Fire Escape Cast #87 Summary

Release Date: August 12, 2024
Hosts: Dan Ryckert, Mary Kish, and Mike Mahardy

1. Olympic Insights

The episode kicks off with an engaging discussion about the recent Olympic Games. The hosts delve into various events, highlighting the United States' performance and reflecting on memorable moments.

• Gymnastics Glory: Mary expresses her pride in the gymnastics team's achievements, noting, "I put on my American flag cap and root for the gymnastics team because they always do so good. And again, they got the gold. So I was really proud of the girls. They just killed it." (02:14)

• Unexpected Outcomes: Mike shares surprising Olympic outcomes, mentioning, "This is the first time ever in Olympics history that the 4 by 4 individual or 4 by 4 medley relay, we did not get the gold." (04:03)

• Basketball Brilliance: The hosts discuss the standout performances in basketball, praising the lineup that includes NBA stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry. Mike specifically notes the formidable talent on display: "It's a lot of good players. It's a pretty scary lineup." (05:35)

• Esports in the Olympics: The conversation veers into the potential inclusion of esports in future Olympic Games. Mary muses, "There's a world here where we can compete with who is best at Mario Party." (08:28), reflecting on the evolving landscape of competitive gaming.

2. Nostalgia and Concerns: The Game Informer Shutdown

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the abrupt shutdown of Game Informer by GameStop, sparking a heartfelt conversation about the impact on the gaming media landscape.

• Personal Connections: Dan reminisces about his tenure at Game Informer, sharing, "Game Informer is the entire reason I do what I do and I've lived the life I live is because I subscribed when I was nine years old." (31:25)

• Industry Impact: Mary underscores the loss to the gaming community, stating, "I think that's a huge void left behind... it's just a time and a place. And I think that's sad, but we will basically be the children of that content for a long time." (35:31)

• Corporate Failings: The hosts critique GameStop's handling of the shutdown, highlighting the sudden layoffs and the erasure of Game Informer's online presence. Dan remarks, "GameStop is still, in spite of itself, still around. But as they are circling the drain and have been for a long time." (33:19)

3. Exploring Current Games: Dungeons of Hinterberg, Arranger, and More

Transitioning from industry reflections, the trio delves into their current gaming experiences, offering in-depth analyses and personal insights.

• Dungeons of Hinterberg: Mike provides a comprehensive overview of the game, combining elements of Zelda and Persona with puzzle-centric dungeons. "It's a mix of Zelda and Persona and there are some loot-esque elements but not much. It's kind of like Stardew Valley set up." (64:56)

• Arranger: The hosts discuss "Arranger," a puzzle-adventure game praised for its simplicity and creative mechanics. Mary shares her experience, "The dungeons are where it's at. It has a great loop of like the day and night cycle. It's fun." (75:07)

• SteamWorld Heist 2: Mike expresses enthusiasm for the sequel, highlighting its tactical depth and seamless integration of overworld mechanics. "It's a very tactical game. It's very deep in how it teaches you stuff." (82:00)

• The Witness: Dan and Mary provide their take on Jonathan Blow's "The Witness," discussing its challenging puzzles and evocative storytelling. Mike recalls an amusing anecdote about an interview with Blow, emphasizing the game's intricate design despite its developer's quirks. "I remember he was just saying something about the flow of the puzzles in your mind space as you're moving through the Witness." (90:33)

4. Light-hearted Moments: Pigeons, Dogs, and Humor

Injecting humor into the episode, the hosts engage in playful banter about holding pigeons, sharing laughs and entertaining scenarios.

• Pigeon Challenge: A humorous segment unfolds as the hosts debate the feasibility of carrying multiple live pigeons without aids. Mary jokes, "Three baby pigeons in each hand and then two underneath my armpits... that's eight!" (130:33), leading to a series of comedic exchanges about their imagined Olympic pigeon-carrying prowess.

• Dog Anecdotes: Listener Andrew from Texas shares a touching yet funny story about his dog, Humphrey. Mary responds warmly, "Thank you for rescuing an elderly Jack Russell terrier. That's very cool of you. Rescuing older dogs is very rad. And dogs are awesome." (114:35). Further stories about their own dogs, Simone and Gizmo, add to the light-hearted atmosphere.

5. Listener Letters and Recommendations

The episode features listener interactions, showcasing personal stories and media recommendations.

• Personal Stories: Jeff writes in about his dog, inspiring the hosts to share similar experiences. Mary recounts a neighborly incident involving her dog, highlighting the joys and challenges of pet ownership.

• Media Recommendations: Wes from Baltimore recommends the TV show "Red Oaks," set in a 1980s New Jersey country club, lauding its enjoyable premise. Dan suggests "Dog Bites Man," a short-lived Comedy Central series featuring improvisational humor, which Mary relates to similar modern YouTube content.

• Book and Show Recommendations: Mike recommends Bill Watterson's illustrated book "The Mysteries," and shares his nostalgia for Genndy Tarkovsky's animated series "Clone Wars" and other unique shows like "Black Donnellys."

Conclusion and Promotions

As the episode wraps up, the hosts encourage listeners to engage with their content and support their endeavors.

• Patreon and Merchandise: Mike promotes their Patreon for ad-free episodes and exclusive content, alongside Fire Escape Cast merchandise available at fireescapecast.com.

• Upcoming Episodes: The trio discusses future plans, including Dan's absence due to travel, and teases upcoming content centered around gaming events like Gamescom.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's the most patriotic I get." — Mary (02:49)
• "Game Informer is the entire reason I do what I do and I've lived the life I live is because I subscribed when I was nine years old." — Dan (31:25)
• "There has to be that for like... didn't they talk about esports?" — Mike (08:39)
• "Dogs are awesome." — Mary (114:56)

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and moments from Fire Escape Cast #87, offering a comprehensive overview for listeners and newcomers alike.

Timestamp Reference:

• [MM:SS] indicates the minute and second marks in the transcript where the quoted content appears.