Press Row Podcast

EA Sports UFC 2 is undeniably a stronger product than the company's first two efforts at the sport of MMA that released in 2010 and 2014. From the Knockout Physics System and KO Mode to new controls for transitions and the introduction of Ultimate Team there's a lot there to be evaluated. While much of what has been done is positive there's also submissions proving to be a non-factor and a disappointing Career Mode to consider. How does the product stand on its own, and could this be the game that reverses the trend that has seen a decline in sales with every new UFC video game release?

On the show this week:

Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre), Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass
Owen Good (@owengood), Polygon
Chris Sanner (@ChrisSnr), Operation Sports
Dylan Favorite (@jerkfacefave), Hit The Pass

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you. Do it one of these ways:
1) Follow the show on Twitter at @PressRowPodcast and @HitThePass and send us some tweets
2) Email the show at PressRowPodcast@Gmail.com

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_169.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:08pm EDT

Press Row Podcast: Legends of the Past and Present

The NBA 2K series has long celebrated the history of the league and its players. Now, however, its development team is faced with an interesting, and unenviable task: how to replicate the skills of an active legend-in-the-making doing things that have never been seen before. Another series, Out of the Park Baseball, is back with its 17th edition that expands upon the historical teams that trace back all the way to 1919 with real historical minor leagues and a new Historical Exhibition Mode.

In this episode of the Press Row Podcast, NBA 2K developers Mike Wang and Scott O'Gallagher join the show to discuss why the current shooting system in place can't support what Stephen Curry has been doing and possible solutions to present him with new capabilities in 2K16 and going forward in the franchise. After that, Rich Grisham and T.J. Lauerman come on to discuss everything to do with Out of the Park Baseball 17 which is out later this month. The pre-order discount of $5 is available through March 8 and entering the promotional code "PRESS17" at checkout will take another 10% off the price.

On the show this week:

Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre), Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass
Mike Wang (@beluba), NBA 2K gameplay director
Scott O'Gallagher (@scottogallagher), NBA 2K gameplay producer
Rich Grisham (@richgrisham), Out of the Park Developments
T.J. Lauerman (@ThatSportsGamer), Out of the Park Developments

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you. Do it one of these ways:
1) Follow the show on Twitter at @PressRowPodcast and @HitThePass and send us some tweets
2) Email the show at PressRowPodcast@Gmail.com

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_168.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:17pm EDT

The release of MLB The Show 16 is now just around the corner and this episode of the Press Row Podcast features a rundown and reaction to all the latest features and improvements that have been detailed recently, covering gameplay, presentation, Sounds of the Show, and Diamond Dynasty. Other topics include the lawsuit over the alleged as unauthorized use of tattoos in NBA 2K16, the lackluster UEFA Euro 2016 content coming to Pro Evolution Soccer 2016, and impressions of the surprisingly good NBA Live Mobile.

On the show this week:

Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre), Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass
Owen Good (@OwenGood), Polygon
T.J. Lauerman (@ThatSportsGamer), Hit The Pass/Out of the Park Developments

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you. Do it one of these ways:
1) Follow the show on Twitter at @PressRowPodcast and @HitThePass and send us some tweets
2) Email the show at PressRowPodcast@Gmail.com

 
Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_167.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:20pm EDT

There was a LOT to dig into with the one-week beta for EA Sports’ UFC 2, including updated gameplay and graphics and new Practice, Skills Challenges, and Ultimate Team modes. How has the sequel improved from the 2014 effort and what remains a concern? What new has been learned about UFC 2? Will it be more welcoming to novices given its inherent complicated nature? Host Bryan Wiedey is joined by Dylan Favorite and T.J. Lauerman in the 166th episode of the Press Row Podcast.   

On the show this week: 

Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre), Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass

Dylan Favorite (@jerkfacefave), Hit The Pass

T.J. Lauerman (@ThatSportsGamer), Hit The Pass/Out of the Park Developments

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you. Do it one of these ways:

1) Follow the show on Twitter at @PressRowPodcast and send us some tweets

2) Email the show at PressRowPodcast@Gmail.com

Also, the Press Row Podcast is now available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/operation-sports-press-row/id563624090, Stitcher Radio (http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/operation-sports/press-row-podcast) , and the Windows Store, so subscribe to it and rate it too!

Lastly, check out our brand new compilation page on Audioboom at https://audioboom.com/channel/press-row-podcast, where all of our shows are easy to access from one page.

Run time: 46 minutes

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_166.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:13pm EDT

After a lull of several months there are new sports game releases on the horizon. MLB The Show 16 will land in late March and news this week relates to Road to the Show and a new feature called ShowTime. Is that mode in particular getting too gimmicky? Meanwhile there's a lot going on for mid-March's EA Sports UFC 2 from a beta, to announcement of Mike Tyson, live streams of gameplay, and details on Ultimate Team. What stands out the most as the publisher hopes for the sequel to fare better than their first effort with the license? Additionally there was the announcement from EA that they'll be holding their own event rather than having a presence at E3. What does that mean for both EA and the future of E3? 

