Arcade Couch

Discord To Microsoft? Best of ID@Xbox Showcase & Monster Hunter Rise Impressions

Microsoft is reportedly close to closing a deal to buy Discord. Would this be good news for gamers, and the general public — or just bad news bears? We discuss the implications of this purchase, compared to something like Skype and what it could achieve for a cross-system party play, communication, and community building. Dylan talks about popping his Monster Hunter cherry this episode as he’s been playing the latest entry in the franchise, Monster Hunter Rise. He’s also been playing Crash Bandicoot’s latest adventure, which is on mobile. Both Dylan and Ashley also discuss Gotham Knights delay, Xbox Live dying, a bunch of ID@Xbox Games and how Peter Dutton is sucking-ass on a daily. Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyEpisode TimecodesINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:00:34 - Today On The ShowTHE NEWS00:01:15 - Gotham Knights Delayed Until 202200:04:53 - Xbox Live Is Dead00:08:59 - Six Best Games From ID@Xbox Presentation00:35:28 - Day & Date Games Announced For Game Pass00:37:38 - Ikumi Nakamura Starts Her Own Studio00:41:48 - Peter Dutton Blames Toxic Workplace Culture On Video Games00:50:33 - Microsoft In Talks To Buy DiscordWHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING01:00:06 - Monster Hunter Rise Impressions01:07:18 - Crash On The Run Is An Okay Mobile RunnerOUTRO01:13:00 - GoodbyeResourcesIGNOver 20 ID@Xbox Games Are Launching Day One With Xbox Game PassKotakuReport: Microsoft Wants To Buy Discord For "Over $10 Billion"RIP, Xbox Live (2002-2021)Press StartGothan Knights Has Been Delayed Until Next YearPeter Dutton Suggested That Grand Theft Auto Could Be Partly To Blame For Men’s Toxic BehaviourVG24/7Ghostwire: Toky Developer Ikumi Nakamura Has Set Up Her Own StudioYoutubeDeath's Door - Announcement TrailerMoonglow Bay | Announce TrailerNobody Saves The World - Reveal TrailerThe Ascent | Co-op TrailerThe Wild at Heart | Release Date TrailerArcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Life Is Strange: True Colours Revealed, Sony Buys EVO, Disco Elysium Banned In Australia

We discuss everything show during ‘Square Enix Presents,’ with the highlight being the reveal of a brand new Life is Strange game. It’s being developed by Deck Nine Games, the team behind Life is Strange: Before The Storm. Which, by the way, is getting released alongside the original game in a remastered package. Exciting!This week we also talk about Sony buying Evo and what that means for the fighting game esports world. Plus Disco Elysium: The Final Cut has been refused classification in Australia. It’s ridiculous, it’s stupid, it’s a sign of how out-dated the classification system, but we sure hope it’s rectified. Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingoEpisode TimecodesINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:00:34 - Today On The ShowMAIN TOPIC00:01:10 - Square Enix Showcase - Overall Thoughts00:08:25 - Outriders Presentation00:11:55 - Tomb Raider 25th Anniversary00:13:29 - Square Enix Mobile Game Announcements00:15:17 - Marvel's Avengers Showcase00:22:24 - Balan Wonderland Is A Game00:23:22 - Life is Strange: True Colours Revealed00:36:02 - Forspoken Officially RevealedTHE NEWS00:39:15 - Sony Buys EVO00:43:58 - Starfield To Release This Year?!00:49:57 - EA Play Joins Game Pass For PC00:55:13 - Dying Light 2 Is Still A Game That's Coming Out00:57:07 - You Can Finally Buy Devotion Again00:59:29 - Are Pokemon GO Eggs Lootboxes?01:06:04 - Fortnite Is Trying To Build A Story01:10:45 - Disco Elysium Refused Classification In AustraliaOUTRO01:15:20 - GoodbyeResourcesKotakuDisco Elysium Has Been Refused ClassificationEverything We Saw In Today’s Square Enix PresentsPokemon Go’s Eggs Aren’t Lootboxes, They’re Fun PresentsSony Buys EvoPC GamerThe Avengers Directors Were Behind Fornite’s Season 6 CinematicPress StartDying Light 2 Is Apparently Still Releasing This YearEA Play Has Joined Xbox Game Pass PC Bringing 60+ Free Games To The ServicePolygonCensored Horror Game Devotion Available Once Again On New StoreVG24/7Starfield Seemingly Targeting 2021 Release, Bethesda Considering Summer RevealArcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Xbox Completes Purchase of Bethesda, PAX AUS Dates Announced

