Player One Podcast

This week the boys spend a lengthy amount of time talking about what they’ve been playing. Titles like Super Contra, Wing Commander Arena, Alien Syndrome, Overlord, Heavenly Sword, Project Sylpheed and more. And Phil has a total "Shane" moment in the process.Then, thrill to the story of how young Dan Dormer got his first break in the videogame industry, and get a bit of advice on how you, too, could do the same.Finally, we field some calls from our awesome listeners, and find out just how much Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 are going to suck. Oh, and just how little CJ knows about sports games. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

We open this episode by talking a little bit about which outlet we thought had the better E3 show coverage (or, rather, whose coverage we looked at most). But E3 is but a distant memory for the remainder. While we chat about what games we've been playing and rap for a little while about the Jeff Bell Internet drama (full story at links in the show notes) and game developer Dave Perry's comment about the Wii's fad factor, we spend most of this episode on more of the crew's "Tales of How I Got Into the Industry."This time it's CJ and Phil, whose stories about breaking into the industry run parallel at one point (thus why we did them at the same time, aside from it also generally being a slow news week). No Greg this week and no feedback section, though if we get enough calls on the voicemail line that'll return next time.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks to all who participated in our Bomberman Live game night last Friday.* BTW, "Playing like Derek" is a reference to an Easter Egg in Bomberman Live for Xbox 360.This week's links:Kotaku: Just Doing Our Job: AP Interrupts Our Miyamoto InterviewPicross DSBomberman LiveNCAA '08Sonic the HedgehogSuper Stardust HD1UP.com: Microsoft's Jeff Bell Calls Out Message Board PosterJoystiq: Jeff Bell asks message board user: "And your contribution to society is...what?"Next-gen.biz: In Defense of Jeff BellCJ's blog: Three and a half months later, the dream is overMagweasel: Phil's first issue of EGMMagweasel: CJ's first issue of EGM digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

It's the happiest time of the year for game companies. A time when they take precious manpower from their development cycle and cobble together an E3 demo in the hopes that some unwashed game journalist won't pass judgement on their product based on a five-minute demonstration and a press release. This week four of your favourite unwashed game journalists pick apart the three big press conferences as seen from the sidelines. Who did well? Who did poorly? Who the hell wrote Reggie's "Zap A Zombie" line and do they still have a job? Along the way the boys tackle issues like the imminent death of the Guitar Hero franchise, Nintendo's apparent lack of "real" games, the Sega Vintage line of Live Arcade games, and CJ's refusal to acknowledge any of our fine forum members on the show. Thank goodness our three other hosts do it for him. Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

We began recording this episode on Sunday with really just one thought in mind--talking about E3. And in the second segment we do that, mostly focusing on E3s passed and how the show changed during the time we (well, minus Dan) were actively involved in gaming magazine publishing. We share a few stories, a few yarns, a few fun anecdotes. The perfect thing in case any of you are heading down to the "new" E3, which takes place this week (none of us are, btw -- though two of us were invited).Other topics briefly touched upon including Microsoft's admission of defects with the 360 and the new warranty/repair program they've got going for anyone who's experienced red rings past, present and future. Unfortunately too late for those who just up and bought new systems. And we talk about the PS3 price cut coming this week, which was confirmed in between the time we recorded this and the time the finished episode was posted. Unfortunately it's just a temporary price cut in lieu of another $599 PS3 hardware SKU coming in August. What the heck is Sony doing?And naturally we begin the show by talking about what we played this week. Which isn't much, but there's some good stuff in here. If you like Moist Hollows, and awesome segues.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums!This week's linksOverlordThe DarknessTransformersMissile CommandFinal FantasySuper Mario Bros. 2Miyamoto Mario PictochatOpen Letter From Peter MoorePlayStation.blog: New PS3, New Price Drop & More News Coming digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Two members of our cast are total Harry Potter geeks. In fact, the only passion that outstrips their love of the bespectacled wizard has to do with the Transformers. So you can guess what most of this episode is about. Who has the better game -- Harry or Optimus? Along with the two biggies, the boys tackle Carcassonne and Final Fantasy this week. Plus a look at some of the latest headlines in the gaming industry. And finally, they talk a bit about the licensed movie game genre. Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums!

This week: A continuation of last week's discussion about game pricing. This time 'round we tackle the price of portable gaming, downloadable content, Xbox Live Arcade game price drops (or nonexistence of any) and more. Plus, we go over what we've been playing this week and play a couple voicemails.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums!This week's links:Planet Puzzle LeaguePac-Man Championship EditionBand of BugsTransformersHot BrainTime AceDiRTTenchu Z digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Whether it's Microsoft having to publicly justify the $10 price tag of Pac-Man Championship Edition and explain the reason why Shadowrun on 360 is $10 more than it is on PC, or news the Sony is "studying" PS3 price cuts...the price of gaming is a big topic of discussion these days. In the second segment we kick off a conversation about game/console pricing that will continue in next week's cast. Have $60 games changed the way you decide what to buy? Have you jumped ship to Gamefly and other rental services to continue enjoying your hobby? And we'd actually like to hear your opinions on it as well, so call that voicemail line and leave us a message--we'll be playing a few of them in part two next week.As always we begin the 'cast by talking about what we're playing (not much, really) and finish it out by going over some of the feedback from the last few episodes.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums!This week's links:Planet Puzzle LeaguePrince of PersiaPuzzle QuestVirtual Console: Punch OutFinal Fantasy IXPac-Man Championship EditionYouTube: Pac-Man C.E.Gamerscore blog: Lunchtime Conversation (Pac-Man and Pricing)Level-Up: Disparity from Microsoft Game Studios: PricelessPS3 price drop only a matter of timeJoystiq: May NPD: Nintendo still on top, industry sales up 49% digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

