Achievement Oriented

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion discuss the recent releases of several high-profile Switch ports, what their success means for the system's future, and what might have been for the PlayStation Vita (0:57). Then they review the highlights and lowlights of the multiplayer modes and single-player campaign of 'Star Wars: Battlefront II' and lament the game's heavy-handed use of microtransactions and loot boxes (6:15). Lastly, they bring on 'Battlefront' writer Walt Williams to talk about the special thrills and unique challenges of creating characters and stories inside the 'Star Wars' universe (26:45). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion discuss whether 'Assassin's Creed: Origins' innovates enough on the franchise's familiar formula to bring them back to the fold (0:15), then welcome Polygon senior reporter Samit Sarkar for a conversation about the benefits and shortcomings of the Xbox One X, the 4K and HDR difference, why the console's presence in the market makes for such a difficult purchasing decision, and what the Xbox One X signifies for the future of console releases and mid-generation hardware updates (15:15). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In an intimate bonus episode, The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion discuss Jason's concussion (0:15) and Ben's binge with three newly released games: back-to-basics big-budget shooter 'Call of Duty: WW II' (6:12), 'The Frozen Wilds' (the first downloadable content for game of the year candidate 'Horizon Zero Dawn') (24:23), and throwback Xbox/PC platformer 'Super Lucky's Tale' (33:24). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion briefly discuss the latest trailer for 'The Last of Us Part II' (1:00) then bring on Kotaku news editor and 'Blood, Sweat, and Pixels' author Jason Schreier for a wide-ranging discussion about 'Super Mario Odyssey' and Nintendo's stellar 2017 (9:00); the fall of Visceral Games and the cancellation of another high-profile 'Star Wars' game (27:00); the proliferation of loot boxes and microtransactions; whether loot boxes constitute gambling' and the cyclical nature of the video game industry (41:25); and the crowded release calendar and 'South Park: The Fractured But Whole' (54:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion mark the pod's first anniversary by discussing a quartet of recent releases. First, Ben and Jason examine what makes 'Super Mario Odyssey' amazing and why the Switch is owning 2017 (1:00). Then they talk to 'Achievement Oriented' producer Kyle Crichton about 'Middle Earth: Shadow of War' (21:42), before welcoming in colleague Justin Charity to recount his impressions of 'Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus' and explain why the game's story takes on added depth in the current political climate (35:25). Lastly, Ben talks to 'Darkwood' developer Gustaw Stachaszewski about why he made a horror game despite being scared of horror games, how he channeled his real-life fears into the game, and why he decided to give the game away on torrent sites (56:10). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion discuss the beginning of the grueling/exciting torrent of fall releases and what they anticipate will be a successful gaming holiday season (0:55), then bring on comedian Nick Wiger to discuss his experience with 'Stardew Valley,' the secret to the game's addictiveness and longevity, and its recent Switch port (9:32). Lastly, Ben talks to Martin Emborg, the game director and art director of newly released PC/PS4 stealth game 'Echo,' about the game's innovative, adaptive AI; the influence of 'Hitman'; and the video game acting debut of Rose Leslie (38:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion talk about Ben's video game bachelor party, how 'GoldenEye 007' has aged, and ultra-precise esports competitors (1:45). Then they bring on Mike Stauffer of 'NBA 2K' developer Visual Concepts to ask how he manages rosters and develops player ratings for the game, how he incorporates (or ignores) feedback from NBA players and fans, and how advanced stats have made the ratings more sophisticated (8:50). Lastly, they welcome Ringer colleague Zach Kram to discuss his retrospective article on the 20th anniversary of the cult classic 'Backyard Baseball' series and the games' development and decline (31:58). Article Link: https://www.theringer.com/features/2017/10/10/16451300/backyard-baseball-20-year-anniversary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion discuss Jason's ever-changing real-life look and how his hairstyles affect his character-creation strategy (1:40), then share their impressions of the new Windows and Xbox run-and-gun game 'Cuphead' (7:30). Next, they bring on brothers and 'Cuphead' co-creators Chad and Jared Moldenhauer to explain how they conceived and perfected the game's eye-catching art while delivering difficulty without frustration, and to discuss the benefits and burdens of hype, the game's speedrunning potential, and their newfound financial prospects and future plans (14:25). Lastly, Ben and Jason wrap up with a few words about Ben's upcoming wedding and video game-themed bachelor party (47:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion reminisce about 'Red Dead Redemption' and react to the trailer for 'Red Dead Redemption 2' (1:10). Then they bring on their colleague Victor Luckerson to recap his all-day marathon with the newly released SNES Classic, weigh in on which 16-bit classics have held up the best, and forecast the future of retro gaming (7:10). Lastly, Ben and Jason bring on Kotaku's Stacie Ponder to discuss how the notorious (and recently rereleased) 'Night Trap' holds up 25 years later, her love-fear relationship with horror games, and the endless porting and remaking of 'Resident Evil' (27:35). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion reflect on why video game makers are hesitant to talk about the development process publicly (0:15). Then they talk to one who isn't: Walt Williams, who's worked on 'BioShock,' 'Spec Ops: The Line,' and 'Star Wars Battlefront II,' among many other games, and joins the podcast to discuss how game-writing works (20:35), the perils of crunch (25:20), the pitfall of player choice (38:42), how to make morality interesting in interactive games (43:15), and his new book, 'Significant Zero: Heroes, Villains, and the Fight for Art and Soul in Video Games.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion discuss Jason's inaugural experience as a video game writer on 'NBA 2K18' (1:05). Then they talk to 'NBA 2K18' director Chris Papierniak about the difference between game direction and film direction, how to handle the development of a game that can't be delayed, how to channel NBA drama into an E-rated game, and the expanding scope of sports games (17:33). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion discuss Jason's return to the new and (possibly) improved 'No Man's Sky' (0:55), then bring on colleague Justin Charity to talk about celebrity streamer PewDiePie's latest offense, indie developer Campo Santo's response, the uncertain symbiosis between streamers and publishers, and why gamers get toxic online (5:55). Then they bring on NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory systems engineer Molly Bittner to discuss her work on NASA's Cassini and Europa Clipper missions, what it's like to talk to a spacecraft, how she finds time to play games while working at NASA, and her thoughts on 'Hellblade' as well as 'Destiny 2,' 'Mass Effect,' 'Kerbal Space Program,' and other space-based games (22:40). Lastly, Ben and Jason welcome The Ringer's Rob Harvilla to reflect on the 30th anniversary of the release of the original 'Metroid,' share his impressions of the newly released 'Metroid: Samus Returns,' and explain why 'Metroid' might be gaming's greatest space series (53:13). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For their 50th episode, The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion welcome Kotaku news editor Jason Schreier to discuss the industry trends and revelations inside his new book ('Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made') and their early impressions of 'Destiny 2' (2:50). Then they bring on Sophia Park and Penelope Evans, the cocreators of 'Localhost' and 'Arc Symphony,' to talk about how they provoke emotional reactions in players, how they build games in Twine, and the economics of indie development (51:10). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion discuss their impressions of 'Undertale,' 'Sonic Mania,' and 'Uncharted: The Lost Legacy' (0:45), then interview 'Uncharted' writer and Naughty Dog veteran Josh Scherr about the game's breakneck development, Naughty Dog's winning formula for 'Uncharted' ideas, and how he feels about working on sequels versus new series (16:30). Lastly, Ben and The Ringer's Alison Herman talk to Jesse Cox and Michele Morrow, cocreators and executive producers of the new esports sitcom, 'Good Game' (48:05). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion talk to stuntwomen and voice actors Maggie Macdonald and America Young about their work in video games including 'Halo 5,' the 'Dead Space,' 'Uncharted,' and 'Saints Row' series, and the newly released 'Agents of Mayhem,' as well as how working in video games compares to big-budget movies, the advancement of video-game motion-capture technology, the most challenging stunts they've had to perform, and fighting while looking like Lara Croft (1:30). Then Ben and Jason bring on Kyle "Beef" Bautista, general manager of compLexity Gaming, to discuss his team's involvement in a new TBS 'Dota 2' documentary, attempting to qualify for The International 2017, the economics of esports, managing interpersonal issues and turnover on team rosters, and the future of esports statistical analysis, coaching, and corporate partnerships (55:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices