Jimquisition

Podquisition 466: Rubber Baby Tuggy Bumps

Such pain.
Games we played this week include:
In Stars and Time (16:00)
Loop Hero (27:25)
Dave the Diver (31:00)
Knuckle Sandwich (42:00)
Lonovo Legion Go (49:50)
Yakuza 0 (53:05)
Deadly Premonition (54:50)
Laika Aged Through Blood (1:07:50)
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News things talked about in this episode:
Layoffs at Unity, Free Radical and Fishlabs (1:12:40)
https://www.polygon.com/23980876/unity-layoffs-weta-digital
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/embracer-ceo-confirms-timesplitters-studio-faces-closure-before-christmas/
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/embracer-lay-off-around-50-people-at-chorus-and-galaxy-on-fire-developer-fishlabs
Full-screen ads interrupt gameplay in Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft claims technical error (1:15:15)
https://www.pcgamer.com/assassins-creed-players-started-having-their-games-interrupted-by-full-screen-pop-up-ads-but-ubisoft-says-it-was-a-technical-error-and-quickly-patched-it/
Court docs reveal Google wanted to acquire Epic with the help of Tencent (1:18:45)
https://www.pcgamer.com/google-considered-buying-epic-games-according-to-updated-court-documents/
EA filed patent for using player’s voice for generated character speech in games (1:20:55)
https://www.veryaligaming.com/ea-player-voiced-characters-games/
---
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 465: Consummate Professionalism

We get the job done.
Games we played this week include:
PS Portal (5:40)
Liyla and the Shadows of War (13:40)
Karmazoo (17:05)
An Arcade Full of Cats (23:40)
FlipWitch: The Forbidden Sex Hex (25:55)
AMC’s The Walking Dead: Destinies (34:45)
Quantum Break (49:00)
Dave the Diver (59:25)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Sexual bias case against Niantic moving forward (1:07:00)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/22/23972339/niantic-sexual-discrimination-lawsuit-gender-bias-arbitration
Epic rollout of age-restricted content in Fortnite has not gone well (1:08:40)
https://www.pcgamer.com/epic-admits-fortnites-new-age-ratings-didnt-hit-the-mark-says-a-new-system-is-coming-soon-as-part-of-a-big-in-game-event/
Unity releases early access AI tools for developers (1:17:15)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/unitys-push-for-responsibly-sourced-ai-tools
SEGA allegedly threatened its unionized workers with layoffs (1:15:45)
https://kotaku.com/sega-sonic-union-layoffs-persona-yakuza-1851026309
---
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 464: Rapscallion Behavior of the Nineties

It would take so little to change the tone.
Games we played this week include:
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (9:55)
Karmazoo (18:40)
Alien Hominid Invasion (36:10)
Backpack Hero (45:55)
Bladestorm (51:05)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Call of Duty Modern Warfare III only given 16 months dev time (1:02:05)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-09/cod-modern-warfare-3-faces-bad-reviews-after-rushed-development
Strauss Zelnick said a bunch of troubling stuff about AI, pricing (1:08:25)
https://www.inverse.com/gaming/gta-6-generative-ai-take-two-ceo
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/gta-6-publisher-ceo-thinks-videogame-prices-are-very-very-low-for-what-they-offer
Nintendo continues to suggest Switch 2 coming next year while not confirming its existence (1:14:15)
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/10/nintendo-president-reiterates-switch-software-support-into-fy2425
Layoffs hitting Free Radical, Humble Games, and Unity (1:15:45)
https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/9/23954709/unity-layoffs-q3-earnings-runtime-program
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/timesplitters-devs-free-radical-are-reportedly-the-next-embracer-studio-facing-closure
https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/humble-games-layoffs-report
Sony significantly cuts plans for live service games (1:29:55)
https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2023/11/09/sony-has-delayed-half-of-its-planned-playstation-live-service-games
---
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.

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)
---
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)
---
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)
---
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)
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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.