Jimquisition

Time to get soaked. Games we played this week include: Super Mario 3D Land (7:10) The Pedestrian (15:30) The Short Games Collection #1 (19:40) Connection Rehaunted (25:45) Olija (29:50) Mini Trains (33:00) Tracks Toybox Edition (33:25) Flight Simulator (33:40) Aliens: Fireteam Elite (36:15) Mario Party Superstars (38:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: Women of Treyarch issue statement committing to better working conditions (41:15) https://twitter.com/Treyarch/status/1473355739246710785 Riot Games settling 2018 discrimination suit for $100 million, agrees to reforms (43:30) https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/12/27/riot-discrimination-100-million-settlement/ Square Enix CEO issues patronizing letter regarding their blockchain plans (47:15) https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/news/2022/html/a_new_years_letter_from_the_president_2.html Ken Levine’s new game reportedly in development hell after nearly 8 years (54:05) https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/the-next-video-game-from-bioshock-s-

Thank God it’s over. Games we played this week include: Aliens: Fireteam Elite (7:20) Earwax (13:45) Backbone (17:50) The Short Games Collection #1 (21:55) Bloodroots (31:40) Hot Wheels Unleashed (34:30) Dandy Ace (37:10) Lemnis Gate (39:40) Curse of the Dead Gods (44:00) --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.

Santa Claus is coming. Are you ready for him? Games we played this week include: The Artful Escape (7:00) Serious Sam 4 (14:01) Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue (18:15) Nightmare Creatures (22:45) A Year of Spring (26:00) Hot Wheels Unleashed (29:00) Dodgeball Academia (35:10) Enter the Gungeon (36:10) --- News things talked about in this episode: Workers are leaving Ubisoft in droves. (37:30) https://www.axios.com/ubisoft-assassins-creed-great-resignation-aef86e61-75a8-4446-8ad6-f2c58bd0b730.html Ubisoft NFT program has not been a hit, but they’re committed. (41:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-20-ubisoft-appears-to-have-sold-a-grand-total-of-15-nfts https://decrypt.co/88880/after-backlash-ubisoft-calls-gaming-nfts-a-major-change-that-will-take-time Peter Molyneux, on the other hand, is raking it in. (46:00) https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/peter-molyneuxs-next-game-has-sold-40-million-in-nfts Bungie having its own bad work conditions moment, HR head resigns position. (51:30) https://www.

Ouch! Games we played this week include: Solar Ash (7:00) Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue (13:30) Loop Hero (23:30) Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon (33:00) Monster Rancher DX (40:20) Lawn Mowing Simulator (52:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: Support the A Better ABK Strike Fund (56:00) https://www.gofundme.com/f/abk-strike-fund Activision Blizzard trying to squash unionization effort with promises to do better (58:30) https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/12/09/activision-union-strike-fund/ Twitch Boost feature is as useless as expected (1:08:55) https://kotaku.com/twitchs-pay-to-win-boost-feature-doesnt-actually-help-p-1848216696 Roblox growth and policies can endanger kids, not just exploit them (1:11:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-14-roblox-accused-of-being-unsafe-environment-for-children Peter Molyneux is also doing a blockchain thing (1:17:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-13-peter-molyneux-is-creating-a-blockchain-business-sim --- Buy officia

Seltzer is nonsense. Games we played this week include: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond (10:55) Gunfire Reborn (15:35) Kill It With Fire (21:50) Dauntless (23:40) The Binding of Isaac: Repentance (27:30) Mindscanners (30:10) Paradise Lost (37:05) Space Warlord Organ Simulator (41:10) Lawn Mowing Simulator (45:35) Townscaper (46:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Former Activision Blizzard employee comes forward in press conference (48:20) https://kotaku.com/sexually-harassed-activision-blizzard-employee-holds-pr-1848180146 Walkout staged at Raven software following QA layoffs (51:50) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-06-raven-software-employees-walk-out-following-layoffs-in-the-qa-team State treasurers getting involved in Activision Blizzard (56:35) https://www.axios.com/state-treasurers-pressure-activision-over-misconduct-352fe2e6-64d4-4f30-ba7e-39e0e13419de.html PlayStation exec fired after amateur pedophilia sting (1:00:05) https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/sony-terminates-playsta

