EXP Podcast #536: Embrace your Dadstiny

Cargo shorts not pictured

Bust out your grill and put some sandals over those socks, Guardian: it's time to build the dad loadout.  This week, we discuss the phenomenon of the "dad build."  It's a concept that has arisen from players pursuing in-game equipment that is useful but also attainable in the hopes that they can stay competitive without having to neglect their real-world responsibilities.

Now, allow me to channel my inner dad and ask you all to just sit and listen to the show quietly.  Don't make me pull this podcast over.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 32 min 21 sec
- "The unstoppable rise of the Dad Loadout in Destiny 2," by Tim Clark, via PC Gamer
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #535: Mixer Ninjutsu

The happy face of a rich man getting richer

Like his feudal warrior class namesake, Ninja - one of the biggest gaming streamers on the internet - has disappeared and reappeared on a different platform. It seems like a minor thing for a gaming culture celebrity to move from one service to another, but it could be a sign that Microsoft is setting the stage for retaking their place at the forefront of the gaming culture landscape.

 Or maybe Tyler "Ninja" Blevins is so damn he rich he can just do whatever he wants!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 34 min 04 sec
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #534: The Air Bud Dilemma

This menace must be stopped.

Look out Jigglypuff mains: your precious ledges are being taken away from you!  This week, we talk about an upcoming Smash Bros. tournament with a new rule meant to tamp down defensive play.  It's a small change, but it brings up big questions about esports, tournament rules, overall game balance, and (of course) Air Bud.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 37 min 10 sec
- "Jigglypuff’s ledge-grab defense prompts new Smash tournament rule," by  Owen S. Good, via Polygon
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #533: Super Mario Maker 2 Debrief

Not even close to Kaizo

This week on the EXP Podcast, we duck, dive, and dodge our way through the endless levels available in Super Mario Maker 2. We are both big fans of the first game on this show and we're thrilled not just to talk about the new features and experiences available in the latest game - but to invite you to try our levels as well!

Find Scott's levels Mario Maker code SWD-HY5-1HG and my levels at JH4-TKG-DRG. If you've got some levels to try, send us an email!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 42 min 34 sec
- "The 10 Best Summer Video Games, Ranked," by Dom Nero and Cameron Sherrill, via Esquire
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #532: Summer Gaming 2019

Sun's out?  Guns out!

The sun is shining, the fireworks are popping, and I'm desperately trying to avoid the genetically engineered ultra-mosquitos released by one of the many tech CEOs/super-villains that live on the west coast.  That's right, it's summer and with it comes a specific set of games that just feel right during those long warm days.  Seasonal gaming is a topic we've covered before, but this time to dissect a recent Esquire list and revisit some of our historical summertime picks.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 32 min 55 sec
- "The 10 Best Summer Video Games, Ranked," by Dom Nero and Cameron Sherrill, via Esquire
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #531: Final Fantasy VII Debrief Part 3

What!? Who saw this coming!?

From the red stone bluffs of Cosmo Canyon to the strange "underwater" ruins of the Forgotten City, we continue our journey through Final Fantasy VII in Part 3 of our ongoing debrief. This week we experience one of, if not the, most important deaths in video game history. But is it how we remembered?

If you want to catch up on our debrief, you can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 52 min 15 sec
- Music from Final Fantasy VII OST
- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #530: The Live Game Long View

The Gears crew launches the war on micro-transactions

It wasn't so long ago that we were seriously questioning the future of the single player game.  "All those multiplayer live games are taking our precious single player games!" we wailed.  Fast forward  a couple years and single player, predominantly story-based games are thriving on both the indie and big publisher sides of spectrum.  But, as Daniel Friedman points out, games like Anthem, Destiny, and Apex Legends are struggling to keep the pace and find the space needed to compete against the Fortnite juggernaut.  Take a break from grinding through your battle pass and take a listen!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

- Runtime: 34 min 04 sec
- "No Gear Packs, no season pass for Gears 5," by Owen S. Good, via Polygon
- "Single-player games might be safer bets than live games in 2019," by Daniel Friedman, via Polygon
- Music by Brad Sucks