The Rumble Pack

A heavy work-week for our regular editor can’t keep a good cast down! Nick, Tom and Tony handle the editing this week, so be sure to note how awesome it is. Don’t worry, we learned so it will never be this delayed again ever…promise…seriously.

Episode 33 of the Rumble Pack starts with a recounting of a hilarious prank on Tony (which occurred literally moments before the show) followed by a rather quick round of trays (only 50 minutes this time, we promise!). After the break comes our very own GDC postmortem and a discussion of the future releases we’re excited for, with a bit of random game-related banter thrown in for good measure.

You asked for it, and here it is (about 6 days later than ever intended): a new episode that’s under 2 hours! Don’t delay, download today!

 

 Episode 33: Ample Amblings of Mental Midgets [106:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Full cast, full time job to edit.

All five cast members return to have and be serious at the same time. Justin shares some details of his trip to Tokyo, buying Saturn games and playing in strange things called arcades. Tony delves into Pheonix Wright (making this the hundredth time this series has been mentioned on teh podcast). Tom and Kaz discuss Wipeout Pulse. Nick talks up Final Fantasy Tactics. And Kaz defends his honor concerning Uncharted, and barely gets to talk about his Professor Layton obsession.

Part two of the podcast brings a return to the “Games As” series as we delve into what seems to be the big topic around the gaming horn: stories in games. Everyone brings a unique view on the medium and the conversation goes to show just how complex gaming can be and specifically how we interact with games. Serious discussion is then followed by our GDC wish-list (we recorded Monday night). And an argument over backwards compatibility.

This week’s show includes our proof of concept themes, let us know what you think on the board.

 

 Episode 32: Meaning and Interpretation [133:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Another saddening Justin-less week transpires. Meanwhile in Cleveland: Nick, Tom, Tony and Kaz form a strike force of hilarity and contemplate the goings on of the gaming industry. In an unprecedented change Kaz goes first in talking about his tray, which crashed the recording studio computer. Luckily, the second recording works and the group makes it past a grueling discourse on PC snobbery about Sins of a Solar Empire. Nick delves into the games he has to catch up on, this week focusing on some handheld love. Tony, Nick and Kaz wax poetic about the ins and outs of Devil May Cry 4. And bringing it all home: Tom talks about his impressions of a copy of the Japanese version of Smash Brothers Brawl.

After the break the business side of the pack kicks in. The crew discusses the state of Nintendo and the market of the Wii. Including the implications of an expanding casual demographic and what it means for gamers. Will the Wii ever stop being successful? Tune in to find out. Then tell us what you think at our message board.

Special Note: The mid-show break contains the hard work of 3 whole minutes of audio stitchcraft. It’s a little treat/joke for those waiting for us to get around to making a theme song. It’s in no way permanent, you know, unless everyone likes it…

 

 Episode 31: Wii Don't Need No Education [110:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Welcome to another episode of the child men anonymous club! At this week’s meeting Tony, Nick, Kaz and Tom report on what keeps them from becoming true men. Including: No More Heroes, Advance Wars: Days of Ruin, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, The Club, Zack and Wiki, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Mass Effect, Rez HD and Pixeljunk Monsters.

Part two begins a series of epic debates, starting with the state of Smash Bros Brawl. Tony and Kaz air some concerns they have about how the game is shaping up. Nick vehemently defends the honor of the stalwart game we put too much time into.

Then the crew slaps on their money hats and gets their fanboy on in a discussion of the state of gaming, the console wars and where 2008 will lead us. Things get tense at times, but rest assured, even though we use the “f” word at each other (fanboy), we still love each other. And cooler heads prevail, unlike on message boards.

Suit up, strap in, pick your side and prepare to enter the console wars? Oh yeah, it’s a long one.

 

 Episode 30: Fanboyism [133:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download