The Impact Factor Ep. 97: How Should Video Games Be Reviewed?
Podcast
Welcome to the 97th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about Cloth Map, Patreon, Ghost Recon: Wildlands, Horizon Zero Dawn, Nintendo Switch, Kinda Funny, Strafe, What Remains of Edith Finch, Shadowverse, and we troubleshoot how we should review games.

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com

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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 95: Is Zelda - Breath Of The Wild The Best Game Of All Time?
Podcast
Welcome to the 95th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Horizon Zero Dawn, PSVR sales, Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, Avatar, Hearthstone, the Nintendo Switch, Unreal Engine, Overwatch, Shadowverse, Chrono Trigger, and whether Sony has already (or forever) won the console war.

“The Exclusive Gap Between PS4 and Xbox One Has Become A Canyon” by Paul Tassi

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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 90: It's Mahvel Baby
Podcast
Welcome to the 90th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about the Marvel & Square Enix partnership, EVO 2017, Apocalypse Now the game, Xbox Project Scorpio, Mass Effect Andromeda, Prey, Ni No Kuni 2, Tekken 7, Shadowverse, Watch_Dogs 2, and what makes a great horror game.

“On Horror, Games, Death, and Immersion” by Alex Samocha

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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 87: Rogue One Debate & Xmas Boxes
Podcast
Welcome to the 87th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about Super Mario Run, I Am Setsuna, Tokyo RPG Factory, Project Re Fantasy, Frog Fractions 2, Chameleon Run, Final Fantasy XV, the Game of Thrones board game, Star Wars Rogue One, and our gaming Christmas boxes!

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 85: Have Games Made Us Better People?
Podcast
Welcome to the 85th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about Soul Calibur pachinko, Overwatch Winter Wonderland, loot box legislation, Hitman, Twitch IRL, DOTA 2 7.00, Valkyria Revolution, Deadly Tower of Monsters, Final Fantasy XV, and if video games have made us better people.

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 83: AAA Games Are Dying?
Podcast
Welcome to the 83rd episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about about Marvel vs. Capcom 4, Steam Spy, 2016’s weak sales numbers, Ubisoft VR crossplay, No Man’s Sky, Stardew Valley, Battlefield, Black Friday shopping, SMITE, and what “AAA+” games mean for the future of the industry.

“Weak AAA launches are a precursor to an industry transition” by Rob Fahey

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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 82: 80% Marshmallow
Podcast
Welcome to the 82nd episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about about Sleeping Dogs 2, Watch Dogs 2, Pokemon Sun and Moon, Nintendo Switch, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier, Deadly Tower of Monsters, Paragon, Inside, and the connection between charity and video games!

“The game industry could be doing more for charity, says Democracy 3 dev” by Alissa McAloon

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 81: The Meaning Of Life (& Fistulas)
Podcast
Welcome to the 81st episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about about the NES Classic, Watch Dogs 2, Telltale’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Fantasy Strike, Super Mario Run, Frog Fractions 2, Persona 5, The Game Awards nominees (plus our winner picks), horror board games, Overwatch, PvZ Heroes, and plenty of goofs!

“Those Mysterious Symbols Hidden in 24 Games Have Crossed Over With ‘Frog Fractions 2’” by Patrick Klepek

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com

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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 79: Flex Potatoes, Alex Gravy
Podcast
Welcome to the 79th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about about Titanfall 2, Pokemon Sun and Moon, Mafia III, Animal Crossing, the Wii U, Street Fighter V, PlayStation Experience, Plants vs. Zombies Heroes, Overwatch, and an argument that the ‘Fall’ as we know it no longer exists!

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 78: Game Dev Trick or Treat
Podcast
Welcome to the 78th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about about Bethesda ending early review copies, Battlefield 1, Evolve, Red Dead Redemption 2, Nintendo Switch, Kingdom Hearts I.5 & II.5, Final Fantasy XV, Halloween, the World Series, and our game dev tricks and treats!

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 74: Tippecanoe and Destiny 2
Podcast
Welcome to the 74th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about Destiny 2, Hearthstone changes, Palmer Luckey & Oculus, Firewatch, PlayStation Experience, eSports, Battlerite, No Man’s Sky, skinnerware games, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Scare Fest 2016, Snuggle & Scream and more!

“A Game Player’s Manifesto,” by Richard Garfield

The Impact Factor’s Scare Fest 2016

Snuggle & Scream podcast

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 73: Video Games Worth Living In
Podcast
Welcome to the 73rd episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about Berserk, Persona 5, From Software, Armored Core, Pokemon, Clash Royale, our listeners’ shame games, 5 great games for newcomers, video game worlds we want to live in, Severed and much more!

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
Follow Fliss @thecfliss on Twitter.

Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 71: Going Pro (Not Really)
Podcast
Welcome to the 71st episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro, iPhone 7, Mass Effect Andromeda, Super Mario Run, Hearthstone, Firewatch, Metroid Prime Federation Force, video game PR, Valkyria Chronicles and much more!

“Pete Hines Interview- ‘We’re only going to make games that we think raise to a certain level of quality’” by David Jenkins

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Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 64: Download. Complete.
Podcast
Welcome to the 64th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about EVO 2016, Street Fighter V, LI Joe, Pokemon GO, ABZU, Bound, Life is Strange, Tomb Raider, Duck Hunt, DDR, Rock Band, DOOM and much more!

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com
For a blog about Japan, pop culture & more from Fliss, check out:

www.flissofthenorthstar.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
Follow Fliss @thecfliss on Twitter. twitch.tv/flissofthenorthstar

Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 63: Pokemon GO Is A No Go
Podcast
Welcome to the 63rd episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about Pokemon GO, Overwatch, Nintendo, Evolve, Valve, Chex Quest, the best games of 2016 so far, The Last Guardian, Gamescom, EVO, Furi, The Purge and much more!

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com
For a blog about Japan, pop culture & more from Fliss, check out:

www.flissofthenorthstar.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
Follow Fliss @thecfliss on Twitter. twitch.tv/flissofthenorthstar

Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 62: Counter-Strike Gambling Offensive
Podcast
Welcome to the 62nd episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about Bum Rush, EVO, Street Fighter V, Fig, E3, Pokemon GO, PS VR, Overwatch, System Shock, CSGO gambling, Clash Royale, Danganronpa 2 & much more!

Counter-Strike Global Offensive Underage Gambling Suit

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com
For a blog about Japan, pop culture & more from Fliss, check out:

www.flissofthenorthstar.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
Follow Fliss @thecfliss on Twitter. twitch.tv/flissofthenorthstar

Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 61: Won't Be Remembered
Podcast
Welcome to the 61st episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this special vacation episode Alex and Fliss do their own things! Alex is joined by super special guest co-host Justine to discuss The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nintendo NX, Street Fighter V, and video game endings. Fliss discusses how Disney princess culture is bad for girls, good for guys, and how it affects gender roles in games.

“Endings Won’t Be Remembered” by Matt Sayer, Unwinnable

“Yes, Disney princess culture is influencing your daughters -- and your sons” by Mary Elizabeth Williams, Salon

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For a blog about Japan, pop culture & more from Fliss, check out:

www.flissofthenorthstar.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
Follow Fliss @thecfliss on Twitter. twitch.tv/flissofthenorthstar

Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

News & Views

6/18/16-6/24/16

I'm so excited for this week to be finally ending! It was my first full week back at lab after E3 and it felt like it. On top of all that, next week I'll be heading out to vacation so working on my experiments felt even longer! I know what you're thinking -- don't worry! The Impact Factor never skips a beat. We'll have TIF Plays on Monday, a new article on Tuesday, and a brand new episode of the podcast on Friday. Please be excited.

News & Views compiles the week's best video game writing into one convenient place. Check out the links below for stories about how millennial gamers may be shaping Las Vegas, Konami's living death at E3 2016, and how DOTA2 eSports might be nearing its Moneyball moment.

And of course please check out the brand new episode of The Impact Factor podcast that was posted today! You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, or if you prefer other methods, check out our SoundCloud. We’re on YouTube too!

Spotlight

The World As We Know It Has Changed, But Let's Think About Video Games I Guess

Keza MacDonald, Kotaku UK

Worth Reading

How Gaming Millennials Are Forcing Las Vegas' Hand

Guest Post, Unwinnable

Animal Crossing's Strange, Unresolved Conflict

Ian Bogost, Gamasutra

You may never look at the Super Mario series the same way again

Allegra Frank, Polygon

The Reasons Behind God of War's Bold New Direction

Patrick Klepek, Kotaku

What does Clash of Clans maker's $10 billion sale say about the future of gaming?

Kyle Orland, ars technica

Konami's state of living death at E3 2016

Jordan Minor, Geek

With Comments

Are 4K visuals really the best use for Project Scorpio and PlayStation Neo?

Richard Leadbetter, Eurogamer

E3 2016 brought about the first official announcement of this next (new?) console generation. Microsoft bragged about Project Scorpio and how it will deliver 4K visuals for both movies and games alike. Rumored specs for the PlayStation Neo suggest it too will be going into 4K. Richard Leadbetter of Eurogamer argues that maybe pushing for 4K isn’t the best use of the power in these machines. I know I don’t really care so much about 4K, especially if it is at the expense of running games at 60FPS. I guess we’ll see in the year to come.

DOTA 2 might be nearing its Moneyball moment

Will Partin, Kill Screen

I love this. I loved what Oakland did to make the A’s relevant all those years back, and it’s fascinating to see the same ideas take shape in DOTA eSports. The notion that you could assemble a statistically strong squad, just going by in-game performance and role filling, and have that team be exceptional? So cool. I’ll be keeping my eye on the DOTA scene, looking for that Moneyball moment.

Guns, games and violence: The real questions you should be asking

Brian Crecente, Polygon

Crecente’s piece must have taken courage to write. In it, he suggests guns' depictions in video games may not be as innocuous as we’ve been led to believe. The argument is a complex one with no real answer. Many studies have been done showing no link between playing video games and real life gun violence, but nothing de rigeur has been performed. I strongly believe there is no correlation, but the guns in games could have any number of other effects. For example, I can tell the difference between a FAMAS and a UMP-45 and a M4A1 just by looking, and that’s insane. Why should I know anything about these deadly weapons? As games continue to get bigger, maybe we’ll get a better view into the bigger picture. Until then, just game responsibly and be actively engaged in what your children are playing. It couldn’t hurt.

The Impact Factor Ep. 60: No Mansky
Podcast
Welcome to the 60th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about Overwatch, No Man’s Sky, Supercell, Vivendi, Ubisoft, Burnout, EA, Mighty No. 9, Kickstarter, Riptide GP2, Resident Evil 7: Beginning Hour and much more!

E3 2016 Predictions Contest Scoreboard

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com
For a blog about Japan, pop culture & more from Fliss, check out:

www.flissofthenorthstar.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
Follow Fliss @thecfliss on Twitter. twitch.tv/flissofthenorthstar

Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)

The Impact Factor Ep. 58: E3 2016 Predictions!
Podcast
Welcome to the 58th episode of The Impact Factor! The Impact Factor is what happens when two scientists, and two best friends, get together to talk about video games. Hosts Alex Samocha [biomedical scientist] and Charles Fliss [social scientist] sit down every week to discuss the week in gaming! Listen in for the news, views, and games that made the biggest impact!

Please send your suggestions and feedback to: impactfactorpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Alex and Fliss talk about Overwatch, Metal Gear Solid pachinko, Watch Dogs 2, Persona 5, Injustice 2, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Kingdom Hearts, and we give our E3 2016 predictions for EVERY press conference!

(32:59) EA Predictions
(43:21) Bethesda Predictions
(50:56) Xbox Predictions
(1:01:14) PC Gamer Show Predictions
(1:07:29) Ubisoft Predictions
(1:17:17) PlayStation Predictions
(1:27:47) Nintendo Predictions

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For articles and reviews from Alex, check out: www.theimpactfactor.blogspot.com
For a blog about Japan, pop culture & more from Fliss, check out:

www.flissofthenorthstar.blogspot.com

Follow Alex @alexsamocha on Twitter. twitch.tv/megalodonphd
Follow Fliss @thecfliss on Twitter. twitch.tv/flissofthenorthstar

Intro song:

You Kill My Brother by Go! Go! Go! Micro Invasion, East Jakarta Chiptunes Compilations. Freemusic Archive. (Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike License)
Transitions:
News & Views and Perspectives transitions from victorcenusa, Freesound.org (Creative Commons 0 License)
Experimental Methods transition from Sentuniman, Freesound.org (Attribution Noncommercial License)