My second podcast has arrived, and it is heavier on the theory than the controversy - at least I hope.

In this podcast, I submit that gaming - specifically the creativity behind it - is dead. This is certainly not a new idea - but I attempt to explain where we have been and look back at what made us successful. Where are we going? That's up to us.

Expect a look at the past, a bit of gaming philosophy, and a short, semi-technical story.

I look forward to your feedback.

Download the mp3.

Alrighty then... This launches my first podcast entry into the bank of Armchair Arcade podcasts - My first topic focuses on Nintendo. I do not really rant on this as it might seem, however I do inject an opinion that most certainly will not be shared by all.

It is unedited. There are typical pauses, clearing of the throat, etc as I gather my thoughts. Although I personally prefer to edit a podcast and try to strive for high production values, there is something to be said about purely focusing on the fun aspect of it all.

I hope you guys enjoy it.

Download the m4a.

From the Sony Playstation blog - Sony is offering a choice of 2 PS3 games and 2 PSP games from the following list:

Playstation 3:
Dead Nation
inFAMOUS
LittleBigPlanet
Super Stardust HD
Wipeout HD + Fury

PSP:

LittleBigPlanet (PSP)
ModNation Racers
Pursuit Force
Killzone Liberation

Read more here - http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/05/16/details-for-playstation-networ...

XybotsFight for your future! We're back with Episode 10! If you have feedback about the episode, please leave it HERE. Also - Don't forget to review the show on iTunes. We really appreciate it.

Click here to download the show.




Segments and approximate times below:

• Mark Vergeer on the BBC Micro (3:37)
• Chris Kennedy and Aaron Wegner discuss Xybots (20:18)
• Matt Barton dissects Reality is Broken (55:11)
• Bill Loguidice discusses new projects, the Atrix 4G, Nintendo 3DS, and the Apple iPad 2 (1:27:13)

As always, we'd really appreciate any feedback you have to offer on the episode. You can leave comments here, email us, or review the show on iTunes. You can also subscribe to our RSS Feed.

Those of you have most likely been reading about all of this drama with the Playstation Network. Matt just reported some of the drama earlier today. I have some BAD news...

The short of it is that the following information about YOU (If you are a PSN user) has been obtained thanks to a security issue -

* Name
* Shipping address
* Billing address
* Country
* E-mail address
* Birthdate
* PSN/Qriocity ID
* PSN/Qriocity password
* PSN/Qriocity security question and answer
* Purchase history

They have also said that credit card information along with expiration date (but without security code) may have also been compromised.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/sony-provides-psn-update-confirms-a-c...

ESRB I'll be the first one to say that computers are only as smart as those that would design and write the software. That said, the New York Times recently posted an article concerning the ratings system of the ESRB and how it will move from human-based grading to computer-based grading. It isn't that the computers have some sort of A.I. that plays the entire game through an assigns a rating (wouldn't that be grand?) but rather that the games will move toward a questionnaire-based rating system.

Don't hit that abort button - Episode 9 is here! Matt Barton, Mark Vergeer, Chris Kennedy with guest Aaron Wegner crank out a hefty podcast with a short staff. Please help us spread the word about the show! We really, really need and appreciate your help, so tell your friends and post about us on your favorite forums and blogs. Special thanks to Chet Tucker for the magnificent voice overs.

Click here to download the show.




Segments and approximate times below:

• Mark Vergeer on Fanboyism (3:22) Discuss this segment
• Chris Kennedy and Aaron Wegner discuss Hard Drivin' (11:51) Discuss this segment
• Matt Barton dissects Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide (62:39) Discuss this segment

As always, we'd really appreciate any feedback you have to offer on the episode. You can leave comments here, email us, or review the show on iTunes. You can also subscribe to our RSS Feed.

We're like a bad penny - We always turn up. It's Episode 8! Did we cut the show down, or has it grown into something we can't control? You'll have to listen to find out! Matt Barton, Bill Loguidice, Christina Loguidice, Chip Hageman, and I - Chris Kennedy - give you the latest in listener bliss.

Click here to download the show.




Segments and approximate times below:

• Matt Barton on Indie games and their quest to save us from lack of originality in today's games (4:06)
• Chip Hageman on Commodoreserver.com (21:35)
• Christina Loguidice on the use of videogames in medicine (36:32)
• Bill Loguidice's first computer roleplaying experience (45:25)
• Chris Kennedy and videogame remakes (1:11:16)

As always, we'd really appreciate any feedback you have to offer on the episode. You can leave comments here, email us, or review the show on iTunes. You can also subscribe to our RSS Feed.

Tonight, we completed King's Quest I.

Our approach was quite different. We didn't know what to do about a giant in the game - how to defend ourselves, kill him, etc. We knew this from the previous night. Before starting the game tonight, Laura said that she wanted to discuss what to do next in the game. I was a bit shocked and said that I didn't really do "pregame." Rather, I just load up a game and play. So we loaded it up.

...but perhaps having a pregame exercise is a great idea when it comes to adventure games...