Episodes

In this episode, I talked about newly formed unions. Reviewed the wage range at Bungie, Riot Games, and Activision-Blizzard. Sony has reportedly been blocking games from Microsoft. UK’s regulator says the majority of the public is in favor of the Microsoft-Activision acquisition. Chile approves the Microsoft Activision Blizzard acquisition. PlayStation introduced its accessibility controller. Darkening of Tristram is live! Lots of events are happening now in Diablo Immortal. Things mentioned in...

In this episode, I pointed you to where you can find some of my most recent Diablo III and Diablo Immortal YouTube videos. The National Labor Relations Board Union is getting some funding. Congress asks gaming companies how they combat extremism. COO Daniel Alegre will leave Activision. Activision and Blizzard each posted end of year updates. And the Diablo Twitter accounts posted some wonderful, creepy, artwork. Things mentioned in this episode: @TheNLRBU posted a thread about (potentially) g...

In this episode, I talked about some questionable charities that Twitch selected. Microsoft is targeting Sony regarding the Activision Blizzard acquisition. A Better ABK has concerns about COVID and forcing people back into the office. Most of this episode was about the various Christmas-related stuff in Diablo 2: Resurrected, Diablo Immortal, and Diablo III. Also talked about the confusingly named Diablo IV Collectors Edition. Things mentioned in this episode: Game Developer posted an article...

In this episode, I talked about Microsoft allowing Nintendo access to Call of Duty. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) doesn’t want Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard. Diablo IV workers are very likely to face “crunch” to get the game released. Several gaming news sources wrote about how happy they are with Diablo IV. Diablo has been harassing brands on Twitter. And, in case you didn’t know, #LilithIsComing. Things mentioned in this episode: @LifeatBlizzard highlighted Diablo IV Gam...

In this episode, I talked about Blizzard Albany officially forming their union! I also talked about Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition, news about Diablo Immortal, and fun tweets about Diablo IV. Things mentioned in this episode: @Megan_Nicolett (Senior writer at Wired) tweeted about The NLRB denying Activision Blizzard’s efforts to expand the Albany vote. @WeAreGWAAlbany tweeted: “WE WON!” @ABetterABK tweeted that they are proud of @WeAreGWAAlbany @greenhousenyt (former New York T...

In this episode, I point you towards some of the GoFundMe fundraisers that are accepting money to support those affected by the tragedy at Club Q. I also highlighted some of the Diablo stuff that is part of Blizzard’s Black Friday sales. Most of the rest of the show is about whether or not Microsoft will get to purchase Activision Blizzard King. I also mentioned two YouTube videos from Rhykker. Things mentioned in this episode: GoFundMe recommended the following verified fundraisers to support...

In this episode, I point you towards a fundraiser for Lanntonio (former host of Shattered Soulstone). Pax East will happen in March 2023. Ubisoft and Riot want to target toxicity in gaming with AI. Activision is, once again, suppressing unionization. Xbox wants to get into more mobile gaming. @Diablo tweeted where to find them if Twitter disappears. And much more! Things mentioned in this episode: Fundraiser for Lantonnio on PayPal Pax East 2023 posted a list of information you should know V...

In this episode, I mentioned that the EU launched an in-depth probe over the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Bobby Kotick spent a lot of money on politicians, and Candy Crush used drones to advertise in the sky in New York. Tabletop game workers are unionizing. Hearthstone adds accessibility. Diablo Immortal Fire Before Darkness is live. Diablo IV might launch in April of 2023. Things mentioned in this episode: VideoGameNews posted an article titled: “EU launches in-depth probe o...

In this episode, I focused on the union busting tactics that Activision Blizzard engaged in against the Game Workers Alliance and Raven Software. I read a Hard Drive article about an “Office Bully” job. I mentioned the weird thing that Overwatch 2 players are doing to obtain enough gold to buy skins. The EU is launching an advanced Microsoft-Activision probe. Also mentioned Diablo books, Diablo tarot, Hell’s Ink Tour, and some Diablo videos and/or podcasts about Diablo IV. Things mentioned in t...

In this episode, I read you a thread from the ABK Workers Alliance regarding the Daily Mail article. There is an opinion piece aimed at the CMA. Blizzard tweeted about third-party programs. Maxroll has an ad-free option. Diablo wrote some poetry! Also talked about Diablo Immortal, including a campfire event. Things mentioned in this episode: @ABetterABK tweeted a thread regarding the Daily Mail article and Activision Blizzard’s failure to handle the situation appropriately Lords Of Gaming pos...

In this episode, I talk about Microsoft building its own Xbox mobile gaming store, and read you a small piece of Microsoft’s response to the UK’s CMA. GWA Albany will vote for its union soon. Activision is, of course, engaging in union busting. I also talked about Amouranth (who is safe now). Also mentioned the Diablo V beta (and why I’m not in it). Things mentioned in this episode: @LifeAtBlizzard highlighted Bri Delgado, who works on Overwatch The Verge posted an article titled: “Microsoft ...

In this episode, I mentioned National Coming Out Day, and highlighted one (of potentially many) streamers who will be raising money for a Children’s Hospital. I also read parts of the CMA decision (which feels unfinished), questionable influence by Sony, and the Daily Mail article about yet another sexual harassment case at Activision Blizzard. Oh, and if you happen to want to work in hell – there are plenty of job openings! Things mentioned in this episode: @Aramisx (PR at Blizzard) posted a ...

