Some Patches Required

Xbox: The End of the Phil Spencer Era

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss some pretty massive changes over at Xbox, namely the retirement of long-time CEO Phil Spencer and the quiet disappearance of his heir apparent, Sarah Bond. In their place, we find Asha Sharma, a seasoned executive who most recently led Microsoft's CoreAI team.

The why of it all is a bit murky at the moment, but that leaves plenty of room for speculation, with one big question at the heart of everything: what's next for Xbox as the brand navigates its new, Phil-free future?

Please, enjoy.

Sources:

Asha Sharma named EVP and CEO, Microsoft Gaming - The Official MicrosoftBlog

The Xbox Situation Is Worse Than Microsoft Are Letting On - Bellular News

New Xbox CEO Responds To ‘Real Gamer,’ AI Tweet Accusations - Forbes

Billions of dollars later and still nobody knows what an Xbox is - The Verge

Call Of Duty Lost $300 Million In Sales Due To Game Pass - Report - GameSpot

Black Ops 7 Had Call Of Duty's Worst Sales Year Ranking In The US Since 2008 - GameSpot

Xbox Sales Are Down 70% Year-Over-Year With PS5 Down 40% - Forbes

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Ashley Ruhl Interview: Regarding Romance and Game Narrative

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to chat with Ashley Ruhl, the Narrative Director at Broadsword Online Games, currently in charge of Star Wars: The Old Republic! She was kind enough to tell us a little bit about her role working on SWTOR before moving on to the... ahem, meat of the conversation: romance! Specifically, romance in video games, how it can be approached thoughtfully, and where we'd like to see it go in the future.

Please, enjoy.

Check out Ashley's recommended reading!

Digital Love: Romance and Sexuality in Games - Heidi McDonald

Passion and Play: A Guide to Designing Sexual Content in Games - Michelle Clough

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Highguard: A Golden Marketing Opportunity Turned Sour

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss yet another curious case of misguided marketing — this time with fewer questionable hats. Highguard, which secured the headlining spot at The Game Awards 2025 thanks to Geoff Keighley's personal fondness for the title, launched last week to overwhelmingly negative reviews on Steam and a rapidly dwindling player count.

How did this happen? Who's to blame? Does the game deserve all of this hate, and will it ever be able to overcome it?

Please, enjoy.

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Splitgate: A PR Catastrophe

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss how a series of PR... er, let's call them "miscalculations," arguably torpedoed Splitgate: Arena Reloaded (formerly Splitgate 2) before it even had a chance. This story has it all: politically-charged headware choices, petty Twitter arguments, $100 million investments, off-putting apology videos, and much, much more!

Please, enjoy.

Sources:

Splitgate 2 Live Service Relaunches, Immediately Dies A Second Time…
Splitgate Dev Insists Steam Charts Aren't Important As Player Numbers Plummet…
This CEO Burned $500k To Humiliate His Own Game
I’ve Never Seen A Studio Fumble $100m This Hard

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Netflix: The Fate of Warner Bros.

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron are back in hell to discuss the pending acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix. They touch on what the merger could mean for the future of movie theaters before diving into the main topic at hand: the fate of WB Games and its treasure trove of IP. Spoiler alert: things are looking bleak.

Please, enjoy.

P.S. Aaron recorded a portion of this episode while holding a sick pupper, so if you hear any coughing, please be kind to Louie.

Sources:

The Battle for Control of Warner Bros.: A Timeline of Key Developments

What Happens to Warner Bros. Games Under Netflix?

Netflix Considers Warner Bros. Games To Be Worthless

Netflix Closes Its All-Star AAA Video Game Studio, Which Made Zero Games

Netflix acquires games avatar firm Ready Player Me

The Netflix Gaming Deal Is A Match Made In Hell

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Steam Machine: Disruptive Force or Niche Hardware?

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss Valve's new, ambitious hardware plans, especially the announcement's headliner: the brand-new Steam Machine. With the form-factor and convenience of a console and the hardware heft of a gaming PC, the cutely nicknamed "Gabe Cube" seems poised to disrupt the market as we know it... but will it? A better question may be, is it even meant to?

Please, enjoy.

Episode References:

Linus Tech Tips - The STEAM Machine Won't Cost What You Think

YongYea: Valve Drop Moe Hints On Machine Price, And...

Bellular News: Valve's on the Warpath

GameSpot: The Steam Machine Doesn't Even Have To Try

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Dispatch: The Smash Hit Publishers Wouldn't Touch

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to chat about another (increasingly rare) industry success story: the brand-new Telltale-style adventure Dispatch! How, despite facing doubt from publishers over the game's fairly niche genre and episodic release structure, did AdHoc Studio's debut title release to rousing numbers and enviable review scores? Only one way to find out...

Please, enjoy.

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EA Buyout: What Happens to Your Favorite IP Now?

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron finally get around to discussing one of the most significant events in the recent history of the games industry — the $55 billion purchase of Electronic Arts by a consortium of private investors, including the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners, among others.

In addition to running through the myriad issues tied to such politically troubling hands meddling with one of the world's largest publishers, there is one significant question at hand: what happens to the veritable mountain of IP under EA's control?

Please, enjoy.

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Chris Knight Interview: Crafting a Career in 2D Art

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron are delighted to present a conversation with Chris Knight, a 2D artist based in Austin, TX. Chris was kind enough to share some insights from his career, some funny (and not-so-funny) stories, and his frank opinion on what it takes to succeed in the games industry – especially in an incredibly crowded field.

Please, enjoy.

Check Out Chris' ArtStation!

Take a Look at PolyCarp!

Have a Gander at Good Knight Art!

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Game Pass: Higher Price, Lower Value

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to talk about Xbox GamePass' recent price increase... again! That's right, the fabled "best value in gaming" just saw a 50% jump in cost, barely a year after the last jump. What's more, there's a compelling argument to be made that the subscription service is actually removing value for players rather than adding it to compensate for the increased asking price.

Please, enjoy.

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Silksong: The Power of Lean Game Development

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron... actually have something positive to talk about for once! Namely, the predictably smashing release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, which, after nearly a decade in development, launched to platform-crashing numbers and fairly rapturous praise.

On top of celebrating an indie success story, they discuss the game's refreshingly reasonable $20 price point and highlight the many benefits of keeping development costs and team sizes lean. In short, this is almost certainly the most uplifting episode of SPR in quite some time.

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Steam Censorship: Weaponizing Payment Processors

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron kindly beg your attention to a very serious matter: the censorship of thousands of NSFW games across Steam and Itch.io at the behest of payment processors like Mastercard.

Prompted by a grassroots organization with far-right connections called Collective Shout, this incident could have far-reaching implications for free speech, result in LGBTQ+ erasure, and mean that corporations become the arbiters of what does and does not constitute art in the future.

Please, enjoy.

Missed what's happened? Check out the links below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlEHovdeKZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUMwQ1euK8Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTDhsqN2NB4

Intro: 00:00:00
21,000 Points for Censorship: 00:04:02
Collective Shout Pt. 1: 00:15:39
Morality and Context: 00:25:58
Collective Shout Pt. 2 - Erasure: 00:35:32
What About Age Ratings?: 00:42:30
Applying the Same Logic to Books: 00:51:03
Conclusions: 00:55:30
Outro: 01:03:10

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Roblox: The World's Worst Dating Service

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron dig into a topic that's as absurd as it is concerning: the CEO of Roblox wants to officially incorporate dating into the platform. Completely ignoring the fact that the game's core audience is mostly children, David Baszucki seems to believe that bringing horny adults into the fold will act as a balm to soothe the "loneliness epidemic" plaguing the modern world. What could possibly go wrong?

Please, enjoy.

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Stop Killing Games: The Best Hope for a Better Industry?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron delve into the nitty-gritty of the Stop Killing Games movement — an initiative with the simple goal of persuading publishers to, well, stop killing games. From preservation to protecting consumer interests, Stop Killing Games aims to solve a lot of high-level problems, and your hosts have many thoughts to share.

Oh, and feel free to jump ahead to Chapter 3 (or the 29-minute mark) if you don't want to hear two goobers explain what the initiative is in exhausting detail.

Please, enjoy.

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Peak: The Rise of "FriendSlop" Games

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down, inexplicably inspired by a meme, to discuss the rise of so-called "FriendSlop" games. These are titles like Repo, Lethal Company, and the recently released Peak, all of which are currently laying waste to the Steam charts as we speak.

Why are these games so successful at the moment? What differentiates them from others on the market? What could this be saying about the industry at large? Your intrepid hosts are ready with, if not answers to these questions, at least a bunch more to match.

Please, enjoy.

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Disney vs. Midjourney: The Future of AI in Entertainment

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

It finally happened! A set of entertainment juggernauts — Disney and Universal — are taking the fight to AI in a big way. This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss the new lawsuit against image generator Midjourney, why it's happening, and what it could mean for the future. They also spend some quality time complaining about generative AI in general, because, well, there's a lot to complain about.

Please, enjoy.

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Game Movies Galore: An Adaptation Avalanche

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss the absolute onslaught of video game movie adaptations coming down the pike at breakneck speed. From questions of quantity over quality to musings on which projects have the most potential, your intrepid hosts dig into what may be the next Hollywood craze - or an unsustainable bubble building towards an inevitable burst.

Please, enjoy.

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Expedition 33: Success Can't "Save" Single-Player

Wed, 14 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron take a moment to celebrate the runaway critical and commercial success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33... and then dig into why it won't matter at all to big publishers and the money-making machine behind them. Tragically, the narrative that breakout hits in the singleplayer space can somehow make them appealing to investors again is misguided, and Clair Obscur is just the most recent example. This is why we can't have nice things.

Please, enjoy.

Watch: The games industry is screwed - Alanah Pearce
Read: The State of Video Gaming in 2025 - Matthew Ball

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Marathon: Can Bungie Fulfill Sony's Live Service Ambitions?

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss Bungie's newest project, Marathon! The dig into everything from the upcoming extraction shooter's aesthetic to its narrative to its choice of genre in service of answering one question — will this finally be the game to make good on Sony's lofty live service ambitions?

Please, enjoy.

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Nintendo Switch 2 Prices: Changing the Industry $80 at a Time

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron dive into a new controversy that may have long-lasting implications for the industry at large — Nintendo's decision to price some first-party AAA games at $80.

The duo discusses why this price increase is not only unnecessary and bad for consumers, but also how it stands to open the floodgates for greed among big publishers looking to make the all-powerful line go up for shareholders. They also spend some time dissecting why the argument that games need to increase in price to keep up with inflation is myopic at best, and completely misguided at worst.

Please, enjoy

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United Videogame Workers: Is This the Moment Devs Have Been Waiting For?

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss the newly formed United Videogame Workers Union — a brand-new collective attempting to bring the power of collective bargaining to every corner of the industry, regardless of company or position.

They spend some time outlining the circumstances that brought us to this crossroads, and then dissect some of the potential positives of the movement as well as the challenges it may face moving forward. There are still a lot of questions left to answer, but one thing is for certain: this is a significant moment in video game history.

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Kevin Messenhimer Interview: A Developer's Journey to Founding Fiveamp

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down for a delightful conversation with Kevin Messenhimer, one of the co-founders of the indie game studio Fiveamp.

The trio covers a broad range of topics as they follow Kevin's journey from a member of Intel's hardware team to his time at Gearbox Software and eventually to the recent release of NIMRODS on Steam Early Access. It's chock-full of insights into the development process, humorous anecdotes, and entertaining asides that the whole family is sure to love. Well, maybe not the whole family, but the point stands.

Please, enjoy.

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Marvel Rivals Layoffs: Why Headlines Matter

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron revisit the world of Marvel Rivals, albeit tangentially and under less than pleasant circumstances. In the wake of some unexpected and unfortunate layoffs at NetEase's Seattle-based studio, the duo noticed some hyperbolic headlines circulating online that not only felt slightly misleading, but also contrasted with the titles for similar articles about the much more severe job cuts recently suffered at the hand of Warner Bros.

So, they set out to have a (hopefully) nuanced discussion about the importance of headlines, what we should expect from good reporting, rage-baiting, and profit motives, among other things.

Please, enjoy.

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SPR Reviews Bobby Kotick's Podcast Appearance

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This week on Some Patches Required, Zak and Aaron sit down to do something they've never done before: review an episode of another podcast. Then again, they've never encountered one that prominently features ex-Activision-Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick sharing anecdotes from his career, drumming up wild accusations against the CWA Union, and loudly eating celery into a microphone before today. Suffice it to say, they have some opinions to share.

Please, enjoy.

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Marvel Rivals: Quality, Quantity, and Post-Launch Content Cadence

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron return to the world of gaming topics not as friends, but as rivals... Marvel Rivals™!

Inaccurate and misleading introductory statements aside, your intrepid hosts sit down to discuss the latest chart-topping game in the highly saturated hero shooter genre, Marvel©'s Marvel Rivals™, a Marvel© product, presented by Marvel©. More specifically, they dig into some of the issues inherent to the game's aggressive content release cadence and whether or not its current pace is sustainable without eventually sacrificing quality.

Please, enjoy.

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Meta's AI Bots: How to Ruin Society With Artificial Intelligence

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

As 2025 begins in earnest, we have some phenomenal news for you! Everybody's favorite dewy salamander, Mark Zuckerberg, is going FINALLY going to rebuild trust in our most hallowed institutions, enrich your social life, and help stave off those pesky feelings of loneliness, isolation, and general ennui. How will he accomplish this, you ask? By flooding all of Meta's social media platforms with AI bots, of course!

This week, Zak and Aaron take a break from discussing the games industry to chat about why dumping a bunch of artificial intelligence all over Facebook and Instagram is, in fact, a terrible idea. From eroding people's ability to trust in anything to creating even more division during a tumultuous time, Meta's big bet on AI profiles stands to cause magnitudes more problems than it will solve.

Content Warning: Self-harm - 32:08 - 36:47

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Handheld Gaming: Xbox and Sony's Next Big Bet

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Xbox and PlayStation, two brands locked in what may be an eternal conflict for market superiority, seem to have found yet another field on which to clash: the rapidly growing world of handheld gaming.

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss the landscape for handhelds at the end of 2024, what new entries from Sony and Microsoft may look like, and what each is likely to do to achieve success. They also dig into the key differences between handheld consoles and handheld gaming PCs, as well as how those key factors position each competitor in a space that already includes both Nintendo and Valve.

Please, enjoy.

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Sony Looks to Acquire Kadokawa: What Could it Mean for From Software?

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Well, would you look at that? It's consolidation time again in the games industry! Who knew 15 minutes could pass so fast?

Jokes aside, this is a big one: Sony is looking to acquire Kadokawa Corporation, which is best known as the owner of From Software, the industry titan behind generation-defining hits like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring.

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss why this particular buyout could be a game-changing deal, from expanding Sony's media empire even further in the realms of anime and manga to what a PlayStation-exclusive future may look like for one of the most beloved studios on the planet.

Please, enjoy.

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GTA 6: The Game to Save All Games?

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron take some time to discuss Grand Theft Auto VI, but not in the "WHEN FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WILL IT FINALLY RELEASE" way to which you may be accustomed on the internet. Instead, they dig into the industry-wide perception that Rockstar's newest will be some sort of savior for the whole business of games.

Between driving the adoption of current-gen hardware and giving the industry at large a billion-plus dollar shot in the arm, the hopes for GTA VI are sky-high. But how did we end up relying on one title to pull the whole medium out of the doldrums? And is it a good idea to do so in the first place?

Please, enjoy.

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Halo Studios: A New Dawn?

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron take some time to discuss the newly renamed Halo Studios (so long, 343! We're sure Xbox didn't rename you because of all that bad press you've accumulated!) and chat about some of the big changes coming down the pipe for future titles. The most notable of these is the sunsetting of the Slipspace engine in favor of the shiny and ever-so-popular Unreal Engine 5, which will power all new Halo installments for the foreseeable future.

But will this fresh direction be enough to shake off the franchise's funk? Only time will tell.

Please, enjoy.

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Ubisoft: A Desperate Situation

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Brace yourselves for a shocking revelation: Ubisoft is in serious trouble again. Or still... or, maybe, both.

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss the newest plan to wrest control of the storied French studio/publisher away from the Guillemot family — this time at the hands of activist-investor group AJ Investments — and what that all-too-possible future may look like. They also discuss Ubisoft's many failures, a few of its more telling strategy shifts, and just how we got here in the first place.

Please, enjoy.

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John Henderson Interview: Insights From 16 Years in and Around Austin's Game Industry

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down with notable Austinite John Henderson, who has shipped numerous games and made a name for himself in the local development community for hosting Game Dev Beer Night and supporting aspiring professionals as they try to make sense of their careers.

John was kind enough to share his insights on a wide range of topics from advice on finding fulfillment in your job to maintaining motivation to the state of the industry at large. A few technical difficulties during the recording may have changed the shape of this episode a bit, but John's perspective and honest opinions are well worth the listen.

Also, apparently Aaron doesn't know what the word "erstwhile" means, and he deserves your scorn and derision.

Please, enjoy.

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Concord: An Unprecedented Failure

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Alas, poor Concord, we hardly knew thee.

That's right, Sony's next big foray into the wild world of live service shooters, is no more. And the real kicker? It barely lasted two weeks.

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss the unprecedented failure of Concord. In addition to enumerating some of the factors that led to the AAA game's unceremonious sunsetting (namely questionable character design and a general lack of innovation in a decade-old genre), our intrepid hosts also speculate on the title's tentative future.

Just for good measure, they also spend some time dunking on internet imbeciles who blame this mess on Concord being "too woke."

Please, enjoy.

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Monopoly Go!: The Obscene Cost of Games Marketing

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

When you look at a game like Monopoly Go!, your first thought is probably not that its marketing budget was nearly twice the annual GDP of the Marshall Islands. That's right, Hasbro and Scopley spent a borderline-obscene $500 million to get their new mobile title in front of as many eyes as possible... and it seems to have worked.

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to talk about the cost of marketing games both huge and humble, and why the mobile sector tends to see such enormous price tags when compared to their AAA counterparts.

Please, enjoy.

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Game Pass: Higher Prices, Higher Stakes

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Xbox Game Pass has been called the best deal in gaming, and for a while that was hard to dispute. But the times are changing, and with it comes a new era for Microsoft's subscription service - one that costs considerably more than it used to.

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss the Xbox Game Pass price hike, and why it's far more significant than it may seem at face value. Between the impact of Call of Duty, flagging growth numbers, freefalling console sales, and the full weight of the Activision Blizzard merger all in play at once, there's a lot to unpack here.

Please, enjoy.

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Elden Ring: Game Difficulty & Accessibility

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Every few years, notoriously sadistic game studio From Software releases a new title, and with it comes a heated debate about game difficulty. Well, that time has come again with the launch of Shadow of the Erdtree, the one and only (massive) expansion for auteur director Hidetaka Miyazaki's magnum opus, Elden Ring.

