Concord is great, and it's Ciaran's new love, so we break down why it's taken his world by storm.

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• There is a lack of standout games in 2023 so far, with no big defining Sony IP and no game that revolutionises the industry.
• The closure of Kotaku Australia highlights the challenges faced by the games media industry despite the thriving games development scene in Australia.
• Xbox Game Pass is undergoing changes in subscription models and prices, with the removal of the Game Pass for console tier and price increases for other tiers.
• Opinions on the value of Xbox Game Pass vary, with some seeing it as a decent deal despite the price increase, while others are frustrated by the removal of day one releases from the standard tier. Xbox Game Pass offers a great value for gamers, but the recent price increase and introduction of pricing tiers has caused confusion among consumers.
• Concord is a hero arena shooter developed by Firewalk Studios and published by Sony. It features unique gameplay mechanics and a focus on versatility and teamwork.
• Angerfoot is a fast-paced kicking and shooting game developed by Free Lives. It offers unique gameplay and a fun and challenging experience.
• Both Concord and Angerfoot have received positive reviews and are worth checking out for fans of their respective genres.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

• https://explosionnetwork.com/anger-foot-review/
• Kotaku Australia to shut down | GamesIndustry.biz
• Xbox Game Pass Is Getting Price Increases Along With A New "Standard" Tier

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Dylan talks about playing the Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess demo and how much he enjoyed it, and Ciaran talks about The First Descendant now ticking a lot of boxes for him.

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• The Watch Dogs franchise has struggled with creating compelling protagonists, and there are doubts about the potential for a successful movie adaptation.
• The conversation highlights the importance of having interesting characters and engaging gameplay mechanics in video games. Nintendo has officially ended repair services for the Wii U due to a lack of spare parts.
• Nintendo claims to have resolved component shortages for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
• There are concerns about the hardware capabilities of the Switch 2 and hopes for improved technology.
• The Legacy of Kain series is making a return in the form of a prequel graphic novel.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

• The Watch Dogs Movie Has Finally Begun Filming
• Sorry, you can no longer send your Wii U in for repair | Eurogamer.net
• Switch 2 won't suffer from component shortages, Nintendo says | Eurogamer.net
• You Need To Play Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess' Demo Right Now

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We discussed the Dr Disrespect news from the last week and what it could mean for Twitter and Youtube.

We break down the June 2024 Nintendo Direct and all the news from the showcase.

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• The hosts discuss the highly anticipated release of Elden Ring and the mixed opinions surrounding its difficulty.
• They speculate about the upcoming Nintendo Switch successor and its impact on the current console's game releases.
• The hosts review the games featured in the Nintendo Direct, sharing their thoughts on each title.
• Dragon Quest 3 HD 2D remake was announced, along with remakes of Dragon Quest 1 and 2, allowing players to play the story in chronological order.
• Funko Pop! game is a sandbox game where players can play various pop culture characters.
• Nintendo Switch Online added GBA games and announced a mature expansion for Nintendo 64 games.
• Metal Slug Attack Reload is a tower defence game available on the Switch.
• Darkest Dungeon 2 is a sequel to the original game with a different setting.
• Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection Archive Classics includes several classic fighting games.
• Super Mario Party Jamboree is touted as the biggest Mario Party game yet. The hosts expressed their desire for online multiplayer in future Mario Party games.
• The announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, where players can finally play as Zelda, generated excitement. The gameplay mechanics of the game, particularly the copying feature, were discussed.
• Other games such as Just Dance 2025, Lego Horizon, and Romancing Saga 2 were briefly mentioned.
• The hosts speculated about the release of Metroid Prime 4 on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

The latest Dragon Age news paired with a gameplay video is finally ready to admit; it's looking pretty exciting.

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• The hosts review their predictions for Summer Game Fest and determine the outcomes.
• They discuss the announcement of new games and trailers, including Alan Wake 2 DLC and Fable.
• The conversation touches on software updates, Ubisoft's Skull and Bones, and the niche appeal of certain games.
• They also discuss Hideo Kojima's love for movies and the possibility of a new Donkey Kong game. The hosts discuss various gaming announcements, including release dates, trailers, and gameplay clips.
• Controversy arises over early access to Life is Strange: True Colors and the choices in the game.
• One host is already sold on the gameplay of Dragon Age after watching the first 10 minutes.
• Excitement is expressed for Mixtape and Dragon Age. Dragon Age 4 will have a more linear and action-oriented gameplay compared to its predecessor, Dragon Age: Inquisition.
• There is speculation about the death of a major character in Dragon Age 4, with some suggesting that it could be Varik.
• The hosts are excited for upcoming games like Metroid Dread and Star Wars: Outlaws.
• There is skepticism about the Yakuza live-action TV series adaptation and whether it can capture the craziness of the game.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

• Dragon Age: The Veilguard | Official Gameplay Reveal
• Life is Strange: Double Exposure – Reveal Livestream (ESRB)

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

In the last of our SGF specials, we discuss Ubisoft Direct and The Future Game Show.

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• The Ubisoft Forward event had a strong start and finish, but the middle section felt like filler content.
• The open-world Star Wars game Star Wars Outlaws received mixed reactions, with some finding it generic and others intrigued by its mechanics.
• Ciaran felt that Ubisoft should reconsider its presentation format and focus on delivering more impactful announcements. Skull and Bones presentation was lackluster and focused on requested features and desperate pleas for players to keep playing
• Prince of Persia received mixed reactions, with a new DLC announced but a delay for the game announced in 2020
• Assassin's Creed Shadows showcased gameplay with two protagonists, a samurai and a ninja, with the ninja gameplay receiving more positive feedback
• The future game show featured upcoming games like Nobody Wants to Die, Parcel Corps, and Dustborn

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

https://explosionnetwork.com/all-the-summer-game-fest-wrap-ups-in-once-place/

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We're back with more SGF showcases to discuss, with the big one of this episode being the Xbox Games Showcase.

Show Dot Points

• Alan Wake 2 was started by Ciaran
• The Xbox showcase had promising games and announcements, but some titles may have long release dates.
• Dragon Age 4 is expected to be a more mature and cinematic experience, focusing on the companions.
• State of Decay 3 seems to be improving upon its predecessor and offers a more grounded and cinematic gameplay experience.
• The hosts express excitement for the potential partnership between Xbox and other developers, as well as the evolution of Bioware.
• Perfect Dark game looks interesting with its mix of different genres and spy elements.
• The hosts are excited about the return of the Fable game and are intrigued by the premise and setup.
• They discuss the importance of playing the previous Life is Strange games to fully appreciate the story and characters.
• The hosts express their love for the Gears of War franchise and are excited about the prequel game that explores the events of E-Day.
• They discuss the Summer Game Fest and the various game trailers that were shown, expressing their thoughts and expectations.

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

• https://explosionnetwork.com/all-the-summer-game-fest-wrap-ups-in-once-place/

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We discuss the first batch of SGF week shows starting with Summer Game Fest itself, and then Day of the Devs, Devolver Direct, Future of Play and Wholesome Direct.

Show Dot Points

• The Summer Game Fest showcase featured a variety of games and announcements.
• The presence of indie games in the showcase was notable, and it was seen as an opportunity for these games to gain more visibility.
• There was discussion about the cost of trailers and the presence of AAA companies in the showcase.
• Specific games like the Horizon Lego game, Star Wars Outlaws, and Metroid Dread were highlighted and discussed.
• Overall, the hosts expressed excitement for the upcoming games and shared their opinions on the showcase. Blumhouse games segment showcases indie horror games and offers support to independent developers
• The remaster of Sonic Generations with a new campaign featuring Shadow Sonic generates excitement
• The Dune trailer provides insight into the story of the MMO
• The hosts express their enthusiasm for upcoming games and appreciate the variety of genres and styles Alan Wake 2 is announced with a collector's edition available for pre-order.
• The Night Springs DLC for Alan Wake 2 features three different chapters and expands on the game's universe.
• Skate is coming to consoles, and a limited beta will be available on PS5.
• Valorant is coming to PlayStation and Xbox, and a limited beta will be available on PS5.
• Monster Hunter Wilds is generating interest among the hosts, with a new trailer and gameplay to be revealed at Gamescom. The hosts discuss various games showcased at Summer Game Fest and Day of the Devs
• Notable games mentioned include Battle Vision Network, Tides of Tomorrow, and After Love EP
• The hosts highlight the unique concepts and art styles of these games
• They mention the upcoming showcases they plan to watch, such as Xbox Game Showcase and Ubisoft Forward

Hosts: Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley Ciaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo

Resources

https://explosionnetwork.com/all-the-summer-game-fest-wrap-ups-in-once-place/

Arcade Couch Credits:

• Music by: Dylan Blight
• Art by: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration

All Episodes:

• https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Support Us:

• http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion