Dragon Age Veilguard: A Trainwreck of Epic Proportions

11/04/24 • 25 min

This week’s podcast dives into the unfortunate collapse of Firewalk Studios, the team behind the ill-fated Dragon Age Veilguard, which many are calling a complete trainwreck. Host Brett Deister expresses his frustrations with the gaming industry, particularly how it has strayed from meritocracy, leading to projects that fail to resonate with audiences. Alongside this, he discusses the rise of AMD's 9800X3D CPU, which is shaping up to be a formidable competitor against Intel. The episode critiques the current trends in gaming, including a focus on identity politics that Deister believes detracts from engaging storytelling. Tune in as he unpacks these pressing issues and shares his candid thoughts on the state of gaming today.

Takeaways:

The closure of Firewalk Studios highlights the consequences of ignoring meritocracy in game development.
Dragon Age Veilguard has become a source of frustration for fans due to its disappointing direction.
AMD's 9800X3D CPU may provide better value than Intel's recent offerings in the gaming market.
Focusing on gender identity over storytelling can alienate the core gaming audience altogether.
Bioware’s current leadership choices reflect a troubling trend that could lead to further decline.
The gaming industry's obsession with social issues might lead to a loss of traditional players.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

Sony
AMD
Bioware
EA
Nvidia
Intel
Firewalk Studios
Polygon

Takeaways:

The closure of Firewalk Studios highlights the consequences of ignoring meritocracy in game development.
Dragon Age Veilguard has become a source of frustration for fans due to its disappointing direction.
AMD's 9800X3D CPU may provide better value than Intel's recent offerings in the gaming market.
Focusing on gender identity over storytelling can alienate the core gaming audience altogether.
Bioware’s current leadership choices reflect a troubling trend that could lead to further decline.
The gaming industry's obsession with social issues might lead to a loss of traditional players.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

Sony
AMD
Bioware
EA
Nvidia
Intel
Firewalk Studios
Polygon

Previous Episode

Why Gaming Stories Matter: A Deep Dive

This week, Brett Deister dives into the significant role that stories and their underlying morals play in gaming, highlighting how they shape our understanding and engagement with games. He critiques the recent release of Black Ops 6, particularly its controversial pay-to-win audio feature, which raises questions about the ethics of monetization in competitive gaming. The discussion also addresses the broader implications of storytelling in games, emphasizing the need for clear moral choices amidst a culture that often embraces relativity. Brett touches on the historical context of missed opportunities in the gaming industry, such as Intel's past decision to pass on acquiring Nvidia, drawing parallels to current trends. As he explores these themes, he invites listeners to reflect on the importance of storytelling standards and the impact they have on both players and the industry as a whole.

Takeaways:

The importance of storytelling in gaming goes beyond entertainment; it shapes cultural values.
The monetization strategies in games like Black Ops 6 can feel exploitative to players.
Criticism of the portrayal of non-binary characters in games highlights the absurdity of representation.
The evolution of gaming narratives reflects a shift in societal morals and expectations.
New updates to SteamOS improve battery life, showcasing the ongoing support for older models.
The missed opportunity for Intel to buy Nvidia illustrates the unpredictable nature of tech investments.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

Activision
Microsoft
Nvidia
Intel
AMD
Cyberpunk 2077
Final Fantasy 14
Steam
Blockbuster
Netflix
Best Buy
Circuit City

Next Episode

Dragon Age Veilguard: A Trainwreck of Epic Proportions

Takeaways:

The closure of Firewalk Studios highlights the consequences of ignoring meritocracy in game development.
Dragon Age Veilguard has become a source of frustration for fans due to its disappointing direction.
AMD's 9800X3D CPU may provide better value than Intel's recent offerings in the gaming market.
Focusing on gender identity over storytelling can alienate the core gaming audience altogether.
Bioware’s current leadership choices reflect a troubling trend that could lead to further decline.
The gaming industry's obsession with social issues might lead to a loss of traditional players.

Companies mentioned in this episode: