Jimquisition

Aw geez.
Games we played this week include:
High on Life (5:45)
Yum Tum Cookstar (28:55)
Clumsy Rush Ultimate Guys (33:15)
Armored Core IV (37:25)
Crisis Core Reunion (43:05)
Potion Craft (54:00)
Octopath Traveler (1:04:25)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Twitch drops anti-LGBTQ hate group from its list of supportable charities (1:07:00)
https://www.eurogamer.net/twitch-removes-hate-group-from-approved-charities-following-backlash
Activision countersues California Civil Rights Department, implies collusion with unions and media (1:10:20)
https://www.axios.com/2022/12/08/activision-lawsuit-california-civil-rights-department
FTC files to block Microsoft acquisition of Activision-Blizzard (1:15:10)
https://www.eurogamer.net/ftc-suing-to-block-microsofts-69bn-activision-blizzard-acquisition
Phil Spencer accuses Sony of attempting to grow by eating Microsoft’s dinner (1:20:10)
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/phil-spencer-claims-playstation-wants-to-grow-by-making-xbox-smaller/
Microsoft reportedly offered to allow Call of Duty on PlayStation Plus to appease Sony and regulators (1:23:00)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-12/microsoft-s-offer-to-sony-for-call-of-duty-includes-subscription-service#xj4y7vzkg
Indie dev sued by publisher after discouraging players from buying game, defacing Steam page (1:25:25)
https://www.eurogamer.net/indie-dev-suggests-players-dont-buy-his-game-as-the-relationship-with-their-publisher-has-dissolved
Days Gone director attributes his failures to ‘woke’ critics (1:30:45)
https://www.eurogamer.net/days-gone-wasnt-a-hit-because-reviewers-were-too-woke-director-claims
---
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.

All doctors are bastards.
Games we played this week include:
Callisto Protocol (6:00)
Marvel’s Midnight Suns (27:55)
Mirror Forge (39:35)
The Devil In Me (49:45)
Gungrave (56:25)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (1:06:20)
Void Scrappers (1:12:45)
Beautiful Mystic Survivors (1:15:55)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Microsoft agrees to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo for 10 years after Activision-Blizzard acquisition (1:20:10)
https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-agrees-10-year-deal-to-bring-call-of-duty-to-nintendo-if-activision-blizzard-buyout-goes-through
https://www.eurogamer.net/ftc-reportedly-softens-stance-on-blocking-microsoft-activision-blizzard-merger
QA unions formalized at Blizzard Albany and Zenimax studios (1:26:00)
https://www.polygon.com/23490063/activision-blizzard-albany-qa-union-vote-win
https://kotaku.com/microsoft-zenimax-bethesda-elder-scrolls-fallout-union-1849855756
Polygon’s games industry unionization explainer (1:29:35)
https://www.polygon.com/23485977/video-game-unions-guide-explainer
Twitch implements long-needed tools to deal with hate raiders (1:31:35)
https://www.eurogamer.net/twitch-implements-shield-mode-to-improve-hate-raid-protection
Newly published research shows loot boxes are harmful to children (1:32:20)
http://www.gaminggamblingresearch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ESRC-BGG-Final-Report-2022.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMmNy11Mn7g
Vampire Survivors first DLC announced (1:33:45)
https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/6/23496626/vampire-survivors-legacy-of-the-moonspell-expansion-dlc-release-date
Victoria 3 players are surprised to learn how communism and fascism work (1:34:25)
https://kotaku.com/victoria-3-communism-op-paradox-simulation-capitalism-1849832954
https://twitter.com/Ancommiey/status/1599211229339594752
Yuji Naka has been arrested for insider trading… again (1:42:20)
https://www.eurogamer.net/former-sonic-boss-yuji-naka-re-arrested-as-fresh-insider-trading-allegations-emerge
---
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.

