Sony vs. Xbox, Game Awards Drama, and GTA 6 Rumors!
November 22nd, 2024 Podcast Recap
Sony vs. Xbox in the Cloud, Game of the Year Nominations, and GTA 6 Rumors
This week on Good Playing With You, hosts Dan Whitehill, Matt Lord, and Matt Maulding delved into some of the biggest stories shaking up the gaming industry. From debates over streaming services to heated Game of the Year discussions and a moonlit conspiracy theory about GTA 6, here’s everything you need to know.
Should You Play Stalker 2 This Thanksgiving Break?
The episode kicked off with Matt Lord's impressions of Stalker 2, which recently hit Steam and Xbox Game Pass. Despite some early reports of bugs, Lord praised the game for its atmospheric gameplay and surprising performance on the Xbox Series S. The intense survival mechanics, inventory management, and haunting enemies make it a standout title for the season. Verdict: if you have Game Pass, it’s a must-play.
Dragon Age Controversy: A Beautiful but Flawed Return
Maulding shared his early impressions of Dragon Age, a title he’s playing on Nightmare difficulty. While the graphics and combat impressed, the lack of challenge and clichéd dialogue left much to be desired. Despite his critiques, Maulding is determined to see the game through, though the team questioned if Dragon Age is becoming the quintessential “baby’s first RPG.”
Game of the Year: Rules and Rivalries
The Game Awards are approaching, and the nominations for Game of the Year sparked plenty of debate among the hosts. This year’s nominees include Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Astrobot, and Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, with controversy surrounding the inclusion of DLCs like Elden Ring. While Lord and Maulding questioned the fairness of expansions competing with full games, Dan placed his bet on Astrobot for its broad appeal.
Cloud Wars: Xbox vs. PlayStation
Both Microsoft and Sony announced major strides in cloud gaming this week. Xbox’s Project Lapland will let players stream their owned games—not just Game Pass titles—on compatible devices. Meanwhile, PlayStation Plus is expanding to include PS5 titles for streaming. While the hosts appreciated the potential of these platforms, they noted that cloud gaming’s lag still makes it best suited for RPGs rather than high-octane shooters.
Rumors and Conjectures: Fable and GTA 6
The episode also dove into speculation about upcoming games. Jez Cordon’s impressions of Fable have the team cautiously optimistic, with hopes that the game will retain the British humor and charm of the originals. Meanwhile, the GTA 6 fanbase is buzzing over a new moon-based theory predicting a trailer release. As of this recording, Rockstar hasn’t confirmed anything, but the team was eager to see if the rumors prove true.
Listener Emails: Satisfying Game Sounds and Third-Party Hardware
The hosts wrapped up with listener emails, including a question about the most satisfying sound design in gaming. Highlights included Mass Effect’s iconic Banshee screams, Overwatch’s headshot pings, and the Final Fantasy victory fanfare. The nostalgia didn’t stop there, as the team reminisced about third-party hardware gems like the Game Genie and their modern equivalents like Ambernic controllers.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for next week’s episode, where the team will dive into Black Friday gaming deals and more. Until then, let us know what games you’re streaming or playing this Thanksgiving break. And as always—good playing with you!
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