Frame Trap - Episode 42 "Discussions About the Dark Side"

Just FYI the paid loot boxes don’t give credits. The only boxes that give credits are the free daily boxes.

Michael Kurzer

Yeah it's a weird one for me too, the guns I can understand since you can see those but otherwise? Nah. It's a lot of why I didn't get much out of earning skins in OW instead of any other type of progression. Nothing against people who dig it, I just....don't.

ZyloWolfBane

This is a geniune question, not trolling, so bare with me please.... But can somebody explain to me what the appeal is of cosmetic items for a first person shooter ? A game where you can't see your character ?

Randy Verschueren

Thanks for the Battlefront II discussion, Huber! Just for clarity, EA only changed the price of heroes. All the pay to win card bullshit is still the same. Someone on ERA pointed out that it takes 4500 hours or $2100 to unlock everything in the base game. How this game has anything above 0 on Metacritic is a mystery to me.

It may not be apparent to western gamers, but the story of Nioh is very much a love letter (I didn't want to use this phrase but I can't find a replacement with the same meaning) to eastern gamers who were old Koei fans years ago, who grew up playing historical fiction games made by the Koei before these dynasty warriors junk, without a basic knowledge of Sengoku history one can never appreciate Nioh's story. Sangokushi (Romance of the Three Kingdoms), Nobunaga's Ambition, and my personal favorites Taikou Risshiden and non-historical Uncharted Waters, each one told the epic and emotional stories of days long gone, filled my head with heroes and their struggles as I drift into sleep from long play sessions. To me, Nioh used its unique protagonist to tell a truly compelling tale of the late Sengoku period, because of William's role as an outsider with no prior knowledge of the Japanese, and the fact that he can only understand but not speak to them, he has to use his ability to see and touch spirits to converse with his contemporaries meaning he literally speak with the samurai spirit within each of the heroes he meet. Regardless of how little time they interact, William almost always left with the deepest thought of his many hosts in his mind, these thoughts are very sparse to the average western games with no prior knowledge to Sengoku history just enough to confuse or even enrage them, but to someone like me who grew up with the stories of old heroes they were enough to bring me to my tears. They were told in such sincerity, such dignity and such conviction that they can only be written by someone who has much respect and love for it's time period and the people in them, I believe the portrayal in Nioh is more dignified and respectful than Samurai Warriors series also by Koei which I know is not saying much but still much appreciated, for its affect on me personally is not something Souls series could ever match if not for the fact that there were mountains of books written on the subject of these time periods and people, then for the fact that most people you see in it did walked on this very earth once upon a time. Nioh gave me hope that Koei will one day go back to it's roots, their historical simulation and role playing games were top of the class, I would love to once again embark on a journey to the age of warlords and kings, age of discovery and revolutions, Koei, please take me away once more.

BHL

Please keep up the regular dark souls discussion. One of the greatest series of all time. There's a special atmosphere and feeling to these games, along with demons souls, that can't be matched!

Thanks for the SWBF2 discussion. I had it on pre-order (due to Best Buy's many stacking offers) and had a hidden optimism for the game. I was on the line of making excuses for it as well and would have really been disappointed. GameInformer and other outlets reviews are pretty harsh so hopefully with this, Forza and LotR backlash is strong enough that they pump the breaks on this whole business model. Edit upon completing the podcast - Ben. I think you summed it up perfectly of adding context to offensive situations (especially in video games and grey areas like this). I thought the trailer was a bit much but not offended. I myself get a little annoyed with the rage machine of the internet and admittingly have a hard time being empathetic because it seems they take a snip of context and blow it up. It becomes a game of cat and mouse where both sides are asking the other to be understanding to each other but won't bother to pull the weight to do it themselves on the opposing side view (if that makes sense). We need a better balance of not only being mindful of others opinions but also for the other side to don't be in a rush to get offended because things can get lost in translation and neither side will take each other seriously.

Zugdar

You did not get the memo, he is the main character. =)

Mind you I hate EA, they've killed many franchises I grew up with....and will probably ruin many MANY more. But they simply aren't the only offenders out there, while I'm glad people are fighting game about it, I just wish they didn't have blinders when other companies do the same thing. Rainbow Six Seige also has a similar model.

ZyloWolfBane

I just want to remind people that aside from lootboxes and the card perks SFV pulled a lot of the same crap. It also has time and again screwed over anyone who bought that game at launch when they try as hard as they do to pull that game out of the gutter. EA isn't the biggest boogieman when it comes to shady crap, it just happens to sell more copies than the companies who've also used many of the same tactics, so it gets more exposure.

ZyloWolfBane

This week, on the Huber & Moore show... (JK, lol)

Anontastic

Glad ben is willing to talk about the harder, not so fun topics like loot boxes and TLOU2 trailer. Always sincere and thoughtful conversations. Whether or not you agree (and I was not a fan of the TLOU2 trailer) it’s better to talk about it instead of sweeping it under the rug.

Bdun912

Just get on that switch train. =) fresh air over here.

Great episode!

drd7of14

I think I need a palette cleanser after this. The internet is so full of negativity and whining that listening to the crew of EZA is usually a refreshing break from all that. I feel like I was just slapped steadily for the last 2 hours and 50 minutes straight. And yes, I do see the irony of complaining about negativity and adding even more negativity into the world. And yes, they have a right to be upset and vent openly in their own podcast. I feel like this industry is beating me down right now and I can't escape it, even here with the Easy Allies. Maybe I just need to avoid certain websites for awhile and just play my games and enjoy them because the rest of humanity is sucking the life out of me and killing my personal enjoyment in things that usually make me happy. Games are supposed to be fun, not cause us to burst veins in our foreheads. Maybe Cup of Jones will be better... —Darth Smurf X PS - Ian, I think you should play Horizon. PPS - Sorry for the rant.

Shane Sanders

Huber explaining his thoughts of dropping a Jackson for Battlefront sounds similar to the first 5 times I tried to quit smoking. Here's a tip to help you quit, stop playing immediately and remove yourself from any and all situations that may involve Battlefront II.

One thought that wasn't brought up was where the Playstation 5 would fit into this. Is $500 for a Xbox One X worth it when a PS5 may come out in 2-3 years that is twice as powerful and we're compelled to drop another $400?

Pixel Perfect Polygons

I honestly had the same experience with Divinity II, I progressed in the game and hit a brick wall because I couldn't win any fight I got into and ultimately stopped playing because I couldn't progress. Then my friend ending up checking out the game and remembered me talking about it, that's when we got into a co-op session together, then another friend of ours wanted in as well and it is the most fun I've had in a while. The game makes every battle a debate over who we should target first or to divide and conquer, it has even given us memorable experiences like when we met "Our boy Trompdoy", how my friend somehow always has the worst armour out of between everyone and how we made Beast an actual BEAST when we decided he should be a summoner. It's been good, really good, and I recommend anyone play it with a close friend(s) if you get the chance.

Loved this episode. As always I'm proud that the Allies are able to discuss representation and gender issues in the gaming industry with an open mind. Its very sad when these discussions end up with people dismissing the experience of those offended. I'm still not sure how I feel about that trailer, but I completely understand why some people, especially women, might be upset. I wonder if in future episodes you guys could invite people that are affected by these themes to share their opinions - that would diminish the need for the whole "I'm a white male" disclaimer. Once again thanks for the episode! L&R

Victor Hugo Capelini

I wonder if they just changed the reward for beating the campaign or all rewards. Cause it seemed like the reward for beating the campaign was specifically set to the same amount that Iden Versio costs to unlock just so you can unlock her with it.

Olf Himself

I think the value of Xbox One X will only grow when more games support the power of it. - - I also don't like exclusives. I want as many people to be able to play the games I love so publishers can see they are wanted. Before you know it they are going to buy exclusive deals locking movies to specific consoles! Yay for exclusives. How people would rage at that. Why is it OK for games to be exclusive? Exclusives Bad!-- Its a two way street. Those who freak out and get offended need to also try and respect what offends them in some cases. Chances are it is not an attack on them.

Chris H

Glad Ian was on this one, also while I personally do not care about The Walking Dead so that whole chunk added very little for me, I support yall going off the rails of just video games to topics like this. This isn't the stiff and rigid official EZA podcast. It's Frame Trap baby, and the scenic detours are part of the crazy fun of this podcast.

MBUN

that was a funny "do and doritos" joke Ian, caused me some laughing.

THE. WOODPECKER.

irene035

Huber, Sony already has the marketing/content deal for Red Dead.

I can feel Huber's sadness with Battlefront. I'm so sorry, friend.

Mikehook1

I hear that they changed rewards as well Ben. You get 5K instead of 20K for completing the campaign

Ibrahim Sozer