Sean is joined by Steve Esposito, Senior Editor at Seasoned Gaming (https://seasonedgaming.com/) in discussing more on the Final Fantasy XVI Demo since both of them have completed it and especially because the game finally releases THIS WEEK! Do they both feel the hype that everyone else seemingly feels? And do they think it will be a GOTY contender too? Steve also gives his thoughts on Diablo IV and Sean has started his journey into playing Steam Next Fest demos with Eternights the Indie Dating Sim Action RPG.

Since gaming is still in fallout mode from Summer Game Fest, the duo are going to examine some of the non-showcase banter and news that has cropped up in the last week, such as who has the best strategy when it comes to their streaming service and PC Gaming. Is it Xbox? Is it PlayStation? Or does it not really matter?

There's also a lot of discussion going on surrounding long-game development cycles and if we need to go back to a world where there's more of a middle ground. Should we see more of a resurgence in AA Gaming and Budget titles? Or does a bigger focus on indies serve as a good buffer, while the AAA and AAAA studios battle it out for mind space supremacy?

Also, Steve discusses his favorite games and gaming origins, the latest with Microsoft and Activision-Blizzard as the FTC has filed a motion for an injunction and much more!

You can also watch this episode on the W2M Network Channel, please give us a like, comment, and follow over there too: https://youtube.com/live/Y82QLgHfn80

Timestamps:

00:00:30 START (Talking Father's Day, Parenting, Starting FFXVI Demo)

00:05:30 Some Random Banter (Final Fantasy & Legend of Zelda Music)

- Games We Are Playing -

00:09:35 Final Fantasy XVI Demo (Sean & Steve)

00:21:15 Diablo IV (Steve)

00:24:55 Eternights Demo (Sean)

- Discussing Various Topics -

00:28:25 Looking at Summer Game Fest as a Whole

00:33:00 Steve's Slight Tangent on Tommy Tallarico & The Failure of the Amico

00:38:30 Steve's Gaming Origins (His Favorite Games and Genres, What made him go into games journalism, working at Gamestop, more!)

00:52:20 Why Starfield is Steve's game of Summer Game Fest

- Main Topics -

01:03:25 Is There Too Much Focus on AAA Gaming? Is It time to give more love to Indies and AA Games? What can be done to help the humans behind game development not spend so long on projects?

01:23:00 Who has the upper hand with their direction for gaming? Xbox or PlayStation? Is PC Gaming a Market or a Window? Xbox Game Pass or PS Plus?

- The End -

01:41:15 The latest with the Microsoft Activision-Blizzard merger, The FTC's injunction, More!

01:48:30 Games Coming Out This Week: Final Fantasy XVI, Aliens: Dark Descent, Crash Team Rumble

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Steve Twitter: https://twitter.com/SteveEspositoSG
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