Jimquisition

Podquisition 373: Order of Operations

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 (54:00)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-11/ubisoft-employees-push-back-hard-on-blockchain-initiative
---
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.

Podquisition 372: The PS Vita Special

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-metaverse-the-sandbox
Itch.io calls NFTs what they are: a scam (1:00:00)
https://twitter.com/itchio/status/1490141815294414856
No, Nintendo isn’t going to be buying up developers like Sony and Microsoft (1:02:25)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-03/nintendo-cuts-switch-outlook-again-on-supply-logistics-jam
Kotaku feature on Steph (1:10:35)
https://kotaku.com/jim-stephanie-sterling-youtube-interview-jimquisition-w-1848501185
---
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.

Podquisition 371: Personal Best

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 before release (1:18:05)
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-01-techland-asks-dying-light-2-fans-with-early-retail-copies-not-to-play-until-launch
Activision Blizzard QA internal slack message shows typical anti-union moves (1:21:40)
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-01-union-busting-staff-message-from-activision-blizzard-released-online
Dark Pictures Anthologies games offer “Friend Pass” co-op for month of February (1:31:45)
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-31-dark-pictures-anthology-owners-can-invite-a-friend-to-co-op-for-free-throughout-february
---
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.

Podquisition 370: A Classic Jinkies Scenario

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.polygon.com/features/22891555/lego-star-wars-the-skywalker-saga-has-led-to-extensive-crunch-at-tt-games
---
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.

Podquisition 369: Proper Sausage

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 to make issues seem smaller (1:24:02)
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-17-activision-blizzard-has-pushed-out-almost-40-employees-since-july-2021
James Stephanie Sterling turned into an NFT, proving them right about NFTs (1:34:35)
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-17-gaming-youtubers-have-had-their-likenesses-stolen-and-sold-as-nfts
Continuing the trend of leaks from Nintendo, Pokémon Arceus is in the wild early (1:41:00)
https://www.polygon.com/22891556/pokemon-legends-arceus-full-pokedex-leak-new-hisuian-forms
---
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.
Photo Credit: Gordon Joley, used under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0/

Podquisition 368: Uncomfortable Number Two

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.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-11-xbox-boss-wants-console-makers-to-work-together-on-cross-platform-bans-and-user-blocking
The latest Twitch fad involves illegally rebroadcasting television shows, with predictable results (1:04:15)
https://gamerant.com/twitch-tv-show-meta-explained-dmca/
Horizon Forbidden West in the wild months in advance (1:09:00)
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-11-horizon-forbidden-west-ps4-images-leak-online
---
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.

Podquisition 367: Wetter Is Better

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-auteur-is-in-development-hell-1.1702538
Sony seemingly hasn’t given up on VR, announces new headset and controller (57:00)
https://blog.playstation.com/2022/01/04/playstation-vr2-and-playstation-vr2-sense-controller-the-next-generation-of-vr-gaming-on-ps5/
---
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.

Podquisition 366: See You Next Year

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.

Podquisition 365: The War on Christmas Special

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.ign.com/articles/bungie-report-battle-soul-work-culture-harassment-crunch
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-16-bungies-head-of-hr-steps-down
Chip shortage expected to persist into 2023 (57:30)
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-21-intel-chief-reiterates-global-chip-shortage-will-continue-into-2023
---
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.

Podquisition 364: Sharp, Shiny and Small

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 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.