70: Marvel’s Infinity Wars Predictions

Posted on by Justin Turpen

In this episode of Underpaid Gamers Podcast Tony and Justin discuss the recent announcement that Infinity Wars has begun production. Additional topics include the batman movie, the Nintendo Switch, Prey, Horizon Zero Dawn, Zelda DLC, Smash Summit, Kingdom Hearts, and Gas Station Food. Listen in for a hearty chuckle and a news update!

Episode Notes

Nintendo Switch Unboxing! Stolen and resold, says Nintendo

Suicide Squad 2, Mel Gibson to direct?

Avengers: Infinity War started filming Jan. 23, trailer released

Breath of the Wild gets DLC/Season Pass 13.4 Gb without DLC, of 32 Gb total

Matt Reeves is out of The Batman

Horizon reviews are out (discuss?)

PewDiePie makes ‘anti-semitic’ remarks, loses Disney deal

Next Overwatch hero “not who (we) think” -Jeff Kaplan, no Doomfist (Terry Crews)

La La Land

Mass Effect Andromeda Combat tutorial

Crash Bandicoot Nsane Trilogy $40 on June30

Kingdom Hearts 3 released image, again

Smash Summit 4 March 2-5

Fate of the Furious is reportedly 160 minutes long

Prey First Hour

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69: Should I Continue Shopping at Gamestop?

Posted on by Justin Turpen

In this episode of Underpaid Gamers Podcast Tony and Justin discuss current news and happenings within the gaming and nerd world. News topics include Iron Fist, Call of Duty, NBA 2k esports, the batman movie, Stranger Things 2, and Final Fantasy 15 DLC. Our main topic of the episode revolves around current controversies around Gamestop’s business practices. Listen in for a good time! Follow and Subscribe!

EPISODE NOTES

Stranger Things season 2 Halloween 2017 (Ditto)

Tom Brady is one gem away from a full Infinity Gauntlet
Iron Fist March 17

New Iron Fist Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9OKL5no-S0

New Call of Duty Modern Warfare Remastered getting new weapons via supply drops

E3 will be open to public in 2017

NBA running an Esports sector for NBA2K.

2017 COD going “Back to its roots”

“The Batman” gets new director in Matt Reeves

  • Dawn/War of the Planet of the Apes, Cloverfield

Final Fantasy 15 Updates episodes gladio and prompto (http://www.ign.com/videos/2017/02/09/final-fantasy-xv-official-spring-2017-update-trailer/)

New heroes of the storm character is Lucio!

Gamestop Circle of Life program leads employees to lie to customers

68: Should I Play Fire Emblem Heroes?

Posted on by Justin Turpen

In this episode of Underpaid Gamers Podcast Tony and Justin discuss the recently released Fire Emblem mobile game. In addition they discuss the current happenings in the gaming and nerd worlds including the standalone Batman movie, Prey, and so much more! Listen in for a good time. Find us on Twitch!

68: Fire Emblem Heroes

Ben Affleck not directing Batman movie

Square Enix 30th, Final Fantasy 7 20th (Ditto)

Bethesda’s Prey Trailer

The Last Guardian gets a permanent pay cut to $40 everywhere

PS4 external hard drive update in beta, up to 8TB

Fire Emblem Heroes

67: Entertainment We Feel Compelled to Finish

Posted on by Justin Turpen

In this episode of Underpaid Gamers Podcast Tony and Justin discuss a few esports updates, the new Star Wars title, and Books/Movies/Games we feel compelled to finish even though we aren’t enjoying it. Listen in for a good time! Join the conversation by tweeting @UPgamerspodcast

EPISODE NOTES

EVO 2017 Lineup announced

Square Enix (Crystal Dynamics) signs on to make multiple Marvel games starting with Avengers

  • More details in 2018 (sheesh!)

Eleague on TBS

The Last Jedi

Overwatch PAX Winter Premier (Saturday?)

Final Fantasy Chocobocoboco

Playing/ finishing games that we just don’t like

  • Everyone’s Gone to the Rapture

66: Fire Emblem Direct

Posted on by Justin Turpen

In this episode of Underpaid Gamers Justin and Tony discuss the recent Fire Emblem direct. Additional topics include updates on Overwatch and Melee esports, Uncharted 4, and Tony’s recent Watch Dogs 2 platinum. Listen in for a good time! Tweet @UPgamerspodcast to join the conversation!

Episode Notes

Breath of the Wild side quests guide

-Not Skyrim, only one way to play?

House of Cards release date – May 30

Genesis 4!

Overwatch Open Winter Premiere

Renegade’s Mangachu

Final Four next week Complexity, Luminosity, Emmortals, Kungara

Logan Trailer

 

Uncharted 4

Watch_Dogs 2 Platinum

Fire Emblem Treehouse

Fire Emblem Direct Summary and Thoughts

Posted on by Justin Turpen

In a video released on twitch by Nintendo at 5pm EST the crew working on Fire Emblem made three major announcements regarding the franchise. Below you will find the announcement summarized with a few of my thoughts attached.

