I agree about Battleship Godios (GODIOS!), in that you have to approach it as a puzzle game rather than a shmup to get the most out of it. It is pretty good though. Up In Smoke is a fun game, but I also couldn't tell if the levels were procedurally generated or hand-crafted. I did get frustrated that the game wasn't telling me which level I was up to, and it got to a point where I felt like I was getting lost and not making progress, but if the levels are randomised then that would make more sense. :P

I'm surprised at how many comments here are hearing about the Alestorm controversy for the first time ever. I remember when the story broke and I was getting daily (and very detailed) updates about it on social media. And when they released their latest album (which was about 6 months after the story broke), there was a review that referred to them as 'disgraced pirate metallers' and reminded everyone of the controversy that occurred. Hey, wouldn't it be nice if videogame reviewers were like that too? :P

I'm disappointed that it's the same classes. I get that they've come up with new characters and stories, but I was hoping they would come up with 8 brand new classes that had brand new gameplay styles. One of the best things about going from Bravely Default to Bravely Second (from the same devs as Octopath) was getting to use stuff like the Catmancer, the Fencer, the Rifleman etc and discovering something new and fun in that regard.

I just found out that the demo is also on Steam. :)

I never understood why people got so offended by difficulty settings. I remember IGN reviewers used to always get offended and act like they were being 'mocked' by a game's difficulty options. Then of course you have the people who are offended by the idea of a game like Cuphead potentially having difficulty modes that no-one is being forced to use. It's such a pathetic thing to get mad about.

People still don't understand that "actual abilities" vary from person to person. :\

I have a feeling that the producer of FF16 is gonna become a figurehead for the wrong kinds of people...

It's interesting how, when this stuff usually comes up, people say "Well that's what's required to make modern videogames". However, the BG&E2 studio can't even use that excuse because they literally haven't made any games for over 15 years! XD

This is why "game preservation" needs to become a thing. Not just a thing that we pay lip service to, but an actual thing with rules and regulations.

Go go go Zilla.

Games we played this week include: 
Satisfactory (11:20)
Flipper Lifter (14:00)
Echoic Memory (16:20)
Chained Echoes (19:00)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (30:45)
Baba Files His Taxes (35:15)
Hades (36:40)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (46:50)

---
News things talked about in this episode:
Sony announces an accessibility controller (57:15)
https://blog.playstation.com/2023/01/04/introducing-project-leonardo-for-playstation-5-a-highly-customizable-accessibility-controller-kit/

Majora’s Mask devs used in-game dialogue to express unhappiness about crunch (1:03:45)
https://www.eurogamer.net/majoras-masks-most-infamous-line-is-actually-all-about-crunch

Microsoft didn’t mean to file claim FTC lawsuit was unconstitutional (1:05:30)
https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-admits-unconstitutional-ftc-lawsuit-claim-was-a-mistake

Vampire Survivors dev talks about how their mobile version happened (1:17:40)
https://www.vg247.com/vampire-survivors-developer-talks-mobile-port

Bloober Team won’t be touching the plot in their Silent Hill 2 remake (1:13:35)
https://www.dreadxp.com/interview/bringing-the-fear-interview-with-anna-jasinska-from-bloober-team/

The Last of Us television series seems to be a critical darling (1:16:15)
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_last_of_us/s01/reviews

---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.

Podquisition 420: There Goes Tokyo

A brand new show comes to the Jimquisition Podcast Outlet! Our lovely Trashgirls Stephanie and Elsa try to stick to the script as they discuss everything around the topic they set out to discuss. Collector's editions, sausage boxing, Dragon Age, and the beloved Stranger of Paradise hat... what more could you want?

The Trashgirl Diaries: Hat Of Paradise

A very special friend returns.

Games we played this week include: 
Redtape (15:45)
Wanted: Dead (21:00)
Spellcorked (35:00)
Inventory Hero (40:00)
Satisfactory (44:30)
Metroid Prime Remastered (49:00)
Commodore 64 Games (59:10)

---
News things talked about in this episode:
Saudi Arabia believed to have increased investment stake in Nintendo (1:19:00)
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/saudi-arabia-has-reportedly-increased-its-stake-in-nintendo-again/

Metroid Prime Remaster doesn’t credit original Metroid Prime team (1:20:15)
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/02/metroid-prime-engineer-let-down-by-exclusion-of-original-credits-in-remaster

Bobby Kotick expected to stay in CEO role at Activision Blizzard if Microsoft merger fails (1:20:15)
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/activision-ceo-kotick-will-stay-in-unlikely-event-microsoft-merger-fails

Sony claims Microsoft demands for documents in FTC case are harassment (1:24:55)
https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-gaming-5a973220-9675-4245-964a-3476a3e9c4ec.html

Square Enix delivers one obvious detail about their first blockchain game and little else (1:26:30)
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/02/15/gaming-company-square-enix-partners-with-polygon-for-nft-art-project/

---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.

Podquisition 425: The Duke Lives

After a while, it all runs together.

Games we played this week include: 
Rez Infinite (08:15)
Horizon: Call of the Mountain (10:00)
What the Bat? (11:45)
Thumper (12:35)
Tetris Effect Connected (13:05)
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line (13:30)
Townsman VR (24:45)
Tales From the Galaxy’s Edge: Enhanced Edition (25:15)
Moss 1 & 2 (26:30)
Kayak VR Mirage (27:50)
Jurassic World: Aftermath Collection (29:10)
Atomic Heart (30:30)
Cities VR (40:40)
Gran Turisimo 7 (41:15)
Atelier Breaker (44:40)
Wanted: Dead (47:50)
Snak (50:15)
Sasquatches (52:40)

---
News things talked about in this episode:
Microsoft makes deals with Nintendo and Nvidia in attempt to placate antitrust regulators (56:00)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/21/23608634/microsoft-activision-blizzard-deal-nintendo-nvidia-partners

Microsoft says ABK acquisition will not happen without Call of Duty (57:45)
https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2023-02-21/microsoft-says-no-to-activision-merger-without-call-of-duty

Mike Ybarra responds poorly to employee concerns at Blizzard (1:00:20)
https://www.polygon.com/23604013/blizzard-entertainment-mike-ybarra-qa-meeting

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom art book leaks, reveals loads about the unreleased game (1:04:00)
https://kotaku.com/legend-zelda-tears-kingdom-spoilers-art-book-leak-1850134905

Monster vaginas are in The Witcher III for a limited time (1:05:25)
https://kotaku.com/witcher-3-wild-hunt-mod-hd-monsters-reworked-vaginas-1850114314

Podquisition 426: What Are We Doing Again?

It's all about those family values.

Games we played this week include:
Ragnarock (08:25)
Octopath Traveller 2 (15:39)
Humanity Demo (44:28)
Tentacular (49:05)
Resident Evil Village VR (49:55)
Kirby Return to Dreamland Deluxe (52:08)
Laura's Playdate Corner (1:00:00)
Battleship Godies (1:00:48)
Forrest Byrnes: Up in Smoke (1:03:35)
Fantavision (1:06:08)
Sector's Edge Beta (1:20:31)

---
News things talked about in this episode:
Final Fantasy XVI Producer uses "Gamer Pride" to Justify Accessibility Option Choices (1:09:45)
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/final-fantasy-xvi-producers-pride-as-a-gamer-influenced-new-take-on-difficulty-settings/1100-6511849/?fbclid=IwAR2eKM3uCCLPgO6_B3nhRAQSN0-Qp3Cfangbkv_yxSD4KCTqduefvLR7KaI

Atomic Heart Contains a Racist Cartoon (1:23:33)
https://www.eurogamer.net/mundfish-apologises-after-racist-cartoons-were-discovered-in-atomic-heart?fbclid=IwAR2SD5OvQIZT0CVt7VYUz1yDJpA3g0GDfNyE0ARCTspZwzj-WZ4LOFMRqwA

Beyond Good & Evil 2 studio reportedly under investigation for "unprecedented" burnout and sick leave (1:25:48)
https://www.eurogamer.net/beyond-good-evil-2-studio-reportedly-under-investigation-for-unprecedented-burnout-and-sick-leave?fbclid=IwAR1gV-LDO9JU0K_cUskP1ZlDHRbYI7QG1GKxSzQ27_4D2tO7wS42dnhCIco

EA Lays Off 200 Apex Legends QA Workers (1:28:40)
https://www.eurogamer.net/ea-reportedly-lays-off-200-apex-legends-qa-testers?fbclid=IwAR3UqMSL0EzK85VSfHGnBJ7mubWlML-MId3yDO_5X869CALiqI2W5oPWX1E

Rovio Hides Angry Birds Because It Doesn't Have Enough Microtransactions (1:32:40)
https://www.eurogamer.net/angry-birds-will-leave-android-store-developer-says-its-just-too-popular?fbclid=IwAR2aeomYoT3KMo_XpPhAfjn7V4wVjT1rAnMhJBH8eOOSpd45lFWu9ai3PVA

Podquisition 427: Mr. Chimney Pot

Podquisition 428: Positive Feedback

He’s trying.