To celebrate the release of Tomb Raider Anniversary (or, depending on who you ask, Pac-Man Championship Edition) the boys tackle the topic of retro remakes this week. Do we like �em? Do we hate �em? Should Square Enix just give up on the Final Fantasy remakes already? You�ll have to listen to find out. And after that, we take some listener calls (Dan likes to call them �reader� calls�he�s so cute) and discuss the current state of game magazines, the reaction to the most recent EGM redesign, and why dudes are so compelled to call us when they�re drunk. Of course, before all that the guys talk about the games they�ve played in the last week, and somehow manage not to mention Catan or World of Warcraft�at least no more than a passing mention. So listen already!This week's links:Planet Puzzle LeagueYoutube: Tetris AttackPac-Man Championship EditionPuzzle QuestTomb Raider AnniversaryShadowrunC.R.U.S.H. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This is the episode that almost didn't happen. Or, rather, it's the episode that happened three times and we still didn't make it out alive. Either way you look at it, here it is and let's all just be glad it's over. The first two tries at recording this over the weekend were foiled by CJ's laptop teetering on the brink of obsolescence. The third time was the charm, except that halfway through Dan's Internet went wonky and his recording software crashed, leaving us with only a rough backup track of his contributions to this episode. If you're wondering why Dan sounds like he's broadcasting from a dark cave somewhere, this is why.But there are bright spots in this episode. It's not all bad (we swear). Thanks to Forza 2, Mad Tracks and the DIRT demo, we decided to spend the second segment talking about racing games. And despite Dan being disconnected during it and Phil's near complete lack of interest in the genre, we think it turned out OK. You be the judge.Thanks for listening and for hanging in there during our technical difficulties! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums!This week's links:Forza 2ShadowrunOuendan 2Planet Puzzle LeagueCatanDIRT demoMad TracksYoutube: Speed Devils Online digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

It's Memorial Day weekend in the USA, generally thought of as the "official" start of the summer movie season (though more and more films are opening well beforehand every year). This weekend it's Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End. But 30 years ago it was Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. To commemorate the occasion, we spend the second half of this episode talking about Star Wars as the series has appeared in video games. From the original 1980s arcade game to Masters of Teras Kasi and KOTOR, join us for a walk down memory lane.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Halo 3 BetaCatanAegis WingWorld of WarcraftGuitar Hero IIWii SportsGuitar Hero III songlist previewPirates of the Caribbean: At World's EndXeviousOuendan 2Taito Legends 2 / Power UpSoltrio SolitaireFamicom Star WarsMasters of Teras Kasi digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Last week the rumor hit the Internet that Nintendo was planning to shutter their Nintendo Power magazine. Sad news for those of us in the "Nintendo generation" that grew up reading it religiously. So we invited Kevin Gifford of magweasel.com and GameSetWatch's weekly Game Mag Weaseling column to talk about it. We not only discuss the rumored shutdown of Nintendo Power but also about the current state of video game magazines in the US and UK and the changing nature of print publishing.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Magweasel.comGame Mag WeaselingIGN: Rumor: Nintendo Power Shutting DownYoutube: Nintendo Power commercialThe (Unofficial) Ace Ebb Fan ClubEdge Presents FileCrackdownHalo 3 BetaRistarPokemon Diamond/PearlCatanOuendan 2Odin SphereLunar Knights digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week we take a minute (OK, more like 30) to talk about the ill-fated 32-bit Sega Saturn system. But we're not just doing it because we like to shoot the bull about classic game hardware--May 11 marked 12 years since the system launched in North America, the first (and last) time a game console has been stealth-surprise launched. Maybe our discussion of the system and its games will spark a few memories in your mind (and if it does, pick up the phone and tell 'em to our voicemail line so we can play them on the air).While that's the main focus this week we also do a super-sized What'cha Been Playing that includes talk about the 360 Spring Dashboard Update, discuss whether we think Guitar Hero 3 or Rock Band will be better, and ponder which gaming genre will "die" next.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Puzzle QuestPokemon Diamond and PearlCatanCalling All CarsSuper Paper MarioDouble Dragon XBLALegend of the Mystical Ninja Virtual ConsoleSNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters DS1UP Yours: May 4, 2007 episode1UP Boards: Did you ever overreact to a game's low score...EGM Review: Star Fox Adventures (Shane)EGM Review: Star Fox Adventures (CJ)Joystiq: Is Catan changing Xbox Live?Youtube: Sega Saturn promo videoYoutube: Sega Saturn commercialYoutube: Freaky Sega Saturn commercialYoutube: Segata Sanshiro commercialYoutube: Dragon ForceYoutube: NiGHTSYoutube: Winter HeatYoutube: Radiant SilvergunYoutube: Keio YugekitaiYoutube: Burning Rangers Promotion VideoYoutube: Segata Sanshiro final commercial digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

The title of this episode is a choice piece of advice on how to get into the industry from this week's special guest, 1UP.com's Patrick Klepek. If you've always wondered how to get your foot in the door, you'll want to stick around for the last part of this episode where Patrick and co-host Greg Sewart share their stories of how they got started. (We'll get to the rest of the crew and other guests in the next few weeks.)Two other big topics this week -- First, David Jaffe's blog blow-up against game reviewers and gaming blogs (Joystiq in particular). We discuss reviewers taking the price/distribution model of a game in mind, developers versus journalists, fixing bugs after reviews have been printed, and the importance of playing a game so reliant on the quality of the online community "in the wild." Then we switch gears a little and discuss Microsoft's new territory controls built around the Xbox Live Marketplace.One more thing, if you've seen Spider-Man 3 or don't mind hearing spoilers, stick around after the ending theme music for 10 minutes or so of talk about the movie.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Guest Patrick Klepek's blog and 1UP blogLord of the Rings OnlinePokemon Diamond and PearlThe Red StarRaiden IIIOdin SphereSpider-Man 3CatanCentipede/MillipedeSuper Rub-a-DubCastlevaniaBoom Boom RocketDavid Jaffe's blog: Comments on first Calling All Cars reviewsJoystiq on Calling All Cars delayDavid Jaffe's blog: That's it for now...see you soonAndrew Pfister's 1UP.com blog: Reviewing Reviewers of ReviewsGamerscore blog: Xbox 360 Marketplace Territory Controls StrengthenedGamerscore blog: More on Xbox LIVE Marketplace Content digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Ken Kutaragi. He wasn't just the CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, he was also the father of the PlayStation. Without him, Sony never would've gotten into the gaming business to begin with. So it seems a bit odd that on the eve of what should be their triumph, he's retiring. While it's debatable as to whether he should've ascended to the heights he did within Sony (and his rambling, eccentric speeches at various press conferences point directly at this), it does seem like his stepping down is in response to the PSP's lackluster performance and the PS3's rocky launch. Join us as we talk a little bit about this and Sony's future steps.Naturally, that's not all we talk about in this episode. There's lots of Pokemon talk (so be prepared), as well as discussions about the use of webcams in console gaming, the anniversary of the Wii name, the analyst that thinks Wii/DS success is bad for the industry, and much much more. Join us, won't you?Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Pokemon Diamond and PearlGuitar Hero IIPinball FXEets ChowdownNinja Gaiden SigmaPlanet Earth Blu-RayCastlevania: Symphony of the NightWonder Boy in Monster WorldOblivionPac-Man (1982 cartoon)YouTube: Pac-Man introNextGen.biz: Kutaragi to Retire in JuneGameDaily: Analysts Weigh in on Kutaragi's Departure1UP.com: Celebrate the Past with Ken Kutaragi's Greatest Hits!Joystiq: Wii name celebrates first anniversaryNext-Gen.biz: Analyst: Wii, DS Success a Bad ThingKotaku: PS3 EyeToy Dated For US (Too)Pikachu: "Bitches Love Me"Seaman 2 digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

To mark the glorious occasion of the release of a brand-new Pokemon game, we take a look back on the series as a whole -- the ups, the downs, the seizure-inducing TV show, all of it. Is it wrong that grown adults love the Pokemon games too? Certainly not -- after all, they're just plain ol' RPGs with 400 cute characters to capture. At the end of the segment we issue a challenge to any Pokerapping listeners we might have out there. Any takers?Before all that we talk about what we've been playing and briefly go over the March NPD sales numbers. Not so hot of a month for Sony, strange since Motorstorm was considered a potential system-seller and Casino Royale hit Blu-Ray, figuring that it would've helped sell a few systems too.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Lego Star Wars IIPokemon Diamond and PearlGuitar Hero II3D Ultra MinigolfGyrussViva PinataPunch-Out!!!Jetpac RefuelledHalo 2 (new maps)Xbox 360 backward compatibility updateJoystiq: NPD: March belongs to DS, PS2PS3 System UpdatePokemon: Legend of Dratini (banned episode)Pokemon: James' Boobs (banned episode)Pokemon: Porygon clip (seizure episode)Pokerap (not the real one)Pokemon theme song live digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Warning: Depending on your stance on game spoilers, you'll either love or hate this episode of the Player One Podcast. Because Gamestop locations are running a video in-store that shows the ending of Zelda: Twilight Princess, we thought it would be the perfect time to talk about spoilers. What is and is not a game spoiler? Is watching the first 10 minutes of a highly anticipated game via a webcast spoiling the experience? When is the statute of limitations up, making it OK to spoil? After all, Twilight Princess has been out for a few months -- but is it still too early? Join us as we discuss these questions and more. (But if you care about spoilers for Metal Gear Solid 2, Halo 2 and Super Paper Mario you may want to skip it to keep yourself pure.)Also this week we discuss Activision's Guitar Hero II microtransaction buzzkill. We were all ready (as some of you probably were too) to buy tracks from Guitar Hero 1 to play on our 360s. What we weren't prepared for was the cost of the privilege. And because it wouldn't be a show without talking about Sony, we spend a segment talking about Sony officially killing off the 20GB PS3 in North America. Good idea, or bad idea?Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Super Paper Mario WiiBoom Boom Rocket Xbox 360MLB 2k7 Xbox 360World of Warcraft PCBeyond the Red Line PCSingstar Pop PS2Guitar Hero II Xbox 360Pokemon Diamond and Pearl DSOblivion Xbox 360Joystiq: Major Nelson talks Guitar Hero II microtransactionsAndrew Pfister 1UP blog: Guitar Hero sells out1UP.com: Sony officially dropping 20GB PS3 in North AmericaJoystiq: Gamestop spoils Twilight Princess ending in stores digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

We kick off this episode on a bit of a sour note -- Phil's Xbox 360 was visited by the system-killing three red lights just two weeks after CJ's died. Clearly, Greg and Dan's systems are next. But we quickly move into greener topics, discussing Super Paper Mario (which CJ got to play a bunch of this week) and Guitar Hero II at length in our first segment.We also discuss the recent PSP price drop. Is it enough? Can the PSP be saved by adding a second analog stick or getting rid of UMD? And finally, following the announcement of Rock Band -- EA/MTV/Harmonix's new all-encompassing music game -- we discuss the advancement of the genre, from PaRappa to Dance Dance Revolution to Taiko Drum Master and Guitar Hero.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Meet the RobinsonsGuitar Hero IIXbox 360 Three Red LightsXbox Domain: Towel TrickEpisode 11: The Dead PoolSuper Paper MarioJetpac RefuelledSony PSP hardware drops to $169.99Variety.com: MTV, Harmonix Form Rock Band digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week all four regulars are back, and just in time too for a rousing discussion of the pros and cons of the newly announced Xbox 360 Elite. With its 120GB hard drive, HDMI port (plus included cable--take that, Sony!) and sleek black curves, you'd think it'd be everything you'd ever want in a 360. Only, it's not. Let the complaining commence.Our other big discussion in this episode is about Sega's NiGHTS sequel and the screenshots/info that were revealed via several European sources last week. Is it going to be a Sega fan's wet dream or do Sonic Team's recent weak efforts hint at it being utterly underwhelming? The majority consensus here is that Sega and Sonic Team have an uphill battle.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:EGM April Fools JokesXbox 360 Three Red LightsTetris EvolutionJetpac RefuelledCastlevania Symphony of the NightGameLife: Jobs: Run Nintendo's Virtual ConsolePolicenauts.netOblivion: Shivering IslesWorld of WarcraftCustom Robo ArenaBurnout DominatorPuzzle QuestTMNTGamevideos.com: Grand Theft Auto IV trailerXbox 360 EliteKotaku: Sony working on PS3 "Elite" model?GamesIndustry.biz: 360 Elite validates Sony's hi-def focus - analyst360-Gamer: The Xbox 360 Hardware Failure SurveyJoystiq: NiGHTS Wii screens, interview found in Portuguese game magSonic and Mario at the OlympicsHype: Mario and Sonic Come Together in the Spirit of Friendship for the 2008 Olympics digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

