Video Game Generations

News this week includes the good (new game releases and announcements) and the bad (a studio closes, and is Nintendo doomed?) Xbox Games With Gold have been announced for June 2016, so we go over those. In email, we meet our youngest, newest listener (congrats to Pawel and his wife on baby Bruno), plus thoughts on the latest Fallout 4 DLC, Uncharted 4, and general podcast feedback. In our question of the week, inspired by thoughts on last week's discussion about whether or not it's okay to let kids play or watch M-rated or even certain T-rated games, we want to know your thoughts and advice. To what extent -- and age -- should kids be kept away from violence and mature themes in video games? Now's your chance to share parenting advice, or if not a parent, at least your opinion on the subject. Addie's "mo-bile" game of the week is another from Ketch App: a game called Twist (iOS). She also fills me in on Google mini-games, including her recent favorite, Zerg Rush. In my pre- and post-recorded segments, I revie

Our final two code words for the upcoming game bundle give-away are in this week's episode. If you want to win a bunch of video games, listen for the code words, and check out the official rules at http://www.vggpodcast.com/contest100/rules.html. Speaking of free games, if you're the lucky listener who redeems a code I read out this week for Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris on PS4, email us so I can give you its season pass DLC code also! This episode is a little on the shorter side, since we had no listener feedback to read in this week's email segment. We do have news and new game releases, an aside about when kids begin to understand the difference between video games and reality, and a new kind of quiz for Addie late in the show. It would have been even shorter, but Heath was ready for another episode of Mini-Gamers, the podcast within the podcast, where he talks briefly about the games he's been playing: Broken Age (PS4), Super Smash Bros. (3DS), Ratchet & Clank (PS4), Pokemon Rumble World (3DS),

Topics this week include the common problem of new PS4 games arriving with discs rattling around loose in their cases (and a possible fix, if you're brave enough to try it), recently-announced release dates for a few upcoming games, yet another rumor about Nintendo's NX, this week's new game releases, brainstorming on how the actual winner selection process will work for our upcoming give-away, and more. For our listener question (QotW), we want to know your favorite game reboots, or games in which they decided to drop the number and subtitle (ex: the new Hitman is just "Hitman", Tomb Raider came back as just "Tomb Raider", and Doom 4 is really just "Doom"). Next week or on a future episode, I hope to put together a top-ten list of reboots. In email this week, it's an answer to our recent QotW about games with difficulty spikes that made you give up, excitement for Uncharted 4, a possible solution to the mystery of how I ended up with Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare on PS4, and a reminder that our youngest

This week, Addie learns about military time (aka 24-hour clock notation), and we both discover that we're not quite sure what curling is (as a sport). Other topics include the delay of Zelda for WiiU and NX, the next Call of Duty, the bright side of the almost-certain-to-happen PlayStation NEO, and the ridiculousness (and difficulty) of having to set up an EA Origin account just to play a certain PS4 game online. In other news, we have the list of free PlayStation Plus games for May, and Addie tries to guess the plots of this week's new game releases. In email, it's Ratchet & Clank, Freedom Wars, Severed, Life is Strange, and another answer to last week's QotW about late-game boss battles that were impossible to beat. Oh, and the drinking mini-game from Watch_Dogs. Supposedly Ubisoft did patch it to make it easier, but those of us who got the trophy before that will always remember the frustrating nightmare that it entailed. In give-away news, our sixth pair of contest code words are given in this episode

A storm came through our area right as we were starting this episode, so this week's show includes plenty of unexpected sound effects. It's okay for the most part, but expect a few instances of background noise, including a constant barrage of hail during a couple early segments. We've been pretty lucky up until now with bad weather while recording, but it had to happen sooner or later. This week, we give out two new code words for our Episode 100 Game Bundle Give-Away. Also, it's the second to last week for our Steam code give-away. If you have a Steam account, try out those codes before any other listener, since they'll only work for one account. In news, we go over the just-announced Xbox Games With Gold line-up for May, followed by new game releases for this week. Late in that list, the noisy weather prompts us to speed through them a little faster, but before that, Addie makes a guess at what she thinks each game is about. After recording, Nintendo announced that the "NX" won't be launching until March 2

