The Game Awards 2024 nominations are out, but what will win Game of the Year? Kaitlyn and Sam make their predictions on this final weekly episode of Real Time Strategy. They discuss Elden Ring’s DLC nomination, the difference between Game of the Year and Best Game Direction, if an RPG can take the crown, and more.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:00:32 – Final Episode Farewell 00:06:11 – Game of the Year Nominees 00:08:39 – The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Controversy 00:19:15 – Should We Be Surprised by Black Myth: Wukong’s Nomination? 00:25:57 – Our GOTY Frontrunners 00:37:43 – Best Game Direction Predictions 00:53:11 – Best Adaptation Predictions 01:02:14 – Announcement Predictions 01:08:27 – Outro   Stories discussed: Polygon – The Game Awards announces Game of the Year 2024 nominees  IGN – Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Game Awards Nomination Sparks Renewed Debate Among Fans Polygon – Black Myth: Wukong is one of the lowest-rated Game of the Year nominees in Game Awards history Dead Game – Unlocking The Cheat Codes To Geoff Keighley's Game Awards  Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Phil Spencer says Xbox is working on prototypes for a handheld console. Kaitlyn and Sam discuss how it can compete in a landscape dominated by phones, Nintendo, and the Steam Deck. Then they break down why Take-Two sold its indie-focused publishing division Private Division and how the Nintendo DS changed gaming in honor of its 20th anniversary.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:07:38 – Phil Spencer Says Xbox Is Planning a Handheld. What Should It Be? 00:31:27 – Why Did Take-Two Interactive Sell Private Division? 00:49:54 – Read of the Week: The Guardian’s 20-Year Anniversary Coverage of the Nintendo DS 01:19:17 – Outro   Stories discussed: Bloomberg – Microsoft’s Gaming Chief Is Still Looking for Acquisitions, Sees Future Growth GamesIndustry.biz – Zelnick on Private Division sale: "Those projects were smaller, we're in the business of big hits" Variety – Why Private Division's Mystery Buyer Probably Isn't a Gaming Giant The Guardian – Nintendo DS at 20 – the console that paved the way for smartphone gaming   Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Sean Murrin, CEO of gaming creative agency Waypoint, joins Kaitlyn and Sam to discuss the relationship between creative activations and PR. They highlight Waypoint’s work with physical goods, mailers, stunts, events, and more (including the Elden Ring Pot Boy puppet at the 2021 Game Awards), and how that work can drive word-of-mouth and media coverage.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:06:44 – What is Waypoint? 00:27:39 – Influencer Kits 00:41:40 – How Gaming Trends Have Changed Waypoint 00:49:18 – Making Elden Ring’s Pot Boy Puppet for TGAs 2021 00:59:15 – Sean’s Other Favorite Projects 01:02:00 – How to Be a Good Creative Client 01:09:49 – Outro   Find Waypoint’s work here, and watch the agency’s show, Side Quest Sessions, on YouTube.   Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Ubisoft has disbanded Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s development team, so does that make the game a failure? Kaitlyn and Sam discuss the game’s launch and what may have affected its sales, including its PC release strategy, January release date, and the state of the Prince of Persia franchise. Then they dissect the reception to Amazon’s Like A Dragon: Yakuza and discuss the awesome new showrunner for the God of War series.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:04:58 – Ubisoft Disbands Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s Team 00:34:21 – Amazon’s Like A Dragon: Yakuza Gets Mixed Reviews 00:49:15 – Amazon’s God of War Series Gets New Showrunner 00:55:09 – Outro   Stories/media discussed: IGN – Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Team Disbanded After Critically Lauded Platformer Fails to Meet Expectations - Report Eurogamer – Ubisoft responds to report Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown development team disbanded Polygon – Why did Ubisoft send Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown out to die?  