In this episode of "Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers," Andrew, Aubrey and Dylan delve into the complex world of live service games. This discussion takes a critical look at the highs and lows of this controversial gaming model.

Failed projects like Anthem are dissected to understand how poor execution derailed games with promising potential. The hosts touch on historical MMO failures, such as those attempting to rival World of Warcraft in the mid-2000s, and discuss the how that compares to the current trend of live service games.

The conversation broadens to general games industry trends, scrutinizing the shift from traditional DLC models to the perpetual updates mandated by live service games. The trio explores why some games succeed while others languish, including insights on monetization strategies reminiscent of mobile games.

Lastly, they ponder the future viability of the live service model in gaming, hoping for a more diverse and experimental landscape.

Closing Track - Helldivers 2 Main Theme - "A Cup Of Liber-Tea"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5hCkh2AH58

• WEBSITE
  • https://www.fngamers.com/
• DISCORD
  • https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58
• TWITTER
  • https://twitter.com/F_N_Gamerz
• INSTAGRAM
  • https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/
• YOUTUBE
  • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshA
• FANTASY CRITIC LEAGUE
  • https://www.fantasycritic.g

What to share your thoughts on this episode or tell us what you're playing? Send us a text with this link!

Support the show

On this episode of The Neighborhood Watch, Andrew and Aubrey are joined by friend of the show and host of The Video Game Lounge podcast, Jon Haig! Andrew talks about the new, stylish, 2D roguelite game Elsie that he reviewed on our YouTube channel (shoutout to Playtonic for the review code!) while Aubrey discusses $2.00 search and find games that she finds on the Nintendo EShop.

Jon has recently been playing and enjoying Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a metroidvania from EA Originals. He also recently played through Final Fantasy XVI and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (which he got the platinum trophy for!). And Aubrey checks out for a bit while Andrew and Jon geek out about Marvel Snap. Jon is playing again after a break and Andrew never stopped...

The episode wraps up with Video Game 100 Questions where Jon and Aubrey get 100 questions to try and guess 5 games. Can they do it? Listen to find out!

Check out The Video Game Lounge here - https://open.spotify.com/show/1bGOUrOSJyBXdKBQKcr3Za

Songs used in this episode -
The Hideaway - Final Fantasy VXI OST
Welcome to the Multiverse - Marvel Snap OST

Follow the FN Gamers here -

• WEBSITE
  • https://www.fngamers.com/
• DISCORD
  • https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58
• TWITTER
  • https://twitter.com/F_N_Gamerz
• INSTAGRAM
  • https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/
• YOUTUBE
  • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshA
• FANTASY CRITIC LEAGUE
  • https://www.fantasycritic.g

What to share your thoughts on this episode or tell us what you're playing? Send us a text with this link!

Support the show

Andrew and Aubrey aren't here this week so Dylan calls in his sister Delaney to help out. On this episode, they discuss the recent updates to Diablo IV and the things they are enjoying along with a few areas the game could improve.

After that, it's time for the main topic! Our hosts pick a handful of Olympic events and decide which characters should compete. Then, they ask AI which of these characters would win. It goes about how you would expect...

Let us know which video game characters you think should compete in the Olympics by joining our Discord with the link below! This is also the best place to correct Dylan on his many inaccuracies throughout this episode...

Closing Song - Main Menu from Mario and Sonic at The Olympic Games (Wii)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbMGAIUZF0Q&list=PLjyLjyXJQJUMTmWXXLLa6L2WFGF1Au-aB&index=5

WEBSITE

• https://www.fngamers.com/
• DISCORD
  • https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58
• TWITTER
  • https://twitter.com/F_N_Gamerz
• INSTAGRAM
  • https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/
• YOUTUBE
  • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshA
• FANTASY CRITIC LEAGUE
  • https://www.fantasycritic.g

What to share your thoughts on this episode or tell us what you're playing? Send us a text with this link!

Support the show

On this episode of the show, Aubrey and Dylan have to decide who will be named the best side character of all time! Andrew created a list of beloved side characters from the games that we all know and love. Then, he created a bracket and put all of those characters in it. Aubrey and Dylan were then tasked with with deciding which characters would move forward and which ones would go home.

Who do you think is the best side character of all time? Let us know by joining out Discord server with the link below!

• WEBSITE
  • https://www.fngamers.com/
• DISCORD
  • https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58
• TWITTER
  • https://twitter.com/F_N_Gamerz
• INSTAGRAM
  • https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/
• YOUTUBE
  • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshA
• FANTASY CRITIC LEAGUE
  • https://www.fantasycritic.g

Steel Hill by K.K. Slider
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DQ8aeS20M

Outro Song - Bubblegum K.K. by K.K. Slider
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWaWhclF1hA&list=PLkr8F-ZanzGBjoYSJYmLiMJOFauUYESQS&index=2

What to share your thoughts on this episode or tell us what you're playing? Send us a text with this link!

Support the show

In this episode of "Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers," hosts Dylan Wren, Andrew Kimball, and Aubrey Sommer dive deep into the world of spoilers. The conversation navigates through the challenges of avoiding spoilers, the socially accepted time periods for discussing spoilers, and the differing impacts within friend groups versus on social media.

The hosts share personal stories of how spoilers have influenced their media experiences, debate the responsibility of avoiding or providing spoiler warnings, and emphasize personal accountability when consuming content. They also touch on the gaming industry's unspoken rules about revealing content, the hesitance to spoil due to community reactions, and the active nature of gaming experiences despite knowing certain spoilers.

This episode provides a comprehensive look at the subjective nature of spoilers, the ethical considerations content creators should take, and the importance of balancing one's reactions to spoilers within the broader scope of life. Whether you're a fan of movies, TV shows, or video games, this episode explores all angles and offers valuable insights on navigating the spoiler minefield in the world of entertainment. Don't miss out!

Closing Track: New Tristram - Diablo 3 Soundtrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO8t80CPgeQ&list=PLBF5FDBFF7A2EB549&index=4

• WEBSITE
  • https://www.fngamers.com/
• DISCORD
  • https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58
• TWITTER
  • https://twitter.com/F_N_Gamerz
• INSTAGRAM
  • https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/
• YOUTUBE
  • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshA
• FANTASY CRITIC LEAGUE
  • https://www.fantasycritic.g

What to share your thoughts on this episode or tell us what you're playing? Send us a text with this link!

Support the show

**Some Night in the Woods spoilers at 44:26**

On this episode, Andrew, Aubrey and Dylan do a video game swap! Each host brought a game to the table that the other two had to play and now they are going to talk about it.

Aubrey brought Night in the Woods, Andrew brought Sunset Overdrive and Dylan brought the Dead Space Remake. Listen to find out what the crew thought about the games they were forced to play!

TIMESTAMPS
06:35 - Sunset Overdrive
25:08 - Dead Space
43:15 - Night in the Woods

Closing Music (Listen to find out why...)
Weasel Stomping Day - "Weird Al" Yankovic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k76IGLi6jWI

• WEBSITE
  • https://www.fngamers.com/
• DISCORD
  • https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58
• TWITTER
  • https://twitter.com/F_N_Gamerz
• INSTAGRAM
  • https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/
• YOUTUBE
  • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshA
• FANTASY CRITIC LEAGUE
  • https://www.fantasycritic.g

What to share your thoughts on this episode or tell us what you're playing? Send us a text with this link!

Support the show

** Spoiler Warning** 19:49 - Hades Spoilers

Welcome back to the neighborhood! On this episode, Aubrey officially joins the show as a permanent member of the podcast! We are very excited about the perspective she will bring to our content!

This episode is packed with fun conversations about a bunch of games we've been playing recently including, Hades, The Chant, The Last Faith, Dead by Daylight, Bluey the Videogame and more!

What have you been playing lately? Use the link below to join our Discord server and let us know!

Closing Track - Oxnevylle's Manor from The Last Faith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1Jis9g5dLU

Time Stamps
7:03 - Talking about games
07:25 - Dead by Daylight
19:06 - Hades
19:49 - Hades Spoilers
24:20 - Hades Spoilers End
30:02 Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
41:17 - The Chant
47:35 - Paper Mario Sticker Star
1:06:03 - Bluey the Videogame
1:11:13 - The Last Faith

• WEBSITE
  • https://www.fngamers.com/
• DISCORD
  • https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58
• TWITTER
  • https://twitter.com/F_N_Gamerz
• INSTAGRAM
  • https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/
• YOUTUBE
  • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshA
• FANTASY CRITIC LEAGUE
  • https://www.fantasycritic.g

What to share your thoughts on this episode or tell us what you're playing? Send us a text with this link!

Support the show

On this special episode of the Friendly Neighborhood Gamers podcast, Andrew, Dylan and Aubrey each host a trivia game for the others to compete in.

Andrew hosts a game called I Got It From ChatGPT, Aubrey hosts a game of Synonym Roll and Dylan hosts a simplified version of Got It From Google with a bonus How Many Smash Bros. Characters Can You Name? at the end!

• WEBSITE
  • https://www.fngamers.com/
• DISCORD
  • https://discord.gg/euhEYZxC58
• TWITTER
  • https://twitter.com/F_N_Gamerz
• INSTAGRAM
  • https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendlyneighborhoodgamers/
• YOUTUBE
  • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgS_YRAM8_PlWNvxrjQshA
• FANTASY CRITIC LEAGUE
  • https://www.fantasycritic.g

What to share your thoughts on this episode or tell us what you're playing? Send us a text with this link!

Support the show