One Of Swords

Shiny new year, same old podcast -- but that's a good thing, right? I hope so, because Kat, Hugh and I are up to our old shenanigans, talking a bit longer than usual about the power of Metacritic, Skylanders wave 3, The Star Wars Holiday Special, 007 MIA, achievement hunting, The Walking Dead, PC gaming as the next-gen console you already own, family holiday gaming, resolutions, fatigue, why Kat doesn't like BioShock, why Kat doesn't like Epic Mickey 2, a life lesson from a game of rummy, and the elemental Gary Oldman. Plus, Hugh has a big announcement for fans of his book! Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Host: Dan Amrich, Activision Community Manager, author, musician, fire juggler Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, graphic designer, bassist, Mechromancer, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct on IGN's Up At Noon The Room on iOS The Paloma cocktail, according to Esquire "Thrift Shop" by Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis (NSFW -- explicit but hilarious lyrics) Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Suggest topics for The Third Degree Write to the show's Megamailbag  

This is the one you've been waiting for -- the end-of-the-year episode where we pull out all the tangents, rambling stories, side conversations, mistakes, and other crap that wasn't good enough to make it into the show for the previous 51 weeks. It's a chronological list of things that happened behind the scenes all year long. Kat, Hugh, and I talk about accepting listener gifts, brominated vegetable oil, bad movies about royalty, launching books, bad Saturday morning cartoons, Girl Scout cookies, karaoke duets, a lack of bathroom privacy, Canadian goofballs at PAX, "shutting down the tunnel," pirate hats, Hugh's strange and unfortunately graphic "shared suffering" relationship with his wife, mini-strokes, Tetris marathons, an interview with Hugh's daughter, the alternate opening to episode 137 when we thought we had just lost an entire show and started to re-record the whole thing but it turns out we didn't lose anything after all and you heard the original recording anyway, and Dan's incredible struggle to maintain Zen calm on a daily basis. Thank you for your support all year long -- and enjoy your holidays! Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Guest Heard Twice In the Outtakes: Blythe Renay from The Damsels of Dorkington Host: Dan Amrich, Activision Community Manager, author, musician, fire juggler Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, graphic designer, bassist, Mechromancer, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Suggest topics for The Third Degree Write to the show's Megamailbag

The Skylanders iOS games -- Cloud Patrol, Lost Islands, and Battlegrounds -- surprised everyone this year except Vicarious Visions CEO Karthik Bala. He joins us this week to talk about the development and success of those mobile games as well as share a personal history of one of Activision's hardest-working studios. Otherwise, it's Kat and Hugh and I talking about changes at Beenox, the awesomeness of Back to the Future II, Pitfall on Android, inflatable birds, Joey Hines' random act of kindness, Dan's burning secret about Critical Path, and wishing you and yours a happy 2013. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Karthik Bala, CEO, Vicarious Visions Host: Dan Amrich, Activision Community Manager, author, musician, fire juggler Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, graphic designer, bassist, Mechromancer, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host In Abstentia: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: The Lost Treasures of Infocom iOS Angry Birds DLC Changes at Beenox Pitfall! on Google Play for Android Vectrex Regeneration iOS Lost Cities iOS You Don't Know Jack iOS Cannon Brawl on Greenlight Gloopstik Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Suggest topics for The Third Degree Write to the show's Megamailbag

Rob Smith -- legendary games journalist, editor-in-chief of Machinima.com's Inside Gaming, and author of Rogue Leaders: The Story of Lucasarts -- joins us this week to both be our interview subject and our substitute for the family-responsibility-addled Hugh Sterbakov. Rob talks about how Machinima.com really works, how he got his start in the biz (hint: games were in black and white then) and how he became the announcer for the Inside Gaming Awards. Kat and Rob and I also talk about double XP for Black Ops II, card games you should play, developer livestreams, Dennis the Menace, Activision firsts, why this is suddenly "the outcast show," and of course, the upcoming holidays. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Rob Smith, Editor-in-Chief, Machinima.com and author of Rogue Leaders: The Story of Lucasarts Host: Dan Amrich, Activision Community Manager, author, musician, fire juggler Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, graphic designer, bassist, Mechromancer, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host In Abstentia: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Black Ops II double XP weekend Nuketown Zombies free with Season Pass The 2012 One of Awards Apples to Apples Cards Against Humanity The Great Dalmuti Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Suggest topics for The Third Degree Write to the show's Megamailbag