Game – Consoles aren't dying, but they are changing  Kotaku – Amazon’s Like A Dragon: Yakuza Is Already A Divisive Adaptation Of The Beloved Games Deadline – 'God Of War': Ronald D. Moore Boards Amazon Series As New Showrunner Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden recently said AA games are gone, but what does that mean for the industry? Kaitlyn and Sam explain the state of mid-market games on this week’s episode and then dig into two of Amazon’s upcoming gaming shows, God of War and Secret Level.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:09:13 – The State of AA Gaming 00:30:42 – Amazon’s God of War Show Changing Creative Team 00:41:43 – Why We’re Excited for Amazon’s Secret Level 00:56:43 – Outro   Stories/media discussed: GamesIndustry.biz – Shawn Layden: "AA is gone and that's a threat to the ecosystem going forward" PlayStation LifeStyle – Space Marine 2 Studio Wants to Focus on ‘Middle Market’ Games Like Helldivers 2 Deadline – ‘God Of War’: Sony And Amazon Starting Over On Series After Departure Of EPs Rafe Judkins, Hawk Ostby & Mark Fergus  Collider – Tim Miller and Dave Wilson Describe Every Episode of 'Secret Level' [Exclusive]  Variety – Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger Among Voice Cast for Amazon Video Game Anthology Series ‘Secret Level’  Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Why did Annapurna Interactive’s staff resign? Kaitlyn and Sam dig into that question on this week’s episode. Then the pair breaks down GamesIndustry.biz’s great post-pandemic analysis of the games industry before concluding with a new segment about the hype for Nintendo’s next console.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:07:17 – Annapurna Interactive Staff Resigns 00:23:05 – Read of the Week: GamesIndustry.biz on “How the games industry turned pandemic success into disaster” 00:51:23 – Developer Cites “Future Nintendo Platforms” in Game Announcement. Was That a PR Tactic? 00:59:44 – Outro   Stories/media discussed: Bloomberg – Annapurna Video-Game Team Resigns, Leaving Partners Scrambling  Eurogamer – Developers rush to reassure players of forthcoming releases following Annapurna Interactive mass exodus GamesIndustry.biz – Cheap money and bad bets: How the games industry turned pandemic success into disaster IGN – My Time at Portia Dev Announces Sequel for PC, Xbox Series X and S, PS5 and ‘Future Nintendo Platforms Yet to Be Announced’ Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

PlayStation dominated headlines this week with the surprise shutdown of Concord, critical acclaim for Astro Bot, and the announcement of the $700 PS5 Pro. Kaitlyn and Sam dissect this rollercoaster week by discussing why Concord failed, why people are loving Astro Bot, and whether the backlash against the PS5 Pro’s price is deserved.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:04:16 – PlayStation Shuts Down Concord. Why Did It Fail? 00:30:49 – Why Is Astro Bot Such a Hit? 00:47:00 – PS5 Pro Announced 00:57:55 – Outro   Stories/media discussed: PlayStation.Blog – An important update on Concord IGN – Why Concord Failed The Guardian – Sony’s big-budget hero shooter Concord failed spectacularly – here’s where it went wrong Game File – Sony’s new game Concord has an unexpectedly lovely map  GameSpot – Astro Bot Is The Best-Reviewed Game Of The Year So Far Bloomberg – PlayStation’s 'Astro Bot' Is a Model for the Video-Game Industry Ars Technica – Sony announces PS5 Pro, a $700 graphical upgrade available Nov. 7 The Verge – Sony’s PS5 Pro is a pricey test of next-gen consoles Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Game Informer closed earlier this month, but its legacy will live on. Former online content director Brian Shea and video editor Alex Van Aken join Sam to discuss what they learned from their time at Game Informer, the state of games media, and what they have planned next, including Alex’s game documentaries at Viewport and Brian’s All Things Nintendo podcast.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:02:43 – Brian and Alex’s Favorite Game Informer Issues 00:08:45 – Brian and Alex’s Journey to Game Informer 00:32:03 – Learnings from Game Informer 00:46:07 – How is Games Media Changing? 