Keep your head.
Games we played this week include:
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (14:10)
Evil West (21:30)
Gungrave VR (51:20)
Gungrave G.O.R.E. (56:15)
Roller Drama (1:00:45)
What the Bat? (1:13:40)
Among Us VR (1:16:40)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Latest Super Mario Bros. movie trailer provides more plot and character details (1:23:45)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnGl01FkMMo
Australia now looking to regulate loot boxes (1:30:20)
https://www.eurogamer.net/australian-mp-proposes-loot-box-regulation-bill
Microsoft likely to make concessions on CoD exclusivity to avoid antitrust concerns (1:31:55)
https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-likely-to-make-eu-concessions-in-activision-blizzard-deal-soon
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/23/exclusive-feds-likely-to-challenge-microsofts-69-billion-activision-takeover-00070787
UK gaming startup announces gaming console specifically for dogs (1:34:55)
https://www.axios.com/2022/11/28/dogs-video-games-joipaw
---
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.

May all your issues be joyful.
Games we played this week include:
Gingrave G.O.R.E. (14:40)
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (27:15)
The Evil Dead: The Game (1:06:10)
Ghost Lore (1:09:15)
God of War Ragnarök (1:11:05)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Microsoft offered to let Sony have Call of Duty for a decade after acquisition (1:15:25)
https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-says-it-offered-sony-10-year-deal-to-keep-call-of-duty-on-playstation
Activision loosens multiplayer requirements, allowing non-contract phone plans for online gaming (1:17:45)
https://www.eurogamer.net/activision-blizzard-eases-sms-verification-requirements-for-call-of-duty-and-overwatch
Cooking Mama Cookstar publisher gets judgment in suit against developer (1:19:50)
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/11/cooking-mama-ip-holder-sues-planet-entertainment-for-sale-of-cooking-mama-cookstar
Yuji Naka arrested on charges of insider trading (1:23:45)
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20221118/p2a/00m/0na/042000c
Riot and Ubisoft coordinating their chat logs with AI to fight online harassment (1:29:40)
https://www.vg247.com/riot-games-and-ubisoft-team-up-in-ai-research-project-using-player-chat-logs-as-training-data
---
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.

The fan base is fucking insufferable.
Games we played this week include:
Sonic Frontiers (9:30)
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (16:00)
Fallout 4 (34:10)
God of War Ragnarok (38:45)
Ghost Song (44:20)
Sonic Forces (54:50)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Translated tweet from Sonic Frontiers director suggests game shipped unfinished (59:45)
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-frontiers-is-a-global-playtest-and-there-are-still-improvements-to-be-made-director-says/
ZA/UM dispute raises questions about company sale and employee mistreatment (1:03:00)
https://www.eurogamer.net/fired-disco-elysium-director-claims-new-owners-took-control-of-zaum-through-fraud
Microsoft did make a streaming-only Xbox, literally shelved it (1:07:00)
https://www.eurogamer.net/phil-spencer-says-xbox-shelved-game-streaming-box-because-it-was-too-expensive
Sony files patent for means of tracking digital ownership with NFTs (1:08:25)
https://gamesual.com/news/sony-patent-tracking-history-assets/
Rockstar was pitched a Grand Theft Auto movie with Eminem for the lead in 2005 (1:09:55)
https://www.eurogamer.net/rockstar-once-rejected-a-gta-film-starring-eminem
---
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.

Someone will buy this premise.
Games we played this week include:
God of War Ragnarok (13:20)
Sonic Frontiers (20:50)
New Tales from the Borderlands (49:45)
The Last Oricru (55:25)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Oculus Founder Palmer Luckey built a VR headset designed to kill the user (1:09:20)
https://palmerluckey.com/if-you-die-in-the-game-you-die-in-real-life/
Activision-Blizzard attempts further stalling tactics, withholding (1:19:55)
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/activision-blizzard-files-motion-to-impound-albany-union-vote-ballots
Bobby Kotick supported election denier candidate in House race (1:21:40)
https://kotaku.com/bobby-kotick-activision-mike-garcia-republican-election-1849754755
Activision-Blizzard drags feet on every issue in first Game Workers Alliance bargaining session (1:34:15)
https://gameworkersalliance.com/2022/11/03/november-2nd-2022-bargaining-session-update/
League of Legends characters’ queer status will be erased in some markets (1:37:15)
https://www.eurogamer.net/riot-admits-to-censoring-league-of-legends-characters-in-some-markets-in-wake-of-first-gay-black-champion
Director Naoki Yoshida claims lack of racial diversity in FF16 based on historical accuracy (1:37:50)
https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fantasy-16-square-enix-interview-lore
Street Fighter VI adds “Dynamic Control” mode for the button mashers (1:40:20)
https://www.gameinformer.com/exclusive/2022/11/08/street-fighter-6-exclusive-first-look-at-new-dynamic-control-scheme-meant-to
---
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.

