Digital Coffee: Gaming Brew

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!

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

Brett Deister dives into the latest gaming news, starting with the bizarre feud between Elon Musk and Asmongold over gaming hours, highlighting how trivial such disputes seem in the grand scheme of gaming. As the conversation unfolds, he praises Nvidia and AMD for their impressive GPU shipments this year, signaling a healthy market for gamers. The episode also explores the Steam Deck's growing compatibility and its significant impact on the PC gaming landscape. Brett discusses AMD's sharp criticisms of Intel's Arrow Lake and provides updates on the anticipated features of the game 'Manor Lords.' Wrapping up, he offers a candid critique of Western game developers, emphasizing the need for more engaging and escapist gaming experiences that resonate with players.

Takeaways:

• Brett discusses the absurd feud between Elon Musk and Asma Gold over gaming hours.
• Nvidia and AMD have had a remarkable year with GPU shipments surpassing 251 million units.
• The Steam Deck's compatibility with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth marks a significant milestone for PC gaming.
• Brett critiques Western game developers for failing to create games that resonate with players.
• AMD's upcoming Radeon RX 970 XT is expected to compete closely with Nvidia's 5070 card.
• Brett emphasizes the importance of providing escapism in games rather than political commentary.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Elon Musk
• Asthma Gold
• Nvidia
• AMD
• Intel
• TSMC
• Steam

Brett Deister kicks off 2025 by diving into the exciting world of gaming and technology with an in-depth look at AMD's new 9950X3D processor, which promises impressive performance for both gaming and content creation. He discusses key specifications and the anticipated boosts over its predecessors. The episode also highlights upcoming game releases, including Marvel Rivals Season One and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, while underscoring a growing trend: the ability to play PC games directly on LG Smart TVs through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Brett emphasizes the need for game developers to focus on creating engaging and enjoyable gameplay rather than pushing politically charged narratives. With a hopeful outlook, he calls for a more resilient gaming industry in 2025, encouraging developers to prioritize fun and creativity in their games.

Takeaways:

• AMD's new 9950X3D processor promises substantial performance boosts for gamers and content creators.
• Marvel Rivals is set to launch its first season soon, featuring the Fantastic Four characters.
• The trend of playing PC games on LG Smart TVs is growing, thanks to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
• Brett emphasizes the need for game developers to focus more on fun gameplay rather than political correctness.
• Upcoming titles like Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and Two Points Museum are generating excitement for 2025.
• The gaming industry needs to learn from past mistakes to produce better games in the future.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• AMD
• LG
• Microsoft
• Activision
• Blizzard
• NetEase

This week, Brett Deister dives into the gaming world, focusing on the upcoming sunsetting of X Defiant and its questionable Season 3 update, leaving players wondering about the value of the content. He also discusses the recent free Killzone cosmetic drop in Helldivers 2, which was a response to community complaints about pricing. The conversation takes a turn to the massive update for Stalker 2, highlighting its extensive fixes and improvements, despite the frustrating lack of fast travel. As the episode unfolds, Brett reflects on the disappointing game releases of 2024, suggesting a lack of memorable titles and a potential shift in the industry’s focus. He wraps up with a critical analysis of the current state of game writing, stressing the importance of character development and the need for a return to traditional storytelling values in gaming.

Takeaways:

• The gaming industry has seen a decline in quality writing since 2010, affecting character development.
• Stalker 2's massive update includes 1,800 fixes, enhancing the game's AI and overall performance.
• Helldivers 2 is addressing player complaints by offering free controversial skins as a response.
• X Defiant's future is uncertain as it heads towards its final season due to low player engagement.
• The podcast critiques the gaming industry's focus on superficial diversity instead of authentic storytelling.
• 2024 has been a disappointing year for game releases, with few notable titles attracting player interest.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Ubisoft
• Arrowhead Studios
• Sony
• Hello Games