Video Games 2 the MAX Sean Garmer

As we await the big game releases of next week, there are a few minor ones that have already made their way out to PC and Consoles. Sean's played Stop Motion narrative wonder Harold Halibut and the Final Fantasy XVI Rising Tide DLC. Does the Rising Tide serve as a seemingly fitting finale to FF16's content? Is Harold Halibut another indie darling that everyone should play?

There's quite a bit of video game adjacent and actual video game news to discuss, with Nintendo providing a brand new Indie World and Sean has a few favorites to be excited about. The Witcher series gets a final Season 5, Sonic 3's Shadow has its voice actor, Mike Ybarra wonders if we should be able to tip AAA game developers, and are Final Fantasy VII Rebirth sales being overblown?

Plus, Sean and Marc discuss more on the Fallout TV Show now that Sean has finished it. PC versions of PlayStation games will soon get trophies, Marc's been playing OuterWorlds and a lot more on this edition of Video Games 2 the MAX.

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* Apologies for the audio version coming out a little later than usual. Sean had some family matters to attend to. *

This week saw the premiere of the Fallout TV Series on Amazon Prime and Marc has binged through it all, while Sean has watched the first few episodes. So the duo discusses their impressions of the series that's already received the greenlight for a second season.

Also, this was a week of announcements, trailers, and lost possibilities. As the Star Wars Outlaws Story trailer released to much aplomb and wonder, but does it have the guys excited about what's to come when it releases on August 30?

The Triple iii Showcase also took place and both of us have some favorite games coming out of it. Then, there's the whole debacle with EA and if there was going to be a Dead Space 2 Remake or even a new Dead Space game. EA has put an end to that not happening. Is it the best move?

Plus, could we see less big-budget $70 games? EA Play goes up in price and more!

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We are now fully into April and as we wait for the big games coming at the end of the month, there are some demos out for some of them. So, Sean has some Stellar Blade Impressions to share on this episode. Along with that, he's also played two versions of the Saga: Emerald Beyond. As well as a beloved game that was released bout a month ago in Unicorn Overlord impressions too. Marc is also just enjoying more Granblue Fantasy Relink.

Some details have dropped on potential games for the June Xbox Showcase including a long-awaited Gears 6 reveal. Likewise, rumors abound that much like last year, Sony may opt to get ahead of the Summer Games Fest brouhaha and have a showcase in May. Xbox is also in the news for some others including making a games preservation team and Hellblade 2 being locked at 30 FPS.

Plus, according to an annual report from Newzoo most gamers are playing old games or recurring annual franchises. Does this say anything about the state of gaming? And does this paint a grim picture for how many new players are available for recent Live-Service games? The controversial Tekken 8 Fighter Pass, the status of the Knights of the Old Republic Remake, and more!

You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/3xHjN6GNOMA

The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Spoilercast: https://youtube.com/live/CtmUkGAtNt4

Timestamps:

00:01:00: START

00:02:15: Housekeeping & Intro

------------- Games We Played ----------

00:06:50: Stellar Blade Demo (Sean)

00:12:35: Saga Emerald Beyond Demo (PS5 & Switch) (Sean)

00:19:20: Unicorn Overlord Demo (Sean)

----------- What's in the News -----------

00:22:15: Hellblade 2 will be locked to 30 FPS

00:26:25: Ninja Theory (Hellblade 2 Developer) Co-Founder Antoniades Left the Studio

00:28:00: Xbox has a Game Preservation Team, a possible Gears 6 reveal and Talking more about the state of Xbox

00:47:40: Potential announcements at May 2024 PlayStation Showcase

00:50:10: Newzoo's report of gaming habits in 2023 and Most Played Games

00:55:35: Multiversus Returning and What will Nintendo do with the next Smash Bros game

00:58:55: Tekken 8 Adds Fighter Pass and could they also add 3 vs. 3 Mode too?

01:05:40: Dragon Quest XII in Trouble? Square-Enix reassigns Top Producer

01:10:00: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's Platinum issue will be patched soon

01:11:40: Could Square-Enix surprise us with DLC for FFVII Rebirth that isn't just Queen's Blood?

01:16:50: Knights of the Republic Remake is alive and well according to Sabre Interactive

01:19:40: Ubisoft and Relic Entertainment both have layoffs, The Crew 1 going to be delisted

01:26:05: Roku has patented a way to sell adds that can read what's connected to your HDMi is sitting idle

01:31:30: Apple will allow Emulators on the App Store

--------- The End ---------

01:35:00: Games Coming Out This Week!

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is so massive Sean had to bring in five guests to break down their thoughts on various parts of the game including The Ending and where we go from here into Part 3. So, if you didn't catch the title, there will be SPOILERS for the game on this special edition of Video Games 2 the MAX.

Sean is joined by the man who loves Bad Brackets Randy Isbelle and two members of The Outerhaven crew in SithScott and Andrew Agress (also, Andrew reviewed Rebirth for the Outerhaven.) Plus, you have freelance writers Hayes Madsen (he reviewed Rebirth for Inverse) and first-time guest Josh Broadwell (who reviewed Rebirth for Roger Ebert.)

So if you also have finished Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, join us in this all-encompassing, (positive and negative) discussion about the second part of the FFVII Remake Project.

-------- Guest Links -----

Randy's Bad Brackets: https://www.youtube.com/@BadBrackets

Scott's Stellar Blade Impressions: https://www.theouterhaven.net/2024/04/stellar-blade-demo-impressions/

Andrew's FFVII Rebirth Review: https://www.theouterhaven.net/2024/02/final-fantasy-vii-rebirth-review-the-pinnacle-of-a-journey/

Hayes's FFVII Rebirth Review: https://www.inverse.com/gaming/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-review

Hayes's FFVII Rebirth Ending Explained: https://www.inverse.com/gaming/ff-7-rebirth-ending-explained

Josh's FFVII Rebirth Review: https://www.rogerebert.com/video-games/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-video-game-review

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After a week that saw some big releases and exciting announcements, we have a week of interesting announcements, and more layoffs, Gearbox is free from Embracer Group, and Phil Spencer has a big interview talking about Xbox. Sean and Marc discuss it all in this edition of Video Games 2 the MAX.

Phil Spencer had an interview with Polygon while at the Game Developer's Conference (links further below in the description) where he speaks about all sorts of things including wanting PC storefronts like Epic Games and Itch.io on Xbox, the cost prohibition of exclusives, a potential Xbox handheld, and more! Could this be a potential lifespring for Xbox? Or is this all essentially wish-listing from Phil?

Marvel Rivals was suddenly announced and seems to take a lot of its inspiration from Overwatch. With Overwatch 2 in a bad spot, could a game from a big IP like Marvel overtake it and become the Defacto hero shooter?

Also, Gearbox is sold to Take-Two Interactive, Resident Evil 9 could be open-world, layoffs at several SEGA European studios, and other places such as Nintendo of America and Certain Affinity. New details on the codename Condor game from Remedy and more!

You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/PxuPcCdXINE


Timestamps:

00:01:00: START

00:01:55: Housekeeping

----------------- Games We Are Playing ------------

00:04:05: Granblue Fantasy Relink (Marc)

00:14:30: Random Stuff from FFVII Rebirth (Sean)

--------------- What's Going on in the News -----------

00:17:45: Gearbox is sold to Take-Two Interactive for a cool $460 Million

------------- BIG Topic ------------

00:23:30: Phil Spencer Really Wants an Xbox Handheld and PC Storefronts on Xbox

00:47:45: Marvel Rivals Announced

------------- What's in the News Part 2 ----------

00:58:55: Resident Evil 9 Could Be Open-World

01:04:35: Remedy gives info on the Control Multiplayer game, Codename Condor

01:08:50: Earthblade gets delayed to 2025

01:09:50: SEGA sells off Relic Entertainment and lays off 240 employees, Smilegate Barcelona to lose its entire staff, Nintendo of America lays off 120 contract workers, and Creative Assembly has layoffs too