00:59:30 – Viewport, Alex’s Game Documentary Project 01:04:51 – All Things Nintendo, Brian’s Nintendo Podcast 01:11:13 – Outro (Where to Find Alex and Brian)   Stories/media discussed: OK Beast – How Fortnite Battle Royale Reconnected a Family - Why We Play  All Things Nintendo – Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom New Details, Japan Storytime w/ Wesley Leblanc All Things Nintendo – Genesis and the '90s Console Wars w/ Blake J. Harris     Follow Alex @itsVanAken, watch his gaming documentaries at Viewport: Inside Looks At Video Games, and support his channel on Patreon.   Follow Brian @BrianPShea, and listen to and support All Things Nintendo on Patreon.   Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Borderlands and Deadpool & Wolverine are two of this summer’s biggest movie blockbusters, but they had wildly different outcomes. Kaitlyn and Sam discuss whether Borderlands’ poor performance means anything for gaming’s future in Hollywood and what other adaptations can learn from Deadpool & Wolverine’s hugely successful marketing campaign. Other topics include Krafton acquiring Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks and the pair’s favorite summertime games.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:08:04 – Breaking Down Borderlands’ Critical and Commercial Reception 00:25:50 – Why Deadpool & Wolverine’s Marketing Was So Strong 00:42:59 – Krafton Acquires Hi-Fi Rush Developer Tango Gameworks from Xbox 00:49:33 – Read of the Week (Eurogamer’s Summer Gaming Feature) 01:01:38 – Outro   Stories/media discussed: Variety – Box Office: 'It Ends With Us' Beats Expectations, 'Borderland' Flops  The Town – 'Deadpool & Wolverine' and Marketing Disney's First R-Rated Marvel Movie  Variety – 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Crosses $1 Billion at Global Box Office  Campaign – How these 6 brands are collaborating with ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Polygon – Microsoft just gave the Xbox controller a huge ass GamesIndustry.biz – Krafton acquires Tango Gameworks and Hi-Fi Rush IP from Xbox Eurogamer – Can video games match the warmth of summer? No, but an Odyssey and a Wildlife Adventure are the next best thing   Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

GameStop shut down Game Informer last week, laying off its staff and unceremoniously ending the best-known gaming magazine in the U.S. Sam and Kaitlyn discuss what the publication’s closure means for games media, why it happened, and how games PR should react. Then they discuss another gutting layoff story—Bungie cutting its staff by 17%—before ending on a positive note with a discussion about Polygon’s music-focused FM column and their favorite gaming soundtracks.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:04:00 – GameStop Shuts Down Game Informer 00:19:11 – What Does GI’s Closure Mean for PR? 00:26:49 – Bungie Lays Off 220 Employees, or 17% of Staff 00:42:51 – Read of the Week (Polygon FM and our favorite video game soundtracks) 01:00:23 – Outro   Stories/media discussed: Porter Robinson – Smile! :D Kotaku – GameStop Shuts Down Game Informer, The Longest-Running Gaming Magazine In The US The Verge – Bungie is laying off 220 employees and moving others to PlayStation IGN – Bungie Devs Say Atmosphere Is ‘Soul-Crushing’ Amid Layoffs, Cuts, and Fear of Total Sony Takeover Game File – Bungie's deep job cuts were in the works prior to Destiny's most recent release, sources say  Bloomberg – Sony’s Bungie Faces Reckoning After Mass Layoff  Polygon – Polygon FM  Polygon – When the soundtrack is better than the game, we all benefit    For physical game publications, support Patch and Lost in Cult. Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

