Triple Click

Video games: they're cool! There are a lot of new games out, so let's talk about them. Games discussed this week: Wanderstop, Expelled, Split Fiction, Rise of the Golden Idol DLC, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage One More Thing: Kirk: Reacher (Prime Video) Maddy: Paradise (Hulu) Jason: The Corrections (Jonathan Franzen) LINKS: Analysis of duplicated host introductions using spectral analysis: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EQmbU451Ob5rmqKUDAdwAjuSysx7oEvW/view?usp=sharing “The Guilt of the Video Game Millionares” by Simon Parkin for The New Yorker, 2014 https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-guilt-of-the-video-game-millionaires Featuring an excerpt from the Wanderstop theme by C418 Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Kirk, Maddy, and Jason grab their Palicoes and pull out their dual blades for a monster hunt extraordinaire. This week, the gang is talking about Capcom's latest Monster Hunter. They talk about the appeal of the core gameplay loop, the thrill of the combat, and the approachability compared to previous entries. One More Thing: Kirk: The Murderbot Diaries (Martha Wells) Maddy: The Contestant (2023) Jason: Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars LINKS: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

What's with the video game industry? Over the last three years, tens of thousands of jobs have been cut, dozens of studios were shut down and countless projects got canceled. Kirk, Jason, and Maddy break down why and how this is all happening, from flattened console growth to the rise of Fortnite and other Black Hole games like it. One More Thing: Kirk: The Pitt (Max) Maddy: Moonlight Internet Hosting Tool Jason: This is the Tom Green Documentary (Amazon Prime) LINKS: Matthew Ball’s presentation on the state of the video game industry: https://www.matthewball.co/all/stateofvideogaming2025 Chris Hayes on Know Your Enemy talking about attention and his new book The Siren’s Call: https://www.dissentmagazine.org/blog/know-your-enemy-pay-attention/ Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

The gang takes a deep dive into Obsidian's latest roleplaying game, Avowed. They talk about the crunchy combat, the ramifications of story decisions, and why the exploration works so well. Plus: SNL turns 50! One More Thing: Kirk: Ladies and Gentlemen…. 50 Years of SNL Music (Peacock) Maddy: Priscilla (2023) Jason: Lisa Jewell LINKS: Featuring “Avowed” by Venus Theory and Justin E. Bell Hbomberguy’s “Fallout New Vegas is Genuis, Here’s Why”: ​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzF7aHxk4Y4 Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Civilization VII is out this week, and it's time to break down Sid Meier's iconic series. Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about their favorite games in the franchise, what "4X" actually means, and why Civ games are so appealing to so many people. One More Thing: Kirk: “The Ghosts in the Machine” an excerpt from Mood Machine by Liz Pelly Maddy: ‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard Just Went From A Good RPG To One Of BioWare’s Most Important Games’ by Ken Shepard [Spoilers] Jason: Avowed LINKS: “Casual Viewing: Why Netflix Looks Like That” by Will Tavlin for N+1: https://www.nplusonemag.com/issue-49/essays/casual-viewing/ Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

The console wars are over. The winner? PC gaming! This week, the Triple Click gang gets into Maddy's recent quest to build a new PC and some of their favorite PC building experiences. Then they talk about the recent explosion of PC gaming, what's caused it, and what it might mean for the future of games. One More Thing: Kirk: Demon Copperhead (Barbara Kingsolver) Maddy: Citizen Sleeper 2 Jason: The craziest trade in NBA history LINKS: Featuring “Sleeper” by Amos Roddy from Citizen Sleeper Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Wondering what makes some video game titles good and some bad? Just bring in Triple Click Consulting — we've got you covered. This week, the gang goes through a whole bunch of names and discusses what makes them work and what doesn't, from Balatro to EA Sports FC. One More Thing: Kirk: “All Work and No Play” - Sam Adler-Bell for Dissent, 2021 Maddy: Silo season 2 Jason: You Like It Darker (Stephen King) LINKS: The Know Your Enemy Podcast: https://www.dissentmagazine.org/category/podcast/know-your-enemy/ Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/ A good name should be at least two of:

Nintendo officially announced the Switch 2 last week, and there's oh so much to discuss. Jason, Maddy, and Kirk give their initial impressions of Nintendo's next console, talk about how it will fit into a post-Steam Deck world, and debate whether Mario Kart is any good. Then they talk about PlayStation's failing live-service initiative. Plus: a bonus Burning Question! One More Thing: Kirk: Trap (dir. M. Night Shaymalan) Maddy: Building Outside the Lines (HGTV) Jason: The Puzzle Maker: Cebba’s Odyssey (Steam) LINKS: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

