Press Row Podcast (general)

2K Sports is facing criticism from all sides over the aggressive implementation of Virtual Currency within NBA 2K18. VC is nothing new to the popular basketball franchise however, so why has this become such a story now that mainstream gaming media, Youtube personalities, and consumers are all making their voices heard on the matter? We discuss the circumstances specific to the NBA 2K series that has allowed the situation to blow up, and the necessary pursuit of digital revenue for publishers, in this episode of the Press Row Podcast.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Sporting News/Pastapadre/Hit The Pass (@pastapadre)
Richard Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Daniel Baesel, UberYouTuber (@danielbaesel)

GamerSaloon lets you play any game, any time, for any amount of money to win cash prizes. Compete against your friends or anyone in the GamerSaloon community in dozens of individual or team-based competitions. It's safe, secure, and fun! Sign up today by downloading the app or go to GamerSaloon.com and use the code 'pressrow' to get a 50% bonus on your initial deposit. Help the Press Row Podcast and have a lot of fun while you do it!

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_240.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:25am EDT

NBA 2K18 and NBA Live 18 came upon their respective releases having traveled dramatically different paths to get there. NBA 2K has grown into the second biggest sports game in the world and is guaranteed to be a smash hit now annually. NBA Live is simply trying to recapture some credibility after eight years defined more by its cancellations than even its sub-par editions.

In this episode of the Press Row Podcast both games are examined closely, with areas such as accessibility, gameplay, franchise and story/career modes discussed. The Nintendo Switch version of NBA 2K18 is evaluated and compared to the experience on other platforms. The big post-release subjects related to NBA 2K18 - uproar over the aggressive implementation of VC and vanishing MyPlayer characters - are of course also major subjects. Each basketball game offers advantages over their competitor to consider, but which game is the right one for you?

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Sporting News/Pastapadre/Hit The Pass (@pastapadre)
Richard Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Owen Good, Polygon (@owengood)
MillsGamingTV, Operation Sports (@MillsGamingTV)
Kat Bailey, USgamer, (@the_katbot)

GamerSaloon lets you play any game, any time, for any amount of money to win cash prizes. Compete against your friends or anyone in the GamerSaloon community in dozens of individual or team-based competitions. It's safe, secure, and fun! Sign up today by downloading the app or go to GamerSaloon.com and use the code 'pressrow' to get a 50% bonus on your initial deposit. Help the Press Row Podcast and have a lot of fun while you do it!

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_239.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:12pm EDT

Kat Bailey, Editor in Chief of USgamer and longtime friend of the show, drops by for a one-on-one conversation about all the new sports games of the fall. Kat dives deep into NHL 18Pro Evolution 2018Madden NFL 18, and NBA 2K18. If you’re wondering what big console sports titles to check out this year, Kat lays out the pros and cons.

On the show this week:
Richard Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Kat Bailey, USgamer, (@the_katbot)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_238.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:02pm EDT

With limited-time trials available to play for NBA Live 18, NHL 18, and NBA 2K18, this episode of the Press Row Podcast covers first impressions of the three games which all have drastically different circumstances surrounding their release. Live desperately needs to recapture some credibility, NHL is stable but looking to generate new sales to casual consumers, and 2K18 is guaranteed to be a smash hit but is getting fans started early on their careers.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass (@pastapadre)
Richard Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Chris "MillsgamingTV," Operation Sports (@MillsGamingTV)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_237.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:10am EDT

With Longshot in Madden NFL 18 garnering high praise this episode of the Press Row Podcast features an interview with the architects behind the franchise's first-ever story mode. Mike Young (director, co-writer) and Adrian Todd Zuniga (co-writer) join the show to discuss the process behind crafting the story first as a movie and evolution into a compelling interactive experience for the game that followed.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass (@pastapadre)
Richard Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Michael Young, EA Sports (@MichaelYoungCD)
Adrian Todd Zuniga, EA Sports (@atzuniga)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_236.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:35pm EDT

The sports-gaming season is now underway with the release of Madden NFL 18, and following the initial impressions show last week we're back with a panel to break down many aspects of the game in a supersized two hour episode!

Longshot story mode, Franchise mode, gameplay, MUT Squads, and more are covered in-depth, with the discussion later ending on some thoughts regarding the way the Madden and sports titles in general are poorly covered by gaming media and the way marketing strategies are being shifted towards "influencers" over websites.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass (@pastapadre)
Richard Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Kat Bailey, USgamer, (@the_katbot)
Chris “MillsGamingTV,” Operation Sports (@MillsGamingTV)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_235.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:45pm EDT

Last year Madden was able to establish itself back within the upper-echelon of sports titles, finishing second in the Press Row Podcast Sports Game of the Year voting. Madden NFL 18 hopes to build on that success with the introduction of the series' first ever story mode, the return of online co-op, three new play styles, visual enhancements made possible due to the Frostbite Engine, and number of gameplay improvements.

In this episode first impressions of Madden NFL 18 are discussed, going over the changes to gameplay, Franchise, Ultimate Team, and of course the highly-anticipated Longshot. There's some agreement on where Madden stands with this edition but also places where opinions diverge. For more on Madden NFL 18 the full panel review roundtable show will go out next week!

On the show this week:

Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass (@pastapadre)
Chris “MillsGamingTV,” Operation Sports (@MillsGamingTV)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_234.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:45pm EDT

From cancellations to poorly received releases, the once proud NBA Live franchise has seen its reputation dissipate entirely at the same time its competition rose to prominence. The upcoming NBA Live 18 however appears ready to reestablish some credibility and strategies ranging from a free demo to a pre-order discount are making it a safer purchase for those open to giving it another chance.

In this episode of the Press Row Podcast impressions from the just released demo are discussed as well as the impact that could come from the price discount. Additional topics include news on additions and improvements for Franchise mode in Madden NFL 18 and a delay to Super Mega Baseball 2.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass (@pastapadre)
Rich Grisham, Out of the Park Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Chris “MillsGamingTV,” Operation Sports (@MillsGamingTV)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_233.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:05pm EDT

In recent years video game publishers have made dramatic shifts in how they promote their upcoming products. Whether it's holding back information longer or who it is that gets early access to spread information and media, the marketing landscape has changed as fewer games are released and they become more reliant on generating year-round digital revenue.

In this episode of the Press Row Podcast we discuss why marketing tactics are evolving and whether any consumer concerns are justified. Madden NFL 18 is currently in the hot seat with some fans for still not having shown off any gameplay despite it being under two weeks now until it goes out through the EA Access trial. Other topics include NBA Playgrounds offering $10 DLC to unlock the entire roster, NBA 2K18 on Switch releasing digital only at first, and NBA Live 18 announcing a demo but still lacking an actual release date or the ability to pre-order.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass (@pastapadre)
Rich Grisham, Out of the Park Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_232.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:05pm EDT

If it didn't already feel like sports the gaming season is just about upon us it certainly does now. Online betas for two of the upcoming games are currently active and two other highly-anticipated games have revealed details on a number of significant features and improvements.

In this episode of the Press Row Podcast the panel discusses impressions of the NHL 18 and PES 2018 betas, detailed info on improvements for the two franchise modes in NBA 2K18, and various community requests that have been tackled for Madden NFL 18.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass (@pastapadre)
Rich Grisham, Out of the Park Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Kris Jardine, SnaggleJ (@SnaggleJ)
Chris "MillsGamingTV," Operation Sports (@MillsGamingTV)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_231.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:40am EDT