Press Row Podcast – Episode 104 – NBA 2K15 Roundtable

The 104th episode of the Press Row Podcast focuses squarely on the just-launched NBA 2K15. The crew discusses their initial impressions, the new shot meter, moments that caught them by surprise positively and negatively, the infamous face-scanning process, concerns about the online stability and requirements, and much more. In addition, we get a brief hands-on report about NBA Live 15 as well as a few listener questions regarding Madden 15 and The Golf Club on the Xbox One.

Joining us this week:

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre

Owen Good, Polygon (@OwenGood)

Samit Sarkar, Polygon (@SamitSarkar)

Kat Bailey, US Gamer (@The_Katbot)

And your host, Richard Grisham (@richgrisham)

Also! 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: 1:25

The 103rd episode of the Press Row Podcast is a direct result of community feedback! We’ve heard from hundreds of listeners that really enjoy a lot of aspects of FIFA 15 but don’t always understand the best ways to improve their game or enjoy it as much as they can. So, we reached out to a few of our friends to provide some background as well as direct instructions on how to get better – and we think the result is a really interesting show. Up first, host Rich Grisham chats with FIFA 15 producer Santiago Jaramillo, who discusses (among many other things) some of the differences between this year and last year and how players can approach it this season. Up next is a discussion between Rich and 2 FIFA experts - regular Press Row panelist Kat Bailey and GoodGameBro’s Corey Andress – who totally geek out on very specific ways to get better at every aspect of FIFA 15, including scoring, defense, tactics, substitutions, and roster management. Whether you’re a longtime FIFA player, a newcomer to the series, or just someone with a passing interest in the game, there’s something for you in our show today. Enjoy!

Joining us this week:

Santiago Jaramillo, EA Sports (@santiagoj83)

Kat Bailey, US Gamer(@The_KatBot)

Corey Andress, GoodGameBro (@coreySA)

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: 1:48

Press Row Podcast – Episode 102 – FIFA 15 Review Roundtable

The 102nd episode of the Press Row Podcast dives into two main topics – the individual panelists’ impressions of FIFA 15 upon release as well as a lively discussion of the ongoing viability of annual sports game releases on the new generation of consoles. By the time the crew is done, they’ve touched on FIFA 15, Madden 15, MLB 14 The Show, The Golf Club, NHL 15, NBA 2K15, and NBA Live 15. With the huge gap in quality between the sports games at the top of the heap and those at the bottom, the challenges faces by everyone involved – consumers, developers, publishers – are more apparent than ever. 

Joining us this week:

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre)

Chris Sanner, Operation Sports (@ChrisSnr)

Owen Good, Polygon (@owengood)

Samit Sarkar, Polygon (@SamitSarkar)

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: 1:41

Press Row Podcast – Episode 101 – NHL 15 Fallout, Gus Ramsey, and Tap Sports Baseball 

The 101st episode of the Press Row Podcast run the gamut, from big-time AAA sports games to brand new mobile indie offerings. Up first, host Rich Grisham interviews NHL 15 producer Sean Ramjagsingh about the launch of EA’s pro hockey title – what went well, whether fan expectations were fair, reactions to the lack of modes that had been in previous generation versions of the game, and the future of the franchise. It’s an honest look at the extraordinary difficulties that surround making the leap from one generation to another. Up next, ESPN’s Gus Ramsey (and his new puppy Bronco!) joins Rich for his annual take on Madden 15. Lastly, Rich is joined by PastaPadre’s Bryan Wiedey to interview Mike Saperstein, the creative director of the new Tap Sports Baseball mobile game that many of our listeners have found to be a lot of fun. They discuss the ideas behind the game and how it came to life. 

Joining us this week:

Sean Ramjasingh, EA Sports (@Rammer34)

Gus Ramsey, ESPN(@GusRamsey)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre)

Michael Saperstein, Tap Sports Baseball

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: 1:52

Press Row Podcast – Episode 100 – Reviews Roundup

The 100th episode of the Press Row Podcast features further analysis of the big sports titles that have recently landed, including further discussion of Madden 15, a spirited debate on the merits of The Golf Club, and a look into what happened with the PS4/Xbox One launch of NHL 15. Thank you to everyone who has helped us get to this great milestone, and we hope that we can be around for hundreds more episodes!

Joining us this week:

Owen Good, Polygon (@owengood)

Samit Sarkar, Polygon (@SamitSarkar)

Chris Sanner, Operation Sports (@ChrisSnr)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre)

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: 1:30

The 99th episode of the Press Row Podcast features an in-depth, candid interview with NBA 2K15 Senior Producer Rob Jones all about the upcoming PS4 and Xbox One version of 2K Sports’ basketball game. Host Rich Grisham talks with Rob about a number of key subjects, including how the team put their plans together for this year’s game, his thoughts on the controversy surrounding the implementation of VC in NBA 2K14 (and how it is changing this season), core gameplay features, and some of the cool new features and options players will have across NBA 2K15’s impressive number of game modes. It’s a fascinating look into the mindset of the NBA 2K team, and can only be found here at Operation Sports on the Press Row Podcast. 

Joining us this week:

Rob Jones, Senior Producer, NBA 2K15 (@RobJones2K)

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: 1:10

Press Row Podcast – Episode 98 –Madden 15 Review Roundtable

The 98^th episode of the Press Row Podcast is one of our most-anticipated shows of the year. Host Rich Grisham is joined by regular panelists Kat Bailey, Bryan Wiedey, Chris Sanner, Owen Good, and T.J. Lauerman to break down the PS4 and Xbox One Madden 15 from top to bottom. Find out what we love and hate about everything from the presentation to the play calling, on-field gameplay to CFM and Ultimate Team. So much to discuss - enjoy the show!

Joining us this week:

Owen Good, Polygon (@owengood)

Kat Bailey, US Gamer (@The_Katbot)

Chris Sanner, Operation Sports (@ChrisSnr)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@PastaPadre)

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: 1:56

The 97^th episode of the Press Row Podcast is a deep dive with three of the creative forces behind Madden NFL 15. Host Rich Grisham goes in depth with Creative Director Mike Young, Senior Designer Josh Looman, and “Ratings Czar” Donny Moore about the approach to design that each of them take for their specific responsibilities. Among other things, Young discusses the overall vision of the Madden franchise and how this year’s version came together, Looman details the challenges and surprises behind Connected Franchise Mode, and Moore describes how the ratings process has evolved over the years. It’s an interesting view into how a game as huge as Madden NFL 15 gets made. Enjoy the show!

Joining us this week:

Mike Young, EA Sports (@MYSportsPhotog)

Josh Looman, EA Sports (@Josh_Looman)

Donny Moore, EA Sports (@Donny_Moore)

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: 2:22

It’s happening! As we approach the busy fall sports game season, the Press Row Podcast takes a look at all of the sports releases on the docket and what each one has at stake. The new console generation has been terrific in some regards and challenging in others; what lessons have each franchise learned and how will they apply them this autumn? After that discussion, as an added bonus section a smaller group convenes to discuss the growing concern over the potential exclusion of key modes from NHL 15 in its next-gen debut. It’s a packed episode this week. Enjoy!

Joining us this week:

Owen Good, Polygon (@owengood)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@pastapadre)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

Kat Bailey, US Gamer(@atPeteDodd)

Samit Sarkar, Polygon (@SamitSarkar)

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:  2:15

It’s the middle of summer, and while there’s a bit of a lull in the release calendar before the fall blitz, plenty is still happening in the sports video game world. The 95^th episode of the Press Row Podcast is a combination of several conversations. Up first, host Rich Grisham (@richgrisham) is joined by Owen Good (@owengood), Chris Sanner (@ChrisSnr), and Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre) to discuss the implications of the just-announced EA Access subscription program. After that segment, Rich is joined by Bryan as well as T.J. Lauerman (@thatsportsgamer) and Pete Dodd (@atPeteDodd) to analyze the sports game ‘patch culture’ as well as whether sports commentary matters. Finally, Madden 15 producer Joe Alread (@Palejo) joins Rich to describe all the new changes and improvements coming to Ultimate Team in this year’s upcoming Madden.

Joining us this week:

Owen Good, Polygon (@owengood)

Chris Sanner, Operation Sports (@ChrisSnr)

Bryan Wiedey, PastaPadre (@pastapadre)

T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

Pete Dodd, Dodd Scientifics (@atPeteDodd)

Joe Already (@Palejo)

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:  1:50