252 avsnitt • Längd: 60 min • Veckovis: Torsdag
Video games: They’re serious business! Except when they’re not serious at all. Each week on Triple Click, video game experts Kirk Hamilton, Maddy Myers, and Jason Schreier journey into the fascinating world of games. They’ll explore hot topics in video game news and culture, answer burning listener questions, debate the pros and cons of the biggest new games, and replay old classics together.
The podcast Triple Click is created by Maximum Fun. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about The Game Awards 2024 (and determine the predictions winner) before breaking down Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the latest game in the whip-cracking, fedora-wearing archeologist's adventures. They talk about the puzzles, the fist-fighting, and which parts of the game belong in a museum.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Thank Goodness You’re Here! (PC + Consoles)
Maddy: Drumline (2002)
Jason: Say Nothing (Patrick Radden Keefe)
LINKS:
Featuring Excerpts from “Intergalactic” by The Beastie Boys from Hello Nasty, 1998, and “Raiders March” by John Williams from Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981
Smack Barm Pey Wet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fid-RMAm4U
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Finally, it's time for gaming's biggest night. Kirk, Maddy, and Jason go through each category at the 2024 Game Awards, from Game of the Year to Content Creator of the Year, and make their predictions. They talk about the biggest snubs, what they expect, and which game announcements they hope to see.
One More Thing:
Kirk: A Man on the Inside (Netflix)
Maddy: Scream (2022)
Jason: The Diplomat (Netflix)
LINKS:
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Grab your D20 and roll initiative — it's time to talk Dungeons & Dragons. Inspired by their recent Triple Quest journey, the gang talks about their experiences playing with Matthew Mercer this year. They also get into their personal D&D histories, the game's recent surge of popularity, and how Baldur's Gate 3 has impacted it all.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Mouthwashing (PC/Steam)
Maddy: Infinity Nikki
Jason: Secrets of Grindea
LINKS:
Luke Winkie’s 2023 interview with Matt Mercer: https://slate.com/life/2023/08/dungeons-dragons-critical-role-matthew-mercer-twitch.html
Mages and Murderdads: https://rangedtouch.com/mages-murderdads/
Jason on Secrets of Grindea: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-05-31/-secrets-of-grindea-the-hit-indie-video-game-that-took-13-years-to-make
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On part two of Triple Quest, the trio visits the library. Leon and Luther take their relationship to the next level. Bing plays some piano. Key gets into pottery.
LINKS:
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It's a Thanksgiving cornucopia full of video games as the Triple Click gang talks about what they've been playing. They discuss Rise of the Golden Idol, STALKER 2, Loco Motive, and Tactical Breach Wizards. Plus: spatchcocking!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Slow Horses (Mick Herron)
Maddy: Les Miserables (2012)
Jason: Thanksgiving
LINKS:
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You all asked for advice, so here it is! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason open up the mailbag for a special Burning Questions all about life advice. They talk about how to make friends as adults, how to have better conversations, how to convince your children to cook with you and much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Echo Point Nova
Maddy: Scream 2 + 3
Jason: Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
LINKS:
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Kirk and Maddy have played a lot of Dragon Age: The Veilguard! Jason... well, Jason can just listen. The gang talks about BioWare's latest RPG and how much it changes after the first few hours, mostly for the better.
One More Thing:
Kirk: City Cast
Maddy: Evil Men (podcast)
Jason: Rise of the Golden Idol
LINKS:
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Triple Click gathers their party for a discussion of ensemble casts. They talk about Metaphor: ReFantazio, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and other RPGs this year to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each game's party. No, not that party. The other one.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Black Ops IIIIII
Maddy: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Jason: The Unseen World (Liz Moore)
LINKS:
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For the first time in ten years, a new Dragon Age is out this week. Maddy and Jason give some quick impressions on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, then get into overall series discussion with Kirk. The three of them talk about the long shadow of Origins, how the series has evolved over the years, and why people love Dragon Age characters so much.
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Legend of Vox Machina (Prime Video)
Maddy: Scream (1996)
Jason: We Solve Murders (Richard Osman)
LINKS:
Kirk’s 2014 Dragon Age lore explainer: https://kotaku.com/a-beginners-guide-to-all-things-dragon-age-1658487212
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Bing, Leon, and Key hear from an old friend. A tchotchke seller has an unexpected windfall. Thornhold's friendliest guard makes some new acquaintances.
Listen to Act Two right now by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join.
SCHEDULE:
Triple Quest will be told in three acts, along with a "session zero" planning session. All episodes will be published to the members-only feed first, and will hit the main feed a month later. Part One and the planning session will debut at the end of September. Parts Two and Three will debut at the ends of October and November, respectively.
LINKS:
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Maddy, Jason and Kirk sit down with guest game master Matthew Mercer to roll their characters and plan out the coming adventure.
Listen to Act Two right now by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join.
SCHEDULE:
Triple Quest will be told in three acts, along with a "session zero" planning session. All episodes will be published to the members-only feed first, and will hit the main feed a month later. Part One and the planning session will debut at the end of September. Parts Two and Three will debut at the ends of October and November, respectively.
LINKS:
Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod
Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
How do you handle that one jerk in your gaming group? What games are good for each season? And what don't Kirk, Jason, and Maddy agree on? This week, we're opening up the mailbag for your burning questions on all that and much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: I Am Your Beast (PC/Steam)
Maddy: The “I Hate Bill Maher” podcast
Jason: Sunderfolk
LINKS:
The New York Times on Xalavier Nelson Jr: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/arts/xalavier-nelson-strange-scaffold.html
Jason’s Bloomberg interview with Mike Morhaime: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2024-10-10/dreamhaven-s-morhaime-on-creating-games-that-connect-and-the-next-hit
Luke Plunkett on replaying Bully in 2024: https://aftermath.site/bully-rockstar-pc-steam
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Jason, Kirk, and Maddy take a deep dive into Metaphor: ReFantazio, the new game from a team of former Persona directors at Atlus. They talk about Metaphor's gameplay, its similarities to (and differences from) Persona 5, and what they like and don't like about this stylish new RPG.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Maddy: Agatha All Along
Jason: LOST (2004)
LINKS:
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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk conjure echoes of themselves to record a podcast and then sit back and eat some chips. It's time to talk The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Delicious in Dungeon (Netflix)
Maddy: Elsbeth [Paramount+]
Jason: Metaphor: ReFantazio
LINKS:
Featuring excerpts from the Echoes of Wisdom score and “Sleep Walking Orchestra” by BUMP OF CHICKEN from Delicious in Dungeon
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Here's a special treat — the first chapter of Jason Schreier's PLAY NICE: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, read by Ray Chase and free for all Triple Click listeners. You can buy the audiobook right here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781668639818/
How did Blizzard transform from one of the most beloved game companies on the planet into a shell of itself? This week, Maddy and Kirk probe Jason about his new book — PLAY NICE: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment (out October 8) — which chronicles the 33-year history of the company behind Warcraft, StarCraft, Overwatch, and Diablo. They talk about Blizzard's string of corporate parent companies, the development struggles of Overwatch 2, the wild story of Blizzard North, and much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster
Maddy: XBPlay
Jason: The Afterparty season 2
LINKS:
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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A ton of indie games have come out over the last few weeks and months, so it's time for a roundup! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about UFO 50 (which is really 50 games in one), Arranger, The Operator, Tactical Breach Wizards, and The Plucky Squire. Some they like... some they don't!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Apple TV
Maddy: Crime Scene Cleaner
Jason: The NFL preseason
LINKS:
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We're doing something pretty cool.
It's time for some news! The Triple Click gang gathers to talk about the newly announced PS5 Pro ($700!), the Annapurna Interactive exodus, and the tragic demise of Concord, a game that lasted less than two weeks.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Rebel Ridge (2024, Netflix)
Maddy: Nimona (2023, Netflix)
Jason: Fleishman Is In Trouble (Taffy Brodesser-Akner)
LINKS:
The (really good!) NYT article about Ezra Edelman’s lost Netflix Prince documentary: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/08/magazine/prince-netflix-ezra-edelman-documentary.html
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The new PlayStation 5 exclusive Astro Bot is an extraordinary platformer, one that just continues to surprise and delight Jason, Maddy, and Kirk. The gang talks about their favorite moments, what makes a platformer feel good, and whether all those PlayStation references might be a little much.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Maddy: The Fall Guy (2024)
Jason: The God of the Woods (Liz Moore)
LINKS:
Oli Welsh’s Astro Bot review: https://www.polygon.com/review/447564/astro-bot-review
Jason’s interview with the game’s director: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-09-06/playstation-s-astro-bot-is-a-model-for-the-video-game-industry?srnd=undefined
Featuring excerpts from “Astro Bot,” “Crash Site,” and “Disco Tree” by Kenneth CM Young from Astro Bot, 2024
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Kirk, Maddy, and Jason grab their blasters and hop on their speeder bikes for a trip to Star Wars Outlaws, the latest game in a galaxy far, far away. They talk about what they like, what they don't like, and break down the Star Wars-iness of it all.
One More Thing:
Kirk: StReam Deck
Maddy: Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
Jason: Ace Attorney Investigations Collection
LINKS:
Featuring excerpts from “Star Wars” by John Williams from Star Wars and “Kay Vess, Outlaw” and “The Trailblazer” by Wilbert Roget II from Star Wars Outlaws
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What's the best way to run a video game company? Do people care less about graphics these days? And did Maddy get a say in the Polygon redesign? It's time to answer some burning questions!
One More Thing:
Kirk: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (Netflix)
Maddy: 5-4 podcast
Jason: Star Wars Outlaws
LINKS:
Ethan failing every QTE in Heavy Rain’s best chase scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSTYpaRp5kQ
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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk finish up their playthrough of Resident Evil 2 Remake. They talk about their second run through the game (as Leon this time), that big, beautiful police station, and that truck driver at the end... which, like, what?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Godzilla Minus One
Maddy: Fields of Mistria
Jason: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
LINKS:
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How can video games made by a single person surpass $200 million AAA beasts? What are some weird things that have happened to the Triple Click gang because of games? And has the era of paid expansions come to an end? This week, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy answer listener questions!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Mistborn (Sanderson)
Maddy: Hacks
Jason: The Bright Sword (Lev Grossman)
LINKS:
Featuring an excerpt from the Balatro theme by LouisF
Ben Abraham’s “Permanent Death,” a 2009 permadeath run through Far Cry 2: https://drgamelove.blogspot.com/2009/12/permanent-death-complete-saga.html
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The Triple Click gang puts on their cartography monocles and mulls over the eternal question of what makes for a video game map? They talk about what they like and don't like in the maps of games like Resident Evil 2 and Elden Ring, what maps say about our relationship with games, and the joy of exploring!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Steamworld Heist II
Maddy: Dream Scenario (2023)
Jason: Red Dead's History (Tore C. Olsson)
LINKS:
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Kirk won last year's predictions bet, so it's time to play the Resident Evil 2 remake! The Triple Click gang makes their way through the police station, gets chased by Mr. X, and screams a lot of obscenities in a gross sewer.
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Operator
Maddy: The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions
Jason: Long Island Compromise (Taffy Brodesser-Akner)
LINKS:
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When is it OK to cheat in a video game? When is it not OK? This week, the Triple Click gang ponders all things cheating, from codes to mods, and talks about the ethical dilemmas (or lack thereof) when it comes to altering the intended experience in a video game.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Twister (1996)
Maddy: Suicide Squad Isekai
Jason: Blink 182 (Live at Citi Field)
LINKS:
You Are Good’s Twister episode: https://www.podpage.com/you-are-good/twister-w-niko-stratis/
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In this bonus episode, Kirk, Jason and Maddy each picked five games that played a formative role in their development as little lower-case “g" gamers. And then they talked about them!
KIRK:
TMNT: Fall of the Foot Clan (1990)
Kings Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow (1992)
Quest For Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness (1993)
The 7th Guest (1993)
Magic: The Gathering (1993)
MADDY:
Tetris (1989)
Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins (1992)
The Oregon Trail Deluxe (1992)
Myst (1993)
Doom (1993)
JASON:
Zork Zero (1988)
Final Fantasy IV (1991)
Warcraft II:Tides of Darkness (1995)
Evergrace (2000)
Aliens vs. Predator MUD (1997)
------------
Featuring musical excerpts from Tetris (Russian trad.) and Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness (Aubrey Hodges)
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Who makes money when a game is sold but its developer has shut down? What otherwise good behaviors might tank creative projects? And what are the best (bad) movie tie-in games? This week, the gang opens up the mailbag to take some of your excellent questions.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Elantris (Brandon Sanderson)
Maddy: Selaco
Jason: Final Fantasy XIV
LINKS:
Jason’s Suicide Squad Story: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-06/-suicide-squad-warner-bros-s-200-million-flop-haunts-the-gaming-industry
Jason's Hironobu Sakaguchi interview: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-07-03/-final-fantasy-creator-hironobu-sakaguchi-reunites-with-square-enix?srnd=technology-vp
Riley MacLeod’s Aftermath article about the Dr. Disrespect story: https://aftermath.site/dr-disrespect-allegations-twitch-journalism
X-Men Arcade Game Source Material, “Pryde of the X-Men”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBI8GIjf5HA
Luke Plunnkett on Chuds and Star Wars: The Acolyte: https://aftermath.site/the-acolyte-star-wars-controversy-ratings-this-is-all-terrible
IGN article by Matt Kim about Asian representation and Assassin’s Creed Shadows: https://www.ign.com/articles/assassins-creed-shadows-yasuke-asian-protagonist
Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark
How To Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy
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It's time to revisit Elden Ring... again. Kirk, Maddy, and Jason are still obsessed with Shadow of the Erdtree (or should we say Scadu of the Erdtree?) and its sprawling new regions and dungeons. They talk about why they're captivated, what makes its level design so great, and those pesky quests that will lock you out if you breathe on them wrong.
One More Thing:
Kirk: 1000xResist (Switch and PC)
Maddy: Master Chef Junior
Jason: Real Americans [Rachel Khong]
LINKS:
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy put on their finest Tarnished gear and get ready for a trip to the Shadow Realm. How does Elden Ring's big expansion compare to the base game? What's it like to revisit the game in 2024? And is it really too difficult?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Hit Man (2024, Netflix)
Maddy: Butterfly In The Sky (Reading Rainbow documentary)
Jason: Babel (R.F. Kuang)
LINKS:
Kirk’s Dragon Age Explainer: https://kotaku.com/a-beginners-guide-to-all-things-dragon-age-1658487212
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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy unwind from this year's not-E3 by getting back into it. They talk about the big Xbox showcase, the big Nintendo showcase, and some of the embargoed games they saw at Summer Games Fest, such as Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Star Wars Outlaws.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Tactical Breach Wizards
Maddy: Valorant (new Xbox port)
Jason: The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel (Jenny Nicholson)
LINKS:
IGN story on development of Perfect Dark: https://www.ign.com/articles/xboxs-perfect-dark-reboot-is-still-years-away
Cory Doctorow’s “enshittification” essay: https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/21/potemkin-ai/#hey-guys
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LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES... it's Maddy, Jason, and Kirk! The gang talks about what we all saw at Summer Game Fest, what they played, and how much they miss E3. Plus: audience Q&A!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Maddy: Dune Part Two
Jason: Holly (Stephen King)
GAMES DISCUSSED
LINKS:
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It's time for not-E3 — aka Summer Games Fest — where the video game industry will once again convene on Los Angeles for a week full of game demos, trailers, and exciting reveals. Well... sort of. This week, the Triple Click gang talks about their hopes, expectations, and predictions for the weekend ahead. Plus: don't miss Triple Click live in Los Angeles!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Crow Country
Maddy: My inflatable kayak
Jason: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
LINKS:
Oli Welsh on the death of console exclusives: https://www.polygon.com/24166647/aaa-exclusive-games-are-dead-playstation-xbox-multiplatform
Triple Click LIVE in LA! Saturday, June 8, 6:30PM at the Teragram Ballroom: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/triple-click-podcast/
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Where are all the pregnant video game NPCs? What happens when you grow out of a video game genre? And what's it like to be both friends and professional podcast coworkers? This week, the Triple Click gang opens up the mailbag for some wacky listener questions, and confesses that they're actually all secretly enemies.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Ed Wood (1994)
Maddy: Elden Ring
Jason: Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (Remake)
LINKS:
Kirk's 2018 Kotaku piece "Real Guns, Virtual Guns, and Me"
Jason's interview with Jake Solomon: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-05-14/game-makers-at-midsummer-studios-look-to-take-on-the-sims
Lorelei and the Laser Tampon: https://www.polygon.com/gaming/24162613/lorelei-and-the-laser-eyes-tampon-why-reason-item
Shadow of the Erdtree Miyazaki interview: https://www.famitsu.com/news/202402/22335199.html
Triple Click LIVE in LA! Saturday, June 8, 6:30PM at the Teragram Ballroom: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/triple-click-podcast/
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Kirk is back and there's much to discuss. This week, the gang does a lightning round of topics, from the fallout of the Xbox shutdowns to Assassin's Creed racism and Hades 2 and the plethora of other killer indie games that have come out this year.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Lois McMaster Bujold’s fantasy novels (The Curse of Chalion (2001), Paladin of Souls (2003), The Sharing Knife (2006-9))
Maddy: Hades 1
Jason: The Lost Shtetl (Max Gross)
LINKS:
Featuring an excerpt from “The Crossroads” by Darren Korb from Hades 2
Triple Click LIVE in LA! Saturday, June 8, 6:30PM at the Teragram Ballroom: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/triple-click-podcast/
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Animal Well is one of the best video game surprises in recent memory, and we'll be talking about it for years. This week Jason, Maddy, and special guest Russ Frushtick (Polygon, The Besties) give their impressions of the game in three increasingly obsessive phases.
One More Thing:
Maddy: Doppelganger by Naomi Klein (she finished it!)
Jason: Minishoot Adventures
LINKS:
Russ's gaming podcast The Besties and his Polygon review of Animal Well
Triple Click LIVE in LA! Saturday, June 8, 6:30PM at the Teragram Ballroom: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/triple-click-podcast/
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Kirk is out this week, so Jason and Maddy convene to talk about a grab bag full of topics including the Xbox mess, the Helldivers 2 debacle, and two games they're really enjoying: Hades 2 and Animal Well.
One More Thing:
Maddy: Master Chef
Jason: Demon Copperhead (Barbara Kingsolver)
LINKS:
Triple Click LIVE in LA! Saturday, June 8, 6:30PM at the Teragram Ballroom: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/triple-click-podcast/
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Jason's been playing Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, a game that feels a lot like Suikoden, which made the Triple Click gang wonder: how does nostalgia impact our enjoyment of video games? Can it make games better? Worse? Both at once? Let's discuss!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Fiasco (Jason Morningstar)
Maddy: Hades 2 technical test
Jason: Girls5eva
LINKS:
Triple Click LIVE in LA! Saturday, June 8, 6:30PM at the Teragram Ballroom: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/triple-click-podcast/
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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When is video game lore good? When is it bad? This week, the Triple Click gang talks about Skyrim books, Elden Ring item descriptions, Destiny guns, and all the other delectable morsels of plot that exist underneath the stories of video games.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Heavenly Creatures (1994)
Maddy: Tales of Kenzera: Zau
Jason: Eiyuden Chronicles
LINKS:
Mossbag’s Hollow Knight Lore video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XDiWYFGGqY
Triple Click LIVE in LA! Saturday, June 8, 6:30PM at the Teragram Ballroom: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/triple-click-podcast/
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Eight years after it first came out, Stardew Valley is still getting patches. But what's the deal with this one-man-developed farming simulator? How was it created, and what makes it so appealing? Allow us to explain!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Children of the Sun (Steam)
Maddy: Wingspan (board game version)
Jason: Fallout (Amazon Prime)
LINKS:
Search Engine: “What are we gonna do about all these cats?” https://pjvogt.substack.com/p/whatre-we-gonna-do-about-all-these
Triple Click LIVE in LA! Saturday, June 8, 6:30PM at the Teragram Ballroom: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/triple-click-podcast/
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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It's the 200th episode of Triple Click, and to celebrate, it's time for a mailbag! The gang answers listener questions such as "could we ever see gambling in video games?" and "are games really a waste of time?"
One More Thing:
Kirk: “Behind F1’s Velvet Curtain” by Kate Wagner
Maddy: Sailor Moon
Jason: The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
LINKS:
“Behind F1’s Velvet Curtain” by Kate Wagner, preserved in archive form: https://web.archive.org/web/20240301170542/https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a46975496/behind-f1-velvet-curtain/ and at Escape Collective: https://escapecollective.com/behind-f1s-velvet-curtain/
Triple Click LIVE in LA! Saturday, June 8, 6:30PM at the Teagram Ballroom: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/triple-click-podcast/
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What is "friction" in video games? We've got a taxonomy, of course! This week, the Triple Click gang talks about how Dragon Dogma 2 tries to push players away, the necessity of video game friction, and what it means when a game is impenetrable.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Girls5Eva (Netflix)
Maddy: The Holdovers (2024)
Jason: Secrets of Grindea
LINKS:
Triple Click LIVE in LA! Saturday, June 8, 6:30PM at the Teagram Ballroom: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/triple-click-podcast/
Tim Rogers’ “In Praise of Sticky Friction,” 2010 https://kotaku.com/in-praise-of-sticky-friction-555816
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Kirk’s Three Types of Video Game Friction
Mechanical Friction: Relating to inputs and interaction. i.e. kinesthetics, “game feel”
Logistical Friction: Relating to planning, (in)flexibility, the need to prepare
Informational Friction: Relating to what the game does/doesn’t tell you
Balatro is one of the best games of 2024 so far — and certainly the most addictive. This week, the Triple Click gang dives into the new poker roguelike and dissects what makes it so great. They talk about the three phases of Balatro players, the appeal of randomness, and the thrill of this game's parade of interesting decisions.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Dragon’s Dogma 2
Maddy: Princess Peach Showtime!
Jason: The Last Murder at the End of the World (Stuart Turton)
LINKS:
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Happy MaxFunDrive! This week, the Triple Click gang opens up the mailbag and takes some listener questions: Are libraries ethical? How bad will ads in video games get? And when does a game developer know if it's time to cancel a project?
One More Thing:
Kirk: FF7 Rebirth Piano Minigame & Music Notation
Maddy: Shogun
Jason: Dragon’s Dogma 2
LINKS:
Hearthstone’s Ben Brode on Search Engine: https://pjvogt.substack.com/p/how-do-you-make-an-addictive-video
Tantacrul’s incredibly good video about music notation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq3bUFgEcb4
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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk pull up their strategem monitors and dive into Helldivers 2. They share their favorite memeable moments, talk about the game's unique story, and dive into what does and doesn't work about the hit new game.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Home Safety Hotline (PC)
Maddy: The Insurrectionist Next Door (2023)
Jason: Unicorn Overlord (Current Consoles)
LINKS:
Featuring Johan Lindgren’s Helldivers 2 theme
Joel the game master: https://www.pcgamer.com/we-have-an-actual-person-with-the-title-of-game-master-a-single-helldivers-2-dev-named-joel-is-pulling-the-strings-on-its-galactic-war-like-an-all-powerful-dandd-dungeon-master-war-will-become-more-and-more-sophisticated-over-time/
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Kirk, Maddy, and Jason travel back in time and make their way up Mt. Nibel for a deeper look at the stellar Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, a game about traveling the world and playing animal soccer.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Our Last Best Hope (Magpie Games)
Maddy: True Detective: Night Country (Max)
Jason: The Dynasty (by Jeff Benedict)
LINKS:
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Kirk, Maddy, and Jason return to the world of buster swords and moogles to hunt Sephiroth, trying not to get too distracted by all the minigames along the way. It's time for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the sequel to Final Fantasy VII Remake. How good is it? Let's discuss!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Oppenheimer in 70mm
Maddy: True Detective S3
Jason: Balatro
LINKS:
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Xbox recently announced plans to bring four games to PlayStation and Switch. But why? What's Microsoft's gaming strategy? And why are they even bothering to keep selling consoles? The Triple Click gang discusses.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Helldivers 2 (PS5, PC)
Maddy: Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World (Naomi Klein)
Jason: Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect (Benjamin Stevenson)
LINKS:
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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It's time to analyze roguelikes — the latest trend sweeping games from God of War to The Last of Us — as Kirk, Jason, and Maddy get ready to dive into a dungeon full of random levels, cool weapons, and permadeath.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Scavenger’s Reign (Max)
Maddy: King of the Hill
Jason: Super Bowl 58
LINKS:
“Grounded II: The Making of The Last of Us Part 2”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC3C7GMMfDU
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The Triple Click gang takes a look at Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the latest game from Rocksteady Studios and a new entry into the oversaturated "live service" market. They talk about why publishers love service games, superhero fatigue, and how this new Suicide Squad game came to be.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2024) (Amazon Prime)
Maddy: True Detective S2 (HBO)
Jason: Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment (Jason Schreier)
LINKS:
Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/
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Xbox laid off nearly two thousand people last week. Before that, Riot laid off hundreds more. Why does this keep happening, and how does it affect people's lives? This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about the video game layoff epidemic and try to pinpoint the causes and effects.
One More Thing:
Kirk: One Piece (Netflix)
Maddy: True Detective S1-S2
Jason: Cultish (Amanda Montell)
LINKS:
Ezra Klein on the hollowing out of media: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/21/opinion/pitchfork-gq-internet-media.html
With an excerpt from Netflix’s One Piece theme by Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli
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We have no objections to Ace Attorney, Capcom's brilliant series about lawyers attacking each other with dangerous weapons. To celebrate this week's release of the Apollo Justice collection (aka: Ace Attorney 4-6), the gang explains why this adventure game series is so appealing, from the zany courtroom antics to the truly absurd animations.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
Maddy: Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie (2018)
Jason: Palworld
LINKS:
Bloomberg article about Palworld: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-22/what-is-palworld-pokemon-like-game-with-guns-goes-viral-irks-nintendo-fans?srnd=undefined
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Less than three weeks into 2024, we've already discovered what will likely be one of the year's best games: Ubisoft's Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, which the gang is loving. Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about the new game's satisfying platforming, the time-twisting story, and how it feels a whole lot like Hollow Knight.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Guitar Zero: The Science of Becoming Musical at Any Age by Gary Marcus
Maddy: Liftoff by Casey Johnston
Jason: Battle of Ink and Ice by Darrell Hartman
LINKS:
Maddy’s Prince of Persia review: https://www.polygon.com/24033589/prince-of-persia-the-lost-crown-review-ubisoft-switch
Featuring excerpts from the Lost Crown soundtrack by Gareth Coker and Mentrix
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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk open up the mailbag to answer listener questions on all sorts of things. Why do games like Skull & Bones languish in development hell forever? What makes Chants of Sennaar such a bad name? And, uh, what's the best investment advice?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Fargo Seasons 4 and 5 (FX/Hulu)
Maddy: A Little To The Left
Jason: I hate advertisements
LINKS:
Reddit Personal Finance https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/commontopics
“Fargo Season 5 Theme” by Jeff Russo
A Little to the Left Screenshots: https://bsky.app/profile/midimyers.com/post/3kib5xfds3g23
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What will this next year bring? And what does it mean for gaming? Kirk, Maddy, and Jason go over last year's predictions to see who won the big bet, then throw down some hot new declarations for what's to come in 2024.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Learning to Play Piano When There Is No Recital, by Kelsey McKinney
Maddy: Dark Souls
Jason: Ace Attorney 4: Apollo Justice
LINKS:
Chris Dahlen’s excellent 2012 essay about Dark Souls: https://kotaku.com/what-dark-souls-is-really-all-about-5874599
Kelsey McKinney’s essay “Learning To Play Piano Where There Is No Recital”: https://defector.com/learning-to-play-piano-when-there-is-no-recital
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PREDICTIONS
KIRK
Bonus: Apple buys Nintendo
Game: Far Cry 2
MADDY
Bonus: Kristen Stewart will get cast as Link in the Zelda movie
Game: Ocarina of Time
JASON
Bonus: The Zelda movie will feature a COMPLETELY SILENT Link
Game: Crosscode
It is time once again for that wonderful annual tradition: the best video games of 2023.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Futureproof: 9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation (Kevin Roose, 2021)
Maddy: Pit Bulls and Parolees
Jason: Dredge
LINKS:
Jason’s piece on the Insomniac hack: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-12-22/playstation-employees-at-insomniac-studio-fear-identity-theft-after-massive-hack
Featuring soundtrack excerpts from Jusant, Hi-Fi Rush, Alan Wake 2, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder
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GAMES OF THE YEAR
Jason
Kirk
Maddy
Jason, Maddy and Kirk take on the clickers once more in this spoiler-filled discussion of HBO's hit adaptation of The Last of Us.
LINKS
Kirk's 2013 article about the game's ending
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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy determine who won last week's award predictions before jumping into a jam-packed episode full of hot news and video games. They talk about The Game Awards, the GTA VI reveal, and the cancellation of E3, then talk about games like Avatar, Fortnite, and God of War Ragnarok's new Valhalla DLC, plus much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: GPT4
Maddy: Amsterdam (2022)
Jason: Eiyuden Chronicles
LINKS:
Featuring excerpts from “Love is a Long Road” by Tom Petty from Full Moon Fever, 1989, and the A Highland Song soundtrack, composed by Laurence Chapman
Games Discussed: Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, A Highland Song, Lil’ Gator Game, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Fortnite (Lego Fortnite, Rocket Racing, Fortnite Festival/Main Stage), God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla
Jason’s GTA VI article: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-27/gta-6-release-date-rockstar-cleans-up-image-after-employee-backlash
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The Triple Click Trio takes on The Game Awards: Who will win? Who'll get snubbed? What's an Action/Adventure game, again? Also, the hosts make some predictions!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Jusant
Maddy: Chants of Sennar
Jason: Going Infinite (Michael Lewis)
LINKS:
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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason pull out their red-stringed corkboards for a dive into the world of connected universes. What's the deal with games that seem connected in both subtle and blatant ways? Why does Jason hate multiverses so much? And what's a "brand-iverse"?
The Types of Connected Universe:
Shared Universe - A collection of stories and characters that all occupy the same time and place, e.g. MCU, most Marvel Comics, Star Trek, Star Wars, Assassin's Creed, Persona, etc.
Transmediaverse - A collection of stories and characters that exist in parallel across media and occasionally intersect, often abstractly but sometimes concretely. A great source of easter eggs. E.g. any transmedia adaptation, MCU, novel adaptation, TLOU show, Alien: Isolation, so many more
Multiverse - An explicit fictional construct in which multiple timelines exist in parallel, allowing for infinite variations of various characters, storylines, and events. E.g. Everything Everywhere All at Once, Spider Man: No Way Home, Into/Across the Spider-Verse, Flash and the Arrowverse, Post-Thanos MCU, Dungeons & Dragons, etc.
Brand-iverse - A collection of characters united primarily by their shared brand ownership and/or licensing deals between IP owners. E.g. Space Jam, Smash Bros, MultiVersus, the Sonyverse, Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale, Fortnite, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Indie game cameos
Fan-iverse - A shared universe as imagined and defined by fans of an existing set of characters or stories. E.g. The Zelda Timeline, The Pixar Theory
Abstractiverse - A shared universe defined according to abstract, shifting rules. Often but not always the product of a single creative vision. E.g. Zelda, The Kingiverse, Final Fantasy, The Remedy Connected Universe, Mario, Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop settings
One More Thing:
Kirk: Steam Deck OLED
Maddy: Venba
Jason: Billions
LINKS:
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Maddy, Kirk, and Jason take a trip to the Mushroom Kingdom and almost get skewered by a giant sword as they play through Super Mario RPG, the new remake of the iconic Super Nintendo game. The gang talks about how it's aged in 2023, the turn-based combat, and just how damn funny the whole thing is.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
Maddy: Grand Theft Auto 5
Jason: Interest rates
LINKS:
J Kenji López-Alt’s YouTube Channel and his book, The Food Lab
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
What's the deal with multiple endings? Does the gang save-scum and look up which ones they're going to get? Are multiple endings better than singular ones? And is this all just a thinly veiled excuse for Maddy, Kirk, and Jason to keep talking about Baldur's Gate 3?
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Vorkosigan Saga (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Maddy: The Marvels (2023)
Jason: Red Dead Redemption 2
LINKS:
A More Civilized Age plays Knights of the Old Republic: https://amorecivilizedage.net
Kirk’s review of Red Dead Redemption 2: https://kotaku.com/red-dead-redemption-2-the-kotaku-review-1829984369
A great reading order for the Vorkosigan Saga: https://bookriot.com/vorkosigan-saga-reading-order/
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Jason, Maddy, and Kirk pull out their flashlights and go spelunking in the Dark Place for this week's episode, all about the wonderful new game Alan Wake 2. They talk about the increasingly fascinating Remedyverse, the game's Resident Evil inspirations, and try to figure out if Mr. Door was supposed to be played by Lance Reddick.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Blue Eye Samurai (Netflix)
Maddy: Quiz Lady (2023)
Jason: MCU (Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, Gavin Edwards)
LINKS:
Variety on the turmoil at Marvel Studios: https://variety.com/2023/film/features/marvel-jonathan-majors-problem-the-marvels-reshoots-kang-1235774940/
Polygon feature on Blue Eye Samurai director Jane Wu: https://www.polygon.com/23945186/blue-eye-samurai-action-jane-wu-animation
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
What video games went through turbulent development cycles and still turned out good? What are some tips for getting into video game journalism? And should we gender-swap... Kratos? This week: your questions, answered!
One More Thing:
Kirk: El Paso, Elsewhere
Maddy: Us (2019)
Jason: Killers of the Flower Moon
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is joy bottled up into a video game. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk break down the ubiquitous plumber's latest adventure to save the... err, to stop Bowser from being a castle. They talk about what makes Wonder so special, 2D vs. 3D Mario games, and how this is basically just one big music game.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Deadloch (Amazon)
Maddy: If Books Could Kill (podcast)
Jason: The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix)
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
With great power comes... something something. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk put on their spidersuits and get their senses tingling for a dive into the new PS5 exclusive Spider-Man 2. They talk about the game's strengths, its weaknesses, and just how incredible it all looks.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Zodiac (2007)
Maddy: The Golden Bachelor
Jason: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
LINKS:
Blank Check’s Zodiac episode with Leslye Headland: https://soundcloud.com/griffin-and-david-present/zodiac-with-leslye-headland
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
What's it like to play games with your partner? Can video games strengthen a relationship... or will they just make it worse? This week, the Triple Click Gang talks about their own experiences playing games with their wives and other significant others over the years.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Dredge vs. Dave the Diver
Maddy: Jaws (1975)
Jason: My Perfect Console podcast w/ Simon Parkin
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Three years after it first came out, Cyberpunk 2077 is finally finished. Kirk, Maddy, and Jason revisit CD Projekt Red's much-hyped game, which has changed quite a bit thanks to a brand new patch and the Phantom Liberty expansion. They talk story, gameplay, racism, and much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Lies of P
Maddy: Cocoon
Jason: Assassin’s Creed Mirage
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Kirk, Jason, and Maddy revisit the Triple Click Picks, a list of ten games that this podcast unreservedly recommends you play... right now! Which new games made the cut? Which didn't? The answers may (or may not) surprise you.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding? (Podcast)
Maddy: Spyder Games (2001) MTV soap opera
Jason: Number Go Up (Zeke Faux)
LINKS:
Number Go Up Excerpt: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-08-17/my-crypto-hell-journey-started-with-a-wrong-number-scam-text
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Triple Click Ethics Policy:
It's time for a news roundup! Maddy, Kirk, and Jason break down a whole bunch of recent headlines, from the Unity price hike debacle to the massive Xbox document leak. They also talk layoffs, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Killers of the Flower Moon (David Grann)
Maddy: The Other Black Girl (Zakiya Dalila Harris)
Jason: The Wager (David Grann)
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
For all, into the Triple Click! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason put on their Constellation outfits and go off into space in search of... now loading... special artifacts that... now loading... are all over the planets of... now loading... Starfield!
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Bear
Maddy: Demi Adejuyigbe’s Letterboxd account (link)
Jason: Aaron Rodgers
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Maddy, Jason, and Kirk open up the mailbag and pull out some of your hottest questions. What's the best way to get kids into gaming? What minor video game mechanics could be expanded to full games? And what should the Switch 2 launch lineup look like?
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Making of Karateka
Maddy: Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Jason: Chants of Sennaar
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
What's the deal with: Bethesda games? To prepare for Starfield, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk take a trip all the way back to the Elder Scrolls: Arena days and go through the storied company's long history, which of course involves more than forty thousand versions of Skyrim.
One More Thing:
Kirk: How To with John Wilson (Max)
Maddy: Imbeciles by Adam Cohen
Jason: Sea of Stars
LINKS:
Hbomberguy’s videos on: Fallout 3 & Fallout: New Vegas
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Jason, Kirk, and Maddy have played through all of StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void, a game that has aged quite well. They talk about multitasking, the impact of MOBAs on RTS games, and a very epic game of tug-of-war.
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Afterparty S2
Maddy: Asteroid City (2023)
Jason: Traffic (by Ben Smith)
LINKS:
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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk are still obsessing over Baldur's Gate 3, the tremendous new roleplaying game from Larian Studios. This week they dive deeper into the game's multiplayer, the pros and cons of its opacity, and of course, exploding barrels.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Frosthaven
Maddy: Angel
Jason: Traffic (by Ben Smith)
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Maddy, Kirk, and Jason put on their Gauntlets of Ogre Power and jump into Baldur's Gate 3, one of the hottest (and best) games of the year. They talk about this incredible new adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons, look in awe at the game's tremendous scope, and just generally rave about their time with it all.
One More Thing:
Kirk: “Country Music’s Race Problem” - Into It with Sam Sanders feat. Tressie McMillan Cottom
Maddy: I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Jason: Silicon Valley
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Baldur's Gate 3 is out this week, and it's primed to be one of the year's biggest games. But why? What's the deal with this series that hasn't received a new game in more than 20 years? Why are people so excited for it? And what do we think of the new game so far?
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Vorkosigan Saga (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Maddy: Pokemon Sleep
Jason: Billions
LINKS:
Baldur’s Gate 1&2 story recap by WolfheartFPS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L50P-lBGkM
Kirk’s Vorkosigan reading order: https://bookriot.com/vorkosigan-saga-reading-order/
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
These days, just about every video game either claims to be an RPG or has "RPG elements." But what does that mean? What is a role-playing game, exactly? And what that signify in this day and age? From Baldur's Gate 3 to Disco Elysium, let's discuss!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Planet of Lana (Xbox, PC)
Maddy: They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix) (2023)
Jason: Search Engine (with PJ Vogt)
LINKS:
Triple Click on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/tripleclickpod (Starcraft 2 Stream July 21 at 8PM Eastern)
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Has StarCraft II aged well? What's with all the proper nouns? And how does it feel to play an old RTS game in 2023? This week, Triple Click revisits Blizzard's classic strategy game, playing through a chunk of Legacy of the Void and some multiplayer... for Aiur!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Overcooked 2
Maddy: Barbie (2023)
Jason: It’s Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution, and Future of HBO (John Koblin and Felix Gillette)
LINKS:
Triple Click on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/tripleclickpod (Starcraft 2 Stream July 21 at 8PM Eastern)
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Do indie studios live or die based on day-one game sales? How do you make games for girls? And is it OK to cheat in JRPGs? Maddy, Kirk, and Jason open up the mailbag for some of YOUR questions on all sorts of things. Plus: meet Ghost Maddy!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Jury Duty
Maddy: The Werewolf Experiment (Escape Room In A Box)
Jason: New PC build
LINKS:
Triple Click on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/tripleclickpod (Starcraft 2 Stream July 21 at 8PM Eastern)
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Jason, Maddy, and Kirk strap in their Torgals and take a wild ride to Valisthea to talk about Final Fantasy XVI, the latest RPG from Square Enix. How does the new combat hold up? What's the deal with the story? And does it feel like a Final Fantasy game? All those questions answered... and much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Maddy: Boston Strangler (2023) (Hulu)
Jason: Everybody Knows (Jordan Harper)
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about the opening hours of Final Fantasy XVI, a game with some very strange pacing, and use that as a springboard to talk about pacing in general. How do you deal with pacing in video games when the player is control? And do big, emotional moments need a cigarette afterwards?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Beef (Netflix)
Maddy: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Jason: Nintendo Direct
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
The triple click trio dimension-hop to the gritty dystopia of Dinohattan, where they fight for freedom against the villainous politician Koopa, an evolved T-rex who wants to reunite the dimensions and… turn humans into monkeys using de-evolution technology… wait, how is this a Mario movie?
LINKS
Featuring an excerpt from “Walk the Dinosaur” by Was (Not Was), 1987
A chronology of script rewrites for Super Mario Bros. ‘93: http://www.smbmovie.com/SMBArchive/preproduction/script.htm
A Collider story recounting the film's troubled production: https://collider.com/super-mario-bros-movie-1993-history-explained/
Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod
Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
It's June, which means it's time for... *checks notes*... Summer Game Fest? What the heck is that? The gang breaks down all of the big news and commercials, and Jason reports live from Not E3 in Los Angeles, where he's played the new Cyberpunk DLC and one of his best games of the show is... Crash Team Rumble?
Note: Triple Click is off next week!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Diablo IV
Maddy: Diablo IV (as a Rogue)
Jason: Writers Strike
LINKS:
Kirk’s Arc Lash Sorcerer Build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STHHBCPnywc
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Things get bloody as the Triple Click Trio dive into Diablo 4.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Mrs. Davis (Peacock)
Maddy: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Theatrical)
Jason: I Think You Should Leave Season 3 (Netflix)
LINKS:
The LOST chapter from Maureen Ryan’s forthcoming book Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/05/lost-tv-show-culture
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Hope you're not too sick of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom yet, because it's all we can play. Kirk, Jason, and Maddy take another deep dive into Hyrule, talking about physics engines (and what makes them tick), dungeons, and tales from their adventures through one of this year's finest games.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Silo (Apple TV+)
Maddy: Missing (2023)
Jason: Final Fantasy XVI
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
It's the very first TRIPLE CLICK LIVE!!! From the Bell House in Brooklyn, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about... well, what else? The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Plus: live Q&A and live One More Things.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Somebody, Somewhere S2
Maddy: Monitor arms
Jason: Bojack Horseman
LINKS:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Kirk, Jason, and Maddy do the only thing that could justify taking a break from playing Zelda: talking about playing Zelda! This week, they give their initial impressions of the impossibly big The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. They talk about how the new abilities work, what it's been like exploring the skies and depths, and how strange it is that Nintendo made a direct sequel in this way. Then they all go back to playing Zelda.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Ashes of the Unhewn Throne #1: The Empire’s Ruin (Brian Stavely, 2021)
Maddy: Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Jason: Guardians of the Galaxy 3
Links:
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
The Triple Click crew opens up the mailbag to answer some listener questions about all sorts of things: why the United Kingdom can block Microsoft-Activision, what jobs we'd turn into sim games, and what Kirk thinks of Zelda's jazzy sax. Plus: One more week until Triple Click Live!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Party Down Season 3 (Starz)
Maddy: Zelda: Breath of the Wild (still)
Jason: Magic for Liars (Sarah Gailey)
Links:
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Kirk, Jason, and Maddy strap on their blasters and take a trip to Koboh for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the latest game in a universe far, far away. They talk about PC performance problems, whether Survivor is too much of a direct sequel, the brilliant traversal mechanics, and the cutest droids in the galaxy.
One More Thing:
Kirk: PsychOdyssey
Maddy: Dredge
Jason: Case of the Golden Idol DLC
Links:
Digital Foundry’s analysis of Jedi Survivor’s PC Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI6eAVvvmg0
Maddy would die for Turgle: https://www.polygon.com/23707008/star-wars-jedi-survivor-turgle-frog-alien-character
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
The Triple Click gang offers some early impressions on the new game Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, then dives into a brief history of Star Wars games. When were they good? When weren't they? And what makes for the best kind of Star Wars game these days? Plus: Jason played Tears of the Kingdom!
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Last House on Needless Street (Catriona Ward, 2021)
Maddy: Blank Check podcast archives
Jason: Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Links:
Jason’s 2015 story on the death of LucasArts: https://kotaku.com/how-lucasarts-fell-apart-1401731043
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is just three weeks away, which means it's a good time to revisit The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about how 2017's Zelda shook up the series, what pros (and cons) it has over other Zelda games, and how it feels to play in 2023.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Shadow and Bone Season 2
Maddy: Chess
Jason: Unlock! Exotic Adventures
Links:
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Maddy, Jason, and Kirk bring on special guest Casey Newton (Platformer, The Verge, Hard Fork) to talk about the generative AI craze that's sweeping the land. Artificial intelligence: what even is it? How did it become such a popular trend? And what does it all mean for video games?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Nope (2022)
Maddy: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Jason: Talk to Me: How to Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers, and Interview Anyone Like a Pro by Dean Nelson
Links:
Casey Newton’s newsletter, Platformer, and his podcast, Hard Fork
Kevin Roose’s unsettling encounter with Bing/Sydney: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/technology/bing-chatbot-microsoft-chatgpt.html
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Resident Evil 4: it's remade! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason step into the shoes of himbo Leon Kennedy and take a trip to rural Spain to rescue the president's daughter in this remake of one of the most influential games ever made.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Tár
Maddy: Misericorde: Volume One
Jason: The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero
Links:
Mike Mahardy on RE4’s lasting legacy: https://www.polygon.com/23660168/resident-evil-4-remake-the-last-of-us-pc-hbo
Kim Stanley Robinson’s extremely great 2020 interview on Ezra Klein about The Ministry for the Future: https://www.vox.com/2020/11/30/21726563/kim-stanley-robinson-the-ezra-klein-show-climate-change
Dan Kois on the final act of Tár: https://slate.com/culture/2022/12/tar-cate-blanchett-movie-ending-explained-analyzed.html
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy have spent a whole bunch of time with Diablo IV! Well, act one of it. The Triple Click gang talks about their time with the beta, the classes they played, their overall thoughts, and much much more. After all, you can't click click click click click click click click click click click without triple click!
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Ministry for the Future (Kim Stanley Robinson)
Maddy: Metroid Fusion
Jason: Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone (Benjamin Stevenson)
Links:
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Kirk, Jason, and Maddy open up the mailbag to answer some of YOUR burning questions. Do we ever return to side quests after beating a game? Can a game succeed while making you feel bad for playing it? And what kind of impact did the pandemic have on video game endings? Plus: Video game novels!
One More Thing:
Kirk: New Morning Routine
Maddy: Triangle of Sadness
Jason: Unscripted by James Stewart and Rachel Abrams
Links:
MaxFunDrive Livestream! Wednesday March 29, 8PM Eastern: https://www.twitch.tv/tripleclickpod
Kirk’s 2013 interview with Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley about the ending to The Last of Us: https://kotaku.com/the-last-of-us-climactic-moments-could-have-been-very-600685013
The Writer Will Do Something: https://matthewseiji.itch.io/twwds
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
It's time to follow Maddy's wishes and play Perfect Dark, the 2000 Nintendo 64 shooter (remastered for Xbox in 2010) developed by Rare. We put on our Joanna Dark night-vision goggles and shoot our way through office buildings and alien labyrinths. How does it feel to play Perfect Dark today? Is the lack of checkpoints too much of a challenge? And just what is up with Elvis?
One More Thing:
Kirk: De-Inverting my Brain
Maddy: Clue: Treachery at Tudor Mansion
Jason: Paul T. Goldman
Links:
Featuring tracks from Perfect Dark (2000) by Grant Kirkhope
The jump Cate Archer in No One Lives Forever (2000) and in No One LIves Forever 2 (2002), which also added facial animation and lip-synching.
Tell us why you like Triple Click! Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (323) 601-8719.
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Zelda! Diablo! Baldur's Gate! Final Fantasy! Maddy, Jason, and Kirk pull out the calendar and get overwhelmed by the number of massive games that are coming in the next few months. They talk about what to expect from the rest of 2023, some of the news that has happened so far, and whether or not this new console generation has been a disappointment so far.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Slow Horses
Maddy: Total Recall
Jason: The Poppy War (R.F. Kuang)
Links:
Tell us why you like Triple Click! Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (323) 601-8719.
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
Featuring excerpts from Yasunori Nishiki’s Octopath Traveler 2 score
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Octopath Traveler II has gotten Jason thinking of a brand new taxonomy... the two types of video game. This week, the gang talks about flow vs. thought, JRPG story-telling, the brilliance of Octopath Traveler II (and how it out-classes the first game), and mysteries in Metroid Prime, Elden Ring, and so much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Cocaine Bear
Maddy: Robocop
Jason: Tracers in the Dark by Andy Greenberg
Links:
Tell us why you like Triple Click! Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (323) 601-8719.
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
Featuring excerpts from Yasunori Nishiki’s Octopath Traveler 2 score
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Hogwarts Legacy is a brand new video game set in the Harry Potter universe, which would have been a lot more exciting five years ago! Today, however, we have to reckon with the fact that Harry Potter's creator is a bigot. So let's reckon with it, shall we? Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about their personal relationships with Harry Potter, their thoughts on the new game, and whether this franchise can ever really be saved.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Ultra Widescreen Gaming
Maddy: Below Deck
Jason: Octopath Traveler 2
Links:
Gita Jackson’s review of Hogwarts Legacy: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23603142/hogwarts-legacy-review-harry-potter-jk-rowling-transphobic-ps5-pc-xbox
The Shrieking Shack podcast (it’s so good!): https://soundcloud.com/shriekingshack
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Nintendo surprised us all last week with a remake of Metroid Prime, so it's time for Triple Click to drop everything and play it. Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about Retro's classic first-person shooter: how influential it's been, what it does well, and where it goes wrong.
One More Thing:
Kirk: South Side
Maddy: Tár (2022)
Jason: Psychonauts 2 documentary
Links:
The Psychonauts 2 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIhLvue17Sd70y34zh2erWWpMyOnh4UN_
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason board the USG Ishimura and figure out that not all is as it seems. And the Dead Space remake is pretty damn good.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Hitman Freelancer
Maddy: Animorphs #1 - The Invasion
Jason: All Good People Here (by Ashley Flowers)
Links:
https://www.polygon.com/guides/23585108/is-dead-space-scary-remake-jump-scares
https://www.polygon.com/23588490/animorphs-book-pdf-audiobook-graphic-novel-movie-k-a-applegate
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy:
https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Jason, Maddy, and Kirk put on their Emblem rings and take a trip to the land of anime for Fire Emblem Engage, the latest entry in Nintendo's strategy-RPG series. They talk about the game's insipid dialogue, the terrible character art, and the pros and cons of grid-based combat.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Hi-Fi Rush
Maddy: Women Talking (2022)
Jason: Poker Face
Links:
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
And now for a subject near and dear to our hearts: Romance! Maddy, Kirk, and Jason talk about video game love stories and which games do them right (and wrong), from Mass Effect to Uncharted to Hatoful Boyfriend. Can a video game romance ever really work if it's based on dialogue options? Plus: impressions of the new Square Enix game Forspoken!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Star Wars Imperial Assault: Legends of the Alliance (2017)
Maddy: Then We Came To The End by Joshua Ferris
Jason: Forspoken
Links:
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
How can free-to-play games be fixed? What are the small details in games that annoy you? And is it censorship for a video game to have a gore filter? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk crack open the mailbag and take some of YOUR questions on all sorts of things. Plus: the rise of the CASUAL WIFE.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Avatar: The Way of Water
Maddy: The Fabelmans
Jason: New Simpsons
Links:
Triple Click LIVE IN BROOKLYN, May 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
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There's nothing funnier than dissecting comedy, right? This week, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about humor in video games, from Monkey Island to Dark Souls. They talk about what kind of games are funny, why they're funny, and the role that social media plays in the grand comedy equation. Plus: why "YOU DIED" is such a good punchline.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Detectorists
Maddy: Hey Arnold!
Jason: The Menu
Links:
Triple Click Live at the Bellhouse!!! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/triple-click-live-tickets-513213584647
Heavy Rain “Press X to Shaun” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEK5VxDMMjo
Kirk’s review of Octodad: Dadliest Catch: https://kotaku.com/octodad-dadliest-catch-the-kotaku-review-1512040710
“Octodad” by Ian McKinney
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
What will the year bring? Time for some guesses! It's the episode you've all been waiting for... Jason, Kirk, and Maddy go through their predictions from 2022 to see who won the annual bet and whose game we'll all play. Then, the gang whips out some hot new predictions for 2023.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Defunctland’s “Disney Channel’s Theme: A History Mystery”
Maddy: Metroid Prime on Steam Deck
Jason: The Man Who Died Twice (Richard Osman)
Links:
Disney Channel’s Theme: A History Mystery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_rjBWmc1iQ
Metroid Prime on Steam Deck: https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/25/23518873/metroid-prime-trilogy-valve-steam-deck-primehack-emudeck-emulation
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
PREDICTIONS
KIRK
MADDY
JASON
It is time to see off 2022, as the Triple Click gang gathers to discuss the year's best games. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk each discuss their 10 favorite games of the year, plus an 11th bonus game that didn't come out this year. Which games took the top spots? Which made all three of our lists? And what are the biggest snubs? You'll have to listen to find out.
One More Thing:
Kirk: White Lotus
Maddy: Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
Jason: Glass Onion
Links:
Richard Clark’s podcast “Videogame Feelings”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/video-game-feelings/id1616908609
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GAMES OF THE YEAR
Kirk:
Signalis
Elden Ring
Immortality
Citizen Sleeper
Escape Academy
Trombone Champ
Vampire Survivors
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Return to Monkey Island
The Case of the Golden Idol
Maddy:
Elden Ring
Norco
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Citizen Sleeper
Neon White
PowerWash Simulator
Return to Monkey Island
The Case of the Golden Idol
Pentiment
Marvel's Midnight Suns
Jason:
Elden Ring
Tactics Ogre Reborn
Case of the Golden Idol
Triangle Strategy
The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Zero
Return to Monkey Island
Live A Live
Chained Echoes
The Quarry
God of War Ragnarok
Happy holidays! To celebrate, we got you an Elden Ring beanscast.
Three Consorts to the Lunar Princess gather ‘round the table and talk about their adventures in the Lands Between.
If you like this bonus episode, become a Maximum Fun member and get access to 30+ more of em! https://maximumfun.org/join
LINKS AND REFERENCES
VaatiVidya on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VaatiVidya
The Elden Ring Wiki (Fandom): https://eldenring.fandom.com/wiki/Elden_Ring_Wiki
Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod
Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Sometimes you've just gotta play video games with Iron Man to unlock new cards that let you destroy Hydra, you know? This week, the TC gang dives into Marvel's Midnight Suns, a new game from XCOM developers Firaxis that could have also been called Marvel's Three Houses. Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about the elaborate combat system, the wide-ranging cast of superheroes, and whether or not you can smooch Wolverine. (You cannot.)
One More Thing:
Kirk: Interview With The Vampire
Maddy: White Lotus season 2
Jason: Chained Echoes
Links:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Put on your gAMER hats and get ready for Gaming's Biggest Night, presented by Video Games. This week marks the 2022 Game Awards, which means it's time for a barrage of advertisements and trailers. Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about what to expect this week, what they're hoping to see, and the absurdity of some of this year's nominations.
One More Thing:
Kirk: The 67th Academy Awards (1995)
Maddy: The Steam Room call-in show with Ben Mora and Hesse
Jason: Twitter
Links:
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MYSTERIES: what are they? Who are they? WHO DID THEM??? This week, the Triple Click gang talks about mysteries in video games, from Return of the Obra Dinn to Elden Ring. What makes a good detective mechanic? What kind of mysteries can only be explored in games? And why is The Case of the Golden Idol so damn good?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Signalis
Maddy: Interview with the Vampire (2022 AMC+ TV series)
Jason: The Legend of Mike White
Links:
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Happy Thanksgiving, hooray hooray hooray -- aren't you glad you got a new Triple Click on this Thanksgiving day? Jason, Maddy, and Kirk open up the mailbag and take listener questions on all sorts of things. Has the PS5's controller lived up to expectations? Which is the best pantheon of gods? And which games do we regret not finishing?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Escape Academy
Maddy: The Case of the Golden Idol
Jason: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Links:
Kotaku emulation article: https://kotaku.com/metroid-dread-is-already-running-great-on-switch-emulat-1847833403
Kirk “idpl_mal” Hamilton’s article about his terrible PSN username: https://kotaku.com/i-still-hate-my-shitty-psn-name-1742215849
“Crowning Celebration” by Kyle Misko from The Case of the Golden Idol soundtrack
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Forget about that deadly meteor that's coming to kill us all — it's time to raise some farm animals! Inspired by God of War Ragnarok's plethora of optional content, this week the Triple Click gang talks side quests. What makes a good side quest? What are our favorites? And have we really come up with another taxonomy? Yes, yes we have.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Reservation Dogs S2
Maddy: New TV (LG OLED C1 Series 48” 4k Smart TV)
Jason: Tactics Ogre Reborn
Links:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy:
https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Some Sidequest Types:
It's got gods! It's got war! It's even got an umlaut. But how is God of War Ragnarök, as a game? Jason, Kirk and Maddy discuss.
One More Thing:
Maddy: Marvel Snap
Kirk: Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
Jason: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
Links:
Kirk’s Strong Songs episode on Weird Al’s “The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota”: https://strongsongspodcast.com/episode/the-biggest-ball-of-twine-in-minnesota-by-weird-al-yankovic
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
It's time for Triple Click Picks! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason go through the podcast's irregularly updated list of games that they love and think everyone should play. Which games will be removed? What will be added? SUSPENSE!!! You'll have to listen to find out (or just read the full list in the episode notes).
One More Thing:
Kirk: Physical Therapy
Maddy: The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Jason: Tactics Ogre Reborn
Links:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy:
https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Triple Click Picks:
This week, Triple Click planned to do a Triple Play on Gotham Knights... but it's just such a bummer. So instead, the gang talks about all the games they've been playing this fall, from the big (God of War Ragnarok) to the small (The Case of the Golden Idol) and everything in between.
Games discussed: Gotham Knights, God of War Ragnarok, Star Ocean The Divine Force, The Case of the Golden Idol, Persona 5, Bayonetta 3, The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero, A Plague Tale: Requiem, Mario & Rabbids Sparks of Hope, Tactics Ogre Reborn, NBA 2K23
One More Thing:
Kirk: Unlock!
Maddy: Derry Girls
Jason: The New York Jets
Links:
Maddy’s Bayonetta 3 Review: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23421409/bayonetta-3-review-platinumgames-nintendo-switch
A Reddit Thread on Persona 5 Steam Deck Text: https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/y9xjxu/persona_5_the_royal_pixelated_text/
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Let's summon our shadows and take a deep dive into Persona, the wonderful series about high school students fighting their inner demons — literally. With Persona 5 coming to multiple platforms this week and Personas 3 and 4 on the way, the Triple Click gang talks about what makes the series so special, teenage drama and all. Plus: Jason discovers a surprise Game of the Year contender!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Star Wars: Andor
Maddy: Hocus Pocus 1 + 2
Jason: The Case of the Golden Idol
Links:
Featuring tracks from Persona 4 and 5 by Shoji Meguro and the first three variants of the Star Wars: Andor theme by Nicholas Britell
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What is it about cancelled games that make them so intriguing? What are the most heartbreaking video game cancellations? And what the heck just happened to Google Stadia? Jason, Maddy, and Kirk take a trip into the world of cancelled games, from Star Wars 1313 to Bully 2.
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Tommyknockers
Maddy: Street Fighter 6 beta
Jason: Cabin Fever (Michael Smith, Jonathan Franklin)
Links:
Kirk’s 2015 story about No One Lives Forever: https://kotaku.com/the-sad-story-behind-a-dead-pc-game-that-cant-come-back-1688358811
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Jason, Kirk, and Maddy grab their rubber chickens with pulleys in the middle and jump into Return to Monkey Island, the lovely new game from the original creators of the classic adventure game series. They talk about the game's charming humor, how it modernizes the point-and-click interface, and what it's like to play a "legasequel" with so much baggage. Really: this game is wonderful!
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Big Chill (1983)
Maddy: Bayonetta (2009)
Jason: Fairy Tale (Stephen King)
Links:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Kirk, Maddy, and Jason have an obsession: handheld gaming. This week, the gang talks about the Steam Deck, the Nintendo Switch, and how portable machines change the way games are played. From "together alone" gaming with significant others to late-night Switch sessions while feeding a baby, handheld game systems are just the best.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Trombone Champ (Holy Wow Studios)
Maddy: Rap Sh!t (HBO Max TV show)
Jason: The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero
Links:
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It's one of the biggest leaks in video game history: Over the weekend, a hacker released dozens of video clips from Rockstar's unreleased (and technically unannounced) game Grand Theft Auto VI. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about the leak, the nature of reporting on situations like this, and the morality of leaks in general. Plus: the story of TheRealInsider, an insider who was not, in fact, real.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Maddy: The Zachtronics Solitaire Collection
Jason: Return to Monkey Island
Links:
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Kirk, Maddy, and Jason grab their passports and get ready for a trip to Arztotska, the setting of Lucas Pope's brilliant 2013 game Papers, Please, which just came out for phones. They talk about the game's brilliant design, the moral questions it poses, and what it's ultimately trying to say. Who would've thought that being a border inspector could be so fun?
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Rehearsal
Maddy: Not Okay (2022)
Jason: Long snappers
Links:
The famous “Aaron Burr” Milk commercial from 1993: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znGJf1ZKnTU
The Papers, Please theme by Lucas Pope
Caitlin Dickenson’s 2022 Atlantic expose on the U.S. child separation policy: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/09/trump-administration-family-separation-policy-immigration/670604/
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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk pull out their reading glasses for the very first Triple Read! This week, they discuss the brilliant novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, a decades-sprawling book about the epic journey of a boy and a girl from childhood friends to hit video game developers. The gang dives into the book's themes, its twists and turns, and all the fictional video games that make Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow such a joy to read. Plus: a tribute to our dear friend Mike Fahey.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Immortality
Maddy: Nope (2022)
Jason: Who is Maud Dixon? By Alexandra Andrews
Links:
In memory of Mike Fahey: https://kotaku.com/mike-fahey-kotaku-eulogy-obituary-senior-reporter-1849501728
A GoFundMe for Mike’s family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fahey-family-fund
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Who would our dream interview be? What's a "game as a service"? And have you ever played a video game at the wrong time? This week we open up the listener mailbag and take some of YOUR questions on all sorts of topics. Plus: why Kirk and Maddy are replaying the same games over and over and over and...
One More Thing:
Kirk: Persona 5 Royal
Maddy: Assassin’s Creed Origins
Jason: The Rehearsal
Links:
Featuring excerpts from “Crossing the Hill” by Hitoshi Sakimoto from FF Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, and “The Ideal and the Real” by Shoji Megoro from Persona 5 Royal
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Kirk, Maddy, and Jason put on their Lamb Pope hats and check out Cult of the Lamb, a new video game that's part Hades, part Animal Crossing, and 100% gruesome animal cult. They talk about scooping up poop, sacrificing their followers and why Cult of the Lamb should've maybe been a little more like a real cult.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Paper Girls
Maddy: A League of Their Own (TV series)
Jason: Daredevil (2015 show)
Links:
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This week, the Triple Click gang dives into the world of superhero video games. What makes for a good (and bad) superhero game? Why are Batman and Spider-Man such good protagonists for games? And hey, come to think of it, aren't all video games pretty much about superheroes? Plus: a special surprise!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Alone
Maddy: MultiVersus
Jason: Better Call Saul
Links:
Tom Bissell on Batman: Arkham City: https://grantland.com/features/batman-arkham-city/
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It's time for a NEWS BREAK! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy go through this summer's big stories, from Grand Theft Auto maker Rockstar changing its ways to Ubisoft falling apart to the wave of unionization hitting the games industry. Plus: delays, delays, and more delays!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Prey (2022)
Maddy: Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered (PC)
Jason: The Quarry
Links:
Axios story about Blizzard’s new legal strategy: https://www.axios.com/2022/08/01/bungie-destiny-lawsuits-cheaters-harassers
NYT story about Amazon employees unionizing: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/02/business/amazon-union-christian-smalls.html
Maddy’s review of Spider-Man Remastered on PC: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2022/8/10/23298573/spider-man-remastered-pc-review-steam-deck-cops-police-nypd-portrayal
Kirk’s article about that lovely Spider-Man text message scene: https://kotaku.com/spider-man-s-text-message-scene-is-perfect-1829449521
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Xenogears? Xenosaga? Xenoblade? Just what is the deal with all of these Xeno-games? In honor of the recent release of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 for the Switch, Jason walks Kirk and Maddy through the long-running JRPG pseudo-series, from giant robots to anime swords.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Stray
Maddy: Misery (1990)
Jason: Live A Live
Links:
Jason’s Kotaku review of Xenoblade Chronicles 2: https://kotaku.com/xenoblade-chronicles-2-the-kotaku-review-1820903229
Autumn Wright’s Polygon review of Xenoblade Chronicles 3: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23278797/xenoblade-chronicles-3-review-release-date-nintendo-switch-monolith-soft-hero-classes
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The Triple Click triad takes on Battle Royale - which means they’re spilling the beans on the notorious 2000 film, as well as The Hunger Games, Danganronpa, and Netflix’s recent series Squid Game.
CW: More murder than usual, brief discussion of suicide.
Note: This bonus episode originally ran in early December 2021.
An interesting Inverse feature on some of the film’s stars 20 years later: https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/battle-royale-20-year-anniversary
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*It will be Maddy.
(Rockapella voice) Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? This week, the Triple Click gang straps on their magnifying glasses and tries to track down the infamous criminal as well as other "edutainment" games, from Oregon Trail to Number Munchers. What made those old games so special? Can "educational" games ever really work? And what's up with all that dysentery?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Social Media
Maddy: Dante’s Inferno (2010)
Jason: The West Wing
Links:
Excerpts From: “Isle Thing” by Weird Al Yankovich from UHF, 1989; “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego” by Rockapella, 1991; “Theme from The West Wing” by W.G. Snuffy Walden, 1999
Box Art for Where In The World, Where in the USA, and Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?
The LGR Retrospective review of Where In Time Is Carmen Sandiego (1989) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ln64lo9l5g
Jason on the Get Played podcast talking about Mario is Missing: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/super-mayrio-mario-is-missing-with-jason-schreier/
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What exactly is "Monkey Island" and why is it so popular? This week, the Triple Click gang revisits the old point-and-click adventure series in preparation for the newly announced Return to Monkey Island, which will be out later this year. They talk about the ups and downs of Monkey Island, the incredible music, and how it reinvigorated the genre by showing the world that adventure games do not, in fact, need to kill you.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Michael Clayton
Maddy: Steam Deck
Jason: Steve Jackson’s Sorcery
Links:
Kirk’s arrangement of Michael Land’s Monkey Island theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf7VQiu1MGo
Tracy Lien - No Girls Allowed https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/12/2/5143856/no-girls-allowed
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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy dig into Citizen Sleeper, one of this year's, uh, sleeper hits. Set in a dystopian future full of corporations and depression, Citizen Sleeper is sort of a cross between a visual novel and a life simulation game. The gang talks about escaping digital poverty, the game's unique aesthetic style, and what it'd really be like to have your consciousness implanted into a robot body.
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Maddy: Patricia Wants To Cuddle by Samantha Allen
Jason: God of War (2018)
Links:
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This week, the Triple Click gang opens up the mailbag and takes some of YOUR questions about all sorts of fun things. Wouldn't it be nice if games let you turn off all the microtransactions? What's it like revisiting old games with a modern eye? And what are our favorite board games (aside from Candyland)???
One More Thing:
Kirk: Players
Maddy: Neon White
Jason: Craps
Links:
BitCulture’s remix of Maddy’s song “Bad Feeling” (feat. Kirk on sax) - https://maddymyers.bandcamp.com/track/bad-feeling-bitculture-remix-feat-kirk-hamilton
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Story or gameplay... WHO WINS? This week, the Triple Click gang dives into an age-old debate and discusses the tension between action and narrative in video games. What does a "video game story" actually mean? What's more important, story or gameplay? And does it even really matter?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Vampire Survivors
Maddy: First Kill
Jason: AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative
Links:
Clint Hocking’s “Ludonarrative Dissonance in BioShock” - https://clicknothing.typepad.com/click_nothing/2007/10/ludonarrative-d.html
Hocking’s 2011 GDC talk “Dynamics: State of the Art” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St2fE049ULI
Kirk’s “Gameplay and Story are Exactly like Music and Lyrics” - https://kotaku.com/gameplay-and-story-are-exactly-like-music-and-lyrics-5885432
Stephen Payne’s excellent Dicebreaker article about ancient role-playing and strategy games: https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/roleplaying-game/feature/dnd-influences-roleplaying-games-centuries
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E3 is here... or at least it would be, if it hadn't been canceled in January. So instead we have this: a smattering of haphazard events all loosely taking place in June, except for the ones coming later. This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy try to untangle Not E3 2022 and talk about the highlights (and lowlights) so far, from Starfield to Silksong.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Josh Strife Hays’ Diablo loot video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o17lBUZgjTs
Maddy: Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Jason: How I Became A Famous Novelist (by Steve Hely)
Links:
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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason are playing Blizzard's new game Diablo Immortal and wondering... what about this is fun? Is it really all that appealing to keep collecting shiny things and watching our bars go up? From there they start wondering about loot in video games. What is it about items that get players so excited? What makes a good loot system? A bad one? And is Diablo inherently corrupt?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Maddy: Moon Knight
Jason: The Quarry
Links:
Maddy’s article about Diablo Immortal: https://www.polygon.com/23152323/diablo-immortal-mobile-free-to-play-microtransactions-addictive
Nu-Splitscreen’s interview with David Brevik and Erich Schafer: https://kotaku.com/why-video-game-loot-is-so-addictive-according-to-the-c-1846695147
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How did Overwatch become such a phenomenon? Why have hardcore players stuck with it (or failed to) over the last few years? And what's up with Overwatch 2? The Triple Click gang brings on Overwatch expert Nico Deyo to help guide us through Blizzard's wonderful world of costumed vigilantes and super-intelligent gorillas.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Tango
Maddy: Misery by Stephen King
Jason: The Flight Attendant
Links:
Nico Deyo and Tyler Colp’s Overwatch feature for Vice Games: https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5gvaj/how-overwatch-lost-then-found-again-i
Excerpts from “Alma de Bohemio” by Roberto Firpo, performed by Alex Krebs’ Tango Sextet and “Tango por una Cabeza” by Carlos Gardell, performed by Katica Illényi & Budapest Strings
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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk get themselves a castle, go on missions abroad, and finally face down the vicious Luca Blight. In the second part of this Suikoden II playthrough, the gang talks about how their feelings have changed since the first chunk of the game, how the game's awful localization impacts the story, and how that epic fight played out.
One More Thing:
Kirk: D&D - Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Maddy: Heartstopper
Jason: The G-Word with Adam Conover
Links:
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BOO! To celebrate Spooky Spring, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk dive into some of their favorite horror games and talk about what makes a video game scary. How does interactivity enhance horror? What's the difference between "dread" and "panic"? And are controls sometimes meant to be terrible?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Persona 4 Golden/Persona 5 Royal
Maddy: Elden Ring
Jason: Eternal Threads
Links:
Maddy talks with Dead Space 2 director Wright Bagwell about the infamous eyeball scene: https://www.polygon.com/interviews/2020/10/4/21498961/dead-space-2-director-eye-poke-needle-scene-horror-wright-bagwell-interview
Kirk’s take on horror doors: https://kotaku.com/the-horror-of-video-game-doors-1819921161
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It's time for another episode of BURNING QUESTIONS!!! Jason, Kirk, and Maddy open up the mailbag and take some listener questions on all sorts of things. Why do video games leak? What are some one-of-a-kind video games we'd like to see more of? And what's the deal with video game strategy guides?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe (Venom)
Maddy: What’s Up, Doc? (1972)
Jason: Disrupting the Game (Reggie Fils-Aime)
Links:
Jason interviews a strategy guide writer: https://kotaku.com/how-final-fantasy-ixs-strategy-guide-turned-out-so-horr-1834809621
Jason interviews Reggie: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-05-06/ex-nintendo-president-fils-aim-talks-book-and-mother-3-video-game
Buy a patch! maximumfun.org/patchsale
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Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about the most important tool in any video game player's arsenal: the controller! From fight sticks to Wiimotes to the Steam Deck, controllers have a lot to offer. This week, the gang goes back in time to talk about the best, the worst, and the just plain weird.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Switch Sports
Maddy: Better Call Saul
Jason: Barry
Links:
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Ever throw a controller at the wall? Kick your computer in half? This week the Triple Click gang talks rage-quitting -- bailing from a video game in a state of heightened irritation. From competitive multiplayer to Souls to good old poker, Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about what brings out the anger and even share some of their own experiences rage-quitting games.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Divinity Original Sin 2
Maddy: My Dress-Up Darling
Jason: Abbott Elementary
Links:
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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about one of this year's hit indie games, Tunic, a Zelda-like adventure filled with mystery and cute foxes. But does it live up to the hype? Or is the bouncy combat too frustrating to make Tunic quite the gem that Triple Click hoped it would be?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Advanced Steam Deck (or, more like StReam Deck)
Maddy: Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Jason: Better Call Saul
Links:
Excerpt from the Tunic soundtrack by Lifeformed x Janice Kwan: https://lifeformed.bandcamp.com/album/tunic-original-game-soundtrack
Moonlight PC Streaming: https://moonlight-stream.org
Chiaki PlayStation Remote Play: https://sr.ht/~thestr4ng3r/chiaki/
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It's the 100th episode! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason celebrate the big milestone with some talk about the past and future of video games, then play some fun games, revisiting two years worth of Triple Plays and competing in some glorious One More Thing trivia! Thank you to all the listeners who have allowed us to make so many episodes of this wonderful show.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Steam Deck
Maddy: Norco
Jason: Nobody Saves The World
Links:
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Few video game series have a musical tradition as rich as The Legend of Zelda.
This bonus cross-post from Kirk's music podcast Strong Songs takes a deep dive into the musical legacy of Nintendo's legendary adventure series. From Zelda's Lullabye to Epona's Song to the Great Fairy Fountain and Dragon Roost Island, Kirk unravels some of his favorite Zelda music and explores how Nintendo's composers keep weaving them back together into beautiful new patterns.
Written by: Main themes by Koji Kondo, with additional compositions by Kenta Nagata (Wind Waker), Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, and Hajime Wakai (Breath of the Wild)
Featuring music from: The Legend of Zelda (1986), A Link to the Past (1991), Ocarina of Time (1998), Wind Waker (2002), Skyward Sword (2011), A Link Between Worlds (2013), and Breath of the Wild (2017)
ALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:
OUTRO SOLOIST: Charles McNeal
Charles McNeal is a killin' Oakland-based sax player who plays all over the bay area. He's also a master jazz transcriber, and has chronicled tons of great solos. You can find him playing out in a variety of bands and settings; the best way to keep up with his music is to subscribe to his YouTube channel or follow him on Instagram @charlesonsax2.
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Whip out your metal detector and start combing the desert — it's time to talk about secrets. Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about the hunt for secrets in two recent video games, Elden Ring and Tunic, and some of their favorite secrets in modern times. And in true Triple Click fashion, they can't help but come up with some taxonomical categories.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Our Flag Means Death
Maddy: Tunic
Jason: The Dropout
Links:
Jason and Kirk’s old podcast about the Secret Hunters of Destiny: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HMm97rD7D6eIxdF9N6cFc
Ed Fries’ conversation with Ron Milner about the easter egg he added to 1977’s Starship 1: https://edfries.wordpress.com/2017/03/22/chasing-the-first-arcade-easter-egg/
What's your favorite video game boss fight? Kirk, Maddy, and Jason break down all the options with a brand new taxonomy of bosses, from The Preview to The Gimmick to The Final Exam. They talk about some of the most memorable boss fights in gaming history, like Metal Gear Solid 3's The End and Metroid's Ridley, then dissect what makes each one unique.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Elden Ring’s Story
Maddy: The Afterparty
Jason: Triangle Strategy
Links:
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BOSS TYPES
The Preview - An early fight against a boss you won’t fight again until later.
The Roadblock - A difficulty spike boss that stops many people from playing the game entirely.
The Gimmick - A boss fight that’s actually just a puzzle. You can possibly beat them straight-up, but there’s some trick that makes things easier.
The Setpiece - A fight that’s really more of a long interactive cutscene with occasional combat
The Hunter - A boss fight where you have to hide from the boss, i.e. a stealth boss fight.
The Final Exam - A boss that requires you to combine every skill/item/ability/party member you have to that point to beat them
The Pair - Oh no there are two bosses!
The Spitting Image - Surprise, the boss is you! (The mirror self in Control, the Mimic Tear, Shadow Link, Dark Samus)
The Unfriendly Friend - The (often final) boss turns out to be someone you’ve been talking with.
The Saga - A boss fight with multiple phases that keeps going and going. First you fight Sephiroth, then Safer Sephiroth, then…
Kirk, Jason, and Maddy open up the mailbag and answer some of YOUR questions about why they stopped playing Destiny, what games they use to relax, and whether it's a good idea to buy the stocks of video game companies. As always, these are real questions from our listeners. You can reach us with your own questions at [email protected]
One More Thing:
Kirk: Elden Ring
Maddy: Kimi (2022)
Jason: Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Links:
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Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most lucrative games of all time. Why??? Kirk, Jason, and Maddy aren't really sure, but at least they can tell you all about Rockstar's hit action shooting game. The gang talks about 2013 nihilism, the innovations that GTA V brought to the open-world party, and how crime doesn't pay... except when it does.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Turning Red
Maddy: Horizon Forbidden West
Jason: Triangle Strategy
Links:
Ukraine support: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/03/02/opinion/ukraine-charity-donation-guide.html
Cass Marshall’s Polygon article about the GTA Online Motorcycle HOA: https://www.polygon.com/22787651/gta-online-roleplay-new-day-black-lotus-motorcycle-club-mirror-park-hoa
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You may have heard: Elden Ring is out. And the Triple Click crew has been playing it — for a combined 200+ hours. Kirk, Jason, and Maddy put on their Burger King wizard hats and take a trip to The Lands Between, where they're collecting Great Runes and trying not to fall off cliffs. They talk about the vast scope of the game, the brilliance of player notes, how to avoid burnout, the rewards of exploration, and oh so much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Carrie & Salem’s Lot
Maddy: Alias
Jason: Inventing Anna / Tinder Swindler
Links:
Iron Pineapple on Elden Ring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_hveDzzvo
Mossbag’s Hollow Knight lore explainer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XDiWYFGGqY
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This year has seen the release of three great open-world games: Dying Light 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and Elden Ring. What do they all have in common? And what do they all do differently? This week, Kirk shares his new taxonomy for open worlds in video games and the Triple Click crew figures out what they like most in an open world.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Public Defenders
Maddy: Elden Ring
Jason: Steam Deck
Links:
Steven Lumpkin's Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/Silent0siris/status/1498408412555747333
Maddy’s articles about getting into Elden Ring: https://www.polygon.com/22948213/should-i-play-elden-ring-dark-souls-fromsoft-easy-hard and parkour in Dying Light 2: https://www.polygon.com/22941196/dying-light-2-stay-human-climbing-parkour-techland
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ECOTAG: Kirk’s Open-World Personality Test
Video game open worlds can be broadly thought of according to three metrics: Emergent vs. Controlled, Opaque vs.Transparent, and Aesthetic vs. Gamey. IMPORTANT: These are gradients, not on/off switches, and they’re for categorizing the open worlds, not the games as a whole.
EMERGENT→ CONTROLLED (How dynamic/simulated is the open world?)
OPAQUE → TRANSPARENT (How mysterious is the open world?)
AESTHETIC → GAMEY (How involved is movement through the open world?)
SOME EXAMPLES
Robot... dinosaurs!!! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy take out their best bows and prepare to go on a hunt for big machines in Horizon Forbidden West, a new open-world game for the PlayStation that rules. They talk about how things have (and haven't) changed from the first game, the big, beautiful world, and the good and bad of Forbidden West's story.
One More Thing:
Kirk: ELDEN RING
Maddy: Peacemaker
Jason: ELDEN RING
Links:
Horizon Forbidden West score by Joris de Man, Niels van der Leest & Oleksa Lozowchuk
“Do You Wanna Taste It?” by Wig Wam from Non Stop Rock ‘n Roll, 2010
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And now, for Jason's dream episode: the gang plays Suikoden II! Kirk and Maddy give their impressions of the first 25% of the classic JRPG, from the very beginning through getting your very own castle. Do they love it as much as Jason? (No.) The three of them talk about the relationship between Riou and Jowy, the parts of the game that feel clunky in 2022, and what it's like to recruit all those characters. Plus: Dracula!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Horizon Forbidden West
Maddy: Murderville
Jason: Also Horizon Forbidden West
Links:
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From silent protagonists to badass students, there are all sorts of protagonists in the world of video games. Let's talk about them! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk list their favorite heroes, then break down all of the archetypes, from the Chosen One to the Determined Daughter (subcategory: Queer Millennial Edition). From Mario to Kratos, we've got'em all.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Station Eleven
Maddy: The official Dark Souls TTRPG
Jason: Arrested Development
Links:
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Light: it's dying! This week, the Triple Click gang plays through Dying Light 2: Stay Human, a new game in which you jump between buildings and smash zombies in the head. They talk about the game's slick parkour system, the silly writing, and the drab visuals. Plus: the one and only... Aiden.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Roasting Coffee
Maddy: West Side Story (2021)
Jason: The Thursday Murder Club (Richard Osman)
Links:
That Iconic 2011 Dead Island Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfhtiG66SQc
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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason take a few minutes to react to last week's megaton announcement that Microsoft is buying Activision Blizzard, then prepare for the new Uncharted collection on PS5 by diving into the iconic adventure series. What's the deal with Nathan Drake falling on every platform he sees? Are the first two games better than the next two? And are Uncharted 4 and Lost Legacy worth playing today?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Dan Olson’s video on NFTs
Maddy: First Reformed
Jason: The craziest football weekend of all time
Links:
“Drake’s Theme” by Greg Edmonson from Uncharted 3
“Line Goes Up: The Problem with NFTs” by Dan Olson at Folding Ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ_xWvX1n9g&t=2344s
Paris Hilton and Jimmy Fallon talking about NFT apes: https://twitter.com/etienneshrdlu/status/1485956332989693953
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Will the metaverse of Ready Player One ever exist in our world? Has a bad ending ever ruined a video game? And just how does one get into Monster Hunter? This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy open up the listener mailbag and answer some of YOUR questions on all sorts of things.
(Note: We recorded this episode BEFORE Tuesday's bombshell news that Microsoft is buying Activision!)
One More Thing:
Kirk: Free Guy
Maddy: Death Note
Jason: Don’t Look Up
Links:
Tips for Suikoden II: https://kotaku.com/tips-for-playing-suikoden-and-suikoden-ii-1670446047
Polygon’s honestly very good (no bias) tips for Monster Hunter Rise: https://www.polygon.com/monster-hunter-rise-guide/22348967/weapons-armor-wirebug-wyvern-riding-best-controller-beginners-tips-tricks
MH: Rise Longsword tutorial by Arekkz Gaming, whose MH videos are all excellent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jscDTUOHdw&t=2s
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The year's only started but it's already full of GAMING NEWS! Join Jason, Maddy, and Kirk for a breakdown of this year's biggest headlines: Take-Two buying Zynga, E3 essentially dying, and the trials and tribulations of BioShock director Ken Levine. Plus: a cool new mystery show and the return of Jason's NFL stories!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Only Murders in the Building
Maddy: Homestuck Made This World
Jason: Chargers vs. Raiders
Links:
Jason’s report on Ken Levine’s Ghost Story Games: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-03/bioshock-creator-s-next-game-and-its-narrative-legos-in-turmoil
The two-hour Sarah Z Homestuck video that Kirk watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohFyOjfcLWQ&t=1518s
Music from Only Murders in the Building, composed by Siddhartha Khosla
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It's time! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy revisit their predictions for 2021, determine who won the big bet (and what game they'll all play this year), and then lay down some predictions for 2022.
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Frustration of Wanting to Play Cyberpunk 2077
Maddy: Wordle
Jason: Final Fantasy XIV
Links:
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As we all say farewell (and good riddance) to 2021, it's time to go through the BEST games of the year!!! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason each break down their ten (or more) favorites, from Metroid Dread to The Great Ace Attorney.
KIRK'S LIST:
MADDY'S LIST:
[Honorable Mention: Deathloop, Get in the car loser]
JASON'S LIST:
One More Thing:
Kirk: Yellowjackets
Maddy: Dark Souls
Jason: Hawkeye
Links:
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The Triple Click Trio discuss the entirety of the Half-Life story so far.
Back in September, Maddy, Jason, and Kirk recorded a spoilercast about the entirety of Half-Life 2. Here in December, they're taking this week off for the holidays, so they decided to drop this bonus episode in the feed. As always, if you'd like to become a Maximum Fun member and get many more bonus episodes like this one, go to maximumfun.org/join.
Original show notes follow. Hope you all are having a happy holiday!
SHOW NOTES
Jason and Maddy have finished both episodes of Half-Life 2, so they sit down with Kirk to talk through the entire City17 saga, from the inbound train, to the outbound train, to the rocket ship. They then talk some about the “Epistle Three” that might have been, and what the ending of 2020’s Half-Life Alyx says about the possible future of the series.
LINKS:
"Epistle Three" by Half-Life 2 writer Marc Laidlaw: https://www.marclaidlaw.com/epistle-3/
The ending of Half-Life Alyx (start at 12 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVzEiVcVq3Y
Hunter Sound Effects via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDqhw04BjWc
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It's Halo time! Maddy, Kirk, and Jason dive into Halo Infinite, the new game from Microsoft and 343 Industries. They talk about the story (bleh) and the grappling hook (yesssss) then get into the game's rocky development, the very fun open world, and the truth behind Cortana. Plus: Succession season 3 talk!
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Matrix Awakens
Maddy: Succession
Jason: The Game Awards
Links:
Digital Foundry on what makes The Matrix Awakens technologically remarkable: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2021-inside-the-matrix-awakens-previewing-the-future-of-gaming-graphics
Emily VanDerwerff (Vox) on Succession: https://www.vox.com/culture/22831645/succession-finale-season-3-recap-review-all-the-bells-say-kendall-roman-shiv-tom
...and Tom Ley (Defector): https://defector.com/logan-roy-is-an-american/
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It's the most trailer-filled time of the year, when Santa Keighley slides down our internet-chimneys to hastily deliver some awards in between ads for upcoming games. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk go over the history of The Game Awards, discuss the controversies surrounding this year's event, and of course, gripe about the games they wish had gotten more nominations.
Or any at all.
Because Wildermyth didn't get a single nomination.
I KNOW RIGHT
One More Thing:
Kirk: Unpacking
Maddy: Halo Infinite
Jason: Three Identical Strangers
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Come join Maddy, Kirk, and Jason for a battle to the death staged by a foul-mouthed, adorable talking bear. That's right — it's time to talk Danganronpa. What's the deal with this popular series of killing games? Why is it so popular? And what do you have to know ahead of the Switch release this week?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Arcane
Maddy: Last Podcast on the Left’s six-part JFK assassination series
Jason: Final Fantasy V
Links:
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Happy Thanksgiving! If you're celebrating, grab yourself a turkey drumstick and listen to Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk gaming news. From the ongoing Activision Blizzard crisis to the inexplicable rise of NFTs, it sure has been a weird fall in the video game world. This week, the gang talks about those and other big headlines, like the new consoles and the supply chain mess.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Metal Gear Solid V
Maddy: Chicory
Jason: Baba Is You
Links:
Kirk talking Death Stranding on the podcast How Did This Get Played?: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/death-stranding-directors-cut-with-kirk-hamilton/
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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason go over this week's explosive Activision Blizzard allegations, then talk about the new Marvel game from Eidos Montreal, Guardians of the Galaxy. What works and doesn't work? Are the rough edges too distracting? And are we all suffering from Marvel fatigue?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Beverly Hills Cop 2
Maddy: Nancy Drew: Mystery at Magnolia Gardens
Jason: Elden Ring
Links:
WSJ Article on Activision: https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-videogames-bobby-kotick-sexual-misconduct-allegations-11637075680
Iron Pineapple’s Elden Ring impressions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzFR5HsPcng
“The Neutron Dance” by the Pointer Sisters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-jdhorGtQI&ab_channel=PointerSistersVEVO
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Dovahkiin!!! Skyrim is now officially ten years old, because we are all ancient and slowly turning into dust. Jason, Kirk, and Maddy celebrate the big day by revisiting one of the most influential games of all time. They talk about how Skyrim feels to play today, all of the games it has influenced, and what makes it such a special experience.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Death Stranding Ziplines/infrastructure/‘breaking’ a game
Maddy: Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Jason: Your Honor
Links:
Jason’s 2011 Wired Skyrim Preview: https://www.wired.com/2011/10/skyrim-hands-on/
Maddy’s 2011 Phoenix Skyrim Review: https://web.archive.org/web/20160211194214/https://thephoenix.com/Boston/recroom/130611-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/
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Ever play a game that feels a whole lot like an older game? What's the DEAL with that? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about spiritual successors, from Bloodstained (Castlevania) to Mighty No. 9 (Mega Man) and oh so much more. What are the different kinds of spiritual successors? Why are they so common in games? And why is Jason so excited for Eiyuden Chronicles??
One More Thing:
Kirk: Inscryption
Maddy: Unpacking
Jason: Guardians of the Galaxy
Links:
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Why do video game reviews often feel rushed? What's the deal with drug trips in video games? And what are some good JRPGs for beginners? This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy answer some of YOUR Burning Questions on all that and more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Death Stranding Director’s Cut
Maddy: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Jason: ElecHead
Links:
Mega64’s Uncharted 3 Drug Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPubpR6-V-g&ab_channel=Mega64
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A new Metroid game is here, and by golly, it rules. Maddy, Jason, and Kirk put on their Varian Suits and take a deep dive into Samus Aran's latest adventure, Metroid Dread, which came out earlier this month for Nintendo Switch. They talk about the game's relentless pacing, the brilliant controls, and the endless stream of power-ups. They discuss the marauding EMMIs, the difficulty, and the meticulous design of each level. Metroid Dread: it's a good video game.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Back 4 Blood
Maddy: Freaky (2021)
Jason: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Links:
Maddy’s Metroid Lore Explainer: https://www.polygon.com/22715304/metroid-dread-fusion-recap-story-lore-samus-aran-chozo
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What's a video game? Let's explain! On this very special episode of Triple Click, produced as part of Maximum Fun's Block Party, hosts Kirk Hamilton, Jason Schreier, and Maddy Myers give you a beginner's guide to gaming: the good, the bad, and the pixelated. First, a few definitions of what a "video game" actually is. Then, some recommendations for games you should play if you're just getting started. And finally, our regular bonus segment, One More Thing.
SIX GAMES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO VIDEO GAMES
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Picross, Breath of the Wild, Return of the Obra Dinn, 80 Days, INSIDE
One More Thing:
Kirk: Wildermyth
Maddy: Back 4 Blood
Jason: Switch OLED
Links:
Cameron Kunzelman’s review of Wildermyth: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22638600/wildermyth-review-pc-proc-gen-worldwalker-games-strategy-mac-linux
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Why is Diablo one of the best-selling series of all time? Just what makes Blizzard's action-RPGs so devilishly appealing? Kirk, Maddy, and Jason break down the iconic franchise and talk about why it's good -- and why it might be pretty bad. They talk about the addictive properties of loot hunting, how the games have evolved over the years, and whether there's really room in their lives for Diablo 4.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Far Cry 6
Maddy: Metroid Dread
Jason: Squid Game
Links:
Diego Arguello’s review of Far Cry 6 for Polygon: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22711610/far-cry-6-review-ps5-xbox-series-x-pc-ps4-xbox-one
Squid Game subtitles: https://twitter.com/fwong/status/1444549630499254283
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It's time for a Triple Play! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk have all played a whole lot of Deathloop, the time-twisting new game from Arkane. They break down what they like and don't like about the game, diving into its unique structure, disappointing ending, and truly delightful little details.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Hunt a Killer - Death at the Dive Bar
Maddy: Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber
Jason: Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye
Links:
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Villains: we all hate'em, but what would video games be without them? This week, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy try to figure out what makes a good bad guy. From Deathloop's Julianna to Final Fantasy VII's Sephiroth, antagonists can be brilliant and memorable. But why do we love to hate them? What makes them so fiendishly appealing? And just what is the deal with Kefka?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Golf Club Wasteland
Maddy: Get In The Car, Loser!
Jason: Eastward
Jason’s Five Rules for a Good Video Game Villain:
1. They have a good motivation
2. They’re way stronger than the protagonist
3. They have a personal connectin to the protagonist
4. They have a striking look
5. They or their actions are present throughout the game
Links:
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What's the deal with Metroid? To answer that question, we must turn to series expert Maddy Myers, who explains to Kirk and Jason just what a Metroid is and why it matters. What's the lore behind Samus's baby? What's up with those Chozo? And what do we all need to know before heading into this October's much-anticipated new game Metroid Dread?
One More Thing:
Kirk: The U.S. Open
Maddy: You Should See The Other Guy (podcast)
Jason: Deathloop
Links:
An explanation of Medvedev’s U.S. Open victory “emote”: https://kotaku.com/us-open-tennis-champion-does-video-game-celebration-aft-1847662401
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What makes a remake worth playing? When should developers go back and change a game, and how much should they change? This week, the Triple Click crew tries to figure out when remakes work, when they don't work, and why. Plus: Kirk unveils his grand spectrum of Remakes, Remasters, and the Super Turbo Remake Plus.
Kirk’s Remake Spectrum*:
*Note that these are stops along a continuous spectrum and not a series of discrete categorizations. Many games fall somewhere in between categories.
One More Thing:
Kirk: The White Lotus Reloaded
Maddy: Dark Souls
Jason: The Forgotten City
Links:
Mat Bradley-Tschirgi on why Final Fantasy shouldn’t be modernized: https://www.polygon.com/22648602/final-fantasy-original-ff1-retro-gaming-classic-pixel-version-steam-square-enix
Mike White’s New York interview about The White Lotus: https://www.vulture.com/article/the-white-lotus-finale-mike-white-interview-departures-ending.html
Slate’s Working podcast interview with White Lotus composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer:
https://slate.com/podcasts/working/2021/08/white-lotus-composer-cristobal-tapia-de-veer
Twenty Thousand Hertz episode about the Dies Irae (feat. Kirk): https://www.20k.org/episodes/diesirae
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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk delve into each other's brains to talk about Psychonauts 2, one of the best games of the year so far. They talk about the delightful writing, the clever level design, and the emotional moments. They also talk about Double Fine, the maker of Psychonauts 2, and its long, turbulent history as a game developer.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Ghost of Tsushima - game pairing & ac comparison
Maddy: Dickinson
Jason: 12 Minutes
Links:
The Double Fine Adventure! Documentary, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVwg-9WL3dE
Kotaku’s Renata Price on 12 Minutes: https://kotaku.com/twelve-minutes-might-have-the-worst-video-game-ending-o-1847540262
Kirk’s 2011 (!!) article about game pairings, complete with extremely 2011-era photoshop top art https://kotaku.com/like-rich-wine-and-sharp-cheese-some-games-just-go-wel-5862022
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The Triple Click Trio opens up the mailbag and answer your most burning questions.
This time around we've got questions about in-game morality, ferreting out the truth when reporting, our favorite moments in a new game, silent Nintendo protagonists, and whether Kirk records a new version of that "bing" sound every time he makes it.
ONE MORE THING
Kirk: Ghost of Tsushima
Maddy: Boyfriend Dungeon
Jason: White Lotus
Links:
Bill Hemstapat’s very cool blog post about the process of arranging and recording the Ghost of Tsushima soundtrack: https://billhemstapat.com/ghost-arrangers-diary
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It's finally time: Jason, Maddy, and Kirk pick up their gravity guns and move around some cardboard boxes so they can climb into Half-Life 2. The gang talks about the pros and cons of Valve's classic shooter, how the game holds up in 2021, the G-Man, the graphics, the setpieces, the nauseating vehicles, and oh so much more!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Reservation Dogs
Maddy: Leverage: Redemption
Jason: Fantasian
Links:
The Wikipedia entry on hitscan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitscan
Half-LIfe 2 Combine Radio Chatter collection by RescoeZ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SindqGenIhk
Kali Simmons’ recaps of Reservation Dogs: https://www.vulture.com/article/reservation-dogs-series-premiere-recap-season-1-episode-1-fckin-rez-dogs.html
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Metaverse! Everyone's talking about it. Every company wants a piece of it. But just what the heck is it? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk try to figure out what the deal is with the Metaverse... and can't even agree themselves on what it really means. From Fortnite to Facebook, come along on a wild ride through movie crossovers and alternate realities.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Schmigadoon!
Maddy: The Suicide Squad
Jason: New Teeth (Simon Rich)
Links:
GameMaster Anthony Message Board Post: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/gamemasteranthonys-birthday
“Space Jam: A New Legacy runs on video game logic, in every way,” by Cameron Kunzelman
“Ralph Breaks the Internet and the rise of mash-up cinema,” by Abraham Riesman
“The Metaverse: What It Is, Where to Find it, Who Will Build It, and Fortnite,” by Matthew Ball
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We're all about visual novels here at Triple Click. What's that, you ask? What's a visual novel? Well, allow Kirk, Maddy, and Jason to tell you: it's kind of like a book... but better! Join us to talk about the stellar new game The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, the horniness of Fire Emblem and Persona, and why sometimes gameplay just isn't all that great.
Games Discussed:
One More Thing:
Kirk: Limetown
Maddy: Plan B
Jason: Activision Blizzard
Links:
Jason’s report on Warcraft III: Reforged: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-22/inside-activision-blizzard-s-botched-warcraft-iii-reforged-game
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Kirk, Maddy, and Jason dive into Skyward Sword HD, the new Zelda remake for Nintendo Switch. Does it hold up today? How does it feel after Breath of the Wild? And what's up with those controls? Then they talk about the harrowing Activision Blizzard lawsuit that's shaken up the video game industry over the past week.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Death’s Door
Maddy: Activision Blizzard discrimination lawsuit
Jason: The Great Ace Attorney
Correction: Kirk initially said that Death's Door was on Game Pass, which it regrettably is not. The episode has been edited.
Links:
Ash Parrish on Skyward Sword motion controls: https://kotaku.com/skyward-sword-hd-might-make-you-actually-like-motion-co-1847306361
“Fi’s Theme,” “Crimson Loftwing” and “Ballad of the Goddess” from the Skyward Sword soundtrack, comp. Hajime Wakai, Shiho Fujii, Mahito Yokota, Takeshi Hama
Blizzard’s Culture Crisis Runs Deep https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-07-23/activision-blizzard-s-games-culture-crisis-runs-deep
Jason’s Bloomberg newsletter: https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/game-on
“Hall of Doors” by David Fenn from Death’s Door: https://davidfennmusic.bandcamp.com/album/deaths-door
There sure are a lot of games this summer. It's time for Kirk, Jason, and Maddy to talk about them! And then maybe we'll go out for some sloppy steaks.
Games discussed: Chicory, Overboard, Mario Golf, Scarlet Nexus, Ender Lilies, Astalon: Tears of the Earth, Before Your Eyes
One More Thing:
Kirk: Six of Crows
Maddy: Billions
Jason: I Think You Should Leave
Links:
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With Skyward Sword coming to Nintendo Switch, the Triple Click gang asks the question you've all been asking: What's the deal with Zelda? Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about the origins of the series, how it's evolved over the years, the stagnant Zelda formula, the delights of exploration, the unexpected creativity in limitations, and much, much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Inside (The Songs)
Maddy: Hollow Knight
Jason: Joyland (Stephen King)
Links:
“The problem with Bo Burnham’s Inside” by Lili Loofbourow for Slate: https://slate.com/culture/2021/06/problem-with-bo-burnham-inside.html
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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk open up the mailbag and take YOUR listener questions on all sorts of things. What makes people good at video games? Why do AAA games seem so bad at "editing"? What's the best book-game pairing? And much more!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Mythic Quest S2
Maddy: Sophie’s Safecracking Simulator
Jason: The Great Ace Attorney
Links:
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Maddy, Kirk, and Jason jump into the ridiculously titled Final Fantasy VII Remake: Episode INTERmission, diving into Yuffie's adventures in Midgar. They talk about the combat system, the big story teases, and whether the next DLC will be called InterMISSION. Plus: what's up with the whole Hideo Kojima conspiracy?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Gloomhaven
Maddy: The Blue Box conspiracy
Jason: The House in Fata Morgana
Links:
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
NEW METROID!!! And also other things. But first, NEW METROID!!! After Maddy's done hyperventilating, the gang talks about everything we saw at this year's bizarre, online-only E3. From Elden Ring to Avatar to Breath of the Wild 2, let's go through it all.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Maddy: Bo Burnham
Jason: The House in Fata Morgana
Links:
MItchell Saltzman’s interview with Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki: https://www.ign.com/articles/elden-ring-miyazaki-hidetaka-full-interview-summer-of-gaming
Nathan Grayson’s article on the terrible Twitch chats of E3: https://kotaku.com/e3-twitch-chat-has-been-miserable-1847092627
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E3 2021 is almost here, which means it's time for HOPES, EXPECTATIONS, RUMORS, and VIDEO GAMES. This week, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about what it's been like preparing for a virtual E3 (blech), what they hope to see from each conference, and all of the hot gossip they've been hearing behind-the-scenes, from Assassin's Creed to Guardians of the Galaxy.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Sweet Tooth
Maddy: DC Super Hero Girls
Jason: Overboard!
Links:
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Why do some games get demos while others don't? How did video game demos get started? And what's up with that weird game PT? This week, Maddy, Jason, and Kirk answer the question that's been on everyone's minds: What's the DEAL with video game demos?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Probing in ME2
Maddy: Fuser
Jason: Mare of Easttown
Links:
Edgar Wright’s fake trailer for “Don’t”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lttrIPDFplU
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It's Mass Effect time! Maddy, Jason, and Kirk are all playing the remastered version of BioWare's sci-fi trilogy, and really, who needs an excuse to talk Mass Effect? The gang talks about what it's like to revisit Mass Effect all these years later, what has or hasn't aged well, and of course, who they'd all like to smooch.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Subnautica: Below Zero
Maddy: Little Fires Everywhere
Jason: World’s End Club
Links:
Kirk’s now-mangled Kotaku post about the hidden music in Mass Effect 3: https://kotaku.com/mass-effect-3s-musical-secret-5895616
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It's time for news! This week, the Triple Click clique dives into some of the spring's big gaming news, from the Epic vs. Apple trial to Ubisoft's decision to embrace free-to-play games and much, much more. Plus: Maddy explains why Pokemon cards are back and bigger than ever!
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Nevers
Maddy: Lupin S1
Jason: The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Links:
The Axios Video Game newsletter: https://www.axios.com/signup/gaming
Microsoft’s internal review of The Last of Us Part 2: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.364265/gov.uscourts.cand.364265.551.21.pdf?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosgaming&stream=top
Vice on Pokemon cards: https://www.vice.com/en/article/7kv9a9/pokemon-cards-psa-cgc-bgs-turnaround-times
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The Triple Click gang dives into Returnal, the latest PlayStation 5 exclusive from Housemarque. Is it too challenging or just challenging enough? Should it have been released in Early Access? And just how good is that PS5 controller? Dodge your way through bullet hell to listen to this episode.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Resident Evil 8
Maddy: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Jason: Later (Stephen King)
Links:
Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry: https://bookshop.org/books/press-reset-ruin-and-recovery-in-the-video-game-industry/9781538735497
Dan Sunshine’s call-in to explain the PS5’s advanced vibration: https://maximumfun.org/episodes/triple-click/triple-play-assassins-creed-valhalla/
The Strong Songs Q&A episode where Kirk explains what Miles meant by “it’s about the notes you don’t play.”: https://strongsongspodcast.com/episode/strung-beats-jazz-battles-the-notes-you-dont-play
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In honor of MaxFunDrive 2021, we decided to put a beanscast from earlier this year in the main feed! This episode originally aired in the bonus feed on February 21, 2021. If you'd like more bonus episodes (and to get some extra MaxFunDrive swag), sign up to become a member today at https://maximumfun.org/join.
ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES:
For this month’s bonus episode, Jason, Maddy and Kirk put on their beskar helmets and jetpack straight into the rough and tumble world of Star Wars: The Mandalorian. It’s a wide-ranging discussion that goes from the specific (how can a helmet be so expressive?) to the broad (what are the most and least interesting things about Star Wars?), with plenty of detours along the way.
LINKS:
Become a Maximum Fun Member: https://maximumfun.org/join
A retrospective article about Joe Johnston, the art director who designed Boba Fett’s armor along with concept artist Ralph McQuarrie: https://www.starwars.com/news/empire-at-40-joe-johnston-boba-fett-interview#:~:text=MAY%2018%2C%202020-,Empire%20at%2040%20%7C%20Designing%20an%20Icon%3A%20Joe%20Johnston%20on%20the,Journey%20to%20Create%20Boba%20Fett
A very cool series on the groundbreaking visual production techniques used on The Mandalorian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUnxzVOs3rk
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
The video game industry is broken. Perhaps it's time to... Press Reset? On this week's first-ever LIVE episode of Triple Click, the gang discusses Jason's latest book about the video game industry. They talk about the closures of game companies like Irrational Games and 38 Studios, the industry's sustainability problems, and lots more. Plus: find out how to win a free copy of Press Reset!
One More Thing:
Kirk: For All Mankind
Maddy: The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Jason: Killing Eve
Links:
Buy Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/jason-schreier/press-reset/9781538735480/
Press Reset giveaway: https://app.viralsweep.com/sweeps/full/7b4618-86973?framed=1
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Which is more recognizable: the video game Undertale or NFL quarterback Josh Allen? This week, Maddy, Jason, and Kirk open up the mailbag and answer your questions on all sorts of things, including video game addiction, ethics in AAA game development, and rejected names for the Triple Click podcast.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Maddy: This Is A Robbery
Jason: Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
Links:
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/tripleclickpod
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Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
It's the one-year anniversary of Triple Click - happy birthday, Triple Click! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk update the Triple Click Picks with some special new games and then take some time to reminisce on the past year and what this show has meant to them. Thank you all for supporting the show!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Subnautica
Maddy: Emily Is Away 1-3
Jason: StarCraft II
Links:
Kirk’s 2018 article about video games and guns: https://kotaku.com/real-guns-virtual-guns-and-me-1824159338
Our Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/tripleclickpod
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Kirk, Jason, and Maddy dive back into their ongoing playthrough of Final Fantasy VI, picking up where they left off last time (the Opera House) and going until the end of the Floating Continent. Do Maddy and Kirk like it more now? What's the deal with that flake Shadow? Why is Edgar such a creeper? And whoa, did Kefka really just do THAT?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Monster Hunter Rise (Finishing/Friction)
Maddy: The Content Mines podcast
Jason: Saga Frontier Remastered
Links:
What did Edgar really say about Relm? https://legendsoflocalization.com/what-does-edgar-say-about-relm-in-each-final-fantasy-vi-translation/
The Caves of Narshe FF6 Walkthrough: https://www.cavesofnarshe.com/ff6/walkthrough.php
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Just what is the deal with indie games? When did they become financially viable? How did they become so popular? And what is "indie" anyway??? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk look at the modern history of indie games, from Braid and Castle Crashers to the Nintendo Switch's big bumps. They talk about the rise of digital distribution, some misguided old comments from former Nintendo boss Reggie Fils-Aime, and whether "indie" even means anything anymore.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Monster Hunter Rise
Maddy: Vaccine appointment tips
Jason: Gnosia
Links:
The excellent Double Fine Adventure documentary series:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVwg-9WL3dE
Arekkz Gaming’s MH Rise longsword tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jscDTUOHdw&ab_channel=ArekkzGaming
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Here's the only true thing you will read on the internet today: This episode is not a prank. Instead of trying to fool everyone, Maddy, Jason, and Kirk are going back in time to look at the history of video game April Fool's jokes: the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly. From fake Zelda movies to Assassin's Creed Kinect, there's a lot to laugh at this week.
Correction 4/1/2021: We initially thought the Assassin's Creed Kinect joke video was made by Ubisoft, but it actually wasn't. That part of the conversation has been updated and edited for accuracy. Sorry about that!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Monster Hunter Rise, baybeeeee
Maddy: Incomparable by Brie and Nikki Bella
Jason: The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
Links:
Gamespot’s 2006 Wii ‘Joke’: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/april-fools-analyst-revolution-will-take-lead-in-2010/1100-6146958/
The IGN Zelda Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBCzkz3gHb8
Assassin’s Creed for Kinect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NufHsmITjM
The Virgin America 2013 pre-flight safety song (sorry): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQQaNuqY-kU&ab_channel=top10commercials
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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk dive into the latest big indie game hit, Loop Hero. They talk about its strengths, its weaknesses, the nature of addiction, opacity, and repetition. Plus: the best cookbook ever?
One More Thing:
Kirk: RE ViIIage Maiden Demo (and demos like this)
Maddy: How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy (Jenny Odell)
Jason: The Food Lab (J Kenji Lopez)
Links:
Jenny Odell’s Bureau of Suspended Objects: https://www.jennyodell.com/bso.html
Odell’s interview on the Ezra Klein show: https://www.vox.com/ezra-klein-show-podcast/2019/5/23/18636332/jenny-odell-how-to-do-nothing
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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk open up the mailbag to answer listener questions about all sorts of things, from game company secrecy to the pros and cons of digital gaming. Plus: How do you know when a game just isn't working for you?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Progression and Inconvenience
Maddy: Wandavision
Jason: Gnosia
Links:
Maddy’s X-Men podcast The Mutant Ages: https://mutantages.com
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What's an Assassin's Creed? Who's an Assassin's Creed? Allow the Triple Click gang to explain. Kirk, Jason, and Maddy dive into Ubisoft's action-adventure-RPG franchise, talking about how the series has evolved over the past decade, their favorite games, and just what the heck is up with all those aliens.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Hollow Knight
Maddy: Learning to parry in Dark Souls
Jason: Loop Hero
Links:
Kirk’s Hollow Knight arrangement: https://youtu.be/eIVtGlcpZS0
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It's time for some news!!! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason pick some of the biggest stories in gaming this year, from Covid's effect on game production to the Harry Potter controversy, and break them all down. The gang also talks Google Stadia's woes, EA canceling Anthem Next, and all the hot Mario and Zelda news from the most recent Nintendo Direct.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Spider Man: Miles Morales
Maddy: “Britney Spears Was Never In Control” by Tavi Gevinson
Jason: Bravely Default 2 and video game challenge
Links:
“Trans Inclusion Means More Than Just Adding Potential Gender Options To Hogwarts Legacy” by Riley MacLeod: https://kotaku.com/trans-inclusion-means-more-than-just-adding-potential-g-1846388481
Tevis Thompson’s essay “Saving Zelda”: http://tevisthompson.com/saving-zelda/
The Splitscreen Stadia interview with Phil Harrison: https://kotaku.com/google-stadia-boss-answers-and-dodges-our-questions-1833422137
“Britney Spears Was Never In Control” by Tavi Gevinson: https://www.thecut.com/2021/02/tavi-gevinson-britney-spears-was-never-in-control.html
“The Lies Hollywood Tells About Little Girls” by Mara Wilson: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/opinion/britney-spears-mara-wilson-hollywood.html
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It's finally time! Per Jason's orders, Kirk and Maddy are playing through Final Fantasy VI. This week: they get up to the Opera House. What has aged well? What hasn't? Will the grind and tedium break Maddy's brain? Will Kirk fall in love with Celes and crew? Find out on this week's Triple Click!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Demon’s Souls
Maddy: You’re Wrong About podcast
Jason: Bravely Default 2
Links:
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Let's play Super Mario 3D World... plus Bowser's Fury! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk break down the Switch's newest Mario adventures, dive into the differences between linear and non-linear Mario games, and discuss whether or not they are all cats. Plus: Demon's Souls and much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: The PS5 Experience
Maddy: Judas and the Black Messiah
Jason: Murder mysteries (Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz, The Eighth Detective by Alex Pavesi)
Links:
Allegra Frank’s interview with Lakeith Stanfield: https://slate.com/culture/2021/02/judas-black-messiah-lakeith-stanfield-interview-joker.html
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Maddy, Jason, and Kirk take a trip down memory lane, crossing nostalgia with frustration as they try to figure out why so many old games are so hard to play (legally). What do you do with your old consoles? Why do Nintendo and Sony make it so difficult to buy their old games? What's the deal with video game preservation??? Plus: Kirk got a PS5!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Got a PS5!!!
Maddy: Hunt a Killer: Death at the Dive Bar
Jason: Wandavision
Links:
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What makes a Souls game a Souls game? Why do we love'em so much? And how many things have we learned from Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and the rest of the gang over the years? This week, the Triple Click crew dives into From Software's classic series and tries to figure out what the deal is.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Playing Hitman from the beginning
Maddy: Maiden (2018)
Jason: The Last Dance
Links:
Chris Dahlen on Dark Souls: https://kotaku.com/what-dark-souls-is-really-all-about-5874599
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This week the gang jumps into Hitman 3, a game that's far less bleak that it sounds. Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about the latest entry in the longrunning stealth-puzzle series. Maddy shares the story of how she learned how to play, Jason talks about the Knives Out-inspired murder mystery, and Kirk raves about how amazing Hitman games truly are. Plus: the GameStop phenomenon explained!
