Mastering The Game Podcast

SummaryIn this episode of the Mastering the Game podcast, host Jermaine Harris discusses the recent release of “Star Wars Outlaws,” a game developed by Ubisoft. He admits to having forgotten about its launch and, although he hasn’t purchased it yet, he’s seen enough gameplay videos to form an opinion. Harris expresses disappointment with the game’s quality, citing a history of underwhelming experiences with Ubisoft titles over the past decade. He notes that “Star Wars Outlaws” launched in a buggy state, with some players on PS5 even having to delete their save files to continue playing, which he finds unacceptable. Harris critiques the gaming industry’s trend toward prioritizing profit over quality, suggesting developers focus more on early revenue than delivering polished games. He predicts that sales for “Star Wars Outlaws” may not be strong and anticipates a price drop in the near future due to a lack of player enjoyment and enthusiasm.

SummaryIn this episode of the Mastering the Game podcast, host Jermaine Harris discusses the video game Concord, which was released on August 23, 2024, but was taken offline by its publisher, Sony, just two weeks later due to disappointing popularity. This swift action highlights the competitive nature of the gaming industry. Harris notes that there wasn’t much positive buzz around Concord prior to its launch and suggests that its lack of uniqueness compared to established games like Overwatch 2 contributed to its failure. He emphasizes the need for innovation in game design, such as incorporating a story mode, to attract a broader audience. Harris invites listeners to share their experiences with Concord and their views on the direction of the gaming industry.

In the latest episode of the Mastering the Game podcast, host Jermaine Harris discusses his disappointment with Madden 2025, which was released recently. After reviewing gameplay footage, he feels that the game lacks significant improvements and seems more like a roster update with enhanced graphics rather than a new installment in the franchise. Harris criticizes EA for not innovating the series in recent years and points out the removal of features such as play creation and custom formations, which were available in earlier versions. He expresses hope for the return of these features but, based on his observations, is unlikely to purchase this year’s game unless there are notable changes.

SummaryIn the “Mastering the Game” podcast, host Jermaine Harris discusses the upcoming video game “Black Myth Wukong,” set to release in mid-August. He highlights controversy surrounding the game, particularly a list of guidelines issued by Hero Games, a major investor in the game’s development. The guidelines include a brief list of do’s, which simply encourages players to enjoy the game, but the don’ts raise eyebrows. While some rules are straightforward, like avoiding insults toward other influencers, others are more peculiar, such as prohibiting discussions on feminist themes, certain sensitive terms like “quarantine” or “COVID-19,” and any commentary on China’s gaming industry policies. Harris speculates that these restrictions might indicate an attempt to control the narrative about both the game and China, suggesting a potential state agenda, though he admits he lacks concrete evidence to support this theory.Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/black-myth-wukong-marketing-team-offers-content-creators-a-steam-key-but-bans-feminist-propaganda-and-all-%20alk-of-covid

In this episode of the “Mastering the Game” podcast, host Jermaine Harris discusses the TV show “Mr. Robot,” which premiered on USA Network in 2015. The series follows Elliott, a cybersecurity worker by day and hacker by night, as he attempts to orchestrate a significant hack against a major corporation in the first two seasons, with the subsequent seasons exploring the aftermath of that hack. Harris appreciates the show’s realistic portrayal of hacking, contrasting it with typical exaggerated representations in media. He also highlights the show’s sensitive depiction of Elliott’s mental health struggles, particularly his dissociative state, which is explored more deeply in the fourth season. While he feels the series concluded well, Harris expresses a desire for a fifth season to further develop some plotlines and provide additional context about Elliott’s future following his character’s realizations at the end of the series.

In this episode of the Mastering The Game podcast, host Jermaine Harris shares a spoiler-free review of Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

SummaryIn the latest episode of the Mastering the Game podcast, host Jermaine Harris discusses Microsoft’s decision to raise the price of Xbox Game Pass. The previous $11 tier, now replaced by a $15 option called Xbox Game Pass Standard, will no longer include day-one titles and offers limited access to games along with online multiplayer features. The highest tier, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, will cost $20 per month and provides full access to all Game Pass titles. Despite recent price increases, Harris believes that Microsoft will not face significant subscriber losses due to their extensive acquisitions in the gaming sector. He speculates that further price hikes may occur in the coming years and expresses hope for a return to a standalone Xbox Live subscription option. Harris critiques the transition from Xbox Live Gold subscriptions to the Game Pass model, suggesting it forces users to pay more than they may want for limited use, particularly those not interested in new games.