Here it is! The most anticipated show of the year – the 2014 Press Row Podcast Sports Game of the Year. The votes have been tallied and the winners are announced. As always, none of the panelists are aware of who wins coming into the show, and the discussions leading up to the unveiling and the reactions afterwards are the best part of it. This year we also add two new twists – we award our first-ever Rookie of the Year award and we “present” the Sports Game of the Year award to the development team for their reaction! It’s our best-ever Game of the Year episode, and we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did putting it all together. Happy Holidays! 

Joining us this week:

Owen Good, Polygon (@OwenGood)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre)

Kat Bailey, USGamer (@The_Katbot)

Chris Sanner, Operation Sports (@ChrisSnr)

Samit Sarkar, Polygon (@Polygon)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

2 members of the winning game’s development team

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. 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!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time:  1:51

Press Row Podcast – Episode 113 – Old Friends and New

The 113^th episode of the Press Row Podcast is a three-part holiday special. Up first is a mini 4^th String reunion with Mike Suszek , Ryan Lewis, and Rich Grisham getting together to chat about what 2014 sports games meant to them. Next, Rich interviews Metalhead Software’s Scott Drader about his upcoming PS3/PS4 game Super Mega Baseball. Lastly, the full audio from this week’s Press Row Hangout closes the show, with Bryan Wiedey, T.J. Lauerman, and Rich Grisham discussing the first batch of MLB 15 news along with reactions to a big NBA 2K15 update, Bo Jackson in Madden, and a few other items. Happy Holidays!

Joining us this week:

Mike Suszek, Joystiq (@MikeSuszek)

Ryan Lewis (@ryanthelou)

Scott Drader, Metalhead Software (@ScottDrader)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Be sure to check out Games 1-6 of Rich and T.J.'s MLB 15 The Show World Series right here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8Ipap6l0PPYJ0Zj1PFSTOp6RXYilO650

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. 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!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time: 2:19

Press Row Podcast – Episode 112 – 2014 Sports Gaming Year in Review

The 112th episode of the Press Row Podcast is our annual Year in Review show, featuring our full panel reflecting on the incredibly interesting year that was 2014. From busted launches to compelling experiences, surprising successes to shocking failures, 2014 had a little bit of everything – good and bad – for people who love the genre. 

Enjoy!

Joining us this week:

Owen Good, Polygon (@OwenGood)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@pastapadre)

Kat Bailey, US Gamer (@The_Katbot)

Samit Sarkar, Polygon (@SamitSarkar)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Be sure to check out Kat Bailey's article on US Gamer right here about her experience with FIFA 15 that she discusses on the show too!

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. 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!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time:  1:25

Happy Thanksgiving! The 111th episode of the Press Row Podcast is pulled from our live Thanksgiving Press Row Hangout, as host Rich Grisham is joined by regular panelists Bryan Wiedey from PastaPadre and T.J. Lauerman from ThatSportsGamer as well as special guest Pete Dodd from Dodd Scientifics. The crew chats about a number of topics, including Bryan’s suggestion that NBA Live move to free-to-play, the post-release support of various sports titles since their release this year, and several others. There’s nothing quite like a long Thanksgiving weekend of food and football; enjoy the show!

Joining us this week:

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@pastapadre)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

Pete Dodd, Dodd Scientifics (@atPeteDodd)

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. 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!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time:  1:15

The 110th episode of the Press Row Podcast is a special doubleheader, featuring two one-on-one interviews with key people in the sports game landscape. Up first, host Rich Grisham chats with Operation Sports’ Executive Editor Chris Sanner about his career at OS, its influence on the games we play, and how the industry has evolved since he began. There are some startling revelations. Next, our good friend and NBA 2K designer Scott O’Gallagher drops by for a fascinating conversation about his career evolution from collegiate and professional basketball player to community member to game maker. It’s chock full of interesting stories and insight into basketball video games and the ways they get made.

Enjoy!

Joining us this week:

Chris Sanner, Operation Sports (@Chris_Snr)

Scott O’Gallagher, 2K Sports (@ScottOGallagher)

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. 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!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time:  2:00

Press Row Podcast – Episode 109 – The age of broken launches

The 109th episode of the Press Row Podcast is a special episode, taking a look at how the mainstream and independent media have to change their approaches to covering games in the current market.  Polygon’s Owen Good and PastaPadre’s Bryan Wiedey join host Rich Grisham to reflect on the first year of the PS4 and Xbox One launches. It’s startling just how many titles – sports games and otherwise – have suffered crippling problems at launch and beyond. Should “Day 1” reviews exist anymore? Why do sites tolerate embargoes that lift after the retail release of a game? Should sites refuse post-launch embargoes over all? How can a game properly be covered after launch – and is there an audience for that coverage? Do sports games get a fair shake when compared to other AAA titles with much larger teams and longer development times?

Enjoy!

Joining us this week:

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre)

Owen Good, Polygon (@OwenGood)

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. 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!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time:  1:18

Press Row Podcast – Episode 108 – Madden 15 60 Days Later

The 108th episode of the Press Row Podcast features a full panel of Press Row regulars revisiting Madden NFL 15, 60 days after its release. We discuss what we enjoy and what nags at us, what makes Madden fun for us this season, and where the overall franchise is today and moving forward. Afterwards, some interesting nuggets came out of EA’s latest financial call, a lot of which directly impacts sports games. 

Lastly, some listener questions are answered.  

Enjoy!

Joining us this week:

Chris Sanner, Operation Sports (@ChrisSnr)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre)

Owen Good, Polygon (@OwenGood)

Samit Sarkar, Polygon (@SamitSarkar)

Kat Bailey, US Gamer (@The_Katbot)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. 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!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time:  1:38

Press Row Podcast – Episode 107 – Making NBA Live 15 and the end of online leagues

The 107th episode of the Press Row Podcast is a two-parter. Up first, host Rich Grisham speaks to NBA Live 15 executive producer Sean O’Brien and Producer Connor Dougan all about their approach to designing and building this year’s EA hoops game. It’s a wide-ranging conversation that looks at the just-released Live as well as the future, which is looking better today for the franchise than at any point in the past four years. The second part of the show brings all the regular Press Row panelists together to look more into a concerning trend in modern sports games – the phasing out of online leagues in favor of other modes. Enjoy!

Joining us this week:

Sean O’Brien, EA Sports (@seanobs)

Connor Dougan, EA Sports (@eadougie)

Chris Sanner, Operation Sports (@ChrisSnr)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre)

Owen Good, Polygon (@OwenGood)

Samit Sarkar, Polygon (@SamitSarkar)

Kat Bailey, US Gamer (@The_Katbot)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. 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!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time:  1:32

Press Row Podcast – Episode 106 – NBA 2K15 Afterthoughts and NBA Live 15 Initial Impressions

The 106th episode of the Press Row Podcast features a full panel of Press Row regulars diving deep into the two big fall NBA releases. Up first is an extended discussion of NBA 2K15 now that we’ve all had a few weeks to play – or choose not to play – NBA 2K15 in a full retail environment. Next is a chat about expectations for NBA Live 15, including how the game is being held up by EA as well as what the panel thinks its approach should be. Lastly, Rich spends a few minutes with PastaPadre’s Bryan Wiedey one-on-one to get his thoughts after spending six hours hands-on with NBA Live 15 via EA Access. It’s a hoops extravaganza. Enjoy!

Joining us this week:

Chris Sanner, Operation Sports (@ChrisSnr)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre)

Owen Good, Polygon (@OwenGood)

Samit Sarkar, Polygon (@SamitSarkar)

Kat Bailey, US Gamer (@The_Katbot)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Be sure to help out our man T.J. Lauerman’s children’s hospital efforts at Extra Life right here! 

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. 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!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time:  1:49

Press Row Podcast – Episode 105 – Fall Racing Roundtable

The 105th episode of the Press Row Podcast welcomes two good friends back to the show as it pits this fall’s two big racing games against each other – Forza Horizon 2 vs DriveClub. Greg Sewart from the Player One Podcast and Pete Dodd from Dodd Scientifics join host Rich Grisham in an extended conversation that looks at what’s great and not-so-great about both titles. In addition, the community weighs in on their thoughts. Finally, the panelists examine the other next-gen racing games coming soon and the overall, ever-changing racing game landscape. Whether you’re a huge fan of the genre or just casually into racing games, chances are you’ll get a kick out of this episode.

Joining us this week:

Greg Sewart, Player One Podcast and Generation-16 (@Sewart)

Pete Dodd, Dodd Scientifics (@atPeteDodd)

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Be sure to check out Greg Sewart’s great work at Extra Life right here and donate to his efforts. If not, be sure to help out our man T.J. Lauerman’s children’s hospital efforts at Extra Life right here! 

Send us your feedback! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to read your stuff on the air in a future episode. 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!

Enjoy the show!

Run Time: 1:47