Jimquisition

Latest Episodes:

Podquisition 370: A Classic Jinkies Scenario Jan 27, 2022

Show notes

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 Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

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 Jan 13, 2022

Show notes

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 Jan 06, 2022

Show notes

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 Dec 30, 2021

Show notes

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 Dec 23, 2021

Show notes

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 Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

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.

Podquisition 363: Ghosts of Flavor Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

Seltzer is nonsense. Games we played this week include: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond (10:55) Gunfire Reborn (15:35) Kill It With Fire (21:50) Dauntless (23:40) The Binding of Isaac: Repentance (27:30) Mindscanners (30:10) Paradise Lost (37:05) Space Warlord Organ Simulator (41:10) Lawn Mowing Simulator (45:35) Townscaper (46:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Former Activision Blizzard employee comes forward in press conference (48:20) https://kotaku.com/sexually-harassed-activision-blizzard-employee-holds-pr-1848180146 Walkout staged at Raven software following QA layoffs (51:50) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-06-raven-software-employees-walk-out-following-layoffs-in-the-qa-team State treasurers getting involved in Activision Blizzard (56:35) https://www.axios.com/state-treasurers-pressure-activision-over-misconduct-352fe2e6-64d4-4f30-ba7e-39e0e13419de.html PlayStation exec fired after amateur pedophilia sting (1:00:05) https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/sony-terminates-playstation-exec-who-allegedly-appeared-in-pedophile-sting-video/ Ubisoft acknowledges their handling of workplace abuse has damaged trust in them (1:02:30) https://www.axios.com/ubisoft-workplace-scandal-anika-grant-interview-aac56bc7-1551-465a-85b8-6e6d7ca36816.html Ubisoft details first steps toward NFT integration in Ghost Recon Breakpoint (1:09:40) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-07-ubisoft-quartz-is-an-energy-efficient-nft-platform-for-aaa-games Voice acting studio OMUK agrees to union contract protecting workers (1:17:40) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-06-uk-voice-acting-studio-reaches-agreement-with-equity-to-safeguard-voice-actors-working-in-games Retail release of Halo Infinite unplayable for several hours after release due to online update (1:20:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-08-no-you-cant-play-halo-infinites-campaign-now-even-if-you-have-the-disc Pokémon Shining Pearl already beaten by speedrunners in 15 minutes (1:22:25) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-08-pokemon-shining-pearl-finished-in-only-15-minutes --- 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 362: The Saddest Animals Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

No, not gamers. Games we played this week include: Ender Lillies (14:30) Death’s Door (19:20) Pokémon Brilliant Diamond (24:30) Gunfire Reborn (33:00) Warlock of Firetop Mountain (38:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: GTA San Andreas gets remastered with fog to hide how it looks (44:45) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-30-gta-trilogy-san-andreas-adds-ground-fog-option-to-improve-visuals Activision Blizzard protest organizer leaves company, decries Kotick on way out (47:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-01-activision-blizzard-protest-organiser-leaving-company Nintendo’s gender equality in management is pretty bad (49:30) https://kotaku.com/less-than-5-percent-of-managers-at-nintendo-hq-are-wome-1848137143 Twitch to identify ban evaders with machine learning (57:00) https://safety.twitch.tv/s/safety-news/detail?language=en_US&post=Using-Machine-Learning-to-Curb-Ban-Evasion Sony patent emerges for mobile phone controller clamshell (1:01:00) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-is-planning-a-playstation-mobile-controller-patent-suggests/ --- 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: Chris Birmingham, 2012. Used under CC BY 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Podquisition 361: Text of No Merit Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

Courtesy of Dwight J. Ingle Games we played this week include: Binding of Isaac: Repentance (10:35) Dead Estate (16:50) Death’s Door (19:00) Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (23:05) NERF Legends (26:25) Bloodrayne Revamped (27:05) --- News things talked about in this episode: Exiting Activision Blizzard boss Jen Oneal offered equal pay after resigning (31:45) https://www.ign.com/articles/blizzard-jen-oneal-mike-ybarra-equal-pay-after-resignation All three console manufacturers distance themselves from Activision Blizzard (35:20) https://www.fanbyte.com/news/nintendo-issues-internal-response-to-activision-blizzard-reports/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-17/playstation-chief-criticizes-activision-response-to-allegations https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-18/xbox-chief-says-he-s-evaluating-relationship-with-activision Activision Blizzard employees petition for Kotick’s removal and stage walkout (41:50) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-19-more-than-1300-activision-blizzard-staff-call-for-bobby-kotick-to-resign https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/11/16/activision-blizzard-kotick-walkout/ Activision Blizzard board backing Kotick, announces “Workplace Responsibility Committee” (44:50) https://www.gamedeveloper.com/culture/activision-blizzard-doubles-down-on-kotick-defense-in-all-hands-meeting https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/activision-blizzard-board-directors-continues-build-upon-its Kotick reported to be willing to step down if unable to quickly address discrimination and harrassment (47:45) https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-blizzard-ceo-bobby-kotick-tells-colleagues-he-would-consider-leaving-if-he-cant-quickly-fix-problems-11637533064 Former PlayStation employee alleges Sony fired them for raising discrimination issues (49:45) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-23-former-playstation-employee-files-lawsuit-alleging-gender-discrimination-and-wrongful-termination Avengers Spider-Man DLC is just Spider-Man and that’s it (54:55) https://www.ign.com/articles/avengers-spider-man-dlc-no-story-missions Chris Pratt’s got a special accent for Mario (58:05) https://toofab.com/2021/11/22/mario-producer-chris-meledandri-defends-casting-non-italian-chris-pratt/ Microsoft’s Phil Spencer encouraging legal emulation for game preservation (1:01:35) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-18-emulation-should-be-used-to-preserve-older-games-xbox-chief-phil-spencer-suggests --- 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.

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