The summer of gaming is upon us - we talk up the recent Sony State of Play conference, Microsoft's upcoming Xbox/Bethesda conference, Geoff Keighley's thing, and more with our predictions. Can they all replace the E3 of old?

The summer of gaming is upon us - we talk up the recent Sony State of Play conference, Microsoft's upcoming Xbox/Bethesda conference, Geoff Keighley's thing, and more with our predictions. Can they all replace the E3 of old?

Summer of Gaming 2022 Predictions

This week, we talk up the big Embracer Group buyout of Square Enix studios Crystal Dynamics, Eidos, and Square Enix Montreal. Is it good that so many studios and IPs are under one umbrella? What about Square's new focus on crypto stuff and AI?

This week, we talk up the big Embracer Group buyout of Square Enix studios Crystal Dynamics, Eidos, and Square Enix Montreal. Is it good that so many studios and IPs are under one umbrella? What about Square's new focus on crypto stuff and AI?

Crystal Dynamics/Eidos Buyout

This week, we talk up blockchain and NFT crap in games. Former Nintendo America boss Reggie talked up monetizing content you've made or acquired in games. What if you could monetize and sell content you have from games? On the blockchain? Is it even worth it?

This week, we talk up blockchain and NFT crap in games. Former Nintendo America boss Reggie talked up monetizing content you've made or acquired in games. What if you could monetize and sell content you have from games? On the blockchain? Is it even worth it?

Selling User Content in Games?

This week, we talk up both old and new mods for games, which mods are allowed and not allowed, how most Twitter mods are bad, and how seed oils are especially bad for you. Maybe our spaceman son will finally buy Twitter?

This week, we talk up both old and new mods for games, which mods are allowed and not allowed, how most Twitter mods are bad, and how seed oils are especially bad for you. Maybe our spaceman son will finally buy Twitter?

Game Mods, Bad Twitter Mods, and Bad Seed Oils

The onslaught of remakes and remasters continues, the corporate machines must be fed, the consumers must consoom. Now, we're also getting blindsided by random sequels to once-beloved games or series. Does anyone want these? Do people buy them? We talk up consumerism this week.

The onslaught of remakes and remasters continues, the corporate machines must be fed, the consumers must consoom. Now, we're also getting blindsided by random sequels to once-beloved games or series. Does anyone want these? Do people buy them? We talk up consumerism this week.

Remakes, Remasters, Random Sequels

E3 2022 is officially dead. Can it respawn as some kind of new event in 2023? We also talk up recent big and small releases during spring, new site developments, and more!

E3 2022 is officially dead. Can it respawn as some kind of new event in 2023? We also talk up recent big and small releases during spring, new site developments, and more!

E3 2022 is dead, can it respawn?

The 2021 Game of the Year — what big games came out this year? How many are actually worth being called game of the year? We discuss the biggest and best releases of 2021, and which game could be both our community GOTY and our staff GOTY.

The 2021 Game of the Year — what big games came out this year? How many are actually worth being called game of the year? We discuss the biggest and best releases of 2021, and which game could be both our community GOTY and our staff GOTY.

Christmas and 2021 GOTY Talk

Steam Deck vs Switch – who will win? People were immediately comparing the two devices even though they are wildly different and for also very different audiences. Will the Steam Deck spur Nintendo to finally reveal some kind of Switch Pro, or a new console entirely? Can the Steam deck bring back physical PC games? Will Microsoft try to get Game Pass onto the SteamOS somehow? We discuss all these things in our latest show.

Steam Deck vs Switch – who will win? People were immediately comparing the two devices even though they are wildly different and for also very different audiences. Will the Steam Deck spur Nintendo to finally reveal some kind of Switch Pro, or a new console entirely? Can the Steam deck bring back physical PC games? Will Microsoft try to get Game Pass onto the SteamOS somehow? We discuss all these things in our latest show.

Steam Deck vs. Switch

E3 2021 – Can the event survive and thrive despite being online only? Will there still be big reveals like in years past, or have all the big dogs split off to host their own events like Nintendo, Bethesda, and more? We talk about E3 2021, our predictions, and how the show might still have a chance at the greatness it had in prior years.

E3 2021 – Can the event survive and thrive despite being online only? Will there still be big reveals like in years past, or have all the big dogs split off to host their own events like Nintendo, Bethesda, and more? We talk about E3 2021, our predictions, and how the show might still have a chance at the greatness it had in prior years.

Can E3 2021 Adapt and Survive?

This week, we talk backwards compatibility in the gaming industry. Have Sony and Nintendo abandoned their classic games? Why is backwards compatibility not really a thing anymore, and why is Microsoft of all gaming companies the only one that seems to be pushing it? Has Microsoft done enough for backwards compatibility support, or can they do more? How important is backwards compatibility, and game preservation overall? We talk up all these points and more!

This week, we talk backwards compatibility in the gaming industry. Have Sony and Nintendo abandoned their classic games? Why is backwards compatibility not really a thing anymore, and why is Microsoft of all gaming companies the only one that seems to be pushing it? Has Microsoft done enough for backwards compatibility support, or can they do more? How important is backwards compatibility, and game preservation overall? We talk up all these points and more!

Why is Only Microsoft Pushing Backwards Compatibility?

The NicheCast is Niche Gamer's weekly podcast where we talk up the latest gaming news and events, as well as unique games, niche games, weird games, whatever you want to call them—we love them and we know you love them as well. We only cover these games on our regular feed, and we only cover them on our podcast, too.

The current state of Sony and PlayStation, has the company fallen from grace, and abandoned their roots and what made the company great? Are their recent moves and acquisitions bad compared to Microsoft and Nintendo? We take a deep dive into Sony’s past and discuss where they did things right and possibly where things have gone wrong. Can the once-edgy and bold company return to what made them definitely win two console generations?

The current state of Sony and PlayStation, has the company fallen from grace, and abandoned their roots and what made the company great? Are their recent moves and acquisitions bad compared to Microsoft and Nintendo? We take a deep dive into Sony’s past and discuss where they did things right and possibly where things have gone wrong. Can the once-edgy and bold company return to what made them definitely win two console generations?

Is Sony Abandoning Their Roots?

Microsoft finalizes their acquisition of Bethesda, and Zenimax Media. What does this mean for the future of their franchises? They’ve already said “some” of their future games will become exclusive to PC and Xbox. Where do they cut the line? Does it make sense to have their core franchises locked to PC and Xbox, while more general franchises like DOOM can remain multi-platform? We talk up this huge shift in the industry.

Microsoft finalizes their acquisition of Bethesda, and Zenimax Media. What does this mean for the future of their franchises? They’ve already said “some” of their future games will become exclusive to PC and Xbox. Where do they cut the line? Does it make sense to have their core franchises locked to PC and Xbox, while more general franchises like DOOM can remain multi-platform? We talk up this huge shift in the industry.

How Will Microsoft Acquiring Bethesda Change Things?

The new rumored Nintendo console --- how can Nintendo improve on their successful hybrid console? The new model is rumored to have a 7 inch OLED display, and a 4K capable dock. What else do they need? Will Nintendo continue to dominate in Japan, and worldwide? Also how can scalpers be stopped? Will scalpers lead to a potential collapse of the industry, where new consoles and new game aren't being bought as much due to pricing? We talk over all of these big questions.

The new rumored Nintendo console --- how can Nintendo improve on their successful hybrid console? The new model is rumored to have a 7 inch OLED display, and a 4K capable dock. What else do they need? Will Nintendo continue to dominate in Japan, and worldwide? Also how can scalpers be stopped? Will scalpers lead to a potential collapse of the industry, where new consoles and new game aren't being bought as much due to pricing? We talk over all of these big questions.

