Game Scoop! 783: An Alarming Nintendo Development Release Date: October 11, 2024

Hosts: Damon Hatfield, Nick Lamone, Justin Davis, Mark Medina
Produced by: IGN
Description: IGN.com delivers a week’s worth of gaming news directly to your ears!

1. Welcome and Recent Travels

Timestamp: 00:55 - 01:18

The episode kicks off with Damon Hatfield and Mark Medina welcoming listeners back, mentioning their recent short trip to Japan. They introduce the co-hosts Nick Lamone and Justin Davis, setting the stage for an engaging discussion on the latest in gaming.

2. Spotlight on Metaphor Refantazio

Timestamp: 01:09 - 05:02

Mark Medina introduces Metaphor Refantazio, a new JRPG from the Persona 5 development team.
Mark Medina (01:54):

“...a JRPG with just the coolest style and presentation that I've seen in a long time.”

Damon Hatfield praises the game’s turn-based mechanics and its fresh narrative framework.
Damon Hatfield (02:29):

“The beginning of the game opens and it just the setting of fantasy as reality and realizing what the goal of fantasy is from a literary pursuit is just such a refreshing framework for how the story set.”

Justin Davis compares it to Persona, highlighting its slice-of-life and time management elements.
Justin Davis (04:35):

“It's a Persona-like, it's not just like a turn-based fantasy RPG, but it has all of those kind of slice of life elements and sort of time management elements...”

The hosts unanimously commend the game for its style, storytelling, and innovative mechanics, positioning it as a strong contender in the RPG genre.

3. Exploring the UFO 50 Collection

Timestamp: 05:02 - 10:40

Mark Medina delves into the UFO 50 collection, discussing standout titles like Night Manor, Shadowgate, and various turn-based strategy games.
Mark Medina (05:08):

“...point and click adventure. The name escapes me. Night Manor is incredible.”

Damon Hatfield shares his appreciation for specific games within the collection, such as Ninpec and Seaside Drive Pin Golf, while Nick Lamone highlights the real-time strategy game.
Nick Lamone (07:32):

“...Nick's Game of the Year is a game inside UFO 50. I mean not even just UFO 50, just, I mean very specific.”

Justin Davis praises the collection’s value, emphasizing the variety and quality despite some personal preferences.
Justin Davis (08:19):

“...it's one of the best values ever, probably of all time.”

The discussion underscores the diverse range of games in the collection, celebrating both classic and modern titles that appeal to a wide audience.

4. Silent Hill 2 Remake: A Revival of a Classic

Timestamp: 10:40 - 15:21

Damon Hatfield shares his experience with the Silent Hill 2 remake by Bloober Team, highlighting its technical enhancements and faithful storytelling.
Damon Hatfield (11:00):

“There is like this level of clunkiness that I think is still present in the combat that feels evocative of the original game.”

Mark Medina asks about playing the remake without prior knowledge of the original, receiving affirmation from Nick Lamone and Damon Hatfield that the remake stands on its own.
Nick Lamone (12:45):

“Can you play Silent Hill 2 without playing the first one? Yes, 100%.”

The hosts commend the remake for preserving the essence of the original while enhancing graphics and story elements. They also address emerging controversies, noting fan apprehensions and the positive reception of updated designs.
Damon Hatfield (14:55):

“Bloober clearly is listening to the fans, which I think is very a nice thing to know that they are actively listening. And honestly, I think they knocked it out of the park.”

5. Nintendo Alarmo: Gaming Meets Daily Life

Timestamp: 25:22 - 31:15

Mark Medina unveils Nintendo Alarmo, a new $100 alarm clock featuring Nintendo characters and music, controlled via motion for single sleepers.
Mark Medina (25:22):

“Nintendo's new alarm clock that will wake you up with Nintendo characters and music and sound effects.”

The hosts express mixed feelings about the product's price and functionality. Damon Hatfield humorously contemplates using it as an office clock, while Justin Davis points out the limited usability for those sharing a bed.
Justin Davis (26:46):

“I couldn't justify it, you know? It does have a screen and a motion sensor, but $100 is just too much.”

They also discuss Nintendo’s broader strategy of integrating into lifestyle products, likening it to their historical roots as a toy manufacturer.
Damon Hatfield (29:37):

“It harkens back to when they were a toy manufacturer...”

6. Shinobi Movie Adaptation by Extraction's Director

Timestamp: 35:13 - 37:43

Mark Medina introduces the announcement of a Shinobi film adaptation helmed by the director of Extraction, known for its thrilling action sequences.
Mark Medina (35:13):

“Nintendo's new alarm clock... they're gonna make a Shinobi.”

Damon Hatfield and Nick Lamone discuss the potential of a ninja-focused action movie, drawing parallels to Extraction and classic Shinobi games.
Damon Hatfield (36:43):

“I just want to see a John Wick ninja game. That's what it is.”

The conversation highlights excitement for the blend of classic Sega action with modern filmmaking techniques.