No, not gamers. Games we played this week include: Ender Lillies (14:30) Death’s Door (19:20) Pokémon Brilliant Diamond (24:30) Gunfire Reborn (33:00) Warlock of Firetop Mountain (38:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: GTA San Andreas gets remastered with fog to hide how it looks (44:45) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-30-gta-trilogy-san-andreas-adds-ground-fog-option-to-improve-visuals Activision Blizzard protest organizer leaves company, decries Kotick on way out (47:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-01-activision-blizzard-protest-organiser-leaving-company Nintendo’s gender equality in management is pretty bad (49:30) https://kotaku.com/less-than-5-percent-of-managers-at-nintendo-hq-are-wome-1848137143 Twitch to identify ban evaders with machine learning (57:00) https://safety.twitch.tv/s/safety-news/detail?language=en_US&post=Using-Machine-Learning-to-Curb-Ban-Evasion Sony patent emerges for mobile phone controller clamshell (1:01:00) https://www.videogames

Courtesy of Dwight J. Ingle Games we played this week include: Binding of Isaac: Repentance (10:35) Dead Estate (16:50) Death’s Door (19:00) Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (23:05) NERF Legends (26:25) Bloodrayne Revamped (27:05) --- News things talked about in this episode: Exiting Activision Blizzard boss Jen Oneal offered equal pay after resigning (31:45) https://www.ign.com/articles/blizzard-jen-oneal-mike-ybarra-equal-pay-after-resignation All three console manufacturers distance themselves from Activision Blizzard (35:20) https://www.fanbyte.com/news/nintendo-issues-internal-response-to-activision-blizzard-reports/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-17/playstation-chief-criticizes-activision-response-to-allegations https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-18/xbox-chief-says-he-s-evaluating-relationship-with-activision Activision Blizzard employees petition for Kotick’s removal and stage walkout (41:50) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-19-more-than-1300-activision-blizza

On the Third Day, A New World Record, Out of the Blue. Games we played this week include: Grand Theft Auto Trilogy Definitive Edition (13:30) Halo Infinite (27:15) Kill It With Fire (33:20) Skyrim (40:15) Shin Megami Tensei V (44:20) Binding of Isaac: Repentance (48:40) Dead Estate (49:30) Pokémon Brilliant Diamond (55:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: Bobby Kotick knew about sexual assault years ago (1:00:20) https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-videogames-bobby-kotick-sexual-misconduct-allegations-11637075680 Elder Scrolls V confirmed launching exclusively on Xbox/PC (1:12:20) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-15-xbox-boss-discusses-the-elder-scrolls-6-console-exclusivity Nintendo acknowledges JoyCon drift (1:12:50) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-15-doug-bowser-says-nintendo-are-making-continuous-improvements-to-joy-con-controllers Chip shortages delay Steam Deck (1:14:10) https://www.pcmag.com/news/valve-delays-steam-deck-launch-by-2-months-due-to-component-sho

Have we said something to offend you? Games we played this week include: Lost in Random (8:25) Inscryption (14:15) Forza Horizon 5 (22:50) Popeye (31:50) Animal Crossing: New Horizons (38:15) Dying Light (39:15) Resident Evil Revelations 1&2 (39:55) Dorfromantik (41:15) Binding of Isaac: Repentance (43:00) --- News things talked about in this episode: Ubisoft staff seek public support for better working conditions with petition (45:30) https://t.co/dqmQV96FOm EA wants to make NFT games too (48:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-04-ea-says-nfts-will-be-an-important-part-about-the-future-of-our-industry Nintendo can’t stop leaking games (58:05) https://kotaku.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl-leak-early-1848012271 --- Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at C

The time has come. Games we played this week include: Happy Game (14:05) Unpacking (18:25) What the Golf (22:20) Lady in a Leotard with a Gun (26:00) Netflix Games on Android (33:50) Inscryption (38:10) MARS (41:10) Head Over Heels (47:50) Moon (49:10) --- News things talked about in this episode: Actiblizz commits to some changes that ABK were pushing for (54:00) https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/28/technology/activision-blizzard-diversity-workplace.html Bobby Kotick takes a PR pay cut (56:25) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-28-activision-blizzard-boss-bobby-kotick-asks-for-huge-pay-cut-until-company-woes-sorted Valve isn’t allowing NFTs on Steam (59:15) https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/steam-is-removing-nft-games-from-the-platform-3071694 Ubisoft commits to contribute to global ruin with blockchain games (1:00:20) https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/11/01/ubisoft-reveals-plans-to-develop-blockchain-games-and-nfts Facebook rolling back account login requirement for their headsets (1:01:20

The horror is real (and somewhat itchy). Games we played this week include: Nuclear Blaze (3:15) Inscryption (7:30) Guardians of the Galaxy (13:20) Zombies Ate My Neighbors! (22:30) The Wine (26:30) Legend of the Mystical Ninja (29:30) Hentai vs Evil (31:00) Crysis 2 (32:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: Resident Evil VR doesn’t account for people with boobs (34:00) https://www.reddit.com/r/OculusQuest/comments/qd8zbf/chest_items_a_practice_in_boob_punch/ Judge in sexual harassment lawsuit against Activision Blizzard denies move to pause proceedings (37:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-25-judge-rejects-activision-blizzards-attempt-to-pause-california-sexual-harassment-lawsuit Activision Blizzard skipping Blizzconline, conveniently avoiding uncomfortable questions (39.15) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-26-next-years-blizzconline-on-pause-as-activision-blizzard-looks-to-reimagine-event Warner Bros reportedly working on crossover fighter(40:00) https://www.eurogam

Can we interest you in a chalice? Games we played this week include: The Good Life (12:45) Back 4 Blood (19:30) World War Z Aftermath (21:35) Lego City Underground (24:15) Tanuki Sunset (32:40) Dusk (43:20) Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes (46:15) Nuclear Blaze (52:20) --- News things talked about in this episode: Twitch addresses contents of their massive leak (58:10) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-07-twitch-confirms-data-exposed-in-major-leak Twitch also had a do not ban list (1:00:00) https://kotaku.com/report-yes-twitch-once-had-a-do-not-ban-list-1847884492 Mercury Steam not crediting former staff for work on Metroid Dread (1:03:40) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-14-mercurysteam-responds-to-complaints-some-metroid-dread-devs-were-left-out-of-credits FIFA 22 pitch line feature causing issues for visually impaired players (1:08:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-19-fifa-22s-customisable-pitch-lines-are-causing-an-accessibility-problem More than 20 Activisio

Yes, you, specifically. Games we played this week include: Rallyallyally (5:45) Morse (8:05) Neuronet: Mendax Proxy (9:45) Back 4 Blood (11:50) Paper Trail (16:00) D*Fuzed (17:50) You Suck at Parking (19:55) Fantasian (23:45) Grindstone (26:40) Metroid Dread (31:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: EA exec confronted regarding loot boxes in FIFA interview, uses weasel words. (43:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/amp/2021-10-05-the-big-interview-ea-fifa-and-loot-boxes Twitch leak exposes years-long security flaws (46:45) https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/7/22714160/twitch-hack-security-data-breach-problems Microsoft investigating alternate approaches to “right to repair” (49:30) https://www.vg247.com/microsoft-xbox-right-to-repair-consoles Conflict over Activision EEOC settlement could destroy California labor lawsuit (54:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-12-latest-activision-blizzard-legal-twist-sees-californias-recent-usd18m-objection-questioned Ubisoft employees raise concerns “r

Gold provides many powers. Games we played this week include: Flynn: Son of Crimson (6:45) Nightmare on Elm St (9:05) Nier Reincarnation (13:30) Unsighted (18:10) ZombieRollerz (27:45) Missing Orpheus (30:00) Monster Train (32:10) Mighty Goose (37:20) Alan Wake Remastered (39:45) Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz (42:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Twitch testing paid boost feature (44:45) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-04-twitch-testing-new-paid-boost-feature Twitch source code leaked online (48:40) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-06-twitch-source-code-leaked-by-anonymous-hacker Sony adds game trials to PS5, starting when download begins (1:00:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-02-sony-adds-game-trials-feature-to-ps5 Sony buys Bluepoint, will shift studio focus to new products (1:01:50) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-09-30-sony-buys-demons-souls-remake-developer-bluepoint-games Bloomberg reports on 4K Switch dev kits, Nintendo denies, then a p

But what else is new? Games we played this week include: Kena: Bridge of Spirits (6:40) Flynn: Son of Crimson (8:40) Deltarune (10:00) Deathloop (20:00) Dandy Ace (24:00) Eastward (33:15) Skatebird (37:00) Toem (39:20) --- News things talked about in this episode: Activision quickly settles federal labor lawsuit, denies wrongdoing again (41:10) https://twitter.com/Kellen_Browning/status/1442635053469556745?s=20 https://twitter.com/Kellen_Browning/status/1442670747487408134?s=20 Netflix buys Oxenfree developer to make Netflix games (45:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-09-29-netflix-acquires-oxenfree-developer-night-school-studio Illumination’s Mario Bros movie gets cast (48:40) https://variety.com/2021/film/news/super-mario-bros-movie-cast-chris-pratt-1235072946/ Twitch reportedly working on features to prevent hate raids (58:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-09-27-twitch-reporting-launching-new-security-tools-to-combat-hate-raiding Twitch partnering with Warner Music to bring acts