Does Nintendo Need a New Switch Model?

Is Blizzard Entertainment too forgone to be saved? A lot of PR blunders have come out of the once-beloved developer, now a subsidiary of Activision. Can they win back enough goodwill to get their old fans back? Is it even possible to please old fans and new fans that only care about Overwatch or the newest World of Warcraft expansions? Is Diablo IV and the Diablo II remaster enough to win people over?

Is Blizzard Entertainment too forgone to be saved? A lot of PR blunders have come out of the once-beloved developer, now a subsidiary of Activision. Can they win back enough goodwill to get their old fans back? Is it even possible to please old fans and new fans that only care about Overwatch or the newest World of Warcraft expansions? Is Diablo IV and the Diablo II remaster enough to win people over?

Can Blizzard Entertainment Be Saved?

We discussed our upcoming Media Partners program, President Trump’s executive order that almost banned Tencent in the US, and the hackers behind the Twitter celebrity Bitcoin scam being arrested- including the 17 year old “mastermind.”We then moved onto virtual YouTubers suffering DMCA claims and community subtitles being retired, the return of G4, the Intellivision Amico Special Event, and how companies react to perceptions and outrage.

We discussed our upcoming <a href="https://twitter.com/nichegamer/status/1287833593796915201" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Media Partners program</a>, President Trump’s executive order that <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/08/06/trump-executive-order-may-have-just-banned-any-transaction-with-tencent-in-the-us-including-epic-games-and-fortnite/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">almost banned Tencent in the US</a>, and the hackers behind the Twitter celebrity Bitcoin scam being arrested- including the <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/07/31/twitter-celebrity-bitcoin-scam-hackers-arrested-including-17-year-old-mastermind-from-florida/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">17 year old “mastermind.</a>”We then moved onto virtual YouTubers suffering <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/07/31/youtube-to-discontinue-community-subtitles-while-virtual-youtubers-face-dmca-claims/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DMCA claims and community subtitles being retired</a>, the <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/07/27/video-game-network-g4-announces-2021-return/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">return of G4</a>, the <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/08/10/intellivision-amico-special-event-round-up-launches-april-15-earthworm-jim-4-teaser-and-more/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Intellivision Amico Special Event</a>, and how companies react to perceptions and outrage.

Media Partners and VTubers hit with DMCAs

We discussed the slew of announcements, releases, and drama over the month of June! This included Total War: Troy being free for 24-hours on launch via the Epic Games Store; all while Tim Sweeny says he attributes the Epic Games Store giveaways to increased sales… On other platforms.

We discussed the slew of announcements, releases, and drama over the month of June! This included Total War: Troy being free for 24-hours on launch via the Epic Games Store; all while Tim Sweeny says he attributes the Epic Games Store giveaways to increased sales… On other platforms.

June releases and Spongebob Failures

We discussed Serious Sam 4, its Stadia exclusivity on consoles, and its possible censorship. This lead to discussion of the assumption of guilt, and the fear of creation.We also discussed Tencent, and their recent buying and expanding spree [1, 2, 3], as well as what the Chinese tech giant could mean for western gaming.We talked about Denuvo Anti-Cheat being removed from Doom Eternal, and the risks of kernel-based software.

We discussed <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/20/serious-sam-4-launches-august-2020-on-pc-and-stadia-2021-on-playstation-4-and-xbox-one/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Serious Sam 4</a>, its Stadia exclusivity on consoles, and its <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/23/serious-sam-4-fans-argue-over-possible-censorship-developer-insists-it-was-design-choice/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">possible censorship</a>. This lead to discussion of the assumption of guilt, and the fear of creation.We also discussed Tencent, and their recent buying and expanding spree [<a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/20/chinese-conglomerate-tencent-takes-on-system-shock-franchise/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/18/tencent-now-reportedly-owns-system-shock-3-and-4-websites/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2</a>, <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/20/tencent-reportedly-hiring-international-talent-for-blockbuster-projects-includes-kenichiro-imaizumi-and-scott-warner/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">3</a>], as well as what the Chinese tech giant could mean for western gaming.We talked about Denuvo Anti-Cheat being <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/20/denuvo-anti-cheat-to-be-removed-from-doom-eternal-in-future-update-within-the-week/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">removed</a> from Doom Eternal, and the risks of kernel-based software.

Serious Sam, Tencent, Denuvo, and things

PAPER

We talked about the recent Ghost of Tsushima gameplay, and Unreal Engine 5 being reveled on PlayStation 5; along with Tim Sweeney’s comments on the upcoming console’s storage architecture being ahead of  of anything on PC.After dabbling in what the future of controllers and gameplay could be, we discuss the announcement of Paper Mario: The Origami King, and Denuvo Anti-Cheat being added to Doom Eternal.We also cover the Chinese PlayStation Store being taken down to “improve security” right after Chinese gamers accessed foreign games, Evo Online, and the disastrous business model for The Culling: Origins.

We talked about the recent Ghost of Tsushima <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/14/18-minutes-of-ghost-of-tsushima-gameplay/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">gameplay</a>, and <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/13/unreal-engine-5-running-on-playstation-5-revealed/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unreal Engine 5</a> being reveled on PlayStation 5; along with Tim Sweeney’s <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/15/tim-sweeney-storage-architecture-on-the-playstation-5-is-far-ahead-on-anything-on-pc/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">comments</a> on the upcoming console’s storage architecture being ahead of of anything on PC.After dabbling in what the future of controllers and gameplay could be, we discuss the <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/14/paper-mario-the-origami-king-announced-launches-july-17th-on-nintendo-switch/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">announcement</a> of Paper Mario: The Origami King, and <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/14/denuvo-anti-cheat-announced-added-to-doom-eternal-multiplayer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Denuvo Anti-Cheat</a> being added to Doom Eternal.We also cover the Chinese PlayStation Store being taken down to “<a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/11/chinese-playstation-store-taken-down-to-improve-security-after-chinese-gamers-accessed-foreign-games/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">improve security</a>” right after Chinese gamers accessed foreign games, <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/14/evo-online-announced-runs-weekends-through-july-super-smash-bros-ultimate-dropped/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Evo Online</a>, and the disastrous business model for <a href="https://nichegamer.com/2020/05/13/the-culling-origins-launches-may-14-on-xbox-one-later-on-pc-fans-enraged-by-business-model/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Culling: Origins</a>.

Paper Mario and Chinese PlayStation Store

We talk about the leaks of The Last of Us Part II (but not the content of the leaks themselves), the negative effect of hype, Animal Crossing: New Horizons strong sales, War of Ashird‘s Kickstarter campaign, and more!

We talk about the leaks of The Last of Us Part II (but not the content of the leaks themselves), the negative effect of hype, Animal Crossing: New Horizons strong sales, War of Ashird‘s Kickstarter campaign, and more!

TLOU II leaks, Animal Crossing, and more

After the cancellation of E3 2020, we discuss whether we dodged a bullet, thanks to what the show could have been. We also discuss the sheer audacity of GameStop’s actions during this difficult time.We discuss remakes such as Final Fantasy VII Remake, Resident Evil 3, and the nature of remakes in general. We also delve into the rumors surrounding new Silent Hill games, and Sony’s alleged attempts to buy several prominent IPs from Konami.

After the cancellation of E3 2020, we discuss whether we dodged a bullet, thanks to what the show could have been. We also discuss the sheer audacity of GameStop’s actions during this difficult time.We discuss remakes such as Final Fantasy VII Remake, Resident Evil 3, and the nature of remakes in general. We also delve into the rumors surrounding new Silent Hill games, and Sony’s alleged attempts to buy several prominent IPs from Konami.

E3 2020 is cancelled, what's next?

NicheCast

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Practical Philosophy & How To Live

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