The Easy Allies Podcast

Ep 396 - Can a live action Zelda movie actually work? We weigh our thoughts on the subject before examining Nintendo's latest numbers, speculating on GTA VI, and imagining barbecue with Phil Spencer. (0:00) - Opening (2:44) - Corrections (4:12) - Zelda Movie in Production (29:02) - Nintendo Financial Report (39:02) - GTA VI Trailer Incoming (57:02) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:00:55) - Blizzard Escapes Activision's Reign (1:15:23) - WB Shifting to Live Service Games (1:31:26) - Also This Week (1:43:33) - L&R: Don't Skip, 2023 Edition (1:48:45) - L&R: Pointless Mass Effect Teaser (1:54:30) - L&R Game: Screwy Synonyms and Awful Antonyms (1:59:50) - Time for Bets (2:04:39) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month. Go to http://shopify.com/allies to sign up for a $1-per-month trial period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 395 - Xbox is banning controllers, Bungie has some nasty layoffs, Brad checks out Persona 5 Tactica, and we try to sort out the trainwreck of Silent Hill: Ascension. (0:00) - Opening (1:40) - Corrections (4:31) - Xbox is Banning Third Party Controllers (14:36) - Remedy Updates (23:29) - Bungie Layoffs Mess (41:30) - A Word From Our Sponsors (44:14) - Top 10 Game Over Screens (53:55) - Silent Hill: Ascension Impressions (1:14:30) - Persona 5 Tactica Impressions (1:23:18) - Also This Week (1:34:52) - L&R: Let the Player Play (1:37:36) - L&R: Good Lookin' Food (1:39:32) - L&R Game: Choose a Door (1:46:39) - Time for Bets (1:51:23) - Closing Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter ALLIES at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.) This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 394 - Damiani's moving day approaches, so we celebrate with some fun Damiani facts, Xbox shows off some cool third-party trailers, and Huber tells us why Alan Wake 2 is so great. (0:00) - Opening (1:26) - Corrections (3:36) - Damiani's Moving Day (17:51) - PS5 Disc Drive Needs Internet (22:14) - Xbox Partner Preview (42:47) - Alan Wake 2 Impressions (51:52) - Mini-Sales Update (55:17) - Also This Week (1:04:36) - L&R: Mario Controls Make No Sense (1:14:09) - L&R: Is Nintendo Cursed? (1:19:10) - L&R Game: A Frankenstein-ien Monstrosity (1:25:08) - Time for Bets (1:31:27) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 393 - It's the spooky season, and Brandon Jones is back to talk about the haunting new book he's written as well as a bunch of horror game announcements, Microsoft buying Activision, September sales, and more. (0:00) - Opening (1:46) - Corrections (3:18) - Catching Up with Brandon (18:10) - Activision is Finally Part of Xbox (51:00) - Horror Game Announcements (1:18:29) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:20:30) - September Sales Report (1:34:06) - Also This Week (1:45:00) - L&R: Cool in School? (1:52:07) - L&R: Creators Return (1:55:58) - L&R Game: Spider Power or Milk Turned Sour? (2:00:40) - L&R: Frustrating Traffic (2:05:06) - Time for Bets (2:09:41) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 392 - The long-rumored replacement models for the PlayStation 5 have been revealed, Kamiya's going to the unemployment center in his Lamborghini, and we consider when it's ok to save-scum. (0:00) - Opening (1:37) - Corrections (3:33) - New PS5 Models Revealed (18:34) - PS5 Cloud Streaming (25:05) - Why Did Kamiya Quit PlatinumGames? (40:18) - A Word From Our Sponsors (42:10) - Have You Heard About The Alters? (51:01) - Also This Week (1:13:38) - L&R: Can't Get Into Indies? (1:22:35) - L&R: Reloading Save Files (1:27:52) - L&R Game: Do You Feel Old Yet? (1:31:41) - Time for Bets (1:37:23) - Closing Go to http://shopify.com/allies to sign up for a $1-per-month trial period. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 391 - Nintendo is closing down online services for Wii U and 3DS next April. Plus, we debate the status of The Last of Us multiplayer game after reported layoffs, give spooky game recommendations for October, and check out our patrons' Top 10 Swords. (0:00) - Opening (1:26) - Corrections (4:09) - Online Play Ending for Wii U and 3DS (25:26) - Naughty Dog Layoffs / Last of Us Multiplayer (41:20) - Hyenas Was Sega's Most Expensive Game Ever (48:09) - A Word From Our Sponsors (50:23) - Spooky Game Recommendations (1:02:24) - Top 10 Swords (1:13:25) - Also This Week (1:33:19) - L&R: Best Game, Bad First Impression (1:39:04) - L&R Game: Fastest Any Percent Speed Runs (1:46:59) - L&R: Dragon Age VS Witcher Expectations (1:51:25) - Time for Bets (1:56:32) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 390 - Mario, Sonic, Spider-Man, Alan Wake, Forza, RoboCop, Avatar -- there's a ton of games coming out this fall, and it's time to buckle in and talk about what we're looking forward to the most. (0:00) - Opening (1:56) - Corrections (4:42) - October Game Preview (1:11:50) - November Game Preview (1:45:35) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:50:18) - December Game Preview (1:58:32) - August Sales Report (2:05:54) - Also This Week - Jim Ryan Retiring (2:10:21) - Hideki Kamiya Leaving PlatinumGames (2:12:54) - Epic Layoffs (2:20:06) - More Also This Week (2:24:27) - L&R: In Defense of Starfield (2:29:17) - L&R: Celebrity Actors in Games (2:33:52) - L&R Game: Role Models (2:43:32) - Time for Bets (2:48:25) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month. Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter ALLIES at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.)

Ep 389 - Xbox accidentally released plans for new consoles, release schedules, and much more. Meanwhile, Suda and Swery are teaming up for a time-looping slasher, and we check out a few of the more interesting reveals from Tokyo Game Show. (0:00) - Opening (2:27) - Corrections (3:40) - Hotel Barcelona - Swery X Suda (15:54) - TGS Round-Up (39:19) - A Word From Our Sponsors (41:58) - Xbox Leaks (1:11:38) - Also This Week (1:23:42) - L&R: Wish I'd Go Back (1:27:26) - L&R: Is 2023 Bad for Devs? (1:34:44) - L&R Game: MK1 or SF6? (1:38:32) - Time for Bets (1:43:02) - Closing Go to http://factormeals.com/allies50 and use code allies50 to get 50% off. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. TGS Games Discussed: Hotel Barcelona Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi Persona 3 Reload Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth Sonic Superstars Rusty Rabbit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 388 - Nintendo and Sony both dropped new showcases on the same day, and our friend Trisha Hershberger drops by to help us sort through the highlights, from Princess Peach to the amazing new look at Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. (0:00) - Opening (1:53) - Corrections (4:06) - Get to Know Trisha Hershberger (10:39) - Nintendo Direct (46:33) - State of Play (1:11:52) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:14:32) - Unity's Big Mess (1:24:17) - Also This Week (1:39:27) - L&R: How Can You Finish Games? (1:47:26) - L&R Game: Fuse-em-Haa! (1:52:06) - L&R: Will Mobile Make Handheld Obsolete? (1:57:18) - Time for Bets (2:01:42) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month. Go to http://shopify.com/allies to sign up for a $1 per month trial period. Games Discussed: Princess Peach: Showtime! Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door F-Zero 99 Mario vs. Donkey Kong Super Mario RPG Mario Kart 8 - Booster Course Pass Wave 6 Splatoon 3 DLC - Side Order Unicorn Ov

Ep 387 - Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 has been secretly overhauled by a new developer, E3 shambles its way through undeath, we speculate on Final Fantasy XVI DLC, and we tell tales from our trip to Super Nintendo World. (0:00) - Opening (3:36) - Corrections (9:50) - Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 Full Overhaul (20:03) - 2 DLC or Not DLC - FF XVI and Zelda (48:54) - E3 Shambles Along (1:23:53) - A Day at Super Nintendo World (1:46:13) - Switch 2 Behind Closed Doors at Gamescom (1:50:57) - Also This Week (2:04:52) - L&R: Impact of Endings (2:12:21) - L&R Game: Lost in Translation (2:20:44) - L&R: What Should Become a Telltale Game? (2:23:13) - Time for Bets (2:28:14) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 386 - Sony's making a massive price hike to PlayStation Plus, Super Mario Bros. Wonder continues to impress, and Embracer shuts down the studio behind Saints Row. (0:00) - Opening (1:47) - Corrections (4:44) - Super Mario Bros. Wonder (20:21) - PlayStation Plus Price Hike (40:28) - Volition Shuttered By Embracer Group (54:27) - A Word From Our Sponsors (57:03) - Top 10 Games to Play in One Night (1:07:42) - Bye Sweet Carole (1:15:30) - Also This Week (1:29:51) - L&R: Is October Geoff's Fault? (1:33:46) - L&R: Game Interrupted (1:36:15) - L&R Game: Signature Phrases (1:49:21) - Time for Bets (1:56:44) - Closing Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter ALLIES at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.) This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 385 - Germany's putting on one of the world's biggest gaming shows, and we're flooded with announcements, trailers, and release dates. Meanwhile, Sony announces the price for PlayStation Portal, Xbox gets wraps, and Ubisoft joins the party with MS and Activision. (0:00) - Opening (1:52) - Corrections (3:45) - Gamescom Opening Night Live (44:21) - Future Games Show and More from Gamescom (1:15:54) - PlayStation Portal (1:25:51) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:30:14) - July Sales Report (1:38:17) - Ubisoft Joins the Microsoft Activision Party (1:44:29) - Also This Week (1:59:08) - L&R: Don't Sleep On It! (2:05:12) - L&R: 3D on 3DS (2:08:47) - L&R Game: Charles Martinet Characters (2:13:31) - Time for Bets (2:20:18) - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month. Don’t miss One Piece on Netflix on August 31. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 384 - THQ Nordic told us about a bunch of games they're working on, including a sick TMNT adaptation, Call of Duty is giving players options, and Microsoft is shutting down the storefront for the Xbox 360. (0:00) - Opening (2:04) - Corrections (6:01) - THQ Nordic Showcase (31:15) - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (40:42) - A Word From Our Sponsors (42:35) - Xbox 360 Store Closing (52:17) - Xbox: 8 Strikes and You're Out! (1:02:57) - Also This Week (1:08:49) - L&R: "It's Just a Movie" (1:24:38) - L&R: Role-playing habits (1:28:22) - L&R: The Next 3D Mario (1:32:14) - L&R Game: Um, Actually (1:46:22) - Time for Bets (1:52:06) - Closing  Go to http://shopify.com/allies to sign up for a $1 per month trial period. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 383 - Bloodworth is back and needs to know why Baldur's Gate 3 is lighting up the charts. Meanwhile, Red Dead Redemption and Quake II both came back in very different ways, and we catch up on news from EVO. (0:00) - Opening (1:36) - Corrections (5:53) - Read Dead Redemption and Quake II Return (23:46) - Why Is Baldur’s Gate 3 So Good? (47:01) - Alien in Dead by Daylight (51:18) - EVO Announcements Roundup (1:21:26) - Also This Week (1:40:00) - L&R: Gaming Inspirations (1:49:55) - L&R Game: Franchises vs Switch Games (1:58:25) - L&R: Elder Scrolls and Fallout Memories (2:02:54) - Time for Bets (2:10:13) - Closing  This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 382 - The rumblings never stopped, but reports of the Switch successor might have some meat on their bones. Plus, Final Fantasy XIV is finally coming to Xbox, and that''s just the start! 0:00 - Opening 1:50 - Corrections 8:53 - Next-Gen Nintendo Rumors and Speculation 32:47 - Layoffs at Callisto Protocol Developer 44:19 - Final Fantasy XIV Coming to Xbox 58:40 - A Word From Our Sponsors 1:02:16 - June Sales Report 1:21:30 - Also This Week 1:24:08 - L&R: Predictions Catch-Up 1:28:58 - L&R: Cozy Locations in Games 1:33:17 - L&R Game: Mass Effect Character Quiz 1:40:59 - Time for Bets 1:47:04 - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month. Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter ALLIES at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 381 - Shrek and Boss Baby are in a kart racer together, Ubisoft canned a sequel to Immortals Fenyx Rising, and we go through our patrons' Top Ten Grunts.  