Three major announcements

1. Fire Emblem: Shadows of Valentia Echoes (Complete remake of Gaiden)

  • The Game is a major release for 3ds
  • Brings the NES Japan-exclusive game to the modern era and to international markets.
  • There will be a set of Fire Emblem Amiibo released with the game

Thoughts: Out of all three announcements this is the one that intrigues me the most. Not only is this a remake of an old Japan-only fire emblem, it is also has mechanics and features that I have not seen in a fire emblem game to date. I think it’ll be a hit!

2. Fire Emblem: Warriors

  • Will be released on the Switch and 3ds
  • Based off the Koei’s Warriors series
  • Released Q3 of 2017

Thoughts: I have enjoyed many warriors games in the past. I think this will be another enjoyable game. It doesn’t stick out to me as a must-have instead it will be a later pick-up when the price drops.

3. Fire Emblem for Nintendo Switch (Working Title)

  • The game will be released in 2018.
  • Referenced the last console Fire Emblem Game that was released in 2007.
  • Not a detailed part of the presentation.

Thoughts: This part of the announcement was the least detailed. I’m excited for there to be a new Fire Emblem released for a console. It has been quite sometime since radiant dawn (Wii) so I’m glad they haven’t abandoned Console games as I was afraid of.

4. Fire Emblem Heroes for Mobile Devices

  • Mobile specific Fire Emblem Game.
  • Optimized for handheld (Smaller maps that fit smartphone screens and easier controls).
  • Releases free-to-play on February 2 on Android and Apple.
  • Simplified Gameplay to make the game more approachable for mobile players.

Thoughts: What I hope Fire Emblem doesn’t become is a mobile money sucker. The reveal makes me think that summoning heroes will be random and you’ll always be able to get a “stronger” version of each character from continuing to summon. This sounds like a version of supply drops in COD. If you’ve spent any time reading this blog or listening to our podcast you know how we feel about this. If you don’t know, we aren’t fans of this style of profiteering.

I was really hoping that a mobile fire emblem would be a full game at purchase. One that doesn’t encourage children to spend all of their parents money on chance-based rewards. Alas, this is not what they are offering. I’ll probably still play it… but with a somber spirit thinking of what it could have been…

 

What do you think of all these announcements? Comment, like, subscribe!

If you’d like to watch the Fire Emblem direct video here is the link.

 

65: The Nintendo Switch Presentation (With Nintendo-Fanboy Special Guest!)

Posted on by Justin Turpen

EPISODE NOTES

Kingdom Hearts 3 Development update!

Tatsuya Nomura – On the subject of Kingdom Hearts III, he said, “While I can’t make a sweeping statement because the development process is different from what we’ve done so far, there are still worlds untouched. Production is progressing on unannounced worlds, in a state that we cannot show them off. In terms of the state of development, there is still some way to go.”

 

Woody Harrelson joins Han Solo movie

Peter Dinklage joins Marvel for 2 Avengers movies

Star Wars confirms that Fisher finished episode 8 scenes before death

Star Trek Discovery begins filming: Releases this May

Blizzard Bans 10,000 players in Korea for using aimbots

Microsoft creates a “Game Mode” for PC which optimizes performance

 

“Retailer GameStop today announced that it has sold through all of its Nintendo Switch stock, at least its first batch of systems. Preorders opened at GameStop on Friday, January 13, just hours after the big-time Switch presentation where the console’s price and release date were announced.”

 

Everything we know about the Nintendo Switch:

Release Date: March 3, 2017 for $300 US

  • Includes Switch, Dock (TV Connector), Joy Con Controller (Colored or Black), Joy Con Connector, Joy Con Straps, AC Adapter, and HDMI
  • No region locking

Switch charges using a USB C connector that ships with console, if it is like my Surface, it will only charge with that adapter and not a standard USB C

Switch Console:

  • Connect up to 8 other consoles via local Wifi for multiplayer games
  • 6.2 inch 720p built-in screen
  • Battery life ranges from 3.5-6.5 (Can be charged while playing in handheld mode)
  • 32Gb of internal memory, but expandable with MicroSD cards
  • Docked resolution: 1080, Handheld 720
  • Touchscreen similar to smartphone, less like 3DS

Prices:

  • Pro Controller $70
  • Pair of Joy Con $80 Individual Joy Con $50
  • Switch TV Dock (Dock, Charging cable, HDMI) $90
  • Joy Con Wheels – Pair of 2 $15

Joy Con Controllers Featurette: (Will have more buttons than standard controllers)

  • Will last 20 on battery life
  • Charges while connected to the Switch Platform
  • Can also be charged with a Charging Grip ($30)
  • HD Rumble pack
  • Motion controls and an IR Gesture Sensor
  • Amiibo reader (Right) Capture button (Left)

Games: $60

1 2 Switch – Features gameplay outside of a screen, wholly party games, interesting future, $50

Arms – Competitive, motion controlled fighting game (No mention of Smash)

Splatoon 2 (Spla2oon) – Releasing Summer 2017

Super Mario Odyssey – Holiday 2017

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Launch March 3

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Wii U port with added features, April 28

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Sometime in 2017

Fire Emblem: Warriors – No release date, but there will be a Nintendo Direct on Jan. 18 dedicated solely to Fire Emblem. Expect to hear more about the Fire Emblem Mobile Game.

Octopath Traveler – Square Enix RPG with no release date

Skyrim – Officially announced, not Special Edition – Fall 2017

Dragon Quest 10 and 11, Fifa, NBA 2K

Ports

 

Online Features (APP)

IT’S AN APP, FOR YOUR SMART PHONE. IT’S NOT EVEN INCLUDED ON THE DEVICE

Paid services starting Fall 2017, free until then. $5 a month

Will Have:

  • Friend invite and messaging
  • Party chat “during online matches in compatible games”
  • Set appointments (I assume a push notification)
  • Free download of NES or SNES game FOR THAT MONTH ONLY
  • Discounts on digital media

The Rise of DLC and how we can REBEL

Posted on by Justin Turpen

With internet connectivity at an all time high, video game developers increasingly have used downloadable content (DLC) to “add” content to games post-launch. Whether or not DLC adds value to a game is still up for debate on an individual basis. Are developers launching incomplete games only to fill in the gaps in story and content at a later date? Are game companies taking advantage of the addictive nature of video games to turn a profit? If the answer is yes, than the real price of video gaming becomes much more expensive.

So how did DLC come into existence?

Modern day DLC is the child of game mods and corporate profit. In the early days of PC gaming users would create game maps and mods which would be shared freely on the internet to add content to games. Some of our first “DLCs” were expansions to online games such as WOW or Guild Wars. Sounds good right? The original Xbox took the first real step in the console market toward the internet through Xbox Live.

Is DLC good or bad?

With each generation of consoles, gaming companies continue to move toward DLC being a standard part of AAA games.From camo-skins to new continents and stories, DLC gives gamers a chance to expand upon the game. This transition away from games ever being truly finished has various effects on the quality of games produced. A current example of a game not being finished at launch, as stated on our podcast, is Final Fantasy 15. In its first free update FFXV is adding story content to the game’s rushed ending – expanding upon the motivations of characters.

An example of a developer that does not do DLC well is Activision. Black Ops 3 was initially an awesome game. From what I understood in the beginning supply drops were only supposed to be used for additional cosmetic options. Within a few months Activision had added weapons to the supply drop system and allowed for players to purchase a “Special Currency” to open supply drops. These weapons from supply drops gave advantages to those who were willing to drop cash to grind them out of supply drops. Infinite Warfare has followed suit with a similar feature. I cringe at thinking about how many children took their parent’s credit cards and racked up a huge bill while the children sought after the at-random prize of one of the guns. It is pay-to-win and many of us hate it.

An example of a developer that consistently does DLC well is Bethesda. Fallout and elder scrolls consistently adds content with substance. Automatron and the other expansion in Fallout 4 adds missions and content that still feels balanced with the rest of the game. It’s additional content is not patchwork on the story or a money-making-pay-to-win scheme like Activision.

What can we do about it?

The answer is simple but many aren’t willing to follow it. Stop buying video games with these money-sucking features. Don’t pre-order games. Wait for reviews to tell you whether or not they finished the game, whether they suck. BE AN INFORMED CONSUMER NOT A BLIND FOLLOWER.  I can’t sit here and say that I follow this all the time but I can tell you that I have gotten much better about preordering and waiting for reviews. We live in a market economy and, as long as that’s true, businesses will do whatever they can to make a profit.

64: The Uncharted Movie and Overwatch Talk

Posted on by Justin Turpen

EPISODE NOTES

PS4 sales: 54 Million

Mang0 gets coach for 2017 season: Tafokints!

Battlefield 1

Multiplayer:

Games take forever to load and quit

No way to change R1 and R2

End of Round screen is pathetic, scoreboard only shows kills/deaths/score

  • Every player can make an emblem, but if they don’t, it just uses the player avatar, which usually look awful.
  • Weather effects on every map, no matter how long the game is

Possible leak of Spider-Man PS4 story details on IMDB

Roadhog’s hook fixed?

Overwatch D.Va nerf

Switching 200 of armor to health

Decreasing bullet damage

Increasing number of bullets per shot

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-38530935

Elite Dangerous Aliens spotted for the first time in 3 year hunt.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BO-m4IiAeBg/

Uncharted Movie Script posted on Instagram