7. Tetris Forever: A Comprehensive Collection

Timestamp: 45:38 - 48:06

Damon Hatfield introduces Tetris Forever, curated by Digital Eclipse, renowned for collections like Atari 50 and Making of Karateka.
Damon Hatfield (47:13):

“Tetris Forever, if you don't remember, this was just recently announced. It's coming from Digital Eclipse, which does just the best work with collecting old games.”

Mark Medina and Justin Davis discuss the extensive list of included Tetris titles, noting the absence of some popular versions due to licensing issues with Nintendo.
Mark Medina (46:11):

“They're just sort of working with the Tetris games that bulletproof software creates.”

Justin Davis laments the missing titles, emphasizing the collection’s archival value despite its limitations.
Justin Davis (48:06):

“It's a playable museum... but there is an element of archival. It's a bummer.”

The hosts appreciate the effort to preserve Tetris history, while acknowledging the challenges of comprehensive coverage due to licensing complexities.

8. 20 Questions: Game of the Year Discussions

Timestamp: 49:30 - 57:07

The hosts engage in a segment of 20 Questions, focusing on identifying a game suggested by listener Kevin Osborne in Detroit, Michigan. Through a series of yes/no questions, they narrow down to Yakuza: Infinite Wealth.
Mark Medina (63:43):

“...you think it's part of a series that has an upcoming game? Yes, that's 10.”

Mark Medina (69:03):

“Nicely. You found it.”

Damon Hatfield and Nick Lamone express strong preferences for Infinite Wealth, discussing its emotional impact and gameplay mechanics.
Damon Hatfield (69:14):

“Infinite Wealth. I cried multiple times playing Infinite Wealth. Outstanding game.”

The conversation transitions into a broader discussion on Game of the Year contenders, mentioning other titles like AstroBot and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, highlighting the diverse range of games in contention.

9. The Future of the Gaming Industry: Potential Crash Ahead?

Timestamp: 58:34 - 62:39

The hosts delve into an analysis of the current state of the gaming industry, contemplating whether it is on the brink of another crash similar to the 1983 Atari meltdown.
Mark Medina (49:30):

“...with all the layoffs, cancellations, etc., within the gaming industry, do you think we are coming up on another gaming industry crash like the 1983 crash caused by E.T.? No, I don't think so, Tony. These are very different scenarios.”

Damon Hatfield (50:42):

“...the metric of success is so warped from what it used to be in the early 2000. There will be a reevaluation of how many publishers and how many developers are crafting AAA experiences due to budget constraints.”

Justin Davis (52:15):

“...when a game hits 6 million in sales and that's not deemed profitable, it's like, that's great. Like 6 million copies sold is not profitable. That's nuts, dude.”

The discussion highlights concerns over inflated budgets, unrealistic sales expectations, and the sustainability of the AAA model. The hosts reference recent game performances that were critically acclaimed but commercially underwhelming, underscoring the disconnect between quality and profitability.

10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: 63:43 - 78:22

The episode concludes with light-hearted interactions, listener engagements, and brief mentions of upcoming games and personal projects. Although several sponsor ads recede into the background, the core discussions leave listeners with insightful perspectives on the evolving gaming landscape and anticipation for future releases.

Damon Hatfield (75:00):

“...Thank you, Nick. Thank you, Justin. Thank you, Mark.”

The hosts sign off, promising more engaging content and thanking the audience for their continued support.

Notable Quotes:

• Mark Medina (01:54):
  “...a JRPG with just the coolest style and presentation that I've seen in a long time.”

• Damon Hatfield (02:29):
  “...the setting of fantasy as reality and realizing what the goal of fantasy is from a literary pursuit is just such a refreshing framework for how the story set.”

• Justin Davis (04:35):
  “It's a Persona-like, it's not just like a turn-based fantasy RPG, but it has all of those kind of slice of life elements and sort of time management elements...”

• Damon Hatfield (11:00):
  “There is like this level of clunkiness that I think is still present in the combat that feels evocative of the original game.”

• Mark Medina (25:22):
  “Nintendo's new alarm clock that will wake you up with Nintendo characters and music and sound effects.”

• Damon Hatfield (29:37):
  “It harkens back to when they were a toy manufacturer...”

• Mark Medina (35:13):
  “...they're gonna make a Shinobi.”

• Damon Hatfield (69:14):
  “Infinite Wealth. I cried multiple times playing Infinite Wealth. Outstanding game.”

• Justin Davis (52:15):
  “...when a game hits 6 million in sales and that's not deemed profitable, it's like, that's great. Like 6 million copies sold is not profitable. That's nuts, dude.”

These quotes encapsulate the hosts' enthusiasm, critical analysis, and passion for the gaming industry, providing listeners with both entertainment and valuable insights.

Conclusion:

In this episode of Game Scoop!, IGN delivers a comprehensive overview of significant developments in the gaming world. From the exciting release of Metaphor Refantazio and the nostalgic UFO 50 collection to the much-anticipated Silent Hill 2 remake and Nintendo's quirky Alarmo, the hosts explore a wide array of topics. They also engage in thoughtful discussions on the industry's future, addressing concerns over financial sustainability and the evolving landscape of game development. Whether you're a fan of JRPGs, classic collections, or industry analysis, this episode offers something for every gaming enthusiast.