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
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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

57: Bethesda Media Policy and Good Games We Just Can’t Get Into

Posted on by Justin Turpen

Show Notes

57: Bethesda and Good Games we can’t get into

IGN gives Infinite Warfare a 7.7

Tom Holland signed on as Spider-Man for four more times.

Nintendo confirms production stops for Wii U (read link update)

Bethesda Review Syndrome:

Dishonored 2 (2016) 89 on Metacritic

Skyrim: Special Edition (2016) 80 (Average) Skyrim (2011) 94 Average

Doom (2016) 86 (Average)

Fallout 4 (2015) 86 (Average)

Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014) 80 (Average)

Battlefield 1 (2016) 88 Average

Titanfall 2 (2016) 88 Average

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016) 76

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (2016) 83

Madden NFL 17 (2016) 82

NBA 2K17 (2016) 89

Bioshock: The Collection (2016) 84

Forza Horizon 3 (2016) 88

No Man’s Sky (2016) 65

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (2016) 88

Watch Dogs 2 (2016) ??

Final Fantasy 15 (2016?) ??

The Last of Us (2014) 95

Ratchet and Clank (2016) 85

Uncharted 4 (2016) 93

The Witcher 3 (2015) 92

Overwatch (2016) 91

The Division (2016) 80

Dark Souls III (2016) 88

55: Asemblance and Star Wars Fan Theories

Posted on by Justin Turpen

Show Notes

Youtube getting live TV?

Titanfall 2 has dropped to mostly positive reviews

Skyrim special edition has released with mods. Mods are limited on PS4 no “Original” mods. PS4 has two thirds fewer mods than microsoft platforms. Sony doesn’t allow mods that add or drastically change gameplay. They have limited the file size for mods to 1GB and do not allow scripts, audio files, or textures.   You’ll need to create a bethesda.net account to access mods.

Kingdom Hearts 3 screenshots are dropped to show mt. Olympus. They probably heard our predictions and are trying to suppress our theory.

Revisiting Episode 8 Fan-Theories

  1. Rey Kenobi
  2. Rey Solo?
  3. Snoke is Darth Plagueis
  4. Rey was created by Snoke
  5. Finn is Mace Windu’s son
  6. Why did Luke exile himself? Dark Side?
  7. Knights of Ren are some of Luke’s old students

54: The Nintendo Switch

Posted on by Justin Turpen

54: The Nintendo Switch

Logan Trailer

Tim Miller leaves Deadpool 2 after “creative differences with Ryan Reynolds”

Red Dead Redemption 2 Trailer

  • Releasing Fall 2017, could be prequel to Red Dead Redemption 1, which took place in 1911 and dealt with the ending of the West.
  • Playstation Exclusivity with early access to select online features.

Large DDos attack on US Friday

Taking out popular services like Netflix, Etsy, Reddit, Twitter, and PSN, one of the largest DDoS attacks on the US and Europe happen on Friday, October 21. Also affected was Amazon Web Service which is used by over 1 million companies, including GE, Newscorp, and Capital One. As far as I can tell, no responsibility as been claimed, but the White House and Department of Homeland Security is looking into it. Could be PoodleCorp, Lizard Squad, or even Russia, however, PoodleCorp did say in September that they would be taking down the Battlefield 1 servers on October 21, but this was much larger than that.

Voice actors on strike

On October 21, 2016 the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists or SAG-AFTRA has gone on strike after nearly 2 years of negotiations with video game companies. SAG- AFTRA is a union consisting of about 25% of all voice actors for video games. The strike is set to target large video game companies such as: Activision, Disney Character Voices, EA, Insomniac, Take-Two and WB Games. Union workers have gone on strike against any game that was started after February 17, 2015, anything before that was protected under a No Strike Clause.

During negotiations, SAG-AFTRA was looking for a pay increases from $100/hr to around $200/hr, No more than 2 continuous hours of “vocally stressful” recordings, a lack of secrecy from gaming companies (actors have complained that they don’t know what roles or games they are even auditioning for) and an increase in overall pay based on specific sales figures of games. The union workers would like to receive additional full scale payments for every 500,000 copies of the game sold, maxing out at 4 payments at 2 million copies sold.  

Video Game Companies offered a 9% wage increase and a maximum of $950 per game based on number of voice acting sessions. This can equate up to a 23% increase in wage for some actors. Gaming companies are also requesting a fine against SAG-AFTRA if there is not an agent representing the union worker during all auditions, fines can range to “tens of thousands of dollars.” They also want the ability to fine the actors themselves $1,000 if they do not show up on time or are not fully invested in the voice work.

There is a picket scheduled on Monday, October 24 at EA’s California offices.

Nintendo Switch info

  • Nintendo Stock down after announcement of Switch
  • Concept? Console and mobile
  • Is there a battery that will be able to support this vision?
  • Internet connectivity?
  • What does the 3rd party support look like? Bethesda, squareenix, EA, Activision, havok, Konami, SEGA, oppsiesoft, Capcom etc.
  • Wii u had similar support when launched and slipped away with low sales numbers.
  • https://www.destructoid.com/nintendo
  • Switch will not be compatible with wiiu and 3ds physical games.
  • The switch will support Amiibos

52: Luke Cage

Posted on by Justin Turpen

52: Luke Cage

Luke Cage Spoilers

Episodes 1 & 2:

Timeline: Takes place after Jessica Jones but not sure if before or after Daredevil season 2

Mention of the “Incident” (Avengers 2012)

Reference to Jessica Jones

Pop calls Luke “Power Man”

Turk is a recurring character in all Netflix Marvel properties (tells Cottonmouth where Chico is) Gunrunner in Daredevil

Music in Cottonmouth’s club is FANTASTIC

Episode 3:
Luke assaults Crispus Attucks, fighting choreography is kinda lame

  • Big action set piece but Luke isn’t ever in danger
  • Big sweeping motions where Luke hits multiple guys at once instead of just dominating person after person. Would have preferred to see a larger show of force

When in the hospital room with Chico, the show has a very soap opera feel

  • Not sure if I like the director

Woman detective and white detective argue about vigilantism, call back to Civil War

White detective is shown to be on Cottonmouth’s payroll

At the end of the episode, Cottonmouth shoots an RPG at Luke at Genghis Connie’s

  • Completely destroys all credibility of the show to this point
  • Too cartoony

Episode 4: Origin episodes

Prison cell fight (shades and someone else) was way better than Crispus Attucks fight

The end of episode 3 and the middle of 4 show that the only way to hurt Cage is to hurt his friends

Episode 5:

Cottonmouths’ club music changes to hip hop/ rap/ Drake

Confirmed to take place after Season 2 of Daredevil by Clair talking to her mom

Thor gets mentioned the most of all Avengers, would he be the most noticeable?