Press Row Podcast
134 episodes - English - Latest episode: 24 days ago - ★★★★★ - 78 ratingsSports video game podcast, discussing the hottest sports gaming stories.
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Episodes
2017's Best Racing Games
December 22, 2017 17:13 - 1 hour - 68.5 MBFor the first time ever, the Press Row Podcast awards its Racing Game of the Year. 2017 was a banner year for racers, with a slew of new releases of high quality that featured every kind of racing imaginable. Simulation titles, arcade games, cars, bikes, and karts all made big noise this year. To settle on a champion, we gathered noted friends of the show and avid racing game fans Greg Sewart, Dr. Ken Parker, Pete Dodd, and Dave Benrey to count down their top three favorites and determine ...
Sports Game of the Year 2017
December 14, 2017 20:46 - 1 hour - 75.2 MBA wide open field in 2017 has resulted in the most unpredictable and fascinating Sports Game of the Year voting yet! While many of the games were fantastic in general they all had some serious flaws that detracted from their full potential, and because of that expect there to be no consensus "best" game that will sweep its way to a victory. Will MLB The Show 17 repeat off last year's win with MLB 16? Will NBA 2K18 bounce back or fall even further after the award-winning 2K16 preceded 2K17 ...
Entering Awards Season
December 09, 2017 17:32 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBTwo of the biggest annual gaming events have just taken place between the PlayStation Experience and The Game Awards. Both were sure disappointments for anyone hoping to see sports games represented. This episode of the Press Row Podcast features discussion on the events and why, despite their place dominating sales charts and high cultural relevance, sports games continue to go without recognition. Also in this episode a look ahead at possible features for NHL 19, the announcement of a se...
EA Sports UFC 3 beta impressions
November 30, 2017 15:49 - 1 hour - 62.1 MBThis episode of the Press Row Podcast features impressions of the beta currently being held for EA Sports UFC 3. With the series coming off an improved effort the potential for the third entry is very high, and the beta has provided the first opportunity to assess gameplay advancements as well as a revamped Ultimate Team mode. Additionally the latest developments involving game monetization are discussed, and specifically the building concern that legislators will put into place roadblo...
Diving deep into NBA 2K18
November 25, 2017 16:50 - 1 hour - 89 MBWe welcome Scott O'Gallagher from the NBA 2K development team back to the show this week! Along with host Rich Grisham, Scott explores NBA 2K18's gameplay, including 'chalkboard' sessions to help players understand what's happening on the court - and why. They also discuss the game's push into eSports, how different segments of fans look for widely varying experiences, and what the transition from support from 'yearly' to 'always' has meant to the NBA 2K crew. On the show this week: Rich...
Evolution or Revolution
November 18, 2017 07:40 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBIt's an especially tumultuous time for the gaming industry as aggressive monetization tactics face intense pushback from media and consumers. Even as sports games consistently reside near the top of the sales charts and generate extraordinary digital revenue publishers are looking ahead for how to not only sustain that success but grow even further. In this episode of the Press Row Podcast the subject of microtransactions/loot boxes and their influence on game design is revisited with disc...
Xbox One X and Sports Games
November 10, 2017 16:50 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBWhat can more powerful hardware do to improve some already very good sports video games? We got the answer this week with the release of the Xbox One X and in this episode of the Press Row Podcast the benefits of the pricey new console are examined. The likes of Madden NFL 18, FIFA 18, NBA 2K18, and Forza can now be played in native 4K with HDR (true also of the PS4 Pro) but the improvements go beyond the visuals on Xbox One X. Framerates can be better and loading times are significantly s...
Racing games of 2017
November 05, 2017 07:45 - 1 hour - 88.3 MB2017 has proven to be, in many ways, a banner year for racing games. From Forza 7 to Gran Turismo Sport, F1 2017 to NASCAR Heat 2, Dirt 4 to Project Cars 2, there are plenty of interesting choices for the casual and hardcore racing game fan alike. However, even the most ardent fans of these titles have concerns. How do lootboxes and in-game economies truly impact Forza 7? How does the non-traditional approach in Gran Turismo translate to fans? Can F1 2017 appeal to people who may not be bi...
