Episodes

  • PS5 Pro post-launch deep dive featuring Digital Foundry + Stalker 2 Interview | Ep #58

    PS5 Pro post-launch deep dive featuring Digital Foundry + Stalker 2 Interview | Ep #58
    Nov 16 2024
    Try AG1 here http://drinkag1.com/FRIENDS and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription. Thanks to AG1 for sponsoring FPS! -- This week we're joined by John Linneman of Digital Foundry to discuss the PS5 Pro. It's been out for a few weeks now so we wanted to check in on how it's been doing post launch, how the library of games is performing and guess what the future holds. Plus we're lucky enough to be joined by Yevhenii Kulyk of GSC Game World, who right now is putting the finishing touches on STALKER 2. We talk through the challenging road to launch, what players should expect on day one and what the future holds for both STALKER 2 and the studio. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 05:15 PS5 Pro Discussion with John Linneman of Digital Foundry 45:48 AG1 (ad) 47:57 User Question 1 56:13 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Chat with Technical Producer Yevhenii Kulyk 01:12:20 User Question 2 01:20:55 What We've Been Playing 01:59:01 Show and Tell 02:12:09 Wrap Up -- If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ -- Let's meet our hosts! - Jake Baldino (aka the Before You Buy Guy) is pretty much the most watched reviewer on YouTube across both Gameranx and his personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBaldino). If you're obsessed with Delorians, The Mummy and Pizza you can discuss that stuff with him directly over on Twitter: @JakeBaldino - Lucy James is a Senior Producer at Gamespot and a Creative Producer at Giant Bomb. She's actually, like, experienced and credentialed and has real life skills and stuff, while the rest of the gang would be funemployed if the YT algorithm didn't kiss them for random, inexplicable reasons. - Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since. -- Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFPSPodcast Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 19 mins
  • Dragon Age situation is crazy | Ep #57

    Dragon Age situation is crazy | Ep #57
    Nov 2 2024
    Visit http://buyraycon.com/friends to get at least 15% of your purchase of the all new Everyday Earbuds. -- This week we're joined by Paul Tassi of Forbes for a deep dive, spoiler free discussion on Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Paul liked it, Skill Up didn't, Lucy's kinda in the middle and Jake hasn't played it, so we cover a lot of ground from a lot of different perspectives. We're also joined by Ryan Payton, head of the studio that just put out the truly excellent Batman Arkham Shadow. He chats with us about his career, his thoughts on the VR industry and what it was like to follow in Rocksteady's footsteps. -- Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:29 Dragon Age Discussion with Paul Tassi 49:18 Raycon (ad) 52:10 User Question 58:38 Batman Arkham Shadow with Ryan Payton 01:31:16 What We've Been Playing 02:01:25 Show and Tell 02:13:16 Wrap Up -- If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ -- Let's meet our hosts! - Jake Baldino (aka the Before You Buy Guy) is pretty much the most watched reviewer on YouTube across both Gameranx and his personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBaldino). If you're obsessed with Delorians, The Mummy and Pizza you can discuss that stuff with him directly over on Twitter: @JakeBaldino - Lucy James is a Senior Producer at Gamespot and a Creative Producer at Giant Bomb. She's actually, like, experienced and credentialed and has real life skills and stuff, while the rest of the gang would be funemployed if the YT algorithm didn't kiss them for random, inexplicable reasons. - Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since. -- Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFPSPodcast Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 19 mins
  • Why Metaphor: ReFantazio is a sudden GOTY front-runner | Ep #56

    Why Metaphor: ReFantazio is a sudden GOTY front-runner | Ep #56
    Oct 19 2024
    Try AG1 here http://drinkag1.com/FRIENDS and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription. Thanks to AG1 for sponsoring FPS! -- This week we do a spoiler free deep dive into Metaphor: Fantazio, and we're lucky enough to by joined by Jess Cogswell who reviewed the game for Gamespot (scoring it a perfect 10, no less). We're also joined by the one and only Shawn Layden, former President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Shawn is in Singapore for Gamescom Asia and shares his thoughts on not only the rapidly evolving South East Asian gaming market, but also the broader gaming industry as it confronts things like rising development costs, declining console sales and the chase for the next live service white whale. -- Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 05:29 Ralph's TGS Wrap Up 17:27 State of the Industry Chat with Shawn Layden 38:36 AG1 (ad) 41:31 User Question 51:13 Metaphor ReFantazio Chat with Jess Cogswell of Gamespot 01:31:33 What We've Been Playing 02:12:41 Show and Tell 02:28:08 Wrap Up -- If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ -- Let's meet our hosts! - Jake Baldino (aka the Before You Buy Guy) is pretty much the most watched reviewer on YouTube across both Gameranx and his personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBaldino). If you're obsessed with Delorians, The Mummy and Pizza you can discuss that stuff with him directly over on Twitter: @JakeBaldino - Lucy James is a Senior Producer at Gamespot and a Creative Producer at Giant Bomb. She's actually, like, experienced and credentialed and has real life skills and stuff, while the rest of the gang would be funemployed if the YT algorithm didn't kiss them for random, inexplicable reasons. - Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since. -- Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFPSPodcast Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 35 mins
  • The Silent Hill 2 remake is (surprisingly) great + Jason Schreier talks Blizzard drama | Ep #55

