Player One Podcast

Latest Episodes:

01/22/07 - Episode 13 Jan 22, 2007

Show notes

World of DreamcastIt's a special podcast this week, and not only because it's very long (and what you have here is still the result of quite a bit of editing). In Episode Lucky 13 we talk about Sega's Dreamcast, the system that became Sega's last hope as a hardware manufacturer, ultimately sending them reeling into the world of third-party publishing for competing hardware platforms. Join us as we talk about the highs, the lows and everything in between. After listening to this segment you may want to check out these links:Mega 64's Shenmue - http://www.mega64.com/shenmue.htmOne of Sega's Hidekazu Yukawa (we got his name wrong on the 'cast) ads - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DzwwViKJN4Chu Chu Rocket commercial - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiA7mCzQqu0Also on this week's show, we discuss what we've been playing -- World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade (PC), Wario Ware: Smooth Moves (Wii), Lost Planet (Xbox 360), Heavy Weapon (360), Phoenix Wright: Justice for All (DS), Samurai Warriors 2 (Xbox 360) and oh so much more. Actually that might be it, I'm not sure and it's past my bedtime.Blink and you could miss it, but this week we also discuss Kyle Orland's analysis of EGM's Quartermann rumors as seen on GameDaily.Rumor Report Ratings - http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/media/?id=14936For our final segment in this week's show, we go over some of the feedback we've received in the last week -- keep it coming. And that's it for this week! Remember to visit our MySpace page, Digg us, review us on iTunes, leave a comment on the blog page, send us an e-mail at playeronepodcast@gmail.com. Or if you want to call and leave us voicemail, dial 713-893-8069 (long distance charges apply). Thanks for listening! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

01/15/07 - Episode 12 Jan 15, 2007

Show notes

Tackling DifficultyThis week we take on the question of difficulty in games. Discussion includes talk of how game difficulty has changed in the past 20 years, the hardest games we've ever played, and what it's like to have to review or write a strategy guide on an extremely difficult game under the deadline crunch of a print magazine. Sometimes, it's not pretty. Our What'cha Been Playin' discussion this week centers on Capcom's new Xbox 360 game Lost Planet. We have trudged through frozen tundra, lit up Akrid hives with Gatling Guns, scored Secret Achievements and killed each other in multiplayer. It's been a fun-filled weekend. Also: Ms. Pac-Man (360), Pimp My Ride (PS2), Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS) and New Rally-X (360).For our final segment in this week's short show, we go over some of the feedback we've received in the last two weeks -- keep it coming. And that's it for this week! Remember to visit our MySpace page, Digg us, review us on iTunes, leave a comment on the blog page, send us an e-mail at playeronepodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! Or if you want to call and leave us voicemail, dial 713-893-8069 (long distance charges apply). Thanks for listening! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

01/08/07 - Episode 11 Jan 08, 2007

Show notes

The Dead PoolThis is an episode you may want to keep around to reference later. Why? Because it's our first-annual 2007 Dead Pool episode, where we go 'round the circle and choose three games each we think (using absolutely no scientific means other than a "feeling") will either be canceled outright or delayed into 2008. Who will be right, who will be wrong? We'll just have to see what 2007 brings us. But rest assured there are a few interesting predictions here. We probably should've put some money on the table.But before we get to that, we talk about a lot of other things. Kicking it off, our completely and totally original What'cha Been Playing segment: CJ gets a PS3 (shock!), Resistance (PS3), Castlevania Portrait of Ruin (DS), Viva Pinata (360), Phantasy Star Universe (360), Wii Sports, Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii), Karaoke Revolution: American Idol (PS2). What we will be playing next week: Lost Planet...and only one of us won't have access to the cool extra-awesome multiplayer map that comes with the $70 collector's edition.Next we talk about the Halo 3 beta and the new ways the general public can get into it -- which now includes buying a copy of Microsoft's next 360 release, Crackdown. Now the question becomes: is it worth buying a $60 game you might not be interested in to be guaranteed a spot in the Halo 3 beta? Is it fair to Crackdown's developers to hitch its star to such an established and hotly anticipated franchise as Halo?Then we take a moment to talk about the newly announced E For All event, the new consumer-friendly face of the now-dead E3. But will gamers pay $100 to get a glimpse of new product, will the major publishers attend, and will this event be canceled even before it starts?Finally, we discuss the leap from gaming journalism to game development in honor of GameSpot editor in chief Greg Kasavin's recent announcement. Two of our hosts have previously made this jump, and they relate their experiences and we talk about others that've done the same.And that's it for this week! Remember to visit our MySpace page, Digg us, review us on iTunes, leave a comment on the blog page, send us an e-mail at playeronepodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

01/01/07 - Episode 10 Jan 01, 2007

Show notes

Player One's Shiny New YearHappy New Year everyone! While other podcasts have settled in for a long winter's nap, we hopped in the studio yet again for one more episode before all the Auld Lang Synes were sung. In this episode, Phil and Dan become "series regulars," and join Greg and CJ to talk about such things as what we'd like to see happen in 2007 (though we tried to avoid predictions outright, we stray into that territory too). Here's a trend for '07--most of the discussion in this episode seemed to revolve around downloadable content. We like it, we hate it, we'd like to see Microsoft step in and referee, we'd like Nintendo and Sony to do more of it. But fear not, that's not all we talk about.Next up we talk about our Gaming Origins. You know, the story everyone has of how they got into gaming. We go from oldest to youngest and recount tales of Atari 2600s, NESes and Super NESes, calling around a snowfilled province to find the one remaining system and the games that cemented our undying love of gaming. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you probably have an "origin" story of your own. Please feel free to share it in the comments here.As a bonus, we also get into the story behind why we rib CJ so much about that Bubsy 3D thing and talk about other quotes of ours that've been immortalized on boxes and in ads.But of course first up we talk about what we've been playing. In this episode that's games like Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS), Gears of War (360), Viva Pinata (360), Gran Turismo HD (PS3), Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii), PokÃ©mon Ruby and more.As always, drop us a comment on the blog page or send us an e-mail comment to playeronepodcast@gmail.com. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

12/25/06 - Episode 09 Dec 25, 2006

Show notes

A Festivus for the rest of us! Although our crew are traveling to various parts of the globe for the holidays, that didn't stop us from getting together earlier in the week and recording a special episode for you, dear listener, on this most busy of holidays. Special thanks to Phil Theobald and Dan Dormer, who join CJ and I once again for the final episode of the year. In lieu of our regular "whatcha been playin'" segment, we hop right into our probably-longer-than-it-should-be year in review, where we dissect the year that was month by month, discussing the most important and happenings that shaped our beloved hobby throughout 2006. Then we move on to the First Annual Player One Podcast Memorial Games of the Year Awards, where we name our fave titles on every console, ending with the best game of the year, and which piece of hardware we feel owned 2006. Finally, in celebration of the holiday, we reveal our super-secret Christmas shopping lists for various industry personalities. What would we wrap in festive paper and place under Ken Kutaragi's tree? What would Reggie find in his stocking? Listen up and find out. Thanks for listening! Drop a comment or send us an audio comment and we'll read some/play some on next week's show. Send us feedback to playeronepodcast@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog page. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Digg us, some site news, and the holiday episode Dec 21, 2006

Show notes

You can now Digg the Player One Podcast (that is, if you use Digg and dig our podcast). Just go here. We thank you in advance for your vote.We're also up on the front page of the iTunes Store's Podcast page this week...well, three tabs into the "Video Games" section in the center there. Welcome to any of you who're visiting this page for the first time because you saw us there.Unlike some podcasts, we will be posting a new episode early next week. In fact, we've already recorded it. Previous special guests Phil Theobald and Dan Dormer join Greg and myself and we go over the big news of '06, list out our favorite games of the year, and then come up with a gift we'd like to give one of the industry luminaries this year. Something they could use. It might be a long episode this week...jeez we talked forever.Anyway, thanks again for listening and Happy Holidays all --- CJ

Four Days Before Christmas...Is PS3 Demand Already Dead? Dec 21, 2006

Show notes

At this time last year, if you were looking to buy an Xbox 360 as a holiday gift, you'd be looking at paying at least double the system's $400 price for a Premium Pack. The things were in hot demand. Yet this year, with the PS3 launch...the successor to the #1 game brand for the last 10 years, systems are...well, very easy to find. A quick look at the Craigslist listings in the Houston area and you see systems going for very little if ANY mark-up. One post reads that if no one calls to buy his 20GB at $550 (at cost, more or less) it's going back to the store. There are several 60GB systems going for as little as $650 -- again, at cost. So, what the hell happened? For all intents and purposes the PS3 should still be in hot demand. It's only four days before Christmas, you'd figure that people would certainly pay $25-50 above cost for the machine... no? Why I bring all this up is that a friend of mine bought a 60GB PS3 about three weeks ago at a Best Buy here in Houston, thinking he'd resell it on eBay and at least get enough profit out of it to buy a Wii. Fair enough. So tonight I asked him how it went, since I hadn't heard yet. He laughed and told me he still had the system. He put it up on eBay, the winning bid was $715 (barely above the $650 cost to him and not enough to get a Wii from the profit). The winner decided not to pay. Afterwards my friend listed it on Craigslist for $750 -- got NO e-mails. Instead he's just going to return the system to Best Buy and get his money back. I did consider buying it off of him, but then I thought...I really don't need a PS3 right now. As I've said before, Resistance is the only game I'm even halfway interested in (because it's Insomniac), and that alone is just not that compelling a reason to get one. Plus I'm still not done with Zelda, Gears of War, Rainbow Six Vegas or Phantasy Star Universe for the two new-gen consoles I already own. I wonder what this means for PS3. Clearly, if demand for it has died this quickly it can't be a good sign--can it? Granted I still haven't seen any PS3s in stores, but I haven't been looking all that hard either. Another slightly bad sign--in the latest EGM they've put together something very similar to the Xbox vs. GameCube feature Greg and I have been talking about on the podcast. Except it's PS3 vs. Wii. And the unanimous winner is the Wii. How are the PS3s selling near you?- CJ

12/18/06 - Episode 08 Dec 18, 2006

Show notes

The shame in our gameThis week we return to a topic brought up in the last 'cast: our greatest gaming shames. In the final segment of the podcast we share some things we're not proud of. And joining in the fun is this episode's special guest, freelance writer Dan Dormer, who shares an inexplicable shame -- playing a bad/painful game not only to the end, but over and over again to see its multiple endings, sinking at least 100 hours into it. Why?Also this week, we continue our retrospective on the last generation of consoles by talking about the Xbox, Microsoft's first entry into the console gaming biz. From the launch to Xbox Live to the purchase of Rare and everything in between. Have our memories of the Bear Claw/Duke controller been washed away by the sands of time? Hells no. We'll miss you, Xbox, even though you live on in limited backward compatibility.But we begin the podcast the way we always do, by discussing what we've been playing: Viva Pinata (360), Wii Sports (Wii), Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii), Phantasy Star Universe (360), Bionicle Heroes (360), Tomb Raider Legend (DS) and Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS). And because we're topical, we devote a segment to the Square Enix announcement of Dragon Quest IX for Nintendo DS.Thanks for listening! Drop a comment or send us an audio comment and we'll read some/play some on next week's show. Send us feedback to playeronepodcast@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog page. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

12/11/06 - Episode 07 Dec 11, 2006

Show notes

It's a Cube, not Box nor StationThis week we take a look back at an old friend called GameCube as he gasps his final breath on Tuesday with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Phil Theobald joins us as we talk about third party support, Nintendo's own lack of great games, farming out of the classics to second-party developers, the lack of a "real" Mario game and more. Also in this segment, CJ reveals one of his greatest gaming shames.But we start this week (of course) by talking about what we've been playing, with chatter about such games as Kirby Squeak Squad (DS), Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS), Phantasy Star Universe (360), Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii), Sonic the Hedgehog (virtual console), Crash Bandicoot (PS1 on PSP via PS3), Lemmings (PS3), Resistance: FoM (PS3) and Roboblitz (360).And after the GameCube portion of the program we go into another Topic Of Interest: Series reboots. With Bond's recent successful reset with Casino Royale, we pontificate about which of gaming's great series could use a 'boot. It's not that hard to think of one...we bet you're already thinking of one right now. The conversation also strays into series that've had successful reboots and which legacy hits need to be dusted off for a new generation. So if nothing else, you will want to stick around to listen to Greg bash Kid Icarus. Our question to you this week is what series you would like to see rebooted and in what way -- what type of game? Drop a comment or send us an audio comment and we'll read some/play some on next week's show. Send us feedback to playeronepodcast@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog page. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

12/04/06 - Episode 06 Dec 04, 2006

Show notes

This week marks our return to a regular posting schedule. In this episode's first segment, we discuss Zelda (Wii), F.E.A.R (360), the Wii Virtual Console versions of Solomon's Key, Sonic, Bonk and Mario 64, Red Steel (Wii), Call of Duty 3 (Wii), and we get a brief update on Greg's adventures with the PS3.Next up we talk about the Wii. It's only two weeks old and they've sold over a million units between the US and Japan (and releases in other areas of the world later this week). What do Nintendo and third parties have to do to be successful on Wii? (Answer: original IP, not so many ports.) Is the high cost of development for PS3 games going to benefit Wii? Also, we touch on Wii mishaps and the pictures/video that have been posted on www.wiihaveaproblem.com.Segment three is all about Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade. Why haven't more third-party publishers taken advantage of these downloadable services with original content? Why do we rely on Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony for this content when there are third parties that could be doing stuff but AREN'T?Wrapping it up is a final segment where we reminisce about the PlayStation 2. Now that the next generation has debuted, it's time to look back on the leader of the last gen. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

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