Team Builders
October 27, 2017 16:58 - 1 hour - 69.1 MBThe Ultimate Team style modes in sports games are more popular with consumers than ever before, and they're also leaned on more than ever by publishers for the revenues they provide. What is it about these team building, card collecting modes that have proven to be so compelling and successful? What challenges do they face right now and into the future? A panel of experts on the various modes throughout the genre discuss the phenomenon on this episode. On the show this week: Bryan Wiedey,...
Loot boxes and an industry at a crossroads
October 20, 2017 16:11 - 1 hour - 70.9 MBWhether it’s the VC in NBA 2K18 or the increased presence of “loot boxes” in games like Star Wars: Battlefront II and Forza Motorsport 7, the influence on development directly related to monetization efforts is at the forefront of discussion right now amongst gaming press and consumers. In this episode of the Press Row Podcast the panel covers why it has taken until now for such immense backlash to formulate, the necessity of publishers/developers to find ways to generate digital revenue p...
The big business of sports video games
October 13, 2017 19:19 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBSports video games are enjoying - in many cases - their most profitable releases ever. In other areas, however, there are reasons for concern. We're joined by Mat Piscatella from the NPD to explore all the angles around the big business - and big money - of sports video games. What does all of this mean to consumers? What about developers? Who are the big winners, and who stands to be left out of the party? It's a fun and fascinating look at the business behind the games that we love. On t...
Game Informant
October 06, 2017 16:27 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBWith the recent avalanche of releases how does a sports gaming fan choose where to spend their money and time? Matthew Kato of Game Informer is welcomed for this episode of the Press Row Podcast to help sort through all the games that have recently arrived. Discussion includes which of the soccer games is the one to get, how microtransactions are affecting series like NBA 2K and Forza, the best sports game for the unfamiliar or inexperienced, the biggest surprises and disappointments as of l...
Microtransaction Mania
September 29, 2017 13:25 - 1 hour - 70 MB2K Sports is facing criticism from all sides over the aggressive implementation of Virtual Currency within NBA 2K18. VC is nothing new to the popular basketball franchise however, so why has this become such a story now that mainstream gaming media, Youtube personalities, and consumers are all making their voices heard on the matter? We discuss the circumstances specific to the NBA 2K series that has allowed the situation to blow up, and the necessary pursuit of digital revenue for publisher...
Roundball Review Roundtable (NBA 2K18, NBA Live 18)
September 22, 2017 18:12 - 1 hour - 84.1 MBNBA 2K18 and NBA Live 18 came upon their respective releases having traveled dramatically different paths to get there. NBA 2K has grown into the second biggest sports game in the world and is guaranteed to be a smash hit now annually. NBA Live is simply trying to recapture some credibility after eight years defined more by its cancellations than even its sub-par editions. In this episode of the Press Row Podcast both games are examined closely, with areas such as accessibility, gameplay, ...
Surveying the Field
September 16, 2017 00:02 - 1 hour - 70.9 MBKat Bailey, Editor in Chief of USgamer and longtime friend of the show, drops by for a one-on-one conversation about all the new sports games of the fall. Kat dives deep into NHL 18, Pro Evolution 2018, Madden NFL 18, and NBA 2K18. If you’re wondering what big console sports titles to check out this year, Kat lays out the pros and cons. On the show this week: Richard Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham) Kat Bailey, USgamer, (@the_katbot)
Trial Period
September 10, 2017 04:10 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBWith limited-time trials available to play for NBA Live 18, NHL 18, and NBA 2K18, this episode of the Press Row Podcast covers first impressions of the three games which all have drastically different circumstances surrounding their release. Live desperately needs to recapture some credibility, NHL is stable but looking to generate new sales to casual consumers, and 2K18 is guaranteed to be a smash hit but is getting fans started early on their careers. On the show this week: Bryan Wiedey...
The long road for Longshot
September 01, 2017 20:35 - 1 hour - 65.4 MBWith Longshot in Madden NFL 18 garnering high praise this episode of the Press Row Podcast features an interview with the architects behind the franchise's first-ever story mode. Mike Young (director, co-writer) and Adrian Todd Zuniga (co-writer) join the show to discuss the process behind crafting the story first as a movie and evolution into a compelling interactive experience for the game that followed. On the show this week: Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass (@pastap...
