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After taking far too long to decipher RSS feeds, I've finally managed to throw the podcast up on iTunes for easy listening and subscribing.  So seek us out!  Give us a listen!  Leave 5 stars!  Tell all your friends!

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Pixel Loadout Podcast: Episode 006

So VGR is more or less done, and we're moving back to a weekly podcast formula.  This week it's the regulars of DJ, Trey and myself as we cover the news this week like Kickstarters and micro-transactions, as well as ponder the moral quandaries around grey-market CD keys.

...and maybe we'll play some slots.

Divinty: Original Sin 2 Kickstarter Launched

(Full disclosure:  just backed this project at the $25.00, keep this in mind when reading future posts associated with this game.)

So I was a big fan of the completely-out-of-left-field hit that was Divinity: Original Sin.  Released out of Kickstarter in 2014, it was simultaneously a love-letter to old-school CRPG's, as well as a fresh modernization on the genre.  Tactical combat interactions were insanely deep, and writing throughout was refreshingly comedic, making for a unique experience that kept me off balance while adding in constant surprises.  I've actually got a bit of a hankering to go back to it, but I'm currently holding off for the enhanced edition coming out later this year.

It's cool to note that Larian is sticking with Kickstarter to bring a second helping of zaniness to the world, and I can't wait to see more.  Their campaign started up today, give it a look if you feel like getting in early, or helping to contribute with some of the stretch goals.  It's worth noting that the game already has a budget thanks to the sales from the first, and the Kickstarter campaign's goal is to expand the scope of the game.  I'm confidant with Larian's last success that this will be a project worth getting involved with, similar to the extra clout that Harebrained Schemes gained with their initial Shadowrun game.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 Kickstarter

Let's Play Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

More Xsplit testing ensues: this time, we're infiltrating Camp Omega on a solo sneaking mission.  Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes makes for a perfect short test of the streaming software, as well as serving double duty to catch people up before Phantom Pain next week.  I've put my fair share of practice into learning guard routes and slipping in undetected, so give it a watch if you're looking for some solid Big Boss action.

Let's open 50 packs of Hearthstone's Grand Tournament expansion

So we've got another expansion set on our hands for Blizzard's wildly popular online CCG.  Admittedly, after keeping an eye on the previews, it seems like we're doing the Magic thing of backing off the power creep from the previous sets, (oh Mercadian Masques, why were you such a bad block to get into?) but that hasn't stopped there from being a few desirable tools worth getting your hands on.  Here's how I fared from Blizzard's pre-order promotion.  Kind of up in the air if I'd do it again in the future.  Maybe if I can get more Argent Watchmen...

On a totally unrelated note, I need more arena practice.

Satoru Iwata Passes Away at 55

A legend of the gaming industry has left us. Satoru Iwata passed away on July 11^th, 2015. I couldn't write this right away, not even a week after was I able to really put my feelings about this event onto paper. Iwata had said “On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer.” This alone shows why so many people loved him, and how he could craft and help to craft games which spoke to so many people.

For me personally, I was growing up with Iwata's games and didn't even know it. From one of my favorite early NES games Balloon Fight, to porting the battle system for Pokemon Stadium on the N64. So many of my favorite games could have never seen the light of day without his work. I remember the joy I felt when playing Kirby's Dream Land for the first time, or when I saw my would be rival staring into the Professor's window in Pokemon Gold/Silver.

Nintendo as we know it may not even exist today if it was not for Iwata's business acumen. He took over as President in 2002, while the company wasn't quite as profitable as it had been. With his strategies to make games that were fun for everyone, and fostering a relationship between Nintendo and Capcom, Iwata was able to prove his worth as the first President of the company who was not related to the Yamauchi family who founded Nintendo. Iwata eventually took over as CEO in June of 2013.

More than anything though, I believe most modern day gamers will remember Iwata from his charming personality and humor in the Nintendo Direct videos and his Iwata Asks segments where he often would interview other Nintendo employees. This is one giant of industry who touched the hearts of gamers everywhere, and will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife Kayoko Iwata.

Please understand, Satoru Iwata has advanced to the next stage.

Bit Brigade at the Blind Tiger

So I got to see Bit Brigade live for the first time, and I've got to say, it was pretty damn great.  For as many times as I've played parts of their albums on the radio or a podcast, it pales in comparison to catching these guys live.  Better yet, they've managed an awesomely entertaining speed runs through one of the classics (with perhaps one of the best soundtracks to boot): Metroid.

Fallout 4 concept art analysis

E3 has come and gone, and Bethesda left a lasting impression on veteran fans, new fans, and industry leaders alike. They blew all expectations out of the water with their press conference, finishing off with the 30 minute presentation of Fallout 4 by Todd Howard. Now, what’s interesting about the structure of their presentation is that it built from the ground up. Most other presentations had a gameplay trailer, additional features, and left the audience with tidbits of release info as well as minute factoids. Howard presented in a similar way, but with one significant difference: the concept art.

Late to the Party: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Price I Paid: $4.00

Available On: PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360.

It's a humbling experience when I start raving about something only to change my tune before it’s over. It’s the same feeling I suspect new parents have after two months of insufficient sleep from a crying newborn. Understandably, you might think that you know what I'm going to say about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and stop reading now, but don't. It's not because I get paid when you click to read the full review (because I don't get paid anything for any of this), but because there was so much the game did right. Despite my wavering feelings for it after twenty-some hours, you may find it to your liking.

E3 2015 from the cynic's perspective

It was pretty easy to get swept up in the neigh-constant hype cycle that was E3 2015.  For some of us, there were downright groundbreaking announcements that we'd never thought would see the light of day.  For others however, this was just business as usual for the gaming industry.  Maybe we're getting too good at playing into these kinds of promo events.  At least, that's the viewpoint of some...