Jimquisition

Don’t rain on our brown parade. Games we played this week include: Steel Assault (14:25) Ravenous Devils (24:00) Evil Dead: The Game (25:10) Pokémon Go (34:55) Steam Deck (36:15) Fight Knight (42:20) --- News things talked about in this episode: Organizing QA contractors for BioWare will not be forced to return to offices (45:10) https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/9/23063933/bioware-keywords-studios-contractors-unionize-return-office Nintendo of America’s Doug Bowser is “troubled” his contractors aren’t happy (46:35) https://www.axios.com/2022/05/12/nintendo-contractors-investigation PlayStation boss Jim Ryan wrote a weird and bad email to staff about abortion rights (48:20) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-12/sony-playstation-staff-fume-over-ceo-s-abortion-comments Images claimed to be from new Silent Hill project leak (59:55) https://www.eurogamer.net/looks-like-silent-hill-concept-art-has-leaked Fall Guys going free-to-play, coming to PS5, Switch and Xbox (1:04:35) https://www.eurogamer

Take the good, take the bad, roll it up and there you have the rail system. Games we played this week include: Steam Deck (9:50) Vampire Survivors (14:45) Revita (26:22) Nightmare Reaper (31:30) Evil Dead: Regeneration (40:40) Sonic Lost World (49:10) Death Trash (56:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Reggie Fils-Aimé distancing himself from contractor claims against Nintendo of America (59:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/reggie-fils-aime-distances-himself-from-nintendo-contract-worker-reports Activision-Blizzard’s continued anti-union messages just keep getting sadder (1:03:00) https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/05/09/activision-union-vote-begins/ Blizzard names a new VP in attempt to quell discrimination claims (1:04:35) https://www.eurogamer.net/blizzard-hires-new-vice-president-of-culture-amid-ongoing-company-controversies VR technology must be stopped (1:07:25) https://www.pcgamer.com/scientists-add-mouth-haptics-to-vr-complete-with-spiders/ --- Buy official Jimquisiti

Just being honest. Games we played this week include: The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe (7:55) Vampire Survivors (13:45) Peglin (26:25) Nintendo Switch Sports (29:40) Revita (36:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: Dragon Age QA team seeking to form a union (43:30) https://kotaku.com/bioware-keywords-studios-qa-union-mass-effect-dragon-ag-1848847955 Square Enix selling off studios and IP to fund its crypto future (47:50) https://www.eurogamer.net/square-enix-sells-off-western-studios-and-ip-including-tomb-raider-and-deus-ex Reggie Fils-Aimé calls himself a “big believer” in blockchain (54:55) https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/04/reggie-fils-aime-is-a-big-believer-in-blockchain-and-play-to-own The global chip shortage is expected to continue on (56:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-hit-by-worker-complaint-over-right-to-unionise https://twitter.com/katiecasper/status/1518763066661425152 Yuji Naka claims Square Enix knowingly released Balan Wonderland in unfinished state (1:00:50) ht

No more slouching for us! Games we played this week include: Elden Ring (6:10) The Force Unleashed (13:20) Nobody Saves the World (18:40) Lost in Random (25:40) Chernobylite (28:00) Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (32:30) The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe (40:10) --- News things talked about in this episode: Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg alleged to have helped bury story about Bobby Kotick restraining order (45:20) https://www.wsj.com/articles/sandberg-facebook-kotick-activision-blizzard-daily-mail-11650549074 Activision names two women to board despite their best effort not to (50:50) https://www.axios.com/activision-blizzard-board-women-lulu-cheng-meservey-bc7824aa-cfa8-4ab9-ab9b-392e8af8a543.html Raven QA testers gear up for vote to formalize union (53:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-qa-testers-getting-closer-to-unionisation-regardless-of-activision-blizzard-wishes Nintendo responds to claim of union busting (56:40) https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-hit-by-worker-complaint-over-right-to-unionis

Careful what you reach for. Games we played this week include: Two Point Hospital (8:50) Nobody Saves the World (13:15) Cho Aniki (25:50) Pix’n Love Rush (31:00) Pokémon Go (32:40) --- News things talked about in this episode: Sonic Origins needed a table to explain its launch DLC (39.55) https://www.ign.com/articles/sonic-origins-fans-arent-happy-with-locked-off-dlc-content Nintendo of America alleged to have violated worker’s right to unionize (45:30) https://www.axios.com/nintendo-nlrb-complaint-3bb227c7-40c3-40c5-9578-5190e595a00e.html Activision Blizzard surveyed players to gauge interest in crypto and NFTs (50:45) https://gamerant.com/blizzard-nft-survey-online-store/ Square-Enix still determined to shove the blockchain into their games (1:00:35) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/square-enixs-president-reiterates-desire-to-make-play-to-earn-blockchain-games/ Hideo Kojima up to his bullshit again, this time about a rumored acquisition by Sony (1:02:45) https://www.eurogamer.net/kojima-insis