In this episode, I started off by talking about what happened to my Dark Clan in Diablo Immortal. I highlighted ABK Workers Alliance, and read Microsoft’s attempt at appeasing regulators and drumming up support from games regarding the Activision-Blizzard acquisition. Also mentioned Diablo II: Resurrected and Diablo IV. Things mentioned in this episode: @ABetterABK tweeted about participating in @ExtraLife4Kids fundraising @ABetterABK tweeted advice about what players should do to support the...

In this episode, I mentioned International Podcast Day. I also brought you up to date on Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and the regulators who still aren’t so sure about that. Activision QA worker talks to OSHA about “crunch”. There’s a new Overwatch League seeking players! I also talked about a lot of Diablo-related content – including what appears to be a solution to a mystery. Things mentioned in this episode: VideoGamesChronicle posted an article titled: “Diablo 4 end game ...

In this episode, I mentioned Microsoft and the Activision Blizzard King acquisition, David Brevik, a blog about color coded loot, and Twitch’s recent blog posts regarding revenue. I mentioned the leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6 and Diablo IV (but did not mention anything specific about those leaks). Most of the show focused on Diablo II: Resurrected, Diablo IV, and Diablo Immortal. Oh, and there’s this “mystery manual” that some people have been trying to decode… Things mentioned in this episode: ...

In this episode, I mentioned Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month, pointed out regulators who aren’t thrilled with Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, a DDOS attack on Activision Blizzard, Call of Duty’s Code of Conduct, the problems with Overwatch 2’s battle pass, Diablo II: Resurrected Terror Zones update, Diablo Immortal’s Scorched Sea Event, and another problem for those with ‘orb debt’. Things mentioned in this episode: Insomniac Games tweeted about Hispanic and Latine Heri...

Slightly shorter show this week, for reasons that will be explained right at the beginning of this episode. In this one, I talked about Blizzard highlighting a game producer, a sketchy thing that GameStop has (allegedly) been doing, the battle over Call of Duty, and an article about “Crunch”. Also pointed you toward a potential writing gig, Blue Notes for Diablo II: Resurrected, and an absurd request from a player with “orb debt”. Things mentioned in this episode: @LifeatBlizzard highlighted M...

In this episode, I talked about Microsoft and its intended acquisition of Activision Blizzard King. One country is cool with it, while others are still investigating. Various news sites wrote their own opinions about how the acquisition might go. There’s also a letter from Bobby Kotick about this. In addition, I talked about Diablo Immortal’s Season 4 and the “orb debt” problem. I also pointed you towards content from the Diablo community mostly about Diablo Season 27. Things mentioned in this ...

In this episode, I talked about Activision Blizzard engaging in union-busting, excited news from CEO of Xbox, accessibility, Season 27 of Diablo III, some of the current stuff from Diablo Immortal, and content from the Diablo Community, including The Diablo Podcast, game guides, and more. Things mentioned in this episode: GamesIndustry.biz posted an article titled: “Communications Workers of America files new labor practice charge against Activision Blizzard” IGN posted an article titled: “Xb...

In this episode I start with Activision Blizzard still attempting to union-bust, a problem at Nintendo, the re-release of a Diablo book, and updates on Diablo 2: Resurrected, Diablo Immortal, Diablo III and Diablo IV. I also mentioned content from the Diablo community, including podcasts, YouTube videos, and art. Things mentioned in this episode: Game Developer posted an article titled: “Activision Blizzard accused of illegal surveillance in new NLRB complaint” Kotaku posted an article titled...

In this episode, I have a mix of things mostly from Activision Blizzard. Also talked about Conferences and COVID-19, Microsoft exclusivity rumors, good news from CODE-CWA, Activision Blizzard union busting (again), Call of Duty plagiarism accusation, Overwatch loot boxes, the WoW Auction House App, The Diablo Podcast, and more! Things mentioned in this episode: Merriam-Webster definition of potpourri Jess tweeted about GenCon Indy and COVID-19 Dr. Neuro (@Neurofourier) – an infectious diseas...

In this episode, I talked about a variety of regulations that are either being appropriately used, or are being ignored by the people in power. I also provide an update on Hellguard: Curse of Caina, two large conferences, unionization efforts, a Diablo Immortal “whale”, updates on Diablo Immortal and Diablo III. Things mentioned in this episode: Hellguard: Curse of Caina had a successful Kickstarter (and is at GenCon) GenCon posted Convention Health and Safety Information TheGamer posted an ...

In this episode, I had two special guests join me: Max Carr and Mikael D. Sebag. Each of them is a lead designer of Hellguard: Curse of Caina, a tabletop roleplaying game of infernal fantasy. It has elements of Diablo, Castlevania, and an anime-style combat system. We had a really fun conversation about Hellguard: Curse of Caina, Diablo games, Blizzcon, and a variety of other TTRPG games that we have played. Things mentioned in this episode: Hellguard: Curse of Caina on Kickstarter (through A...

In this episode, I talked about unionization efforts at Activision Blizzard King and at Blizzard Albany. Blizzard is at San Diego Comic-Con (and you can buy merchandise from their website). There’s a Diablo and Castlevania inspired TRPG on Kickstarter. Job openings at Blizzard. Also talked about Diablo Immortal news, a little Diablo III news, and an explanation about Diablo IV beta. Things mentioned in this episode: The Hill posted an article titled: “Changing the game in gaming” The Washingt...