How have video game budgets skyrocketed to the hundreds of millions? What are some good video games for elderly people? And is it possible there's a game as good as Balatro out there, but nobody has found it yet? This week, the Triple Click gang opens up the mailbag and takes some of your questions on all sorts of topics. One More Thing: Kirk: Black Doves (Netflix) Maddy: Steam Families Jason: The Roottrees Are Dead LINKS: Excerpts from “Crowning Celebration” by Paul Misko from The Case of the Golden Idol, 2022 and “New Wells of Conformity” by Paul Alexander from Case of the Golden Idol, 2024 Kirk’s new prediction: Death Stranding 2 will feature one (1) of the following people: Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalomét, Christopher Nolan, Daniel Craig Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Jason, Kirk, and Maddy revisit last year's predictions to see what game they'll be playing this year, then go through some new predictions for 2025, from the Nintendo Switch 2 to... new Half-Life? One More Thing: Kirk: Interviewing your friends & family / StoryCorps Maddy: Scorcese double feature (Taxi Driver + King of Comedy) Jason: Encanto (2021) LINKS: StoryCorps: https://storycorps.org/ Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/ 2025 PREDICTIONS KIRK Bonus: Nintendo will announce they're bringing games to Steam Game: SOMA MADDY Bonus: Half-Life 4 will be announced Game: Super Metroid JASON Bonus: Amazon will pull out of the video game industry Game: Chrono Trigger

It's a race to the top as Leon, Key, and Bing reckon with a ghost from the past... and some imps in the present. Leon makes a surprising discovery. Key takes a big risk. Bing rearranges the furniture. LINKS: Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

It's time for the best games of the year! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason go through 2024's lineup and talk about their favorites. GAME OF THE YEAR: Kirk: Maddy: Jason: One More Thing: Kirk: Detroiters Maddy: Battle Royale by Koushun Takami Jason: Happy Endings (Hulu) LINKS: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about The Game Awards 2024 (and determine the predictions winner) before breaking down Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the latest game in the whip-cracking, fedora-wearing archeologist's adventures. They talk about the puzzles, the fist-fighting, and which parts of the game belong in a museum. One More Thing: Kirk: Thank Goodness You’re Here! (PC + Consoles) Maddy: Drumline (2002) Jason: Say Nothing (Patrick Radden Keefe) LINKS: Featuring Excerpts from “Interplanetary” by The Beastie Boys from Hello Nasty, 1998, and “Raiders March” by John Williams from Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981 Smack Barm Pey Wet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fid-RMAm4U Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Finally, it's time for gaming's biggest night. Kirk, Maddy, and Jason go through each category at the 2024 Game Awards, from Game of the Year to Content Creator of the Year, and make their predictions. They talk about the biggest snubs, what they expect, and which game announcements they hope to see. One More Thing: Kirk: A Man on the Inside (Netflix) Maddy: Scream (2022) Jason: The Diplomat (Netflix) LINKS: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Grab your D20 and roll initiative — it's time to talk Dungeons & Dragons. Inspired by their recent Triple Quest journey, the gang talks about their experiences playing with Matthew Mercer this year. They also get into their personal D&D histories, the game's recent surge of popularity, and how Baldur's Gate 3 has impacted it all. One More Thing: Kirk: Mouthwashing (PC/Steam) Maddy: Infinity Nikki Jason: Secrets of Grindea LINKS: Luke Winkie’s 2023 interview with Matt Mercer: https://slate.com/life/2023/08/dungeons-dragons-critical-role-matthew-mercer-twitch.html Mages and Murderdads: https://rangedtouch.com/mages-murderdads/ Jason on Secrets of Grindea: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-05-31/-secrets-of-grindea-the-hit-indie-video-game-that-took-13-years-to-make Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

On part two of Triple Quest, the trio visits the library. Leon and Luther take their relationship to the next level. Bing plays some piano. Key gets into pottery. LINKS: Support Triple Click: https://maximumfun.org/join Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

It's a Thanksgiving cornucopia full of video games as the Triple Click gang talks about what they've been playing. They discuss Rise of the Golden Idol, STALKER 2, Loco Motive, and Tactical Breach Wizards. Plus: spatchcocking! One More Thing: Kirk: Slow Horses (Mick Herron) Maddy: Les Miserables (2012) Jason: Thanksgiving LINKS: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

You all asked for advice, so here it is! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason open up the mailbag for a special Burning Questions all about life advice. They talk about how to make friends as adults, how to have better conversations, how to convince your children to cook with you and much more. One More Thing: Kirk: Echo Point Nova Maddy: Scream 2 + 3 Jason: Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake LINKS: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Kirk and Maddy have played a lot of Dragon Age: The Veilguard! Jason... well, Jason can just listen. The gang talks about BioWare's latest RPG and how much it changes after the first few hours, mostly for the better. One More Thing: Kirk: City Cast Maddy: Evil Men (podcast) Jason: Rise of the Golden Idol LINKS: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Triple Click gathers their party for a discussion of ensemble casts. They talk about Metaphor: ReFantazio, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and other RPGs this year to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each game's party. No, not that party. The other one. One More Thing: Kirk: Black Ops IIIIII Maddy: Metaphor: ReFantazio Jason: The Unseen World (Liz Moore) LINKS: Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/