So, with some people conflating the DLC's brutal skill requirements with a legitimate accessibility issue, Zak and Aaron sat down to discuss game difficulty, easy modes, artistic integrity, and the difference between impairments and impediments. Aaron also complains a lot about the Tree Sentinal. So there's that.

Please, enjoy.

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Dragon Age: Homogenizing Video Games

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Among the bombastic trailers showcased in the Xbox showcase at Not E3™ — er, I mean Summer Game Fest™ — was one particular reveal that some fans have been waiting for for the better part of a decade: Dragon Age: The Veilguard. And boy oh boy, was it ever a bewildering first look.

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss their impressions of the newest iteration of Dragon Age 4, and why it seems to feel so little like the beloved games that came before it. They also discuss what's lost when IPs that used to have a strong identity throw what made them unique by the wayside in favor of mass appeal.

Please, enjoy.

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IGN: Corporate Consolidation's Impact on Games Media

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Hello, everybody, and welcome to the latest episode of Consolidation Watch - a show where we puff out our proverbial chests and celebrate all of the excellent acquisitions that mega-corporations have completed recently! This week, we've got a doozy for ya' from the world of games media, where IGN successfully ate up the Gamer Network, home of mainstays like GamesIndustry.biz and Rock Paper Shotgun!

Clearly this is all for the best, and won't in any way damage the media landscape at large by winnowing down the diversity of content on the internet until we're left with one voice and one opinion, communicated through the broken language of AI and overseen by the editorial integrity of shareholders. So join us as we celebrate this milestone and don't think or talk critically about what it means at all.

Please, enjoy.

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Josh Bowlby Interview: UI/UX Design & Community Building

Thu, 30 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron chat with Josh Bowlby, a UI/UX designer (user interface and user experience, for the neophytes out there) who has experience at companies like Virtuix and Wayfinder developer Airship Syndicate, among others.

Not only was he kind enough to speak on some of his experiences in that space, but also his active role in the Austin, TX, game development community. From tips on networking to thoughts on how to get through a rough layoff, Josh proved to be a font of wisdom and good advice.

Please, enjoy.

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Fallout: A New Era of Multimedia Franchises?

Wed, 01 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

War. War never changes... but the media landscape sure does. With Amazon's new Fallout show dominating headlines and streaming charts alike, Zak and Aaron returned to the vault this week to dust off an old favorite topic: video game adaptations.

This time, the question at hand isn't the program's quality (spoilers: it's pretty good), but rather what its success means for the future of some of your favorite IPs. Namely, are we moving towards a world where successful games will be forced to operate as multimedia franchises to maximize profit? And how will that ultimately impact the already troubled world of AAA development?

Please, enjoy.

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Epic vs. Apple Lawsuit: The Fate of Platform Monopolization

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Ahh, Apple. Creators of the smartphone, pioneers of industry, the gold standard for excellence, the last bastion of inspiration in a world that's gone dull, and... an illegal monopoly? That's what a recent set of lawsuits allege - and they're gaining traction.

Between an all-out assault from Epic Games' Tim Sweeney and an 88-page treatise on illegal practices from the US Department of Justice, Apple's lawyers almost certainly have their briefcases full to the brim. But what does any of this mean for the games industry and the future of the platforms you use every day? Maybe everything.

Please, enjoy.

Editor's Note: Episode 69. Nice.

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Dragon's Dogma 2: Does Review Bombing Work?

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Rejoice, RPG fans, for Dragon's Dogma 2 is finally here! The reviews are in, and the consensus is... well, complicated as hell. While critics are stoked overall, fans seem to have some grievances — and they're quite happy to share them.

This brings Zak and Aaron to the ever-relevant topic of review bombing, or the practice of leaving droves of negative reviews on a product as a response to some real or perceived slight at the hands of its makers. The whole endeavor is a political, economic, and ethical mess, but does it ever actually work? And while we're at it, is the term "review bombing" even useful as a catch-all for several vastly different forms of feedback? There's only one way to find out.

Please, enjoy.

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Suicide Squad: The Desperate State of AAA Games

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

When you think of AAA games, does your mind fill with excitement imagining what spectacular worlds dedicated artists have crafted for you with the benefit of near-limitless resources? Or do you imagine boardrooms filled with disinterested people demanding endless compromises in pursuit of maximum profit?

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to politely inform you that option A is likely a nice dream you once had, while option B may very well be playing out somewhere right now. With high-profile failures like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Ubisoft's AAAA fumble Skull and Bones simultaneously generating disastrous headlines and serving as the model for future "safe investments," there's a lot to talk about.

Please, enjoy.

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Adam Powell Interview: Union Organizing and the Games Industry

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0500

At this point, trying to find a new or clever way to say that the games industry is in turmoil is a profound exercise in futility. There is no one way to "fix" the problems that seem to follow developers from studio to studio, but there's one pretty clear step in the right direction: unions.

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down with former union organizer and current Austin, TX City Council candidate Adam Powell to chat about — you guessed it — unions. How do they benefit workers? What makes them so offensive to businesses at large? Where do you start if you feel it's time to organize at your workplace? And, most relevant to us, can they help get us closer to the industry devs deserve?

Please, enjoy.

Learn more about Adam's platform and City Council campaign at AdamforAustin.com

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Palworld: Imitation, Inspiration, and Poké-Plagiarism

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0500

If you've spent any time on the internet as of late, odds are you've stumbled across something about a new game called Palworld - otherwise known as "Pokémon with guns." Hell, with north of 19 million downloads and record-breaking player counts on Steam, it's easily set to be one of the biggest games of the year. But what is it, really?

This week, Zak and Aaron talk about the nitty-gritty of Palworld, from its borderline-plagiaristic use of Pokémon designs to its disjointed art style to its... surprisingly competent gameplay? They also try to quantify the fine line between inspiration and imitation and nail down why this particular mashup was such a runaway success.

Please, enjoy.

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Chasing Pre-Orders: Early Access Monetization Madness

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Hello, everybody, and welcome to season three of Some Patches Required! Our intrepid hosts have been away for a while, but the games industry certainly didn't take a break with them, as mass layoffs, leaks, hacks, studio closures, and more dominated the headlines.

This week, Zak and Aaron tackle the messy topics of true early access and the recent boom in paid "early" access as a pre-order bonus. Long story short, one is a frequently misused tool with incredible potential and the other one is the laziest money-making scheme in recent memory. You can guess which is which.

Please, enjoy.

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Baldur's Gate 3: Breaking the AAA Mold

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Have you ever felt exhausted by the neverending onslaught of updates, microtransactions, generic mechanics, and performance issues that seem to define modern AAA games? Well, do we ever have a new title for you!

This week, Zak and Aaron discuss the myriad ways that the newly released Baldur's Gate 3 - and Larian Studios - break the mold established by the major players in the AAA game market. They even dip into some AA and all-indie examples for a healthy dose of contrast.

You'll hear them again (with a few exciting new guests) next season! In the meantime, please enjoy some exquisite music, incredible art, and a few fun, insightful podcasts.

To be continued...

Please, enjoy.

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Listen to: Triple Click

Listen to: The Besties

Listen to: Play, Watch, Listen

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Alan Wake 2: Physical Distribution & Game Preservation

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

The world is changing, and media is changing with it. What do you own? What does renting even mean in the era of subscription services and online storefronts? More importantly, what happens to a work of art when it's lost to time?

This week, Zak and Aaron dive into the topic of game preservation in the (Alan) wake of several high-profile games going exclusively digital and try to dissect the importance of preserving games for both entertainment and education.

Please, enjoy.

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Graphics vs. Gameplay: BattleBit & Stylized Games

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

After a few unfortunate delays, Zak and Aaron are back to ask you a simple question: Do you value visual extravagance over gameplay excellence, or do you think they can work together? Moreover, is there a seat for style at the table?

Between the blocky art of BattleBit, the breathtaking but broken Jedi Survivor, and an endless supply of Aaron's useless opinions on films like Avatar, this is the episode for anyone who has ever engaged in the "gameplay vs. graphics" debate. Or, someone who just wants it to finally end.

Please, enjoy.

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Apple Vision Pro: Is this a Watershed Moment?

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron chat about what the semi-recently-announced Apple Vision Pro could mean for the VR, AR, and MR market. Will it fall flat on its face like Google Glass? Will it spur on competition like the original Oculus or HTC Vive? Or could it change the game entirely through the power of brand cachet and good marketing? Only time will tell.

As an addendum, Zak's new recording space isn't fully set up yet, so there may be a smidge of echo on his side. Meanwhile, Aaron's computer and hard drive decided to scream their mechanical lungs out during the first 10 minutes or so, even as his cat tried to break down the door. We're genuinely sorry for the audio quality in certain spots, but we're only human.

Please, enjoy.

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Alex Malcolm Interview: Music Licensing in Video Games

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron chat across three different time zones! Was that sensationalist enough to grab your attention?? Good, because the third time zone is occupied by Alex Malcolm, who works in music licensing for Warner Music Group.

This fella has brokered deals for numerous games, and was kind enough to share some insight into the process of what it takes to get your favorite songs into your favorite entertainment products. As they always say in Hollywood, "it's a good time for your ears." They always say that, right?

Please, enjoy.

