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The Retro Rebel Gamecast is back with hosts Stacy and Amanda discussing their recent gaming experiences, including Amanda’s newfound love for Sea of Thieves and Stacy’s progress in Black Myth: Wukong. They also delve into the state of the gaming industry, praising the success of single-player games and expressing concerns about the rise of AI-generated content. Finally, they share their thoughts on upcoming games, with Amanda disappointed by Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s changes and Stacy intrigued by Star Wars Outlaws.

Gaming Adventures

• Amanda’s Sea of Thieves Redemption: Initially, Amanda had a negative experience with Sea of Thieves. However, after playing with friends on a galleon ship and experiencing the cooperative gameplay, she’s now a fan. Furthermore, she even enjoys solo play, having learned to navigate and repair her sloop, and has spent time fishing in the game.

I’ve given Sea of Thieves a second chance, and I’m enjoying it. I’m playing solo and with friends—plus, I did the tutorial, so that helps. – Amanda Fox

• Stacy’s Wukong Conquest: Stacy has been playing Black Myth: Wukong, a challenging Souls-like game based on Chinese mythology. According to Stacy, the learning curve is steep but fair, and he’s been enjoying the combat and exploration. Currently, he’s about 10-12 hours in and has overcome the initial challenges, but he’s now facing a new boss with mechanics he’s not yet familiar with.
• Baldur’s Gate 3 Domination: Stacy has dedicated a significant amount of time to Baldur’s Gate 3, clocking in nearly 400 hours of gameplay. This impressive feat indicates a deep engagement with the game’s rich story, complex characters, and strategic combat.

I’ve played almost 400 hours of Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s probably the best game I’ve ever played in my life. I’m on my 3rd playthrough as a bard, and I love it. I’m also playing Wukong, and it’s fantastic. It’s another Dark Souls-like game based on an old book, taking elements from Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, and games like Elden Ring. – Stacy Bishop

The State of Gaming

• The Allure of Single-Player Games: The hosts celebrate the success of single-player games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Wukong, highlighting the enduring appeal of narrative-driven experiences. In contrast, they lament the industry’s misguided focus on live service games, emphasizing the importance of quality content and engaging mechanics.
• The Crash Bandicoot Cancellation: The cancellation of the rumored Crash Bandicoot 5 in favor of live-service games sparks disappointment. Consequently, the hosts criticize the industry’s short-sighted pursuit of profit over player satisfaction.
• The Rise of AI in Gaming: The hosts express concerns about the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content in the gaming industry, from AI-generated games on Steam to AI-written scripts and dialogue. Moreover, they anticipate the negative implications of this trend, particularly on platforms like YouTube.

Upcoming Games

• Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s Disappointment: The rebranding of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and the shift towards a more casual and action-oriented approach has left Amanda feeling disillusioned. Additionally, she criticizes the game’s departure from the series’ traditional focus on intricate relationships and strategic gameplay.
• Star Wars Outlaws’ Temptation: Despite initial reservations, Stacy is drawn to the upcoming Star Wars Outlaws. Specifically, the game’s open-world setting, stealth mechanics, and unique take on the Star Wars universe have piqued her interest.

Show Notes

• Games Mentioned: Sea of Thieves, Wukong: Black Myth, Baldur’s Gate 3, Concord, Crash Bandicoot 4, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, Star Wars Outlaws
• Topics Discussed: Live-service games, single-player experiences, AI-generated content, the future of gaming
• Recommendations: Kyle Hill’s YouTube channel, the book “Deep Fakes”

Retro Rebel Podcast

Retro Rebel Podcast is hosted by Amanda Fox and Stacy Bishop. Each week they take a deep dive into the gaming industry and discuss news stories, the current games they are playing, and the topic of the week. Do you like this episode? Do you want to complain about something we got wrong? Let us know what you think by commenting below or emailing us at info@templeofgeek.com. We want to hear your opinions!

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Intro Music – Final Impasse By Ground is Lava