Season 7 | dlcpodcast

Season 7 (2017)

Episode 1: Switch-ing Back

In little more than a month, Nintendo's next major console comes out. Only announced this past fall, we don't know yet what to make of it: a console that mixes traditional TV device and portable gaming. Are we looking forward to the Switch, or do we have reservations? Find out on our Season 7 opener.

Panel: Brian, Ron, Nick, Tanya, Doug, Reid

Episode 2: The Era of Vaporware

In the realm of video games, the concept of vaporware comes in form of major announcements of games, and then not seeing those games for years, if at all. Some games do finally see the light of day after many years and some are still waiting for a release. Why is this an issue for the consumer? And why do we allow the industry to use it as a marketing tactic? Panel: Brian, Ron, Nick, Andy, Gabriel

Episode 3: 25 Kirbys

In 1992, a round pink cream puff set out on a journey to take back all the food that was stolen by the gluttonous King DeDeDe and return it to the inhabitants of Dream Land. In the ensuing 25 years, Kirby has become one of Nintendo’s major franchise characters, appearing in nearly two dozen of his own games. We get sucked into nostalgia as we look back at 25 years of Kirby. Panel: Brian, Nick

Episode 4: PAX East 2017

Now in its 8th year, PAX East descended on Boston, giving gamers of all stripes something for everyone: video games both indie and triple-A, tabletop, board, along with myriad panels, cosplay, and concerts. Brian, Wyatt (from Sprites & Dice), and Shanna talk about their experiences at this year's event.

Panel: Brian, Shanna, Wyatt

Episode 5: One Shell, Two Shell, Red Shell, Blue Shell

Ahh, for the days when the strongest item in Mario Kart was a lightning bolt. Now it's endless blue shells on top of those bolts, but in the ensuing 25 years, Mario Kart has become one of Nintendo's biggest franchises. With the advent of online multiplayer, its popularity has only grown. Panel: Brian, Ron, Nick

Episode 6: Final Fantasy XV Road Trip

Finally no longer considered vaporware, Final Fantasy XV has had a long road from initial announcement over a decade ago as Final Fantasy Versus XIII to the released game on PS4. On this episode, Ron takes over in the host's chair, and his panel cover at length the latest installment in this 30-years-running franchise.Panel: Ron, Joshua, Andy, Michelle

Episode 7: Switch-ing Now

Two months in, and the Nintendo Switch is selling like hotcakes. It's all looking very good for Nintendo right now, with over 3 million units sold and climbing rapidly. We give our first impressions on the new console and some of the games currently released for it. Panel: Brian, Ron, Nick, Ben

Episode 8: Free Play 14

On the first Free Play of DLC Season 7, we cover a wide range of topics: Horizon: Zero Dawn, the new New 2DS XL, digital card games, and plenty more. Brian is joined by Wyatt from Sprites and Dice, and Reid from deep inside the Internet. Panel: Brian, Wyatt, Reid

Episode 9A: Midgar, When Sector 7 Fell (Part 1)

Depending on your perspective, Final Fantasy VII is one of the greatest, most overrated, or most loathed video game of all time. Whatever your opinion, we can all agree that for whatever the reason, it is certainly one of the most iconic. In Part 1, we talk about the game from the beginning to leaving Midgar. Panel: Brian, Ron, Gabriel, Ryan

Episode 9B: Midgar, When Sector 7 Fell (Part 2)

In Part 2 of our FF7 20th Anniversary episode, the panel continues onward as our heroes leave Midgar. More commentary awaits as we go through to the end of Disc 1. Hope you have all your Materia ready. Panel: Brian, Ron, Gabriel, Ryan

Episode 9C: Midgar, When Sector 7 Fell (Part 3)

It's the 3rd and final part (the 3rd half) of our Final Fantasy 7 20th anniversary episode, because, as Ron said, we like to give 150%. We stumble our way through discs 2 and 3, and offer our overall commentary on the game itself, and why it's still so memorable after 20 years. Panel: Brian, Ron, Gabriel, Ryan

Episode 10: E3 2017

We take a look at the E3 that was, and we got some answers to some questions we had going into this year's show: what's Project Scorpio? What will we see with at the Switch's first E3 showing? What games will we see complete and on sale years from now, if at all? On this episode, we give you our takeaways and Ron goes on a rampage or two. Panel: Brian, Ron, Nick

Episode 11: Nostalgia, The Enemy?

A sizable chunk of gamers feel that current trends by developers of making games that heavily rely on nostalgia is holding back the medium. Rather than devote resources to making new games, new IPs, and new experiences, they feel that the industry would rather be lazy and churn out games that are low-risk, high-reward. Do you agree? Is nostalgia the enemy of video games? Panel: Brian, Ron, Ronald

Episode 12: Free Play 15

On our 2nd Free Play episode of the year, we answer some listener feedback, talk about underrated PS1 gems, and plenty more. Panel: Brian, Ronald, Ryan, Dejah

Episode 13: What We Played On Our Summer Vacation

Even though summer tends to be slow for video game news and releases, it certainly did not mean we stopped playing. Brian, Nick, and Gabriel talk about all the games they played during the summer: from walking simulators, RPGs, platformers, and more. Panel: Brian, Nick, Gabriel

Episode 14: Would You Kindly?

Ten years ago, we got into a bathysphere and headed to the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean. There, we found a beautiful city, an underwater metropolis covered in Art Deco excess that hid a collapsed and ruined utopia. We talk about the three games in the BioShock franchise...would you kindly listen in? Panel: Brian, Ron, Ryan

Episode 15: Free Play 16

On the final Free Play episode of the year, we cover such topics like The Technomancer, upcoming indie games for the Nintendo Switch, the importance of game narrative, and plenty more! Shenanigans abound. Panel: Brian, Ryan, Gabriel

Episode 16: Vault Dwelling & Bottle Caps

On the 20th anniversary of Fallout, our guest-host through the wastelands, Gabriel, takes us through a dust-filled, nuclear dystopia. Listen in as the panel talks about their experiences and memories playing this franchise, hopping from one Vault to the next. Panel: Gabriel (guest host), Ron, Rich, Brianna (debut), Dylan (debut)

Episode 17: The Long Game

In all the video games we've ever played, chances are there are some from your childhood you could never beat until you tackled them as adults. Some of those games you probably still can't beat, no matter how hard you try. On this episode, we give our own personal struggles: games we conquered after many years, and others who laugh at our torment. Panel: Brian, Jeremiah, Ron

Episode 18: A Switch In Time (Season Finale)

On the season finale, we come full circle on the Switch. Having started 2017 talking about it, we take a look at how Nintendo's latest console has fared 9 months in, talk about our favorite games thus far, and look ahead to 2018. Panel: Brian, Nick