Business Casual Gamers: Recent Episodes
Business Casual Gamers
Conversations between friends about gaming, its culture, and an outsider’s perspective on the industry. Hosted by Chris (@zivilyn) and Aaron (@BCGAaron).
It’s a new year, sure to be full of great new games. However, we have some gripes about the games we play and the industry at large that we hope every game publisher out there is setting a New Year’s resolution to fix. In this episode, we discuss some of our biggest recent gripes with the industry and offer our suggestions on how to fix them.
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What do Blizzard Entertainment and Ozzie from Chrono Trigger have in common: They’re both in a pickle. If you’ve gone to any website over the past month, it is hard to miss the news of all the hot water that Blizzard Entertainment finds themselves in. In this episode, we ask ourselves a question that may prove to be one of the most important in gaming’s history: What happens when the greatest game developer of all time collapses?
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
In a few past episodes, we’ve taken a deep dive into games we believe to be Hall-of-Fame levels of quality, talking about what makes them so special. Over the past few weeks, Aaron and I both came to each other with a game that we thought was worthy of the Hall of Fame. The only problem: We weren’t talking about the same game. So in this episode, we are going to sell each other on why our chosen game is worthy of the coveted BCG Hall of Fame nomination.
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After a recent announcement and subsequent change of heart by Sony regarding their online store, gamers across the community were forced to revisit an important question about our community. Are we merely buying a game to entertain us for a time or are we preservers of a hobby’s legacy? Are game developers shipping products to pay the bills or are they curators of an IP universe? In this episode, we discuss the impact of our hobby increasingly moving into a digital-only world and the implications.
Back in Episode 40, I listed Witcher 3 as number 9 on my best video games of all time list. Naturally, I was excited when the developer, CD Projekt Red, was set to release their follow up game, Cyberpunk 2077. 18 frames per second lots of awkward glitches later, the developer and retailers are issuing mass refunds for the most hotly anticipated game of the year. In this episode, we discuss how a game that should be great ends up going off the rails and what the industry can learn from this event.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Microsoft and Sony have finally graced us with the announcements we’ve all been anxiously awaiting. During the 2nd week of November, the Business Casual Gamers are looking forward to entering the next generation of video gaming. In this episode, we talk about our reaction to all the news of the past week, our buying plans and what we’re most excited about as we make the leap into the future.
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From the days of Ridge Racer and Crash Bandicoot all the way through Last of Us 2 and Ghost of Tsushima, the Business Casual Gamers have been there through every step of Sony’s journey in the video game world. Within the next few months, Sony is going to enter its 5th generation of the Playstation. In this episode, we discuss our expectations for the PS5, Sony’s position in the video game market and the next generation of gaming.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Over the course of our gaming lives, we've seen it all. Multiple generations worth of console wars, 3D graphics in video games, virtual reality and even Blockbuster video. Just when we thought we'd seen it all, a global pandemic breaks out, forces us to stay at home for months, and had a profound effect on every aspect of life. In this episode, we talk about what the Business Casual Gamers have learned about gaming at home when you have no other option.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Hard as it may be to believe, the video game hobby as we know it has been around for nearly 50 years at this point. Just like hobbies of the past: classic cars, baseball cards or record collecting, the question always remains the same - how can gamers relive the nostalgia of the hobby they love? In this episode, we explore the gaming industry’s efforts to repackage and sell us our fondest gaming memories.
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Back in 2016, the Business Casual Gamers created a series of episodes where we assessed the state of gaming for all the major players in the video game industry. As we enter 2020, we’re about to enter the next console generation, the 7th in our gaming lifetimes. In this episode, we revisit our assessment of the state of gaming from a Business Casual Gamer perspective and offer our predictions about what’s in store for the gaming hobby in 2020 and beyond.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
All of us play games for different reasons. Sometimes we want to socialize with a group of friends over an epic raid or multiplayer deathmatch. Other times we want to master our favorite fighting game character, chase that Platinum trophy, or experience a great story. But sometimes, you just want to relax while playing a great game. In this episode, we discuss gaming as a form of relaxation and give our personal recommendations for games that help us unwind.
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As a video game collector, you spend time pouring over Ebay listings, visiting used game stores, pre-ordering the special edition of a long-awaited game. You stare at your game collection and feel like you’ve assembled a masterpiece. But sometimes, like jumping in a freshly-raked pile of fall leaves, you just have to get rid of stuff. In this episode, we explore the what, the why and the how of getting rid of a video game collection.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
The JRPG, while still popular, is a niche genre these days. Many of the best pieces of the format have been adopted in mainstream gaming as everything seems to have “RPG Elements” that made the genre stand out in the early days. While new games are still coming out, the genre is being kept alive by 3 defining franchises that represent most of the sales and become the blueprint that other JRPGs follow: Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Persona. In this episode, we discuss the pillars of the JRPG and what these franchises tell us about the direction of the genre going forward.
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It seems like every company is trying to convert their offerings into some form of subscription or service. While we’ve had PSN and Xbox Live for years, games as a service has clearly become the new hotness. Between Google, Microsoft, and id Software, we’re seeing a dramatic push for technologies that now make this a reality. In this episode, we discuss the impact on how we play games and the gaming community’s reaction.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Since the beginning of video games, the physical object has been a core part of the experience. The game disc, the manual, the box, the strategy guide—all of these are tangible symbols of the hobby that have lasted for decades. We now find ourselves in a place where the manuals have disappeared, the online platforms have expanded and the consoles are doing away with physical media readers. In this episode, we talk about the evolution of the video game as a physical product and the impact on the hobby and gamer community.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
When our community recommends games for us to play, we listen. Over the past several months, we’ve assembled an enviable collection of indie game recommendations and taken the time to put them through their paces so we could discuss the games you wanted us to play. On today’s show, we’ll discuss 4 games on your list in the hopes that we can help the BCG community discover some indie gems to add to their collection.
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Red Dead Redemption was recently released after an 8 year development cycle. While that sounds like an eternity, and it is, it is hardly alone in the world of video game development. It seems that there is no end to the scope creep of games, but are we about to hit a wall where developer ambitions and player demand goes head-to-head with practical realities? On today’s show, we explore the rise of the long development cycle, its impact on games, and some ideas on the way forward.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
When we hear the term “video games”, we tend to think of a particular game or favorite console or a certain fond memory. However, after a recent trip to Tokyo, the first word association I’ll have going forward is not a thing, but a place. That place is Akihabara - the international destination for all gamers. In this episode, we talk about making our pilgrimage to the gaming holy land and what makes it so special.
For the entirety of the past console generation, remakes and remasters have been the hottest trend in gaming. You can nearly be assured that if a game sold well or is being talked about by enough fans, there is likely a plan to rerelease the game for modern consoles to sell additional copies with almost no downside risk to the publisher. Games like Final Fantasy VII and Resident Evil 2, some of the most iconic games of all time, are going well beyond a simple remaster and redefining the entire game. In this episode, we explore the art of the possible and discuss how we would reimagine some games that are high on our list as candidates for reimagining.
Whether the question was asked by a parent, a spouse, a coworker, or a friend, anyone in the BCG community has likely fielded the question “Aren’t you a little old for this gaming thing?” sometime in their adult life. If you are listening to this podcast, chances are you made the decision to face this question head-on, connect with your “why”, and continue with the hobby in spite of opposition. In this episode, we explore the transition into gaming adulthood and the reasons we continue in the hobby.
Love it or hate it, GameStop is one of the biggest players in the video game universe. After years of retail consolidation into a few major players, GameStop is the largest game retailer in the world. Prior to the advent of digital games, GameStop was one of the few companies that could dictate price, availability, and even what games were made based on what they were willing to buy. Whether you like GameStop or not, the reality is that a strong, vibrant GameStop is good for the hobby and the community. That said, GameStop certainly isn’t doing itself many favors these days and is consistently one of the most hated figures in the gaming industry. In this episode, we explore GameStop’s problems and chart a course to get them back to relevance in the eyes of the larger gaming community.
Over the years, Electronic Arts—the 2nd largest video game publisher in the world—has gone from respected incubator of many must-have franchises to one of the most reviled entities in the industry. Somehow, the company has found itself in a downward spiral while its competitors take full advantage. In this episode, we dig deeper into EA’s impact on the industry both in gaming’s distant past as well as their current influence on the industry at one of its leading companies.
We’ve talked on this show about how the Super Nintendo was the greatest console of all time. In late 2017, Nintendo released the SNES Classic Edition, a small form-factor SNES with a prepackaged set of 20+1 games with high-quality HDMI output. While supplies have been short up until now, many listeners will undoubtedly be looking to find one in 2018. In this episode, Aaron and Chris discuss the 20+1 games on the system--what works, what doesn’t, and what should’ve made the cut.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
In Episode 48, we discussed the once mighty Japanese gaming market and its continued, gradual decline. It is not an overstatement to say the United States of America has single-handedly kept the traditional console-based gaming model alive, without which we’d all be playing Candy Crush and other assorted mobile games. You would think that all major video game companies would show their American brethren some love with the finest trinkets of gaming goodness that they have to offer, but you would be wrong. In today’s episode, we explore this phenomenon and offer some potential reasons why this has come to pass.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
While it is hard to believe, Episode 52 marks the 2 year anniversary of the Business Casual Gamers podcast. It has been an awesome ride and we wanted to spend an episode reflecting on the past 2 years, talking about some of the highlights, giving some insights on making the show, and talking about what it has meant to us.