CJ's away in San Francisco, which means Phil and Greg are taking over this week and spending way too much time talking about one of their favorite systems--the Sega CD. Thrill to stories of the Sega CD launch; the greatest pack-in software bundle of all time; the synergy of Hollywood and Silicon Valley; and an in-depth review of the greatest Sega CD game you've never played. Dan even says two or three words during the segment!Of course, we begin things this week with Whatcha-been playin'? Here we talk about everything from God of War II and sucking less than CJ to Tetris Evolution on 360 and everything in between. Oh, there's some Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Earth Defense Force 2017 in there as well. And in the following segment we tackle Jack Thompson's latest frivolous lawsuit, 2K Games' tendency to stick their heads in the sand, and Dan gets really angry about the European PS3 launch. Plus, is the third-party exclusive dead? You'll have to listen to find out.Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.Tetris Evolution 360God of War 2 PS2Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 360Castlevania Symphony of the Night 360Earth Defense Force 2017 360World of WarcraftCall of Duty PSP1UP.com: Devil May Cry 4 heads to 360, PCGamespot: Thompson countersues Take-TwoJeremy Parish 1UP blog: Why there won't be a System Shock RetronautsEngadgetHD: London's crime-free PS3 launch results in free HDTVs / cab ridesWikipedia: Sega CDLunarNET (Lunar series fansite)YouTube: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Sega CDSnatcherGood Deal Games (new or recovered Sega CD games)YouTube: Penn & Teller: Smoke & Mirrors digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Welcome to a very special edition of the Player One Podcast. This is not a regular episode. It's a fan commentary for Episode 1 of Captain N: The Game Master (available now on DVD from Shout Factory). Note: You must have a copy of the set for most of the audio in this podcast to make any sense whatsoever. Here's how it works: Load up Disc 1, and go into the Episode Selection menu. Start listening to this episode, and when you hear the Mario "pipe" sound effect press enter on your DVD remote to start playing Episode 1 "Kevin in Videoland." Or, if your iPod/iTunes/media player plays enhanced podcasts and you downloaded the AAC version of this podcast, you can skip to the second chapter marker just after the three-minute mark and begin playing from there.We hope you enjoy this, our first fan commentary track. Go to www.playeronepodcast.com, tell us what you thought, and let us know if you have an idea for a show we should do another commentary on. Or call us on our voice mail line at 713-893-8069. Thank you for listening!Show Links:Shout FactoryShout Factory: Captain N The Game MasterAmazon.com: Captain N The Game Master digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Welcome to a very special edition of the Player One Podcast. This is not a regular episode. It's a fan commentary for Episode 1 of Captain N: The Game Master (available now on DVD from Shout Factory). Note: You must have a copy of the set for most of the audio in this podcast to make any sense whatsoever. Here's how it works: Load up Disc 1, and go into the Episode Selection menu. Start listening to this episode, and when you hear the Mario "pipe" sound effect press enter on your DVD remote to start playing Episode 1 "Kevin in Videoland." Or, if your iPod/iTunes/media player plays enhanced podcasts and you downloaded the AAC version of this podcast, you can skip to the second chapter marker just after the three-minute mark and begin playing from there.We hope you enjoy this, our first fan commentary track. Go to www.playeronepodcast.com, tell us what you thought, and let us know if you have an idea for a show we should do another commentary on. Or call us on our voice mail line at 713-893-8069. Thank you for listening!Show Links:Shout FactoryShout Factory: Captain N The Game MasterAmazon.com: Captain N The Game Master digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

The February NPD numbers are out, and we take the opportunity to talk about each company's strategy or lack thereof for the upcoming months. Is Nintendo's continued success with the Wii going to peter out at some point soon as PS3 gets its sea legs? What does Sony need to do to emerge from its sales pit? When Game Boy Advance is outselling you, there's a problem.Next up, we tackle an issue that recently bubbled back to the surface when Silicon Knights' Denis Dyack appeared on EGM Live: How review-y should previews be? Is there a line at which it stops being a preview and starts being a judgement on a game that may be a year-plus away from release? In today's blog/podcast/multimedia culture anyone with a keyboard and an internet connection can share their opinion on a game, and the PR departments of many big publishers will continue struggling to control the message.Keep leaving us comments (via e-mail, comments on our web site, the forum thread for this episode, reviews on iTunes, giving us Diggs, Skype us at playeronepodcast) or leave us a voice mail by calling 713-893-8069, long distance charges apply. Thanks for listening, tell your friends, and we'll be back next week. Don't forget to join our forums!Big Bumpin' (Xbox 360)Burnout Revenge (Xbox 360)God of War II (PS2)Crackdown (Xbox 360)Worms (XBLA)Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Arcade (XBLA)World of Warcraft (PC)Motorstorm (PS3)Virtua Fighter 5 (PS3)Def Jam Icon (PS3)Next-gen.biz: NPD: February Software Sales Up 28%Kotaku: February NPD MadnessEGM Live: Denis Dyack interviewTooHuman.net: Why Denis Dyack is Right (And Why Shane Bettenhausen Isn't Wrong)Gamevideos.com: E3: Too Human Hands-On digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

