The Steam Podcast

Something got massively jacked up with the recording. My mic quality is pretty bad and for some reason there’s several seconds delay between my commentary and Ramzy’s, causing some bizarre and confusing overlaps. I’m not sure why this happened, but I’ll make sure it’s fixed for the next episode. Since it’s been so long, I figured it would be better to just release this episode even if it’s broken and painful to listen to. Again, sorry for the mistakes.

File Mirrors

• High Quality MP3 - SteamPodcast.com
• High Quality MP3 - Archive.org
• Low Quality MP3 - Archive.org
• OGG Vorbis - Archive.org

This week’s podcast features the following on-air personalities:

• Bob Somers - SteamPodcast.com
• Ramzy Bekheet - SteamPodcast.com

1337 C4T of Episode 18
This week’s 1337 C4T was scared away by this crazy guy:

This Week’s New Releases
All scores are from MetaCritic.

• BioShock - Xbox 360, PC - 97% (40 reviews)
• Madden NFL ‘08 - Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, PC
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 - PS3, PSP
• Dungeons & Dragons Tactics - PSP - 68% (6 reviews)
• NASCAR ‘08 - Xbox 360, PS2, PS3 - 60% (21 reviews)
• Guilty Gear Judgment - PSP - 78% (13 reviews)
• Guilty Gear Dust Strikers - DS - 62% (23 reviews)

The following news articles were discussed on the show:

Remember the Heavy? Time to Meet the Solider

Hop on Steam and download the high-def movie Meet the Soldier for Team Fortress 2. It includes more in-game footage and effects that are looking freaking awesome. Download it. Now.

BioShock Install Restrictions Leaves Players “Shocked”

2K got a ton of crap for loading up BioShock with some nasty copy protection that only lets install the game twice (this has since been updated to 5 times) before your serial number is completely void and you have to repurchase the game. Even the Steam version is loaded up with the copy protection and isn’t immune from the install restriction. Not cool 2K. Very not cool.

BioShock 2K Servers “Shocked” To Death - Players Even More Shockedededed

Installing BioShock on a PC requires a user’s computer to connect to 2K’s auto-patch servers before the game can be played, something made impossible for some time today when the 2K servers crashed. 2K’s own forums were alight with disgruntled BioShock buyers who were prevented from playing the game due to the required connection. As of publication time, 2K’s official Web site was timing out, as was the BioShock Cult of Rapture site.

Valve Releases Orange Box System Requirements

I’m sure it will shock you all to hear that the system requirements for the Orange Box are exactly the same as they are for Half-Life 2. Pentium 4 1.7 GHz, 512 MB of RAM, and a DirectX 8 video card. Nothing to see here folks, move along.

Take-Two’s ‘Manhunt 2′ Game Approved For Sale

Take-Two Interactive Software said a new version of the game, which features an insane asylum escapee killing enemies in gruesome ways, had won a “Mature” rating from the U.S. ESRB (Entertainment Software Ratings Board), meaning it is meant for players aged 17 and older.

The ratings board had previously slapped an “Adults Only” rating on the game, which in turn would have meant the game would not be able to be sold on any Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo product, as none of the companies allow such titles on their game consoles.

Censors in Britain and Ireland have also banned the game from being sold, but Take-Two did not say whether it had submitted the reworked game for review in those countries.

Boy Nearly Killed Trying to Cool His Xbox 360

A genius 14-year-old kid almost killed himself when he tried to stop his Xbox 360 from overheating by wrapping the power supply in plastic and tape and submerging it in a pan of cold water. Luckily he was only knocked unconscious and suffered minor burns to his hands and feet.

2K Games Announces Mafia 2 - And It’s Looking Spiffy

2K Games has announced that it will be publishing Mafia 2, sequel to 2002’s organized crime sim, Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven. Developed by Illusion Softworks for “next generation consoles” and Games for Windows, the game faces unbelievably steep and varied competition as it vies to be “the industry’s most compelling Mafia title to date.” It also promises to deliver “high octane gunplay with white knuckle driving and an engaging narrative”

Check out the screenshots. They’re pretty awesome.

Wii Finally Passes Xbox 360 in Worldwide Sales

As of August 23, the Wii is officially the world sales leader having sold 10.57 million units. The Xbox 360 is right behind with 10.51 million units sold and the PS3 is in a distant third with 4.32 million units sold.

61% Sales Boost For The PS3 - Still In Last Place Though

So, it seems because of the $100 price cut, the PS3 has received a 61% increase in sales, it’s still coming last though.