In our 2nd episode, we had a discussion about difficulty in video games. Since then, some of the biggest game developers are changing their philosophy of how address this fundamental topic to games of every genre. Despite selectable difficulty not being a new concept, today’s games are experimenting with adaptable difficulty, scaling it in real-time based on your performance. While this approach inevitably leads to more players seeing the content that developers spend years creating without inducing player frustration, there are also drawbacks. In our assignments segment, Chris gives us the low down on Uncharted: Lost Legacy.
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It was recently announced that Visceral Games is being shuttered by EA. This is a developer that made 90+ Metacritic rated games throughout the Dead Space franchise history, selling nearly 5 million copies to date by estimates. There was a time in gaming history when 1 million copies of any game would have spawned an endless stream of sequels and spinoffs, yet today it results in everyone losing their jobs. In this episode, we ask, “what’s the deal with the major publishers?” How good is good enough, and is it even possible to justify trying to make a “Triple A” game in today’s market. In the assignments segment, Aaron shares his “love” for Raiden V.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Growing up, most of us did our gaming in front of our home television or computer screen. The exception to this rule was when we went to a friend’s house or had to make that trip to a relative’s house and wanted a game to pass the time. I can remember Chris and I both playing linked games of Tetris on Game Boy on a car trip to the beach. As we’ve moved into adulthood, technology has changed as much as our lifestyle has. The “how do I pass the time on a car ride” question has been replaced with a “how do I keep up my hobby when I have a job that requires me to constantly travel” question. In this episode, we talk about the lifestyle of the traveling gamer and offer some advice of how we’ve made the most of our limited gaming time while being away from home for extended periods. In the assignments segment, Chris (finally) gives us his impressions of Mario Odyssey.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
While Japanese video game companies didn’t invent the category, they have certainly been the most influential throughout the life of the industry. Neither of us would be sitting here doing this podcast today if not for the likes of Nintendo, Sony, Sega, and many others. In spite of the emergence of Microsoft as a platform holder, Sony and Nintendo have each taken their turns as the best selling console, which has kept this feeling alive that Japanese companies still dominate the gaming world. The reality when you go a layer deeper is that the Japanese gaming market is in steep decline and Japanese developers have never been further behind the curve. In this episode, Chris and Aaron examine the “why” behind the fall of Japan’s rich gaming legacy and offer thoughts on where it’s going next. In a pitch-hitting assignments segment, Aaron shares his thoughts on Yakuza Kiwami for PS4.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Throughout the history of the Business Casual Gamers podcast, you’ve listened to and watched our multiple purchases of Collector’s Editions, video game paraphernalia, and countless other physical objects that have nothing to do with playing the actual video game on offer. The obvious question becomes, why do we keep hanging onto all of these physical objects in a world increasingly driven by digital distribution? Are we just the old timers walking uphill in the snow both ways to the local Electronics Boutique or is there something more meaningful at hand? In this episode, the gamers explore the evolution of the collector’s editions and discuss why they have increasingly become a mainstay of the gaming world. In the assignment segment, Aaron covers his time with Culdcept Revolt for 3DS.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
We’ve all grown to know our favorite franchises as representative samples of their respective genres. In fact, after a bit of time with these games, it becomes challenging to separate the genre from the game itself. This brings us to an interesting question: are game developers pigeonholed into a specific genre depending on the story they want to tell? Can a thriller only exist as 1st person? What about adventure stories: can they be puzzle games? It’s an interesting thought experiment that may challenge our working assumptions of the games we play and their developers’ flexibility. In this episode, Chris and Aaron explore the nuances of this complex question. In the assignments segment, Chris delivers his review of Metroid: Samus Returns for 3DS.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
For years, licensed games were often met with eye rolls and broken dreams. The general consensus in the gaming community was that licensed games are universally awful. As the years have gone on, we’ve noticed a gradual trend towards quality to the point where we have to ask: Are licensed games generally good now? Despite all the groupthink and naysaying, this episode will explore the reality of modern licensed games. In the assignment segment, Aaron will give his review of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Legacy for PS4.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
At the beginning of our gaming life, our entire focus was on what’s next. Little thought was given to the games of yesterday, as graphics and processing power forged ahead by leaps and bounds. With several console generations behind us, we’ve reached a point as a gaming community where we need to ask ourselves how we want to preserve classic games. In this episode, Aaron and Chris explore some of the ways the industry is attempting to do this and give our thoughts on the best and worst examples of game preservation in the hobby. In the assignments segment, Chris gives his thoughts on Nioh for PS4.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
For those of us in the hobby in the early 90’s, we experienced a gaming nirvana that we talk about to this day: The Super Nintendo. During this generation, Nintendo and 3rd parties created a string of hits so big that they became the template by which all other games in the genre are measured. Nearly 25 years later, many modern releases, despite their 4K graphics, surround sound, and cinematic storytelling are still living in the shadow of a SNES game. In this episode, we talk about the lasting impact of the Super Nintendo and some of the key games that cemented its place at the top of the gaming heap. In the assignments segment, Aaron shares his thoughts on Sin and Punishment: Star Successor for Wii.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
There was a time in our gamer lives that we could devote an entire summer vacation to mastering a challenging game. If we wanted to climb the mountain, it was usually only a matter of time before we reached the peak. Nowadays, the Business Casual Gamer has everything but time, and achieving mastery over notoriously hard games is sometimes impossible. In this episode, we explore our relationship with notoriously hard games: how we feel about them, do we play them, and can we enjoy them? In the assignments segment, Chris gives his overview of Nier: Automata.
Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
We’ve all had that one rare video game item we wanted to own. The unicorn. But how do you take the step from dreaming about owning a rare item to actually finding it and buying it? In this episode, Aaron and Chris talk about some of our experiences buying rare video game items and offer some wisdom on how to effectively locate and buy them. In the assignment segment, Aaron gives his take on Gravity Rush.
In the very first episode of the Business Casual Gamers podcast, we walked you through each of our top 10 video games of all time lists. We’ve received a lot of feedback and requests to keep going and continue the list. After a lot of discussion and careful consideration, we’re going to take you through a journey of our top 20 games of all time. We hope that after 39 episodes of getting to know us and our gaming preferences, this discussion will give you at least a few new amazing games to add to your collection. Afterwards, Chris is forced to call an audible in the assignment segment, getting sucked into a game that happened to catch his eye during the Steam Sale. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
There was a time in gaming where the rolling credits, a bit of wrap-up story text, and a “The End” screen was the ultimate accomplishment in gaming. Chris and Aaron both prided themselves on “finishing” the games they bought and in some cases delving further to find every easter egg imaginable. Nowadays, we’re much more likely to see an Uninstall screen than a “The End” screen. In this episode, the gamers discuss their views on finishing games and why things have changed for the average gamer. In the assignments segment, Aaron gives his opinion on an under-represented game of 2016: The Last Guardian. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
When you play games as long as we have, you’ve no doubt dealt with some disappointment along the way. Disappointment comes in many forms, but learning to deal with that disappointment is key if you want to enjoy the hobby over the long term and avoid being “that person” on the internetz giving games zeroes and boycotting the developer. In this episode, Aaron and Chris explore some of the more common scenarios where we experience disappointment as gamers and discuss how to deal with it. In the assignments segment, Chris recounts his time with Dead Cells, an interesting roguelike with metroidvania ties. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
When we started gaming, the game on the cartridge that you bought was the finished product. If you wanted more, you crossed your fingers that the game got a sequel. Fast forward to the current generation, it seems that a popular game is never truly finished - always another map pack, new character, or side story to purchase and explore. The era of downloadable content is in full swing and expanding rapidly. In this episode, Chris and Aaron explore the world of DLC: what we like, what we don’t, and what unexplored territory remains. In the assignments segment, Aaron describes a very confusing experience with Child of Light. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
When we got into the hobby, credit screens in video games were often short enough to memorize. It’s a big part of the reason we all know about the Miyamotos and Sakaguchis of the world alongside the entire Mortal Kombat development team (Noob Saibot!). Nowadays, credit screens often exceed the actually length of the game ending and are so bloated that you wonder how the finished product was ever cobbled together. In this episode, Aaron and Chris discuss the impact of outsourcing of game development: is it a critical piece to ensuring our beloved AAA games come to fruition, or do developers need to focus on more important aspects of their game development process? In our assignments segment, Chris describes the joy that is Thimbleweed Park. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
By now you’re probably well aware of our “Business Casual Gamers” mindset, focusing on maximizing the entertaining gaming time while trying to keep our professional and family lives in order. In many ways, managing that balance can be rather tricky, especially with the wide range of good (and bad) games available in the market. So we thought it’d be fun to ask the question: How do we choose what we play? Moreover, how do we decide which games we keep around and which ones we kick to the curb? As you might expect, the gamers have unique and differing opinions on the subject, making for a great conversation on what entices us and what’s lost our attention. How do you do the same in your gaming experiences? In our gaming assignment segment, Aaron and Chris give their impressions of Persona 5. Did Chris finally come around? Has Aaron found anything to critique with the game? Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
If you’ve been following us on Twitter (@biscasualgamers), you’ll know that Aaron and Chris have been going back and forth on the value of I Am Setsuna over a game from which it was clearly inspired, Chrono Trigger. This gave us an idea for a different type of BCG episode where the gamers compare and contrast two similar games, drawing out the best and the worst each has to offer. This time, Aaron and Chris take that Twitter war to the podcast, comparing the two RPGs across the board. Can the protege overtake the master, or does the 16-bit legend take the more modern iteration to task? The gamers break each game down into a number of components, each generating a different perspective on the overall discussion. In the game assignments segment, Chris attempts to get to know Stardew Valley, and Aaron shares a confession. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