One More Thing:
Kirk: The Expanse S3
Maddy: Ted Lasso
Jason: GameStop
Links:
Hitman Speedrun: https://kotaku.com/speedrunners-are-beating-hitman-3s-dubai-level-in-under-1846121772
Shoreh Agdashloo talks us to sleep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j8gznDVa1M
Bloomberg GamesStop explainer: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-01-25/the-game-never-stops
Short Selling and Options explainers: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/shortselling.asp
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/option.asp
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Jason, Maddy, and Kirk open up the listener mailbag and answer some of YOUR questions about all sorts of things. What does it mean when an E3 demo is fake? What's our video game comfort food? And why do video game sequels always make you lose all your powers?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Gloomhaven
Maddy: Dark Souls
Jason: NFL playoff update
Links:
Jason on Cyberpunk 2077: https://twitter.com/jasonschreier/status/1350322423170797568
Kirk’s article about preorder culture: https://kotaku.com/the-witcher-3-downgrade-controversy-sucks-1705882405
The overview video Kirk watched to start getting his head around Gloomhaven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw7LI2esvp0
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In the wake of Cyberpunk 2077, a game with a rocky launch that will now try to find redemption, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk take a look at some other video game redemption stories. They talk about No Man's Sky, Destiny, Final Fantasy XIV, and other games that got better over time. What does a successful turnaround look like? And what are the ethical questions involved? All that and lots more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Lupin
Maddy: Dark Souls
Jason: Fargo
Links:
Kirk reviews No Man's Sky: https://kotaku.com/no-mans-sky-the-kotaku-review-1785383774
...and Destiny: https://kotaku.com/destiny-the-kotaku-review-1637735501
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It's time: Kirk, Jason, and Maddy convene to go over their 2020 predictions and determine who got the most right. Who won, and which game will Triple Click play in 2021? You'll have to listen to find out! Plus: big predictions for video games in 2021!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Wonder Woman 1984
Maddy: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Jason: Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz
Links:
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod
Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
2020 is over!!! Thank goodness! It's time for Kirk, Jason, and Maddy to go over the best games of 2020. Each host shares their top-ten list, which includes some choices you might guess... and some that might surprise you! Plus: Jason and Kirk have finally finished the game they were obliged to play... Kirby Planet Robobot.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Spelunky 2
Maddy: “The very real, totally bizarre bucatini shortage of 2020” by Rachel Handler (Grub Street)
Jason: Sekiro
Links:
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod
Triple Click Ethics Policy:
https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
GOTY Lists:
Jason
Maddy
Kirk
Is Cyberpunk 2077 the biggest game of the year? Or just the most broken? This week, the gang dives into CD Projekt Red's hotly anticipated new RPG: the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about their impressions on the game and their thoughts on all the many, many, many controversies surrounding it.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Ghostrunner
Maddy: Carrie by Stephen King
Jason: Call of the Sea
Links:
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod
Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Maddy, Kirk, and Jason open up the mailbag to answer some of YOUR questions. Should there be a Game Award for the best studio culture? How do we honestly criticize games while knowing how many blood, sweat, and pixels they take to develop? And just how necessary is Twitter Discourse?
One More Thing:
Kirk: Warner Bros. / HBO Max
Maddy: Hades
Jason: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Links:
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod
Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
The Hollywood Reporter on Nolan/Warner: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan
Twitter thread about Souls games: https://twitter.com/silent0siris/status/1334570752021049345?s=21
What are they, rocket ships? In honor of the recent release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, the gang looks back at the history of video game console launches. Which were the best ones? Which were the worst? And what were Kirk, Maddy, and Jason's personal experiences with console launches? Let's discuss!!!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Immortals Fenyx Rising
Maddy: Fuser
Jason: A Futile And Stupid Gesture (2018)
Links:
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod
Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Maddy, Kirk, and Jason celebrate Thanksgiving in the best way possible: Leftovers. This week, the gang talks about all of the fall video games they haven't had a chance to analyze on previous episodes, including Demon's Souls, NBA 2K21, Yakuza Like A Dragon, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and much, much more.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Star Wars Squadrons
Maddy: The Diary of Anne Frank
Jason: The Queen’s Gambit
Links:
Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod
Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Skol! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason are all playing Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and they have oh so many thoughts. The gang dive into what they like (the story! the mysteries!) and don't like (the bugs!) about Ubisoft's new Viking game. (Spoilers: It's way too long.)
One More Thing:
Kirk: Just King Things
Maddy: The Queen’s Gambit
Jason: The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
Slate interview with Gary Kasparov about his work on Queen’s Gambit: https://slate.com/culture/2020/11/queens-gambit-garry-kasparov-interview-netflix-chess-adviser.html
Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod
Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Last week it was all things Xbox, and now it's time for PlayStation 5! Jason has been using the fifth PlayStation for a few weeks now, and he's impressed. The load times are fast and the controller is slick. But is it worth getting or should you just wait??? Plus: Spider-Man Miles Morales and the wonderful Bugsnax (talkin about Bugsnax)!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Watch Dogs Legion
Maddy: Destiny 2: Some Thoughts (on why i’m not playing it currently)
Jason: Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Show Notes:
Triple Click Discord! https://discord.com/invite/JuSkCPZKKh
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
We've got the new Xboxes! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy dive into the pros and cons of both consoles and discuss the upcoming new generation of video games. Are framerate and resolution enough to make the upgrade? Should you get an adult Xbox, a baby Xbox, or neither? Triple Click answers all your questions!
One More Thing:
Kirk: Watch Dogs Legion
Maddy: Animal Crossing Halloween
Jason: The Americans
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
It's Halloween, so the Triple Click gang brings on old pal Patricia Hernandez to talk about creepypasta and haunted video games, from Lavender Town to Sad Satan. Is it true that every copy of Super Mario 64 is personalized for your horror? Let's find out!
One More Thing
Kirk: The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners
Maddy: RTX 3070 GPU
Jason: Borat 2
Links
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Pre-order Jason's book: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/jason-schreier/press-reset/9781538735480/
Patricia Hernandez on haunted Super Mario 64: https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/15/21437962/super-mario-64-iceberg-creepypasta-machinima-every-copy-is-personalized-nintendo-64
...and Lavender Town: https://kotaku.com/pokemons-creepy-lavender-town-myth-explained-1651851621
...and Sad Satan: https://kotaku.com/a-horror-game-hidden-in-the-darkest-corners-of-the-inte-1714980337
Reply All on QAnon: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all/llhe5nm
Dead Bart: https://creepypasta.fandom.com/wiki/Dead_Bart
Polybius: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polybius_(urban_legend)
Maddy’s RTX 3070 review: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/10/27/21535182/rtx-3070-review-price-nvidia-price-3080
Jason, Kirk, and Maddy dive into Hades, one of the best games of the year so far. They talk about their favorite strategies, honor the Greek gods, and try to pinpoint what makes the latest game from Supergiant Games so special.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Oculus Quest 2
Maddy: Destiny 2 (lmao)
Jason: Jackbox Party Pack 7
Show Notes:
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
A guide for playing PC VR games wirelessly with Oculus Quest: https://uploadvr.com/how-to-play-pc-vr-oculus-quest-2/
Jason, Kirk, and Maddy open up the mailbag and answer some of YOUR great questions. How do we Maximize our Fun when playing video games? Is it possible to be a successful journalist while staying totally anonymous? And does Xbox Game Pass cause more anxiety than it cures?
One more thing:
Kirk: Facebook
Maddy: Animal Crossing Halloween update
Jason: Dan Brown's Origin
Show Notes:
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Kashmir Hill cutting tech giants from her life: https://gizmodo.com/i-cut-the-big-five-tech-giants-from-my-life-it-was-hel-1831304194
Is building a PC really that difficult? Or is it actually SUPER FUN? Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about each of their experiences buying PC parts and putting them together like beautiful, brilliant LEGO sets. Jason talks about why his gaming PC wouldn't turn on, Maddy reminisces on carrying her massive PC case to LAN parties, and Kirk espouses the virtues of thermal paste.
One More Thing:
Kirk: Star Wars Squadrons
Maddy: Horizon Zero Dawn
Jason: Baldur’s Gate 3
Show Notes:
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Jason’s PC Building Adventure: https://kotaku.com/my-pc-building-adventure-part-one-picking-the-compone-1821708276
Jason's PC Building Adventure part two: https://kotaku.com/my-pc-building-adventure-part-two-something-went-horr-1821879762
Kirk’s “The 10 Worst Things About Building a Gaming PC” https://kotaku.com/the-10-worst-things-about-building-a-new-gaming-pc-1606794540
And The 10 Best: https://kotaku.com/the-10-best-things-about-building-a-new-gaming-pc-1605434587
The end of Kirk’s 2018 CPU cooling obsession: https://kotaku.com/i-put-a-big-air-cooler-in-my-pc-and-it-s-working-pretty-1828394334
One PC build for $1,000, from Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/dq06nh/will_1000_get_me_a_next_gen_capable_pc/
Whitson Gordon’s horror story about his liquid cooling apparatus leaking into his PC: https://lifehacker.com/what-to-do-when-your-water-cooling-leaks-inside-your-pc-1475187833
Tom’s Hardware: TomsHardware.com
PC Part Picker: PCPartpicker.com
Dun dun, dun dun dun dun dun... it's time to talk Zelda! This week, on a new segment called Triple Click Classics, Kirk, Jason, and Maddy dive into the Super Nintendo masterpiece The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and talk about what makes it so great, from the design to the polish to the music. But why are you always rescuing the damn princess???
ONE MORE THING
Kirk: Hades
Maddy: Destiny 2 (it’s baaack) (it never left)
Jason: Final Fantasy XIV
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Music Featured: “The Painful Way” by Darren Korb from the Hades OST
“Overture” by Koji Kondo & Mahito Yokota from the Super Mario Galaxy OST
Well hey, if we had known Bethesda was on the market for only $7.5 billion, we would have made a bid! Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about Microsoft's major acquisition, plus the big PS5 news last week (Final Fantasy XVI!!!) and the reality that video games are going to cost $70 very soon. Plus, the brilliant, beautiful Hades and other One More Things.
One More Thing
Kirk: Super Mario Galaxy
Maddy: Pen15 season two
Jason: Hades
Links
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Music Featured: “The Painful Way” by Darren Korb from the Hades OST
“Overture” by Koji Kondo & Mahito Yokota from the Super Mario Galaxy OST
Maddy, Jason, and Kirk bring on special guest Ben Hanson (co-founder of MinnMax) to open up the listener mailbag and answer some BURNING QUESTIONS. What games does the crew wish they were better at? What are some timeless mechanics? And what are the most memorable button prompts in gaming?
ONE MORE THING
Kirk: Spiritfarer
Maddy: Horizon Zero Dawn
Jason: Super Mario 3D All-Stars
LINKS
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
MinnMax: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiUhKqsBH-Is2VeC2sykEfg
Who Is John Frum: https://www.topic.com/who-is-john-frum
It's time for another Triple Play! This week, the gang jumps into Marvel's Avengers, a new video game about superheroes who play Destiny. Is this game any good? Is it going through an identity crisis? And just what is up with Kamala Khan? Plus: Samus's Soapbox!
ONE MORE THING
Kirk: The weirdness of GPUs
Maddy: Destiny 2 (really)
Jason: The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
LINKS
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
Triple Click Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/tripleclickpod
It's time for some news! Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about the summer in gaming news, from the next-gen console war (and the glaring lack of prices) to replacement E3 plans from companies like Warner Bros., Nintendo, and Microsoft. Plus: Ubisoft keeps stepping on rakes.
ONE MORE THING
Kirk: Dark
Jason: Retro games kick
Maddy: Destiny 2 Leviathan raid
Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join
One More Thing:
Kirk: Luigi’s Mansion 3
Maddy: Destiny 2 (...again)
Jason: Dark
Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join
One More Thing:
Kirk: Fall Guys (mediatonic, on PC and PS4, free PS+)
Maddy: Zoo
Jason: The Epic/Apple/Google war
Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join
Epic's complaint against Apple: https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/apple-complaint-734589783.pdf
TRIPLE CLICK PICKS, VOL 1
One More Thing:
Jason: Blizzard staff take collective action
Maddy: Destiny 2
Kirk: Doom Patrol
Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join
Kirk’s old article ranking video game bows: https://kotaku.com/video-games-have-become-obsessed-with-bows-and-arrows-5991211
Noah Caldwell-Gervais on Horizon Zero Dawn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt7c8yXiuJk
Bloomberg article on Blizzard organization: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-05/blizzard-workers-organize-on-company-slack-seeking-pay-increases
Cool Atlantic article about Grant Morrison’s Doom Patrol run: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/04/doom-patrol/360616/
Layoffs at DC: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dc-comics-dc-universe-hit-by-major-layoffs-1306743
One more thing:
Kirk: Death Stranding
Maddy: Marvel’s Avengers beta
Jason: Billions
Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join
MaxFun Drive Info: https://maximumfun.org/news/maxfundrive-2020-has-begun-and-its-full-of-great-gifts/
One More Thing:
Jason: Ghost of Tsushima
Kirk: Carrion
Maddy: The Nintendo Gigaleak
Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join
MaxFun Drive Info: https://maximumfun.org/news/maxfundrive-2020-has-begun-and-its-full-of-great-gifts/
The Console War Is Over [Christopher Dring, GamesIndustry.biz] https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-07-23-the-console-war-is-over-opinion
How Xbox Game Pass works for developers [Matthew Handrahan, GamesIndustry.biz] https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-07-08-xbox-game-pass-is-the-first-time-subscription-is-fair-for-developers
The big Nintendo leak [Patrick Klepek, Vice]: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/7kp7bx/a-massive-leak-of-nintendo-source-code-is-causing-chaos-in-video-games
One More Thing
Kirk - Ubisoft woes [Jason's article on Bloomberg]
Maddy - Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Jason - The Last of Us Part II
Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join/
MaxFun Drive Info: https://maximumfun.org/news/maxfundrive-2020-has-begun-and-its-full-of-great-gifts/
Triple Click on Twitch this Friday! https://www.twitch.tv/tripleclickpod
Rob Zacny on the problems with The Last of Us Part II's ending: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/jgxjxx/problems-with-last-of-us-part-2-ending
Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/Join
Information on Max Fun Drive 2020 tiers, rewards, schedule, and more: https://maximumfun.org/news/maxfundrive-2020-has-begun-and-its-full-of-great-gifts/
Music Featured: Multiple tracks from Final Fantasy VII (1997) composed by Nobuo Uematsu, as well as the following Uematsu compositions re-arranged for Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020): "Prelude" arranged by Yoshitaka Suzuki, "Airbuster" arranged by Tadayoshi Makino, "Main Theme from Final Fantasy VII - Sector 7 Undercity" arranged by Shotaro Shima, and "Aerith's Theme - Home Again" arranged by Shotaro Shima.
Kirk’s music podcast Strong Songs: https://strongsongspodcast.com
Game-deal watchdog Wario64 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wario64
The official Braid walkthrough: https://web.archive.org/web/20121009073610/http://www.braid-game.com/walkthrough/walkthrough.html
Luke Plunkett’s Desperados III review on Kotaku: https://kotaku.com/desperados-3-is-a-modern-stealth-masterpiece-1844047567
Ryan Gilliam on spoiling TLOU2 for himself: https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/7/21314896/the-last-of-us-part-2-spoilers-story-ruined-enhanced-experience-secrets-are-good
Jamelle Bouie on Hamilton as a historical narrative & ideological project: https://letterboxd.com/jbouie/film/hamilton-2020/
Kirk’s Strong Songs on “Satisfied”: https://strongsongspodcast.com/satisfied-from-hamilton-updated
Black Game Devs: http://www.blackgamedevs.com/
The Last of Us 2 epitomizes one of gaming’s longest debates [Chris Plante, Polygon]
"Former employees accuse Cards Against Humanity of a racist and sexist office culture" [Nicole Carpenter, Polygon]
"Video Game Industry Rocked by Outpouring of Sexual Misconduct Allegations" [Jason Schreier, Bloomberg]
"Does ABUSE Make you Stronger? - Whiplash Review feat. Kirk Hamilton!" [Carpool Critics]
"Growing calls to “defund the police,” explained" - Matt Yglesias, Vox
Minority Korner: https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/minority-korner/
FANTI: https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/fanti/
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Jim_Crow
The Bail Project: https://bailproject.org/
The George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
A National Directory of Bail Funds: https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory
A Directory of Protest-Specific Bail Funds: https://bailfunds.github.io/
The ACLU guide for protestors’ rights: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights/#im-attending-a-protest
Why do people love this whole Final Fantasy thing so much? Welcome to What's The Deal With, in which the Triple Click crew explains why something matters. This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk explain the history and appeal of one of the most beloved roleplaying video game series ever, from Sephiroth to Noctis and oh so much more.
The Final Fantasy VII Letters (Kirk Hamilton and Leigh Alexander, Paste Magazine)
Solitary Spacecraft (Dante Douglas)
Five Ways Video Games Make Failure Matter (Kirk Hamilton, Kotaku)
Don't miss the (unofficial) Triple Click subreddit
HBomberguy on Fallout
Check out the Maximum Fun reader survey right here!
Each week on Triple Click, video game experts Kirk Hamilton, Maddy Myers, and Jason Schreier journey into the fascinating world of games. They’ll explore hot topics in video game news and culture, answer burning listener questions, debate the pros and cons of the biggest new games, and replay old classics together. Coming soon to Maximum Fun!
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.