    The Silent Hill 2 remake is (surprisingly) great + Jason Schreier talks Blizzard drama | Ep #55
    Oct 5 2024
    Go to BUY RAYCON dot com slash friends TODAY to get twenty-to-FIFTY percent off, sitewide! That’s right, you’ll get up to FIFTY percent off everything on Raycon’s website when you go to BUY RAYCON dot com slash friends. BUY RAYCON dot com slash friends. -- This week we're joined by the charming Ben Hanson from @minnmax (a truly top tier gaming podcast, we don't mind telling you), plus Jason Schreier joins to discuss his recently released book: 'Play Nice: The Rise, Fall and Future of Blizzard Entertainment' -- Timestamps: 00:00 Intro / Catch Up with Guest Host Ben Hanson of MinnMax 15:19 User Question 43:21 Raycon (ad) 45:29 Interview with Jason Schreier About His Book, "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment" 01:26:54 What We've Been Playing 01:56:08 Show and Tell 02:02:44 Wrap Up -- If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ -- Let's meet our hosts! - Jake Baldino (aka the Before You Buy Guy) is pretty much the most watched reviewer on YouTube across both Gameranx and his personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBaldino). If you're obsessed with Delorians, The Mummy and Pizza you can discuss that stuff with him directly over on Twitter: @JakeBaldino - Lucy James is a Senior Producer at Gamespot and a Creative Producer at Giant Bomb. She's actually, like, experienced and credentialed and has real life skills and stuff, while the rest of the gang would be funemployed if the YT algorithm didn't kiss them for random, inexplicable reasons. - Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since. -- Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFPSPodcast Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 9 mins
  • Dragon Age The Veilguard is make-or-break for Bioware (feat. MrMattyPlays) | Ep #54

    Dragon Age The Veilguard is make-or-break for Bioware (feat. MrMattyPlays) | Ep #54
    Sep 21 2024
    Try AG1 here http://drinkag1.com/FRIENDS and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription. Thanks to AG1 for sponsoring FPS! -- Use code FRIENDSPERSECOND at the link here to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/friendspersecond. Thanks to our friends Incogni for sponsoring this episode! -- A big thanks to Austin and @MrMattyPlays for joining us this week, as well as members of the Ara History Untold dev team: Matt Turner and Gabriela Leskur. -- Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 05:35 User Question 1 29:02 Dragon Age: The Veilguard Impressions with Austin and MrMattyPlays 58:37 AG1 (ad) 01:00:36 Dragon Age Wrap Up 01:04:55 User Question 2 01:14:46 Interview with ARA: History Untold team: Executive Producer Matt Turnbull and Narrative and Experience Lead Gabriela Leskur 01:39:27 Incogni (ad) 01:41:49 What We've Been Playing 02:11:24 Show and Tell 02:20:38 Wrap Up -- If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ -- Let's meet our hosts! - Jake Baldino (aka the Before You Buy Guy) is pretty much the most watched reviewer on YouTube across both Gameranx and his personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBaldino). If you're obsessed with Delorians, The Mummy and Pizza you can discuss that stuff with him directly over on Twitter: @JakeBaldino - Lucy James is a Senior Producer at Gamespot and a Creative Producer at Giant Bomb. She's actually, like, experienced and credentialed and has real life skills and stuff, while the rest of the gang would be funemployed if the YT algorithm didn't kiss them for random, inexplicable reasons. - Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since. -- Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFPSPodcast Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 26 mins
  • Astro Bot game director reacts to 94 metacritic review score | Ep #53

    Astro Bot game director reacts to 94 metacritic review score | Ep #53
    Sep 8 2024
    Head to https://buyraycon.com/friends for a limited time to get 15% off and free shipping on your Raycon order! Thanks to Raycon for sponsoring FPS. -- This week we're lucky to be joined by Nicolas Doucet, game director of Astro Bot, for his first interview after the review scores went live. A big thanks to Jordan Middler of VGC for stopping by as well. -- Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:46 Sony Kills Concord 36:34 Astro Bot Discussion 51:50 Raycon (ad) 53:57 Interview With Team Asobi Studio Director Nicolas Doucet 01:25:51 User Question 01:36:03 What We've Been Playing 02:23:22 Show And Tell 02:41:11 Wrap Up -- If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ -- Let's meet our hosts! - Jake Baldino (aka the Before You Buy Guy) is pretty much the most watched reviewer on YouTube across both Gameranx and his personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBaldino). If you're obsessed with Delorians, The Mummy and Pizza you can discuss that stuff with him directly over on Twitter: @JakeBaldino - Lucy James is a Senior Producer at Gamespot and a Creative Producer at Giant Bomb. She's actually, like, experienced and credentialed and has real life skills and stuff, while the rest of the gang would be funemployed if the YT algorithm didn't kiss them for random, inexplicable reasons. - Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since. -- Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFPSPodcast Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 47 mins
  • Our First Ever Live Show (feat. Ben Starr and Alex Jordan) | Ep #52

    Our First Ever Live Show (feat. Ben Starr and Alex Jordan) | Ep #52
    Aug 24 2024
    Use code FRIENDSPERSECOND at the link here to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/friendspersecond. Thanks to our friends Incogni for sponsoring this episode! -- Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 07:25 Show and Tell (With Gifts!) 16:23 Special Guests Alex Jordan and Ben Starr 53:59 Incogni (ad) 56:03 What We've Been Playing (Gamescom Impressions) 01:28:35 User Questions from the Audience 01:45:40 Wrap Up -- If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ -- Let's meet our hosts! - Jake Baldino (aka the Before You Buy Guy) is pretty much the most watched reviewer on YouTube across both Gameranx and his personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBaldino). If you're obsessed with Delorians, The Mummy and Pizza you can discuss that stuff with him directly over on Twitter: @JakeBaldino - Lucy James is a Senior Producer at Gamespot and a Creative Producer at Giant Bomb. She's actually, like, experienced and credentialed and has real life skills and stuff, while the rest of the gang would be funemployed if the YT algorithm didn't kiss them for random, inexplicable reasons. - Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since. -- Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFPSPodcast Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 50 mins
  • Jason Schreier joins to talk Bungie cuts + Game Informer crew discuss closure

    Jason Schreier joins to talk Bungie cuts + Game Informer crew discuss closure
    Aug 9 2024
    Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription at http://drinkag1.com/FRIENDS. Thanks to AG1 for sponsoring FPS. -- Head to https://buyraycon.com/friends for a limited time to get 20-40% off your Raycon order! Thanks to Raycon for sponsoring FPS. -- If you wanna check out our brand new newsletter, you can do so here: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ -- Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 09:27 Bungie Layoffs with Jason Schreier 58:12 Raycon (ad) 01:01:20 User Question 1 01:10:32 Game Informer Closure with Marcus Stewart, Brian Shea, Alex Van Aken 01:59:54 AG1 (ad) 02:02:22 Plucky Squire Interview with Jon Biddle (Bidds) and James Turner 02:29:10 User Question 2 02:34:37 What We've Been Playing 03:02:21 Show and Tell 03:14:38 Wrap Up -- Let's meet our hosts! - Jake Baldino (aka the Before You Buy Guy) is pretty much the most watched reviewer on YouTube across both Gameranx and his personal channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/JakeBaldino). If you're obsessed with Delorians, The Mummy and Pizza you can discuss that stuff with him directly over on Twitter: @JakeBaldino - Lucy James is a Senior Producer at Gamespot and a Creative Producer at Giant Bomb. She's actually, like, experienced and credentialed and has real life skills and stuff, while the rest of the gang would be funemployed if the YT algorithm didn't kiss them for random, inexplicable reasons. - Skill Up used to work at McDonalds but he got fired for skimming too many chicken nuggets. He says he regrets it since he hasn't had a better job since. -- Listen to the Friends Per Second Podcast on your favourite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/friendspersecond Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://friendspersecond.substack.com/ Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFPSPodcast Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendspersecond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    3 hrs and 20 mins