Half-Baked Character Action (Ep 467)

Welcome to another exciting episode of Dense Pixels, featuring Brad, Carrie, and Micah as they delve into the latest gaming news and share their impressions. Micah kicks things off by giving his impressions of Final Fantasy XVI, raising the question of whether the game is relying too much on its name recognition. Carrie joins the discussion with her insights from the closed beta of Monster Hunter, providing a firsthand account of the gameplay experience. The team then dives into the news surrounding the Microsoft-Activision merger, the FTC hearing, and the impact it may have on popular franchises like Call of Duty. They also touch upon the Xbox Game Pass price increase and the highlights from the June Nintendo Direct. Additionally, they explore the revenue-sharing landscape of Twitch, Amazon, and YouTube and its implications for content creators. Lastly, they address the recent restructuring program by Saints Row owner Embracer, discussing the closure of studios and job cuts.