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Cameron Paxton Interview: Composing Music for Indie Games

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to talk with the profoundly talented Cameron Paxton - the composer for the game Dome Keeper - about the intricacies of writing music for games. Naturally, Aaron rambles on about esoteric ideas, Zak stays on topic, and our guest brings insight to spare. If you're interested in musical composition, creativity, or just hearing about how someone found their gateway into the industry, this is the episode for you.

Oh, and we'll let you guess who wrote the opening and closing music for this one. Your only hints are that the song was originally meant to hype you up to keep some domes, and may or may not be called Laser Party. Take that for what you will.

Check out Cameron's Work

Take a Peek at Dome Keeper on Steam

Hey! It's Bippinbits!!

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Tears of the Kingdom: What Makes a Successful Sequel?

Thu, 25 May 2023 04:00:00 -0400

At this point, it's only a few degrees shy of impossible that you haven't heard of the newest Legend of Zelda game, Tears of the Kingdom. Was that sentence confusing? Well, so is trying to evaluate what makes a good sequel.

And yet, Zak and Aaron dive into the murky depths of media to discuss what makes a successful sequel, especially when it comes on the heels of a game-changing work of art. Be prepared for opinions aplenty, hot takes, and a (magical right) handful of puns.

Please, enjoy.

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Fortnite: The Evolution of UGC Platforms

Wed, 10 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Zak and Aaron hop right back into the maelstrom that is the modern games industry. Wait, were you expecting something different? Maybe you don't know their particular brand.

On this particular, acronym-filled venture, Zak and Aaron try to unpack the evolution of UGC, especially as it pertains to Fortnite and the Unreal Engine. Between the Unreal Engine for Fortnite, CoD in Roblox, and a million other examples, it seems like user-generated content is poised to become the next big thing in games. What does that mean? Who knows.

Please, enjoy.

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Also, thanks to Bo Burnham. Please don't be mad at Aaron for clipping your song. He really respects you.

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RE4 Remake: The Ethics of Post-Launch Microtransactions

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Hello everybody, and welcome to an unseasonably spooky episode of Some Patches Required! This week, Zak and Aaron dive back into the murky waters of microtransactions, this time within the context of the Resident Evil 4 Remake.

Is it okay to add pay-to-win mechanics after launch? Why would a developer or publisher decide to do so? How many times can Aaron use the same word in one sentence? There's only one way to find out.

Please, enjoy.

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Press Reset: The Human Cost of Making Video Games

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Well, would you look at that!? This one's on time! And it's interesting, to boot.

This week, Zak and Aaron have a chat about Jason Schreier's exceptional book "Press Reset," and each chooses a few topics that fascinate them. Zak is mostly articulate and focused. Aaron rambles a bit and bloviates a lot. But, all-in-all, the conversation incorporates everything you could want from an episode of SPR.

Please, enjoy.

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Dungeons & Dragons: The Influence of TTRPG's on Gaming (ft. Undercommon Taste)

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

This week on SPR, Zak and Aaron team up with the crew from the Undercommon Taste podcast to discuss the lasting impact and influence of TTRPGs (or table-top roleplaying games for you neophytes out there) on the world of video games. It's a fun conversation full of laughs, relatable anecdotes, good vibes, and a lower-than-normal number of curse words. Plus, Aaron resisted the urge to list off all of the great D&D character names he's come up with over the years. You're welcome.

Please, enjoy.

Learn more about Undercommon Taste

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The Last of Us: Challenges in Translating Games to Film & TV

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

With all evidence pointing to The Last of Us being HBO's next big hit, Zak and Aaron decided to take a moment to discuss a few things surrounding the show, especially the difficulties intrinsic to translating games to film and TV.

Naturally, Aaron bloviated beyond belief (after one successful sentence) and steered the conversation in the wrong direction a few times while Zak desperately tried to keep things concise. Aaron also mistook episode 8 for episode 7, and in doing so confirmed his incompetence.

Otherwise, this one's pretty solid.

Please, enjoy.

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Pokemon: When Fandom & Consumerism Limit a Franchise

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0500

Hello everybody and welcome to season two of Some Patches Required! If you're new to the show, we're happy to have you! If you're already familiar with our particular brand of games-industry coverage/conversations, we're thrilled that you stuck around. It's only going to get better from here.

This time around, we're talking about the endearing mess that is Pokemon; specifically Scarlet and Violet. While we both enjoyed the game(s), its flaws are hard to ignore. Moreover, they say a lot about the industry at large, consumerism, innovation, fandom, and much, much more.

Please, enjoy.

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Bayonetta 3 Controversy - Voice Actors and Fair Payment

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0400

This week on Some Patches Required, Our intrepid hosts tackle a slightly out-of-date topic that sends them down a rabbit hole that may just take them a few months to get out of.* Of course, the inciting incident is the controversy surrounding Bayonetta 3 and the voice actress who claimed that Platinum Games offered her a paltry sum to reprise her iconic role.

The aforementioned rabbit hole is a deep dive into how voice actors are paid throughout the industry, as well as an evaluation of how we quantify value in game development. There's also an important announcement towards the end, so make sure to stick around for the whole show.

Please, enjoy.

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*This is a hint. Also, sorry for ending a sentence with a preposition.

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Overwatch 2 - How Games Shift from Premium to Free-to-Play

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0400

This week on Some Patches Required, Zak and Aaron take on a topic of particular interest related to the rocky launch of Overwatch 2. No, it's not 2016, so Tracer's butt has nothing to do with it. Instead, our intrepid hosts try to dissect the challenging transitions games undergo when they shift from premium, pay-upfront experiences to free-to-play ones. There are hot takes, contrarian opinions, and more than a few digs at Activision Blizzard's leadership. But, really, what else did you expect?

Please, enjoy.

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Twitch Bans Gambling Streams - The Issue at Hand

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0400

This week on Some Patches Required, our intrepid hosts take on one of the more complex issues in the modern gaming world - gambling. Spurred by the news that Twitch has banned most gambling streams, Zak and Aaron break down some recent controversies and try to illustrate how games of chance can be particularly dangerous for Twitch's young audience, as well as the way more and more games seem to be implementing "surprise mechanics" in potentially exploitative ways.

Please, enjoy.

Source: How should the UK video game industry self-regulate loot boxes?

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An Abundance of Assassin’s Creed, Oodles of Ubisoft, and No Love for D23

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 08:00:00 -0400

It's safe to say that this episode didn't quite go according to plan. Instead of tackling topics like Halo Infinite's missing features, a high-profile developer leaving 343, and Ubisoft's ongoing issues with workplace misconduct allegations, our intrepid hosts spent roughly 50 minutes talking about Assassin's Creed. Well, they also didn't talk about D23 - Disney's annual self-love festival - but that was on purpose. But rest assured, it's still very fun.

Please, enjoy

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Thoughts on Games as a Service, a Trio of Intros, and Netflix as a Cereal Box

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Just when you thought the fine individuals at SPR industries couldn't make a conversation about the games industry sound even more casual than usual, they strike back with an episode so off-the-cuff that even they aren't quite sure where it's going. This week, Zak and Aaron sit down to discuss the various nuances of the "games as a service model," as well as other oddities like Netflix canceling the "Resident Evil" show, the PS5 price hike, Aaron's enduring hatred of "Rogue One," and the very idea of hate. If that sounds like a lot to cover in a scant 66 minutes, you're right. But it's also a lot of fun.

Please, enjoy.

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Diversity in Games, Its Potential Impact, and a New Nintendo Update

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Brace yourself, this one gets a bit esoteric. That's because this week, Zak and Aaron take a good long look at the very real issue of diversity in the games industry and some of the implications of consuming media made predominantly by white males. They also touch on the new wave of workplace misconduct allegations rocking Nintendo of America. It's all a bit heavy, but hey, those patches won't install themselves.

Please, enjoy.

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SPR Watch Party - "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" with The Nerd Alternative

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0400

In this very special - and especially long - episode of Some Patches Required, Zak and Aaron were lucky enough to sit down with Levi and Hassan from The Nerd Alternative to talk about The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. It's got laughs, it's got insights, it's got analysis. Unlike the movie the guys focus on, though, it's noticeably short on overt racism and there are no 45-year-olds pretending to be high school students. In short this episode is a bounty for the ears.

Please, enjoy.

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Indie Dev Insights from New Future Kids, Gone Wandering, and Finding the Right Work-Life Balance

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0400

If you couldn't get enough of Austin's unique perspective in episode 42, you're in supremely good luck! This week, Zak and Aaron were happy to continue their conversation, this time focusing more on the indie development side of Austin's story, as well as his experience finding his place in the industry. There's lots of good stuff in here, not the least of which is a reminder that you can play New Future Kids' first official release, "Gone Wandering," right now. And you should. It's honestly really, really fun.

Please, enjoy.

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Bask in the majesty of Austin's work by following @NewFutureKids and @austindrozin on Twitter, or by playing one of New Future Kids' games on itch.io.

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Discussing Game-Dev Education with Game-U Course Director Austin

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0400

This week on SPR, Zak and Aaron sit down with their mutual friend Austin, who has some cool stuff to say.

What, you need more? Alright, Austin is a Course Director at Game-U - an organization devoted to teaching youngsters and people with special needs the fundamentals of game development - and part of the dynamic duo that makes up the indie studio New Future Kids. They discuss everything from the ins and outs of Game-U's approach to teaching to the value of higher education in this, the first part of their conversation. Stay tuned for the rest in the near future.

Please, enjoy.

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Examining the Xbox Showcase

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Are you tired of hearing about exciting, upcoming video games? How about the borderline- unprecedented value offered by Xbox Game Pass? Hot takes on the current streaming ecosystem? If reading this has you laying infirm, overcome by some sort of pop-culture-related malaise, our humble hosts fully understand.

That having been said, Zak and Aaron still decided to dedicate this episode to discussing all of the aforementioned topics, and more.

Please, enjoy.

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Diablo Immortal's Predatory Practices, Unionization Updates, and State of Play Impressions

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Everyone said they'd never make it, but Zak and Aaron finally made it to 40. Well, the podcast did, and the number refers to episodes rather than years, but why quibble over semantics?

This time around, our intrepid hosts dip their proverbial toes into the depths of depravity by chatting about Blizzard's new mobile title "Diablo Immortal," look at the sunny side of life by shining a light on some new game workers' unions, and use the recent State of Play to evaluate the state of PlayStation.

Please, enjoy.

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EA Enters the Acquisition Race, Raven Workers Unionize, and Pooh Goes Dark

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Two weeks can feel like an eternity in the entertainment industry, and this episode is listenable proof. Zak and Aaron are at it again, discussing monumental moves like EA's ravenous - and somewhat bewildering - quest for a merger/acquisition, the major victory won by QA workers at Raven Software, and Sony's inconsistent stance on reproductive rights. Naturally, they also spend a bit of time discussing the upcoming Winnie the Pooh horror film, which is an actual thing that exists in the same world you call home.

Please, enjoy.

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Embracer Group Embraces Square Enix, Nintendo Loses Face, and Arin Hits the Canvas

Fri, 20 May 2022 10:00:00 -0400

As a wise and well-respected philosopher once said, "Another (every other) Friday, another episode of Some Patches Required!" That may be apocryphal, but hey; you've got to put those patches somewhere, right?

This week, Zak and Aaron discuss a few of the headlines you may have seen recently, including Square Enix selling off most of its western studios to the little-known but increasingly powerful Embracer Group and yet another wave of employee grievances - this time levied against Nintendo of America. They also talk about Ubisoft's most recent attempt to fend off a hostile takeover and the tragic defeat of a YouTuber whose name may ring a bell.

Please, enjoy.

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Dissecting the Current State and Future of the MCU with Stew From the Stew World Order Podcast

Fri, 06 May 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Are you ready for something special but not especially game-related? If not, too bad! This week, Zak and Aaron are proud to welcome Stew from the Stew World Order Podcast to discuss the current state of the MCU and the multitude of directions it may go in the future.

Which Future? There's no way to no... unless you listen. Maybe not even then, but hey, it's still a fun episode.

Please, enjoy.

Dig into The Stew World Order and all of Stew's stuff

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Discussing E3 2022's Cancellation, Kingdom Hearts IV, LEGO Star Wars, and Activision Blizzard's Newest Headlines

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Unlike E3, Some Patches Required is back and ready to talk about all the games you crave. Well, not exactly... or at all. Semantics aside, Zak and Aaron have curated an hour or so of interesting topics for your listening pleasure, ranging from the surprising success of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga to Activision Blizzard's most recent moves in the industry.

Please, enjoy.

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SPR Watch Party - "Voyage of the Rock Aliens" With Joey from 'So Wizard Podcast'

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Get ready for an episode that's out of this world (pun very much intended), because this week Zak and Aaron are joined by Joey from the So Wizard Podcast for a discussion about the glorious mess-terpiece that is "Voyage of the Rock Aliens." What's it all about? We're not quite sure. Is it a psychosexual romp through a bizarre 80s fever dream? Absolutely. Is Joey to blame for bringing it into our - and by extension your - lives? You can bet your sweet pompadour and studded leather jacket on it.

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Games Industry Protests Russia, Addresses Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation, and Celebrates Elden Ring’s Explosive Success

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Look, not every episode can be the very best (like no one ever was). But one thing is for sure: SPR will never be is false.

As such, here are a few disclaimers:

- Aaron sounds a little sick, because he was.*
- There's a fair amount of overtalk, mostly due to Aaron's internet being dump.*
- Aaron spends a good few minutes towards the end trying to adjust his mic after hitting it, all the while pretending nobody would ever notice because he's so devilishly smooth.*

Even when faced with such tremendous odds,* our intrepid hosts still try to discuss topics like the games industry's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, attacks on LGBTQ+ rights in Texas and beyond, and Elden Ring's massive success.

Please, enjoy.

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*A lot of these problems are more or less Aaron's fault.**

** "More or less" means "exclusively."***

***Disclaimers sure are a hoot, aren't they?

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Pokemon Gen. Nine and the Emphasis on Game Length in Value

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0500

This week, Zak and Aaron take some time to discuss the complicated, multi-faceted, and often inscrutable relationship between the length of a game and its value. They also manage to vamp for a good long while about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, so that's something. Right?

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Talking Self-Value, Career Trajectory, and More With VR/Tech Coordinator Michelle House

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 17:00:00 -0500

This week on SPR, Zak and Aaron chat with Michelle House to discuss her job as a VR/Technology Coordinator at Pure Imagination Studios, her journey in media, and the importance of valuing yourself in business. They also spend a fair amount of time discussing food poisoning and other various gastrointestinal maladies. It's fun, it's dumb, and when Michelle talks, it's rather insightful. What more could you ask for in a podcast?

Please, enjoy.

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SPR Watch Party - Star Wars: The Last Jedi with Daniel DiManna From the GNP

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0500

Welcome back, loyal listeners! Zak and Aaron went off the proverbial video game reservation again this week for a snark-filled conversation about the baffling mess that is "Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi." Better yet, they brought The Godzilla Novelization Project's Daniel DiManna along for the ride!

In other news, Aaron sounds like a small, feeble child this week. He begs your forgiveness and hopes that the gang says something insightful or entertaining enough to make up for it.

Please, enjoy.

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Check out the Godzilla Novelization Project: https://godzillanovelizationproject.com/

Chat with Danny (@ Danzilla93_GNP) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Danzilla93_GNP

Chat with Danny more on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Danzilla93/

Chat with Danny even more via Gmail: godzillanovelizationproject@gmail.com

Support the Godzilla Novelization Project (and listen to the Monster Musings podcast) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godzillanovelizationproject/overview

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Addressing the Elephant: Microsoft's Acquisition of Activision/Blizzard

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0500

To say that we never thought this would happen would be an understatement of the highest order. But now that it's happened, what does it mean for you and the gaming industry at large?

If you don't know what we're talking about, you either didn't read the title of this episode, or you've been avoiding the news. If your case aligns with the former, you're either a die-hard fan or terminally lazy. If its the latter... well, who could blame you?

Please, enjoy.

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Why Are So Many AAA Game Studios Losing Their Positive Reputations?

Sat, 15 Jan 2022 16:00:00 -0500

Well, gang, it finally happened: Aaron uploaded an episode late. But, by his count, that puts them ahead of more than a few other podcasts, so we've decided to take the moral high ground on this one.

In the newest installment of the SPR, Zak and Aaron welcome you to 2022 with a surplus of drama, reconsider accidentally trapping several prospective guests in a pipe, and discuss why AAA studios like BioWare, Activision/Blizzard, Ubisoft, and more have seen their reputations dip in recent years.

We also welcome the sequel to Mildred: Zak's roommate's vacuum.

Please, enjoy.

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A Very Krampus Christmas - SPR Holiday Special

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0500

Well, everybody, its the holidays, and you know what that means! Wait, you have no idea what that means within the context of a podcast? Well, you're in good company, as Zak and Aaron decided to play this one off the cuff.

In the spirit of the holiday break, our intrepid hosts decided to break with tradition and leave video games out of the equation for one episode. Instead, they have a chill chat about the 2015 Christmas horror-comedy film Krampus. Thoughts are shared and spoilers abound, so enter with caution. As an added bonus, a special guest appears to dispense some interesting contest and humorous observations, so keep an ear out for that.

Enjoy, and happy holidays!

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Discussing The 2021 Game Awards and Co-Op’s Triumph with “It Takes Two”

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0500

Another year, another awards show. This time around, Zak and Aaron sit down to chat about the 2021 Game Awards - a show that neither of them actually watched. Don't worry, they still did the requisite research.

Their big takeaway was just how freaking cool it was that a split-screen co-op game took home the top prize, especially since those seem to be rarer than ever these days. Apart from It Takes Two's impressive victory, the discussion covers titles like Guardians of the Galaxy, Cyberpunk 2077, and more.

Please, enjoy.

Source: https://kotaku.com/it-takes-two-wins-game-of-the-year-at-the-2021-game-awa-1848067354

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Todd Howard and the Pantheon of Game Dev Personas

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0500

We're back, and the same as ever! Wait, is that disappointing? If it is, what we mean to say is that we're here and just as enjoyable as you've come to expect. Is that better? Worse? Marketing is hard.

This week, we take a look at some of the biggest personalities in the gaming industry, from Todd Howard to Yoshi P. to Peter Molyneux. We even sneak in a few references to Hidetaka Miyazaki, Hideo Kojima, Shigeru Miyamoto, and others.

We had fun, and we hope you do too!

P.S. - If you're looking for context on the cold open, you'll have to wait for the inevitable blooper episode. It still won't make sense, but, hey, that's SPR.

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Sources:

FFXIV Yoshi P on the Online Shop in FFXIV
A LEGEND! Asmongold & Rich Interview Yoshi-P | FFXIV Endwalker
List of Content Creators participating in media tour
Endwalker Delayed: A Brief History of Apologies in FFXIV vs. WoW
Building Community: Developers in FFXIV vs. WoW
The Molyneux Cycle (The Jimquisition)
"You think you do, but you don't" (Full Answer)
WoW Classic Has Been A Huge Success, Here Is Everything That Lies Ahead
Preach Reacts to WoW Community Council and RAGES at Ion Interview
Breaking Down Ion's Interview... Ouch
Peter Molyneux Interview: "I haven't got a reputation in this industry any more"

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Discussing In-Game Cinematics and Career Introspection with Blizzard Technical Artist Bruce Evans

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0500

Hello, and welcome to yet another episode of Some Patches Required. Yep, we're still doing the dang thing. This week, we're proud to introduce a special guest by the name of Bruce Evans, who just so happens to be a technical artist at Blizzard.

We invited Bruce to talk a bit about what exactly a technical artist does, how he got to where he is today, and to give some advice on the potential merits of going to grad school to get a job in games. What we got was a hearty helping of the above with the welcome addition of some relatable stories of career struggles, tales of time spent in Japan teaching English, and a bit of affirmation for anyone struggling to break into an industry they love.

What you won't hear is anything about the recent headlines regarding Activision Blizzard. We'll save that for another episode, and we think Bruce's insights are just what the doctor ordered right now - no controversy required.

Please, enjoy.

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A Smörgåsbord of Intriguing Topics, Facebook's Big Re-brand, and Halo's Speculative Space Crisps

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Consider the calendar. Sometimes, minutes, hours, days, or (god forbid) weeks go by without updates pertaining to things you care about. For better or worse, this was not such a week.

Between breaking news regarding Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft's dedication to negging players for not spending enough time in Far Cry 6, the ongoing NFT war between Steam and Epic Games, Space Pringles®, Zuck's ambitious new plan to trap you in the internet, and the release of Dune, it's safe to say that it's been a been an interesting few weeks.

With so much going on in the entertainment world, we decided to use this episode to explore as many topics as we could. Which is to say, far fewer than we should have been able to tackle with the time provided. Also, Aaron is well aware that his mic goes a bit renegade a few times, and he apologizes with all the sincerity his heart can muster.

We hope you enjoy.

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Referenced Sources:

Activision Blizzard ends forced arbitration as CEO takes a massive pay cut

Steam Clamp Down On NFTs, Epic However...

Bungie ENRAGE Players With Destiny 2's Latest Expansion

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Mobile Game Marketing, Celebrity Likenesses, and the Joker's Book Blockade

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 10:00:00 -0400

We know that the last few episodes served as a showcase for the guest-heavy format we're looking toward, but we wouldn't judge you for missing the dulcet tones of Zak and Aaron as they agree about things and talk about KFC way too much. Well, Aaron might, but that's more of a reflection on him than you. You're great, and you have great taste in podcasts.

All of that is to say that this week's episode comes without frills. It's just two well-intentioned fellows talking about the frustrating and shady world of mobile game marketing, discussing the use of celebrity likenesses in games like Far Cry 6, and ruminating on the mysterious lack of Dune novels and very specific manga in Austin, TX.

We hope you enjoy.

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Referenced Sources:

The DISGUSTING State of Mobile Game Ads (and why YouTube LOVES IT)

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Double Trouble With Doug Trein, Reviewing Reviews, and Evaluating the Value of Wikis

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Are you ready for another dose of in-the-trenches insight from Doug Trein? Well, you'd better be, because this episode concludes our first collaboration with this consummate professional, multi-talented, and profoundly bassy-voiced developer/writer.

This time around, we dive into the nitty-gritty of game reviews, listen to stories about the "behind the scenes" of games journalism, and try to dissect the complicated topic of review scores. We don't plan on giving this episode a score, but we sincerely hope you enjoy it.

Want to learn more about Basileus? Check out the official website.

Looking for a new game to dive into? Romance of Raskya is available on itch.io and Steam.

(Since the game contains adult content, Steam requires you to log in to your account before viewing the page).

SpR fUn FaCt: Developers earn a higher percentage of the asking price when you buy directly from itch.io, and you have the option to tip if you so choose. In the case of Romance of Raskya, your itch.io purchase also comes with a complimentary Steam key.

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SPR Watch Party - Star Wars: Episode VII With Daniel DiManna From The GNP

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Brace yourself: SPR is trying something new.

That's right, Some Patches Required — ever a bastion of consistency — is shaking things up. This time around, Zak and Aaron invited The Godzilla Novelization Project founder (and elder brother to Aaron) Daniel DiManna to talk about "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens."

Spoilers abound as these three affable chaps talk about how they felt the first time they sat down to view the first chapter of the last chapter of the so-called Skywalker Saga, how they felt after a rewatch, and how the subsequent movies mercilessly eradicated any trace of hope introduced in "The Force Awakens." Did that sentence make sense? No? Well, neither does the sequel trilogy!

But, fear not, faithful listener. Our intrepid hosts will return to video games in the next installment.

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Check out the Godzilla Novelization Project: https://godzillanovelizationproject.com/

Chat with Danny (@ Danzilla93_GNP) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Danzilla93_GNP

Chat with Danny more on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Danzilla93/

Chat with Danny even more via Gmail: godzillanovelizationproject@gmail.com

Support the Godzilla Novelization Project (and listen to the Monster Musings podcast) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godzillanovelizationproject/overview

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Indie Insights From Basileus Games, Building a Visual Novel, and a Hint at What’s To Come

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0400

We usually start these descriptions with an overlong, unnecessary description of our topics based on a tangentially related idea. Today, we break the mold.

On this, the 20th episode of Some Patches Required (who would have guessed it would last this long?), we invited long-time friend and all-around swell gent Doug Trein to talk about his experience co-founding the indie studio Basileus and working on the virtual novel Romance of Raskya. We also asked him to reflect on his six-year stint writing about games for the site now known as Fandom, but we spent so much time digging into Raskya that we needed to split the discussion into two discrete parts.

So, if you're interested in hearing a gentleman with a profoundly bassy timbre talk with Zak and Aaron about making a story-focused romantic visual novel, this is the episode for you.

But do be sure to keep an eye out for the second half of the discussion, which will debut in the near future.

Want to learn more about Basileus? Check out the official website.

Looking for a new game to dive into? Romance of Raskya is available on itch.io and Steam.

(Since the game contains adult content, Steam requires you to log in to your account before viewing the page).

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An Episode of Intros, Lots of Roblox Talk, and an Unnecessary Adherence to Naming Conventions

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0400

As one great Greek philosopher famously said: "Sometimes, you've got enough material in the bag to make a beautiful quilt, even if you may see it as too little." Of course, another said, "If you have no material from which to craft your art, why bother?"

Then, as if sent from Olympus itself, another said, "Hey, you're just working on a podcast, and you needed to shuffle your topics around a bit. Stop taking yourself so seriously." So we did.

Humor and artifice aside, this episode is more or less a collage of different topics that have popped up since our last episode (or something close to that). We run the gamut from James Gunn's "The Suicide Squad" to the surprisingly murky depths of Roblox, with a soupçon Kojima tossed in for flavor.

We hope you enjoy.

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Sources:

Hideo Kojima’s deal with Xbox reaches key milestone (Venture Beat)
Hideo Kojima's Next Game Could Be Exclusive To Xbox (Gamespot)
Ex-Far Cry Dev's New Game Studio Is 4.7 Percent Women, Ready For More (Kotaku)
Investigation: How Roblox Is Exploiting Young Game Developers (People Make Games)
It's Shocking Just How Shady Roblox Actually Is (Kotaku)
How Roblox Became a Playground for Virtual Fascists (WIRED)

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Remasters, Re-releases, and Googling "Frank"

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Before you begin this episode, Zak and Aaron invite you to revisit the treasured memories you built while playing your favorite games. Were you trying to best your father on the digital be-iced colosseum that plays host to hockey? Working night and day to stop the Reapers from destroying humanity? Perhaps doing a Bethesda thing?

Now ask yourself: how much would you pay for that experience to look better or run smoother?

In this episode, our humble hosts dive into the murky, confusing, and often contentious topic of video game remasters, re-releases, and remakes. How much should you pay for them? How long should a company wait to remaster/re-release/remake a game? What the hell is the difference between the aforementioned terms, anyway?

While neither Zak nor Aaron can provide a conclusive answer, they can (at the very least) offer an extended segment where they talk about people who were in the film "Frank," a movie neither of them has actually seen.

TLDR: Business seems to be running as normal at Some Patches Required.

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Switch OLED, Steam Deck, and Activision Blizzard's Moral Reckoning

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0400

CONTENT WARNING: During the first part of this episode, the discussion references harassment, suicide, and sexual abuse. If you would like to avoid these topics, please skip to at least 20:48.

At the risk of getting a bit too real, Zak and Aaron ran into an issue while preparing/recording this episode.

On one hand, we wanted to speak about the recent news regarding Activision Blizzard, which is both deeply troubling and infuriatingly unsurprising (making it all the more troubling). But we also wanted to publish a podcast episode that wasn't a non-stop barrage of negativity.

So, we did our best to split the difference. The first 20 minutes or so are devoted to the allegations of widespread abuse at Activision Blizzard, while the rest is a little more lighthearted in nature. We talk about the recently-announced Nintendo Switch OLED, the Steam Deck, and whether either one will make a big splash in the market. In the interest of levity, Aaron inserted a mediocre pirate joke into the latter part of the discussion. But, as is often the case with pirate treasure, you'll have to go on a journey of discovery in order to find it.

Heartfelt plea

From the deepest part of our hearts, we hope that anyone listening who is dealing with abuse of any kind or grappling with suicidal thoughts knows that they are not alone. Here are a few resources you may find valuable. If you need them, use them. If you're not sure, use them to ask. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673

Sources:

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Gameplay vs. Narrative, Second Chances, and Our First Concise Outro

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0400

A wise podcaster once said, "Look to your games for gameplay; nothing else." Another said, "narrative is vital, no matter the experience." Neither Zak nor Aaron know where to find the ancient texts that hold the ultimate truth as to whether story is more important than mechanics or vice versa. One thing's for certain: they'll need to solve a few puzzles to come to a conclusion.

This time, hosts Zak and Aaron try to make sense of the strange relationship between gameplay and narrative, and weigh in on whether one is more important than the other. Naturally, it proves to be too big of a topic for two mortals to tackle in roughly an hour. Then again, they do spend a fair amount of time talking about fried chicken.

Also, Aaron forgot to turn off his air conditioner before recording. When asked for a comment, he said, "Well, poopy."

Enjoy.

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Talking Shop With GuessworkVR, Indie Dev Insights, and a Surplus of Sarcasm

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Here at Some Patches Required Industries, we like to think of ourselves as people of the people despite our staggering success and record-breaking download count. As such, we decided to grant Tyler Blust and Anthony Mikicic from GuessworkVR an audience (meaning you).

Bloviating aside, these are some seriously talented individuals working on some really cool projects along with a full crew of other awesome people. Based on our conversation, it seems like they're onto something with this whole "virtual reality" idea, and their recent grant from Oculus Launch Pad only serves to further the point.

It also doesn't hurt that both Anthony and Tyler have a solid understanding of what they're talking about, given that they've been in the game (pun intended) for much longer than Zak and Aaron have been doing a podcast.

Also, they're funny and insightful in equal measure. So, please listen. Please.

Please?

Want to learn more about GuessworkVR? Look no further than their official website.

Just want to see UNDR H20 in action? GuesswokVR has just the landing page for you.

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E3 2021, Opinions Aplenty, and the Colonel's Nasty Boy

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0400

At the risk of sounding like the introduction to nearly every article, press release, or set of podcast show notes written since the start of "you know what," the world looks a little bit different today than it has in years past. But, since 2021 marks the return of E3, that's what today's episode of Some Patches Required is all about!

Episode 14 comes right out of the gate with a failed intro bit handcrafted by Aaron with all the grace of a fainting goat, followed by the world debut of everyone's favorite KFC mistake, the Colonel's Nasty Boy. Then, our intrepid hosts take a leisurely stroll through the world's first all-digital E3 conference while discussing their favorite reveals/most anticipated releases, what they were sad to see absent, and whether E3 is relevant at all anymore.

They also kind of dunk on Halo for a bit, and Aaron throws some shade at "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." But, don't worry, he cut the full 30-second diatribe about how much he hates it from the final product.

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Brief Special Guest: Mildred, The Sound Destroyer

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$70 Games, Appropriate Compensation, and the Legendary Lost Lozenge of Hades

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Here at SPR, we like to think that highlighting serious topics within the games industry doesn't require emulating the tone of a particularly boring episode of "Mr. Wizard's World." If you're not 150 years old (or Aaron), that means we try to balance research-based discussions with our unique brand of insanity.

If you need proof, look no further than this episode. We inexplicably start out with a guest appearance by the lord of the underworld before transitioning to a conversation about how much the Internet hates the perceived design tweaks Aloy received for Horizon Forbidden West. Then, we finally land on our main topic: The cases for and against raising the price of video games to $70.

Hey, if it weren't as eclectic as Frasier Crane's design philosophy and accompanied by show notes filled with obscure half-jokes about beloved sitcoms and educational children's programming, it wouldn't be Some Patches Required.

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Source Links:

CEO compensation surged 14% in 2019 to $21.3 million (Lawrence Mishel and Jori Kandra)
The $70 video game is inevitable (Charlie Hall):
The $70 Price Tag Is Actually Indefensible (The Jimquisition)
The Sixty Dollar Myth (The Jimquisition)
$70 games are ‘fair market value’ and consumers will ‘happily’ pay, argues analyst (Andy Robinson)
I don’t buy the claim that games need to be $70 and you shouldn’t either (Eric Abent)
Can $70 games succeed in a subscription-filled, free-to-play world? (Kyle Orland)
The cost of games (Raph Koster)
Should Video Games Be More Expensive? 3 Reasons Why That Doesn't Make Sense (Erik Kain)
Video Game Prices Are Going Up for the First Time in 15 Years (Olga Kharif and Takashi Mochizuki)
Are Video Games About To Cost 70 Dollars? Hope

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Bad Video Game Movies, a Ton of Monster Hunter, and Commander Shepard's Nasty Knob

Fri, 21 May 2021 10:00:00 -0400

An intellectual once said, "To err is human, to complain for a really long time about movies that tried and failed to capture the nature of the games from which they drew inspiration is the height of entertainment." Who was that shining light, whose voice seemingly sprung from the well of unnecessary verbosity and pointless metaphors? The world may never know.

While that quote may never find proper attribution, you can take a break from fancy turns of phrase and enjoy two friends talking about bad video game movies. In preparation for this episode, Zak and Aaron watched "Super Mario Bros.," "Resident Evil," and "Monster Hunter." One of them was pretty good. One of them was so unhinged that enjoyment wasn't even an option — it was always going to happen. The other one occupied the majority of the conversation.

It's up to you to figure out which is which.

They also talk about Mass Effect for a while, and Aaron said that his second least-favorite Star Wars Movie was "The Last Jedi," when in fact, it's "The Rise of Skywalker." So that's neat.

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Zak plugged it, so why not?: https://rantreviews.net/

Here's "The Sherlock Gnomes Incident," just for good measure: https://rantreviews.net/2018/07/22/random-rant-the-sherlock-gnomes-incident/

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Sony, Game Preservation, and The Taking of a Tremendous Duke

Fri, 07 May 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Cast your mind back to the halcyon days of one episode ago, when we spent more than an hour talking about wacky licensed video games with Aaron's brother. Fun times, right?

Now, pop your earbuds in and listen to us talk about the borderline catastrophe that was Sony's plan to blitz the online stores for the PS Vita, PS3, and PSP (all of which Aaron owns, none of which he regrets buying), and the threat that poses to the preservation of games both new and old. It may be a bit on the heavy side, but it did prompt Aaron to say something semi-insightful for what may be the first time in the glorious history of SPR.

Additional high points include a fleeting mention of the Oscars, yet another discussion about The Last of Us, a startling lack of cat noises, and Zak winning the game of grammar moments before revealing his catastrophic bathroom crimes.

Hey, what did you expect?

Also, a divide can surround something; Aaron is just a dumbo.

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Licensed Games, Godzilla, and a Very Special Guest Host

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Oh, hey, didn't see you come in there. Well, now that you're here, we'd like to welcome you to a very special episode of Some Patches Required! This week, we take a trip down memory lane while talking about licensed video games. What makes that so special? We're joined by a distinguished guest, Aaron's brother Danny!

He kicks things off by talking about The Godzilla Novelization Project, his insanely ambitious attempt to write unofficial, full-length adaptations of each and every Japanese Godzilla Movie. Then we move on to hard-hitting issues like the fact that Zach tried to cheese opponents using Megalon in "Godzilla Destroy All Monsters: Melee the same way Aaron did, how pretty Mothra is, and the fact that there's a tremendously terrible "Home Improvement" video game out there.

Also, this is our 10th episode, so Marc Maron can huff our shorts.

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Check out the Godzilla Novelization Project: https://godzillanovelizationproject.com/

Chat with Danny (@ Danzilla93_GNP) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Danzilla93_GNP

Chat with Danny more on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Danzilla93/

Chat with Danny even more via Gmail: godzillanovelizationproject@gmail.com

Support the Godzilla Novelization Project on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godzillanovelizationproject/overview

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Gaming Superiority, The Snyder Cut, and an Unfortunately Clicky Chair

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -0400

We try to structure every episode around a clear idea, use our first- and second-hand experiences to bring some level of knowledge to the conversation, and do our best to address societal issues while recognizing our privilege. But, sometimes, we also spend an immoral amount of time discussing the Snyder Cut of "Justice League" despite the fact that neither of us has yet found the gumption needed to sit through a 4-hour version of "Justice League."

We've also started recording our audio differently, which shines the sonic equivalent of a spotlight on one of our recording setups and a terribly loud chair that's only slightly less vocal than Mildred. It won't be hard to guess which one of us holds the short end of that particular stick.

Also, Aaron becomes The Scatman again. So, yeah, it's SPR.

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Source Links:

Myth Busting: Mobile Gaming Demographics - MMA Global: https://www.mmaglobal.com/research/myth-busting-mobile-gaming-demographics#:~:text=Our%20data%20revealed%20that%2066,25%25%20longer%20than%20for%20men

A Super Cool Reddit Thread (u/deleted): https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/99hyqz/why_is_there_a_hate_for_sports_games_in_the/

The Scatman (This time it was Aaron, as Inspired by the Scatman): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy8kmNEo1i8

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Open World Games, Blaseball Banter, and the Naming Of a Toilet

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Today we celebrate an astronomical achievement. It's the first time we've managed to post an episode that's under an hour.

But fear not, dear listener. We still dive into the nitty-gritty of a topic that's on the tip of everyone's proverbial tongues — are open world games inherently shallow?

In the process, Aaron makes a "joke" about setting pubic hair on fire, Zak teaches his incompetent cohost about the phenomenon that is Blaseball, and Aaron provides a flawless synopsis of "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift."

We also name an angry toilet. And yes, the "P" stands for what you think it does.

Listen to Beach Girl on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d3stbZda2NcV2DPjsDvAj?si=8TQz8E7tTT2H8Hy6G07uQQ

Bask in the glory of Beach Girl's new EP: https://open.spotify.com/album/231Xn5cBLtO11ohzLeTJHN?si=TqL3TXZdTn6tma8ymKqqpg

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Source Links:

Maybe check out Blaseball on Patreon?: https://www.patreon.com/blaseball

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Google Stadia's Empty Stadium, Plenty of Pokémon, and a Very Vocal Feline

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 10:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wanted to hear two white fellows in their mid-twenties talk about a big tech company's most recent bungle while a very cute cat with a tiny face you can't see and a loud voice you can very much hear screams in the background? Well, have we got a show for you!

This week, Zak and Aaron try to dissect what's good, bad, and terribly misguided about Google Stadia. That is, after talking about Pokémon for far too long while being consistently cut off by the sonic blight that is Mildred.

Aaron also manages to mutilate the English language so egregiously that it sounds like he's trying to scat. Take that double entendre however you will.

Please, enjoy.

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Source Links:

Google Stadia Shuts Down Internal Studios, Changing Business Focus (Steven Totilo): https://kotaku.com/google-stadia-shuts-down-internal-studios-changing-bus-1846146761

Stadia vs. xCloud: How these game-streaming services stack up (Jess Confitt): https://www.engadget.com/2019-11-29-stadia-xcloud-comparison-google-microsoft-game-streaming.html

We ranked 50 failed Google products from best to worst (Oliver Cragg): https://www.androidauthority.com/failed-google-products-list-943812/

The Scatman (The Scatman): https://youtu.be/Hy8kmNEo1i8

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IP Usage in Games, Star Wars, Warhammer, and the Horror of Texas Snowstorms

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0500

As the well-trodden platitude says, "life happens." Sometimes that means the majority of your state goes dark because of a winter storm. Sometimes it means you need to record a podcast in the same room as a cat who just loves to scream at the top of her lungs. Well, c'est la vie.

In this episode, we talk about how certain brands choose to license their IPs, and whether a more restrictive approach (like Disney's) or a looser one (like Games Workshop's) is better for the consumer, the company in charge of said IP, and the IP's overall value and reputation.

But don't worry, Aaron still manages to get some basic facts wrong while trying to speak English.

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Source Links:

10 Survival Horrors With A Better Story Than The Last Of Us 2 (Drew Atchison): https://screenrant.com/horror-video-games-better-plot-last-of-us-sequel/

Games Workshop Wants AAA Warhammer Video Games, Is Signing New Developers (Matt Purslow): https://www.ign.com/articles/games-workshop-aaa-warhammer-games

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Exclusivity 2: Electric Boogaloo

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0500

We’re nothing if not people of our word, and we deliver on our promises at least 50% of the time, 100% of the time. So, as promised, here’s the second installment of our discussion on exclusivity.

This week, we start out by accidentally spending nearly half of our time discussing the intro topic - WB’s attempt to patent a mechanic, and what that means for the industry at large. Then, in what has to be our most graceful transition yet (which is, admittedly, a low bar to clear), we resume our conversation about exclusivity.

Aaron struggles to form coherent sentences, Zak makes good points in a concise, well-articulated manner, and we briefly summon the grim specter of the beloved English actor who somehow continues to blight our podcast.

In other words, it’s an episode of Some Patches Required.

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Platform-Exclusive Games, King Kong, and a Michael Caine Mea Culpa

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0500

Well, we've finally done it. How long did you really think it would take for Aaron to invite his very good friend Michael Caine to do a guest spot on this undeniably popular podcast?

Unfortunately, the appearance by America's favorite Alfred didn't go so hot, so this episode features a re-recorded introduction full of apologies (all from Aaron and Sir Caine) and at least one strange transition. We all need patches, right?

More importantly, Zak touches briefly on the bizarre emotional whiplash that is the "Godzilla vs. Kong" trailer, and both hosts dive into their deepest topic yet: Console-exclusive games and the idea of platform-exclusivity in general.

Keep an eye (or an ear) out for part two of this discussion!

Listen to Beach Girl on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d3stbZda2NcV2DPjsDvAj?si=8TQz8E7tTT2H8Hy6G07uQQ

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Source Links:

Exclusives Are ‘Completely Counter To What Gaming Is About,’ Xbox’s Phil Spencer Says - Kotaku (Leah Williams): https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/07/xbox-series-x-exclusives-phil-spencer/
Xbox Game Pass vs PlayStation Now: which is the best game subscription service? - Techradar (Harry Shepherd): https://www.techradar.com/news/xbox-game-pass-vs-playstation-now-which-is-the-best-game-subscription-service
EPIC VS. STEAM: THE CONSOLE WAR REIMAGINED ON THE PC - The Verge (Nick Statt): https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/16/18334865/epic-games-store-versus-steam-valve-pc-gaming-console-war-reimagined

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Genshin Impact's... Impact

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0500

This week, we ramble about Star Wars and Lucasfilm Games for a while, then turn to our main topic: The impact of Genshin Impact.

Is it a Breath of the Wild clone? Are its microtransactions and gacha mechanics problematic? How did it become so wildly successful? Is it even a good game? Does it represent a turning point for the industry?

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Source Links:

Did Genshin Impact swipe an opportunity from under Nintendo's nose? | Opinion (Rob Fahey): https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-12-04-did-genshin-impact-swipe-an-opportunity-from-under-nintendos-nose-opinion

Genshin Impact Wins Apple and Google Play’s Best Game of 2020 (Mike Fahey): https://kotaku.com/genshin-impact-wins-apple-and-google-plays-best-game-of-1845790072

Genshin Impact’s Mobile Haul is Nearly $400 Million (and Counting) (Ian Walker): https://kotaku.com/genshin-impact-s-mobile-haul-is-nearly-400-million-an-1845796139

Genshin Impact is Astounding (Steven Messner): https://www.pcgamer.com/genshin-impact-is-astounding/

How Bad are Genshin Impact’s Microtransactions Anyway? (Steven Messner): https://www.pcgamer.com/genshin-impact-microtransactions/

Immortals: Fenyx Rising Has a Similar Problem to Genshin Impact (Rob Dolen): https://gamerant.com/immortals-fenyx-rising-genshin-impact-unfair-comparisons-ac-odyssey-botw/

How ‘Genshin Impact’ Made A Despised Game Genre Irresistible (Danny Paez): https://www.inverse.com/gaming/genshin-impact-gacha-game-meaning-definition#:~:text=Genshin%20Impact%20is%20the%20cutting,into%20a%20well%2Dmade%20RPG

Genshin Impact: The Video Game That’s Slowly Taking Over the World (Patrick Lum): https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/oct/22/genshin-impact-video-game-slowly-taking-over-the-world

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KFC: Kentucky Fried Cyberpunk?

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0500

This week, we discuss the gaming news that's at the top of everyone's minds: The KFConsole. And also a small indie title called Cyberpunk 2077.

We chat about our hands-on experiences with the game and talk about what its reception/development may mean for the industry at large.

Listen to Beach Girl on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d3stbZda2NcV2DPjsDvAj?si=8TQz8E7tTT2H8Hy6G07uQQ

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Source Links:

CD Projekt won't hold dev bonuses hostage behind Cyberpunk 2077 review scores (Natalie Clayton): https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/12/12/cd-projekt-wont-hold-dev-bonuses-hostage-behind-cyberpunk-2077-review-scores/

Cyberpunk 2077 Execs Say They 'Ignored' Signals That The Console Versions They Hyped Were In Rough Shape (Ian Walker): https://kotaku.com/cyberpunk-2077-execs-say-they-ignored-signals-that-the-1845890606

CD Projekt Red, Sony, Microsoft offer refund to Cyberpunk 2077 customers after bug complaints (Manish Singh): https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/18/sony-pulls-cyberpunk-2077-from-playstation-store-after-bugs-complaints-offers-refund/

CD Projekt investors may sue over Cyberpunk 2077's "materially misleading information" (Vikki Blake): https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-12-20-cd-projekt-investors-may-sue-over-cyberpunk-2077s-materially-misleading-information

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Hello, World!

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 18:00:00 -0500

Hello, World!

Welcome to Some Patches Required! Here, we're going to talk about the games industry. We love it, you love it, but we can all agree that it needs some work. Crunch, employee manipulation, and the way that developers are treated overall are huge issues, and we're here to discuss them.

This week, we mull over why we started SPR and what you can expect from future episodes. We hope you'll join us for this wild ride and forgive the numerous patches it's sure to require.

Listen to Beach Girl on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d3stbZda2NcV2DPjsDvAj?si=8TQz8E7tTT2H8Hy6G07uQQ

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Source Links:

'Anthem' is proof that crunch can't save AAA games (Jessica Conditt): https://www.engadget.com/2019-04-04-anthem-crunch-bioware-ea-game-development.html?guccounter=1

Ubisoft survey reveals that 25 percent of employees have seen or experienced workplace misconduct (Chaim Gartenberg): https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/2/21499334/ubisoft-employees-workplace-misconduct-ceo-yves-guillemot-response

Ubisoft's #MeToo Reckoning, Two Months Later (Ethan Gach, Ash Parrish): https://kotaku.com/ubisofts-metoo-reckoning-two-months-later-1844717203

What the hell happened at Activision Blizzard? (Michael Futter): https://www.polygon.com/2019/2/16/18226581/activision-blizzard-layoffs-executive-pay-union

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