The 2007 Game Developers Conference was held last week in San Francisco. While Greg, Chris and Phil did not attend, the "magic" of the Internet allowed us to keep tabs on the goings on. The major news? Sony's formal announcement of PlayStation Home -- your Home away from home that you can log onto from home. Is this the light at the end of the tunnel to the streak of bad press that Sony's been getting? And is it what Sony needed to match Microsoft's Xbox Live service? Listen in as we talk about PS Home and its proposed features.That's not where the news stops, however. We also discuss Little Big Planet, the PlayStation 3 game that may benefit the most from Sony's Home community. It could also help usher in a new era of user-created content, one the likes of which has never been seen before. In three words: we like it. And continuing with the GDC-fueled content, our last discussion covers quotes from three game developers that got the most attention at the show--one from Warren Spector, one from Keiji Inafune and the infamous "the Wii is a piece of shit" quote from Maxis' Chris Hecker. He's never gonna live that one down.Keep leaving us comments (via e-mail, comments on our web site, the forum thread for this episode, reviews on iTunes, giving us Diggs, Skype us at playeronepodcast) or leave us a voice mail by calling 713-893-8069, long distance charges apply. Thanks for listening, tell your friends, and we'll be back next week. Don't forget to join our forums!This week's links:Worms (Xbox Live Arcade)Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja (Nintendo DS)Crackdown (Xbox 360)Crackdown video: Climbing the Agency tower with the SUVCrackdown video: Explosion!Dance Dance Revolution Universe (Xbox 360)Motorstorm (PS3)Def Jam Icon (360/PS3)Wario: Master of Disguise (Nintendo DS)Game Developers ConferencePlayStation Home promo videoPlayStation Home FAQGamevideos.com: PlayStation Home full demoLittle Big Planet level creation videoLittle Big Planet demoLittle Big Planet level creation demoGamePro.com: Are Next-Gen Graphics A Bad Thing?Kotaku: Capcom's Inafune Slams Clover Producer1UP.com: Game Publishers Rant About IndustryKotaku: Spore Developer Chris Hecker Apologizes For Calling the Wii a "Piece of Shit" digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Outside of the first segment, this week's episode is all about the latest news surrounding the PS3. Some good, some bad, but we haven't talked about PS3 much lately so we decided to devote the whole episode to it. Last week Sony and Immersion kissed and made up, which could mean the return of rumble to the Sixaxis controller (hurray!)--question is, how soon? Then there's the infamous rumor that Sony introducing a Mii/Achievements hybrid called PlayStation Home this week. Not only is the concept itself intriguing, but the way it hit the Internet also made some waves--listen as we discuss all aspects of this issue. Lastly, it came out that European PS3s won't be as backwardly compatible as the US and Japanese systems. What effect will this have on the rest of the world, and where are the 20GB systems? Things start off with the usual segment on what we've been playing, and since it's been two weeks since our last regular show there's lots to talk about. Crackdown, mainly, but there's plenty more as well. Then we end the show by going over some of the comments we got about last week's Al Lowe interview. Keep leaving us comments (via e-mail, comments on our web site, the forum thread for this episode, reviews on iTunes, giving us Diggs, Skype us at playeronepodcast) or leave us a voice mail by calling 713-893-8069, long distance charges apply. Thanks for listening, tell your friends, and we'll be back next week. Don't forget to join our forums! This week's links: Crackdown UNO Alien Hominid HD Cars Superman Returns Captain N: The Game Master Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 Multiplayer Demo Dance Dance Revolution Universe Q*bert flOw Sonic and the Secret Rings Virtua Fighter 5 Formula 1 Next-Gen.biz: Suit Settled: Sixaxis Could Get Vibes Kotaku: Rumor: Sony To Unveil PlayStation Home Eurogamer.net: Europe gets new PS3 hardware digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week we present to you a very special episode of the Player One Podcast. Greg and Phil sit down with Al Lowe, creator of the Leisure Suit Larry series (not including the recent and craptacular Magna Cum Laude) and other classic Sierra On-Line graphic adventures. Listen as we pick Al's brain about everything from game design in the old days to the fall of Sierra to his opinions on the current state of games for adults. Caution: There might be some bald jokes and at least one major error by our interviewers in there, too.Keep leaving us comments (via e-mail, comments on our web site, the forum thread for this episode, review us on iTunes, Digg us, Skype us at playeronepodcast) or leave us a voice mail by calling 713-893-8069, long distance charges apply. Thanks for listening, tell your friends, and we'll be back next week with a regular episode and the return of all the usual players. Don't forget to join our forums!This week's links:Al Lowe's Humor Site!Mobygames' Leisure Suit Larry series pageSierra Gamers digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week there's no one overarching segment. Instead, we talk about a few little things, starting with the top 10 entries in Next-Gen.biz's list of the Top 100 games people played in 2006 (though the list does not include three very important entries, at least in Phil's mind). We also discuss retailer Gamestop's new program where their Aeris automated call system dials you up to ask if you want to trade in a game you bought two months ago. And we thought Aeris was six feet under. We go off on a few other tangents as well, including talking about Microsoft's comments to 1UP that Viva Pinata on DS "just makes sense" and this week's mini-avalanche of new titles for each next-gen console. It's like November in February.But as always we start the show by talking about the games we've played in the last week. And we end it by going over some of the feedback and questions we've received in the last seven days. Don't forget to visit our newly opened forums at www.playeronepodcast.com/forum.Keep leaving us comments (via e-mail, comments on our web site, the forum thread for this episode, iTunes, Digg us, Skype us at playeronepodcast) or leave us a voice mail by calling 713-893-8069, long distance charges apply. Thanks for listening, tell your friends, and we'll be back next week!This week's links:Phoenix Wright: And Justice For All (DS)World of Warcraft (PC)Crackdown (Xbox 360)Paperboy (Xbox Live Arcade)Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters (PSP)The Warriors (PSP)New Ghostbusters II (NES)Next-Gen.biz: The Games People Buy (Top 10)Next-Gen.biz: The Games People Buy (the top of the list)Joystiq: Gamestop reaching out for your Twilight Princess1UP.com: Microsoft: 'Viva Pinata on the DS makes sense' digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

There's no more controversial figure in console role-playing game fandom than Ted Woolsey. During the '90s he worked at Squaresoft and was responsible for the English translations of games like Final Fantasy III and Chrono Trigger. His work is either loved or totally reviled by fans on the Internet, with FF III's translation taking the brunt of that criticism. Nintendo and Square Enix re-released the game last week on Game Boy Advance under its original Japanese title, Final Fantasy VI, with a brand-new English script. In the last half of the show, Chris and Greg talk with Ted (who now works at Real Networks) about the translation process for the Super NES Final Fantasy III and some of the challenges he faced as he tried to get an English translation of this epic RPG to fit on a cartridge.But of course, we begin the episode talking about what we've been playing in the past week, including Root Beer Tapper (360), Lunar Knights (DS) and Final Fantasy VI Advance (GBA). We also discuss Microsoft's newly announced Rewards program for the Xbox 360 and Doug Lowenstein's keynote at DICE. Then of course we answer some questions and go over some of the feedback we received from last week's show. Don't forget to visit our newly opened forums at www.playeronepodcast.com/forum.Keep leaving us comments (via e-mail, comments on our web site, forum, iTunes page, Digg us, Skype us at playeronepodcast) or leave us a voice mail by calling 713-893-8069, long distance charges apply. Thanks for listening, tell your friends, and we'll be back next week!This week's links:Root Beer TapperPicross DSCloning ClydeSamurai Warriors 2: EmpiresLunar KnightsVirtual ConsoleSuper Castlevania IVSuper Mario Bros.Super Mario 64Final Fantasy VI AdvanceXbox.com: Xbox RewardsKotaku: ESA Prez Goes All Out On Final DICE SpeechVideo Game VotersWikipedia: Ted WoolseyWikipedia: Final Fantasy VIReal Arcade digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Virtua Calamity?Should a game reviewer be allowed to review a product when they were involved in its development, however little? Last week this question came to the forefront as word came that characters with attributes selected by editors from IGN, Ziff-Davis, Wired's GameLife (and others as well) will be included in Sega's upcoming Virtua Fighter 5, and that some of these same editors will be the ones reviewing the product. But it's not an isolated incident -- game journalists are sometimes listed in the credits and special magazine/website unlockables have been included in finished games before. How do these effect the review process and now that the VF5 incident has come to light, is it being handled correctly?As usual this week we begin the show by talking about the games we've been playing. This time that includes discussion on Viva Pinata (Xbox 360), The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii), Parodius Portable (PSP), Salamander Portable (PSP), Picross DS, World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade (PC), Phoenix Wright (DS) and Fuzion Frenzy 2 (Xbox 360).We also go into a few topics that've been in the news lately -- the leakage of the Dead or Alive movie on YouTube, Uwe Boll's Postal movie trailer, Microsoft's new rules for Achievement points and downloadable content, and the remake of Dracula X on PSP, which also leads to a short talk on how Sony's positioning the PSP ("It's a babe-tracking system that also plays Parodius").And of course we finish out this episode discussing some of the feedback we received from last week's show. Keep leaving us comments (via e-mail, comments on our web site, iTunes, Digg us, Skype us at playeronepodcast) or leave us a voice mail by calling 713-893-8069, long distance charges apply. Thanks for listening, tell your friends, and we'll be back next week!Links:Viva PinataLegend of Zelda: Twilight PrincessParodius Portable (Japanese)Salamander Portable (Japanese)Picross DS game page (Japanese)GameSetWatch: Mario's PicrossWorld of Warcraft: Burning CrusadePhoenix Wright: And Justice For AllFuzion Frenzy 2DOA: Dead or Alive movie1UP.com: Postal trailer debutsNew rules for Achievement pointsDracula X Chronicles game pagePSP commercial, where're the games?Joystiq: IGN developing content for Sega? 1UP contributing too?1UP.com blog: If you've ever wanted to kick my ass, now you sort of can. Meet: Milky Pai.1UP.com blog: Full disclosureGame|Life: Virtua Figher 5: My characterThe Cover Project digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

It was supposed to be a nice little segment about Zelda......But oh how it derailed. Yes, it's true -- in this episode we spend a fair amount of time talking about Nintendo's beloved Legend of Zelda series. From the 8-bit NES games to the current Wii (and GameCube) installment, we talk about it all. The highs, the lows, and all the heartfelt nostalgia we all feel for the series.Of course that's not all we talk about this week. A short (because no one seems to have played anything) what'cha been playing segment kicks things off with talk of Lumines Live (360), Phoenix Wright: Justice for All (DS) and the Crackdown demo (360). Plus we spend a little bit of time talking about the Wii's News Channel, the PS3 price and the lack of marketing for Nintendo's Hotel Dusk Room 215.The last segment this week covers some of the feedback we've gotten in the last seven days. Keep leaving us comments (e-mail, via the comments on our web site, iTunes, Digg us, Skype us at playeronepodcast) or leave us a voice mail by calling 713-893-8069, long distance charges apply. Thanks for listening, tell your friends, and we'll be back next week!Links:Nintendo: Hotel Dusk Room 215 Engadget: No PS2-like price cuts for the PS3, sez Sony Next-Gen: Xbox 360 Price Cut 'Unlikely'Next-Gen: The End for 'Artistic' GamesEdge Edge Presents File CES2k7 Live Anywhere UNO demonstrationThe Fanboys digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

World of DreamcastIt's a special podcast this week, and not only because it's very long (and what you have here is still the result of quite a bit of editing). In Episode Lucky 13 we talk about Sega's Dreamcast, the system that became Sega's last hope as a hardware manufacturer, ultimately sending them reeling into the world of third-party publishing for competing hardware platforms. Join us as we talk about the highs, the lows and everything in between. After listening to this segment you may want to check out these links:Mega 64's Shenmue - http://www.mega64.com/shenmue.htmOne of Sega's Hidekazu Yukawa (we got his name wrong on the 'cast) ads - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DzwwViKJN4Chu Chu Rocket commercial - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiA7mCzQqu0Also on this week's show, we discuss what we've been playing -- World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade (PC), Wario Ware: Smooth Moves (Wii), Lost Planet (Xbox 360), Heavy Weapon (360), Phoenix Wright: Justice for All (DS), Samurai Warriors 2 (Xbox 360) and oh so much more. Actually that might be it, I'm not sure and it's past my bedtime.Blink and you could miss it, but this week we also discuss Kyle Orland's analysis of EGM's Quartermann rumors as seen on GameDaily.Rumor Report Ratings - http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/media/?id=14936For our final segment in this week's show, we go over some of the feedback we've received in the last week -- keep it coming. And that's it for this week! Remember to visit our MySpace page, Digg us, review us on iTunes, leave a comment on the blog page, send us an e-mail at [email protected]. Or if you want to call and leave us voicemail, dial 713-893-8069 (long distance charges apply). Thanks for listening! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Tackling DifficultyThis week we take on the question of difficulty in games. Discussion includes talk of how game difficulty has changed in the past 20 years, the hardest games we've ever played, and what it's like to have to review or write a strategy guide on an extremely difficult game under the deadline crunch of a print magazine. Sometimes, it's not pretty. Our What'cha Been Playin' discussion this week centers on Capcom's new Xbox 360 game Lost Planet. We have trudged through frozen tundra, lit up Akrid hives with Gatling Guns, scored Secret Achievements and killed each other in multiplayer. It's been a fun-filled weekend. Also: Ms. Pac-Man (360), Pimp My Ride (PS2), Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS) and New Rally-X (360).For our final segment in this week's short show, we go over some of the feedback we've received in the last two weeks -- keep it coming. And that's it for this week! Remember to visit our MySpace page, Digg us, review us on iTunes, leave a comment on the blog page, send us an e-mail at [email protected]. Thanks for listening! Or if you want to call and leave us voicemail, dial 713-893-8069 (long distance charges apply). Thanks for listening! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