SAG-AFTRA video game performers are on strike, and Roblox reportedly has a child safety problem. Sam and Kaitlyn break down these stories, then interview entertainment journalist Collier “CJ” Jennings about covering San Diego Comic-Con.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:42 – What Does the SAG-AFTRA Gaming Strike Mean for the Industry? 00:21:59 – Roblox’s Child Safety Problem 00:38:30 – Collier “CJ” Jennings on Covering San Diego Comic-Con 00:40:12 – Deadpool and Wolverine 00:45:51 – CJ’s SDCC Experience 01:03:19 – What Makes a Good SDCC Panel? 01:12:27 – Where to Find CJ’s Work   Stories discussed: Los Angeles Times – Video game actors are on strike. Here's what that means Slate – The Video Game Industry Is More Successful Than Ever. Why Are the Workers Treated Like Garbage?  Aftermath – SAG-AFTRA Striking Because Companies Won’t Offer Same AI Protections To Voice And Physical Performers, Not Happy About GTA VI Exemption Bloomberg – Roblox’s Child Safety Problem  Digiday – 'A long-game move': Why Coach is entering Roblox to win over younger shoppers AIPT Comics – SDCC '24: Hulu's Animayhem Factory returns, bigger and better than ever AIPT Comics – SDCC '24: Titmouse provided the most unique interview experience in con history   Follow CJ on Twitter @CJWritesThings, and read his work on AIPT Comics and Collider.   Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Microsoft is raising the price of Xbox Game Pass…again. Join Kaitlyn and Sam as they discuss Microsoft’s decision to hike Xbox Game Pass prices, the changes in tier options, and what Microsoft’s long-term strategy may be.    Then, in the show’s new “Read of the Week” segment, Sam and Kaitlyn discuss Polygon’s Spicy Take Week story about Roger Ebert’s famous quote that “Video games can never be art” and whether or not video games should be deemed art. They may even share their own spicy takes.    Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:00:34 – Summer So Far Recap 00:09:07 – Xbox Game Pass Changes 00:27:29 – Can Game Pass Compete with Apple Arcade 00:38:54 – Xbox and Amazon Fire TV 00:43:30 – Read of the Week Segment (Polygon's Spicy Takes Week) 00:56:26 – Kaitlyn’s Spicy Gaming Take 01:00:15 – Sam’s Spicy Gaming Take 01:04:34 – Outro   Stories discussed: The Verge – Microsoft is hiking the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and launching a new ‘Standard’ tier IGN – Xbox Game Pass Price Hikes Were ‘Inevitable’, Analysts Say  GamesIndustry.biz – Price hike shows Xbox is determined to make Game Pass work | Opinion Polygon – Roger Ebert saying video games are not art is still haunting games Polygon – Watching a video game is basically playing it    Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

2024 is expected to be the last year before Nintendo’s next console, so is the Nintendo Switch going out with a bang? Logan Plant, host of IGN’s Nintendo Voice Chat and database manager for IGN Playlist, joins Sam to answer that question. They break down the latest Nintendo Direct, their favorite reveals, and when they expect to hear from Nintendo next.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:48 – Logan’s Favorite Non-Switch Nintendo Console 00:08:17 – Nintendo Direct (June 2024) Review 00:11:17 – Mario & Luigi: Brothership Impressions 00:18:14 – Why Does Nintendo Hide Its Developers? 00:22:54 – The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Impressions 00:33:40 – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Impressions 00:39:09 – Other Direct Highlights 00:50:01 – When Will the Next Nintendo Direct Be? 00:55:26 – What Is IGN Playlist? 01:04:00 – Outro   Follow Logan on Twitter @LoganJPlant, listen to his weekly Nintendo podcasts, Nintendo Voice Chat and Toadstool Boardroom, and check out IGN Playlist here.   Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Freelance games writer Jason Fanelli joins Kaitlyn and Sam to share his impressions from Summer Game Fest Play Days 2024 and break down what makes a good preview experience for press. Topics include Jason’s favorite SGF demos, if the event can eventually replicate E3, and the most memorable preview events from his career.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:06:24 – Jason’s Most Anticipated Upcoming Games 00:26:18 – SGF Play Days Impressions 00:44:15 – How to Plan Coverage for SGF Play Days 00:49:18 – What Makes a Good Game Preview? 00:53:23 – The Benefits of Virtual Previews 00:59:47 – Preview Do’s and Don’ts 01:06:26 – Jason’s Most Memorable Game Previews 01:14:34 – Where to Find Jason’s Work 01:17:13 – Outro   Follow Jason on Twitter @BigManFanelli, and read his SGF coverage at GameSpot, VGC, and MMORPG. Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