Xbox finally got approval from the US and EU to acquire ZeniMax Media. After adding a stack of Bethesda’s back catalogue to Gamepass, Phil Spencer was unclear about the exclusivity of future titles. Will we see future titles on PS5 or are Deathloop and Tokyo: Ghostwire the final Bethesda Playstation games?Ashley and Ciaran also discuss their feelings about the announcement of dates for Pax Australia in October, the “EAGate” scandal that has hit Fifa 21 and Roblox being worth so much money.Hosts:Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingoEpisode TimecodesINTRO00:00:00 - HelloTHE NEWS00:01:09 - Country Roads Take Me Home To Pax Aus00:06:34 - Square Enix Presents Coming00:21:25 - What was “EAGate”?00:28:28 - Roblox Rock Wall Street00:35:06 - A New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s Game Has Us Excited00:38:26 - Esports Growth Predicted to ContinueWHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING00:43:45 - Yakuza: Like A Dragon ImpressionsMAIN TOPIC00:49:29 - Bethesda Officially Joins XboxOUTRO01:00:22 - GoodbyeResourcesEurogamerFIFA 21 rocked by "EAGate" scandal after company employee is alleged to have sold coveted Ultimate Team cards for thousands of poundsGamesIndustry.BizGlobal esports, game streaming markets to reach $3.5b by 2025 - JuniperNewzoo anticipates global esports market will grow to $1.08b in 2021KotakuPAX Australia Is Back [Update]Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge Is A Brand-New Old-School Beat-Em UpMicrosoft Confirms Some Future Bethesda Games Will Be Exclusive To Xbox And PCPolygonWhat is Roblox? And how did it get so huge?20 Bethesda games coming to Xbox Game Pass: Here's the full listPress StartSquare Enix Is Holding A Digital Showcase With Game Announcements And UpdatesXboxOfficially Welcoming Bethesda to Team XboxArcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosionArcade Couch is the Explosion Network’s premiere video games podcast featuring discussions on the latest releases, tech, industry news and more, available every Saturday at 6 AM AEST

New Nintendo Switch 4K Launching This Year, Pokemon Go AR Show-Off & Aliens Fireteam Revealed

There’s credible reporting that states that a New Nintendo Switch model is about to hit production. This new Switch will include a larger OLED 720p screen. There’s also reports that the dock could display the Switch up to 4K. We discuss all of this, and if it’s a smart move for Nintendo to release an upgraded Switch wit the potential to alienate fans.Post Malone had his Pokemon Concert and Dylan was a fan, plus he discusses how much he likes the idea of Pokemon with HoloLens. Ciaran and Ashley aren’t sold as much. But there’s bickering to be had between both of them as soon as Ciaran once again dares to call Fall Guys a dead game. Even though Epic Game just bought the developer. Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingoEpisode TimecodesINTRO00:00:00 - HelloTHE NEWS00:01:58 - We're Not Watching The Elden Ring Trailer00:08:44 - That Post Malone Pokemon Concert Was Good00:15:28 - Pokemon Go x Microsoft HoloLens00:20:37 - Aliens: Fireteam Revealed00:25:11 - Dungeons & Dragons AAA RPG In Development00:28:01 - Epic Games Buys Fall GuysWHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING00:34:44 - Fights In Tight Places ImpressionsMAIN TOPIC00:43:04 - Report: Nintendo Switch With 4K Dock/720P OLED Screen In ProductionOUTRO01:05:21 - GoodbyeResourcesExplosion NetworkPost Malone Pokemon Concert Was Short & SweetPC GamerThere’s A Big-Budget Open-World Dungeons & Dragons Game In DevelopmentUploadVRWatch: Pokemon Go HoloLens Demo Uses Microsoft Mesh For Multiplayer BattlesYoutubeAliens: Fireteam - Exclusive 25 Minutes of Gameplay | IGN FirstKicking Heads & Taking Names | Fights in Tights Spaces First Hour [Explosion Network Plays]Arcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Pokemon Arceus Reveal, Blizzcon 2021 News, Hogwarts Legacy Heats Up

It’s been a big week in video games news with a Pokemon Presents to discuss and Blizzconline from the back end of last weekend. We also talk about a bunch of games being cancelled like Anthem, but also once again talk about Hogwarts Legacy’s latest controversy and end up in a “is cancel culture a real thing?” conversation.Dylan and Ashley had also played some of the Outriders demo this past week, so they give their thoughts on that upcoming game. Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingoReview/Previews:Outriders PreviewEpisode TimecodesINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:01:36 - Today On The ShowMAIN TOPIC00:02:14 - Pokemon Presents Thoughts00:06:04 - New Pokemon Snap00:09:27 - Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shinning Pearl00:12:47 - Pokémon Legends: ArceusREVIEWS/PREVIEWS00:25:20 - Outriders PreviewTHE NEWS00:37:56 - Blizzconline 2021 Thoughts [Overwatch 2, Diablo 4]00:49:26 - Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 Is Over, For Now00:53:01 - Anthem Is Officially Cancelled00:59:33 - Hogwarts Legacy Stirs Up Some More Controversy01:01:00 - Cancel Culture Discussion01:30:41 - Halo TV Series Officially Coming Next Year01:35:39 - Hot Wheels: Unleashed Sounds Great01:38:35 - Aussie Indie Devs Getting Funding From Film VictoriaOUTRO01:44:23 - GoodbyeResourcesEurogamerHalo TV Series To Premiere In Early 2022Explosion NetworkEverything Announced During Pokemon Presents 25KotakuBioWare Says It’s Giving Up On AnthemEverything Announced At BlizzConline, The Virtual BlizzconPolygonUpcoming Harry Potter Game Keeps Brewing TroubleWellPlayedFilm Victoria Announces Which Games Will Share $550,000 In FundingGet Ready To Pedal To The Mattel In Hot Wheels UnleashedVampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 Developer Dropped From Project; Will Not Release In 2021Arcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Nintendo Direct (Zelda, Mario Golf), Marvel’s Avengers, Mortal Kombat Movie

For the first time in a very long time, we have a Nintendo Direct to discuss. We break down all the games shown and announced in a rather heavy RPG leaning showcase.Also, this week: Bungie announces plans to expand, Marvel’s Avengers announces the PS5/XBX and Hawkeye expansions, and we break down the first trailer for the upcoming Mortal Kombat movie. Ciaran has also been playing Valheim, which has taken the internet by storm this past week, and he explains what makes this Viking survival game so much fun. Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingoEpisode TimecodesINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:02:05 - Today On The ShowTHE NEWS00:03:36 - The First Nintendo Direct Of 202100:49:48 - Bungie Expands As A Studio & Plans More Destiny As Well As New IP00:55:18 - Marvel's Avengers Next-Gen Versions, Plus Hawkeye Expansion00:59:57 - Rainbow Six Quarantine Is Still Alive01:03:15 - Mortal Kombat Trailer ReviewWHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING01:15:29 - Valheim Impressions01:23:44 - GoodbyeResourcesEurogamerNo, Rainbow Six Quarantine Hasn’t Been Renamed YetExplosion NetworkEverything Announced In 2021’s First Nintendo Direct (Skyward Sword HD, Mario Golf: Super Rush)Mortal Kombat Trailer: Our First Look Is Very Violent & GoryIGNBungie Expands Its Studio, Partly to Create Non-Destiny GamesKotakuMarvel’s Avengers Receives Hawkeye, Next-Gen Versions On March 18Nintendo LifeRumour: Zelda's 35th Anniversary Will See The Return Of Wind Waker And Twilight PrincessArcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

We’re Going To A Post Malone Pokémon Concert

Post Malone is hosting a virtual Pokémon concert, and the Pokémon Trading Cards is taking off worldwide. Even McDonalds is giving out unique boosters in Happy Meals at the moment. But, of course, people are ruining that… Still! We have that Post Malone concert to look forward to in a couple of weeks. Also on the show this week We discuss the weird revival of Six Days in Fallujah, the hope the ESA has to bring E3 back and Geoff Keighley returning with Summer Game Fest in 2021. Dylan has also played some of Bowser’s Fury inside Super Mario 3D World and finished up the DLC of Resident Evil 7. Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingoEpisode TimecodesINTRO00:00:00 - HelloTHE NEWS00:04:01 - Epic Games Store Showcase00:09:10 - E3 Wants To Come Back In 202100:17:03 - Summer Game Fest Is Back For 202100:22:31 - CD Projekt Red Data Steal00:30:21 - Six Days in Fallujah Is A Video Game That's Back00:41:29 - Prince of Persia Sands of Tim Remake Delayed00:44:52 - Post Malone Pokemon Concert At End Of The Month00:50:38 - Pokemon Cards Have Gone Crazy, And People Are Buying Too Much McDonaldsWHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING00:59:29 - Bowser's Fury Impressions01:07:16 - Apex Legends Season 8 Impressions01:10:25 - Dylan Wraps Up The Resident Evil 7 DLC'sOUTRO01:16:46 - GoodbyeResourcesDualShockersMcDonald’s Pokemon Cards 2021 – The Most Expensive Cards on eBayKotakuEverything Revealed At The Epic Games Store ShowcasePolygonOne Of The Most Controversial Video Games Of The 2000s Is Being Released Press StartPost Malone And Pokemon Are Coming Together For A Virtual Concert EventPrince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake Has Been Delayed IndefinitelyPush SquareE3 Wants Digital Event This Summer, But It Has to Convince Publishers FirstTwitter@SummerGameFestVG24/7Stolen Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3 Source Code Sold at Dark Web AuctionArcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Should You Play The Mass Effect: Legendary Collection?

Bioware and EA have revealed the official release date for the Mass Effect: Legendary Collection alongside footage of the games and comparison screenshots. Is it all as enticing as we’d hoped? Will Dylan and Ciaran be jumping back into the Normandy? And will Ashley be checking out the franchise for the first time in a couple of months? Ciaran discusses the news that Overwatch 2 won’t even get a release date this year. Dylan is hoping Bayonetta 3 might still be a game that’s happening. We know the height of the vampire lady from Resident Evil Village, and speaking of RE — Dylan discusses his time with Resident Evil 7 after playing it for the first time over the week. Reviews/Previews:Control Ultimate Edition ReviewDestruction AllStars ReviewA Journey to an Uncertain End PreviewHosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingoEpisode TimecodesINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:00:52 - Today on the ShowREVIEWS/PREVIEWS00:01:14 - Control Ultimate Edition Review00:03:13 - Destruction AllStars Review00:05:00 - Journey to an Uncertain End PreviewTHE NEWS00:07:01 - PSA: We Know The Vampire Lady's Size00:10:32 - PSA: Battleborn Is Dead00:12:50 - Overwatch 2 Is Not Expected This Year00:22:18 - Bayonetta 3 Information This Year? Maybe...00:25:50 - Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Sold Like Crazy00:34:44 - Zelda TV Series Apparently Cancelled By Nintendo00:38:36 - The Next Battlefield Is Coming This Year00:41:25 - Dontnod Reportedly Done With Life is Strange Series00:44:51 - Ori and the Will of the Wisps Developer Lashes Out At Over Games & DevelopersWHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING00:55:47 - Dylan Played Through Resident Evil 7MAIN TOPIC01:06:21 - Mass Effect: Legendary Collection Release Date, Information & ComparisionOUTRO01:19:13 - GoodbyeResourcesEurogamerBattleborn's remaining players wave goodbye amid shutdownExplosion NetworkHideki Kamiya Says It'll Be A "Nice Suprise" When We Finally Get Bayonetta 3 Information — Explosion Network | Independent Australian Reviews, News, Podcasts, OpinionsGamesIndustry.BizGearbox Entertainment joins Embracer Group in $1.3b dealOri director criticises developers for overhyping games with "lies and deception"IGNNintendo Reportedly Canceled a Zelda Netflix Series After It LeakedKotakuAnimal Crossing: New Horizons Is The Second-Best Selling Switch Game EverCapcom Says Resident Evil Village's Very Tall Vampire Lady Is Nearly Ten Feet TallMass Effect: Legendary Edition Out May 14Playstation LifestyleMass Effect Legendary Edition Will Have Extended Cut as Canon Ending, Pinnacle Station DLC Will be MissingReport: Life Is Strange Dev and Publisher Have Already Parted WaysPress StartThe Next Battlefield Is Still Coming This Year And Will Support More Players Than Ever BeforePush SquareDon't Expect Diablo 4 or Overwatch 2 to Launch This YearArcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/

Should They Remake Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic?