0:00 - Opening 2:34 - Corrections 5:28 - DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing 13:34 - Immortals Fenyx Rising Sequel Cancelled 23:38 - Techland Bought By Tencent 30:35 - A Word From Our Sponsors 33:20 - Top Ten Grunts / Mooks / Minions 49:40 - Also This Week 1:21:05 - L&R: Physical Game Guides 1:28:22 - L&R: Forgotten Gems 1:33:16 - L&R: Opinions Changing Over Time 1:39:41 - Time for Bets 1:49:16 - Closing  Go to http://factormeals.com/allies50 and use code allies50 to get 50% off. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 380 - Spider-Man 2 drops a new trailer from Comic Con as well as a shiny new PS5, Atlas Fallen shows off its combat, and we get some juicy details on the early development of the Pikmin series. 0:00 - Opening 2:10 - Corrections 5:03 - Spider-Man 2 Comic Con Update 16:03 - Pikmin 4 Developer Insights 34:36 - Xbox Live Gold is Dead 51:07 - Catching Up on Atlas Fallen  57:02 - A Word From Our Sponsors 58:47 - Microsoft - Activision Merger Updates 1:05:54 - Cross Platform Sales Mini-Update 1:08:09 - Also This Week 1:19:33 - L&R: Bringing Back Cut Content 1:24:40 - L&R: Countless Hours, No Reward 1:27:15 - L&R Game: Complete in Box 1:34:48 - Time for Bets 1:40:01 - Closing  Go to http://chime.com/allies to start building your credit. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 379 - EA's building a new studio for their Black Panther Game, and while classic games are disappearing at an alarming rate, Limited Run Games has announced a wave of surprising revivals. 0:00 - Opening 1:53 - Corrections 6:00 - Black Panther Game in the Works 12:29 - The Sobering State of Game Availability  27:39 - Surprises at the Limited Run Games Showcase 50:58 - A Word From Our Sponsors 54:30 - FTC vs MS - Down, But Not Out  1:11:24 - Also This Week 1:22:28 - L&R: Convincing Friend to Play a 7 1:27:15 - L&R: What's Next for Tomb Raider? 1:32:32 - L&R: First Party Swap 1:37:21 - Time for Bets 1:42:07 - Closing  This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get 10% off your first month. Go to http://shopify.com/allies to sign up for a $1 per month trial period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep 378 - It's time to check out what's coming over the next 3 months, from Pikmin to Starfield, and the number of potential GOTY nominees is overwhleming. Then we check out our patrons' Top 10 Castles. 0:00 - Opening 2:27 - Corrections 7:03 - Games of July 39:04 - Games of August 1:14:33 - Games of September 1:58:48 - Patrons' Top 10 Castles 2:07:35 - Also This Week 2:21:21 - L&R: What Would You Preserve? 2:28:50 - L&R: Indie Horror Preferences 2:35:19 - L&R: Release Date Choices 2:40:40 - Time for Bets 2:47:18 - Closing This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Games in this episode: Oxenfree II Exoprimal Viewfinder Pikmin 4 Remnant II Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PC) Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons The Expanse - A Telltale Series Disney Illusion Island Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition Venba Baldur’s Gate III Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical WrestleQuest The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Goodbye, Volcano High Immortals of Aveum Blasphe

Ep 377 - Annapurna gives us a look at the creative new titles their partners have in the works, we get details on the muddy development of a AAAA Perfect Dark, we go over May sales, and try to keep up with recent developments in the Microsoft court case. 0:00 - Opening 1:58 - Corrections 6:18 - Annapurna Interactive Showcase 25:24 - Not So Perfect Dark 47:09 - May Sales Report 55:28 - A Word From Our Sponsors 58:05 - Bloober Team Parts With Psychological Horror 1:01:11 - Call of Duty Court 1:24:07 - Also This Week 1:32:57 - L&R: Left-Field Crossovers 1:40:45 - L&R: Too Long For Sequels 1:45:06 - L&R: Who Cursed Alan Wake? 1:49:24 - Time for Bets 1:58:29 - Closing Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter ALLIES at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.) This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/allies to get started today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/