A new Doom game, Perfect Dark is back, and too many exciting indie games to count… summer showcase season is here. Kaitlyn and Sam break down Summer Game Fest and the Xbox Games Showcase, their favorite games shown, what makes a good showcase trailer, and why Geoff tempered expectations this year.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:02:15 – Is Summer Game Fest Close to E3 2.0? 00:11:48 – Summer Game Fest 2024 Review 00:23:35 – Comparing the SGF and Xbox Showcases 00:35:47 – Favorite Games from the Xbox Showcase 00:54:55 – Favorite Games from the Xbox Showcase 01:09:42 – Why We Loved the Astro Bot Trailer 01:13:37 – Outro   Stories discussed:  GamesIndustry.biz – The spirit of E3 could be felt in LA – now let's bring it back | Opinion Rock Paper Shotgun – Don't expect big reveals at Summer Games Fest, says Geoff Keighley Game Informer – Geoff Keighley Says 'People Are Setting Themselves Up For Failure' When Asked About Kingdom Hearts IV At SGF Kotaku – Geoff Keighley: Big Companies Have To Treat Their Developers Right Kotaku – A 1-Minute Trailer At Summer Game Fest Costs $250K [Update]  IGN – Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Addresses Studio Closures - IGN Live 2024    Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Andy Lunique wears many hats as a cook, author, and influencer marketing expert in the games industry, and he combined those skills to write “The Ultimate Gamers Cookbook” and “Diablo: The Official Cookbook.” Andy joins Kaitlyn and Sam to discuss how he crafts gaming-friendly recipes, how influencers (including himself) find their brand, and how to reach people without losing authenticity.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:02:18 – Andy’s Go-To Game Night Meal 00:09:33 – Andy’s Love (and Advice) for Pancakes 00:15:11 – Writing The Ultimate Gamers Cookbook 00:27:53 – Why Are Food and Gaming Synonymous? 00:34:28 – Key Learnings from Andy’s First Two Cookbooks 00:49:43 – How Andy Applied Influencer Marketing to His Book 01:00:21 – How Creators Find Their Brand 01:13:25 – How Andy Keeps Up with the Creator Space 01:20:28 – How Andy Stays Motivated 01:23:06 – Outro   Buy The Ultimate Gamers Cookbook on Amazon, or get a signed copy here. Follow Andy on Twitter @AndyLunique and on TikTok @Andy_Lunique. Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Microsoft is betting big on Game Pass by adding Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to the service at launch. Kaitlyn and Sam discuss what this means for Microsoft’s publishing strategy, Xbox’s upcoming showcase, and the price of Game Pass. Then they break down how IGN Entertainment’s acquisition of Gamer Network affects games media.   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:03:37 – Assassin’s Creed Shadows Announced 00:06:40 – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Launching on Game Pass 00:11:03 – What Does This Mean for Call of Duty Sales? 00:17:51 – What Does This Mean for the Microsoft Showcase? 00:25:04 – Will Game Pass’ Price Increase? 00:33:45 – IGN Entertainment Acquires Gamer Network 00:50:34 – Outro   Stories discussed:  The Verge – Microsoft confirms Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is coming to Xbox Game Pass Wall Street Journal – Microsoft Plans Boldest Games Bet Since Activision Deal, Changing How ‘Call of Duty’ Is Sold GamesIndustry.biz – IGN Entertainment acquires Eurogamer, GI, VG247, Rock Paper Shotgun and more Game Developer – IGN Entertainment buys GamesIndustry, RockPaperShotgun, other Gamer Network outlets Game Developer – Reedpop looking to sell Eurogamer, GI.biz parent company Gamer Network   Video Games Industry Memo – IGN buys Gamer Network   Media discussed: “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia E. Butler   Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Joost van Dreunen knows the games industry. He literally wrote the book on the business of video games (One Up: Creativity, Competition, and the Global Business of Video Games), and with his next book on the horizon, he joins Kaitlyn and Sam to discuss how gaming has changed since One Up was published in 2020, why so many layoffs are happening, and why the industry is pivoting to “games as a platform.”   Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:03:07 – Joost’s Favorite Games 00:09:26 – Joost Explains One Up: Creativity, Competition, And The Global Business Of Video Games 00:12:21 – Why Study The Business Of Video Games? 00:24:44 – How the Industry Has Changed Since 2020 00:31:17 – The Difference Between Games As A Service And Games As A Platform 00:50:45 – What’s the Future of the Apple Vision Pro? 01:02:22 – What Makes Joost Optimistic About the Future of Gaming? 01:07:27 – Outro   Stories discussed:  VentureBeat – How data can help you understand the game industry | Joost Van Dreunen interview   Buy Joost’s book on Amazon, Audible, or Audiobooks, subscribe to his newsletter here, and follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

Microsoft closed a number of Bethesda studios, including Redfall maker Arkane Austin and Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks. Kaitlyn and Sam discuss the implications behind the closures, why these ones were a shock even amongst many closures and layoffs, and what the upcoming Xbox Showcase will look like. The duo also touch on the Nintendo Switch 2 update from Nintendo as well as a spoiler discussion on the finale of Prime Video’s Fallout series and what they’re looking forward to in Season 2.    Timecodes:  00:00:00 – Intro 00:02:43 – Microsoft Closes Multiple Studios 00:06:35 – Why Close Hi-Fi Rush Studio Tango Gameworks? 00:25:07 – How Will Xbox Handle Its June Showcase? 00:29:05 – Nintendo Confirms Switch Successor 00:36:50 – What Will Nintendo Release This Fall? 00:42:00 – Fallout TV Series Finale Review 00:54:17 – Favorite Episodes of the Show 01:03:28 – Outro   Stories discussed:  IGN – Microsoft Closes Redfall Developer Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush Developer Tango Gameworks, and More in Devastating Cuts at Bethesda Bloomberg – Microsoft’s Xbox Is Planning More Cuts After Studio Closings The Verge – Microsoft completes Activision Blizzard acquisition, Call of Duty now part of Xbox Gamesindustry.biz – What do studio closures mean for Xbox strategy? | Opinion Gamesindustry.biz – Nintendo profits rise to $6.2bn ahead of quiet year Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.

TikTok is facing a U.S. ban, so what does that mean for influencers, marketers, gaming fans, and the future of short-form video? Kaitlyn and Sam answer that question, as well as explain Escape From Tarkov’s bad week and their thoughts on Fallout’s fifth episode and Fallout 4’s next-gen update.   Timecodes: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:03:19 – What’s the Future of TikTok With the U.S. Ban Looming? 00:15:10 – Potential Effects of the Ban 00:22:03 – How Influencers Will Be Affected 00:26:19 – Escape From Tarkov’s DLC Controversy 00:45:25 – Fallout Episode 5 Recap 00:52:53 - Fallout 4’s Next-Gen Update 01:03:48 – Outro   Stories discussed: CBS News – TikTok ban measure signed by Biden. Here's what could happen next. CBS News – After Biden signs TikTok ban into law, ByteDance says it won't sell the social media service GamesIndustry.biz – The US is banning TikTok, could Fortnite and League of Legends be next? TechCrunch – Gen Z is losing its political voice on social media PC Gamer – Escape From Tarkov players rage as developers lock co-op PvE behind a new $250 edition, then say they'll offer previous buyers access for just 6 months (Updated) PC Gamer – How Escape From Tarkov wiped out years of goodwill in one catastrophic week IGN – Escape From Tarkov Dev's 'Shameless' Controversy Response Called Out By Fans and Esports Company IGN – Escape From Tarkov Rival Gray Zone Warfare Shoots to Top of Steam Sales But Reviews are 'Mixed' TechRadar – The Fallout 4 next-gen update will not be available to those who own the game through PS Plus, Bethesda confirms PC Gamer – Fallout 4's most popular mods are now ones that remove Bethesda's disastrous 'next gen' update PC Gamer – Bethesda beefing it with a calamitous 'next-gen' Fallout 4 update just as everyone's falling in love with Fallout again is the most Bethesda thing imaginable Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at podcast@triplepointpr.com. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.