Gatazhk

So Busey is toast. Well, I feel with 47 that it shouldn't matter what outfit he changes into, that bald head is so distinctive. We Need wig disguises DLC! Also why didn't everyone freak out on the beach when Busey went down? It seemed no one cared about the murder so Chris/47 was able to just saunter down to the waterfront and steal a boat - no problem.

Hyped for the Far Cry 2 speed run

So much to chew on here. First, kudos to H3H3 and the researchers for such a well executed expose. Second, WTF Valve, really? It's not credible you had NO IDEA there was gambling going on around your game. I no longer trust Valve, in any situation, after this it's foolish to do so. Third, I think Chris put it out there very well. Promoting and lying to lure teens and children into gambling is among the lowest of low pursuits. I hope these Huckers$$$ get prosecuted or lose in civil court, big time.

Great discussion. I think Bruce is wrong -- I could have listened for another hour, easily.

I'm not getting Rob's hate for Microsoft's "Project Scorpio." As someone who plays games exclusively on PC, I'm always concerned that a console dominated industry will gimp games due to console hardware limitations or ship games exclusively on one console or just bad PC ports. I'm also not sure how a windows store is really any worse than Ubisoft's UPlay or EA's Origin, What I am noticing is that xbox games are going to be simultaneous windows 10 games and that sure seems positive from a PC-centric point of view. It's a good thing that people are openly questioning the need for consoles at all these days, no?

I hope the streamlining and simplification is unique to Warhammer. There were a decent number of strategic systems going on in Attila: TW that made the campaign more thought provoking than the old school Total War romps. There were provinces and building slots you needed to balance for happiness, health and income. There was a dynastic tree and a political system that wasn't explained very well but once it became clear was fairly satisfying. Sure there was some stupid stuff but generally speaking a deeper strategic game.

The fantasy setting puts me to sleep. It's the turn of others this year with Total War I guess.

Would've been stoked, but those visuals. Yuk!

I guess I'm the nerd with hundreds of hours in four and five that really enjoys the late game? Not every late game mind you, but my fondest Civ memories are doing things like unlocking the rock and roll as my jet fighters are dropping napalm on one of my hapless enemies. Or starting a nuclear war to win space race. Or the great modern era soundtrack in Civ IV Surprised to hear that Jon and Soren don't share my enthusiasm. Great episode 3MA!

Well, it's out now. Any first impressions? I'm hoping Ubi is moving past the dudebro versus comic book evil character plots in 3 & 4. Am I in luck?

Hah Mington- what you describe has got to be a $7.99 DLC. For the record, I was happy with the end though it wasn't a happy ending as they say!

I did not expect to make it out alive at the end, which caused me to feel panicky and doomed. A terrible choice when Henry let her get away so easily, it was like he was resigned to his fate. Instead of death though this ending was just a long, sad glimpse into loneliness and middle age.

I kid you not I open the game check the keybinds and try to switch left shift and R because everyone knows left shift is always jog/run and R stands for radio. But I cannot do it! I've been pranked by Campo Santo!

Sad to hear about people's struggles with the PS4 version...but I'd always assumed people realized that Firewatch was first and foremost a PC game.

Pre-ordered, guiltlessly.

5. Fallout Shelter 4. Total War Attila: Age of Charlemagne 3. Talos Principle 2. Cities: Skylines 1. Witcher 3

Funny. The last game I got hyped about was Witcher 3 and I'm still playing it! House rule: finish W3 before buying FO4.

Thank you, Sir. Done and done. And a fine job you all do with 3MA - I'm a reglur.

I don't know about Patreon. Is it possible to sign up and pledge an amount one time...or does it have to be a monthly subscription? I'm not into recurring payments.

Blood Dragon was way too cool for me. Of course I'm old enough remember the 80s so that's pretty uncool right there.

Far Cry: We Can Make These Once a Year Now Too

I don't care for Warhammer, but I'd like to see TW start to move away in single player campaigns from the micro-management approach to battles, and instead make them much larger and more about tactical choices, less about clicking everywhere all at once.

Good topic and excellent discussion, which wasn't limited to strategy games. I find that inconsistency in franchise iterations is mainly about the business model pursued by publishers these days. Content appears increasingly to be 'left out' of initial releases and this seems tied to the publisher's interest in selling DLC or expansions. Big publishers like SEGA look at 'games as a service' or free to play models and see how some of these titles are printing money. The publishers notice how these games are constantly updated, with a steady flow of new content, and they look to broaden this model into traditional "packaged games" (SEGA's expression, I believe). Paradox's additional content schedule for games like CK II and EU IV is an excellent illustration of this approach, in my opinion, and one that undoubtedly makes the 'base game' a lighter experience. Also, as noted on the podcast, the demands of modern shareholder capitalism for regular and predictable earnings, with share prices dependent on quarterly and annual comparisions, only adds fuel to the fire. So the Maddens, Call of Duties and Total Wars get released on a clockwork schedule, and the overall approach and formula is seldom tinkered with. We'll get boring, samey, stripped down games until we stop buying them.

I know the 3ma folks talked over some of their favorites back in August of '14, but I'm wondering what other folks might have in the way of recommendations. I'm basically looking to play grand strategy WWI although if something else is really good I'd take a chance on that. I don't want to play the Last Express and I already have the fps Verdun. Of particular interest to me is the opening of the War, executing the Shlieffen Plan etc. Years ago I played the old Avalon Hill Guns of August board game, but wow it was deadly dull. Any recommendations?

As I recall, Commander: The Great War got fairly good marks from Rob and Troy et.al., that may be the one to try.