Games we played this week include: 
b360 (15:50)
Ratcheteer (18:35)
Dome Keeper (20:55)
Final Fantasy IX (27:20)
Recommendation Dog (33:50)
Reel Steal (35:50)
A Joke That’s Worth 99 Cents (39:05)
Wo Long (41:15)
Super Princess Peach (43:20)
GameKid (48:05)
Super Corporate Tax Evader (50:15)

---
News things talked about in this episode:
Square Enix reportedly planning to replace CEO Yosuke Matsuda (56:00)
https://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-square-enix-ceo-nft-crypto-blockchain-1850184312

Yuji Naka admits to insider trading (57:50)
https://www.timeextension.com/news/2023/03/yuji-naka-admits-guilt-during-insider-trading-case

ABK acquisition expected to be cleared by EU regulators (59:20)
https://www.polygon.com/23604013/blizzard-entertainment-mike-ybarra-qa-meeting

Microsoft releases survey results suggesting few CoD players will jump ship from PlayStation (1:04:00)
https://www.axios.com/2023/03/06/microsoft-key-call-of-duty-sony-uk-cma

FTC judge gives Microsoft access to Sony communications regarding exclusivity agreements (1:03:25)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/microsoft-granted-access-to-sony-documents-the-ftcs-response-in-detail

Activision accused of firing QA employees over protest (1:05:30)
https://kotaku.com/activision-accused-of-illegally-fired-qa-testers-over-r-1850171073

Jack Black’s huge swinging balls censored on daytime television (1:09:35)
https://kotaku.com/jack-black-bowser-super-mario-bros-movie-balls-nbc-1850181162


---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.

Podquisition 428: Positive Feedback

Make sure people know what they mean to you before it’s too late.

Games we played this week include: 
France Horn (8:50)
Bloom (11:20)
Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Demo (16:40)
Dome Keeper (32:50)
Core Fault (37:55)
Fatal Frame Mask of the Lunar Eclipse (44:35)
Generations (53:20)
Down the Oubliette (56:00)
BROK the InvestiGator (58:20)

---
News things talked about in this episode:
Microsoft takes out ads in UK papers to promote Activision-Blizzard merger (56:00)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/8/23631142/microsoft-really-wants-call-of-duty

Microsoft makes more deals promising to keep Call of Duty non-exclusive for ten years (59:20)
https://news.microsoft.com/2023/03/14/microsoft-announces-partnership-with-cloud-gaming-provider-boosteroid-to-bring-more-games-to-more-players-around-the-world/
https://twitter.com/XboxP3/status/1635989326202011655

Microsoft claims confidence in ability to bring Call of Duty to Switch (1:04:00)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64088cf9d3bf7f25f61ff804/Microsoft.Activision_-_Response_to_Remedies_Notice_-_NCV__2_.pdf

Sony suggests Microsoft might use dirty tactics to make Call of Duty less desirable on PlayStation (1:03:25)
https://www.eurogamer.net/sony-says-microsoft-may-release-a-playstation-version-of-call-of-duty-where-bugs-and-errors-emerge-only-on-the-games-final-level-or-after-later-updates

Newly discovered cockroach species named after Pokémon (1:05:30)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/new-species-of-cockroach-discovered-in-singapore-named-after-pokemon

---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.

Podquisition 429: Distance Between Us

Podquisition 430: A Champion In Our Midst

Have you heard the news?

Games we played this week include: 
Boneraiser Minions (9:35)
Vampire Survivors (23:15)
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (24:45)
Aliens Infestation (34:45)
Anemoiapolis (38:10)
Void Scrappers (44:05)
Bloom (51:05)
You Cannot Go Back (55:50)

---
News things talked about in this episode:
Ubisoft implementing machine learning to write NPC dialogue (58:55)
https://kotaku.com/ubisoft-ai-writing-scriptwriting-ghostwriter-machine-1850250316

Sony claims the loss of Call of Duty would be irreparable to their business  (1:06:50)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6411a823d3bf7f79daa1123b/Sony_Interactive_Entertainment_s_response_to_the_provisional_findings.pdf

But Microsoft believes that Sony can replicate Call of Duty if they try (1:09:45)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6418811b8fa8f547c1112371/Microsoft_s_supplemental_response_to_the_notice_of_possible_remedies.pdf


EU regulators push back date of their decision on the Microsoft merger (1:13:25)
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/microsoft-offers-eu-remedies-seeking-ok-activision-deal-2023-03-17/

Microsoft to launch their own mobile app store (1:14:05)
https://www.ft.com/content/7707705e-b288-4531-b30d-7fa993325018

Canadian judge says EA loot boxes aren’t ‘illegal gambling’, lets deceptive practices claim move forward (1:16:51)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/canada-judge-rejects-unlawful-gambling-accusation-in-ea-loot-box-lawsuit

Rare’s co-founder now has to lick a 25 year-old BAFTA made of chocolate (1:18:15)
https://www.timeextension.com/news/2023/03/random-tim-stamper-has-to-lick-25-year-old-chocolate-bafta-because-banjo-kazooie-won-a-twitter-tournament

---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.

Podquisition 430: A Champion In Our Midst

The Trashgirls return to discuss Resident Evil, shifting cultural perspectives, and the terrible things a Tonberry might do to you at night.

The Trashgirl Diaries

The Trashgirl Diaries: The Discomfort Configuration

Sneaks up on ya.

Games we played this week include: 
Tax Heaven 3000 (3:05)
Boneraiser Minions (13:45)
Have a Nice Death (22:50)
Before Your Eyes (32:20)
Core Fault (34:10)
Shining Gadget (35:35)
Factory Farming (36:20)
Resident Evil 4 Remake (40:55)
Pizza Tower (50:45)

---
News things talked about in this episode:
Confusion arises over discarded plans for PS5 version of Redfall (55:20)
https://www.destructoid.com/redfall-ps5-microsoft-arkane-purchase-zenimax-xbox-exclusive/

UK’s Competition and Markets Authority expected to allow Microsoft merger (57:25)
https://www.eurogamer.net/microsofts-activision-blizzard-takeover-will-not-result-in-a-substantial-lessening-of-competition-says-cma

US Senator in Microsoft’s home state raises suggestion that Sony has the real monopoly (59:32)
https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2023/03/cantwell-calls-out-sonys-gaming-monopoly-in-exchange-with-us-trade-rep-tai-00088607

Bobby Kotick promises not to be vindictive toward Sony over merger dispute (1:01:20)
https://activisionblizzard.substack.com/p/microsoft-deal-update-march

Publishers are showing their pullout game when it comes to E3 (1:02:35)
https://www.ign.com/articles/rumors-swirl-around-e3s-future-as-sega-even-more-publishers-back-out

---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.

Podquisition 431: My Grain Is Bad

Shit joke, innit?

Games we played this week include: 
Burnout Takedown (13:45)
Dredge (19:25)
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (26:50)
Flame Keeper (32:35)
Tokyo Mob (39:35)
Unnamed Roguelike (41:25)
1-Bit Arena / 1-Bit Jetpack (45:30)
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog (46:55)

---
News things talked about in this episode:
Saudi Arabia making large investments into domestic games industry (52:50)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-03/saudi-arabia-is-investing-38-billion-to-become-a-video-game-hub


Monster Energy sues game developer over spurious trademark infringement claim (54:30)
https://www.thegamer.com/monster-energy-goes-after-glowstick-entertainment-for-using-the-word-monster/


E3 is dead (1:04:50)
https://nordic.ign.com/news/65605/e3-has-been-canceled


Sony adding accessibility tag features to PlayStation store (1:14:55)
https://www.polygon.com/23668607/ps5-accessibility-options-settings-store-games-playstation


---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com

Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.

Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.

Podquisition 432: Making Backups on the Porcelain Server

Audio home of The Jimquisition, featuring its lovely little podcast, Podquisition - starring Jim Sterling, Laura Kate, and Conrad Zimmerman!

Podquisition 427: Mr. Chimney Pot

Jimquisition

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