The podcast discusses various topics including Starfield, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Karateka, Quake 2, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, and the enduring phenomenon of Jet Set Radio. They also touch on AAA gaming decline, the abundance of games this year, and the challenges of reviewing big games. The hosts share personal anecdotes and experiences, reflecting on their favorite childhood vacations and playing arcade games.
There is a growing interest in games that evoke a sense of aesthetic nostalgia, even among those who have never played the original games, with vibrant colors and street art influences appealing to a generation that craves something different from hyper-realistic graphics of modern AAA titles.
The absence of an extreme sports genre is felt, with games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and other extreme sports titles no longer being as prominent, leaving an audience to be catered to by new indie games attempting to fill that void.
As games become bigger and more corporate-driven, there is a concern that the industry is losing its weirdness and unique vision, resulting in stagnant and predictable games that lack creativity and artistic expression found in smaller indie titles.
It's important to recognize the value of weird vision in big art projects, both in games and movies, as it brings a breath of fresh air and pushes boundaries, preventing games from becoming formulaic and uninteresting.
Deep dives
The discussion in the No Clip community
revolves around the emergence of a possible new genre inspired by Jet Set Radio.
With games like Bomb Rush Cyber Funk and High Fire Rush adopting a similar style and gameplay,
the question is raised as to why Jet Set Radio continues to have such a lasting impact and demand for a sequel.
One member, Ali Kant,
who has not played the game, wonders about the enduring phenomenon and the unique aspects that have contributed to its popularity.
Another member, Frank,
mentions the absence of an extreme sports genre, with games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and other extreme sports titles no longer being as prominent.
He notes that the Y2K aesthetic and extreme sports combination
still has an audience to be catered to, and new indie games are attempting to fill that void.
Overall, the discussion centers on the genre's potential revival
and the ongoing appeal of Jet Set Radio.
The Importance of Aesthetic Nostalgia in Gaming
There is a growing interest in games that evoke a sense of aesthetic nostalgia, even among those who have never played the original games. The unique and counter-cultural aesthetics of games like Jet Set Radio and Bomb Rush Cyber Funk, with their vibrant colors and street art influences, appeal to a generation that craves something different from the hyper-realistic graphics of modern AAA titles. This aesthetic nostalgia has led to a resurgence of interest in games with distinctive visual styles, and younger generations are showing a fascination for these types of games. However, the challenge lies in getting players to not just appreciate the art style, but also actively support and buy these games.
The Need for Weirdness in Video Games
As games become bigger and more corporate-driven, there is a concern that the industry is losing its weirdness and unique vision. The expansion of the gaming industry is selecting for more neurotypical individuals who are well-suited to a corporate environment, rather than those who have niche interests and bring a distinct artistic perspective. This results in stagnant and predictable games that lack the creativity and artistic expression found in smaller indie titles. It's important to recognize the value of weird vision in big art projects, both in games and movies, as it brings a breath of fresh air and pushes boundaries. Without the infusion of weirdness, games can become formulaic and uninteresting.
Danny's back from vacation with a friend named Montezuma, but that won't stop him and the crew from NOT talking about the highly anticipated Starfield.
Starfield: https://bethesda.net/en/game/starfield
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1433140/The_Texas_Chain_Saw_Massacre/
The Making of Karateka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrS2pipZaH0
2:01 - Danny's Vacation Catchup 8:05 - Battle Pass Holders 9:15 - Not Talking About Starfield 21:00 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 35:40 - Also Not Talking About Karateka 43:14 - Danny's Quake Takes 48:00 - Reviewing Big Games is Hard 52:05 - Q: Why is Jet Set Radio such an enduring phenomenon? 1:03:28 - AAA Gaming is on the decline... 1:13:56 - There are way too many games this year! 1:17:20 - Sign Off
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