Gotta pay those bills.
Games we played this week include:
God of War Ragnarok (11:40)
Bayonetta 3 (20:40)
Signalis (40:00)
New Tales from the Borderlands (58:20)
Super Lone Survivor (1:04:45)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
PlayStation VR 2 alone priced higher than PS5 console at $550 (1:08:00)
https://kotaku.com/s5-psvr2-price-release-date-horizon-call-mountain-1849731902
Players are finding it easier to get Overwatch 2 skins by playing World of Warcraft (1:10:30)
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/its-faster-to-earn-overwatch-2-skins-through-playing-wow-than-the-actual-game-players-suggest
Burger King promo skin for Call of Duty unavailable in US and UK getting high prices on eBay (1:13:15)
https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-fans-spend-30-on-in-game-burger-king-skins
Digital charm in Overwatch 2 priced higher than a real-world counterpart (1:14:20)
https://www.vg247.com/overwatch-2-charm-cheaper-real-life-than-in-game
Disc release of Call of Duty contains practically no data on the disc (1:15:30)
https://www.eurogamer.net/modern-warfare-2s-disc-has-a-whopping-70mb-of-data
Phil Spencer states commitment to releasing Call of Duty on PlayStation after Microsoft acquisition (1:17:00)
https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-will-keep-call-of-duty-on-sony-platforms-as-long-as-theres-a-playstation-out-there-to-ship-to
Microsoft board urges shareholders not to investigate US defense contracts (1:18:45)
https://www.eurogamer.net/microsofts-board-of-directors-votes-against-independent-report-into-military-contracts
Tesla wanted to put Her Story and Untitled Goose Game in cars in exchange for exposure (1:12:50)
https://www.eurogamer.net/sam-barlow-was-offered-exposure-to-put-her-story-in-a-tesla
Square-Enix once again states commitment to blockchain strategy (1:22:45)
https://www.eurogamer.net/square-enix-wants-to-make-global-hit-titles-and-believes-blockchain-will-play-a-key-part-in-future-growth
---
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.

We’re professionals, after all.
Games we played this week include:
Hot Tentacle Shooter (3:40)
BOSSGAME: The Final Boss is My Heart (11:15)
FAITH: The Unholy Trinity (17:10)
Batman: Gotham Knights (24:10)
Potionomics (35:05)
Donut Dodo (42:50)
Cultic (46:30)
A Plague Tale: Requiem (49:55)
Vampire Survivors (53:10)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Another charge of unfair labor actions by Activision Blizzard is filed (56:30)
https://www.eurogamer.net/activision-blizzard-facing-new-charges-from-abk-workers-alliance-over-unfair-labour-practices
Activision Blizzard marketing deal with Sony prevents Call of Duty from appearing on Game Pass (59:45)
https://www.eurogamer.net/sony-imposes-restrictions-on-call-of-dutys-ability-to-be-in-game-pass-xbox-claims
Microsoft is working on their own mobile app store (1:03:10)
https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/19/23411972/microsoft-xbox-mobile-store-games
Overwatch 2 custom game modes need better/any moderation (1:04:55)
https://www.eurogamer.net/blizzard-insists-its-working-to-improve-overwatch-2-moderation
Voice actors still deserve better pay, even if Hellena Taylor sucks (1:08:00)
https://www.eurogamer.net/bayonetta-voice-actress-issues-new-statement-defending-her-reputation-in-the-industry
Robert Kurvitz, lead designer of Disco Elysium, has filed suit against ZA/UM (1:11:20)
https://kotaku.com/disco-elysium-robert-kurvitz-suing-za-um-rpg-amazon-1849693328
---
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.

So lifelike.
Games we played this week include:
Stories of Blossom (9:10)
Scorn (12:30)
Cryohazard (28:50)
Alice is Missing (32:45)
A Plague Tale: Requiem (38:35)
Vampire Survivors (46:45)
Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard (52:35)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Bayonetta performer Helena Taylor raises controversy over voice actor pay (1:01:40)
https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/oct/18/an-insult-video-game-voice-actors-speak-out-to-demand-fair-pay
https://www.eurogamer.net/bayonetta-3-voice-actress-jennifer-hale-asks-fans-to-be-kinder-following-abuse
Streamer Adriana Chechik breaks back jumping into foam pit at TwitchCon (1:07:45)
https://www.eurogamer.net/streamer-who-broke-back-at-twitchcon-out-of-hospital-following-second-surgery
Netflix considering expansion into game streaming (1:13:30)
https://techcrunch.com/2022/10/18/netflix-to-expand-into-cloud-gaming-opens-new-studio-in-southern-california/
Activision only requiring phone verification for PC players of Call of Duty (1:15:25)
https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2022/10/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-II-warzone-ricochet-anti-cheat-open-beta-recap
Diablo quality assurance testers will have unionization vote (1:16:30)
https://kotaku.com/blizzard-albany-qa-testers-diablo-iv-union-activision-1849674924
Nintendo settles with former QA worker, must post notification of worker rights in office (1:17:40)
https://www.tweaktown.com/news/88846/microsoft-reveals-how-much-money-game-pass-actually-makes/index.html
Apex Legends introduces trans woman, Catalyst, as latest character addition (1:19:35)
https://www.gamesradar.com/new-apex-legends-character-catalyst-is-an-out-and-proud-transgender-woman/
Pilot for Kingdom Hearts animated series leaked by director following heart attack (1:20:45)
https://www.vg247.com/kingdom-hearts-tv-pilot-shared-online
Nintendo putting the squeeze on boobs in the eShop (1:21:05)
https://www.vg247.com/nintendo-is-cracking-down-on-risque-content-on-the-eshop
---
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.

The only thing you have to lose is your dignity.
Games we played this week include:
Hazelnut Hex (10:30)
Condemned: Criminal Origins (14:20)
A Way Out (27:40)
NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition (34:10)
NeuroDeck (35:50)
Fallout: New Vegas (40:20)
Fallout 4 (46:35)
Too Human (55:30)
Red Faction: Armageddon (1:00:00)
---
News things talked about in this episode:
Chris Pratt’s incredible voice in The Super Mario Bros. Movie finally revealed (1:04:25)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KydqdKKyGEk
Scant additional details about ZA/UM Studio departures emerge (1:07:45)
https://www.gamepressure.com/newsroom/fans-have-the-right-to-know-disco-elysium-co-creator-talks-zaum-l/z04ad7
Activision/Blizzard implementing verification process requiring players to have contract phones (1:11:10)
https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-joins-overwatch-2-in-requiring-phone-number-verification/
Bug in Overwatch 2 causes accidental purchases, Activision/Blizzard refuses to refund (1:18:15)
https://www.eurogamer.net/overwatch-2s-auto-purchase-bug-has-been-fixed-but-blizzard-still-wont-issue-refunds
Yet another sexual abuse claim filed against Activision/Blizzard (1:19:35)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11300499/Call-Duty-video-game-maker-Activision-Blizzard-sued-female-worker-sexual-assault.html
Cyberpunk 2077 QA contractor allegedly misrepresented themselves to CD Projekt Red (1:20:45)
https://www.pcgamer.com/quantic-QA-tester-report/
Antitrust investigation reveals information on Microsoft’s Game Pass revenues (1:25:30)
https://www.tweaktown.com/news/88846/microsoft-reveals-how-much-money-game-pass-actually-makes/index.html
Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier shutting down after a year in service (1:29:45)
https://kotaku.com/ff7-first-soldier-battle-royale-mobile-shut-down-pc-ps4-1849647758
---
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.