Chris

The "Ambience" trailer is only music and environments, no dialogue of any kind. Totally safe!

I do edit the podcast, although usually pretty lightly. This week there was one big noticeable edit, which was the segue between the "prestige games" segment and the Arcen Games segment. Usually there's more of a clean transition. One thing you might also be identifying is the fact that this show has specific discussion, which is different to Idle Thumbs (and was one of the reasons we figured it was justified to start up another "people talk about video games" podcast). There's also of course always a difference in conversational tone between remotely recorded casts and in-person casts. They both have strengths and weaknesses; I do think one strength is that any given host is more likely to be able to speak a complete thought without being interrupted, a luxury we definitely don't enjoy on Thumbs.

Idle Weekend January 22, 2016: Reaching a Consensus The Weekenders take on their meatiest discussion of 2016 (so far) in their handling of critical consensus. Does it hold games back? Does it mess with game reviewers' tender hearts? Are Kane and Lynch the real MVPs? Does it necessarily suck if you go to Mars in a broken spaceship? What about settling those deserts in Kharak? Discussed: Tharsis, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam, Ace Team, The Good Wife, Kane and Lynch Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Whoa!

Rad. When you say VR, do you mean that's the visual aesthetic of the game, or do you mean it's being developed specifically or exclusively for VR devices?

True Detective Weekly 4: Down Will Come By the end of this episode, we were left just as lost as our detectives were following their very bloody shootout. There were a lot of strong character moments in "Down Will Come," but overall we didn't find it to keep up the momentum of the preceding two much stronger installments. With half of the season done and half left to, we're still of two minds on the whole thing. Listen on the Episode Page Listen in iTunes Subscribe to the RSS Feed

Yeah as much as we miss Danielle on Idle Thumbs, I agree—Rob and Danielle really make the most of the two-person format in a way that's pretty different to what we do on Thumbs Classic, I think.

Idle Weekend January 8, 2016: Keyframing the Issues Welcome our first-ever guest to the show: one Jake Rodkin, Idle Thumb and Firewatch-maker, to weigh in on animated and mo-capped performance in games. Plus, the Weekenders ponder topical questions, such as: What is a keyframe? Are speed runners performance artists? Are we all just faceless members of cultural demographics? And, once and for all, we come to a decision on whether Rob is crazy for liking Limitless. Discussed: AGDQ 2016, Fallout 1, 3D animation for the uninitiated, Her Story, queer gaming, Fargo, Limitless Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Idle Weekend January 1, 2016: The Finest of the Year Weekenders Danielle and Rob have had a hell of a 2015, and they want to tell you all about it. Well, mostly they want to tell you about the games they loved best in the (old) year. Plus, some of their favorite game music of 2015, and tales of unusual video game improvisation! Discussed: Sunless Sea, Invisible Inc., Rocket League, Dropsy, SOMA, The Witcher 3, Life is Strange, Dying Light, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Bloodborne, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, Archer Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

I almost gave them a heads up about this during recording, but it moved on too quickly for it to be worthwhile. On a side note, it's a bummer that the site is no longer up!

The Idle Book Club 10: The Idle Book Club Returns The Idle Book Club is back! After a two-year hiatus, we're ready to start discussing books again each month, with one returning host and one new one. This episode, we announce our first book: Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff. Then, to get back in the swing of things, we share our thoughts on two other books we've recently read: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, and The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Join us! Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Idle Thumbs 244: Heroes vs Villains Jake Rodkin has vanished. In his absence, we discuss Bushido Blade, Yakuza 5, Rainbow Six: Siege, and the obscure Japanese open-world game Mizzurna Falls. Which can mean only one thing: Steve "Hot Scoops" Gaynor has returned. Discussed: Rainbow Six Siege, Mizzurna Falls, Bushido Blade, Yakuza 5, Spintires, Phantasy Star Online, Google Street View, Bigger Luke Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

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Idle Weekend January 15, 2016: Zombie Train Beyond Earth The Weekenders travel wide and far, with thoughts on advanced space-cities and train travel for the undead. Bigger questions are tackled, including: is Resident Evil cheesiness good? Is it wrong to make a game about a terrible disease? Should we have any heroes at all? Strap on your "Don't Be A Piece of Shit" wristband, and join us on our journey! Discussed: Civilization: Beyond Earth, 4X games, Resident Evil 0 HD Remaster, That Dragon, Cancer, Costume Quest, Brutal Legend, Dustforce, The Expanse, World Gone By, The Beginning: Making 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace' Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

No problem, thanks for understanding!

Well, if we simply talk about what people are likely to do if they don't act intentionally, then it would be pointless to have a discussion about what actually leads to a healthier life, haha. I mean, in practice, people also eat unhealthily and don't exercise enough and treat other people shittily, but that doesn't mean that's a good prescription. I'm saying that, all else equal, I believe it's better not to raise people to idol or hero status. I think that not buying into a culture of lionization is absolutely achievable and to me, generally speaking, should be something adults strive for.

I am very much in agreement with Rob's position that having heroes idols is ill-advised. I think it is well and good to admire actions and qualities, and to admire people in particular ways, but turning an individual person into something more than a person, or assuming that certain actions and qualities indicate some kind of overall greatness, is generally destined to fail. I don't see it as a cynical viewpoint, either, just a recognition that humans are only human. There's still nothing wrong with admiring the great things humans can do.

Hey folks: I appreciate the discussion but I hope a topic from one episode doesn't continue to colonize all future episode threads of this podcast. It has generated REALLY long posts and I'm concerned that it will unintentionally dampen discussion of other topics that are more relevant to the episode in question. If you would like to have ongoing conversations about this, please create an actual thread about it in the general gaming forum.

Yeah I got one from Cooler Master. I don't even really know why, because I probably won't end up overclocking it. I agree! Good job Jake.

Most of it is totally fine! Some coolers come with pre-applied thermal paste and next time I do this I'm just going to get one of those, haha.

Haha, glad to help!

Yeah I figured that might be the case. That's a shame to hear. I do think it's cool that JC3 took a cue from the mod community, though.

Finally, here it is! I've been looking for the right thread for ages.

Oh also sorry if I ignored your tweets, it wasn't intentional. They must have just gotten lost in the shuffle, I don't remember seeing them.

Sorry I gave you the impression you made me uncomfortable! That wasn't the case, it was totally fine!