Triple Click

Did the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard ruin Xbox? How do you build a new studio while simultaneously making a video game? And what's up with the lack of gender representation in esports? Jason, Maddy, and Kirk open up the mailbag and take some of YOUR questions on all sorts of things.One More Thing:Kirk: The Lowdown (Hulu)Maddy: Beauty and the Bester (Netflix)Jason: The Twisted Tale Of Amanda Knox (Hulu)LINKS:“No Girls Allowed” by Tracey Lien for Polygon: https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/12/2/5143856/no-girls-allowed/Katy Perrry sings “Last Friday Night” in Simlish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxyW6AJ-yIkTwenty Thousand Hertz on Simlish: https://www.20k.org/episodes/sulsulSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinAll-New Triple Click Merch!! https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=lastJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Kirk, Jason, and Maddy convene to talk about the big news of the week — Electronic Arts going private as part of a $55 billion leveraged buyout — and what it could mean for the people involved. Then they talk about Ghost of Yotei, the latest PlayStation 5 exclusive and an open-world samurai game about exploring feudal Japan and killing ronin with a sword. It's fun! One More Thing:Kirk: Baby StepsMaddy: Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)Jason: One Battle After Another (2025)LINKS:“How Private Equity Destroys the Companies You Depend On” - The Culture Study Podcast w/ Megan Greenwell: https://culturestudypod.substack.com/p/how-private-equity-destroys-the-companiesSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinAll-New Triple Click Merch!! https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=lastJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Kirk, Maddy, and Jason are all playing the new remaster of Final Fantasy Tactics, which is widely considered to be one of the greatest games ever made. The gang talks about how the 1998 classic holds up today, the complexity of its systems, and all of the new features that Square Enix added for this version, like voice acting. Plus: Hades 2!One More Thing:Kirk: Hades 2Maddy: Moral Combat: Why the War on Violent Video Games Is Wrong (Christopher Ferguson and Patrick M. Markey)Jason: Rise of the Golden IdolLINKS:Jason and Kirk published their entire text conversation about Final Fantasy Tactics’ Dorter Slums: https://kotaku.com/man-final-fantasy-tactics-sure-had-a-steep-learning-cu-5974665Kirk talks to game developers about why they love Final Fantasy Tactics: https://kotaku.com/why-everybody-loves-final-fantasy-tactics-59731962013 Jason on Video Game Violence: https://kotaku.com/from-halo-to-hot-sauce-what-25-years-of-violent-video-5976733Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinAll-New Triple Click Merch!! https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=lastJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

The hosts dive into the latest Nintendo Direct, discussing the Super Mario Galaxy movie, new Fire Emblem titles, and exciting announcements like Metroid Prime 4. They also explore the eagerly anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong, debating its difficulty and design elements. Kirk shares insights on Fourth Wing's romantic fantasy trend and its cultural impact, while Maddy recommends a thought-provoking book on 1990s political shifts. Plus, they highlight the comedic genius of Nathan For You and its influence on modern surreal comedy.

The hosts dive into the highly anticipated Silksong, discussing its stunning improvements and the epic journey of Hornet. They highlight the game's artistic elements and sound design, while exploring the emotional depth and religious symbolism that enrich the narrative. Mastering challenging boss battles is a key focus, alongside strategies for navigating the evolved healing mechanics. Mixing gaming and NFL reflections, they share personal anecdotes that blend the thrills of gaming nights with sports frustrations, creating an entertaining discussion.

On this, the day of Silksong's release, it's time to go back to where it all began: Hollow Knight! The Triple Click gang talks about Team Cherry's 2017 action-adventure game, what makes it so special, and how it became a cultural phenomenon. Plus: they revisit Kotaku Splitscreen's 2018 interview with the developers of Hollow Knight.One More Thing:Kirk: Split FictionMaddy: Deep Cover (2025)Jason: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of AgesLINKS:“Hornet” and “City of Tears” by Chris Larkin from the Hollow Knight OSTKirk’s review of Hollow Knight: https://kotaku.com/hollow-knight-the-kotaku-review-1827367425A video of someone beating the Absolute Radiance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rg8UBKtt1oExcerpts from Kirk’s August 2018 Splitscreen interview with Team CherryJason’s 2025 interview with Team CherryFolding Ideas on Silkposting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSkbylysplISupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinAll-New Triple Click Merch!! https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=lastJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Get ready for thrilling gaming insights as the hosts react to the much-anticipated release of Silksong. They dive into the humor and complexity of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, dissecting its quirky narrative. The discussion also touches on the innovative mechanics of recent titles like Mafia: The Old Country, and the thought-provoking impact of AI on gaming and creativity. As a bonus, expect lighthearted banter about gaming dynamics and reflections on upcoming shows like Alien: Earth and King of the Hill (2025).

Chris Plante, former co-host of The Besties and host of Post Games, joins for a playful exploration of quirky dilemmas. They address everything from the absurdity of the Hot Dog Dilemma to the Great Butt Dilemma, blending humor and thoughtful reflections on life choices. The conversation also delves into gaming preferences, comparing consoles versus game selection, and whimsical hypotheticals involving fictional laws. With a lively banter throughout, the episode balances laughter with insightful commentary on modern life and gaming culture.

Dive into a lively discussion about the ideal skill level for video game reviewers and discover the funniest made-up gaming terms. Explore the intriguing balance between generative AI's creative potential and its ethical implications in game development. The hosts share insights on personal experiences in the industry and reflect on modern feminism's complexities, all while highlighting character depth in popular fantasy series. Engaging storytelling and humor make for a captivating listening experience.

The hosts take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, exploring the lasting magic of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. They discuss its groundbreaking gameplay, innovative storytelling, and the emotional connections players forge with its characters. Humor flows as they critique memorable companions like Navi while celebrating the iconic ocarina tunes. They also touch on the intriguing narrative of the cult classic, alongside engaging discussions on upcoming films like K-pop Demon Hunters and the latest in the Marvel universe.