What's Good Games: A Video Game Podcast What's Good Games

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In this week's episode Andrea and Britt are joined by the CEO and President of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Stanley Pierre-Louis to discuss their new Essential Facts report for 2024. They discuss how there are more gamers in the U.S. than ever and how many of them are older than you think. They also chat about how AI is impacting game creators, what the ESA is keeping tabs on in this election year, and so much more!
Learn about the Essential Facts Report at: http://www.theesa.com

Thank you to this month's Super Producers:

Bored Ape Gamer’s Club

Faris Attieh

Joshua Franklin

Justin Foshee

Punkdefied


WGG is recorded on a Rodecaster Pro 2. Use our affiliate link to build your creator setup: https://brandstore.rode.com/whatsgoodgames

Time stamps:
00:00:00 - Special Interview with Stanley Pierre-Louis
00:02:20 - The Growing Demographic of Video Game Players
00:04:22 - The Evolving Face of Gamers
00:06:28 - The Benefits of Gaming with Family
00:08:29 - The Educational Benefits of Games for Kids
00:10:31 - Creating a Safe Community for Players
00:12:26 - The Growing Market for Video Games
00:14:40 - The Health of the Video Game Industry
00:16:38 - Growth and Stability of the Gaming Industry
00:20:55 - The Changing Definition of "Gamer"
00:23:06 - Embracing the Nerd Identity
00:25:19 - AI in the Gaming Industry
00:27:24 - Unanswered Questions about AI and Copyright
00:29:35 - AI Tools in Games and Media
00:31:40 - Advocating for the Gaming Industry in Policy Discussions
00:33:33 - The Impact of Younger Policy Makers on the Video Game Industry
00:35:47 - The Impact of COVID-19 on Gaming Perspectives
00:37:52 - The Video Game Ecosystem
00:40:17 - The Death of E3 and The Future of Consumer Shows
00:42:29 - Celebrating 30 Years of the Entertainment Industry

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Ubisoft debuted the first trailer for Assassin's Creed Shadows, previously codenamed Red, confirming that the game is set in Japan. We dive into the details about the new protagonists, new features, and more. In headlines there is more layoff news from Square Enix, Sony announced their 2 new CEOs, and Helldivers 2 is breaking more records. In hands-on Britt recounts her spooky time with Crow Country, a retro inspired horror adventure game.

Thank you to this month's Super Producers:

Bored Ape Gamer’s Club

Faris Attieh

Joshua Franklin

Justin Foshee

Punkdefied


Watch Ad-Free on Supercast:
http://whatsgoodgames.supercast.com

Timestamps:
01:11 - Riana's got news!
02:21 - What's Good Games @ Supercast.com is up and running!!!
03:14 - Ubisoft Assassin's Creed Shadows official world premiere trailer is out!
07:12 - Iconic Synchronization
17:07 - Break 1
17:07 - A Message From Shopify
18:58 - Headlines:
19:48 - Report: Square Enix to lay off workers in European and American divisions
21:57 - Sony announces two PlayStation CEOs to replace Jim Ryan
22:48 - 'Helldivers 2' Becomes PlayStation's Fastest-Selling Game Ever
24:47 - Capcom's "Monster Hunter" series exceeds 100 million units sold worldwide
25:49 - Mortal Kombat 2 Release Date Confirmed October 4th 2025
26:31 - Break 2
26:31 - A Message From Into the AM
28:20 - Hands-on Section:
28:31 - Brittney's been playing Crow Country
28:51 - So what is Crow Country all about?
32:06 - Exploration mode?
33:08 - Stardew Valley Expansion is Coming!
36:18 - Magic 8-Ball is back & coming soon!

WGG is recorded on a Rodecaster Pro 2. Use our affiliate link to build your creator setup: https://brandstore.rode.com/whatsgoodgames

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Follow the crew:
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Britt:
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This week was a doozy with the massive news about Xbox studio closures including Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin. Andrea and Riana dive into this tough topic before moving to headlines featuring Helldivers 2 PSN Linking drama, Nintendo finally acknowledging Switch 2, and projections that might see the Switch become Nintendo's best selling console of all time. In hands-on Riana is IN LOVE with Hades II and according to the Steam charts so are A LOT of other people. Andrea dipped her toes into the handcrafted Claymation world of Harold Halibut.

Thank you to this month's Super Producers:

Bored Ape Gamer’s Club

Faris Attieh

Joshua Franklin

Justin Foshee

Punkdefied


WGG is recorded on a Rodecaster Pro 2. Use our affiliate link to build your creator setup: https://brandstore.rode.com/whatsgoodgames

Timestamps:
03:01 - WGG lead story of the week:
03:22 - Xbox SHUTS DOWN Multiple Studios, Including Redfall Developer Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush Developer Tango Gameworks, and More 
06:03 - Matt Booty Head of Xbox Game Studio Email to staff
15:35 - Microsoft beats expectations as quarterly profits rise 20% to nearly $22B
17:31 - What's happening with Xbox GamePass
26:36 - Rumours Xbox might have more layoffs in the pipeline
28:08 - Break 1
28:14 - Headlines:
28:14 - Helldivers 2 PSN Requirement Backtracked on PC After Brutal Review Bombing Campaign
34:31 - Nintendo confirms the Switch 2 will be announced this year
38:06 - Nintendo Announces Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition for Switch With Release Date and Debut Trailer
42:03 - Break 2
42:19 - SuperGiant's Hades Il
44:58 - Hades Breakdown
45:43 - What is a Roguelike?
53:48 - Harold Halibut
54:46 - Harold Halibut Story-Line & Game Mechanics

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Andrea and Britt dive in to the Xbox Summer Games Showcase announcement and speculate what they'll be showing off this June. All signs point to a Call of Duty Black Ops announcement and is it time for Gears of War to return?? They also chat about the massive $140M Square Enix content loss and their excitement about the upcoming Jackbox Naughty Pack. Instead of hands-on this week, Andrea sat down with CEO of Women in Gaming International (WIGI) Joanie Kraut to discuss the bevy of resources they provide for games industry professionals and their upcoming Run for Equality initiative to raise awareness about the gender pay gap in games.

