Game/Life Balance U.S.

In this EXTREMELY EVENTFUL EPISODE: Cody got engaged! Hear him retell the story of how he popped the question, then catch up with Jon and learn how he nearly died last week (like, kinda not joking). Show Notes: * Cody and Jon argue about whose story should go first in this podcast episode, which somehow turns into a tangent about Omega Virus * Cody retells the story of how he proposed to his girlfriend and got engaged! Prominently featuring empanadas and the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago * Hear also how and why Cody ended up ordering a ton of Insomnia Cookies after splitting a bottle of champagne with his new fiance * Jon gives some of his perspective as a somewhat recently married man to help Cody prepare for what wedding planning is about to be like, as they both speculate on when Cody might actually schedule his wedding * Meanwhile, last weekend Jon ran 7 miles (!), then got a couples massage, then got horribly sick and basically almost died * “So, your weekend? Way better than mine” is Jon’s genius conclusion * Cody and Jon trade sick day stories, including that time Cody literally couldn’t physically go to Starbucks for work * Balancing Act * Jon rates his satisfaction with video game playing over the last couple weeks at a 1 out of 10, because he basically just laid around wanting to die because he was so miserably sick (although he did beat Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII) * Cody gives himself a 7 out of 10 because he beat New Game+ in Rogue Legacy, plus he’s playing Final Fantasy XIV again and he’s really excited about reaching Heavensward content now * For some reason, Jon doesn’t realize that the Nintendo Switch is about to change his life, so Cody sets him straight * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Cody gives a feature-length Final Fantasy XV review. Spoiler alert: he didn’t love it. Hear Cody explain exactly why he takes issue with this game as a main entry in the series, then judge for yourself whether it’s worth buying at full-price. Show Notes: “No sense of wonder. No plot. Poorly structured. Egregious flow and play control issues. A melodrama without the fun or sense of adventure that defines the Final Fantasy series.” Cody is an adult who works six days a week while trying to maintain a healthy relationship with his girlfriend, so he has a limited amount of time to play video games. He has been a fan of the Final Fantasy series since childhood and has played every “main entry” in the series (except for Final Fantasy XI), and his co-host Jon has similar feelings towards the series. Hear Cody’s review from the point of view of a guy who is careful with how he spends his free time! * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Jon finally got the chance to play Overwatch, the video game that literally everyone seems to be talking about! Hear his first impressions, plus Cody’s take on strategy board games and the best ways to play with friends. Show Notes: * Jon explains why he thinks he’s “the gross guy” at the gym every morning * Cody and Jon went to Madison last weekend to play board games! Hear how and why the weekend ended up involving video games, especially Overwatch * Cody also recounts his quest to get “the ultimate weapon” in Final Fantasy XV, which was roughly as disappointing as the rest of the game * The first board game of the weekend was Churchill, which Cody attempt to explain, but Jon just can’t process * Jon quickly changes the subject to the game Terraforming Mars, which both he and Cody thoroughly enjoyed playing, especially since it reminded Cody of Sid Meier’s Civilization (the video game series) * After many years playing advanced board games, Cody presents his theory of three tiers of strategy gaming skill levels—and how to get to the next level * Jon argues with Cody about the level of strategy involved in the game 7 Wonders, which is harder to be good at than Jon thinks, no matter what he says * Cody laments losing every game he played over the weekend * Cody also had the chance to play Superfight, a game he didn’t enjoy when he played a demo at Gen Con a few years ago but enjoyed so much in Madison, he’s actually considering buying a copy * Balancing Act * Cody has barely played any console games since his Final Fantasy XV binge in Madison * Jon “finished” playing Fallout 4 and was NOT pleased with the game; look for a review from Jon in the future! * Both Cody and Jon rank their satisfaction with how many games they’ve been playing lately with an 8 out of 10 * Cody promotes Better Podcasting, a phenomenal podcast hobbyist show on the GonnaGeek Network, and The Starling Tribune, a fan podcast for the TV show Arrow on the CW * Jon screws up reading the outro copy and it is hilarious to everyone, but redeems himself with the most hilarious anecdote ever regarding the oft-used online shorthand “af” * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Following Cody’s recent international travels, he and Jon have a frank discussion about global politics, activism, and the billionaire class, including a conversation on why people should approach politics from the perspective of strategy gamers. This