AM:GZ News #9: Google Stadia Founder Edition Sold Out

Explicit content warning

09/23/19 • 65 min

There were some surprising developments in video game news. We discuss Google Stadia, the new drama on the video game live streaming platforms, new games, and how another gamer fell victim to microtransactions and loot boxes. Let's dive into the news!

Narcos: Rise of the Cartels looks like an exciting addition to the turn-based tactical combat genre. If you love XCOM and want to experience Netflix's Narcos as a tactical game, then this game might be a perfect fit. It is being developed by Kuju who created Advanced Wars and Battalion Wars.

Former Twitch employee reveals that Twitch does not use any bots to ban or suspend streamers. An employee gives every ban and suspension that happens on the platform. This piece of news begs the question of why the Twitch rules are being enforced unequally. The most recent example is cosplayer quqco has been banned for dressing as Chun-Li. However, other streamers have dressed as Chun-Li and not been banned from the platform. Twitch has an issue with unequally applying punishment.

Mixer has rolled out ads for the video game live streaming platform. However, does it benefit the video game streamers? As of right now, it does not seem that the video game streamers will directly benefit from the ads. The streamers will not get paid directly for the ads put on their channel. Will this hurt Mixer's fight against Twitch?

Sony's State of Play will be airing on the twenty-fourth of September. As of right now, there will be no new news on the PS5. Sony will be informing us about The Last of Us Part 2 and Ghost of Tsushima. Richard and John speculate on what other announcements will happen at this State of Play.

Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening released, and it appears to be a hit! The scores ranged from eights to tens, and the reviewers agree that is has improved on the older game. It is a perfect game to be released along with the Nintendo Lite.

Link's Awakening

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Switch Lite

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This week had another tragedy when it comes to a video game, putting a family into significant financial distress. The eighteen-year-old MMO game, Runescape, recently had a player who spent 62,000 dollars in microtransaction. The game is heavily monetized with microtransactions, a subscription, a Battle Pass, Treasure Hunter Chests (loot boxes), and other premium offerings. These type of stories will only grow as video game companies look at ways to monetize their games.

Our Showstopper is Google Stadia Founder's Edition has sold out in Europe and soon to be sold out in other countries. The Founder's Edition is being replaced with Premier Edition. The Founder's Edition comes with special usernames, a Chromecast device, three-months of Stadia Pro, the three-month friend pass, and the limited-edition Night Blue Controller. The Premier Edition comes with a Chromecast device, three-months of Stadia Pro, and Clearly White Stadia Controller. Does this mean that Stadia might have a fighting chance? Are you going to purchasing Stadia? Let us know what you think!

Thank you for listening! If you have an idea for an episode or a person of note in the video game industry, i.e., a developer, influencer, illustrator, etc. then let us know! Email us at:

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Link's Awakening

Amazon: https://armstrongsmusings.com/linksawakening-amazon

Switch Lite

Amazon: https://armstrongsmusings.com/switchlite-amazon

Walmart: https://armstrongsmusings.com/switchlite-walmart

Thank you for listening! If you have an idea for an episode or a person of note in the video game industry, i.e., a developer, influencer, illustrator, etc. then let us know! Email us at:

[email protected]

Connect with us on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmstrongsMusingsGameZone

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArmstrongsMusi1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armstrongs_musings_game_zone/

Visit us at our website: https://armstrongsmusings.com

We appreciate you listening and hope to hear from you. Stay Strong!

Previous Episode

AM:GZ News #8: Nintendo Switch Ring Fit Adventure

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This week provided a good deal of speculation, and we jumped into the stories!

Disney Plus announced it includes the 90s X-Men and other Marvel Animated Series. The Apple TV+ Streaming service is launching 1 November, and it's beginning titles are compelling and exciting. Is the old and new content in both of the streaming services enough to compel customers to subscribe to the perspective services?

The Game Awards announced to convene on 12 December. We contemplate on what games might make the game of the year. Let us know what you think the game of the year will be!

Frequently, it seems we get endless stories of how GameStop is in its death throws. The most recent story is that GameStop closes up to 200 underperforming stores worldwide. Along with closing the stores, the company laid off exceeding 120 corporate employees, including members from Game Informer.

It has been a rocky and disappointing development for Anthem. The games beginning content was underwhelming and limited. Then Bioshock's release of new content underdelivered. The final blow may be that EA has moved the game to EA Access.

Apple Arcade is releasing at the price point of 5 dollars a month. Though the service is cheaper, one must ask who are they trying to target for this service? Are they trying to focus on casual or dedicated gamers?

Our Showstopper conversation is the newly announced Ring Fit Adventure. It looks as if Nintendo is taking their fitness titles to the next level. They have incorporated an RPG story in the game along with an exercise free mode. If you're interested in the game, then it will release on 18 October 2019.

Thank you for listening! If you have an idea for an episode or a person of note in the video game industry, i.e., a developer, influencer, illustrator, etc. then let us know! Email us at:

[email protected]

Connect with us on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmstrongsMusingsGameZone

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArmstrongsMusi1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armstrongs_musings_game_zone/

Visit us at our website: https://armstrongsmusings.com

We appreciate you listening and hope to hear from you. Stay Strong!

Next Episode

AM:GZ News #10: Fallout 76's Power Armor Helmets Have Health Hazards!

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Who knew that the fantasy dangers in Fallout 76 would be brought to the real world! GameStop has recalled the Power Armor Collectible Helmet - Nuka Cola edition due to health hazards. This story and more are part of our news lineup. Let us get into what is happening in the geek and video game world.

Geek News Kevin Feige and Star Wars

Marvel's Kevin Feige is rumored to produce his own Star Wars project. It seems that he will be part of the new wave of projects to be set in the Disney Star Wars Universe. Feige has met with Kathleen Kennedy and studio co-chairman Alan Horn and Alan Bergman. Feige has also declared that he wants Bree Larson to star in the next Star Wars project where he is the producer.

Wakeen Phoenix's Joker Controversy

Wakeen Phoenix's Joker is just around the corner, and the internet never disappoints in drumming up controversies. Different groups are declaring that the movie will be a rallying cry for different groups to enact violence. Jon and I find the claims ridiculous. This movie is a piece of art and should be allowed to explore important topics. The topics of mental health and how we treat other people are topics that have profound relevance in our society. What pushes a man to the breaking point? What could we do for our neighbors to prevent what happens to Wakeen Phoenix's Joker? These and other questions we should be able to explore in films.

Ninja on Masked Singer

On Masked Singer, the ice cream mask is revealed as Ninja! He performed Old Town Road as he rode out on a lawn mover. An impressive performance from the career video game streamer! It amused us that he was introduced as a prominent Twitch streamer. Either this show's recording was before his transition to Mixer, or they improperly said where he currently hosts his channel. It is nothing major but enough to make us chuckle.

Video Game News Mario Kart Tour Microtransactions

Mario Kart Tour has released on mobile devices. It is a time for celebration! Or is it? The game is fun and entertaining, but the microtransactions are steep. The 200cc, the game's fastest mode, will cost the player five dollars a month subscription. The subscription also includes gold gifts by racing in tours and badges from challenges. Mario's name is in the game, so he is one of the main playable characters, right? Wrong! He is behind a paywall. There are two ways the player can acquire Mario. The mobile game has a 20 dollar Mario pack. The pack includes Mario, Mario's kart, and other specialty items. The other method to acquire Mario and other characters is through their premium currency. Their top rupees option at 135 rupees will cost the player 70 dollars. The player then pays with the rupees to utilize the "Warp Pipe" to fire off characters, karts, and other items. One fire cost five rupees, and ten fires cost forty-five rupees. Will this monetization model be able to compete with the other options on the market? Only time will tell.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

The next Call of Duty is just around the corner, and it appears that some familiar faces will be greeting us again. This Modern Warfare will be a soft reboot of the 2007 release. The 2019 CoD: Modern Warfare will bring back well-known characters and voices back in the game, but the story will be updated to reflect the times. Every CoD has a core focus on multiplayer, and it looks like the game is here to impress. The developers have put in a new "Realism" mode that removes the HUD. In the match, the player can breach doors for ambushes and utilize night vision goggles on nighttime maps. Two new modes will be coming to this title. A 2v2 mode called Gunfight and Groud Wars, which sets large teams against each other. The developers went out of their way to emphasize that Ground Wars isn't a battle royale and that they had no plans to implement such a mode into the game. As of right now, PlayStation has a year-long exclusive on the Special Ops: Survival Mode.

Google Play Pass

Apple Arcade made a splash in the mobile market by providing premium quality games for five dollars a month. To our surprise, Google is joining in this mobile model. Google is releasing Google Play Pass. The service will be 5 dollars a month, and it will include a wide selection of games. Part of the game collection includes Stardew Valley, Limbo, Old Man's journey, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. If you are interested in trying this service, then their free trial might be a great deal. They offer a 10 Day Free Trial. Then after the trial, the first year is charged at 2 dollars a month.

Hearthstone Pro Caught Playing Two Games At Once

Lihn "Seiko" Nguyen competed in the Grandmasters League match, but he decided to play this game a bit differently. Instead of giving the game his all and demonstrating is real prowess at the game, he tried to play Hearthstone a...