Rumours continue about the possibility of a Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake — but should LucasFilm do it? It’s a beloved fan favourite, but would it work as well in the new canon, and would a remake possibly punish the recently released High Republic material? This week Dylan also discusses his review for The Medium, Ciaran laughs about recent Borderlands casting news and Ashley argues about Game Pass value (shocker). The three also try and make sense of the recent Tomb Raider timelines and what the recently announced anime series could look like. Starting off the show Dylan also sheds light on the recent allegations on the developer of the upcoming ‘Season.’ Reviews/Previews:The MediumHosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingoEpisode TimecodesINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:03:04 - This Week On The ShowREVIEWS/PREVIEWS00:03:27 - The Medium ReviewTHE NEWS00:15:55 - Season Developer Accused Of Toxic Workplace & Harassment00:25:44 - Tomb Raider Looking To Connect Franchises History00:36:23 - Xbox Game Pass Has 18 Million Subs00:39:06 - MTG Diablo-Like Open Beta In March00:44:00 - 007 Game Will Have A Brand New James Bond00:47:24 - Bleeding Edge Development Is Over00:56:53 - Borderlands Movie Casting01:01:08 - Knights Of The Old Republic Remake Apparently On The WayOUTRO01:11:21 - GoodbyeResourcesIGNA Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic Game Is Reportedly In Development Without EA And BiowareSeason Developer Indefinitely Suspends Co-Found, CEO Temporarily Steps Down After Toxic Workplace, Harassment AllegationsKotakuHitman Studio’s Project 007 Will Feature A New James BondXbox Game Pass Now Has 18 Million SubscribersPC GamerNinja Theory’s 4v4 Hero Brawler Bleeding Edge Will Get No Further Content UpdatesPolygonBorderlands Movie Outdoes Itself, Casts Kevin Hart As RolandLara Croft’s Two Timelines Will Be Unified, Says Tomb Raider StudioMagic: The Gathering’s Take On Diablo Will Be Playable In MarchArcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Gamers Are Horny For Resident Evil Village Vampire Lady

We have a release date for Resident Evil Village alongside some brand new gameplay. It looks scary, supernatural, but gamers are going horn-dog for the tall vampire lady. Who would have guessed?! In our first episode back for 2021 Dylan, Ashley and Ciaran also discuss what they’re most looking forward to playing in 2021. We also catch-up on the news we’ve missed including the big LucasFilm Games/Star Wars games news. Dylan also gives his early impressions on Hitman III, the first big release for 2021.Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingoReviews/PreviewsNutsEpisode TimecodesINTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:01:34 - This Week On The Show00:02:03 - What Are We Looking Forward Too In 2021MAIN TOPIC00:11:47 - Resident Evil Village Trailer, Release Date & Tall-Lady00:22:23 - Resident Evil 4 Remake Pushed To 2023REVIEWS/PREVIEWS00:29:10 - Nuts ReviewTHE NEWS00:32:52 - Big Ant Studios Purchased By French Publisher00:36:15 - Vicarious Visions Is Absorbed By Blizzard00:42:37 - LucasFilm Games Announced00:44:56 - Ubisoft Is Making A Star Wars Game00:58:59 - Indiana Jones Game AnnouncedWHAT WE’VE BEEN PLAYING01:05:02 - Hitman 3 ImpressionsOUTRO01:21:32 - GoodbyeResourcesExplosion NetworkResident Evil Village Given Release Date Of May 7th Alongside New Gameplay TrailerResident Evil Re: Verse Is A Free PVP Game Included With RE: VillageKotakuMachine Games Is Making An Indiana Jones GameNacon Acquires Australian Developers Big Ant In $54.8 Million DealReport: Vicarious Visions Is Working On A Diablo II RemakeThe Lucasfilm Games Name, At Least, Is BackUbisoft Massive Is Making An Open World Star Wars GameVG24/7Capcom Rebooting Resident Evil 4 Remake, Project Pushed To 2023 - ReportLeaker Says Resident Evil 7 PS5 And Xbox Series X/S Upgrade ComingArcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion