Brett Deister dives into some hot gaming topics this week, kicking things off with exciting news about Hogwarts Legacy, which is set to get new content and a sequel. He’s also got the scoop on Immortals of Avium, where the game's pacing issues are causing quite the stir, alongside the much-anticipated Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater remake. And if that wasn’t enough, he shares his thoughts on Civilization 7 and the surprising acquisition of Haemimont Games by Paradox Interactive. We also tackle some juicy tech news, like the price hikes for Nvidia's RTX 50 series and the latest buzz around AMD’s Ryzen 9,800 x 3D. As we wrap up, Brett doesn’t hold back on EA’s recent blunders with Dragon Age and the controversial influences of USAID in gaming, all while passionately advocating for games that prioritize fun over political agendas. Let’s jump in!

Takeaways:

• Brett discusses the upcoming sequel and new content for Hogwarts Legacy, which gained popularity despite initial controversies.
• Immortals of Avium is removing Denuvo post-launch, addressing pacing issues that hindered its gameplay experience.
• Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is set to release soon, exciting fans of the classic series with a modern remake.
• Civilization 7 has some gamers buzzing, but Brett shares mixed feelings about its features and optimization on Steam Deck.
• Paradox Interactive's acquisition of Haemimont Games could lead to more exciting strategy games in the future, a win for strategy fans everywhere.
• EA continues to struggle with its game design choices, particularly with Dragon Age, sparking a conversation about prioritizing fun over political correctness in gaming.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Hogwarts Legacy
• Immortals of Avium
• Metal Gear Solid Delta
• Civilization 6
• Civilization 7
• Paradox
• Nvidia
• GeForce RTX 5080
• GeForce RTX 5090
• AMD
• Ryzen 9800X3D
• EA
• Dragon Age
• Battlefield
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
• Jagged Alliance 3
• Surviving Mars
• Imon Games
• Tropico
• Bloodlines 2
• City Skylines 2
• Sweet Baby Inc.
• Anita Sarkeesian

Brett kicks things off with some pretty hefty news, like the closure of 'God is a Geek,' leaving us all a bit bummed out. Then there’s the sad saga of 'Dragon Age Veil Guard,' which flopped spectacularly in sales—turns out gamers weren't quite ready for that adventure. Overwatch 2 is feeling the heat from its rivals and is scrambling for a comeback, while 'Division 2' is getting a new DLC to keep things fresh. We also dive into some juicy updates from Sony's PSN and the latest for 'No Man's Sky,' which is really leveling up its game. And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: NVIDIA's RX 50 series cards. Brett has some sharp words about their rushed release amidst stock shortages and scalper chaos, advocating for a little more love for the consumer. Buckle up, folks; it’s a wild ride through the latest in gaming news!

Highlights

Show Notes:

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Thanks for listening!

Takeaways:

• The unexpected closure of 'God is a Geek' highlights the fragility of gaming media outlets today.
• 'Dragon Age Veil Guard' is in hot water with sales numbers that are downright dismal, falling short of expectations by a staggering 50%.
• Overwatch 2 is feeling the heat from fierce competitors, struggling to maintain player interest and relevance in a crowded market.
• The new NVIDIA graphics cards, the RX 5090 and 5080, face severe stock shortages, prompting concerns over scalpers and consumer frustration.
• Sony has backtracked on its controversial PSN login requirements for some upcoming games, providing relief to many gamers.
• No Man's Sky continues to impress with a robust update that adds significant new features, proving that perseverance pays off in game development.

Links referenced in this episode:

• godisageek.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• God is a Geek
• Dragon Age
• Overwatch 2
• Marvel Rivals
• Division 2
• Sony
• No Man's Sky
• Bioware
• EA
• Blizzard
• Path of Exile 2
• Diablo 4
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance
• Assassin's Creed
• Star Wars Outlaws
• Prince of Persia
• Avatar
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla
• Helldivers 2
• Spider-Man 2
• Last of Us 2
• Horizon Zero Dawn
• Nvidia
• AMD

Gamers are reacting strongly to the recent inauguration of President Trump, sparking discussions about the portrayal of Nazism in video games. Brett dives into the latest developments in the gaming world, including Battlefield's efforts to improve after the lackluster reception of Battlefield 2042, ramping up playtests to enhance player experience. Key announcements from the Xbox Developer Direct, such as Ninja Gaiden Four and Doom: The Dark Ages, are also highlighted as exciting prospects for gamers. Meanwhile, EA faces challenges with Dragon Age underperforming by 50%, raising questions about the future of its franchises. As the gaming landscape shifts, 80% of developers are now focusing on PC gaming, and the impact of AI on game development is explored, alongside the impending closure of EA's Origin Launcher.

Takeaways:

• A group of gamers expressed anger over Trump's inauguration, drawing misguided comparisons to Nazism.
• Battlefield is ramping up playtests to improve on the disappointing launch of Battlefield 2042.
• Notable announcements from Xbox Developer Direct include exciting games like Ninja Gaiden Four.
• EA's Dragon Age underperformed significantly, leading to the departure of its game director.
• PC gaming development is on the rise, with 80% of developers focusing on this platform.
• The closure of EA's Origin Launcher highlights ongoing challenges in the gaming landscape.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• EA
• Xbox
• Doom
• Battlefield
• Ninja Gaiden
• Steam
• Valve
• Epic Games
• Kingdom Come Deliverance