We made it to 150 shows! Thanks to your continued support, we are once again back, and we introduce a new segment to the show, Third Degree. Kat, Hugh and I also discuss the podcast's origins and evolution, new Wii U titles, nails on a chalkboard but for your eyes, Black Ops II's billion bucks and latest patch, fake reviewers, the latest COD patch, prostate examinations, THPS HD DLC, female avatars, skippable cutscenes, and while we do not have a celebrity guest for the big milestone, we do talk about a few of them. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Host: Dan Amrich, Activision Community Manager, author, musician, fire juggler Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, graphic designer, bassist, Mechromancer, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Black Ops II's $1 billion milestone & Ben Kuchera's editorial THPS HD DLC  Cabela's and Rapala for Wii U Evil Genius on GOG The Bowling Dead -- free on iOS ThinkGeek.com Videogameboxprotectors.com Das Process Podcast (watch for Hugh's episode) Hugh's Epic PS2 Giveaway 2012 Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Suggest topics for The Third Degree Write to the show's Megamailbag

When Kat's away, the manly men will play. WillyFresh992 helps fill the show's gaping Kat-sized hole this week, and the interview segment features two pro athletes: Roy Hibbert and Jeff Pendergraph from the Indiana Pacers, talking about their love for Call of Duty. The rest of the time is Hugh, Willy and I chatting about graph paper, Bungie's sneak peek, SNES games nobody can remember, the Skylanders iOS Portal of Power, Family Guy, Sega CD, where to get sealed 2600 cartridges, the return of the revert in THPS HD, free Pitfall for mobile, Angry Birds, and why Call of Duty makes Hugh sick.  And yes, there is a little bit of Hugh and Dan rapping, which might make you sick. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guests: Roy Hibbert and Jeff Pendergraph of the Indiana Pacers Special Guest Co-Host: WillyFresh992 of the Internet Host: Dan Amrich, Activision Community Manager, author, musician, fire juggler Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Missing & Missed: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, Mechromancer, and inventor of Headshotmas Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Bungie's first official piece of art for the next game Pitfall is free on iOS THPS HD adds revert for everybody Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse Skylanders Battlegrounds iOS retail bundle Dan's Holiday Gift Guide Hear Willy on The POW Block podcast BioMetal for SNES featuring 2 Unlimited:  Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Write to the show's Megamailbag and save our bacon from time to time

Thanksgiving in America means an early show this week, but hey, at least you'll have something to pass the time while you travel to visit relatives you don't want to see, or while you wait in the dark for those Black Friday sales. Kat and Hugh and I are tackling your questions this week, so the conversation veers all over the place: Wii U's launch, Skylanders storage and how Legendary figures are "seen" by the game, Ghost on VHS, why people get angry about reviews, Greek myths, memories of camping out in line, a lack of puns, Dan's mom's dislike for heavy metal and its impact on his career, Call of Duty XP, and the greatest games of all time (maybe). Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, Mechromancer, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Stanley 014026R SortMaster Organizer Container Store shoeboxes Time's All-Time 100 Video Games The Private Eyes (Knotts & Conway)  Activision's customer support team Realore Studios D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Write to the show's Megamailbag and save our bacon from time to time

Where were you when Black Ops II went on sale? I was talking to James C. Burns -- the actor who plays Frank Woods -- at the stroke of midnight in Los Angeles, and the resulting podcast interview is short but sweet. Kat and Hugh and I also discuss the Black Ops II launch, whether or not the world is withholding love from CoD, the new free Skylanders iOS game, swastikas with penises, a tricky trivia question, Hugh's best Borderlands 2 achievement, the VGA nominations, protecting the brand, and the other half of Palette-Swap Ninja, whether Hugh wants to hear it or not. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: James C. Burns, actor (Sgt. Frank Woods), Call of Duty: Black Ops II Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, Mechromancer, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Get help with Black Ops II issues Skylanders Lost Islands for iOS Vote for your favorites for the VGAs Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Write to the show's Megamailbag and save our bacon from time to time

When you live life on the cutting edge, sometimes you get burned. Wait, that's not right. But while we recorded this show with a spot for a very very important interview guest, that guest had to cancel at the last minute -- so I pinch hit with a few of your questions about changing play styles and unused IPs instead. Hugh and Kat, however, bring their A-games with discussions of Black Ops II launch preparations, Hans Zimmer, YouTube livestreaming, coiled cobras, the new NASCAR game, hospital stays, Skylanders iOS updates, live TV shows, where to buy nerdy gifts, Halo 4, loins (unfortunately), and how to tie your shoes. Plus, you will hear a section of the show that Dan didn't! Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Missed it by that much. Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, Mechromancer, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Stream your Black Ops II games to YouTube & Elite Elite MW3 Premium extended Skylanders Cloud Patrol update GTTV's live Black Ops II special and DirecTV's making-of documentary NASCAR The Game: Inside Line out now Hickies elastic shoe lacing system Terry Moore at TED: How to tie your shoes ThinkGeek Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Write to the show's Megamailbag and save our bacon from time to time

Jason Ades returns to the show to talk about what you can expect from Call of Duty Elite this year -- assuming he survives crunch. If you have any lingering questions about how the free Black Ops II support works or how Zombies fits into everything this year, this interview should answer them. Meanwhile, Hugh and Kat and I discuss Hurricane Sandy's impact on gaming, Buckner & Garcia, Robert Downey Jr., Wreck-It Ralph, dog tags for charity, fall TV shows, how to be a Walking Dead corpse, a very stealthy spy game release, YouTubin', yesterday's tomorrow, and diapers. Get the podcast on iTuns Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Jason Ades, producer, Call of Duty Elite Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, Mechromancer, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Sandy disrupts servers -- updating this as we learn new stuff Call of Duty Endowment dog tags Black Ops II videos: "Surprise" and Nuketown 2025 Transformers Prime, Wreck-It Ralph, and 007 Legends on Steam Win a role in The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct New 1oS missives on YouTube Troma on YouTube Nashville on ABC Mad Catz Wireless Force Feedback Racing Wheel for Xbox 360 Buckner & Garcia's "Wreck It, Wreck-It Ralph": Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Write to the show's Megamailbag

Just in time for Halloween, we have a scary story from the annals of It Sucks To Be Hugh: A terrifying tale of birthing classes, inappropriate humor, roast beef sandwiches, and Zelda Rubenstein. Kat and Hugh and I also discuss the Skylanders Giants launch, leaving a legacy, new hunting games, "the game with the guys," the new release date for Family Guy, Hugh's Extra Life results, baseball, why Kat went to Oklahoma, Germany's least favorite Activision game, and the movie Gotcha! Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, Siren, Wispa Gold addict, flag capper, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, author, comic creator, co-writer of Hell & Back and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and finer online music stores Relevant show links: Last chance to support Hugh’s Extra Life gaming marathon Skylanders Giants launch toy list and launch party pix Family Guy: BttM new screens New Cabela's games The Secret Skylanders You've Never Seen Hello Music Damsels of Dorkington Hugh's website Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Kat's photography Facebook page needs some love Likes Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

Hugh finally did it. He took over the damned show. With Dan's voice barely there due to a nasty illness this weekend, The Dark Blight steps in and runs things with Kat. In addition to Hugh calling the reader letters "crap" before he even reads them, prepare yourself for talk of free Elite, AC/DC, next-gen hardware expectations, PS3 exclusives for 007 Legends, mutiny, old Zork trivia, your favorite Achievements, why bad games even come out, the dream of Big Sixer reissues, how to save ice cream from freezer burn, and a leather gimp costume that does not exist. All this and a voice that sounds like sandpaper, too! Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, Siren, Wispa Gold addict, flag capper, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and finer online music stores Relevant show links: Elite is free for Black Ops II Black Ops II launch trailer 007 Legends PS3 exclusives Hugh’s Extra Life gaming marathon Hugh's YouTube channel The Secret Skylanders You've Never Seen Dance Central 3 iCade controller for iPad Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Kat's photography Facebook page needs some love Likes Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

Call of Duty: Black Ops is out for the Macintosh! (I call it "Mac Ops," but I probably shouldn't.) Aspyr's Elizabeth Howard joins me this week to talk about what's in the game, how Mac gamers can be sure it will run correctly, and why we're seeing this particular title two years after its PC debut. Kat and Hugh and I then ramble on about hairlines, MW3 PS3 DLC, "slogos," a controversial trivia question, how to get double XP during Black Ops II's launch window, the absence of zombies on Vita, and 50 bars of delicious British chocolate. Scrumdiddlyumptious! Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Elizabeth Howard, Director of Business Development, Aspyr Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, Siren, Wispa Gold addict, flag capper, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and finer online music stores Relevant show links: Double XP weekend for Black Ops II preorders No Zombies in Declassified GameAgent.com for Mac gamers The Activision Atari 2600 catalogs Hugh’s Extra Life gaming marathon Poker Pals iOS Kat's Wispa Gold benefactors Mumbles_74 and Althlus Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Kat's photography Facebook page needs some love Likes Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

Verano...Dino Verano. He's the associate producer for 007 Legends, and he's on the show this week to discuss not only the upcoming James Bond game and the franchise's 50th anniversary, but also -- for reasons that aren't entirely clear -- Highlander and ham radio. That fits in with the random Kat & Hugh discussion about Black Ops II on PC (and Dan's frustrations surrounding it), your favorite gaming achievements, High Moon Studios' community playdate, deadly cassette tapes, Vahn's second round of Black Ops II info, the big Xbox Live Marketplace sale, and Hugh's upcoming Halloween surprise. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Dino Verano, Associate Publisher, 007 Legends Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, light gun enthusiast, bassist, Jedi Sage, Demon Hunter, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and finer online music stores Relevant show links: Huge Xbox Live sale The second Vahn Black Ops II info dump Black Ops II PC server & security info Horror Writers Association Face Off on SyFy HeyTell for iPhone Hugh’s Extra Life gaming marathon Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Kat's photography Facebook page needs some love Likes Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

Old pal Sid Shuman from the PlayStation Blog & community team stops by to talk about Sony fans, TimeSplitters, and I get him to run the Gauntlet of Swords, while Hugh and Kat and I get into COD Zombies info, Murky ownership, Insecticon DLC, Halloween costumes, new Spidey missions, Weird Al's wardrobe, Wipeout 3 vs. Wip3out, Angry Birds Trilogy, poker hands, fightin' panda bears, and #DarkBarney. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Sid Shuman, Manager, Social Media, Sony Computer Entertainment America Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, light gun enthusiast, bassist, Jedi Sage, Demon Hunter, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and finer online music stores Relevant show links: Black Ops II Zombies trailer & info Avenged Sevenfold's "Carry On" TF FoC Massive Fury DLC Wipeout 3 Angry Birds Trilogy WoW: Mists of Pandaria Amazing Spider-Man DLC The Room for iPad Borderlands 2 Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Hugh’s Extra Life gaming marathon Kat's photography Facebook page needs some love Likes Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag