Episode 28: An Overdue Conversation (News Show)

Jun 27, 2020

[CONTENT WARNING] This episode features discussion about the stories of sexual abuse and assault that have emerged in the game industry. Discussion begins at :30 and ends at 28:00. Other topics include Mixer’s sudden demise, the $1m Hobbit prototype (and why that isn’t quite as expensive as people may think), Epic Game Store’s growth, just what “Optimized for Xbox Series X” means, and why Microsoft is planning on an early Xbox Series X “All Access” purchase model.

• Ubisoft to investigate rampant sexual assault and harassment accusations: https://gamasutra.com/view/news/365520/Ubisoft_to_investigate_rampant_sexual_assault_and_harassment_accusations.php
• Internal Ubisoft Statement via Jason Schreier (Bloomberg): https://twitter.com/jasonschreier/status/1276533429815910402?s=20 
• Twitch partnerships director accused of sexual assault (Dexerto): https://www.dexerto.com/general/twitch-partnerships-director-accused-of-sexual-assault-1384801
• Just Add Monsters - JAM Sessions Ep. 8: The Game Industry's Journalism Problem (Feat.Nathalie Lawhead): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4-62in-JlY
• The Next Step For Mixer: https://blog.mixer.com/2020/06/22/the-next-step-for-mixer/ 
• Ready at Dawn acquired by Oculus/Facebook: https://www.oculus.com/blog/welcoming-ready-at-dawn-to-facebook/
• The Evolution of the Oculus Platform: https://www.oculus.com/blog/an-update-on-the-evolution-of-the-oculus-platform-/
• We Spent Over $1,000,000 Pitching a Video Game We Never Made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grwnHJykybM&feature=youtu.be
• Xbox Series X difference will be immersion more than visuals, Spencer says: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-06-24-xbox-series-x-difference-will-be-immersion-more-than-visuals-spencer-says
• Xbox Series X: Embrace the Full Power of the Console with Games Optimized for Xbox Series X (Xbox Wire): https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/06/25/xbox-series-x-full-power-of-console-games-optimized/
• Xbox head says console subscription model ‘will be critical to Series X launch and the next-gen’ (VGC): https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-head-says-console-subscription-model-will-be-critical-to-series-x-launch-and-the-next-gen/
• Steam introduces gamified reviews: https://twitter.com/simoncarless/status/1276199837461917696