Summary
The latest discussions among the hosts of Rebel FM revolve around the current state of the video game industry, particularly focusing on the impact of acquisitions, the financial burdens of game development, and the challenges of game discovery on platforms like Steam.
The conversation highlights the recent struggles of Bioware, noting that the studio's closure is not surprising given the financial pressures following its acquisition by EA. The hosts express concern about the increasing costs associated with game development, particularly in light of the high expectations for AAA titles. They discuss how the financial model of leveraged buyouts can lead to significant debt, which in turn affects the viability of studios like Bioware.
In addition, the hosts critique the Steam Next Fest, describing it as overwhelmed with AI-generated content, which complicates the discovery process for gamers. They suggest that a more curated approach, similar to the Xbox Live Arcade era, could enhance user experience and help gamers find quality titles amidst the noise. The discussion also touches on the potential for human curation to improve game discovery, emphasizing the importance of personal recommendations in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
Overall, the episode reflects a mix of nostalgia for simpler times in gaming while grappling with the complexities of modern game development and distribution.
Show Notes
We're here and we're talking about how EA got into the situation it finds itself in (and how that sealed Bioware's fate), close out Modern Warfare 4's campaign, chat Clayface and Your Mother, Your Mother, Your Mother, and more! This week's music: She Wants Revenge - BLACK WAX/OUR LOVE
More from Rebel FM
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We're here and we've got more to talk about than we thought, including the horror-metroidvania End of Abyss, Star Wars Galactic Racer, Dressmaker, and more! This week's music: Emma Ruth Rundle - Powerless
We're back, and at least one of us has been playing games! Games including Gears of War: E-Day, the Castlevania: Belmont's Curse demo, Control Resonance, and more! This week's music: Royal Blood - Swallow the Bomb
We've got a shorter two man show this week as we chat a lot about the Resident Evil movie and why it's successful, wrapping up Wolverine, plus we talk Emberward, Desktop Explorer, and more! This week's music: Now It's Overhead - sigh lets go
We're back and we're talking about Wolverine, which is ... well, I'm sure you've heard some things. But we also talk about how PlayStation's public image is affecting Wolverine's reception, plus we chat about Servant of the Lake, Endacopia, and more. This week's music: Die Spitz - Punishers