For many of us Business Casual Gamers, the traditional, online first-person shooter—lovingly referred to as the “bro shooter”— isn’t really our cup of tea. What once used to be rewarding and fun has now devolved into pure frustration. There is, however, an upside to this harrowing tale: there are still many great first-person, single player experiences that are well worth the price of admission. In this episode Aaron and Chris lament what has become of the modern first-person shooter, describing the multiple factors that have caused them to pull away from the online scene. The gamers couple this discussion with a list of exceptional games that fit into our BCG world well. In the assignments segment, Chris describes his time with PS VR, and Aaron shares his thoughts on Odin Sphere Leifthrasir. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Final Fantasy 6 is undoubtedly one of the best games in history, and arguably the best on the SNES. The game itself has been discussed in many forums throughout the years, but we think there’s even more to this exceptional game that’s gone continually overlooked. In the second installment of the BCG Hall of Fame, Aaron and Chris focus on the often underrepresented portions of the game, including thematics, storytelling, character connections, side quests, and soundtrack. It’s truly astonishing that such a game can been so deep with such limited hardware resources. In the assignments segment, Chris gives his overview of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the Nintendo Switch, and Aaron returns to his Vita, playing Lumines: Electronic Symphony. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Open world is all the rage right now. It’s hard to go a month without a large franchise releasing a new game with a self-described “vast and open” world. But what does that really mean? How has this genre been defined, and where is it going? What makes these kinds of games fun? In this episode, Chris and Aaron discuss the concept of open world games, exploring what has made them so popular and how they’re having to evolve to remain relevant. The gamers touch on a number of popular, recent titles in the genre, noting their unique contributions as well as touching on the tropes that drive them down. In the game assignments segment, Aaron exercises his new Vita with Kenka Bancho while Chris shares his experience with Far Cry Primal. Find us at http://businesscasualgamers.com! Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
How did you pick up your last game? Did you buy physical media, or did you grab it online? Used or new? The modern state games acquisition is truly diverse and uplifting; however, it haven’t always been a lot of options. In this episode, Aaron and Chris cover the multiple ways we acquire games: in the past, present, and what is expected for the future. Will big box game stores survive the digital revolution, or will gamers continually demand physical copies? There are a lot of factors involved, and the answer tends to reflect each person’s unique perspective. It’s a great and timely topic, with so many ways to access the games we love. In the game assignments segment, Aaron describes his joyous (or not) time with Resident Evil 6, and Chris recommends a great game for the Vita, Shantae: Half-Genie hero. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Diablo III was, and continues to be, one of the most popular games in history. Despite some hiccups early in its lifetime, Blizzard has managed to continually refine the game to truly exhibit some of the most redeeming and exceptional qualities a gamer could desire. In our first entry in the BCG Hall of Fame series covering the best gaming has to offer, Aaron and Chris cover this exceptional example of game design. How did Blizzard capture and hold the attention of so many gamers? How did they listen to their player base to make the game better and better with each new patch? What truly qualifies it to be in our Hall of Fame? There’s so much to discuss! The game assignments segment puts Aaron back on a soapbox with Inside, while Chris describes his time with Dishonored 2. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
When you hear that a game has multiplayer, what do you think? Online matchmaking, or local multiplayer? For those that grew up before Xbox Live and PSN, you may think of sitting on a couch playing a good co-op beat-em-up. Those types of games seem to be fewer and farther between in modern games. Why is that? Are we slowly witnessing what will ultimately be known as the demise of local multiplayer? In this episode, Aaron and Chris explore the state of local multiplayer, what it used to mean, and how the Internet has dramatically changed our collective views. They share their thoughts on whether it’s still got some life left—and perhaps why it needs some—or if game developers are steering away from it in the long term. In the assignments segment, Aaron gives his opinion on Faster Than Light, and Chris recounts his time with Owlboy. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
