealed, boasting higher resolutions and more horsepower, but coincidentally (?) Valve has pushed SteamVR 2.0 into beta, which unifies PC, Steam Deck, and VR interfaces across its ecosystem. Does this hint at the long-rumored wireless Steam headset incoming? And if so, should Valve compete with Meta for mainstream users, or should it stick to the core gaming audience? And where would Apple fit into this market, if at all? We discuss the race for VR adop...
126 Microsoft's Leaked Gaming Roadmap, and 'Monster Hunter' Goes Mobile
September 22, 2023 13:13 - 1 hour - 75 MBLeaked emails from the FTC investigation of Microsoft reveal some interesting plans for Xbox consoles, controllers, remastered games, the cost of making GamePass happen, and the possibility of acquiring...Nintendo? We put it all into context. PLUS: Unity gets its comeuppance thanks to the solidarity of game devs, our trepidation around the end of "Sea of Stars," and the newest location-based game from Niantic is an impressive take on what makes "Monster Hunter" so fun. Also, where are all ...
125 Nintendo Direct Reactions and Ask Your Doctor If "Fae Farm" Is Right For You
September 16, 2023 01:07 - 2 hours - 127 MBNintendo's September Direct sure was dull...until it TOTALLY wasn't! We run down the list of instant-buys, maybes, and passes from the recent show. Plus, early impressions of "F-Zero 99" and the things that set "Fae Farm" apart in a world of endless farming sims. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Follow and subscribe to Colette: https://twitter.com/colettebennett https:...
124 This Adorable Bunny Game Scratches the Animal Crossing Itch
September 08, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 85 MBHappy "Starfield" release week! We discuss all the reasons we probably won't play it, but it sure looks great for what it is! In the meantime, we are OBSESSED with "Usagi Shima," a solo-dev mobile game about running a tiny resort for adorable watercolor bunnies. We chat about what makes the "Neko Aastume-like" so special, and the passage of time in games. Plus, belated reactions to the "Super Mario Bros. Wonder" Direct, the price of PlayStation Plus is going WAY up, and our ongoing thoughts...
123 Why "Sea of Stars" Is So Special
September 01, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBWe both share our early (and glowing) impressions of Sabotage Studio's stylish sophomore selection, "Sea of Stars!" (That's a lot of S's). We discuss the outstanding sprite work, music, prologue tutorial, why the demo did this game a disservice, and the mechanical depth that far exceeds its 16-bit inspirations. Plus, walkable cities IRL, why Colette needs to return to TotK (someday), and an unexpected interruption... Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! HaveEnte...
122 'Vampire Survivors' With Co-Op Is a Whole New Game
August 25, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 101 MBThe voice of Mario is changing after 30+ years, and legendary RPG studio BioWare gave its veteran writers the boot. Fortunately, there's a new "No Man's Sky" update, and "Vampire Survivors" has co-op now! Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Follow and subscribe to Colette: https://twitter.com/colettebennett https://www.twitch.tv/hellococobee Follow and subscribe to Matt:...
121 Things Take Time to Make (Sky Burkson Returns!)
August 18, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours - 112 MBVideo game miniature artist and reluctant social media influencer Sky Burkson returns to share progress on his EPIC "Monster Hunter: World" papercraft set piece, and discuss how freecam boundary breaking is key to peering around video game corners players can't see. Also, we learn that capitalism is probably real bad! While Colette is packing up for a move, Matt and Sky discuss LEGO penises, the meteoric rise of "Baldur's Gate 3," and why "Pikmin 4" is so damn fun. Follow Sky's work: https...
120 What's the DEAL With This Netflix Game Controller?
August 11, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 96.3 MBNetflix, the video store that mails you DVDs, just released an iOS app that turns your phone into a video game controller! How will this work? Where are the games? And most importantly, what KINDS of games will stream to your TV? This week, we continue our discussion of Netflix's ongoing foray into games, and why their shrewd mobile strategy proves they're not constrained to their own platform. Plus, "Baldur's Gate 3" continues to break Steam records and blow away the expectations of fans ...
119 Is 'Baldur's Gate 3' Right For You? + A New Switch in 2024?
August 04, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 86.5 MBHappy "Baldur's Gate 3" release day to all who celebrate! We look back at this venerated franchise and why we're hesitant to sink into the latest 1.0, despite its rave reviews from fans and critics. Plus, credible journalism hints at new Nintendo hardware coming in 2024. While the form factor will be similar to the Switch (duh), the biggest question remains: Will it be backwards compatible? We discuss the business case for and against this key feature. Also, our latest obsessions from the ...
118 'Gravity Circuit' Is a Great Game That I Don't Like
July 28, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 83.4 MBHey kids, don't follow your dreams. At least that's how we elderly gamers relate to our passions. This week we discuss what happens when you see the flaws in your favorite artform, and whether or not it matters to you. Plus, many Diablo players are not happy with Season 1 nerfs, and some crafty WoW players put one over on an AI news bot. Plus, why "Gravity Circuit" is a fantastic "Meg Man" successor that's too hard to be fun, and the arrival of 2 often-overlooked Zelda games on Nintendo Swi...
117 "Viewfinder's" Mind-Bending Physics and Demon Fisting in "D4"
July 21, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBViewfinder is a surprise treat on Steam, but is it worth $25? Plus, Season 1 of Diablo IV kicks off with fresh characters and new lore to explore. Also: Microsoft has overcome most of the regulatory scrutiny in its acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. But are governments asking the right questions when it comes to monopolistic control of the gaming market? Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://disco...
116 Happy 20th Birthday, Second Life (w/ virtual worlds reporter Wagner James Au)
July 14, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 70.7 MBBefore MySpace existed, there was already a thriving social network. But this one was fully in 3D. And you could fly! Second Life turns 20 years old this summer, and it remains a vibrant ecosystem of players, creators, and a reminder of how a real "metaverse" should be built. Author and reporter Wagner James Au joins us to reflect on the enormous impact Second Life has had on games, and what we can learn from it as new "wannabe" metaverses spring up all the time. Check out James' book: Mak...
115 You Can Kill Chocobos in 'Final Fantasy XVI' and That's Wrong
July 07, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBWe're BACK with hot takes on FF16's epic combat and storyline, a factory game for people who hate factories, rolling credits on Diablo IV, and many pew-pew spaceship sounds! PLUS, what our beloved community is playing in the wake of a TotK-filled month. Colette's playing: Final Fantasy XVI and Diablo IV Matt's playing: Nova Lands and EVERSPACE 2 Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz...
114 brb, afk vol. 6
June 30, 2023 19:52 - 9 minutes - 9.1 MBWe're excited to talk about FF16 and more, but we're skipping this week's pod due to LIFE. In the meantime, Matt checks in to see how things are going. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Follow and subscribe to Colette: https://twitter.com/colettebennett https://www.twitch.tv/hellococobee Follow and subscribe to Matt: https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/ https://www.you...
113 Super Mario: U N H I N G E D (Nintendo Direct Reactions)
June 23, 2023 12:25 - 1 hour - 92.1 MBJoin us as we lose our minds over all the games announced at Nintendo's June Direct, including Super Mario's exciting new experiments with LSD! Also, Pick-Men, Mario RPG is back, and the insanity of 4-player co-op Vampire Survivors. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Follow and subscribe to Colette: https://twitter.com/colettebennett https://www.twitch.tv/hellococobee F...
112 Our Favorite Reveals From Summer Games Fest, Xbox, Wholesome & More
June 16, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 91.7 MBGAMES! They are coming out! We've plucked the most interesting titles from Summer Games Fest, the Xbox Showcase, Wholesome Direct, and Devolver Direct. What are you most looking forward to? Get at us below with your picks: Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Follow and subscribe to Colette: https://twitter.com/colettebennett https://www.twitch.tv/hellococobee Follow and ...
111 The $3,500 Apple Vision Pro Isn't For Games (Yet)
June 09, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 68.5 MBWe are floored and confused by the reveal of Apple's long-rumored augmented reality headset. If you like opening and closing 100-foot Safari tabs in your livingroom, then this puppy will only set you back $3,500. If you're waiting for something more, this ep is for you. We discuss the exciting potential of granular eye tracking, gesture control, and why the VR/AR market continues to be fractured between gamer enthusiasts and normals. Plus, Colette blows past the early level caps in Diablo ...
110 Who Needs Sony's Project Q? Our PlayStation Showcase Reactions
June 02, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 68.8 MBSony's Playstation Showcase revealed some exciting new IP and franchise faves from a variety of studios. Which ones caught our eyes and ears? And what's up with this new Playstation handheld? Plus, is TotK ruining all other video games for us? And an exciting new endeavor in Colette's household! A Guide to Royal Thai Cuisine: https://guide.michelin.com/th/en/article/features/a-guide-to-royal-thai-cuisine Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! HaveEnteredTheChat@g...
109 Dopamine Forest: The Real Reason 'Tears of the Kingdom' Is So Rewarding
May 26, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 61 MBOur obsession with Tears of the Kingdom continues as we discuss what makes it so engaging, and how it masterfully avoids the pitfalls of "aimless" open world game design. We also address some of the criticism around its re-hashing of BoTW, and why that ultimately works in its favor in strange ways. Also, what's the best way to watch (and understand?) Evangelion? [This episode contains NO SPOILERS for TotK, despite our original plans! Listen without fear!] Colette's playing: TotK, Ghostlo...
108 AI Will Be Amazing For Video Games, Rough on Society
May 19, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 62.8 MBColette is BACK, and her jaw remains on the floor after diving into Tears of the Kingdom. She shares her first impressions and we get serious about what makes the latest Zelda game so great. Plus, Steam's new "try it before you buy it" feature and the promising future of Large Language Models (like ChatGPT) in video games. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Follow and subs...
107 TEARS OF THE KINGDOM First Impressions With @JammyCooks
May 12, 2023 17:23 - 1 hour - 61.3 MB[SPOILER-FREE DISCUSSION UNTIL 50:10] The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has finally arrived, and we've been playing since it dropped last night. Colette is on assignment, so fellow Zelda fanatic Jaime Carrillo joins Matt to discuss the first 3-4 hours of what may go down in history as one of the greatest video games ever made. Jaime has loved Zelda since he was a (literal) fetus, and shares the fresh and familiar mechanics that make ToTK so remarkable. He also shares the inspiratio...
106 What Are You Playing While We Wait for "Tears of the Kingdom?"
May 05, 2023 07:00 - 57 minutes - 53.1 MBThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is ONE WEEK AWAY. Is your body ready? What are you doing, playing, or not playing to clear your mind and calendar for May 12? Matt flies solo for this one to discuss your pre-TotK plans while Colette is on vacation. Matt's playing: Grounded Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Follow and subscribe to Colette: https://twitter.com/col...
105 UK Blocks the Microsoft/Activision Merger. Now What?
April 28, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 74.3 MBThe United Kingdom has blocked Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard in a major regulatory swing, citing unfair competition in the cloud gaming market. Microsoft will appeal of course, but what actually happens if one country blocks a multi-national merger? We discuss the differences between what we (as gamers) want to happen, vs. what should happen. Also, the jaw-dropping photorealism of Unrecord, and our favorite gems from Nintendo's April Indie World Showcase. Spoiler: It was diff...
104 What Would a Netflix AAA Live Service Game Look Like?
April 21, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBWhen Netflix first entered the games biz, many in the industry scoffed. But their partnership strategies and platform-agnostic mobile approach has shown promise. Now the news of a former Halo developer joining Netflix to create a new AAA IP has us thinking: A cross-platform, live service game on PC and consoles that's "free" to play with a Netflix login could be a massive hit — if the game is great. We discuss the shifting live service landscape, our excitement for Stardew Valley 1.6, Sega ...