On the show this week:

Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre), Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass
Owen Good (@owengood), Polygon
T.J. Lauerman (@ThatSportsGamer), ThatSportsGamer

 Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you. Do it one of these ways:
1) Follow the show on Twitter at @PressRowPodcast and send us some tweets
2) Email the show at PressRowPodcast@Gmail.com

Also, the Press Row Podcast is now available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/operation-sports-press-row/id563624090, Stitcher Radio (http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/operation-sports/press-row-podcast) , and the Windows Store, so subscribe to it and rate it too!

Lastly, check out our brand new compilation page on Audioboom at https://audioboom.com/channel/press-row-podcast, where all of our shows are easy to access from one page.

Run time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_165.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:03pm EDT

It's the 164th episode of the Press Row Podcast, but the first since its inception without trusted host Rich Grisham. After catching up on what everyone has been playing over the last several weeks the crew transitions into a discussion on one of the subjects brought up most often by gaming fans, and that is in regard to the situation with college sports games. Why are they gone? What would it take to get any back? And what was with EA Sports' ill-advised social media post? 
 
On the show this week: 
 
Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre), Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit The Pass
Owen Good (@owengood), Polygon
Kat Bailey (@The_Katbot), US Gamer
T.J. Lauerman (@ThatSportsGamer), That Sports Gamer
 
Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you. Do it one of these ways:
1)      Follow the show on Twitter at @PressRowPodcast and send us some Tweets while you’re there
2)      Email the show at PressRowPodcast@gmail.com
 
The Press Row Podcast is now available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/operation-sports-press-row/id563624090, Stitcher Radio (http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/operation-sports/press-row-podcast) , and the Windows Store, so subscribe to it and rate it too! Lastly, check out our brand new compilation page on Audioboom at https://audioboom.com/channel/press-row-podcast, where all of our shows are easy to access from one page.
Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_164.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:37am EDT

Our annual holiday tradition podcast is back! We bring together all sorts of friends of the show from recent months as well as past years to each count down their top three sports games of the year. From game makers to game critics, a host of different viewpoints are represented, making it one of the most popular and talked-about shows we do each year.

Enjoy the show!

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_163.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:53am EDT

The most-anticipated, most-listened to Press Row Podcast episode of the year is here! The entire panel gets together to state their cases for each of the biggest and best titles to be named Press Row Podcast Sports Game of the Year for 2015. Will it be FIFA 16? Will it be Rocket League? Will it be MLB 15 The Show? Will it be NBA 2K16? Will it be Madden NFL 16? Will it be FIFA 16? 

Join longtime Press Row panelists Owen Good, Kat Bailey, Samit Sarkar, T.J. Lauerman, Chris Sanner, Bryan Wiedey, and host Rich Grisham as they break down all the candidates and ultimately unveil the winner. After the winner is named, stick around to hear each individual panelist’s personal top three list and how it impacted the overall winner.

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_162.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:06pm EDT

In the 161st episode of the Press Row Podcast, our two experts take us through the year in the racing games. In many ways, 2015 was an excellent year for fans of the genre, with a selection of simulation, arcade, niche, and non-traditional vehicle options. Greg Sewart and Dr. Ken Parker each join host Rich Grisham to talk about it all.

Enjoy the show!

Joining us this week:

Greg Sewart (@sewart), Player One Podcast

Dr. Ken Parker, (@Chairman7), Hit The Pass

And your host, Rich Grisham (@richgrisham)

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you. Do it one of these ways:

1)      Follow the show on Twitter at @PressRowPodcast  and send us some Tweets while you’re there

2)      Email the show at PressRowPodcast@gmail.com

Also, the Press Row Podcast is now available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/operation-sports-press-row/id563624090, Stitcher Radio (http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/operation-sports/press-row-podcast) , and the Windows Store, so subscribe to it and rate it too!

Lastly, check out our brand new compilation page on Audioboom at https://audioboom.com/channel/press-row-podcast, where all of our shows are easy to access from one page.

Run time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_161.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:38pm EDT

In the 160th episode of the Press Row Podcast, several of our longtime panelists get together to discuss the biggest, most important stories in the sports game world in 2015. From the unexpected success of Rocket League to the surprising influence of EA Access, the continuing shift to digital revenues in big time games to the overall strong quality of the majority of games, there were a lot of developments over the past year that strongly influence how we play the games we do. Owen Good, Chris Sanner, T.J. Lauerman, and Bryan Wiedey join host Rich Grisham for a spirited debate.

Enjoy the show!

Joining us this week:

Owen Good, Polygon (@owengood)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre and Hit The Pass (@PastaPadre)

Chris Sanner, Operation Sports (@Chris_Snr)

And your host, Rich Grisham (@richgrisham)

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you. Do it one of these ways:

1)      Follow the show on Twitter at @PressRowPodcast  and send us some Tweets while you’re there

2)      Email the show at PressRowPodcast@gmail.com

Also, the Press Row Podcast is now available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/operation-sports-press-row/id563624090, Stitcher Radio (http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/operation-sports/press-row-podcast) , and the Windows Store, so subscribe to it and rate it too!

Lastly, check out our brand new compilation page on Audioboom at https://audioboom.com/channel/press-row-podcast, where all of our shows are easy to access from one page.

Run time: 1 hour 11 minutes

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_160.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:28am EDT