What could these mystery flavors be? Games we played this week include: Kena: Bridge of Spirits (19:10) Flynn: Son of Crimson (23:55) Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls (26:20) Zen Pinball (31:00) Skatebird (34:00) Wasted (40:05) Deltarune (44:40) Croc (48:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Bugsnax / Octodad developer moves all staff to four day work week (49:20) https://www.axios.com/bugsnax-developer-four-day-workweeks-9dbea139-cda0-4c93-83ca-d921e3eecd7b.html Judgment delivered in Epic v Apple suit (51:20) https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2021/9/10/22662320/epic-apple-ruling-injunction-judge-court-app-store https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1437129077111074824 Twitch brings suit against hate raid coordinators despite knowing little about them (53:10) https://kotaku.com/twitch-sues-hate-raid-organizers-1847653161 Former Tripwire CEO does swift rebrand after resigning in disgrace (58:00) https://twitter.com/Gameonysus/status/1436805531633475584 Konami wants you to preorder a loo

Love is in the air (and on all the surfaces) --- Go check out Laura’s wife Jane at twitch.tv/janeiac or support her at patreon.com/StonedMonkeyRadio The links to her Twitter and Facebook, as well as all her work, including Podcasts, Livestreams, YouTube, Soundcloud, Spotify, Blog posts, T shirts with a spookkake ghost and more can be found at streamerlinks.com/Janeiac Buy official Jimquisition merchandise from the Jimporium at thejimporium.com Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday. Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at pinfultruth.com.

Chase that paper. Games we played this week include: Totally legal games (9:00) Encased (21:25) House of Ashes Demo (24:10) Apocalypse (31:15) Wasteland Golf Club (36:45) Life is Strange: True Colours (43:10) The Medium (48:20) No More Heroes 3 (49:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: Tripwire CEO steps down after expressing support for Texas abortion ban (51:55) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-09-06-developers-distance-themselves-from-publisher-tripwire-after-boss-says-hes-proud-draconian-texas-anti-abortion-law-allowed-to-stand https://www.tripwireinteractive.com/#/news/tripwire-appoints-new-interim-ceo-alan-wilson Paradox Interactive employees allege mistreatment in survey (59:15) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-09-06-employee-survey-at-paradox-interactive-alleges-gender-discrimination-and-mistreatment Sony backpedals on PS5 upgrade fee for Horizon Forbidden West, but such fees are the future (1:01:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-09-05-sony-u-turns-on-contr

Oh, you’ve got a new podcast to listen to? Must be fucking nice. Games we played this week include: Psychonauts 2 (6:00) Rustler (15:00) No More Heroes 3 (22:10) Aliens: Fireteam Elite (30:45) Lake (32:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Unity employees are concerned about the company’s defense department contract work (34.15) https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3d4jy/unity-workers-question-company-ethics-as-it-expands-from-video-games-to-war EA exec claims toxic environments are ‘inevitable’ in large publishers (44:15) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ea-exec-says-toxic-environments-are-inevitable-inside-large-publishers-but-you-have-to-take-action/ CD Projekt Red hires CyberPunk 2077 modders (47:55) https://kotaku.com/kickass-cyberpunk-2077-modders-become-cd-projekt-red-de-1847590961 Apple will now let alternate payment systems be offered, but not through the App Store (49:40) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-08-27-apple-settles-lawsuit-to-let-developers-email-users-about-alt

We are cultured, worldly sophisticates. Games we played this week include: Road 96 (9:30) The Ascent (14:30) Aliens: Fireteam Elite (17:20) Twelve Minutes (23:55) Psychonauts 2 (29:25) Train Simulator (37:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Roblox exploits child labor for profit (39:15) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gXlauRB1EQ State of California expands suit, claims Activision may have destroyed evidence of abuse (44:30) https://www.axios.com/activision-blizzard-lawsuit-temporary-workers-4a8fa284-a003-4c56-819c-43c7c2d3f3ca.html Electronic Arts is releasing patents on accessibility features (49:20) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-08-23-ea-shares-five-innovations-via-accessibility-patent-pledge-wants-other-devs-to-do-the-same The market for retro games might be as full of fraud as every speculative market that came before. (53:25) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/report-alleges-auction-and-grading-fraud-is-behind-recent-surge-in-retro-game-prices/ Twitch’s tags are