Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast: Recent Episodes
Caleb J. Ross & VGCollectaholic
A different kind of video game podcast. One is an author and game-lover, the other is a collector and recovering game store owner. Caleb J. Ross (@calebjross) and VGCollectaholic (@VGCollectaholic) delve into the business, economics, and psychology of video games. New episodes released every-other Monday.
The wild west’s Pinkertons are still alive and are setting their sights on Take-Two, Rockstar, and Red Dead Redemption 2. But could the suit have implications for the entire concept of “Fair Use” and have wide-spread impact on YouTube and game streaming?
Epic Set List
- Discussion of what video games we’ve been playing recently & give our spoiler-free thoughts:
- God of War
- Donut County
- Ripto’s Rage
- L.A. Noire
- Florence
- Among the Sleep
Video Game Pickups
- Limited Run Games
- Super Rare Games
- Intellivision
- Fang Controller Tower
What’s News
- Business & Law: Bungie leaves another partner at the alter. Parting ways with Activision Blizzard prompts a shareholder lawsuit.
- Trademark vs. First Amendment: The real-life Pinkertons sue over Red Dead Redemption 2, but could the suit have implications for YouTubers & streamers?
- Psychology: The ESA is in talks with WHO about “Gaming Disorder.”
- Copyright: Another fan-developed remake of Konami’s infamous P.T.
- Hacks: Nintendo’s online subscription to add SNES games?
- Sales: Could the Playstation 4 break the Wii’s console sales record?
Main Event
- We look ahead to 2019 and discuss our most anticipated games, The games we are most intrigued by, and then reveal our 2019 gaming goals.
The post The Pinkertons vs. The First Amendment – Episode 031 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
We take a look back at the year that was 2018 in Video Games – critical hits, critical fumbles, guilty pleasures, and more.
Epic Set List
- Discussion of what video games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts
- God of War
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Spyro
- Jack Box Party Pack
Holiday Recap
- What did we do over our 2018 holiday break?
Video Game Pickups
- A holiday season full of gaming & game ephemera pickups
- VGCollectaholic completes a major North American set
What’s News
- Law: Police respond to a noise complaint & end up playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Sony: Our players demand single-player experiences
- Psychology: Do video game players respond to crisis differently?
- Collecting: NES Classic & SNES Classic production ends
- Industry: The growth of The Game Awards
Main Event
- Recaping the best and worst games from 2018
- 2018 games we wish we had played
- Things that intrigued us in 2018
The post The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly From 2018 – Episode 030 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
After a lengthy hiatus following the close of Season One, Masters of Unlocking returns! In this episode, we explore potential legal problems for Fallout 76, initial thoughts on Red Dead Redemption 2, ask the question “Are Loot Boxes gambling?” and more…
Show Notes * Epic Set List: + Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts - Assassin’s Creed Odyssey - Fallout 76 - Red Dead Redemption 2
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Black Friday & Cyber Monday Pickups:
- We discuss our recent gaming-related pickups and scores from the 2018 Thanksgiving shopping holiday
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What’s News:
- Fallout 76’s bug-riddled release prompts one class action specialist law firm to investigate “deceptive trade practices”
- Valve discontinues Steam Link hardware
- Game guide publisher Prima Games will shut down in Spring 2019
- Sony will skip E3 2019 – are they prepping for a 2019 Playstation 5 announcement?
- Resident Evil movie reboot plans to return the cinematic adaptation to it’s horror roots
- Eiji Aonuma teases a Zelda: Skyward Sword release on Nintendo Switch
- Microsoft rumored to be releasing an Xbox One S console without a disc drive
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Main Event:
- We dive into an impromptu discussion of whether Loot Boxes are gambling, prompted by the United States’ Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announcing that they will investigate the practice of Loot Boxes
The post Fallout 76, Red Dead Redemption 2, & Are Loot Boxes Gambling? – Episode 029 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
LIVE from Chicago, it’s Masters of Unlocking’s first anniversary episode! This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the first-annual Cartridge Club Con (C3) in Chicago, Illinois. We delve into Chicago’s rich history in gaming, including developers based here, games set here, and historic gaming events that occurred here.
Show Notes * Epic Set List: + Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts - Octopath Traveler (Nintendo Switch) - Steamworld Dig 2 (Nintendo Switch) - Sunset Riders (SNES) - Zombies Ate My Neighbors (SNES) - Looney Tunes Basketball (SNES)
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Pickups:
- We discuss our recent gaming-related pickups and scores – what did we pickup on our trip to C3?
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Main Event:
- Caleb & Scott celebrate their trip to the first annual Cartridge Club Con by diving into video gaming’s history in Chicago.
- Games Set in Chicago
- Sports, mobsters, airports, light gun shooters, train simulators, arcade games, action games, and more…
- CES in Chicago (1972 – 1994)
- Game Developers in Chicago
- Midway arcade games and the legacy the developer left on the Chicago dev scene
- Games Set in Chicago
- Caleb & Scott celebrate their trip to the first annual Cartridge Club Con by diving into video gaming’s history in Chicago.
The post A Video Game History of Chicago, Recorded LIVE! – Episode 026 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
We dive into a slew of gaming stories – Microtransactions, Google’s rumored console, gaming corpses, Nathan Fillion, ESPN & Overwatch , controller mods, Neo-Nazi scum, sex disorder, Fallout: New California, and more! Plus we preview the Cartridge Club’s upcoming Chicago meetup!
Show Notes * Epic Set List: + Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts - Pillars of Eternity - Horizon Zero Dawn - A Profound Waste of Time (magazine)
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Pickups:
- We discuss our recent gaming-related pickups and scores
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What’s News:
- Why should we care about a Google video game console?
- Family of slain teen has viewing with him propped up playing video games, surrounded by his favorite things
- Even more indie games are coming to Nintendo Switch
- Nathan Fillion finally plays Nathan Drake… is it any good?
- ESPN/Disney ink exclusive broadcast deal with Blizzard for Overwatch League
- Neo-Nazis using online games as recruiting playgrounds… in case the internet didn’t already suck enough
- First video games, now Sex… is there anything fun the WHO thinks is good for you?
- We learn which member of the iconic 1990’s trio TLC “Hey Past Caleb…” had the hots for
- Score 1 for Anti Microtransactions – Middle-earth: Shadow of War is now microtransaction-free!
- 8bitdo releases kits to mod your classic OEM Nintendo, SNES, and Genesis controllers with wireless bluetooth
- Fallout: New California fan mod receives thumbs up from Bethesda
- Guerrilla Games is growing
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Main Event:
- Caleb & Scott are headed to Chicago for a Cartridge Club meetup (July 27 – 29)! If you’re in the Chicago area, we’d love to say hi! Drop us a line.
The post Microtransactions, Sex Disorder, & Gaming Corpses – Episode 025 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
By now everyone knows that Toys R Us is officially dead… but could it be rising from the dead with zombie-like ferocity? We discuss the juicy rumors of TRU’s potential return, the WHO’s creation of Gaming Disorder, a new Nielsen report on the gaming industry, and more!
Show Notes * Epic Set List: + Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts - Pillars of Eternity - Horizon Zero Dawn - A Way Out
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Pickups:
- We discuss our recent gaming-related pickups and scores
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What’s News:
- Just as Toys ‘R Us was closing the last of its stores this week, news broke that a comeback could be in the works!
- World Health Organization (WHO) officially classifies video game addiction as a disease – “Gaming Disorder”
- Sony unveils Playstation 4’s first wave of Greatest Hits releases – now called “Playstation Hits”
- Showtime officially greenlights Halo series
- Nintendo’s new CEO officially steps into office and has some interesting remarks that hint at the future of Nintendo
- The company behind Pokemon Go (Nantic) opens its AR platform to other developers
- We FINALLY get an update from Tetsuya Nomura on the Final Fantasy VII remake
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Main Event:
- Nielsen released their annual Games 360 Report exploring trends and behavior in video gaming. We recap and discuss the report. Download the full report and read along with us here!
The post Could Toys R Us Return From the Grave? – Episode 024 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
E3 2018 is officially in the books! We give a run down of the presentations from Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, Bethesda, CD Projekt Red, and Ubisoft and discuss our thoughts.
E3 Show Notes * Epic Set List: + Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts - Pillars of Eternity - Bioshock - Axiom Verge
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Recent Pickups
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Epic E3 Main Event:
- E3 2018 is officially in the books! We give a run down of the presentations from Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, Bethesda, CD Projekt Red, and Ubisoft and discuss our thoughts. Since this marathon episode runs nearly 3 hours , we provide timestamps below:
- Bethesda (timestamp: 0:21:20)
- Fallout 76, Rage 2, Doom Eternal, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot, Skyrim: Very Special Edition, Starfield, Elder Scrolls VI (Hammerfall??)
- Ubisoft (0:57:35)
- Beyond Good & Evil 2, The Division 2, Skull & Bones, Transference, Starlink: Battle for Atlus, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
- Nintendo (1:16:46)
- Pokemon, Super Mario Party, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, My Friend Pedro
- Sony (1:24:29)
- Ghost of Tsushima, Last of Us 2, Death Stranding, Spider-Man, Deracine, Control, Resident Evil 2, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- CD Projekt Red (2:07:06)
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Microsoft (2:10:41)
- New Studio Acquisitions
- Halo Infinite, Crackdown 3, Sea of Thieves, Forza Horizon 4, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course, Battletoads, Gears of War 5
- Bethesda (timestamp: 0:21:20)
- Plus, we discuss some of our various “old man sports injuries”
- E3 2018 is officially in the books! We give a run down of the presentations from Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, Bethesda, CD Projekt Red, and Ubisoft and discuss our thoughts. Since this marathon episode runs nearly 3 hours , we provide timestamps below:
The post Drinking & Knowing Things: E3 2018 Thoughts – Episode 023 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
We get ready for next week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) by taking a look at what has been announced/leaked thus far and what things we’d love to see. We also talk Best Buy, eSports, Let’s Plays, Fallout mods, and more!
Show Notes * Epic Set List: + Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts - Bioshock - Axiom Verge
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Pickups:
- Scott closes in on completing the OG Xbox set (42 to go)
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What’s News:
- Best Buy ends Gamers Club Unlocked program
- New study says 1-in-10 people globally will be fans of eSports or Let’s Plays by 2022
- Overwatch League plans to add 6 new teams with an international focus for Season Two
- The gigantic “Fallout: New California” mod nearing completion – will Bethesda allow it?
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Main Event:
- E3 is next week, we discuss developer thoughts on leaks, explore pre-show announcements (like Fallout 76), and what items are on our wishlist for this year’s show.
The post E3 2018 is Here… What’s on YOUR Wishlist? – Episode 022 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
If gaming has an all-digital future, then digital re-selling will have to be a thing. Robot Cache, a new startup from the founder of Interplay and InXile launches with an eye on tackling re-selling of digital content.
Show Notes * Epic Set List: + Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts - God of War - Night in the Woods - A Way Out
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Pickups:
- Caleb contemplates God of War
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Collector Tips: Tracking & Managing Your Collection
- Scott discusses the video game collecting database app and software suite Collectorz
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What’s News:
- Sony sets an end date to physical Vita cart production in the West
- Nintendo Switch Online runs $20 annually, includes cloud saves, online gaming
- Nintendo releasing a $20 play & charge stand for the Switch
- Nintendo is being sued by Gamevice over the Switch’s design
- Electronic Arts has record year & CFO calls SAAS model (aka digital sales & DLC) “the bedrock of our business”
- Microsoft to launch a disability-friendly Xbox controller
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Main Event:
- If gaming has an all-digital future, then digital re-selling will have to be a thing. Robot Cache, a new startup from the founder of Interplay and InXile launches with an eye on tackling re-selling of digital content.
The post Can the All-Digital Future of Gaming Have a Used Market? – Episode 021 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
Sony & Nintendo recently released their 2017 fiscal year earnings reports – spoiler: they both did pretty damned well! We dive into the results and ask what’s next?
Show Notes * Epic Set List: + Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts - Okami HD
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Pickups:
- Scott buys ~900 OG Xbox games and a bunch of sealed Lynx games
- Caleb buys Nintendo Labo and gives his thoughts
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What’s News:
- Fortnite Scholarships: coming to a university near you
- Atari VCS (formerly Atari Box) pre-orders announced… why you shouldn’t care
- Capcom & iam8bit partner for Mega Man NES/SNES repros
- Game collector finds drugs inside NES carts
- Loot Boxes deemed illegal gambling in Belgium
- Valve acquires Firewatch developer Camp Santo
- The Loss Levels – a game about shock, grief, and powerlessness
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Main Event:
- Nintendo and Sony’s Playstation division both post fiscal year profits of $1.6 billion. We break down the numbers and explore what’s on the horizon for the two gaming behemoths.
The post Who Had a Better 2017, Sony or Nintendo? – Episode 020 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
Last weekend, Milwaukee Wisconsin played host to the annual Midwest Gaming Classic… and the worst April Blizzard in history. We discuss the convention, it’s panels, personalities, vendors, and more. Show Notes Epic Set List: Discussion of what games we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts Okami HD Subsurface Circular Collecting Tools of the Trade […]
The post Snowed-In at Midwest Gaming Classic 2018 – Episode 019 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
With the World Video Game Hall of Fame set to induct its 2018 class, we take a look at the mark each of the current Hall of Fame members made on the industry. Then, we examine the 2018 nominees and reveal our Hall of Fame Ballots. Show Notes Gaming Archaeology: Caleb J. Ross (@CalebJRoss) and […]
The post Exploring the World Video Game Hall of Fame – Episode 018 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
We sit down for a conversation with Giant Sparrow’s Ian Dallas – creative director of the 2017 hit What Remains of Edith Finch and 2014’s The Unfinished Swan. This episode of Masters of Unlocking follows a bit of a different structure than our normal episodes – we kick things off with our interview with Ian […]
The post A Conversation With Giant Sparrow’s Ian Dallas – Episode 017 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
Author & professor Ian Bogost theorized that video games, as a medium, are poor conduits for storytelling and that games are better without stories. Do Caleb & Scott agree? Show Notes Gaming Archaeology: Caleb J. Ross (@CalebJRoss) and VGCollectaholic (@VGCollectaholic) recap their recent game pickups Epic Set List: Discussion of what games we’ve been playing […]
The post Are Video Games Better Without Stories? – Episode 016 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
Caleb & Scott dive into a new report by social site Qutee about what video gamers think about gaming in 2018. They examine the results of the report and ask whether it actually tells us anything scientific about gamers or the game industry. Show Notes Gaming Archaeology: Caleb and VGCollectaholic recap their recent game pickups […]
The post What Do Gamers Think About Gaming in 2018? – Episode 015 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
The rumor mill is running wild about Microsoft buying EA, Valve, or PUBG. We look at why those don’t make sense and propose three new contenders for who we think House Xbox SHOULD acquire. Show Notes Epic Set List: Discussion of what we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free thoughts What’s News: Toys R Us […]
The post Which Game Publisher SHOULD Microsoft Acquire? – Episode 014 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
No shortage of news this week as we discuss the Overwatch League debut, CES video game announcements, Nintendo unveiling cardboard Legos, and a business look at the YouTube demonetization drama. Show Notes Gaming Archaeology: Caleb and VGCollectaholic recap their recent game pickups Epic Set List: Discussion of what we’ve been playing recently & our spoiler-free […]
The post Overwatch League & Twitch; YouTube Demonetization – Episode 013 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
This week the global electronics industry descends on Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES). These days, the show is dominated by televisions, the Internet of Things, and 5G smart toasters, but it wasn’t always so… in this episode of Masters of Unlocking, we take a look back at the rich history of […]
The post Video Gaming’s Rich Legacy at CES – Episode 012 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
It’s that time of year – Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, and Final Fantasy’s birthday. Want to feel old? The Final Fantasy franchise turns 30 years old this month. We discuss some of our memories from the landmark franchise. Show Notes Gaming Archaeology: Caleb and VGCollectaholic recap their recent game pickups, including Soedesco indy games and […]
The post Happy 30th Birthday Final Fantasy – Episode 011 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
Take a timeout from your crazy family conversations this holiday season and gather ’round for some great family-friendly couch co-op games! We list our recommendations for best local multiplayer games to play with gamers and non-gamers. Show Notes Gaming Archaeology: Caleb and VGCollectaholic recap their recent game pickups, including a Neo Geo AES system, flash […]
The post Couch Co-Op Holiday Family Fun- Episode 010 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
We compare the Power Pak and Everdrive N8 Nintendo flash carts, discuss a slew of microtransaction-related news, and then dive into our thoughts on the 2017 Game Awards! Show Notes FREE GAME Contest Announcement Win a free game, details here: Want a chance to win a FREE video game and help out a new gaming […]
The post And the BEST Games of 2017 Are… – Episode 009 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
We wish the Microsoft Xbox a happy 16th birthday and prepare you for Black Friday 2018 with a discussion of video game deals and strategic tips for scoring your epic Black Friday loot. Show Notes Gaming Archaeology: Caleb and Scott recap their recent game pickups, including Xbox One X and a Neo Geo Pocket Color […]
The post Xbox’s 16th Birthday & Black Friday Prepping – Episode 008 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
Caleb J. Ross & VGCollectaholic explore what’s in store for the Nintendo Switch in its inaugural holiday season as more physical games begin to arrive. Show Notes Gaming Archaeology: Caleb and Scott recap their recent game pickups, including this weekend’s gaming barrage of Mario, Wolfenstein, & Assassin’s Creed Caleb starts a new collection & starts […]
The post Nintendo Switch’s First Holiday Season – Episode 007 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
Happy Halloween everyone! This week we get into the spookiness of the season by discussing horror games, sub-categories of horror games, and some of our favorite spooky game experiences. Show Notes Gaming Archaeology – Caleb and Scott recap their recent game pickups… Caleb discusses his crazy childhood collections… like this one: Epic Set List – […]
The post Memorable Spooky Games – Episode 006 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
The SNES Classic launched this weekend – maybe you’ve heard about that. Bethesda unveils their new Creation Club. And out hosts ponder what the prospect of Limited Run Games’ producing replacement longbox cases for Sega Saturn, Sega CD, and Sony Playstation games means – is a replacement case different than a replacement cart label? Show […]
The post Replacement Longbox Cases & The Ship of Theseus – Episode 005 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
Caleb & Scott discuss their key takeaways from the Nintendo Direct announcements, dive into their post-play-through thoughts on NieR: Automata, and delve into PewDiePie’s most recent faux pas and how it could lead to major legal ramifications for the future of game streaming. Show Notes Gaming Archaeology – Caleb and Scott recap their recent game […]
The post PewDiePie, Fair Use, & The Future of Streaming – Episode 004 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
Several games have recently released or announced major updates that overhaul the original game. Caleb J. Ross & VGCollectaholic ask – Can video games like No Man’s Sky and Yooka-Laylee truly ever get a second chance to erase a bad first impression? Show Notes Gaming Archaeology – Caleb and Scott recap their recent game pickups. […]
The post Do Post-Launch Video Game Pivots Work? – Episode 003 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
In the wake of Limited Run Games’ release of the 25th Anniversary remaster of Night Trap, Caleb and Scott dive into the science behind violent video games and their effect, or lack thereof, on the brain. Show Notes Gaming Archaeology – Caleb and Scott recap their recent game pickups. Epic Set List – What have […]
The post Violent Video Games & The Brain – Episode 002 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.
A new video game podcast is born, with your hosts Caleb J. Ross (@CalebJRoss) and Scott the Video Game Collectaholic (@VGCollectaholic). Show Notes Gaming Archaeology – Caleb & Scott discuss their recent video game pick-ups Epic Set List – What have we been playing? Current Event Discussions Wolfenstein 2 announces three DLC packs 3 months […]
The post Video Games Are Like Children – Episode 001 appeared first on Masters of Unlocking: A Video Game Podcast.