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Episode 54: “No More Mr. Nice Guy”
This podcast debuts two new segments to the show, the first being “California Crises”. This week’s crisis goes to the Christopher Dorner story. Good news, everyone! That guy is now dead.
The other new segment is “Don’t be That Guy”. Cuz we all know That Guy. And if you don’t know That Guy, you’re probably That Guy. Do not be him (or her).
The rest of this podcast goes to speculating the details of the now-announced PlayStation 4. We’ll have a podcast in the coming weeks to follow up and explore the accuracy of our predictions.
PROMOS: I Just Had a Terrible Thought and Reverse Thieves Podcast
Do the math on used games!
19 comments
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8mph Ansible
February 28, 2013 at 10:03 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Matt, other than it being pronounced more like “oo-yah,” if you like scoundrels in the Star Wars universe, and haven’t already, you should check out some particular episodes in the clone wars new series. There is a race of space pirates and their roguish captain who pop in & out of the series. You may like them.
I’m betting that Nintendo will eventual become a software company eventually, too. But I believe they have to be forced into it–maybe just outright bought out before that can happen. I’m doubting they’d take such a route under their own power otherwise. But I’m looking forward to the possibility of a good ol’ fashion console war. Feel long overdue for a gaming battle royale, especially since smartphones, tablets, computer gaming, & digital distribution have been going at the triumvirate like hungry contenders.
Sean Ryan
March 1, 2013 at 11:56 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
It wouldn’t surprise me if Nintendo turned to software-only either. It’s the brands of games that people love more than their hardware. But then it’s the exclusivity that’s probably keeping them afloat selling hardware. If you want the next Zelda, you gotta buy the next console cuz you ain’t gonna play it anywhere else. They have a hook and as long as people keep biting, they’ll continue on…
8mph Ansible
March 3, 2013 at 6:23 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Precisely! As long as they maintain a hold on exclusive titles and long running franchises to their hardware, especially those made by them or synonymous to their hardware, then Nintendo will always be in the race.
Sean Ryan
March 4, 2013 at 12:02 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
They’ll no doubt struggle with generation; especially because their current console and handhelds are both just rehashes of their previous generation. Even with exclusive titles, that makes it hard for people to justify purchasing new hardware that does just about the same as what’s already in their house.
Sean Ryan
March 4, 2013 at 12:19 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Now that I think about it, Nintendo might have done a lot better on the new generation if they’d still rehashed their previous stuff, but completely rebranded them and given them new designs. Might have duped more people into thinking they’re entirely new machines.
Abyss1992
March 1, 2013 at 5:21 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Sean i also came from A3K but i don’t rag on people but i do see flaws in people’s thoughts Cough….cough Cody Baier and again i don’t publicly proclaim my thoughs anyway keep up the good work can’t wait for the next Gist of The North Star
Sean Ryan
March 1, 2013 at 6:46 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Recording a new “Gist” today!
Abyss1992
March 2, 2013 at 8:19 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Can’t wait
Sean Ryan
March 4, 2013 at 12:03 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Well, didn’t record one afterall, but the next time we do record…!
Tim
March 2, 2013 at 1:43 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
So, since this Podcast was recorded, Sony have promised to not lock out used games, and have revealed that their design philosophy for the PS4 was ‘What the Wii U did, and game sharing’ though no looks at the actual console specs.
Also, while I doubt that this Gen will ruin Nintendo as a console maker, nor do I think the Wii U will be a failure, I do hope this generation opens their eyes to making sure the produce quality product more regularly, and I don’t mean hardware wise, since I expect that graphics won’t improve too terribly much and the Wii U is actually pretty capable on the graphics front.
No, I mean they need to make sure they work well with their own devs and third party folks to push for Quality titles. There were plenty of quality exclusives on the Wii, but many of them, especially the first party stuff, was paced pretty far apart, and some of their big name first party stuff was, sadly, utter shit, Metroid: Other M, QED.
Nintendo’s been better on this front, and especially for indie downloadable titles, they’re apparently the best in the business from a devs point of view, since devs have full control over their files, their price points, and updates and patches are free, as compared to how Sony and especially Microsoft are handling their online stores.
I also don’t think either of the current handhelds are failed, but yeah, they’ve got some serious competition from Smartphones, and the big question is whether we’ll have another generation of dedicated handheld game devices at all.
8mph Ansible
March 3, 2013 at 6:35 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I don’t think the matter of used games was made all that clear. I won’t be satisfied until I hear something definite from both Sony and Microsoft. For now it sounded like they’d let the decision rest with the publisher or developer as an option for regulating their own games.
Though I so wish this won’t be the last generation of dedicated gaming handhelds. I’ve found okay stuff on tablets and smartphones, but these all-in-one for gaming aren’t satisfying me like a real gaming handheld can. Yet no doubt there’ll eventually be some sort of reckoning in the mobile gaming industry in the coming future.
Sean Ryan
March 4, 2013 at 12:06 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Sony has officially said that the PS4 will allow for used games. We get into it more in the next upcoming Alpha Counter podcast (recorded shortly after the announcement), so that’s something to look forward to!
Sean Ryan
March 4, 2013 at 12:05 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Yeah, I agree with most of that. Like I replied above, I think Nintendo will survive this generation, but they are in for a struggle. One they may have never seen before and are not comfortable with.
VichusSmith
March 4, 2013 at 12:53 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I don’t know what the hell’s going to happen with this Wii U. I don’t even know if they’ve gotten over the hump where people were confused if the Wii U was an add-on for the Wii. I wonder how long it’ll be until we see their next console. 5 years? The Wii U is so weird. It feels like Wii 1.5, and that something better should come along soon.
VichusSmith
March 4, 2013 at 7:45 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
(Vichus is pronounced like “vicious” but it’s a made-up name, so I don’t expect anyone to actually get that.)
Yes, I am that guy. Can’t hide that I’m a nitpicky, over-analyzing English major. None of the extra stuff you tacked on applies to me. I don’t dig into people like a maniac if they get trivial stuff wrong. I “code switch.” In comments sections, this is everything– good and bad– dialed up.
I think it’s fair to call me out. I don’t know about that listener who you said might have a crush on you. I don’t know how she’ll react to that.
Sean Ryan
March 4, 2013 at 12:14 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Were you the one that dug into me about “wine and circus”? Pretty sure you were That Guy. :p I love that you dig our podcast and that you participate, but moments like that I go, “Wow… We’re just a stupid podcast. We care more about what’s funny than what’s fact.”
VichusSmith
March 4, 2013 at 12:47 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Yes, but I’ve never sat with you in person and chewed your ear off about how wrong you were about little things. This is what I’m saying. Just like people usually don’t say “lol” in public, I don’t put on a geek police hat and start cracking skulls.
I’ll leave ridiculous nitpicking of your show to the next guy, because I’m here to be a listener, and not an adversary. I really love and value language, though, so while I wont say anything, that doesn’t mean the gears wont be turning as I listen.
VichusSmith
March 4, 2013 at 8:02 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
BTW, have you ever read the Our Valued Customers webcomic?
Sean Ryan
March 4, 2013 at 12:15 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Yeah! I still read that from time to time. Having worked in a comic shop, I can relate, but a lot of that can be applied to most retail jobs. It’s a very different lens you view from the other side of that counter. One that I wish more people could see themselves and their peers through.