You’ve heard our previous State of Gaming podcasts covering Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sega. You couldn’t help be feel like something was missing, right? We did too. We knew it all along, but the PC has been such an integral part of gaming over the last four decades. The result of many different players and stakeholders, the PC has brought us some of our favorite gaming experiences in our lives. In this episode, Aaron and Chris cover the past, present, and future of PC gaming. They start from the 1980s and end in the 2010s, weaving an intricate story of hardware trends and, more importantly, the games. Oh, the games. If you were a PC gamer during any of these times, prepare for a nostalgia train unlike no other. In the assignments segment, Chris gives his thoughts on Planet Coaster, while Aaron covers his experience with the Souls games. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
First off, this episode marks ONE YEAR of the podcast! A massive thanks to our listeners and supporters for being such a great audience. We couldn’t have made it this past year without your feedback and excitement! Now on with the show… It’s the holiday season, and for many of us, this time of year brings two major things: new gaming items and some quality gaming binge time. Being a special episode, the gamers wanted to share with you some of their best and worst holiday-related gaming experiences. Chris and Aaron talk great gifts, disappointments, and the best binge-worthy games of the past. Be sure to sound off to us on Twitter (@biscasualgamers) with your own experiences—we’d love to hear them! The moment of truth comes in this episode’s assignments, where the gamers share their initial thoughts on Final Fantasy XV. Will the bro been too much for Chris? Is it everything Aaron wanted? Have a listen for the answer! Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
With many great successes over the past 30 years, Final Fantasy has become a regular name in gaming. Whatever your opinion may be regarding the latest iterations in the franchise, its impact to gaming as a whole is undeniable. And no, it’s probably not for the reasons that immediately come to mind. In this episode, Aaron and Chris dissect a number of incredibly influential aspects of the Final Fantasy franchise, many of which have since permeated a number of genres. The gamers share reasons why your FPS (and others) may have drawn inspiration from an NES-era RPG. In this episode’s game assignments, Chris shares his take on Enter the Gungeon while Aaron laments his time with Firewatch. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
The Indie game scene has really blossomed over the past five years. Making games used to be an undertaking for the experienced and well-funded. In the wake of amazing communities, tool enhancements, and educational resources, nearly anyone can build a game today with the appropriate drive and determination. In this episode, Chris and Aaron discuss the many ways that indie developers are revolutionizing the gaming industry. The gamers will also paint the picture of how we’ve come to this special time in the industry: a nexus of talent, tools, and empowerment for creators. In our Found It on Twitch segment, Chris takes steps to slowly get you hooked on speedrunning. Aaron covers his time with Valkyria Chronicles Remastered while Chris laments his experience with Jinsei Owata. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
As the gaming industry has grown and evolved over time, we’ve seen a dramatic change in the ways that game franchises have been introduced and re-introduced to the public, sequel after sequel. What was originally a very simple model has morphed into a number of distinct approaches, some effective and some not. Do traditional “every few years” models do better than the annual franchise release popularized by Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and Madden? Or are less traditional, subscription or free-to-play models more effective than the tried-and-true approaches? In this episode, Aaron and Chris debate the positives and negatives of multiple release models, touching on what works and what falls flat with gamers. Is the trend to “annualize” franchises into 12-month iterations a cop out, or is there something to the approach that advances the state of the industry? In the game assignments segment, Chris gives his impression on Civilization 6, and Aaron decides whether you should, indeed, touch something in Please, Don’t Touch Anything! Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Microsoft really has come a long way in gaming since the original Xbox was released in 2001. As with all of the other large console makers, they’ve had their ups and downs. The original vision has taken some time to be fully realized, but it seems that the pieces are all falling into place in present day. In this episode, Aaron and Chris round out the State of Gaming series focused on console makers, detailing the past, present, and future of Microsoft’s Xbox gaming division. Despite some rocky beginnings, the Xbox has become a household name across the world—a testament to the successful execution of a bold strategy to get into an already-crowded industry. The gamers discuss the ups and downs of the Xbox consoles and offer their thoughts of the future of the brand. Do they have what it takes to stand toe-to-toe to an emboldened Sony? In the assignments segment, Chris shares his thoughts on Dragon Quest Builders, and Aaron tackles Tropico 5… or was that 4? Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Controllers. They’re one of the most critical aspects to playing games, often making or breaking our immersion in the experience. Despite this, we rarely really focus our discussions on them. Which ones are good, and which ones aren’t. Great ones are hard to come by, whereas horrible ones seem common. In this episode, Chris and Aaron delve into the depths of the history of controllers from retro to modern. You’ll hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly controllers we’ve had the pleasure (or displeasure) of playing with over the years. Some we’d like to keep using, and most we just want to forget. The gamers also cover their latest assignments: Headlander (PS4) and Need for Speed (PC)! Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Over the years, we’ve seen a quite a lot of ups and downs in the video game industry. Series rise to amazing levels only to crash back down a year later. Developers struggle to find their first hit, then seemingly acquire the Midas touch for years to come. It’s fascinating, really, to see how these ebbs and flows shape our perception of what’s good (and what isn’t) year over year. In this episode, Aaron and Chris give their own thoughts on what’s trending up, and what’s trending down. What do we have high hopes for, and what can we only hope eventually improves? Also, last episode’s assignments has Chris describing his experience with Resident Evil 4 and Aaron (finally) hitting the PC scene with Cities: Skylines! Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Refunds for games. The topic has been brought up before, but hasn’t really become an issue until just recently. Given recent concerns with games like No Man’s Sky, Aaron and Chris felt compelled to dive into the topic, approaching it with some unique perspectives not commonly shared. What is a reasonable refund policy for games? Has that changed with the decline in demos for more popular titles? How much of the burden should be shouldered by the consumer, the developer, and/or the publisher? We all play a role in this ecosystem, and understanding where the line should be drawn is a very important topic for discussion. Also, Chris shares another great Twitch streamer. Finally, the gamers discuss their latest gaming assignments: I Am Setsuna and Maximo: Army of Zin. Hint: If you like old school RPGs, check out this segment! Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Things have certainly changed, haven’t they? It seems like we’re on the brink of a redefining moment in gaming history. There’s one large question to consider: how will this impact gamers? In this episode, Chris and Aaron examine whether we’re currently experiencing the final console generation. Will there be new, full iterations of consoles, or will the PS4 “Neo” and Xbox “Scorpio” become the new standard? How does this contrast with the mobile phone market? Will Sony and Microsoft remain relevant as hardware developers? Let the gamers set the stage for an incredibly important discussion in today’s gaming ecosystem. The gamers also discuss their gaming assignments: Katamari Forever and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Finally, Aaron and Chris give their predictions for the Sony Playstation event coming in September. Will the Neo and Slim be revealed? Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
Have you or your friends ever considered getting back into gaming? Do you want to relive the games of your childhood, or perhaps show your friends and family what it was like? Where do you start? What’s the best bang for your buck? In this episode, Aaron and Chris help lay the groundwork for those of us who would like to get back into the hobby. Whether you’re looking at retro or newer-generation gaming, we have some input for you. In our Found it on Twitch segment, Chris introduces us to one of the most old-school and intriguing streamers in its history: DansGaming. Aaron gives his impressions of Kid Chameleon and Alex Kidd (double feature!), and Chris relives the past excitement with Earthworm Jim. In light of our “getting back into the hobby” focus this episode, the gamers choose some of their favorite games to relive: Katamari Forever (Chris’ assignment) and Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Aaron’s assignment). Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
In this episode, Chris and Aaron examine the past, present, and future of one of gaming’s most iconic companies: Sega. It’s a roller coaster of ups and downs, the the gamers are up to the task. What did they do well, and where did they go wrong? Aaron and Chris analyze their future path and outline plans to bring them back to greatness. If you were a gamer through the 90s, this episode will strike a chord with you! The gamers then report back on their non-game assignments from last episode: Child of Eden and PixelJunk 4 AM. In keeping with the Sega theme, next episode’s assignments include Kid Chameleon and Earthworm Jim, two well-known Genesis titles from the 90s. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
In this episode, Aaron and Chris discuss a listener-submitted topic that’s becoming increasingly relevant in today’s gaming market: Games that aren’t really games. The gamers consider which aspects of these experiences classify them as “non-game games” and ponder how that impacts their ability to attract players. They further touch on the unique and amazing aspect of these products along with ways to ensure they continue to exist in the gaming ecosystem. The gamers discuss their current gaming endeavors, including Song of the Deep and Guilty Gear Xrd. Chris relives his youth playing Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo while Aaron contends with age in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Finally, the gamers examine Nintendo’s recent Mini NES announcement, and Chris unveils a new segment coming to YouTube, BC News, providing an executive summary of relevant video game news with commentary, delivered in under five minutes. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise. Used with permission.
