Jimquisition

The Trashgirl Diaries: Hard Fun

Your humble Trashgirls talk hard stuff!

Podquisition 463: Missed Connections

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

Podquisition 462: Looking for Daddy

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

Podquisition 461: The Bad Pop

That part isn’t supposed to do that.
Games we played this week include:
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (8:15)
Sonic Superstars (38:45)
Sorry, We’re Closed (40:10)
Ebenezer and the Invisible World (44:25)
Vampire Survivors (49:25)
Meta Quest 3 (49:50)
Smash Drums (51:05)
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection (52:55)
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News things talked about in this episode:
Game about drunk driving pulled from eShop for 3+ age rating (1:01:05)
https://www.techradar.com/gaming/nintendo-switch/drink-and-drive-simulator-pulled-from-switch-eshop-after-releasing-with-a-pegi-3-age-rating
Skull Island devs were given a year to develop, most of it crunch (1:03:20)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/20/23925326/skull-island-rise-of-kong-development-gamemill-entertainment
Doug Bowser says Nintendo of America employees too happy to want a union (1:09:05)
https://www.inverse.com/gaming/doug-bowser-super-mario-bros-wonder-switch-2-nintendo-union
Embracer Group cuts staff at Zen Studios (1:13:20)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zen-studios-reportedly-has-more-than-30-redundancies
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com
Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.
Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.
Photo Credit: Hellerhoff / CC BY-SA 3.0

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

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

Podquisition 460: Let’s Get Wet

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

Podquisition 459: Live Reptile Birth

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

Podquisition 458: Semi-Conscious Life

I want something else. Like a bed.
Games we played this week include:
El Paso Elsewhere (8:30)
Amanda the Adventurer (30:00)
Model Builder (35:00)
Deep Rock Galactic Survivor (49:30)
Forza Motorsport 2023 (56:20)
Dynasty Warriors 9 (1:02:10)
Helldivers (1:05:30)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Epic lays off 16% of workers, gutting studios and seeking to liquidate assets (1:17:05)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/epic-laying-off-more-than-800
Hatoful Boyfriend dev claims two years of royalties unpaid by Epic (1:21:30)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/hatoful-boyfriend-dev-accuses-epic-of-unpaid-royalties
Fortnite to implement individual age ratings for all third-party content (57:55)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/3/23899988/fortnite-creative-age-ratings
Team 17 also lays off workers (1:27:15)
https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/10/02/worms-dredge-publisher-team17-is-the-latest-to-be-hit-by-layoffs
Naughty Dog quietly severing developer contracts early
https://kotaku.com/naughty-dog-ps5-playstation-sony-last-us-part-3-layoffs-1850893794
Former Ubisoft executives arrested on charges of sexual assault (1:33:55)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/4/23901575/ubisoft-executives-arrest-sexual-harassment-investigation
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com
Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.
Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Podquisition 457: Absentee Landlord

Worship that? Never.
Games we played this week include:
Payday 3 (12:30)
Amanda the Adventurer (18:25)
Rewind or Die (24:30)
Sniper Killer (26:40)
Train Sim World 4 (34:00)
Pinball Wicked (36:55)
Xenotilt (38:55)
Trombone Champ (41:10)
Halls of Torment (46:50)
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News things talked about in this episode:
CMA withdraws major objections to Microsoft acquisition of ABK (52:42)
https://gamerant.com/microsoft-activision-acquisition-cma-preliminary-approval/
More layoffs at Embracer Group, including Crystal Dynamics (50:45)
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/09/embracer-group-more-tough-decisions-to-come-as-crystal-dynamics-suffers-layoffs
Capcom issues statement on Microsoft desire to acquire them (57:55)
https://www.eurogamer.net/capcom-would-gracefully-decline-an-acquisition-offer-from-microsoft
SAG-AFTRA votes to approve voice actor strike (1:00:00)
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hollywoods-video-game-performers-authorize-strike-if-labor-talks-fail-2023-09-26/
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com
Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.
Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.

Podquisition 456: Extra Vocal Support

It’s really important you know that they’re on your side.
Games we played this week include:
Lies of P (16:00)
Solar Ash (17:35)
F-Zero 99 (20:20)
Nun Massacre (27:10)
No One Lives Under the Lighthouse (27:35)
Blood Wash (31:40)
Trombone Champ (39:55)
Gloomhaven (42:05)
MythForce (47:05)
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News things talked about in this episode:
Microsoft leaks everything, like, everything, on FTC website (52:42)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/19/23880165/xbox-leak-ftc-documents-new-xbox-series-x-controller-next-gen
Ubisoft Montreal workers get screwed by sudden “return-to-office” demands (1:13:15)
https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/09/11/xbox-mastercard/
Unity makes a crap “apology” for runtime fees, but has not reversed course yet (1:37:30)
https://www.eurogamer.net/unity-apologises-for-confusion-and-angst-over-fee-changes
Terraria developer Re-Logic donated $200k to alternative game engines Godot and FNA (1:25:35)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/re-logic-donating-100000-to-godot-and-fna-in-response-to-unity-backlash
Bobby Kotick might be only person outside of Nintendo to play a Switch 2
https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/18/23878412/nintendo-switch-2-activision-briefing-next-gen-switch
---
Buy official Jimquisition merchandise at thejimporium.com
Find Laura at LauraKBuzz on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. All her content goes on LauraKBuzz.com, and you can catch Access-Ability on YouTube every Friday.
Follow Conrad at ConradZimmerman on Twitter/Instagram/BlueSky and check out his Patreon (patreon.com/fistshark). You can also peruse his anti-capitalist propaganda at mercenarycreative.com.