NicheCast: Recent Episodes
Niche Gamer
The NicheCast is Niche Gamer's weekly podcast where we talk up the latest gaming news and events, as well as unique games, niche games, weird games, whatever you want to call them—we love them and we know you love them as well. We only cover these games on our regular feed, and we only cover them on our podcast, too.
The summer of gaming is upon us - we talk up the recent Sony State of Play conference, Microsoft's upcoming Xbox/Bethesda conference, Geoff Keighley's thing, and more with our predictions. Can they all replace the E3 of old?
This week, we talk up the big Embracer Group buyout of Square Enix studios Crystal Dynamics, Eidos, and Square Enix Montreal. Is it good that so many studios and IPs are under one umbrella? What about Square's new focus on crypto stuff and AI?
This week, we talk up blockchain and NFT crap in games. Former Nintendo America boss Reggie talked up monetizing content you've made or acquired in games. What if you could monetize and sell content you have from games? On the blockchain? Is it even worth it?
This week, we talk up both old and new mods for games, which mods are allowed and not allowed, how most Twitter mods are bad, and how seed oils are especially bad for you. Maybe our spaceman son will finally buy Twitter?
The onslaught of remakes and remasters continues, the corporate machines must be fed, the consumers must consoom. Now, we're also getting blindsided by random sequels to once-beloved games or series. Does anyone want these? Do people buy them? We talk up consumerism this week.
E3 2022 is officially dead. Can it respawn as some kind of new event in 2023? We also talk up recent big and small releases during spring, new site developments, and more!
The 2021 Game of the Year — what big games came out this year? How many are actually worth being called game of the year? We discuss the biggest and best releases of 2021, and which game could be both our community GOTY and our staff GOTY.
Steam Deck vs Switch – who will win? People were immediately comparing the two devices even though they are wildly different and for also very different audiences. Will the Steam Deck spur Nintendo to finally reveal some kind of Switch Pro, or a new console entirely? Can the Steam deck bring back physical PC games? Will Microsoft try to get Game Pass onto the SteamOS somehow? We discuss all these things in our latest show.
E3 2021 – Can the event survive and thrive despite being online only? Will there still be big reveals like in years past, or have all the big dogs split off to host their own events like Nintendo, Bethesda, and more? We talk about E3 2021, our predictions, and how the show might still have a chance at the greatness it had in prior years.
This week, we talk backwards compatibility in the gaming industry. Have Sony and Nintendo abandoned their classic games? Why is backwards compatibility not really a thing anymore, and why is Microsoft of all gaming companies the only one that seems to be pushing it? Has Microsoft done enough for backwards compatibility support, or can they do more? How important is backwards compatibility, and game preservation overall? We talk up all these points and more!
The current state of Sony and PlayStation, has the company fallen from grace, and abandoned their roots and what made the company great? Are their recent moves and acquisitions bad compared to Microsoft and Nintendo? We take a deep dive into Sony’s past and discuss where they did things right and possibly where things have gone wrong. Can the once-edgy and bold company return to what made them definitely win two console generations?
Microsoft finalizes their acquisition of Bethesda, and Zenimax Media. What does this mean for the future of their franchises? They’ve already said “some” of their future games will become exclusive to PC and Xbox. Where do they cut the line? Does it make sense to have their core franchises locked to PC and Xbox, while more general franchises like DOOM can remain multi-platform? We talk up this huge shift in the industry.
The new rumored Nintendo console --- how can Nintendo improve on their successful hybrid console? The new model is rumored to have a 7 inch OLED display, and a 4K capable dock. What else do they need? Will Nintendo continue to dominate in Japan, and worldwide? Also how can scalpers be stopped? Will scalpers lead to a potential collapse of the industry, where new consoles and new game aren't being bought as much due to pricing? We talk over all of these big questions.
Is Blizzard Entertainment too forgone to be saved? A lot of PR blunders have come out of the once-beloved developer, now a subsidiary of Activision. Can they win back enough goodwill to get their old fans back? Is it even possible to please old fans and new fans that only care about Overwatch or the newest World of Warcraft expansions? Is Diablo IV and the Diablo II remaster enough to win people over?
We discussed our upcoming Media Partners program, President Trump’s executive order that almost banned Tencent in the US, and the hackers behind the Twitter celebrity Bitcoin scam being arrested- including the 17 year old “mastermind.”
We then moved onto virtual YouTubers suffering DMCA claims and community subtitles being retired, the return of G4, the Intellivision Amico Special Event, and how companies react to perceptions and outrage.
We discussed the slew of announcements, releases, and drama over the month of June! This included Total War: Troy being free for 24-hours on launch via the Epic Games Store; all while Tim Sweeny says he attributes the Epic Games Store giveaways to increased sales… On other platforms.
We discussed Serious Sam 4, its Stadia exclusivity on consoles, and its possible censorship. This lead to discussion of the assumption of guilt, and the fear of creation.
We also discussed Tencent, and their recent buying and expanding spree [1, 2, 3], as well as what the Chinese tech giant could mean for western gaming.
We talked about Denuvo Anti-Cheat being removed from Doom Eternal, and the risks of kernel-based software.
We talked about the recent Ghost of Tsushima gameplay, and Unreal Engine 5 being reveled on PlayStation 5; along with Tim Sweeney’s comments on the upcoming console’s storage architecture being ahead of of anything on PC.
After dabbling in what the future of controllers and gameplay could be, we discuss the announcement of Paper Mario: The Origami King, and Denuvo Anti-Cheat being added to Doom Eternal.
We also cover the Chinese PlayStation Store being taken down to “improve security” right after Chinese gamers accessed foreign games, Evo Online, and the disastrous business model for The Culling: Origins.
We talk about the leaks of The Last of Us Part II (but not the content of the leaks themselves), the negative effect of hype, Animal Crossing: New Horizons strong sales, War of Ashird‘s Kickstarter campaign, and more!
After the cancellation of E3 2020, we discuss whether we dodged a bullet, thanks to what the show could have been. We also discuss the sheer audacity of GameStop’s actions during this difficult time.
We discuss remakes such as Final Fantasy VII Remake, Resident Evil 3, and the nature of remakes in general. We also delve into the rumors surrounding new Silent Hill games, and Sony’s alleged attempts to buy several prominent IPs from Konami.
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick says Blizzard games are not a platform for his politics. We talk up the reoccurring hot button issue with video games that have really hamfisted, possibly nonsensical politics or political themes. Why is it that more games these days have cringe-worthy, heavy handed politics and political themes? Is there a line with how thick a developer or writer lays on political themes? The Niche Gamer crew talk this up and how the industry has been embracing or avoiding this.
Google has launched their Stadia platform this week. By our own reporting as well as the industry at large, it has been a massive failure riddled with issues, broken promises, and a platform that is largely unusable. We talk up what the Stadia launch failure means for the industry, and what could be coming next.
This week, this was our second live podcast – we didn’t really have a planned topic of the week. It’s also been awhile so we just talked current things with the website, the industry, and more!
This week, as this was our first big live podcast – we didn’t really have a planned topic of the week. We talk up our E3 2019 predictions, hopes, and the current state of the industry leading into the summer.
In this week's show, we talk up Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and the new argument of difficulty in video games over accessibility for disabled gamers, or gamers who just want easier games.
In this weeks episode, we talk up yet another censorship debacle - this time surrounding Dead or Alive 6 and the holier than thou folks who are ironically running the EVO tournament. We also evaluate the current performance of the Nintendo Switch, and what we'd like to see in the future.
We have a Christmas / end of 2018 recap podcast while struggling to overcome NyQuil and exhaustion. Come laugh at us talk up 2018 in gaming - including all of the good, bad, and the ugly. We also talk up our own Game of the Year choices, predictions for 2019, and more!
From all of the Niche Gamer staff here at Nakatomi Plaza, may your holidays be warm, safe, and hopefully free of terrorists!
In this weeks episode, we recap the latest news, more Sony nonsense, and give thanks to the most important stuff in our lives - tis the Thanksgiving season!
We also did a slight rebranding in dropping the podcast title "Niche Gamer-cast", we always felt the name was a bit too long and we're trying to make it sound more snappy! Let us know what you think in the comments.
In this weeks episode, we recap the latest news - as well as the new push to remove anime boobies in new games launching for various gaming platforms. Spicy!
In this episode, we talk up new announcements here and there, new rumors, and of course - the onslaught of games for this fall and holiday season. Can the Niche Gamer staff survive?
In this episode, we talk up recent Nintendo announcements, pre-Tokyo Game Show announcements, and the overall status of the Nintendo Switch operating system, its features, and their recently launched Nintendo Online network.
This week, the Niche Gamer staff recap games we're playing and reviewing, our latest editorials, and of course - the hot button issue of games being made easier, alongside other pundits or writers using video games as platform to further their agenda. This can naturally include trying to make playing games more presentable and not have negative connotations.
This week's podcast is a return to form of sorts, and we have a full house from our staff. We talk up recent games, recent trends, and of course - the ongoing narrative of games being anti-consumer, that is if the developer has some kind of political agenda.
This week, we talk up the five years of Niche Gamer, including retrospectives on things we saw, things we enjoyed, things we're loving now, and of course, things we're looking forward to with our burgeoning website and community.
This week, we talk up the auto-banning systems that have been implemented by the developers behind Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, among others - and how differently we approach our community.
This week’s podcast is a full roundup of our experiences this year at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. We talk up our picks of the show, surprises we noticed, and all the games we played or saw.
This week we talk up the regular gaming news and our big reveal - our new parent company, Pretentious Media!
This week, we talk about Subnautica’s sound designer Simon Chylinski getting fired after an internet hate mob was sicced on him for posting his own personal opinions online, alongside regular news and stuff.
We talk about the NeoGAF owner admitting a mix of identity Politics, authoritarian left hostility, and unfair moderation ruined its community, as well as the latest gaming news.
We recap the entire year of 2017, including the biggest games, the biggest news, and the biggest surprises. What impressed or shocked us the most? This is a long one, and we get a bit belligerent towards the end of the show.
We talk up the new Catherine remake/enhanced version and all of the dumb controversy surrounding it, that one certain character, its sexual themes, and more. It gets a little wild, there might be talk about brown eyes, sexting, and all sorts of debauchery. Just in time for the holiest time of year – Merry Christmas!
We talk up the Nintendo Switch and its success, its library of games, as well as what to expect in the coming months and year – including what the Switch needs to really be more competitive in the modern gaming console market.
Narrative in gaming - it constantly changes, evolves, and is (hopefully) improved upon. However, there are the usual detractors within the industry that continue to insist gaming needs to "grow up" to be accepted as art. We debate this, including the inane arguments over so-called misogynistic games, and more.
Tokyo Game Show 2015. The biggest news to come from Japan - how was this year's showing? We talk up our favorite reveals, trailers, and more.
Is it racist? We tackle the subject of censorship yet again, and whether or not a recently re-discovered game is truly racist, and where the cultural boundaries lie.
We recently covered a series of interviews that Famitsu had completed with various top Japanese developers. These interviews focused on the AAA development scene in Japan, as well as the adoption of the Playstation 4, and more. We talk up their points, the current state of the Japanese games industry, and where it could go from here.
Are remakes becoming too common? Will there be a point where you're playing a game and the remake for it is already happening? All hyperbole aside, we talk up the Resident Evil 2 remake, and if new games can stack up to old ones. This includes re-releases of games from the previous console generation, with simple HD-treatment for current generation consoles.
Why are we seeing Kickstarter's getting funding via outside companies? Is this disingenuous? Are Kickstarters becoming a new form of courting publishers? What does this mean for the future of crowdfunding, now that we're seeing more and more Kickstarters openly (or in some cases, quietly) receiving large investments alongside fan donations?
This week has been a rough one for the fans waiting for Nintendo and Intelligent Systems' upcoming Fire Emblem Fates, on the Nintendo 3DS. The game has recently launched in Japan, while importers have taken it upon themselves to put a magnifying lens on various things in the game - including dialogue involving a female character, Soleil, and just exactly what her sexual orientation is.
We disseminate the rumors and heresy and get down to brass tactics, because ultimately the entire discussion was centered around a manufactured controversy.
E3 2015 has come and gone. We talk about the games we saw, the games we played, and the crazy experiences we had in Los Angeles.
E3 2015 is next week. We talk up what we hope to see at the show, what games we're looking to play, and more!
The Windows 10 release date announcement has been made - July 29th. We talk up the benefits of the OS, if you should upgrade, and what is in store for PC users.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has been launched to the public - however, the final product looks different from the visuals we saw back in 2013. Why do developers show off these "target render" videos at trade events, when there's a chance the final game can look nothing like this? Is this disingenuous to the fans?
What the hell is going on at Konami? Are they moving entirely to mobile development in a bid for quick cash? Are they abandoning their fans, and the creators which made their games worldwide icons? What's going on with Hideo Kojima, and why are they making a real attempt to stop discussion of the allegations behind the creator and his studio?
This week's topic is a multi-faceted one. The Killing Floor 2 developers have put out an EULA for their buyers to agree to which enables them to remove your ownership of the game, if you partake in "cyber bullying." At what point does free speech begin and end? We also talk about this issue in the world of gaming and culture at large, as both private and public institutions are seemingly kowtowing to the outrage police.
Is Nintendo behind the times? We talk about their recent Nintendo Direct, its content, the games, and of course - their Youtube/Let's Player streaming policies. The Kyoto-based company is certainly responsible for many great achievements in the gaming industry, but have they stopped raising the bar in comparison to their competitors?
Are all the Japanese visionaries being pushed out of the companies they made their reputation under? What is the cause of this? Is it rigid corporate structure, traditionalism, the battling of egos, or something unforeseen? We also delve into the seeming lack of outrage for games like Senran Kagura 2 and Onechanbara Z2: Chaos coming west, in the mainstream gaming press.
GDC 2015. How was the show? Was it filled with spiteful, exclusionary, hipsters like the internet at large wants you to believe? Our editor-in-chief, Brandon, spills the beans.
This week, we go over the recent developments here at Niche Gamer, and what our EIC, Brandon, has been seeing already at the Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco.
Lots of Japanese games are listed, rumored, or actually coming to PC via Steam. Is this an up and coming trend now, for Japanese developers? Why do some people get angry with previously-console exclusive Japanese games coming to PC?
The Legend of Zelda is getting a series, reportedly, via Netflix. Are video game to movie or TV adaptations ever probably, or worthwhile? We reminisce over the movies and TV shows based off video games that we saw as kids, and wonder if kids these days can get the same thing.
So we had the opportunity to do a live interview with Christian Allen, formerly of Halo Reach and Midde-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Instead of devoting the entire interview to GamerGate, we covered a wide variety of topics including censorship, online vitriol, and more.
Is Sega in trouble? Between the mediocre launch of the latest Sonic games, a massive number of layoffs, and some completely unforeseen localization decisions, what exactly is going on in the Japanese publisher?
Final Fantasy XV had a new character named Cindy revealed at this year's Jump Festa event. Aside from the positive reaction from the fans, there was also a lot of negativity from people saying she was oversexualized, if not objectified. We talk about this, and the issues regarding characters that have any kind of sexiness. Between Cindy and the city of Restarg, it's like Christmas in July!
Console exclusivity - especially with third parties. Is it worth it anymore? Should games like Street Fighter V coming exclusively to PS4 not happen these days? What about Bayonetta 2? Is exclusive DLC bullshit too?
Today we talk about the current state of #GamerGate, the IGDA blocklist, Internet Aristocrat leaving the internet, and so on. We talk about the current issues at hand, the goals we should pursue, and how we should pursue them.
So we’re doing a patreon. We believe that having fans directly fund us will remove the dependency on advertisements, and the potential for advertisers and or game developers/pr companies/publishers to screw us over, for being honest.
Prey 2 is officially cancelled. While this is entirely not a surprise, it’s disheartening. What games are we sad got cancelled, and what games do we feel should be cancelled? While we're at it, we also discuss what games we honestly wish could just be localized, and we question some of the strange antics of various publishers and developers.
We chat about this after our regular news talks, and we try to deduce why the mainstream media seems to be unanimous in their blatant lack of neutrality, they all seem to be just chasing after the newest boogeyman. The hilarious irony behind their supposed progressive campaigning within the gaming community and industry has mostly only shown existing gaming enthusiasts that a clear bias is being set. Games that a select colluding yet influential few don't agree with or like are either curious omitted from coverage, or are routinely shamed into submission. This isn't about inclusion, it's about what they decide is right - and we talk about it.
This week's topic involves the game Hatred, the game by Destructive Creations, which has definitely caused quite a stir. On one side of the game, you have people screaming that it's disgusting and that it shouldn't exist. On the other side of the game, you have people saying it deserves to exist, whether they like it or not. It's a fascinating dichotomy where the very same people asking for games to be viewed as art, are usually the same ones asking for certain games they don't like to stop existing. We tackle this in our ramblings over the subject, and of course we discuss #GamerGate as it's a tangential issue. It seems like there's a double standard when it comes to what games can be considered art, and only the big gaming websites hold the keys to the kingdom.
This week's topic is in regards to the Brianna Wu incident. Should proper citation/evidence be given when game developers (or anyone for that matter) are publicly (via the internet) harassed? Should people take the harassment claims at face value? How many of these cases are a “boy who cried wolf” type scenario? How easy is it for someone with an agenda to falsify harassment to further their claims/platform?
Intel has dropped advertisement support of Gamasutra due to their stance against gamers. This is a monumental achievement for the campaign and for the naysayers that continually spew forth hatred and vitriol towards the gamers that have given them jobs, and a way of life. It's a conundrum that has continued and we try to disseminate our thoughts in an attempt to decipher the insane backlash towards Intel's decision.
Should we settle for a middle-ground with GamerGate? Does this simply deflect attention away from the real problem at hand, which is that the parties being alleged against are simply not doing anything?
Should we settle for a middle-ground with GamerGate? Does this simply deflect attention away from the real problem at hand, which is that the parties being alleged against are simply not doing anything?
We talk about the current happenings of the #GamerGate movement, Tokyo Game Show 2014, and what we’re doing behind the scenes to further the message.
Professional victims and the games media – are they really in control? Just how much power do these people who cry wolf have?
We’ll dissect the correlation between these so called social justice crusaders and the industry they’ve decided to attempt a takeover with – gaming.
With GamerGate still happening on the battlefields of Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, and so on - we have to continue talking about it. We mostly try to focus on the editorial we recently published, and the repercussions of big gaming media either dying out or being blacklisted by the mainstream gaming community entirely.
Is the term “gamer” dead? Is the traditional sense of the hardcore gaming enthusiast something of the past, and are we all just "fans of video games?"
Several other websites have all curiously spun articles all saying roughly the same thing: that you’re wrong labeling yourself as a gamer, and that you’re wrong to simply want to play games – regardless of their social consciousness or moral progressivism.
This week, we have Brandon, Chris, and Myles speaking about the latest news, and what they expect for Gamescom 2014.