"You know I mean I hate to keep bringing up House of Leaves" No you don't! You have like 6 copies of the book somehow, you LOVE to keep bringing up House of Leaves. As you should, it's great.

Corporations want slave labor, but they're not allowed to have humans for the slave labor so they make robots to have slave labor.

I mean this un-sarcastically and without malice, but I think we need to be comfortable with saying not every game is made for everyone. I appreciate Steph's opinion on it though.

AI art is great. Most of my Twitter feed is AI art from Japan now.LLMs I'm not sure. Most use I've had with that is for powering chatbots.

Calling the result of generative algorithms "art" is like calling the result of a sausage machine "sculptures". They're both taking existing material, grinding it up, and squirting it into the desired skin. The only difference is that the sausage machine didn't steal the meat.

👱 Podquisition 463: Missed Connections ✌️ 👀 Hi buddy! I just listened to your latest sound and it's incredible by your creativity. The rhythm is captivating, and the vocals are truly inspiring. Hey pal! I just listened to your latest sound and I'm blown away by your creativity. The beat is mesmerizing, and the instrumentation are mind-blowing. 👌 foll @ovidiopinto-430

The most played Technology tracks on SoundCloud this week

Technology

Top 50: Technology

This is all on the up and up, we promise.

Games we played this week include: 
PS5 Access Controller (8:30)
Elemental Survivors (22:15)
Warhammer 40k: Darktide (33:50)
Stardew Valley (36:55)
GWAR: Rumble in Antarctica (40:30)
Forza Motorsport 2023 (44:10)
A Tiny Sticker Tale (55:00)
Whisker Squadron: Survival (57:05)
Another Crab’s Treasure (58:50)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Bungie sued for wrongful termination by former HR manager (1:17:05)
https://www.ign.com/articles/former-bungie-hr-manager-is-suing-for-wrongful-termination-after-she-reported-potential-racial-bias
BioWare accused of underpaying severance for laid off workers  (1:21:30)
https://www.eurogamer.net/former-dragon-age-staff-seek-further-compensation-following-layoffs
Recently unionized QA workers for BioWare all lost their jobs (57:55)
https://www.polygon.com/23903782/dragon-age-dreadwolf-qa-workers-laid-off-keywords-studios
Game developer union forms in Poland, including staff at CD Projekt Red (1:27:15)
https://www.eurogamer.net/cd-projekt-red-devs-unionise-after-its-third-round-of-layoffs-in-three-months
John Riccitello quietly slinks away from CEO post at Unity (1:13:50)
https://www.wired.com/story/john-riccitello-retires-unity-ceo-controversy/
Everything is okay at Ubisoft now, says Ubisoft, using Ubisoft surveys as evidence (1:16:20)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/4/23901575/ubisoft-executives-arrest-sexual-harassment-investigation
As ABK merger set to close, Kotick inflicts one more torment on employees (1:22:00)
https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/activision-offers-a-timeframe-for-xbox-game-pass-inclusions-ahead-of-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3s-launch
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise 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/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Podquisition 459: Live Reptile Birth

Utterly drenched.

Games we played this week include: 
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (8:30)
Sonic Superstars (18:30)
Amanda the Adventurer (37:15)
Spider-Man 2 (39:50)
Lords of the Fallen (47:30)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Microsoft acquisition closed, Kotick expected to leave by end of year (1:17:05)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/10/13/activision-blizzard-ceo-bobby-kotick-set-to-leave-in-december-heres-what-to-know-about-his-controversies/
Microsoft promises not to interfere with union organizing for a couple months (1:21:30)
https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2022/06/02/employee-organizing-engagement-labor-economy/
PS5 Slim needs a $30 stand to go vertical (57:55)
https://www.thegamer.com/sony-playstation-5-slim-vertical-stand-sold-seperately/
Modders have already made Mario Wonder flower say naughty words (1:27:15)
https://www.ign.com/articles/super-mario-bros-wonder-mod-turns-talking-flowers-foul-mouthed-nintendo-quickly-takes-action
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise 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/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Podquisition 460: Let's Get Wet

We ask the hard questions... hard like an erect penis (boner).

The Trashgirl Diaries: Has Porn Gone Woke?!?!?

That part isn’t supposed to do that.

Games we played this week include: 
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (8:15)
Sonic Superstars (38:45)
Sorry, We’re Closed (40:10)
Ebenezer and the Invisible World (44:25)
Vampire Survivors (49:25)
Meta Quest 3 (49:50)
Smash Drums (51:05)
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection (52:55)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Game about drunk driving pulled from eShop for 3+ age rating (1:01:05)
https://www.techradar.com/gaming/nintendo-switch/drink-and-drive-simulator-pulled-from-switch-eshop-after-releasing-with-a-pegi-3-age-rating
Skull Island devs were given a year to develop, most of it crunch (1:03:20)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/20/23925326/skull-island-rise-of-kong-development-gamemill-entertainment
Doug Bowser says Nintendo of America employees too happy to want a union (1:09:05)
https://www.inverse.com/gaming/doug-bowser-super-mario-bros-wonder-switch-2-nintendo-union
Embracer Group cuts staff at Zen Studios (1:13:20)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zen-studios-reportedly-has-more-than-30-redundancies
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise 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/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Photo Credit: Hellerhoff / CC BY-SA 3.0

Podquisition 461: The Bad Pop

Somebody is going to need to step up.

Games we played this week include: 
Alan Wake II (6:10)
Dave the Diver (47:22)
Robocop (54:14)
Spin Rhythm XD (1:07:50)
Lords of the Fallen (1:09:25)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Bungie lays off a hundred employees, delays projects (1:15:55)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/30/23938990/bungie-sony-layoffs-delays-destiny-final-shape-marathon
Microsoft warns it will soon disable unlicensed peripherals on Xbox (1:03:20)
https://variablemag.com/games/microsoft-banning-unauthorized-xbox-controllers-and-accessories/
Nintendo announces new restrictions on events involving their products (1:22:45)
https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Legal-information/Community-Tournament-Guidelines-2467744.html
Ubisoft Chief People Officer announces her departure (1:24:10)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zen-studios-reportedly-has-more-than-30-redundancies
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise 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/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Podquisition 462: Looking for Daddy

Like (smuggling) ships passing in the night.

Games we played this week include: 
Alan Wake II (5:05)
Thirsty Suitors (17:05)
Robocop: Rogue City (35:05)
Dave the Diver (38:55)
WarioWare: Move It (1:07:50)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Out of the blue, a live-action Zelda film is announced (52:10)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/7/23951339/the-legend-of-zelda-movie-live-action-nintendo
Microsoft going all-in on AI game dev tools (55:35)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/microsoft-and-inworld-team-up-to-create-ai-game-dev-tools
Nintendo denies anyone has seen Switch 2 (1:07:05)
https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-addresses-switch-2-reports-denies-it-has-briefed-developers
SEGA executive wants Sonic to surpass Mario as a franchise (1:10:40)
https://noisypixel.net/sega-wants-sonic-games-movies-surpass-mario/
Epic Store still losing money, expected to own half of PC market by now (1:14:30)
Ubisoft lays off another batch of employees (1:16:00)
https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-montreal-latest-studio-struck-by-layoffs
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise 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/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Podquisition 463: Missed Connections

It would take so little to change the tone.

Games we played this week include: 
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (9:55)
Karmazoo (18:40)
Alien Hominid Invasion (36:10)
Backpack Hero (45:55)
Bladestorm (51:05)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Call of Duty Modern Warfare III only given 16 months dev time (1:02:05)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-09/cod-modern-warfare-3-faces-bad-reviews-after-rushed-development
Strauss Zelnick said a bunch of troubling stuff about AI, pricing (1:08:25)
https://www.inverse.com/gaming/gta-6-generative-ai-take-two-ceo
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/gta-6-publisher-ceo-thinks-videogame-prices-are-very-very-low-for-what-they-offer
Nintendo continues to suggest Switch 2 coming next year while not confirming its existence (1:14:15)
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/10/nintendo-president-reiterates-switch-software-support-into-fy2425
Layoffs hitting Free Radical, Humble Games, and Unity (1:15:45)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/9/23954709/unity-layoffs-q3-earnings-runtime-program
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/timesplitters-devs-free-radical-are-reportedly-the-next-embracer-studio-facing-closure
https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/humble-games-layoffs-report
Sony significantly cuts plans for live service games (1:29:55)
https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2023/11/09/sony-has-delayed-half-of-its-planned-playstation-live-service-games


---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise 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/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Podquisition 464: Rapscallion Behavior of the Nineties

We get the job done.

Games we played this week include: 
PS Portal (5:40)
Liyla and the Shadows of War (13:40)
Karmazoo (17:05)
An Arcade Full of Cats (23:40)
FlipWitch: The Forbidden Sex Hex (25:55)
AMC’s The Walking Dead: Destinies (34:45)
Quantum Break (49:00)
Dave the Diver (59:25)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Sexual bias case against Niantic moving forward (1:07:00)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/22/23972339/niantic-sexual-discrimination-lawsuit-gender-bias-arbitration
Epic rollout of age-restricted content in Fortnite has not gone well (1:08:40)
https://www.pcgamer.com/epic-admits-fortnites-new-age-ratings-didnt-hit-the-mark-says-a-new-system-is-coming-soon-as-part-of-a-big-in-game-event/
Unity releases early access AI tools for developers (1:17:15)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/unitys-push-for-responsibly-sourced-ai-tools
SEGA allegedly threatened its unionized workers with layoffs (1:15:45)
https://kotaku.com/sega-sonic-union-layoffs-persona-yakuza-1851026309
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise 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/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Podquisition 465: Consummate Professionalism

Talk to your doctor.

Games we played this week include: 
In Stars and Time (11:20)
While the Iron’s Hot (26:25)
PS Access Controller (36:10)
Gangs of Sherwood (45:05)
Pinball M (1:04:15)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Layoffs at New World Interactive and Codemasters (1:12:40)
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-embracer-spiral-continues-as-insurgency-sandstorm-studio-new-world-interactive-lays-off-employees/
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/f1-developer-codemasters-affected-by-layoffs
Electronic Arts frees a few more accessibility patents (1:15:15)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ea-shares-more-accessibility-patents
You could have a branded Yorkshire Tea controller (1:18:45)
https://www.eurogamer.net/you-can-get-yorkshire-tea-xbox-and-playstation-5-controllers-for-150
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise 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/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Podquisition 467: A Vas Difference

Back to the drawing board.

Games we played this week include: 
Vampire Survivors (18:35)
Grand Theft Auto V (26:40)
Thirsty Suitors (33:55)
Persona 5 Tactica (39:25)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
E3 officially pronounced dead after years on life support (41:15)
https://kotaku.com/is-e3-dead-2023-canceled-esa-1851092261
Zelda producer thinks older style Zelda games are worthless garbage now (49:10)
https://www.ign.com/articles/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-interview-nintendo-eiji-aonuma-hidemaro-fujibayashi
The Day Before imploded a few days after (53:05)
https://www.eurogamer.net/the-day-before-publisher-apologises-for-game-as-steam-refunds-open
Union workers at Zenimax get historic win over use of AI (1:02:30)
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/zenimax-union-strike-tentative-agreement-over-ai-usage-in-workplace
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise 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/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Photo Credit: Tony Knox

Podquisition 468: Accident Prone Planning

Oh, yeah, that thing is about to happen isn’t it?

Games we played this week include: 
Vampire Survivors (18:35)
Midnight Suns (19:40)
Grand Theft Auto V (25:24)
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (33:25)
Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising (41:15)
Diceheart (53:20)
Slay the Princess (1:00:00)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Ransomware group releases trove of material stolen from Insomniac Games (1:07:15)
https://www.cyberdaily.au/culture/9959-snikt-rhysida-dumps-more-than-a-terabyte-of-insomniac-games-internal-data
Internal Sony documents give candid view of concerns over ABK acquisition (1:19:15)
https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/microsoft-could-disrupt-and-threaten-playstation-business-sonys-alleged-xbox-fears-laid-bare-in-massive-hack
ABK studios are ending hybrid work (1:21:50)
https://www.eurogamer.net/abk-workers-alliance-responds-to-activision-blizzard-ending-hybrid-working
ABK settles California worker discrimination suit (1:24:20)
https://www.wsj.com/tech/activision-blizzard-to-pay-around-50-million-to-settle-lawsuit-that-spurred-microsofts-takeover-4dc1178b
Valve delivers festive DOTA 2 bans (1:26:00)
https://www.polygon.com/24002666/dota-2-frostivus-2023-bans-valve-toxic-lump-coal
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise 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/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Photo Credit: Daderot

Podquisition 469: Suddenly Seasonal

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

Podquisition 463: Missed Connections

Jimquisition

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