Press Row Podcast

This week we welcome back some good friends to see what they've been up to sports game-wise (and everything else)! Owen Good and MillsGamingTV join host Rich Grisham to chat all about their love of Super Mega Baseball 2, the announcement of a new Pro Evolution Soccer, the hope for the future of NBA Live, and a lot more.

On the show this week:
Rich Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Owen Good, Polygon (@owengood)
MillsGamingTV (@millsgamingtv)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_272.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:34pm EDT

With the late-breaking news that Madden creative director Rex Dickson has left EA Sports and the mention of the series going in a "new direction" we welcome the person that previously held that same position, Ian Cummings, on this episode of the Press Row Podcast. He's got a new mobile game that just came out right in time for the Kentucky Derby (Horse Racing Manager 2018) and he's able to provide unique perspective on what the change in leadership for Madden might mean for the long-running franchise.

Later in the episode there's discussion on the just-released Super Mega Baseball 2 and an early assessment of the first event being held for the NBA 2K League.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit the Pass (@pastapadre)
Rich Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Ian Cummings, Third Time Games, (@iantcummings)

Download Horse Racing Manager 2018: iOS - Android

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_271.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:21pm EDT

Subscription services continue to provide great value and the news on three games impacted by them headlined the week in sports gaming. Discussion on this episode of the Press Row Podcast includes Super Mega Baseball 2 being offered for free to Xbox Live Gold subscribers, PES 2018 being added to the Xbox Game Pass service, and a 20% discount for PlayStation Plus subscribers on NBA Playgrounds 2 which looks to also now have a release date. Additionally there's sadness over the lack of a World Cup game and curiosity over a survey sent out by 2K Sports regarding the reasons why people may have stopped playing NBA 2K18 which hits on some industry and consumer trends.

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

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_270.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:14pm EDT

A summer of indie games is nearly upon us and among them are Super Mega Baseball 2, NBA Playgrounds 2, and Casey Powell Lacrosse 18. News on those three are discussed in this episode of the Press Row Podcast which also covers the revelation that Pro Evolution Soccer is losing its exclusive UEFA license and progress in a fantasy draft being held for MLB The Show 18.

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

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_269.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:55am EDT

This episode of the Press Row Podcast features discussion on the recent NBA 2K League draft, playoff predictions from NBA 2K18 and Franchise Hockey Manager, and the crowning of the Favorite Sports Game Since 2010 with NBA 2K11 and NCAA Football 14 having reached the finals of the tournament. 

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

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_268.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:23pm EDT

Great friend of the show and founder of the sports video game podcast Adrian Todd Zuniga joins us this week! He discusses his new book Collision Theory which is available April 17 and can be pre-ordered now, his role helping craft Madden's Longshot mode last year and looking ahead on potential future options for it, his current relationship with sports video games, and more. From 1UP to The Sports Game Guy's Sports Anomaly, 4th String to Literary Death Match, Mr. Zuniga is well-known for his diverse, entertaining efforts.

On the show this week:
Rich Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit the Pass (@richgrisham)
Adrian Todd Zuniga (@atzuniga)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_267.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:09pm EDT

MLB The Show 18 has released and we've assembled a small panel to talk all about the game on this episode of the Press Row Podcast. Everything from Diamond Dynasty, Road to the Show, Franchise, gameplay, the removal of modes, predictable trouble with the servers and more is discussed at length.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit the Pass (@pastapadre)
Rich Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
Kat Bailey, USgamer (@the_katbot)
T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@thatsportsgamer)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_266.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:27am EDT

From the latest on any potential return of college sports video games to the impact Fortnite is having on the industry this episode of the Press Row Podcast tackles a number of listener-submitted questions. Additionally the results from the first round of the Favorite Game Since 2010 Tournament are revealed setting up the Elite Eight matchups.

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

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_265.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:20am EDT

Franchise Mode news for MLB The Show 18 is out and fans are overwhelmingly disappointed by the details, just weeks following the announcement of the removal of Online Franchise. The state of Franchise in The Show - and the sports gaming genre as a whole - is discussed in this episode of the Press Row Podcast. Then it's on to revealing the field of 16 games in the "Favorite Sports Game since 2010" tournament bracket.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit the Pass (@pastapadre)
Rich Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)
MillsGamingTV (@MillsGamingTV)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_264.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:17pm EDT

With just two weeks until MLB The Show 18 arrives the final details on what to expect from the game are being revealed. Whether it regards the improvements and additions, or in one case a prominent subtraction, pre-release anticipation for the game has now reached its peak.

The removal of Online Franchise has sparked backlash from fans of the mode, who despite being relatively low in numbers are understandably frustrated given the lack of support it has received over the last four years and because it will probably never return. Meanwhile the stalwart Road to the Show is moving towards a performance-based progression system that has removed the distribution of attribute points in favor of archetypes and attribute caps.

On the show this week:
Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit the Pass (@pastapadre)
Rich Grisham, OOTP Developments/Hit The Pass (@richgrisham)
T.J. Lauerman, ThatSportsGamer (@ThatSportsGamer)

Direct download: Press_Row_Podcast_Episode_263.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:31am EDT