Thank you to this month's Super Producers:

Bored Ape Gamer’s Club

Faris Attieh

Joshua Franklin

Justin Foshee

Punkdefied


WGG is recorded on a Rodecaster Pro 2. Use our affiliate link to build your creator setup: https://brandstore.rode.com/whatsgoodgames

Timestamps:
01:14 - What's Good Games Anniversary Stream, Friday 3rd of May!!!
05:41 - Xbox Summer Games Showcase
06:34 - Call of Duty is reportedly Microsoft's mystery June Direct game, new Gears title also set to be revealed 
07:33 - Gears of War 6
09:29 - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
09:46 - Starfield's Shattered Space Expansion Gets Release Window, New Patch Coming
10:11 - Avowed
10:15 - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
13:49 - Break 1
13:55 - Headlines:
14:07 - Square Enix announces it's tanked $140 million in losses due to 'content abandonment' 
22:58 - Final Fantasy 7 Remake Vs. Rebirth
25:23 - Jackbox Naughty Pack
29:47 - Vampire Survivors DLC
30:32 - Starfield is getting a big update
37:01 - Breaking News:
37:08 - Take-Two Interactive Reportedly Shutting Down Two Private Division Studios
39:23 - Break 2
39:28 - Shout-outs to Patreon & Supercast members!
41:45 - Special Interview with Joanie Kraut, CEO of Women in Games International
48:51 - Is games still a welcoming place?
53:24 - WIGI new initiative: The Run for Equality 
54:44 - The gender pay gap
59:35 - How does the job board work?

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This week DocBrooke joins Andrea in discussing how video games industry giant Embracer Group is splitting into 3 separate companies. They take a look at Tales of the Shire cozy hobbit game trailer, chat new content for Disney Dreamlight Valley, and Fallout 76's new milestone. In hands-on, DocBrooke played the PC version of Horizon Forbidden West The Complete Edition and was wowed!

*Code for Horizon Forbidden West: The Complete Edition provided by PlayStation

Follow DocBrooke:
http://www.x.com/ebphibbs
http://www.twitch.tv/docbrooke

Thank you to this month's Super Producers:

Bored Ape Gamer’s Club

Faris Attieh

Joshua Franklin

Justin Foshee

Punkdefied


WGG is recorded on a Rodecaster Pro 2. Use our affiliate link to build your creator setup: https://brandstore.rode.com/whatsgoodgames

Time stamps:
00:39 - Doc Brooke is here!
03:28 - WGG Announcement: First Exclusive Live Podcast - May 1st!
03:42 - WGG 7th Birthday Anniversary Stream - May 3rd!
04:52 - Embracer Group Saga
05:20 - Embracer boss admits "long list" of things he'd have done differently, as embattled company splits into three 
10:15 - Comments from Embracer's CEO
16:08 - Break 1
16:25 - Headlines: New Trailer for Tales of the Shire
18:15 - Dreamlight Valley is getting a New Character Daisy Duck!
21:09 - New Update: You can take pictures of yourself on all the Disney rides
21:51 - Fallout 76 sets a record for over 1 million players in one day
24:26 - Break 2
24:32 - Horizon Forbidden West™ Complete Edition on PC
26:23 - Specs
27:07 - Combat Mechanics
27:38 - Game Design Elements
31:22 - Is it a must-play on PC?
35:35 - Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
36:21 - Thoughts on Fortnite's Billie Eilish

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Follow the crew:
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Britt:
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Britt joins Andrea to chat about the new Nintendo Indie World Showcase, Take-Two's layoffs, and why everyone is suddenly obsessed with playing Fallout games. (I think you know why...) Britt got a special sneak peek at the upcoming Kingdom Come Deliverance sequel and it sounds like it's a medieval RPG extravaganza.

Thank you to this month's Super Producers:
Bored Ape Gamer’s Club
Faris Attieh
Joshua Franklin
Justin Foshee
Punkdefied

WGG is recorded on a Rodecaster Pro 2. Use our affiliate link to build your creator setup: https://brandstore.rode.com/whatsgoodgames

02:44 - Nintendo Indie World Showcase April 2024: Everything Announced!!
03:20 - Little Kitty, Big City
04:47 - Cat Quest Ill
06:14 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate
07:32 - Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
09:39 - Sticky Business
11:30 - Refind Self: The Personality Test Game
13:12 - Europa
14:43 - SteamWorld Heist II
18:34 - Break 1
18:40 - Headlines: Take-Two Announces Layoffs While Canceling Multiple In-Development Projects
22:02 - Hades Il Technical Test Incoming With Early Access
23:37 - Fallout Games Surge in Popularity Thanks to Fallout TV Show + Updates!
25:28 - Britt and Andrea's Thoughts on the Fallout TV Series
28:08 - Break 2
28:37 - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Is Releasing In 2024
37:21 - Some more GDC stuff: Dune Awakening
38:57 - Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
39:39 - Dungeons Of Hinterberg
42:35 - Upcoming WGG 7th Year Anniversary Live Stream!

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Join our Discord community: http://discord.gg/whatsgoodgames
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Our website: http://www.whatsgoodgames.com

Follow the crew:
Andrea:
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Britt:
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Riana:
http://www.twitter.com/rianatweetsnow
http://www.instagram.com/rianagramsnow
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