Dense Pixels - Video Game News and Reviews

The crew shares their overall impressions of the major presentations from this year's Summer Game Fest. We then dive into the games we're most excited about from the event, including Astro Bot, Assassin's Creed: Shadows, Wanderstop, UFO50, Possessor(s), Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Dragon Age: Veilguard, Street Fighter 6 Season 2, Gears of War: E-Day, Perfect Dark, Sonic x Shadow Generation...

In this episode, we discuss the faux outrage surrounding the Assassin's Creed Shadows announcement, highlighting how the situation is both amusing and sad. Carrie and Brad share their most anticipated games for the remainder of 2024. Microsoft executives are reportedly advocating for a flexible approach regarding which Xbox games can launch on PlayStation. Sony names two new CEOs to replace Jim Ry...

In this episode, Brad and Carrie dive deeper into their experiences with Hades II early access, sharing more detailed thoughts after spending additional time in the game. Brad explores V Rising but questions if survival games are his thing. Carrie returns to the Capital Wasteland, revisiting Fallout 3 after several years. The gaming industry faces significant changes as Xbox shuts down several Bet...

Supergiant Games surprised everyone by releasing Hades II in early access, and Brad shares his initial impressions of this highly anticipated title, which is poised to become one of the year's biggest hits. Additionally, Brad uncovers a hidden gem in Minishoot Adventures, as we wonder why we don't see more games dip into the classic Zelda-style well.  Meanwhile, we delve into the absurdity of the...

Micah shares his impressions of two exciting games, Tales of Kenzara: Zau and Stellar Blade. However, the mood shifts when we inform Micah about the online discourse surrounding Stellar Blade's main character, Eve. Meanwhile, Carrie delves deeper into Final Fantasy VII Remake, offering her thoughts on a key aspect of the game's progression. In industry news, we discuss the reluctance of game publi...

In our milestone 500th episode, we celebrate with some exciting updates! Carrie surprises us all by revealing her newfound role in a metal band and shares her exhilarating experience performing at VGM Con in Minnesota. Meanwhile, we dive into industry news, including Embracer's plan to split into three companies, with highlights on Middle Earth Enterprises and Friends. Additionally, we discuss Gho...

In this episode, Brad shares his impressions of two roguelikes, Fights in Tight Spaces and Slice & Dice. Meanwhile, Micah passionately discusses the Nomura-ing of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's ending. We also delve into former Blizzard boss Mike Ybarra's perspective on game development, as well as Saber Interactive founder's comments on the scrutiny faced by Embracer. Additionally, we hear insig...

In this episode, Micah shares his impressions of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, while Carrie provides her initial thoughts on Final Fantasy VII Remake. Micah also delves into his experiences with Rise of the Ronin, exploring whether its various components come together to create something special. Additionally, we discuss Phil Spencer's interest in expanding digital storefronts like the Epic Games Sto...

In this episode, we delve into the recent update patch for Helldivers 2, exploring the flying bugs terminids and uncovering valuable lessons for the wider gaming industry. Carrie shares her experiences diving back into Stardew Valley with the latest 1.6 update, discussing its impact and improvements. We also discuss comments made at the GDC Awards, including the criticism of publisher greed by Lar...

Capcom is increasing its starting salary in Japan by more than 25%, aiming to attract and retain talent. Activision QA workers unionize, demanding better working conditions as over 600 employees are laid off. Embracer Group confirms the $247 million sale of Saber Interactive assets and withdraws from Russia amid ongoing conflict. Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick reportedly expresses int...

PlayStation is reducing its workforce by around 900 employees, approximately 8% of its total staff. EA has announced further layoffs affecting about 670 employees. There's a discussion about the permission structure around layoffs in the game industry and whether it will lead to consolidation or a crash. The creator of a Switch emulator settled a lawsuit with Nintendo for $2.4 million. Toys for Bo...

Brad is completely captivated by the new poker-styled deckbuilding roguelite Balatro. Microsoft announced some games moving out of their exclusive catalog, raising questions about PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase revealed exciting new releases. EA Sports plans to iincentivize college players to appear in their upcoming game, College Football 25.

Micah shares his excitement about Tekken 8, expressing his belief that it could be the best installment in the Tekken series thus far. Brad enthusiastically dives into Helldivers II, describing it as one of the finest online shooters he has ever experienced and expressing his delight while playing. Micah delves into his immersive experience with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, highlighting how it...

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League receives worryingly low Metascore and Steam player count, raising concerns about its reception and performance in the gaming community. Reports surface alleging that employees at The Day Before studio face fines for mistakes, shedding light on potential workplace issues within the company. Blizzard appoints a former Call of Duty boss as its new president, sig...

Microsoft announces a significant layoff of 1,900 employees across Xbox and Activision Blizzard, signaling major changes within the gaming industry. Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, follows suit with layoffs affecting 530 employees, highlighting ongoing challenges in the industry. The studio behind Destroy All Humans cuts half of its staff, reflecting a trend of layoffs affecting ga...

The game PalWorld has achieved over 5 million copies sold in just three days; we have questions about its potential longevity and whether it will become a gaming juggernaut. Ubisoft's subscription boss suggests that consumers need to be comfortable with not owning games, reflecting a shift in the gaming industry towards subscription models. Rocksteady Studios founders have established a new studio...

Carrie starts the podcast by emphasizing that there are no excuses left to try Golden Sun. We discuss concerns raised by actors regarding the groundbreaking SAG-AFTRA AI voice agreement. The team shares their gaming resolutions for 2024.We discuss issues related to profitability and layoffs at Twitch and Discord, respectively. Micah provides his impressions of the new Prince of Persia: The Lost Ki...

In the latest podcast episode, discussions include revelations from a former Call of Duty developer who criticizes Bobby Kotick's decisions, claiming they negatively impacted game quality. A 13-year-old achieves a remarkable feat by becoming the first person to beat Tetris, showcasing exceptional gaming skill. The exorbitant cost of the Star Citizen Legatus Ship Pack, priced at $48,000 RSI, raises...

In the latest podcast episode, the hosts discuss significant developments in the gaming industry, including a reported hack on Insomniac Games impacting data related to Wolverine and Spider-Man 3. Versus Evil experiences closure, affecting titles like TinyBuild, Banner Saga, and Pillars of Eternity. The hosts delve into the consequences and implications of such closures on the gaming landscape. Pl...

In this special Game of the Year episode, the hosts engage in a lively discussion about their personal picks for the best games of 2023. They share insights into the standout titles that have left a lasting impression and shaped their gaming experiences throughout the year. The podcast also covers industry news, highlighting the ongoing layoff streak at Embracer, impacting 3D Realms and Slipgate I...

The latest podcast episode delves into The Game Awards that took place last week, with Brad and Micah providing a recap of the notable winners. The hosts engage in a discussion about the controversy surrounding The Game Awards, particularly the minimal time allocated to award recipients, and share their insights on how the show could improve in the future. Brad and Micah review the announcements a...

Brad shares his progress in chipping away at his gaming backlog, providing reviews of Steamworld Build, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, and Unpacking. The hosts then dive into their impressions of the Grand Theft Auto VI teaser and share their experiences with the iconic Grand Theft Auto franchise. In a thought-provoking segment, the podcast explores the news about Sony removing...

Brad shares his review of the Steam Deck OLED, offering insights into the device's features and how it enhances the gaming experience. Additionally, he reflects on his early hours in Persona 4, discussing the challenges of going backward through a long-running franchise like Persona. The podcast covers unfortunate industry news as layoffs hit Humble Games and Galaxy on Fire: Chorus developer Fishl...

Micah and Brad discuss the recently announced nominees for The Game Awards. The conversation covers the exciting lineup of nominees, highlighting the diverse and competitive nature of the gaming industry. The discussion also touches upon the Eurogamer review of the Steam Deck OLED, emphasizing the beautiful display upgrade and additional features that enhance the gaming experience. Sony's confirma...

Carrie shares her detailed experience of moving across the country, offering insights and anecdotes from her journey. The hosts dive into the recent drama on PlayStation Twitter, involving Elon Musk and PS5. They also address the ongoing challenges faced by laid-off Dragon Age testers, who picketed BioWare. Capcom's warning about the reputational damage from mods that violate public order and mora...