Madden NFL 18 review roundtable
August 25, 2017 21:45 - 1 hour - 110 MBThe sports-gaming season is now underway with the release of Madden NFL 18, and following the initial impressions show last week we're back with a panel to break down many aspects of the game in a supersized two hour episode! Longshot story mode, Franchise mode, gameplay, MUT Squads, and more are covered in-depth, with the discussion later ending on some thoughts regarding the way the Madden and sports titles in general are poorly covered by gaming media and the way marketing strategies ar...
Madden NFL 18 first impressions
August 18, 2017 18:45 - 58 minutes - 53.1 MBLast year Madden was able to establish itself back within the upper-echelon of sports titles, finishing second in the Press Row Podcast Sports Game of the Year voting. Madden NFL 18 hopes to build on that success with the introduction of the series' first ever story mode, the return of online co-op, three new play styles, visual enhancements made possible due to the Frostbite Engine, and number of gameplay improvements. In this episode first impressions of Madden NFL 18 are discussed, goin...
Full court press from NBA Live
August 13, 2017 02:05 - 1 hour - 66.7 MBFrom cancellations to poorly received releases, the once proud NBA Live franchise has seen its reputation dissipate entirely at the same time its competition rose to prominence. The upcoming NBA Live 18 however appears ready to reestablish some credibility and strategies ranging from a free demo to a pre-order discount are making it a safer purchase for those open to giving it another chance. In this episode of the Press Row Podcast impressions from the just released demo are discussed as ...
The evolving marketing of sports video games
August 03, 2017 19:05 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBIn recent years video game publishers have made dramatic shifts in how they promote their upcoming products. Whether it's holding back information longer or who it is that gets early access to spread information and media, the marketing landscape has changed as fewer games are released and they become more reliant on generating year-round digital revenue. In this episode of the Press Row Podcast we discuss why marketing tactics are evolving and whether any consumer concerns are justified. ...
Sports Gaming Preseason
July 29, 2017 06:40 - 1 hour - 66.1 MBIf it didn't already feel like sports the gaming season is just about upon us it certainly does now. Online betas for two of the upcoming games are currently active and two other highly-anticipated games have revealed details on a number of significant features and improvements. In this episode of the Press Row Podcast the panel discusses impressions of the NHL 18 and PES 2018 betas, detailed info on improvements for the two franchise modes in NBA 2K18, and various community requests that ...
Pick One
July 21, 2017 20:20 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBThe start of the sports gaming season is nearly upon us and in this episode of the Press Row Podcast the panel looks ahead by playing a game called "Pick One." Each person picks the one sports game they would choose this fall - and only one - then choose the one sports game franchise as their 'gotta have it.' Also discussed: impressions of Fire Pro Wrestling World and the latest with MLB The Show 17. On the show this week: Rich Grisham, Out of the Park Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgris...
Four years since NCAA Football’s cancellation
July 15, 2017 17:41 - 1 hour - 68.4 MBThis last Tuesday marked what would have been the release of NCAA Football 18 had the series not been cancelled in 2013. There also hasn't been a college basketball game since 2009. How did we get to where we are now that college sports is barely represented in gaming? What is the potential for college sports to make any sort of comeback in the future? From the lawsuits that began eight years ago to why no developer would take on such a project right now given the circumstances, alternativ...
Reflecting on the first half of 2017
July 07, 2017 20:16 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBThis episode of the Press Row Podcast looks back at the games that released and biggest stories to have developed through the mid-point of the year. MLB The Show 17, NBA Playgrounds, The Golf Club 2, ARMS, Rocket League and more are reassessed and news on eSports, digital subscription services, story modes, and new consoles are revisited. On the show this week: Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Hit the Pass/Sporting News (@pastapadre) Rich Grisham, Out of the Park Developments/Hit The Pass (@ric...
The Golf Club 2 Impressions
June 30, 2017 18:59 - 1 hour - 67.7 MBNearly three years have passed since HB Studios debuted The Golf Club and now its sequel has just released. This episode of the Press Row Podcast examines The Golf Club 2 with discussion on its ultra-realistic gameplay, improvements to accessibility, new features, and unfortunate server problems. Other topics covered during the show include patch restrictions on the Nintendo Switch discovered through NBA Playgrounds' struggles to get an update out that could threaten post-release support o...
E3 impressions and NHL 18 news
June 23, 2017 15:45 - 1 hour - 60 MBHaving extensively discussed all the big news that came out of EA Play and E3 in the last two podcast episodes, Kat Bailey is now welcomed to the show to go over some hands-on impressions from the show floor for Madden NFL 18, FIFA 18, and Pro Evolution Soccer 18 before turning to a breakdown of all the news on NHL 18 which includes several confirmed features and an upcoming online beta. On the show this week: Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Hit the Pass/Sporting News (@pastapadre) Rich Grisha...
E3 2017 Recap
June 17, 2017 16:22 - 55 minutes - 51 MBAfter covering the reveals from the EA Play press briefing in the last show, this episode of the Press Row Podcast features discussion on the rest of the news to come out of E3 week. That includes the Sony and Microsoft presentations (with the finalized details on the Xbox One X), more details on the Nintendo Switch version of FIFA 18 and what it means for its prospects for success, the announcement of an online beta for Pro Evolution Soccer 2018, and the disaster that E3 created by welcomin...
EA Play 2017 News - Madden NFL 18, FIFA 18, NBA Live 18
June 11, 2017 04:35 - 43 minutes - 40 MBSports games always take center stage at Electronic Arts' annual mid-June press briefing. Those previously linked with E3 instead now represent the kickoff to their own event EA Play. Given that the leading soccer, football, and basketball titles are always among the top selling games in both North America and worldwide every year their high-profile presence should come as no surprise. Madden NFL 18, FIFA 18, and NBA Live 18 all were prominently featured in this weekend's EA Play press bri...
An industry in flux
June 02, 2017 18:43 - 1 hour - 120 MBThe video games industry continues to go through a transformation that few saw coming and many continue to struggle with. From the games media to developers and publishers, the traditional rules have changed so many degrees that it's more difficult than ever to determine your true audience and their priorities. In this week's episode, Rich Grisham sits down with US Gamer Editor in Chief Kat Bailey and Polygon Weekend Editor Owen Good to chat about the impact of all these changes. How d...
May News Roundup
May 27, 2017 18:56 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBBefore the news storm that is E3 and EA Play arrive there's plenty to cover happening in the world of sports gaming. Impressions of the ARMS beta leads off the topics in this week's Press Row Podcast, along with the questionable decision made to release Super Mega Baseball 2 in September, a major patch for NBA Playgrounds, and the launch of another game subscription service on Xbox One. On the show this week: Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Hit the Pass/Sporting News (@pastapadre) Rich Grisham...
Summer News Kickoff
May 20, 2017 19:06 - 1 hour - 68.5 MBIt's only May, but for games due out in late summer it's the time that their promotional cycles typically begin. E3 and EA Play are only a few weeks away and in advance of that EA Sports announced the first feature information for Madden NFL 18 and Konami has done the same for Pro Evolution Soccer 2018. In this episode of the Press Row Podcast all of the news on Madden NFL 18 is discussed, including the introduction of the Frostbite Engine and Story Mode, three different 'Play Styles' (wit...
NBA Playgrounds Review Roundtable
May 13, 2017 16:22 - 1 hour - 55.2 MBArcade-style sports games have been making a resurgence as of late thanks to independent developers, but now for the first time one of them even has the backing of a professional league. NBA Playgrounds released this last week for just $20 with full league licensing and a deep roster of current players and legends, and it comes from Saber Interactive, a studio that has never before worked on a sports game. The panel for this episode of the Press Row Podcast discuss the the aspects of NBA P...
Mission Control
May 06, 2017 18:05 - 1 hour - 87.3 MBDiamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 17 is loaded with more content than ever, and while that’s great for those who are familiar with all the features and avenues to success it makes the mode more difficult to navigate for everyone else. With so many different ways to play, to earn cards, and spend Stubs, where does one even begin? In this episode of the Press Row Podcast, host Bryan Wiedey is joined by T.J. Lauerman, Paul Sporer, and Kris Jardine to discuss Diamond Dynasty in depth, analyzing ...