------------- The End ----------

01:19:00: Games Coming out this week

---------- News Story Links ---------

Phil Spencer's big interview with Polygon at GDC:

Phil's thoughts on the industry and why Microsoft had to do layoffs: https://www.polygon.com/24108700/phil-spencer-interview-2024-xbox-exclusives-layoffs

Phil talks A LOT about a potential handheld: https://www.polygon.com/24108660/xbox-handheld-console-phil-spencer-interview

Phil wants Epic Games Store, Itch.Io and other PC Stores on Xbox: https://www.polygon.com/24108670/xbox-epic-games-store-phil-spencer-interview

Gearbox gets sold to Take-Two Interactive: https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/take-two-interactive-acquire-borderlands-maker-gearbox-entertainment-embracer-2024-03-28/

Sega Sells Off Relic Entertainment and lays off 240 employees: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sega-sells-relic-and-will-cut-240-jobs-across-uk-studios

Marvel Rivals Announced: https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/marvel-rivals-pvp-shooter-boasts-incredible-lineup-of-marvel-characters


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A huge week in gaming with some major releases all occurring on the same day and also big gaming news with GDC and PAX East happening this week as well.

Right before recording Square-Enix had their Final Fantasy XVI: Rising Tide DLC panel and they gave some new info on what we'll be doing in the DLC, an all-important release date and so much more! Sean tries to go through the gist of it, probably much to Marc's chagrin.

Although the guys aren't playing any of the big games just yet, Marc did finally get to play Granblue Fantasy Relink and Sean finished the main story of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and also tried out the new Performance Mode Sharp as well.

There's a ton of news including the U.S. Dept of Justice Suing Apple over Monopolistic practices which include Cloud gaming. Capcom once again being in hot water of its microtransactions, Helldivers 2 is the best-selling game of February 2024, PSVR 2 halting production amid overstock concerns, Larian dropping Baldur's Gate for something new, and much more!

Marc's Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: https://411mania.com/games/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-ps5-review/

You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/PxuPcCdXINE

Timestamps:

00:01:00: START

00:02:30: Housekeeping and Intro

-------------- What's in the News -------------

00:06:25: Dragon's Dogma 2 Comes under fire for the way it does its Microtransactions

00:19:35: PlayStation 5 Pro DLSS feature, PSSR, gets more details

00:23:05: Sony halts production on PSVR 2 due to overstock

00:33:40: Amy Henning and New Skydance get to show off Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra

00:36:00: Connie Booth joins EA as Group General Manager of RPG's

00:39:40: Blizzard may cancel the singleplayer for Overwatch 2 Completely

00:43:20: Kotaku EIC Resigns over changes in focus of website from news to guides

00:52:20: Baldur's Gate 3 Wins Big at GDC Awards, Sven Vincke makes statement afterwards

00:53:40: Larian Studios drops Baldur's Gate franchise and opts for to make something new

01:00:45: Velan Studio may have to layoff 46 workers because of a canceled major project

01:02:20: U.S. Dept of Justice sues Apple over monopolistic practices in five areas and one of them is cloud gaming

01:12:05: Remedy says they are looking to make even more Alan Wake and Control games

01:13:55: Valve introduces an improved Steam Family Game Sharing

01:15:55: Microsoft is redoing Xbox Rewards on Console

01:17:10: The Sims Movie is in the works by the same studio that made the Barbie Movie

--------------- Final Fantasy Section ---------------

01:19:40: Sean gives details on the new announcements about the FF 16 Rising Tide DLC

01:23:50: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's Patch is finally out with a new Performance Mode toggle

01:25:15: Sean's final thoughts on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth after beating the game

---------------- The End -------------

01:32:40: Marc's thoughts on Granblue Fantasy Relink & Talks X-Men 97

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