Giant Bombcast 584: Bend It Like Blevins

Ben can be a LOUD BOI sometimes (so can Jeff tbh) but he likes Smash Bros. so he's okay in my book!

(the yelling is probably just how the anxiety and existential dread us young millennials face on a daily basis manifests itself, so I understand)

Pretty sure this is criteria for working at GB.

I think the East/West split worked out great, because each fan has their preference. I appreciate both -- I have my complaints but will hold back criticisms since it only amounts to hating on people for being who they are -- and view the site like this: I watch East coast during the day due to its more upbeat nature, and watch East coast at night with its more laid back vibe (give or take Jeff screaming manically).

If you like one more than the other, that seems part of Jeff's intent when they split. They shouldn't be the same, so makes sense one side will appeal to others.

Re: Microtransactions. I'm not interested in happy mediums, I want them GONE entirely. If the ESA won't do that I'm happy to take my chances with any government that might. If that makes things harder for publishers I'll try and muster up a shit to give but don't hold your breath.

No Premium video podcast this week. Big ol ad in the Premium video a couple weeks ago. And a site that runs about as well as the Xbox One UI. The value of my Premium subscription is plummeting quickly.

We have strict no usb/no personal devices/no vpns, enc rules (mostly oriented on bringing info in and out of the office), and most of the blocked websites are of file-sharing/cloud variety, though there're are also some random pages blocked for no logical reason that I could see... But no one is ever going to block gaming websites in a gaming company.

Though I'm a little surprised companies will target gaming sites like that at all... It's easier to see them blocking places like Netflix and Amazon. Maybe Twitch. Do people really block the whole of utube as well, I wonder?

@presidentofjellybeans: I sincerely hope some of you all have far less miserable, petty lives outside of this site than you do here. The amount of whining and lame comments on the value of the site, personal gripes with staff, or coastal content in general on this post is astounding. If you don't want to be here then by all means, there's a rather large door to leave a lasting mark on your ass on the way out. Your negativity won't be missed in the slightest. Many of us would happily contribute the amount of your subscription to keep the site running without you. I don't understand why people feel the need to make comments that are so passive aggressive when the opportunity to find something more suited to your interests is so easily available to you.

@zombie2011: slow death is still a death. E3 have been irrelevant before the reboot, but now with Nintendo barely there and Sony not attending this year, this discussion is more relevant as ever.

Woah what's up with the viewership this week? People seem so negative.

Great show lads!

Also, everyone takes a bit of time to find their groove on this site. Ben reminds me of early Vinny years. He can be a bit awkward here and there, but he has a heart of gold, and won't let you take it from him!

But seriously, between East and West, there's never been a better time to be a subscriber imo. ✌?

Am I the only one that really, REALLY enjoyed Operation: Winback back in the day...?

+1 for Ben love! He isn't going anywhere and that's a great thing. Him and Jeff play wondefully off each other and I dig his tastes and perspective. And have to love that boisterous laugh.

is there supposed to be a premium (ad free) version of the video this week? Or are they taking that away from premium subscribers now?

Ben's chemistry with Jeff is genuinely really good and his addition to the Bombcast helps make my cubicle walls a little less suffocating. Guys please just yell into the void if you're going to be this aggressively vile it helps nothing.

Anyone else getting crackling and peaking on both this and last podcast? I checked and it's happening on more than one speaker system...

Rage 2 is not better on a higher difficulty. Beat the final mission with the starter pistol on hard mode. Didn't even need to upgrade that pistol. It's fucked how much you can cheese that game and ignore most of the content.

I think everyone in this comment section needs to relax. Those of you unnecessarily fellating Ben are just as bad as the haters. I can honestly see both sides. I agree with him much of the time and appreciate his perspective. His chemistry with the other members of the west coast crew is hit-or-miss. The only thing that really gets me is how often he is factually incorrect - whether it's a quick look or a bombcast anecdote, he seems to put virtually no effort into actually researching the topic on which he's speaking and feels the need to comment on everything whether he's knowledgeable on the subject or not. I understand that providing meaningful content next to industry experts like Jeff and Brad is probably overwhelming at times, but he needs to forget his ego and just focus on the things he does know about.

Ben is more dangerous than Dan, at least Dan asks questions rather than saying something he doesn't know to be correct. Ben is like one of those guys you hear at a store talking to someone else about a game acting like he knows everything but he's getting 50% of it wrong. Ignorant and uniformed people like Ben getting a platform to spread lies is what has fucked us up so bad the past few years.

I like Ben.

Woah... this comment section.

Ben can be funny sometimes, but he needs to stop trying to be an authority on anything other than Smash and DOTA.

He just doesn't have the chops to talk about the industry like Jeff does

so i take it i should skip this one

I'll get stuff for this. I will add that opinions are opinions etc all the stuff you heard before (add it here). I will say i did not and will not but the rage game. Ok so let me explain. I think the crew didn't do a great job of explaining what they hate about it. I noticed a part when Ben spoke and i had to slow it down just to try get what his issue was. Also the issues seem like issues with bioshock. You can use guns and powers but on easy mode you only need to shoot. I feel like even if the game is decent (6/10) were getting information that says its so bad do not buy. That said the crew are just stating their opinion. sadly we game players interpret it as fact. several will not buy the game anymore. Im just ranting but the scope of games and expectations seems dismal then i ever expected. I hope we find a middle ground or well see more crunch to hear the game sold bad, layoffs, make it better.

PS: Rage 2 is definitely bad. I do not disagree with jeff or crew. I just fear we are running into a wall on GOOD games.

I don't know, as someone who doesn't like spoilers and wants to avoid them, I saw plenty of people who couldn't help themselves and were openly discussing Game of Throne spoilers. Abby being one of those people...