The Dead PoolThis is an episode you may want to keep around to reference later. Why? Because it's our first-annual 2007 Dead Pool episode, where we go 'round the circle and choose three games each we think (using absolutely no scientific means other than a "feeling") will either be canceled outright or delayed into 2008. Who will be right, who will be wrong? We'll just have to see what 2007 brings us. But rest assured there are a few interesting predictions here. We probably should've put some money on the table.But before we get to that, we talk about a lot of other things. Kicking it off, our completely and totally original What'cha Been Playing segment: CJ gets a PS3 (shock!), Resistance (PS3), Castlevania Portrait of Ruin (DS), Viva Pinata (360), Phantasy Star Universe (360), Wii Sports, Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii), Karaoke Revolution: American Idol (PS2). What we will be playing next week: Lost Planet...and only one of us won't have access to the cool extra-awesome multiplayer map that comes with the $70 collector's edition.Next we talk about the Halo 3 beta and the new ways the general public can get into it -- which now includes buying a copy of Microsoft's next 360 release, Crackdown. Now the question becomes: is it worth buying a $60 game you might not be interested in to be guaranteed a spot in the Halo 3 beta? Is it fair to Crackdown's developers to hitch its star to such an established and hotly anticipated franchise as Halo?Then we take a moment to talk about the newly announced E For All event, the new consumer-friendly face of the now-dead E3. But will gamers pay $100 to get a glimpse of new product, will the major publishers attend, and will this event be canceled even before it starts?Finally, we discuss the leap from gaming journalism to game development in honor of GameSpot editor in chief Greg Kasavin's recent announcement. Two of our hosts have previously made this jump, and they relate their experiences and we talk about others that've done the same.And that's it for this week! Remember to visit our MySpace page, Digg us, review us on iTunes, leave a comment on the blog page, send us an e-mail at [email protected]. Thanks for listening! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Player One's Shiny New YearHappy New Year everyone! While other podcasts have settled in for a long winter's nap, we hopped in the studio yet again for one more episode before all the Auld Lang Synes were sung. In this episode, Phil and Dan become "series regulars," and join Greg and CJ to talk about such things as what we'd like to see happen in 2007 (though we tried to avoid predictions outright, we stray into that territory too). Here's a trend for '07--most of the discussion in this episode seemed to revolve around downloadable content. We like it, we hate it, we'd like to see Microsoft step in and referee, we'd like Nintendo and Sony to do more of it. But fear not, that's not all we talk about.Next up we talk about our Gaming Origins. You know, the story everyone has of how they got into gaming. We go from oldest to youngest and recount tales of Atari 2600s, NESes and Super NESes, calling around a snowfilled province to find the one remaining system and the games that cemented our undying love of gaming. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you probably have an "origin" story of your own. Please feel free to share it in the comments here.As a bonus, we also get into the story behind why we rib CJ so much about that Bubsy 3D thing and talk about other quotes of ours that've been immortalized on boxes and in ads.But of course first up we talk about what we've been playing. In this episode that's games like Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS), Gears of War (360), Viva Pinata (360), Gran Turismo HD (PS3), Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii), Pokémon Ruby and more.As always, drop us a comment on the blog page or send us an e-mail comment to [email protected]. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

A Festivus for the rest of us! Although our crew are traveling to various parts of the globe for the holidays, that didn't stop us from getting together earlier in the week and recording a special episode for you, dear listener, on this most busy of holidays. Special thanks to Phil Theobald and Dan Dormer, who join CJ and I once again for the final episode of the year. In lieu of our regular "whatcha been playin'" segment, we hop right into our probably-longer-than-it-should-be year in review, where we dissect the year that was month by month, discussing the most important and happenings that shaped our beloved hobby throughout 2006. Then we move on to the First Annual Player One Podcast Memorial Games of the Year Awards, where we name our fave titles on every console, ending with the best game of the year, and which piece of hardware we feel owned 2006. Finally, in celebration of the holiday, we reveal our super-secret Christmas shopping lists for various industry personalities. What would we wrap in festive paper and place under Ken Kutaragi's tree? What would Reggie find in his stocking? Listen up and find out. Thanks for listening! Drop a comment or send us an audio comment and we'll read some/play some on next week's show. Send us feedback to [email protected] or leave a comment on the blog page. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

The shame in our gameThis week we return to a topic brought up in the last 'cast: our greatest gaming shames. In the final segment of the podcast we share some things we're not proud of. And joining in the fun is this episode's special guest, freelance writer Dan Dormer, who shares an inexplicable shame -- playing a bad/painful game not only to the end, but over and over again to see its multiple endings, sinking at least 100 hours into it. Why?Also this week, we continue our retrospective on the last generation of consoles by talking about the Xbox, Microsoft's first entry into the console gaming biz. From the launch to Xbox Live to the purchase of Rare and everything in between. Have our memories of the Bear Claw/Duke controller been washed away by the sands of time? Hells no. We'll miss you, Xbox, even though you live on in limited backward compatibility.But we begin the podcast the way we always do, by discussing what we've been playing: Viva Pinata (360), Wii Sports (Wii), Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii), Phantasy Star Universe (360), Bionicle Heroes (360), Tomb Raider Legend (DS) and Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS). And because we're topical, we devote a segment to the Square Enix announcement of Dragon Quest IX for Nintendo DS.Thanks for listening! Drop a comment or send us an audio comment and we'll read some/play some on next week's show. Send us feedback to [email protected] or leave a comment on the blog page. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

It's a Cube, not Box nor StationThis week we take a look back at an old friend called GameCube as he gasps his final breath on Tuesday with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Phil Theobald joins us as we talk about third party support, Nintendo's own lack of great games, farming out of the classics to second-party developers, the lack of a "real" Mario game and more. Also in this segment, CJ reveals one of his greatest gaming shames.But we start this week (of course) by talking about what we've been playing, with chatter about such games as Kirby Squeak Squad (DS), Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS), Phantasy Star Universe (360), Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii), Sonic the Hedgehog (virtual console), Crash Bandicoot (PS1 on PSP via PS3), Lemmings (PS3), Resistance: FoM (PS3) and Roboblitz (360).And after the GameCube portion of the program we go into another Topic Of Interest: Series reboots. With Bond's recent successful reset with Casino Royale, we pontificate about which of gaming's great series could use a 'boot. It's not that hard to think of one...we bet you're already thinking of one right now. The conversation also strays into series that've had successful reboots and which legacy hits need to be dusted off for a new generation. So if nothing else, you will want to stick around to listen to Greg bash Kid Icarus. Our question to you this week is what series you would like to see rebooted and in what way -- what type of game? Drop a comment or send us an audio comment and we'll read some/play some on next week's show. Send us feedback to [email protected] or leave a comment on the blog page. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week marks our return to a regular posting schedule. In this episode's first segment, we discuss Zelda (Wii), F.E.A.R (360), the Wii Virtual Console versions of Solomon's Key, Sonic, Bonk and Mario 64, Red Steel (Wii), Call of Duty 3 (Wii), and we get a brief update on Greg's adventures with the PS3.Next up we talk about the Wii. It's only two weeks old and they've sold over a million units between the US and Japan (and releases in other areas of the world later this week). What do Nintendo and third parties have to do to be successful on Wii? (Answer: original IP, not so many ports.) Is the high cost of development for PS3 games going to benefit Wii? Also, we touch on Wii mishaps and the pictures/video that have been posted on www.wiihaveaproblem.com.Segment three is all about Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade. Why haven't more third-party publishers taken advantage of these downloadable services with original content? Why do we rely on Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony for this content when there are third parties that could be doing stuff but AREN'T?Wrapping it up is a final segment where we reminisce about the PlayStation 2. Now that the next generation has debuted, it's time to look back on the leader of the last gen. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week it's all about Xbox 360: Year One. The ups, downs, and everywhere in between. We talk about microtransactions, Xbox Live Arcade, the January-March game drought, the digital distribution model, achievements, online play, everything Xbox 360.Naturally we also do a What'cha Been Playing segment at the beginning where we discuss Elite Beat Agents, Zelda on Wii, Resistance and Ridge Racer on PS3, and Bonk's Adventure. And sandwiched in at the end of this episode is a section where we read back some of your feedback. Be sure to send us e-mail or an audio comment, leave a comment on our blog page or Skype voicemail. We'll talk about and play some of that on future shows. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Episode 04, 11/20/06This week we talk all about the system launches, PlayStation 3 and Wii. Ex-GameNOW and GameSpy editor Phil Theobald joins Chris & Greg for the discussion, where we discuss the lines, the shortages, getting the systems home, the games, and more. So much more that this is a much longer show that normal.Also interspersed within the show are various interviews CJ did with people who lined up in Houston for the systems, both PS3 and Wii. You probably won't be all that shocked to hear that most of the folks waiting for PS3 had just one thing in mind: making money on eBay. The Nintendo crowd was a much more gamer-centric bunch.We also say goodbye to the awesome folks at the Official US PlayStation Magazine, whose January 2007 issue will be their last. We will miss you guys, thanks for making a great magazine. Be sure to download their last podcast if you haven't already.Send comments to [email protected], leave them on our blog page at playerone.libsyn.com or leave us an audio comment via Skype at username playeronepodcast. Tell your friends, leave us a review on iTunes, tell us what we're doing right/wrong. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

It's a crazy-stuffed episode for an insanity-filled hardware launch week. In this episode, we:- Talk about what we've been playing, mainly Gears of War and Wii since CJ got some extended playtime with Zelda and Excite Truck this weekend.- Talk about PlayStation 3 launch games being delayed/canceled in the last week and what that could mean for the system's short-term future.- After a quick musical interlude we discuss Nolan Bushnell's comments that Sony could fail with PS3. Could one of the industry's founders have something there?- SPECIAL GUEST: This week we have a special interview with John Lee, Director of Marketing for Hudson Entertainment where we talk about the company's plans on Wii's Virtual Console and even get a tidbit in there about Xbox Live Arcade support. Visit www.hudsonent.com to get a glimpse of their offerings.- Finally, we close this week's 'cast by talking about Microsoft's new initiative to sell video content (TV shows and movies) via Xbox Live Marketplace. Are any of us really gonna use this service regularly?Leave us your feedback, give us a review on iTunes, whatever you like. We may even read some of the feedback on a future show. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

In this episode ex-video game journo Chris and freelancer extraordinaire Greg: - Blatantly thieve the "what'cha been playin'" segment popular in many podcasts and use it to talk about Final Fantasy XII, Sam & Max, Phantasy Star Universe, Elite Beat Agents, DDR and Strawberry Shortcake(!).- Talk about preorders. Gears of War, the various Halo 3 editions, and Gamestop's ability to sell you slips of paper that say you have a game on reserve a year before it's due out. - Talk about microtransactions (again). EA being a repeat offender with Need For Speed Carbon. We also take some time to talk about the pricing of Nintendo/Sega/TG-16 virtual console stuff. Somewhere in there we also stray into talking about the failures of Xbox Live Arcade. - ...and in the last segment we reminisce a little bit with stories of system launches / launch windows past from the perspective of working at a video game magazine.Enjoy! Post comments here on our blog page (playerone.libsyn.com) or e-mail us at [email protected]. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This episode of the Player One Podcast comes in four sections: Phantasy Star Universe, the Rainbow Six Vegas demo and region-locked content, the 6th anniversary of the PlayStation 2's launch, and games that are "scary."Enjoy!Here are the pictures from the PS2 launch in 2000. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Hear! A Canadian speak at a low volume, a guy who lives in Texas breathe heavily into the microphone, and discussion of some of the big topics in video gaming in between. Keep in mind we're really just working out the bugs with this episode...we know there are problems. So be kind when commenting on this one. In this week's episode:Segment 1: We shoot the breeze about Rockstar's latest, Bully (PS2). A fantastic school daze simulator that lets you relive getting picked on but gives you the cojones to fight back.Segment 2: We talk system launches, starting with Sony's PS3.Segment 3: Greg says the Wii is too much at $249, Chris says $249 is a fine price (even if it's the ceiling of what Nintendo can charge). Segment 4: Microtransactions! We talk about Tiger Woods, Madden, and Lumines.