This week's topic-filled episode starts with our usual off-topic updates, a brief time travel segment, and a pseudo-rant about how long it takes for developers to produce and ship out physical rewards on successful Kickstarter campaigns after the game has aleady been done and out for weeks or months. We also talk a little more about our upcoming big game bundle give-aways, with some added brainstorming on future contests to keep the free stuff going. On that note, two more STEAM keys are given out this week, for Steamworld Dig and Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition. They're one-use codes, so the first listener to use either or both will be the lucky winner. Write in and let us know if that's you! After news, we talk about the new games releasing this week. It also felt like a good time to talk about release dates for many of the biggest games scheduled for the weeks and months ahead. This gets fairly foggy later in the year, so we'll do it again when more release dates for this year's most anticipat

We've pretty much established the rules for our upcoming game bundle give-away now. Even though the official rules page isn't ready yet, you can get the details early in this week's episode. Hopefully by next week, that page will be up. Basically, listen for two code words in each episode from 90 through 97, then send one email containing all the code words and a couple other pieces of important information (including your shipping address) before episode 100. The deadline is Sunday, June 5th, at 11:59 PM CST, but you can't enter until after episode 97, when the final codes are given. You'll also let us know which bundle you'd like to win, and that's pretty much it. Only one entry per household. This week's free STEAM game codes are for The Fall and System Shock 2. Since we weren't notified whether or not last week's Wizardry codes were claimed, those are given out again just in case. They're one-use codes, so the first listener to redeem them on STEAM wins them. After that, it's news and new game releases, f

We're still brainstorming about our 100th episode game give-away this week. The current plan is to offer three prize bundles of around thirteen games each -- one for various PlayStation platforms, one for Wii and 3DS, and the last for Xbox 360. Listeners would send in codes after episode 99 (maybe sooner, since ten episodes of code words may be too many), and indicate which of the three prize packs you'd like to win. We still have thinking and planning to do, but hopefully we'll have official rules nailed down soon, complete with photos of the prize packs. We're also giving out game keys redeemable on STEAM. Listen for two keys given out in this episode, for Wizardry 6 & 7, and Wizardry 8. These come courtesy of friend and occassional co-host Bill. We have several more to give away in the coming weeks. They're one-use codes, so first person to use them gets them. In game discussion, Addie talks a little about Knight Squad (Xbox One), Day of the Tentacle Remastered (PS4), and a free set of online games at

This week, we find out that Addie tried out a few M-rated games without anybody knowing. These include Call of Duty and/or Halo and/or Just Cause. It seems like she survived, though, and she finds it more amusing than I do. In my pre-recorded segments, I have a wrap-up for Salt and Sanctuary (PS4), followed by more brief thoughts on Tom Clancy's The Division (PS4). I also give a partial review of Day of the Tentacle Remastered (PS4), after making a good amount of progress in the game since starting it last week. Early in the episode, we talk about an idea we've been brewing. With our 100th episode coming up in early June, we might do some kind of video game give-away. Maybe multiple games to multiple listeners. We aren't certain it'll happen at all, but we do give two separate code words in this episode, which would be collected and entered into the contest just before episode 100, just in case. Addie really wants to have the contest to reward loyal listeners, but I worry about the many problems such a contes

Addie just got back from a week-long vacation, and boy are her arms tired. Wait, how does that go? She just flew in? Anyway, this Super Sleepycast starts out with our usual segments: news, new releases, and email. PSVR and the rumored Playstation 4.5 are topics of discussion, although it's mainly just me responding to long-time friend of the show Pawel while Addie tries not to doze off. In my pre-recorded segment, I talk briefly about what I'm playing (PS1 game Suikoden II and Tom Clancy's The Division on PS4), and give opening thoughts on Day of the Tentacle Remastered (PS4). Then I have lengthy opening thoughts and a partial review of Salt and Sanctuary (PS4), which I've been obsessed with for the past several days. Addie was too tired to participate in this week's top ten list (VR as portrayed in books, movies, and TV), but she insisted on playing a game of Video Game "What Am I?" She was pretty much too tired for that also, but we gave it a shot. We have no new Question of the Week, but write in anyway. S

In an early topic of discussion this week, we talk about the just-announced price and release window for PlayStation VR (PSVR). We also go over this week's new game releases, followed by listener email. This includes thoughts on upcoming Fallout 4 DLC and Day of the Tentacle Remastered, and a bit more about Ether One and Gauntlet: Slayer Edition. Our question of the week for listeners is about your thoughts on remasters and re-releases of older games. Are you interested in playing games from fifteen or more years ago, if they're remastered and re-released? This has become pretty popular lately, with many more old games scheduled to make a comeback in the weeks and months ahead. Is this a good thing? Are there too many of them? Is it just a cash grab? Let us know by email (podcast@vggpodcast.com), and we'll read your comments on the show. Mini-Gamers returns this week, with episode 9. Seven-year-old Heath chats with me about many of the games he played since last time. After that, Addie shows off iOS app IGun

We're back to our usual format with the usual segments this week. After news and new releases (where Addie once again misinforms listeners by making up her own game plots based on the game titles), we read listener email. We weren't creative enough to have a new top 10 list or a new Question of the Week, but you can always write in to answer any prior week's question. I talk briefly about Gauntlet: Slayer Edition (PS4), which I played some with Heath (Addie's younger brother). Addie talks a little about Twisty Hollow (iOS), which she's enjoying on iPhone. In my pre-recorded segment, I still don't have much to say about Far Cry Primal (PS4), because I haven't played much more since last week. However, I talk at length about Saturday Morning RPG (Vita, PS4, PSTV), which I played and finished. To wrap up, Addie presents me with a new quiz of her own design. This time, she picks one game (Broken Age) and asks me a series of trivia questions about the game and its development. Have feedback? Write to us at podcast

Knowing that I would be out of town for work this week, I came up with a plan to avoid skipping an episode. We recorded part of it a week ago. This includes a news segment where we talk about the free PlayStation Plus games for March 2016, and new game releases for this week. Partway through that, Addie decided to make it fun for herself by telling me what she thought each new release was about, based on each game's title. Since this was done right after last week's episode, there was no new listener email. We did play video game "What Am I?" after that, plus our first-ever video game "Where Am I?" As for the question of the week, since we had only just released the prior episode when we recorded this, we stuck with the same one. Tell us about your most interesting video game-themed dreams! In the middle, I added two additional solo segments, which were recorded later. First, I give my brief opening thoughts about Far Cry Primal (PS4), and then a wrap-up on Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward (Vita). In the sec

In news this week, we go over the free Xbox Games with Gold for next month, which were just announced. We also list and briefly describe quite a few new game releases for this week. In listener email, we read several answers to prior questions. In one, we're asked out thoughts on the pricing of digital versus physical games, and whether or not it really makes sense to pay full price for a game you may not even play for weeks or months, until after it's on sale or permanently discounted. Our question of the week for listeners is also inspired by this week's email. Tell us about your most interesting video game related dream. Have you ever stayed up way too late playing, and it invaded your dreams? Write in and let us know! Addie and I talk about the strange competitive multiplayer game Starwhal (PS4), and stunt bike game Happy Wheels (iOS). In my pre-recorded segment, I have wrap-ups for Unravel (PS4), Three Fourths Home (PS4), and The Witness (PS4) -- yes, another wrap-up for it. I also give opening thoughts

It's video game overload this week, with my pre-recorded reviews of Firewatch (PS4), Gemini: Heroes Reborn (PS4), and The Vanishing of Ethan Carter (PS4). I also have a wrap-up on Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and its Claptastic Voyage expansion (PS4) and intro thoughts on two games I only played briefly -- Blue Estate: The Game (PS4) and Three Fourths Home (PS4). Oh, and also a wrap-up on Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (DS). But that's not all. Addie and I talk at length about Unravel (PS4), a cute but deceptively challenging new puzzle platformer we've both been playing. Later, Addie helps me list off my top ten favorite games featuring time travel as a story element and/or gameplay mechanic. We also play one round of video game "What Am I?" with Addie asking me the questions. This week's new Question of the Week for listeners, suggested by Addie herself, is this. What are the coolest, best, most interesting easter eggs you've found in a game? It seems like we've talked about easter eggs before, but I d

This week, we wrap up the discussion on The Witness (PS4). Addie played quite a bit of the game too, but she may move on to other new releases (like Unravel) before getting back to it. She also finished Jacob Jones and the Bigfoot Mystery (Vita), which is a game she enjoyed enough to set her eyes on obtaining its many trophies. We'll see how that goes. In my pre-recorded segment, after brief updates on 999 (DS) and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (PS4), I talk about Everybody's Gone to the Rapture (PS4) in what's intended as a spoiler-free review. It's not exactly a game, but it's not exactly not a game. Whatever it is, I liked it quite bit. Before all this, though, we start with news (mostly this week's new game releases) and listener feedback (in which we discuss podcast subscriber statistics and our thoughts on how long we might keep doing the show). Our question of the week, suggested via Twitter by TyeDyeSheepFilms, is this: How much over $60 (or the standard price for a video game in your country) would you

After a rant about my disappointing experience trying to order extra copies of Saturday Morning RPG, we bring you the news. Or, at least, we bring you info about the free games in this month's PlayStation Plus and XBox Games With Gold line-ups, followed by new games that release this week. Two answers to last week's QotW about exercising as a gamer make up our listener feedback segment. In my pre-recorded segment, I have an update on Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (PS4) after finishing the main game and starting the Claptastic Voyage DLC. Then it's a spoiler-free review (or, at least, most of a review, since I haven't quite finished the game) of new Thekla Inc. game The Witness (PS4). Addie didn't have anything to talk about for our "What We're Playing" segment this week. Without a quiz prepared, we play video game character "Who Am I?" not once but twice. I'm starting to think Addie is trolling me, although it's probably not intentional. She really enjoys it when I'm confused. It's almost like a comedy routine,

News and email start this week's episode, as usual. This includes one answer to last week's QotW, which was about costumes and outfits in video games. This week's question involves fitness and exercise, as a gamer. What do you do to stay active and healthy, so that gaming doesn't completely take over? My pre-recorded segment includes updates for Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors aka 999 (DS) and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (PS4). I feel like I'm close to finishing the latter, so next week's show may include a final wrap-up. After this, we talk about the competitive multiplayer "turf war" in Splatoon (WiiU), with Addie listing her five tips for the game. We wrap up with some chat about Dance Central Spotlight, centered around how likely it is that the same dozen or so songs over and over will eventually drive me batty. Have feedback? Write to us at podcast@vggpodcast.com Find links and show notes at http://www.vggpodcast.com

In news and email this week, we talk about new game releases, Amazon's new 20% discount on all video game pre-orders for Prime members, the design philosophy behind arcade classics, gaming interests after your family grows, and even more anticipated games of 2016. After that, we talk a little about infinite runners (aka endless runners), since Addie has been playing Geometry Dash and Geometry Dash Meltdown on iPhone. My contributions are Gravity Guy (it's too hard) and an iOS runner based on Mirror's Edge (it's cool). Then we talk about Dance Central Spotlight (Xbox One), which I recently started "playing" just to start getting in shape as a stepping stone to maybe an eventual, more organized exercise and weight loss plan. I may talk about the gameplay on a future episode, but this week it was just about exercising in general, and not being a lazy gamer. In my pre-recorded segment, which is really just a part of our What We're Playing segment, but which I'm thinking of giving a name at some point (like maybe

After our usual off-topic bit, where Addie tries to convince me to get a Loot Crate subscription just for her, we talk about news and rumors regarding a few spring 2016 video game release dates. Oculus Rift has also been dated and priced, so we discuss that briefly too. Without any listener email this week, we then move quickly into our What We're Playing segment. In my pre-recorded segment, I have a wrap-up on Rise of the Tomb Raider (Xbox One) and opening spoiler-free thoughts on Tales from the Borderlands (PS4). Then it's back to Addie for her first-ever Retro Games With Addie segment. She starts with classic arcade game Centipede, which she played briefly on the Atari Anthology (PS2). The rest of the episode is Vita and PSTV focused, with our top ten list of reasons to own a Playstation TV, followed by a quiz for Addie that's all about Vita game subtitles. With no email this week and no answers to last week's QotW, we ask again: do you have any 2016 gaming resolutions? Write in to let us know. Oh, and as