Episode 159

In a one-two punch of terrible first party news, today we discuss both the baffling choice by Sony to require a PSN account on PC to play Helldivers II and the heartbreakingly infuriating decision Microsoft made to close four of its first party studios. In the wake of workforce reductions and studios shuttering, we observe the landscape of the present Xbox ecosystem - and it is not a pretty picture. As always, we conclude with the games we are playing (Dave the Diver, Sea of Thieves, Songs of Syx). This episode was recorded in May 2024. Royalty free music from BenSound.

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Timestamps:0:00 - Sony and the Helldivers II PC Situation21:24 - Tangent on Nintendo's Success and Helldivers Controversy Aftermath25:06 - Microsoft Studio Closures and Future Outlook45:35 - Xbox Leadership on Studio Closures52:39 - Dave the Diver58:14 - Sea of Thieves1:02:21 - Songs of Syx1:06:15 - Briefly Discussing Hades II, Stellar Blade, Monster Hunter World, and Fallout 4