Giant Bomb Bomb-All

Vector wrote:

Because GBEast already has 2 people that have been in the industry for 20ish years each and GB West has another 3. It’s not like they are lacking in the old guard.

I want a non-white dude with experience. I mean if 'non-white dude' is part of the criteria... wouldn't it be nice to get someone that could stand with the group? Not saying they need to be 20 year veterans, but lets grab someone with some confidence and knowledge of the game history these guys always reference.

I'm still all for hiring new people too... just since there are 2 slots potentially... why not both?

Speaking from managerial experience, a headcount is not a headcount, especially during an ownership transition. Very possible they could replace both leavers with no one. Unless Dan is willing to accept a double salary out of the goodness of his ample heart (and brain).

On this week’s podcast Jeff mentioned another media outlet having a questionable GoTY pick so I googled around a bit. It has to be PC Gamer choosing Death Stranding, right?

Is it questionable if the PC Gamer staff really enjoyed it?

Like, I think Death Stranding is an incoherent mess - but I know it has its fans.

The UN VGOTYC is already putting together a resolution condemning their choice.

Girlfriend Review’s take on Death Stranding helped me see what others like about the game. I find Kojima to be overly pretentious and have no interest in playing the game.

Did any outlet pick Cyberpunk? Because that immediately popped into my mind when he said that.

Blind_Evil wrote:

On this week’s podcast Jeff mentioned another media outlet having a questionable GoTY pick so I googled around a bit. It has to be PC Gamer choosing Death Stranding, right?

Huh, I assumed he meant Gamespot Half-Life: Alyx but this makes a lot more sense.

Vector wrote:
Blind_Evil wrote:

On this week’s podcast Jeff mentioned another media outlet having a questionable GoTY pick so I googled around a bit. It has to be PC Gamer choosing Death Stranding, right?

Huh, I assumed he meant Gamespot Half-Life: Alyx but this makes a lot more sense.

I've heard that Alyx is an incredible game, it's just behind a very large paywall that most gamers don't get to experience (i.e. buying a VR headset.)

Alyx is incredibly good. Both as just a Half-Life game and as a full game in VR.

The new premium “Going Rogue” series has been a delight. Ben playing a 35 year old game with Vinny along for the ride has been a joy. Do yourself a favor and do not look at the length of the videos (if you can do that), for some extra hilarity.

Vrikk wrote:
Vector wrote:
Blind_Evil wrote:

On this week’s podcast Jeff mentioned another media outlet having a questionable GoTY pick so I googled around a bit. It has to be PC Gamer choosing Death Stranding, right?

Huh, I assumed he meant Gamespot Half-Life: Alyx but this makes a lot more sense.

I've heard that Alyx is an incredible game, it's just behind a very large paywall that most gamers don't get to experience (i.e. buying a VR headset.)

It’s more because Jeff didn’t think much of it and had easy access to Gamespot info.

Vrikk wrote:

Is it questionable if the PC Gamer staff really enjoyed it?

Like, I think Death Stranding is an incoherent mess - but I know it has its fans.

I don’t really have anything to say about the quality of the pick, as I don’t read PC Gamer and haven’t played Death Stranding. I just got intrigued because they were coy about it on the podcast, and that pick made most sense considering Jeff hated the game (whereas he was middling on HL:A).

They also make some strange "payola" jokes around Death Stranding when discussing it last year, maybe that's the real issue? I have no context for them.

Just want to highlight the moment in the Worst Songs of the 90s podcast when Jeff says "There are better Limp Bizkit songs," followed by a wince of pain.

I only recall commentary on the weird product placement.

It’s pretty weird to name a port of a 2019 game as your 2020 GOTY. Horizon Zero Dawn is a better game and was also released this year.

For what it's worth I had a great time playing Death Stranding.

Man, listening to Jeff complain in episode 667 that the free HBO Max subscription he received did not have anything he was interested in is the epitome of what frustrates me about their podcast.

You should definitely keep listening to see if that ever changes, then.

CptDomano wrote:

You should definitely keep listening to see if that ever changes, then.

So much happier that I quit... It was hard to do. But now I only pick it up for a listen if there is a specific topic I want to hear, and I am out of other podcasts and audiobooks.

Garth wrote:

Man, listening to Jeff complain in episode 667 that the free HBO Max subscription he received did not have anything he was interested in is the epitome of what frustrates me about their podcast.

Yeah, I rarely if ever listen to the Bombcast. Since Abby left, I've almost completely stopped watching the BeastCast. Still, Vinny is the main personality that brings me back. I can handle Jeff, knowing he's got takes that I don't agree with but enjoying when his knowledge does shine (there is no shame skipping sections of the podcast). I do quite enjoy Jan, he's just not bright enough a personality to raise the Bombcast boat for me.

I wish there were time stamps. I’m interested in their opinions on certain games, and especially industry news, but hate scrubbing to find relevant sections.

Minor plug again for Minn/Max Show. Their time stamps are excellent.

Minn/Max is really good. I'm a Patreon.

I feel like Ben is a little too hammy as a host, but the entire venture is his baby and he wants it to succeed, so I can't fault him for being a little too over-the-top.

I like their Deep Dives they do quite a bit, but I'm holding off on watching the Cyberpunk one until I actually launch the game

I haven't listened in a while, but I will definitely tune in for the Game of the Year stuff. I just wish Abby was still there, because her opinion was a very welcome addition during GOTY. Are they doing any sort of video shenanigans surrounding it? I see how it would be hard with Social Distancing, but man I really want them to do a Hitsmas 3 type of thing.

My video game podcast fix has come mostly from DLC podcast thanks to some mentions in this thread. It seems quite light-hearted and optimistic, which was refreshing to me. I don't entirely agree with the hosts' takes on games, but I appreciate what they say. I am the same way, mostly, with Bombcast, but my own jadedness was getting the better of me with certain hosts, so I had to put it down for a little. I found myself thinking "what 'hot take' is this guy going to have about this?" before someone even started talking and I knew I had to stop and re-assess my enjoyment or expectation. The news segments on Bombcast cannot be beat, though. I didn't realize how much of the pulse of the game world I was tuned into through that alone. Now that I haven't listened in a bit I feel like I'm completely out of touch. I see something posted on reddit or twitter and am like, "How did I not know about that?".

Ben is leaving after GOTY.

Huh. I unfollowed him on Twitter last week, how prescient of me!

I’ve got no love for his contributions to be honest, so I’m not upset, but I am a bit concerned about the future of the site. Losing people and not replacing them doesn’t seem healthy.

I'm guessing they're still settling things out after the purchase and then holidays before they open up positions.

But yeah, potentially telling that two people hired at the same time are both leaving at the same time.

Ben is leaving because he realized that he doesn't want to be a public figure. They've lost 3 people in close to one full year, though. I hope they have the budget to at least bring on 2 people (1 for east and 1 for west).

I'm hearing a tripled salary for Dan Ryckert's return. Prodigal son!

I would love to just listen to the news part and maybe their opinion on a game or two.

I would love timestamps so much. I know it's a lot of work, but damn I'd bet they'd get listeners back.