mostly non-partisan podcast is full of unique perspectives from a couple of Millennials trying to make sense of it all; don’t miss it! Show Notes: * Cody has “accidentally” become a globetrotter, but Jon has some exciting news about an upcoming trip that came about because he is very good at his job! * Learn about Michelin Stars, and the fact that apparently you can get more than one at a time * The Voice was holding auditions during a trip Jon recently took. So how did he do??? * Cultures in Europe vary significantly from country to country, and Cody argues that there is not that kind of diversity in the U.S.; hear why Jon disagrees * Cody discusses Salzburg and explains why it’s like Rockford, and Jon somehow doesn’t equate Mozart with Cheap Trick * Then, hear about Cody’s experience at the World Economic Forum, literally one of the most exclusive events in the world * Cody explains the difference between discourse among billionaires and discourse among the average citizen on Facebook or Twitter, and Jon responds with an argument that both types of conversation don’t have to occur in a mutually exclusive fashion * Circling back to the U.S., Cody talks about watching the Senate confirmation hearing for Secretary of State Betsy DeVos, and laments the apparent transparency of political theatre as the “game” that it seems to be today * Jon tries to explain politics and why debates exist, although in today’s political climate, a lot of the meaning and purpose behind it seems to be obscured or even lost, depending on the situation * Bringing the conversation back around to gaming, Cody explains the 2016 presidential election from a “strategy gamer” perspective, and Jon explains how elections are like playing with a good strategy in the board game Twilight Imperium * Cody explains why business leaders at the World Economic Forum gave him hope, but watching the U.S. Senate “debate” a presidential appointment left him feeling that politics is a stupid game and a complete joke in which nothing substantive ever gets accomplished * Jon encourages Cody to “be engaged,” but Cody is jaded about that, too (and for good reason)—with problems that go “up,” not “left or right” * Balancing Act * Cody finished playing Lara Croft GO, which had even more content than he originally realized, and he also recently finished Final Fantasy XV, which he destroyed in his soon-to-be-released review, but has continued playing because some of the post-game content is actually really fun (after 80-some hours of play time) * Jon has been playing a ton of Fallout 4, which he says is huge and massive, but he still doesn’t even know if he likes it or not, and he can’t exactly put his finger on why * Cody briefly mentions the upcoming Final Fantasy XIV TV show, the first live-action television series with a plot centered around a Final Fantasy game, and reminds everyone that FFXIV is probably his favorite Final Fantasy game * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more!

Cody and Jon talk gaming in bars and casinos and how they, as gamers, approach gambling*. Hear about gambling laws in Minnesota and Illinois, plus future plans to visit Las Vegas and where they might hope to win it big! If you think you might have a gambling addiction, then call 1-800-522-4700. The National Council on Problem Gambling operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network (1-800-522-4700). The network is a single national access point to local resources for those seeking help for a gambling problem. Show Notes: * Cody calls Jon out when he claims that parks are indoors in Minnesota * Jon explains pull-tabs, a form of gambling available in bars in Minnesota, and shares some exciting news about his wife hitting it big just before the recording of this podcast episode * Jon shares the exciting news of how he bought a new suit, and he and Cody swap stories about men’s fashion and dressing up as adults * Cody is panicked about an upcoming trip to Switzerland, during which he has no idea how he will dress * Fun facts about the dark web, the black market for ascots, and asking kids what they drew in their pictures * Cody and Jon exchange stories about bitcoin gambling in the states of Illinois and Minnesota, respectively, and decide to plan an impromptu trip to Las Vegas next summer * Jon also goes into the specifics of “Vegas odds” – which he had earlier played on https://njnodeposit.com/ and what games have the best odds for the player (as opposed to the best odds for the house) * Cody promises to bet on 9 at a roulette table when in Vegas, but only if their ladies are dressed to the nines, and will buy everyone a cheap meal if he wins * Cody briefly discusses his hilarious Twitter commentary on Final Fantasy XV, which is ongoing and quite humorous * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Cody and Jon go FULL GAMER and review their favorite video games played over the past year, in addition to discussing what they learned about balancing video games with real life. Plus: a look ahead at what’s to come in 2017! Show Notes: * Cody and Jon present their favorite games of 2016 (note that they were not necessarily released in 2016, but are games they played in 2016), including: * Doom (2016 edition; Jon’s review here) * Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (Cody, Jon, and a special guest review here) * The Witness (Jon reviews here) * Darkest Dungeon (Jon and Russian Jon review here) * Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (not previously reviewed) * Metal Gear Solid V (Cody reviews here) * World of Warcraft: Legion (Jon discusses here) * Gears of War 4 (Jon discusses here) * Final Fantasy XV (not yet fully reviewed) * Kentucky Route Zero (Jon reviews here) * Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds (not previously reviewed) * Pokemon Go (not previously reviewed) * Lara Croft GO (Cody discusses here) * Cody and Jon discuss what they learned about themselves and how to fit video games into their adult lives over the last year, including what types of games fit best into their schedules and the best time of day to play uninterrupted (and without bothering family / roommates!) * To wrap up the episode, Cody and Jon look ahead at 2017 and discuss the results of Cody’s completely unscientific Twitter poll about which game his followers are most excited to play * Hear which game has the most hype: Resident Evil 7, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Mass Effect: Andromeda, or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Cody was told by several people that he would literally die by traveling, and yet he survived. Hear him and Jon completely destroy travel naysayers, then talk about what it’s like to take kids on vacation. Show Notes: * Jon checks in on his facial hair progress: if you had to pick one, then would you say it’s better to look good or to look young? * Cody and Jon discuss the lore of spanking in the pantheon of the Game/Life Balance U.S. podcast * Life Stuff * Cody traveled to Mexico City for work, and people did not react to learning of his trip in the way he expected * Despite certain travel destinations being a “dangerous place,” Cody thinks that people should go places anyway * Jon experienced the joy of traveling on vacation to California via airplane with his nearly 3-year-old son for the first time, and his troubles didn’t occur when he thought they would * Cody discusses some of the history of Teotihuacan and explains how he ended up at an EDM festival in Mexico City with Paul Van Dyk as a headliner * In a bizarre turn of events, Cody goes full British after explaining his encounter with three blokes and a bird * Cody and Jon congratulate Doombrowski, who just released his game Suburban Scavengers on Steam Greenlight, on his Doom Ninja Podcast joining the GonnaGeek Network! * Balancing Act * Jon has been playing the latest World of Warcraft expansion, and is back to playing one of his favorite mobile games of all time * Cody gives first impressions of Final Fantasy XV and discusses a few fun mobile games he picked up when traveling, some old and some new * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Jon goes FULL GAMER with a Doom review (2016), discussing the first-person shooter video game developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, which he played on Steam. Show Notes: Jon is a husband and a parent of a toddler, so he has real-life responsibilities and a limited amount of time to play video games every week. He also isn’t normally a fan of first-person shooters at all, so he was surprised at how much he enjoyed playing Doom. Hear Jon’s review from the point of view of a guy who is careful with his time commitments! * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Jon and Cody discuss work culture during the holiday season, then talk misleading time commitments—especially as it relates to finding time to play video games. Show Notes: * Jon explains why he’s been absent from the podcast for a few weeks and how it relates to the nature of this podcast (hint: it’s related to parenting) * Life Stuff * Jon talks about being a pharmacist during the holidays, and Cody explains what corporate life is like in December * A quick tangent about the upcoming Hearthstone expansion, Mean Streets of Gagdetzan, spirals out of control and turns into something about Gambit from the X-Men and Harambe * Cody and Jon discuss how many hours per week they work and how often they like to work; then, Jon calls Cody a communist * Balancing Act * Jon explains why he can’t enjoy Gears of War 4, even though he bought it for a very specific reason: Horde Mode * Jon harshly criticizes Horde Mode and explains why they desperately need to introduce a penalty system for players dropping out * Cody plugs Suburban Scavengers, the newest game from Doombrowski, which he strongly encourages you to support on Steam Greenlight! * Cody chastises Jon for not pre-ordering Final Fantasy XV * The hosts of Game/Life Balance Australia criticized Cody and Jon for their Game/Life Balance rating system on their most recent episode, so the hosts of Game/Life Balance U.S. take the opportunity to explain and define their rating system * Cody promises upcoming reviews for Doom (2016), Gears of War 4, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward, and more! * Both Cody and Jon happen to have seen Doctor Strange last week, and Jon magically guesses that The Music Box Theatre is showing Akira in Chicago next weekend * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Cody describes what it was like to walk from his apartment to Wrigley Field immediately following the Chicago Cubs win in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series for the first time in 108 years. Then, guest host Chris Ferrell discusses over-age drinking and how he can’t quite party like he could in college. Show Notes: * Marijuana is now legal in various forms across America, and Cody is trying to cash in * Cody introduces Chris Ferrell from the GonnaGeek Network and chastises his regular co-host Jon for blowing him off on the podcast * Several unnecessary WWE references set the stage for an amazing podcast * Life Stuff * Cody watched the Chicago Cubs win the World Series for the first time in 108 years at a bar just a mile away from Wrigley Field, and he recounts the epic tale of his pilgrimage to Wrigleyville following the big win * Chris talks about his relationship with baseball and how celebrations happen with Cody * Then, Chris talks about how he partied a little too hard, and how over-age drinking in adult life complicates the ability to party like he could in college * Plus: the value in having friends who aren’t your age * Balancing Act * Chris and Cody discuss WWE SuperCard, a ridiculous time-wasting mobile game * Cody describes the outrageous Oz: Broken Kingdom, a mobile game that probably shouldn’t exist * Cody also gives a quick update on Final Fantasy XIV, including his experience playing the final dungeon of the game * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Cody talks about how he found himself watching Highlander in a movie theater in Wrigleyville as the Chicago Cubs won their first pennant since 1945. Plus: Jon has his annual Halloween love fest and recommends movies and games for the season, then discusses the Nintendo Switch with Cody. Show Notes: * The Chicago Cubs are in the World Series for the first time in over 70 years! Cody explains why he found himself in Wrigleyville the night they won the pennant at Wrigley Field * Cody gives a mini-review of Highlander, which he saw at an old-timey movie theatre with Nick Offerman… and yes, that’s a thing that actually happened for some reason * Life Stuff * Jon tells a story about the TV show American Horror Story, then talks Black Mirror with Cody * Continuing with his Halloween horror theme, Jon tells a ridiculous story about a video game called The Evil Within * In terms of movies still in theaters, Jon recommends Ouija: Origin of Evil, which is a great endorsement from a horror movie buff * Cody tells a story about Penumbra, a horror movie set in Argentina that his girlfriend won’t watch with him, then explains why the movie Tremors is his backup plan * Quick plug for Until Dawn, a video game that Jon would like to play every year in October * Current News * Cody and Jon nerd out about the Nintendo Switch! And by “nerd out” we mean “Jon explains what we actually know about it, and Cody just kind of says how awesome it is several times” * Balancing Act * Because of the podcast’s new format, Cody plans on reviewing Sid Meier’s Civilization VI and Jon plans on reviewing the 2016 edition of Doom on special episodes of the podcast… but they do talk about them a bit here as well * Also, you can watch Cody play Hearthstone on a Facebook Live Video in which he explains why Wild is a million times more fun than Standard in the game * Cody also gives a quick update on Final Fantasy XIV, including commentary on a crazy amount of cut scenes near the end of the game * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Unity‘ by TheFatRat with permission * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Cody and Jon discuss their recent game/life balance, then Cody explains how commercial auditions and casting agencies work. He then engages Jon in a discussion on gamer stereotypes and how deeply they’ve permeated our culture. Show Notes: * Jon riffs on NPR pledge drives, and Cody makes fun of his stupid face * Cody has a stroke or something and starts screaming about perspiration and precipitation and religion * Jon disagrees with Cody’s assessment of how to tell when it’s time to start recording their podcast every week, especially regarding putting his son to bed * Balancing Act * Cody has been struggling to play Final Fantasy XIV because he burned his girlfriend out on it when he basically played nothing else for 2-3 months; how do you deal with that sort of situation? Jon provides insights from his MMORPG experience * Very briefly, Cody lauds the changes in Blizzard’s latest Hearthstone patch 6.1.3, which had made the game infinitely more playable… but then has to complain about the mobile volume issue that is preventing him from listening to podcasts, which is extremely annoying * Jon is still waking up at 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning to play video games, and he explains why the new Doom may be the best first-person shooter he has ever played * He also realizes that he’s been playing Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes for a full year now, and talks about how that and Mobius Final Fantasy have been his main mobile gaming “things” lately * Life Stuff * Cody explains the commercial audition and casting process and how he got his second callback in a very long time * Also this week: Cody had lunch with podcast super-fan and Doom Ninja podcast host Ryan Dombrowski * Jon and Cody discuss the “gamer stereotype” and how society has adjusted peoples’ expectations for what gamers are like in real life * Black Mirror is coming back with new episodes! Get excited! * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Subterranean Kamikaze‘ by Sixto Sounds,zircon, via OverClocked ReMix (http://ocremix.org) * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Jon and Cody debate styles and merits of facial hair, Cody gets stuck in a creative rut, and Jon has a potty training nightmare. All in one explosive episode! Show Notes: * Jon explains why he’s trying to grow a beard, and Cody explains why some people just are not allowed to grow facial hair for any reason ever * Cody describes his creative rut and discusses creative outlets with Jon * Jon used to actually be really good at singing, but apparently is not driven by the same need for a creative outlet as Cody, who is floundering like an idiot not having any clue what to do with his life * Jon tells an incredibly long but somewhat informative and entertaining story about trying to potty train his son, who is basically trolling him for kicks * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Subterranean Kamikaze‘ by Sixto Sounds,zircon, via OverClocked ReMix (http://ocremix.org) * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Look, let’s just call this episode like it is: Cody and Jon don’t really have anything significant to talk about, so they just improvise comedy for a while. Listen to this episode, but expect hilarity in lieu of actual content! Show Notes: * Jon brings up Harambe McHarambeface, and Cody crushes his dreams by pointing out that the story is fake and stupid * What do you drink after you get home from the gym? Cody and Jon discuss why the answer probably should not be “cookie dough” * Cody rages because sports seasons are happening, and explains that sports seasons are dumb * Welcome to Dumb * In an unexpected twist of fate, Cody introduced himself to one of his neighbors, which Jon then both admits is a big deal and then berates Cody because he says it isn’t a big deal, mostly because Jon’s a jerk and can’t make up his mind * “Sorry, what were you saying? I was busy drinking water because my life is so interesting.” * Life Stuff * Jon visited Chicago and didn’t even tell Cody he was in town, because he has no heart and they aren’t real friends * Jon goes into painstaking detail about how board games are printed, then reviews both the first and second edition of A Study in Emerald, a board game based on the award-winning short story of the same name by Neil Gaiman * Jon also explains the concept behind a board game called Codenames, which Cody actually owns and now really wants to play * Cody then tells a ridiculous story about how he both literally and figuratively found gold while digging through a neighbor’s discarded goods over Labor Day weekend * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Subterranean Kamikaze‘ by Sixto Sounds,zircon, via OverClocked ReMix (http://ocremix.org) * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com

Jon gives a glowing Kentucky Route Zero review and tries to help Cody understand how it’s like Twin Peaks. If you don’t know what to do in the gym or you’ve never stepped foot in one before, it can seem like a pretty scary place. What are all the machines for? How do I do use them? Is everyone looking at me? That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate gym guide for beginners, that covers everything from what to pack in your gym bag, right up to your very own beginner’s workout. Once you’ve read through this guide, you’ll know everything there is to know about working out in the gym and smashing your fitness goals. Show Notes: * Jon tells a story about how he used to own hermit crabs, which Cody refuses to believe * Debate on how to pronounce the word “route” in “Kentucky Route Zero” * Cody trashes L.A. Fitness, which is a garbage gym with garbage policies and nobody should ever go there, and then tells and epic (short) gym story about exercise, testosterone supplements and sleep habits * Then, Cody covers a LIVE BREAKING STORY involving live podcasting, which is hilarious and involves bad timing and his girlfriend * Full Gamer * Jon is generous in his Kentucky Route Zero review because it felt like Twin Peaks to him, and Twin Peaks is good * “It’s different from any other experience with a game—in terms of storytelling—than anything I’ve ever seen” * It’s interactive and you should play it with your girlfriend! TUNE IN TO LEARN WHY * Learn how to connect with us on the GonnaGeek Network, syndication on WGN Plus, our YouTube channel, and more! * Podcast theme song intro/outro credit: ‘Subterranean Kamikaze‘ by Sixto Sounds,zircon, via OverClocked ReMix (http://ocremix.org) * Game/Life Balance AUS official web site: http://www.gamelifebalanceaustralia.com