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Scandalous Games
Scandalous Games is a video game history podcast that takes a closer look at video game related controversies. Every episode, historian Kevin Impellizeri shares a story about a scandalous event from gaming's past to his friends who offer commentary on moral panics, ill-advised advertising campaigns, unusual figures, and any and all topics related to video game scandals and how they shaped the medium. New episodes drop on the first and third Tuesdays of every month! Check out more info, including show notes and sources, at http://scandalousgamespodcast.wordpress.com.
Scandalous Games
2024: A year of layoffs
Historian Kevin Impellizeri shares a story of a video game controversy to his friends: Andy Hunter, Kate Lynch, and Phil Thomas. For our first recording of 2025, we share our favorite gaming experiences from 2024 and take a look at the tumultuous state of the games industry over the past year, including the discussions of corporate greed, massive layoffs, and huge live service failures.
Also, a scheduling note: we will not be airing a second episode this month. Check back in on March 4 for our next episode.
Topics discussed include: Hilarious achievements, the Embracer Group gets too greedy, the incredible failures that were Concord and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the event horizon of maximizing profits, and firearm carrying crabs.
For a deep dive into the wave of industry layoffs, check out: Phil Hornshaw, “Video Game Industry Layoffs Are Worse Than Ever. How Did We Get Here?” Gamespot, March 12, 2024, https://www.gamespot.com/articles/video-game-industry-layoffs-are-worse-than-ever-how-did-we-get-here/1100-6521799/.
For more on The Stanley Parables' wild achievements, including awards for not playing the game for 5-10 years, see: "Achievements," The Stanley Parable Wiki, https://thestanleyparable.fandom.com/wiki/Achievements.
More info, including show notes and sources at http://scandalousgamespodcast.wordpress.com.