Ep050: News and Finale(?)
We had some fun over the last year and some change. We get most of the crew members back to discuss whatever gaming news we want and reflect a bit on the podcast. Thanks to any and all listeners. And Thank You to the crew!
Option Menu Crew Podcast
Topic-focused podcast with dudes who care too much about video games.
Episodes
Ep049: Content Creation
Beyond the types of games we play, beyond the devices we use to game, we are also consuming, learning, and discussing video games in a whole new way. The internet, streaming, podcasts, let's plays, and more have become part of gaming culture. Fans are creating their own content around games in huge quantities. Of course, the industry wants to get its hands in the works, despite all the new free advertising. On this episode, we discuss as many different aspects of how fan content creation is invo...
Ep048: Indie Games
Video games come in all shapes and sizes. There have always been games of larger and smaller scope. In the last several years, more developers as part of smaller studios and even individuals with a dream have entered the space, bringing incredible creations to the rest of us. However, bigger studios and publishers sometimes play a part in bringing these unique games to us, and games that come from humble beginnings can grow into massive cultural forces. We explore what it means to be an "Indie g...
Ep047: Marketing and the Hype Cycle
Every new game starts with an announcement. Not every announcement is equal. It feels good to get hyped up when a new game looks fun, but that hype gets used against us as well. We discuss our favorite and least ways to have video games marketed.
Ep046: What We've Been Playing
The crew has actually made some progress on a bunch of games, so we decided to chat about our thoughts on them. Here's what we talk about. - Persona 5 Royal - Elden Ring - Yakuza: Like A Dragon - Triangle Strategy - Scarlet Nexus Also, one of us has a Steam Deck now! So, we go over initial impressions. Join in on the discussion in the comments.
Ep045: Graphics and Performance
One of the hottest topics in the gaming landscape these days. We've finally hit a technologic plateau where games can look great and have great framerates, but there are still struggles. From holdover feelings about previous generation performance, to optimization issues per platform, the debate rages on where quality lies for video game visuals.
Ep044: Voting with Your Wallet
This is the fifth part of the Monetization series. We discuss the concept of "voting with your wallet" and just how complicated the reality of it is. We discuss how the video game industry demonstrates that it doesn't matter when many don't spend, it only cares about the few that spend a ton. Also, how publishers misinterpret the reasons for failure of some games.
Ep043: Console Cycles and Generations
On this episode, we get into what we like and don't like about the video game console cycles and generations we've experienced so far. Dating back to Nintendo Entertainment System, and all consoles following after, has it been worthwhile to see so many revamps, revisions, and iterations in the styles there have been? What could be done better going forward? How much time between consoles is far? And how does/should that change into the future.
OMC Hot Fixes - 2/13/22
This week, Platinum reveals their plans for the future including a possible revival of Scalebound for the Xbox! Microsoft further clarifies their position on multi-platform games to reassure consumers, developers, and regulators alike. Nvidia keeps growing, surpassing Facebook in market capitalization. Finally, Nintendo releases a new Direct with tons of new games and we highlight our favorites.
Ep042: Remakes and Remasters
The crew discusses what defines a remake and remaster for video games. How do they get them right, and what could go wrong. Extensive thoughts are shared in Final Fantasy 7 Remake and other games, so BEWARE SPOILERS! Enjoy!
OMC Hot Fixes - 2/6/22
This week, Playstation strikes back at Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard by buying Bungie. Also, SEGA sells off its Arcade business in Japan, and the Switch has officially outsold the Wii. This is another crazy week of news, and we're happy to be able to discuss it.
OMC Hot Fixes - 1/30/22
We’re back, just like we said we’d be, with another week of news. We start with a bunch of small stories like Dark Souls bugs, COD on PS5, Steam Deck, and unionization at Activision Blizzard. After that we go deep into the Nvidia ARM acquisition and a win for YouTube fair use. All that and more in a neat little package for your listening pleasure!
Ep041: Most Anticipated Games of 2022
The first half of 2022 is pretty stacked and the rest of the year has some bangers to look forward to. The Crew discusses the games we know about that are coming out this year, what might come out in 2022, and what we hope to hear about.
OMC Hot Fixes - 1/23/22
Join us for the inaugural episode of Option Menu Crew Hot Fixes! In our first news episode, the crew discusses in-depth the biggest news of 2022 - Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard. Whether you're an Xbox or Playstation fan, this development will change what and how you play. We also cover a few smaller stories but you’ll have to listen to find out!
Ep040: Game of the Year 2021
What a year it's been all around! Video games had a lot of ups and downs in 2021, but there were definitely great times to be had. We gather the crew to discuss what games we've played this year and argue about which of our picks will be the official OMC GOTY for 2021. Also, we check in on the progress of our New Year's Resolutions from the 2020 GOTY episode. Happy New Years to everyone and we wish you a wonderful 2022!
Ep039: Demos, Trials & Rentals
Video games are inherently interactive. So it's very important to get a chance to try the games. It can be quite pricey to experiment. Luckily there are multiple ways to get some exposure before you make a full investment. On this episode, we discuss video game demos, trials, and rentals.
Ep038: Tutorials and Learning to Play Games
We all start somewhere. Video Games are kind of a language unto themselves. Whether you were playing in the heyday of instruction manuals and strategy guides or learned with in-game tutorials and online videos, it takes time to understand how to play video games. We discuss where we began and the current state of how video games teach us how to play them.
Ep037: Monetization Part 4: Replay Value
Video games are inherently replayable, even if there are no objective incentives, like alternate endings, unlockables, secrets, or otherwise, to do so. We bring a lot of personal and subjective value assessment to what we'll pay for a game, and how long we're willing to play them. But, should that factor into the pricing for games?
Ep036: Used Games
Video Games aren't a cheap hobby, especially in the past when all games were sold only physically. We discuss the state of the used game market in this day and age, and what place it could serve the ever more digital future.
Ep035: Side Quests
Side Quests are a fundamental part of video games. They aren't just limited to RPGs. In modern gaming, it can seem like most of our adventures are made of objectives other than the primary one. We discuss what makes them good, bad, what kind of objectives are even considered side quests, and what we would like to see more and less of.
Ep034: Licensed Games
On this episode, we talk about licensed games in the industry. These kinds of games and their use of properties from all of media have had an incredible history from being notoriously awful to getting the respect they deserve. Although we are still stuck in a weird middle ground, there is hope for the future. We get into it and discuss reality, hopes, and fears.
Ep033: Turn-based vs Real-time
On this episode, we discuss the merits of turn-based games in comparison to real-time games. Whether that's action games, RPGs, or the other sub-genres, both styles of gameplay offer different experiences, appealing to different types of people, and have room to grow in their respective features sets. And what about those games that use a hybrid of the two? Listen and find out!
Ep032: Platform Discussion: Mobile 2021
Concluding our mini-series on platform-specific discussions, we talk about the state of mobile gaming. Whether you’re on iPhone or Android, the future of gaming is changing rapidly, as well as impacting the entire industry.
Ep031: Platform Discussion: PC 2021
We continue our series of platform-specific discussions with PC gaming. We touch on Windows, Mac, Steam, Epic Game Store, the Steam Deck, and various other points surrounding the on-going PC gaming scene. Next week is the final platform discussion - Mobile Gaming!
Ep030: Platform Discussion: Xbox 2021
Continuing the platform-specific discussions, this episode is on Xbox. Just like Nintendo and Sony, you'll get a bit of our personal history with the platform, our thoughts on where Microsoft has succeeded and failed with the brand, and where we want to see it go into the future.
Ep029: Platform Discussion: Playstation 2021
Continuing the series of episodes reviewing the major platforms, we talk about Playstation. We touch on the consoles, portables, VR, and services Sony has been offering over the years, where they are succeeding, and where improvement is deserved.
Ep028: Platform Discussion: Nintendo 2021
*Note, this episode was recorded before the reveal of the Nintendo Switch OLED Model* This episode kicks off our mini-series of discussions focusing on the major gaming platforms. We start with Nintendo. We give a little personal history with the consoles and games. Taking into account what was announced at E3 2021, we share our thoughts and feelings of where we would like to see Nintendo go in the future. Next episode is Playstation!
OMC Reacts: Nintendo Switch OLED Reveal
Nintendo finally announces the next model of Switch and...well...it's not quite what we expected/suspected/hoped. Rumors of the Switch Pro have led to this moment and we felt strong enough about the reveal of Nintendo Switch (OLED model) to do another React episode.
Ep027: E3 2021 Review
We look at the E3 news, decide what we care about and what we don't, and go over how this full-digital E3 faired in our enthusiast opinions. It was certainly an interesting year for video games, but there were definitely pleasant surprises.
Ep026: Difficulty Settings
On this episode, we discuss Difficulty settings in videos. All the different types out there, the various assistive modes and customizable variables that help players choose what kind of experience they want in the game.