No gods, no underwater masters Games we played this week include: Pokémon: The Trading Card Game (11:10) Roombo First Blood (17:40) House of the Dead Remake (19:55) Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel (28:30) Skul: The Hero Slayer (30:50) LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (32:05) Tearaway (39:30) Luigi’s Mansion Dark Moon (49:10) --- News things talked about in this episode: California Governor alleged to have interfered in DEFH suit against Activision Blizzard (52:40) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-13/california-lawyer-says-governor-interfered-with-activision-suit Activision-Blizzard pay bump for QA feels oddly like a union busting tactic (58:10) https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/7/23015033/activision-blizzard-full-time-qa-game-tester-20-dollars-hourly ABK workers walk out over company changes to vaccine policy (1:05:35) https://www.polygon.com/23010343/activision-blizzard-vaccine-mandate-demands-abetterabk Bungie announces remote work for most current and future

We’re taking this show to a new level. Games we played this week include: Elden Ring (8:30) Weird West (17:40) Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines (28:55) Resistance Burning Skies (34:40) Despotism 3k (39:30) Chibi-Robo Zip Lash (46:22) --- News things talked about in this episode: Undead Labs employees allege discrimination and abuse despite Microsoft buyout (51:55) https://kotaku.com/state-of-decay-3-xbox-series-x-s-sexism-microsoft-undea-1848728682 Ubisoft stops development of Breakpoint, tells NFT buyers they “own” a piece of history (56:20) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-04-06-ubisoft-ends-ghost-recon-breakpoint-development-working-on-nfts-for-other-titles NFT game using Formula One license shuts down after they can’t renew the license (1:03:35) https://kotaku.com/f1-formula-1-one-delta-time-nft-crypto-cursed-shut-down-1848748953 Ron Gilbert returning to Monkey Island for new sequel due this year (1:05:30) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-04-05-ron-gilbert-working-on-new-monkey-is

Games we played this week include: Guardians of the Galaxy (9:10) Shredders (11:25) Elden Ring (14:45) Kirby and the Forgotten Land (17:00) Skul the Hero Slayer (33:40) Tunic (36:10) Ghostwire Tokyo (40:35) Culdcept Revolt (46:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Wattam developer Funomena likely to close following abuse allegations (1:02:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-03-29-wattam-developer-funomena-reportedly-closing-following-allegations-of-workplace-abuse Another sexual harassment suit filed against Activision Blizzard (1:04:25) https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/activision-faces-new-suit-from-worker-alleging-rampant-sexism Judge ready to approve $18m settlement of EEOC case against Activision Blizzard (1:08:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-03-29-judge-prepared-to-approve-activision-blizzards-usd18m-sexual-harassment-settlement-with-eeoc Microsoft fine with Activision Blizzard workers forming union if Activision Blizzard is (1:09:50) https://www.eurog

We demand restitution. Games we played this week include: Tunic (12:30) Final Fantasy Origin Stranger of Paradise (30:30) Inscryption: Kaycee’s Mod (35:15) Skul: The Hero Slayer (38:10) Chocobo GP (39:30) Retroid Pocket 2 Plus (43:45) Game Pass on Steam Deck (45:25) Rune Factory 5 (47:45) New Little King’s Story (52:00) Soul Sacrifice Delta (55:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: People Make Games report on abuse at indie studios (58:50) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDPzZkx0cPs Ori and the Blind Forest dev Moon Studios also accused of employee mistreatment (1:04:20) https://venturebeat.com/2022/03/18/despite-its-beautiful-ori-games-moon-studio-is-called-an-oppressive-place-to-work/ More litigants sign on to sexual discrimination lawsuit agains Sony (1:06:45) https://www.axios.com/sexism-playstation-lawsuit-sony-e0f42c61-8467-4940-884a-1885eb8189ff.html Bandai Namco Mobile switching to four day work week (1:07:40) https://medium.com/@BANDAINAMCOMobile/bandai-namco-mobile-transitions-to-t

Miracle of Sound Gavin Dunne rejoins the cast for a one-off Elden Ring special. Yes, we promised it years ago, and we delivered! Enjoy!

Big homes, low ceilings Games we played this week include: Steam Deck (9:40) Rune Factory 4 (21:20) Babylon’s Fall (24:35) Retroid Pocket 2 Plus (36:45) Are You With Us? (43:45) Uncharted Golden Abyss (45:00) Aperture Desk Job (50:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: Vita software made to run on Switch (49:15) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/a-new-tool-claims-to-run-ps-vita-software-natively-on-nintendo-switch/ Forza Horizon 5 sign language features arrive four months after release (51:45) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-03-01-forza-horizon-5-adds-sign-language-support-today Activision Blizzard attributes failure to hire women executives to MS acquisition (52:25) https://www.axios.com/embattled-activision-facing-increased-attrition-18d74c45-d570-4a61-abcd-fed77be7243d.html Family of Activision Blizzard employee blames company for their suicide, files lawsuit (54:20) https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/03/04/activision-blizzard-employee-suicide-lawsuit/ Former E

Why’d you have to go and make things so complicated? Games we played this week include: Steam Deck (11:15) Pokémon Legends Arceus (22:10) Elden Ring (23:50) Roboquest (49:20) Gran Turismo 7 (53:05) Undead Knights (54:45) Infernax (57:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Intellivision Amico looks about to cut bait (1:00:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-03-01-intellivision-cuts-fundraising-campaign-for-amico-short-setting-alarm-bells-ringing Nvidia hit by crippling cyber attack (1:05:35) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-25/nvidia-is-investigating-cyber-attack-but-business-uninterrupted Valve open to having Microsoft Game Pass available on Steam (1:07:05) https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/valve-has-no-plans-for-a-steam-pass-but-would-help-microsoft-put-game-pass-on-steam/ Pokémon Scarlet/Violet announced (1:11:10) https://scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-us/ Ubisoft does, at least, protect its employees affected by Russian invasion of Ukraine (1:15:45) https://www.eurogamer.net

Wake us when it's over. -- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.

A not-so-subtle blend. Games we played this week include: Nintendo Switch Sports (10:55) Infernax (17:10) Dying Light 2 (19:55) A Little to the Left (22:40) RoboQuest (26:35) Skul: The Hero Slayer (31:50) Pokémon Legends Arceus (38:30) Horizon: Forbidden West (39:10) Pinball Heroes (40:20) --- News things talked about in this episode: Activision Blizzard’s lawyers paint union members as “footloose and fancy free” (44:35) https://twitter.com/_TechJess/status/1496136624358494208 Accusations made against Activision Blizzard for union-busting practices at Raven Software (47:45) https://www.polygon.com/22939657/activision-blizzard-raven-software-union-nlrb-hearing Bobby Kotick has been covertly funding Republicans through businesses (53:35) https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/activision-blizzard-ceo-donated-to-republican-causes-3164956 Rainbow Six tournament in UAE, where homosexuality is illegal, is canceled (58:40) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-23-ubisoft-scraps-plans-for-rainbow-six-siege-to

One, then two? Two, then one? Games we played this week include: Horizon: Forbidden West (2:55) Infernax (16:25) Dreamscaper (27:15) Pokémon Legends: Arceus (34:05) God of War (39:05) --- News things talked about in this episode: Microsoft suggests they’re only going to keep the good employees at Activision Blizzard (41:30) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/microsoft-is-watching-activisions-execs-so-the-right-people-are-in-power-after-its-acquisition/ Roblox has a sexual content problem, along with being a predatory child labor engine (43:25) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-60314572 Ubisoft isn’t doing a damn thing in terms of the demands of its workers (44:45) https://twitter.com/ABetterUbisoft/status/1493231476980293636 Team17’s NFT push has pushed employees to push back on company direction (50:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-14-team17-exec-promises-change-following-last-weeks-report Ubisoft internal discussion of NFT project got considerable negative feedback from staff

A tribute. Games we played this week include: Pokémon Legends: Arceus (14:10) Sifu (33:20) Silent Hill Book of Memories (39:10) Killzone Mercenaries (41:35) God of War Chains of Olympus (44:30) Unbound Saga (44:55) Unit 13 (45:55) --- News things talked about in this episode: Pokémon Legends Arceus sells 6.5m copies in a week, probably because it’s good (18:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-04-pokemon-legends-arceus-sells-6-5m-copies-in-seven-days Google rumored to be dropping Stadia, trying to shop its tech around (46:40) https://www.vg247.com/stadia-reportedly-deprioritized-inside-google-which-aims-to-secure-deals-under-google-stream-label Microsoft is rolling out the anti-trust defense propaganda, points cheeky fingers at Apple (50:15) https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2022/02/09/open-app-store-principles-activision-blizzard/ Ubisoft is licensing their characters to third-party NFT producers (56:44) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-09-ubisoft-rabbids-added-to-blockchain

Well, we almost made it. Games we played this week include: Pokémon Legends: Arceus (6:45) Pupperazzi (27:15) Bloodborne PSX (33:45) Terraria (42:50) Megaman Zero (44:20) --- News things talked about in this episode: Team 17 announces and abandons Worms NFTs in under 24 hours (48:14) https://www.pcgamer.com/overcooked-and-going-under-devs-revolt-against-publisher-team17s-nft-plans/ EA slowing its roll on NFTs (1:01:20) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-02-ea-seemingly-backtracks-from-earlier-nft-enthusiasm Troy Baker pulls out of his terrible NFT deal (1:03:10) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-31-troy-baker-u-turns-on-voice-nft-project Atari’s Loot Box NFTs are self-parody (1:05:15) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSQIdTE3Npo Sony set to acquire Bungie, leverage its live service experience (1:11:50) https://www.bungie.net/en/Explore/Detail/News/50988 https://www.vg247.com/sony-plans-to-release-10-live-service-games-by-2026 Techland very nicely asks players not to play Dying Light be

Just find a damned ledge already. Games we played this week include: Pokémon Legends: Arceus (5:40) Gods Remastered (17:50) Labyrinth Legends (20:30) Pupperazzi (26:30) Dante’s Inferno (29:00) Super Star Path (35:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: Raven Studios QA are forming their union Game Workers Alliance, ignored by Activision Blizzard (39:45) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-26-raven-software-union-bid-pushes-on-despite-activision-blizzard-missing-deadline-to-respond Kotick demonstrates typical disrespect to employees in all-hands meeting on Microsoft merger (43:55) https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/01/20/bobby-kotick-activision-blizzard-chat-layoffs/ The next three Call of Duty games reportedly have to come to PlayStation (47:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-26-next-three-call-of-duty-games-reportedly-heading-to-playstation-despite-microsoft-acquisition LEGO game developer TT Games reported to have harmful crunch culture (48:00) https://www.pol

Have a meaty one. Games we played this week include: The Procession to Cavalry (18:00) Buck Up and Drive (26:35) Super Bomberman R (32:28) Galaga Plus (38:35) The Anacrusis (39:10) Anvil (40:25) Forza Horizon 5 (41:20) Halo Infinite (45:30) Deep Rock Galactic (49:05) Blaster Master Zero 2 (51:45) The Gunk (58:35) Shadowman Remastered (1:00:55) Into the Pit (1:01:50) Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance (1:05:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: Microsoft to buy out Activision Blizzard (1:07:00) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-is-reportedly-nearing-a-deal-to-buy-activision-blizzard/ Microsoft announces well-timed internal review of sexual harassment and gender discrimination (1:19:10) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-18-microsoft-to-review-its-sexual-harassment-and-gender-discrimination-policies Bobby Kotick’s golden parachute is predictably obscene (1:22:05) https://twitter.com/gamesbizuk/status/1483435864378290179 Kotick alleged to have attempted burying employment figures t

There are many barriers, even dangers, but we have no choice. Games we played this week include: Grim Valor (13:30) Terraria (18:30) Pokémon Brilliant Diamond (22:50) Uncanny Valley (27:45) Red Faction Guerilla (35:15) Shin Megami Tensei V (39:20) Breakneck City (42:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: LEGO puts Overwatch 2 release on hold (43:30) https://www.pcgamer.com/lego-halts-overwatch-2-set-while-it-re-evaluates-partnership-with-activision-blizzard/ Activision Blizzard claims they’re talking to Raven QA strikers, but… (48:30) https://twitter.com/RebelComicNerd/status/1479161800537034752 https://twitter.com/RebelComicNerd/status/1480673705391009794 Xbox relationship with Activision Blizzard has changed in light of allegations, won’t say how (56:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-11-xbox-has-changed-how-we-do-certain-things-with-activision-following-misconduct-reports Phil Spencer thinks cross-platform gaming should include cross-platform bans (1:02:20) https://www.eurogame