Funny Videos

• Computer Corner’s Gunther Wilson explains Social Networking
• Incredible Limbo Guy
• Guy Runs Over Friend’s Arm

Wrap Up

Keep your fan mail, suggestions, and comments coming. The coolest email address on the net is still fans@steampodcast.com.

File Mirrors

• High Quality MP3 - SteamPodcast.com
• High Quality MP3 - Archive.org
• Low Quality MP3 - Archive.org
• OGG Vorbis - Archive.org

This week’s podcast features the following on-air personalities:

• Bob Somers - SteamPodcast.com
• Ramzy Bekheet - SteamPodcast.com

1337 C4T of Episode 17

This Week’s New Releases
All scores are from MetaCritic.

• Rugby ‘08 - PS2, PC
• Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm - PS2 - 64% (27 reviews)
• Shrek The Third - PSP - 57% (8 reviews)

The following news articles were discussed on the show:

THQ Brings Huge Line-Up to Steam

THQ has brought a lot of great games to Steam, including Company of Heroes, Titan Quest, and Full Spectrum Warrior. Soon, Supreme Commander, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and Warhammer 40,000 will be available on Steam, too.

WoW Subscribers Passes 9 Million

Blizzard announced on Tuesday that their widely-popular World of Warcraft MMORPG has surpassed the 9 million subscriber mark, an unprecedented number for an MMO game.

No only that, Blizzard is set to release The Burning Crusade expansion pack for mainland china, and expects a huge influx of new and returning subscribers as a result.

Indy Game of the Year “Gish” Comes to Steam

Definitely check this game out. It’s basically a platformer, but you’re a squishy ball of tar that can roll around, squeeze through things, bounce, stick to things, and sink through water. At only $7.95, what’s not to like?

Wanna try it out first? Try the Gish non-Steam demo.

Custom-made God of War PSP up for auction

While it may not be to everyone’s taste, this one-of-a-kind God of War PSP is certainly an impressive bit of console modding, boasting not just a spiffy paint job, but a few additions that dig into the PSP itself. (See the shownotes for more details)

However only the most die hard God of War fans need apply, as last we checked the bidding was around the $1,225 mark.

Smash Brawl Control Scheme Revealed

Many of us Super Smash Bros. fanatics were wondering how the control scheme from Brawl was going to work. We’ve now got the official word from the Smash website, which explains that you can use the nunchuck and wiimote, the wiimote alone, the classic controller, or the GameCube controller to play Brawl. Whichever suits your fancy. Nice. It was also announced that the official release date is December 3rd.

Activision Roxxors EA’s Boxxorz

The latest sales data from the NPD Group shows that sales of Activision titles for the first half of the year grossed almost $400 million, a figure largely attributable to the success of its Guitar Hero franchise. In comparison, EA titles raked in $365.7 million during the same period, reports the LA Times.

When asked about his recent success, Activision’s chief executive Bobby Kotick said “For 17 years, I’ve focused on becoming the No1 video game company, and we’re getting a lot closer to achieving that objective,”

Valve Gives Bans People Talking About Linux?

Someone posted a SPUF quote to Digg, which had Patrick M. from Valve responding to someone inquiring about a Steam client for Linux. Patrick said “The next person who posts a new thread on this issue will be banned.” Nothing like taking things out of context!

Move Over Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft, Here Come’s The Super Megason IV!!11

It was only a matter of time before a fourth competitor entered the cut-throat console market. And what better console to make it’s debut but The Super Megason IV!

Boasting a power cartridge shield to prevent accidental damage, a five-thousand speed DVD-ROM reader for super fast load times, cartridges with the ability to store up to and including an astounding 10million games, and an awesome 8-BIT graphics processing unit for graphics just like real life.

The Super Megason IV is everything a gamer could ever want.

Funny Videos

• Jumbo Jet Blows People off Beach
• Painful Workout Accident

Cool Program
SpaceTime 3D Internet Browser

Wrap Up

Check out the screens of the upcoming Steam community update.

Keep your fan mail, suggestions, and comments coming. The coolest email address on the net is still fans@steampodcast.com.

File Mirrors

• High Quality MP3 - SteamPodcast.com
• High Quality MP3 - Archive.org
• Low Quality MP3 - Archive.org
• OGG Vorbis - Archive.org

This week’s podcast features the following on-air personalities:

• Bob Somers - SteamPodcast.com
• Ramzy Bekheet - SteamPodcast.com

1337 C4T of Episode 16

This Week’s New Releases
All scores are from MetaCritic.

• Overlord - PC, Xbox 360 - 79% (11 Reviews)
• Transformers: The Game - PC, Xbox 360, PS2, Wii - 70% (4 reviews)
• Transformers: Decepticon - DS - 72% (7 reviews)
• Transformers: Autobots - DS - 72% (7 reviews)
• Touchmaster DS - DS - 69% (4 reviews)
• Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu - DS - 55% (8 reviews)
• Sniper Assault - PS2

The following news articles were discussed on the show:

Orange Box Site Goes Live

The official Orange Box site went live recently, and while it looks cool it doesn’t really tell us anything we didn’t already know. It has screenshots and trailers for all five games included in the package (HL2, Ep1, Ep2, TF2, Portal) with a short blurb of text.

Gears of War PC Footage Leaked?

Before you all get excited and check the shownotes for the links, don’t bother. It seems that a video of GoW for the PC quietly emerged onto the internet, then disappeared without a trace. However, it’s still a good indicator that GoW will eventually come to the PC, as it’s already been confirmed by Epic Studios.

Valve Announces Major Steam Update for Summer

Starting this month (which, in Valve time, means next year) you’ll be able to create your own profile page on steam, create and join groups, schedule games with your friends, see who they’ve played with recently, review how well everyone played, chat with groups, use voice chat, and more. All of these features will be available to all games on Steam, not just Valve titles. The community will be accessible through Steam and through the web as well.

Microsoft Extending 360 Warranty To Three Years

Today, Microsoft announced that it is once again revamping its warranty scheme for the Xbox 360. After mounting evidence of the system’s failure rate due to the dreaded “red ring of death”, the publisher is changing its warranty to cover systems affected by the red ring for three years from the date of purchase. Any console that suffers the aforementioned failure in any territory the 360 is sold can be returned to Microsoft for repair absolutely for free, because the warranty also includes shipping charges.

Team Xbox Get’s Preview of Episode 2, Team Fortress 2, and Portal

HL2: Episode 2, Team Fortress 2, Portal

Team Xbox got a early peek at Valve’s October releases, and wrote some pretty good previews to boot. Episode 2 features a ton of new landscapes, 6-8 hours of gameplay, and we finally get to see the full life cycle of the antlions. Team Fortress 2 will only launch with 6 maps, but don’t fear, they’ll be adding more after launch TF2 also features hilarious taunt animations and extremely well balanced class-based gameplay. The spy class seems most interesting, since he not only has the ability to become invisibly for short periods of time, but to also take the form of any class of the opposing team. Portal has a surprisingly short story more, only 5-6 hours, but they seem to make up for that with a number of harder difficulty settings and challenges that will keep even expert players busy for hours. For the full rundown, check the links in the show notes.

Is Learning The Guitar Illegal? The RIAA Thinks So!

Is it so wrong to learn how to play the guitar? According to NPR, a record company ordered YouTube to remove videos of a man who offered to show people how to play the guitar for free. One of the songs that he taught was copyrighted, and as a result over 100 of his videos were removed from the internet.

Top 10 Best Video Game Weapons

What were the best of best? The list is surprisingly good (and the witty commentary is that bad either) so definitely check this list out.

Researchers Smash 500GB Milestone For Optical Discs

HDDVD? Bluray? Don’t make the researchers behind the Microholas project laugh. They’ve created a 500GB optical disc using a new microholographic recording technique that makes use of nanostructures inside the disc to squeeze in as much data as possible.

Sony Helps Gamers Play During Class

Sony Italy is passing around paper cards cut in the shape of books with fake hands to disguise those who want to play their PSP’s in places that they probably shouldn’t be.

Sony Has No Plans To Cut PS3 Price

If you were expecting Sony to cut the price of the PS3 by Christmas time, then you were wrong. Dead wrong. Sony’s president, Kaz Hirai, announced on Friday that they had absolutely no plans on reducing the price of the PS3 any time this year. This is despite many analysts predicting a price of over $100 by mid July.

Funny Videos

• THIS IS SPARTA: The Remix
• Drunk Guys Can’t Dunk

Cool Program
File Hippo’s Update Checker checks for updates of most programs on your PC.

Wrap Up
Keep your fan mail, suggestions, and comments coming. The coolest email address on the net is still fans@steampodcast.com.