GZ Chop Shop

We chat with one of the lead vocalists for Larian Studios hit game Baulders Gate 3 Mariya aka Melethiel, and discuss her career journey on stage, other projects, and LARPing. We also discuss fan favorite song "Raphael's Final Act" which also led to BG3 winning an award for best music.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest03:00 Maria's Journey to Baldur's Gate 306:03 The Experience of Performing in Theater09:01 Voice Acting and Music in Gaming11:55 LARPing: A Unique Hobby14:56 The Impact of Baldur's Gate 3's Music18:07 Live Performances and Concert Experiences21:11 Future Projects and Aspirations24:01 Training and Vocal Techniques26:59 Passion Projects and Dream Roles42:12 Voice Acting Aspirations44:19 Tavern Singing and LARPing Experiences52:18 Gaming Journeys and Preferences01:00:08 Exploring Horror Games and Lore01:06:27 Warhammer and Tabletop Gaming01:17:17 Closing Thoughts and Future Collaborations

SummarySony's announcement of the PS5 Pro has raised concerns and disappointment among gamers. The podcast hosts discuss the questionable decisions made by Sony, including the lack of a disc drive and the absence of a stand for the PS5 Pro. They also criticize Sony's abandonment of the VR 2 and the limited compatibility of the $200 portal. Chapters00:00 Disappointment with Sony's Decisions05:05 Sony's Push into the Hardware Ecosystem09:21 Lack of Competition for Sony13:32 Optimization and Graphics in Games16:22 The Influence of Nostalgia19:13 The Impact of TV Marketing21:59 The Disappointing Portal23:29 Competing with PC Consoles25:24 The Appeal of Consoles26:26 The Rise of the Steam Deck27:05 Sony's PS5 Pro: Disappointment and Confusion29:43 Questioning the Timing and Necessity of the PS5 Pro30:27 Sony's Strategy: Hardware without Software Support32:21 Backward Compatibility and VR Frustrations37:27 The Gaming Community's Shift in Preferences43:14 The Unboxing Trend and Frustrations with Content Creators

SummaryIn this episode of the GZChop Chop podcast, the hosts discuss the game Black Myth Wukong. They praise the game as a phenomenal first game from indie studio Game Science and compare it to other action games like God of War. The hosts share tips and tricks for playing the game, including the importance of experimenting with different builds and abilities. They also discuss the voice acting in the English dub and the game's stunning visuals. In this conversation, the hosts discuss their enjoyment of boss rush games and the satisfaction of being rewarded for their time and effort. They also talk about the potential new 'big three' in the anime world, with Black Clover, My Hero Academia, and Jujutsu Kaisen being mentioned. The hosts express their excitement for the upcoming Overlord movie and the respect that Bleach is finally receiving. They also touch on the longevity of Dragon Ball and the importance of appreciating older anime. The conversation ends with a discussion about the Jobless Reincarnation light novels and the potential retirement of Goku as a prominent anime character.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Black Myth Wukong10:31 Tips and Tricks for Playing Black Myth Wukong15:01 The Importance of Experimenting in Black Myth Wukong21:36 Discussion of the Voice Acting in Black Myth Wukong26:36 Appreciation for the Visuals of Black Myth Wukong33:26 The Potential New 'Big Three' in the Anime World41:21 Excitement for the Upcoming Overlord Movie and Respect for Bleach45:02 Appreciating Older Anime and Understanding Their Significance47:37 The Retirement of Goku and the Evolution of Anime

In this episode, Projektitachi and Daniel discuss the high prices of DLCs in video games, specifically focusing on the recently announced DLC for Mortal Kombat 11. They express their frustration with the $49.99 and $59.99 price tags for the DLC, which they believe is excessive and unfair to players who have already purchased the collector's edition of the game. They also discuss the trend of game developers charging extra for DLCs and its impact on the gaming community. Additionally, they touch on the recent patches and updates for No Man's Sky and share their thoughts on the game.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Explanation for Break in Episodes01:24 Discussion on the High Prices of Mortal Kombat 1 DLC05:09 Debate on the Worthiness of Expensive DLCs11:39 Critique of the Gaming Industry's Approach to DLCs23:18 Opinions on No Man's Sky and Recent Patch Notes34:09 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

SummaryIn this episode, the hosts discuss the lore of Elden Ring and dive into the story of the DLC. They explore the characters' motivations, including Mikela, Radon, Moog, and Marika. They also touch on the role of the Horned Sent and the Potnecks. The hosts speculate on the connections between the characters and the greater will, and discuss the potential for future DLCs. Overall, they express their love for the game and its addictive nature.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background03:19 Miquella's Enchantment and the Omen Brothers13:49 Melina and Mental Offshoots37:27 Godric and Grafting38:45 The Addictive Nature of Elden Ring

On this episode, the hosts discuss the upcoming Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. They speculate about the storyline and characters, including the possibility of Miquella being the ultimate evil and the role of the outer gods. They also analyze the complex family tree in Elden Ring and how it may impact the DLC. The hosts explore the themes of balance, power, and manipulation in the game's lore. Overall, they provide an in-depth analysis and theories about the upcoming DLC.Chapters00:00 Elden Ring DLC Speculations and Theories05:47 Exploring the Elden Ring Family Tree22:07 Character Allegiances and Plot Twists29:44 The Origins of Powers and DLC32:25 Anticipation for New Abilities and Expansion34:08 Theories and Speculations

Metal Gear singer/voice actress Donna Burke, is known for her work in video games and as the English announcing voice on the Shinkansen bullet train. Now she joins the GZ Chop Shop podcast in an unforgettable interview that discusses her new venture, Royal Flush, living in Japan, cultural differences, and her journey in the gaming and television industry.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Royal Flush02:11 Japanese Toilets and Cultural Differences06:21 Living in Japan and Comparing Cultures09:48 Donna Burke's Royal Flush and Toilet Messages11:48 Creating a Podcast Intro with Donna Burke14:03 Donna Burke's Journey in the Gaming Industry19:48 Learning Japanese and Performing in Japan23:01 Conclusion and Business Perspective25:13 From Anime to Video Games: Donna Burke's Diverse Career29:24 The Importance of Not Taking Oneself Too Seriously in the Entertainment Industry33:16 Donna Burke's Plans for the Future35:20 The Thrill of Performing in Concerts51:00 The Thrill of Performing with a Symphony Orchestra54:56 The Potential for Future Metal Gear Concerts57:24 The Success of Video Game Adaptations01:00:46 Donna Burke's Interest in Screenwriting and TV ShowsLInks

In this episode, the hosts discuss the current state of the anime community and the lack of respect for older, original anime. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging the influence and impact of classic anime on the industry today. They also touch on the role of social media in shaping opinions and the need for fans to think for themselves and appreciate the diversity of anime. The hosts encourage listeners to read manga and light novels to get a deeper understanding of the stories and characters. Overall, they advocate for a more inclusive and respectful anime fandom.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Announcements03:03 The Influence of Classic Anime on the Industry11:27 The Role of Social Media in Shaping Opinions21:07 The Importance of Reading Manga and Light Novels35:34 Conclusion and Call to Action

SummaryIn this episode, the hosts discuss Microsoft's recent studio closures and the impact of their acquisition of Bethesda. They express their concerns about Microsoft's trend of shutting down studios and prioritizing Game Pass over game development. They also discuss Sony's decision to require PC players of Helldivers 2 to log in with a PlayStation Network account. The hosts highlight the need for the gaming community to speak up against unfair practices, such as microtransactions and incomplete games at full price.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Store Announcement06:00 Predictions for the Future of Xbox08:48 Sony's Controversial Decision with Helldivers 211:27 The Need for the Gaming Community to Speak Up14:23 Supporting Developers and Holding Companies Accountable25:29 Inconsistency in Community Outcry29:13 The Power of the Gaming Community32:14 Conclusion and Call to Action