One Of Swords

Matt Tieger, game director of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron at High Moon Studios, jumps on the show this week to answer some of Twitter's burning questions about Bruticus, Michael Bay, Beast Wars, combiners, and of course, Dinobots. The rest of the show tackles Hugh's burning passion for a G1 TF game, new toys based on Skylanders toys (?!), the validity of booth babes at E3, Party of Five, the secret star appearing at Kat's art show tonight, and why there won't be a Playing With Swords this weekend. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Matt Tieger, game director, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron at High Moon Studios Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, light gun enthusiast, bassist, Jedi Sage, Demon Hunter, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and finer online music stores Relevant show links: Transformers: Fall of Cybertron pre-order perks Skylanders & Mega Bloks Kat's art show Kat's art show co-star: Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

This week, I was able to pull Infinity Ward's Mark Rubin away from the noise and fun of the Modern Warfare 3 Grudge Match so I could grill him about Collection 2's new Face Off mode, why those maps are the way they are, and what to do about boosters. Kat and Hugh join in for the rest of the show to discuss Moonraker, NASCAR, passing gas, Activision's new UK studio, Yellow Submarine, Hugh's bad back, Tony Hawk soundtracks, Men in Black, Silver Surfer on NES, failed napping, and, perhaps inevitably, vasectomies. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Mark Rubin, executive producer, Modern Warfare 3, Infinity Ward Co-host: Katrin Auch, photographer, light gun enthusiast, graphic designer, bassist, Jedi Sage, Demon Hunter, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, author, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and finer online music stores Relevant show links: MW3 Collection 2 and the Grudge Match Sound + Vision talks THPS HD soundtrack Activision's UK mobile studio NASCAR The Game: Inside Line Men In Black: Alien Crisis Kat's upcoming photography art show - buy tickets here! Tron: Uprising Woody's Gamertag Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

Robomodo president Josh Tsui catches up in a chat about Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD this week, discussing the latest confirmed info on the game, whether or not "summer" means "June," and whether we'll see reverts return as part of potential DLC. Kat joins Dan in person while Hugh Skypes in to talk about intestinal gas, MW3's new Face Off mode, motorcycles with sidecars, suicide sandwiches, the prices of digital downloads, IW's new CM, Minecraft, Hot Doug's, GH DLC on sale, Diablo III, Nolan North, GoldenEye 007: Reloaded on PS3, medieval beverages, unfinished train tracks, and cheerleaders in leather jackets. Plus, Kat really wants you to attend her art show, dammit. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Josh Tsui, president, Robomodo Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and finer online music stores Relevant show links: MW3 360 Elite drops 9 through 12 MW3 double XP on Elite playlists extended GH & DJ DLC on sale Kat's upcoming photography art show - buy tickets! Lindisfarne Mead Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

Now that the big reveal for Call of Duty: Black Ops II is complete, I got a chance to talk with Treyarch studio head Mark Lamia about horses, failing missions, branching storylines, and Vahn's secret past. We even tackled that fan-favorite "what engine is this game using" question. We talk for a good 40 minutes, so it's worth hearing. And it's a thrill to be able to post this show due to the nasty tech problems we endured, but Kat and Hugh do appear as well, to discuss MW3 PC DLC, Bond villains, MW3 PS3 DLC, Jack Black, MW3 360 DLC, The Avengers, Prototype 2 DLC, Skylanders updates, Family Guy, and a Spidey preorder perk that Hugh actually likes. Plus, a monster truck rally breaks out at a dance concert. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. UPDATE: Goofed on the music levels in the first segment, so the file has been replaced. If in doubt, redownload! More info after the jump... Special Guest: Mark Lamia, studio head, Treyarch Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: MW3 360 DLC info - Elite drops, Face Off & Collection 2 MW3 PC DLC info MW3 PS3 Elite content drops 7 & 8 info Play as Stan Lee in Amazing Spider-Man Prototype 2 Colossal Mayhem DLC Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse Kat's upcoming photography art show @Hughmungous007 & Hugh M. Ungous on Facebook for the 007 Legends: Get in the Game promotion Shaping Sound, Kat's new favorite dance company Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

So, yeah, Black Ops II. Also, your letters, Kat, Hugh, being your own Bond villain, PS Vita, Mad Men, UK game retailers, a Kate Bush song, on-disk DLC dilemmas, fabric stores, Kat's big upcoming art show, Mortal Kombat, Michael Jackson lyrics, frustrating fans, $400, Duty-O's, Kingdom Rush, the next-gen consoles, and how Hugh bats .500. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: What I Know About Call of Duty: Black Ops II 007 Legends: Get in the Game promotion Kat's upcoming photography art show Mortal Kombat on PS Vita Kingdom Rush Twitter joke accounts: @SunshineHugh, @DansHair, @CODHorse Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

So whatever happened to that lady who won the MW3 Jeep at Call of Duty XP? I caught up with her in person for a six-month tuneup, and we talked about life with the new car, what it was like to be a contestant on Friday Night Fights, and of course, the ugly side of Call of Duty fandom. The rest of the time is wasted with Kat and Hugh as we discuss Prototype 2's big launch, Call of Duty's big secret (which is NOT "Space Jam"), teenage parties, the free MW3 PC weekend, Warren Zevon, a Reddit threat, cheap iOS games, the green flu, and -- most importantly -- Hugh's werewolf origin story. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Brandi Miller, FNF warrior, PMS clan member, and MW3 Jeep winner Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Brandi Miller wins the Jeep: photos and video Free MW3 weekend on Steam Prototype 2 reviews Activision iOS games on sale Current progress of the abused cat, Snow Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path: How to Review Videogames for a Living Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

Skylanders: Cloud Patrol is officially a hit on iOS -- and Ben Throop from developer Vicarious Visions tells me how the team put it together and -- most importantly -- how to rock the score leaderboards. Hugh and Kat and I then chat about the new James Bond game, Hugh's new movie, celebrity WoW groups, MW3 DLC on PS3, Dan's signature song, V, arcade machines, Marvel movies, light-up keyboards that will not work with your console regardless of what was said on the show (see links below), and, uh, stiffness. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Ben Throop, game director, Skylanders: Cloud Patrol Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Skylanders Cloud Patrol MW3 Collection 1 for PS3 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang The Cabin in the Woods TG3 BL82 Keyboard vs Deck 82 -- but I just realized the TG3 is a PC PS/2 keyboard connector, not a USB cable! The BL82 will NOT work on consoles without some sort of adapter. But something tells me the adapter wouldn't cost $100... Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

Pete Angstadt won $175,000 in the Activision Independent Game Competition last year...so now what? I catch up with Pete to find out what he's used the money for and when we can expect to play his winning game for ourselves. Might want to make sure your anti-virus software is up to date, though -- I've got PAX pox for this show. Hugh returns as well, just in time to discuss new Elite MW3 DLC, sweaty hands,  slightly-used Skylanders, Mass Effect 3 multiplayer, the awkwardness of self-promotion, Elite's 100K Day, why Dan wants to play NFS: The Run, furry beasts, Kickstarter, the best show on television, and who Hugh feels is the Simon Cowell of videogames. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Pete Angstadt, Turtle Sandbox Studios Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Pete Angstadt interview from last year Skylanders Cloud Patrol Call of Duty Elite 100K Day April 14 New Elite content for PS3 and 360 Damsels of Dorkington Kickstarter and "I Kissed a Nerd" Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

Canada's second greatest drummer Dave Fracchia -- who moonlights as the studio VP for Prototype 2 developers Radical Entertainment -- joins me this week to discuss the last days of P2, what the studio plans to do if the game is a hit, and even what they plan to do if it isn't. Then we talk about music for, like, half an hour. Also, Hollywood called for Hugh again this week, and while we miss him, hey, that's awesome for his career! While he's taking care of business, Kat and I bring clanmate and comedian WillyFresh992 into the fray to discuss the impending PAX East convention, the new Skylanders iOS game, the paranoia and hatred of April Fool's Day, what you might find in your next bag of Fritos, internal strife on Clan [1oS], cheap copies of Blur, Activision's founding fathers, and how Toys For Bob has your back on your Skylanders' secret codes. Also, there is some revenge in here somewhere... Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Dave Fracchia, Studio VP, Radical Entertainment Co-host: WillyFresh992, rising star of comedy Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host On Hiatus: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Skylanders Cloud Patrol -- on iTunes in Canada Frito-Lay Skylanders promotion Blur on Steam for $5 Mother Mother - "Hayloft" ThinkGeek's April Fools archive & Catblock Random Assault Podcast Paper, Kat's new favorite iPad drawing app Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

While Hugh is off doing important Hollywood stuff, Kat and I draft Blythe Renay of the world-famous Damsels of Dorkington to sit in this week, tilting the scales in the gender balance on the show. We riff on your letters, Robert Bowling's departure, expired milk, the Skylanders conspiracy theory, the lowest form of nerdity, Elite PS3 content, wireless headsets, the decline of GAME in the UK, Clan Operations, old DLC, Dan's detective skills, how Blythe survived being in the Xbox Gamer Spotlight, and the one short film Kat wishes she could unsee. A reference is made to boobs, then we all go for mani-pedis. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Co-host: Blythe Renay, Damsel of Dorkington  Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host On Hiatus: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Robert Bowling's farewell Tritton's Devastator headset The Damsels of Dorkington and their Kickstarter project InMotion Hosting How to tell your Skylanders apart How to handle nitwits on Xbox Live Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

World-famous Xbox Live superstar Major Nelson -- the Larry Hryb! --  joins me this week to talk about MW3's new DLC, what's next for the Blur developers, and how to survive Iraq. That's nicer to hear than the shouty ME3 argument Kat, Hugh, and I get into, but we also cover fun stuff like the new iPad, Prototype 2's merch store, geek souvenirs, Black Ops Zombies, the voice of dissent, bad drawings, old Sega games, a new Transformers game, and characters made of felt. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Xbox Live's Major Nelson Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: The Prototype 2 store The Prototype 2 digital comic Black Ops Zombies iOS update Transformers Prime: The Game Ultra Sabers Draw Something The Muppets on DVD & Blu-Ray Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

With Prototype 2 just weeks away from release, developer Radical Entertainment has added a community manager to their ranks -- and I'm happy to have that person, Adam Badke, on the show this week to talk about life in Canada. Hugh is back on the show as well, this time in person -- he records the show from my office here at Activision for the first time ever. By the time we add Kat to the mix, we're off to the races about upcoming MW3 DLC, hibernating bears, Tony Hawk's DLC tease, Clash of the Titans, the ME3 controversy, Spider-Man's swinging, the new iPad (and how Hugh says it should be used), Battleship: The Game Based on the Movie Based on the Game, Latin, leashes, and love. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Adam Badke, community manager, Radical Entertainment Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Tony Hawk answers fan questions about THPSHD Elite content coming to PS3 and 360 Battleship teaser trailer with gameplay Meet Amazing Spider-Man's Iguana Come say hi at Wondercon 2012 LA Animal Services Kat and Hugh and Dan on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack/Stick It To The Dan Write to the show's Megamailbag

Jason Ades -- a veteran game producer whose resume includes DJ Hero 2, Transformers, and now Call of Duty Elite -- is my main guest on this week's show, and I get him to run the One of Swords Gauntlet Deluxe. And while Hollywood Hugh had to pass this week due to an important meeting, we get to meet two people whose names sound fairly familiar -- 1oS clanmates Rare Bishop and Pantless Steve help Kat and I fill the empty space with MW3 advice for newbies, the new iPad vs PS Vita, Alex Mercer's surprise appearance in Prototype 2, how to win a snowmobile, a Blur playdate, bad microphones, one of the weirdest 2600 games in existence, new Skylanders, Call of Duty trivia, and the color blue. Plus, we've finally got a way for you to show your allegiance to One of Swords -- wanna be a walking billboard? Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guest: Jason Ades, producer, Call of Duty Elite Special Guest Co Host: Bishop Tart, aka Rare Bishop of Bishop's Gaming World Special Guest Co-Host: Steve Sickmen, aka Pantless Steve of Xbox Live Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Co-host in Abstentia: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: MW3 Content Calendar shows 22 pieces...or will it be 24? New Skylanders showing up nowish Alex Mercer skin revealed for Prototype 2 One of Swords t-shirts now available Kat and Hugh and Bishop and Steve on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Write to the show's Megamailbag

Huzzah! Hugh's epic novel about werewolves in New York, City Under the Moon, is available at last, so we talk about that a little bit this week. Otherwise, your letters are the star of this show, but they get mixed in with a lot of other topics. For instance, we tackle the upcoming 360 MW3 content, southern accents, FPS gaming on iPads, Activision's plans for the PS Vita, Ghostbusters references, bad news at Blizzard, how to autograph a digital book, unused codes inside used games, and Hugh's relationship with the blind. Oh boy. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: MW3 Content Calendar Upcoming MW3 content on Xbox 360 Kindlegraph Kat and Hugh on Twitter Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Write to the show's Megamailbag

This week, I get to talk with Jay Frechette, host of Call of Duty Elite TV's show Roll Call, and we dig into his sordid past as an intern for EGM. Kat and Hugh are also on hand to discuss the arrival of clan operations, the books of Skylanders, the extra prestige of MW3, the murky history of Activision's licensed non-gaming PC titles, the proto-culture of Del tha Funkee Homosapien, and yes, the critical path of Dan Amrich. Get the podcast on iTunes Get the podcast on Zune Marketplace Get the podcast on your own with RSS Feedburner Or use the links below to listen in the browser or download direct. More info after the jump... Special Guests: Jay Frechette, host, Call of Duty Elite TV's Roll Call Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores Relevant show links: Clan Operations are live and here's the FAQ Skylanders says reading is fundamental Trading Spaces Design Companion by Activision Del tha Funkee Homosapien's "Proto Culture" Kat and Hugh on Twitter Facebook: Katrin Auch Photography, City Under the Moon, and Critical Path Dan's book: Critical Path Hugh's book: City Under the Moon Enter your own question for Hugh Don't Know Jack (or Stick It To The Dan) Write to the show's Megamailbag