In this episode, Chris and Aaron track the rise in competitive gaming over the course of the last two decades. They relive early memories of head-to-head battle across multiple genres that undoubtedly laid the eventual groundwork for today's E-Sports scene. The gamers highlight an exceptional competitive Overwatch player, Seagull. Finally, Aaron and Chris give their impressions of two early Playstation classics: Spyro and Crash Bandicoot. Intro music provided by sawsquarenoise.
In this episode, Aaron and Chris discuss the state of gaming for Sony and its Playstation brand. The gamers explore the ups and downs of Sony's trek into gaming in the mid 90s, their formative gaming years in the early 2000s, and their eventual rise to supremacy. In our gaming assignments segment, Chris assesses Overwatch, and Aaron gives us his opinion on Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction.
In this episode, Chris and Aaron discuss when enough is enough: when is the right time to retire a franchise (or even an entire genre)? How can we drive the industry to produce new ideas as opposed to producing the same, tired iterations on games we've already played? The gamers search for the point where players "check out" and move on entirely. Chris gives his brief review of Fez, and Aaron laments his time with Bravely Default. Finally, the gamers throw in their E3 predictions... will announcements finally push Aaron to buy a PS4?!
Aaron and Chris tackle a controversial, yet interesting topic: in what ways do video streaming sites like Twitch and YouTube contribute positively or negatively to gaming culture? In light of recent controversy surrounding Let's Plays, how are they impacting both the business and our own perspective on gaming? Chris shares a great YouTube channel focusing on the retro game hunt, and the gamers reflect on the state of gaming for arguably the biggest name in the industry: Nintendo. Finally, Chris and Aaron share their opinions of some unique titles on the NES: Wizards & Warriors and StarTropics.
In this episode, Chris and Aaron discuss their favorite arcade memories and the culture that went along with them. They examine what arcades did for the gaming culture prior to their subsequent decline in the US during the early 2000s. The gamers discuss how arcades are kept alive in present day (on a global scale) and ponder how their greatness may live on in slightly different implementations. Also, Chris takes note of one of his long-time favorite streamers on Twitch.tv: LethalFrag. Finally, the gamers evaluate their previous assignments in Guacamelee and Braid.
In this episode, Aaron and Chris turn the video game tropes concept on its side, discussing what games do well. How do they win us over? What makes a game good? The gamers also discuss the state of mobile gaming in a new segment targeted at understanding different aspects of the pastime. Finally, Aaron helps us settle the great debate between Streets of Rage 2 and Altered Beast.
In this episode, Aaron and Chris discuss whether gaming is more of a personal, single-player activity or a group experience. The gamers compare and contrast factors that contribute to someone's decision to seek out solo or online activities when they choose their games. Does the presence or absence of either steer you away? The gamers also dig up a gone-but-not-forgotten classic piece of handheld hardware from the mid-90s.
In this episode, Aaron and Chris discuss how being a lifelong gamer impacts life both positively and negatively. Do the things games ingrain in us help or hurt us, and in what ways? Chris shares a great Twitch streamer, BikeMan, and the gamers discuss some of the best and worst qualities of two Legend of Zelda games. A healthy discussion of PS VR and the rumored PS 4K sets the stage for things to come in gaming this year.
In this episode, Chris and Aaron discuss the reality of working in the gaming industry and how that plays into the aspirations of many to join it. The gamers discuss two 16-bit gems (non-RPGs, finally!) in Retro Rerun that are worth your time. They wrap up with some parting thoughts on the harder campaign in Fire Emblem Fates.
In this episode, Chris and Aaron talk about the gamers you didn't expect and the overall rise of gaming popularity across the board. They discuss some perhaps surprising--and uplifting--statistics relating to the world of gaming. The gamers pull out two more great SNES JRPGs in the retro rerun. Finally, they dig into Aaron's opinion on Fire Emblem Fates: what works and what doesn't.
The gamers discuss whether graphics and sound make a game better. They discuss whether retro games can evoke the same emotion as current generation games. The retro rerun segment covers two exceptional retro JRPG series. Aaron shares his opinion on a game he's played recently and buys the whole of the Amazon games inventory.
Chris and Aaron discuss some of the most frustrating video game tropes that persist throughout nearly all games. We feature Twitch streamer CohhCarnage (twitch.tv/cohhcarnage), discuss frivolous collecting, and get an update on last episode's assignments: Jackal and Papers, please! The gamers also dish out new assignments: one retro, one recent.
In this episode, Chris and Aaron discuss achievements/trophies, game difficulty, and a special retro hardware segment: the Sharp Twin Famicom! The gamers also share their most anticipated games of 2016, with a special shoutout to speedrunning charity marathons.
Our first episode! We'll give you background on the podcast format and planned topics. Get to know your hosts, Chris and Aaron, with our top ten best games of all time lists.