Popzara Podcast

Our guest on this anthropoidal episode of the Popzara Podcast our own missing-link Nathan Evans talks with acclaimed comedian-slash-writer Dana Gould, whose credits include decades working with comedian-slash-actor Ben Stiller, TV appearances galore, and tenure writing for The Simpsons, about his new book Planet of the Apes: Visionaries, a graphic novel illustrating the legendary Rod Serling’s (The Twilight Zone) equally legendary unfilmed screenplay for the original 1968 Planet of the Apes movie starring Charlton Heston. With fantastic artwork by Chad Lewis, it arrives just in time to celebrate fifty years of our never-ending love affair with ape domination. Nathan and Gould talk about their shared love for all-things-ape, adapting Serling’s unused screenplay for modern audiences, and the surprising relevancy of the POTA franchise throughout the years. But that’s not all! They also talk Gould’s impressive comedy chops, which include helping create the wise-cracking videogame protagonist with 90s series GEX, the accidental rivalry between comedy-horror shows Ash vs. Evil Dead and Gould’s own Stan versus Evil (with kudos to Bruce Campbell), a shared love for Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs bordering on the obsessed, as well as the existential inevitability that a Planet of the Apes musical exist in some form or another. Which The Simpsons already did, of course. It’s an episode guaranteed to drive you…bananas? Hey, it’s puns ‘plenty in this one, folks, so enjoy!

On this wayfaring episode of the Popzara Podcast our own intrepid pilgrim Nia Bothwell joins travel author and modern day explorer Kate Harris to talk about her upcoming literary debut that blends these two passions in one alluring package: Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road. It’s a memoir detailing the highs and lows traversing one of the most iconic trade routes in history, an adventure that proved impossible to resist for the award-winning, grid-eschewing Harris. In this revealing conversation Nia and Kate talk about the difficulties inherent in such a massive undertaking, using technology to capture memories, and the surprising generosity of strangers in the unlikeliest of places. While you’ll have to read the book for the full story, prepare yourselves for an audio adventure as they geek out over their shared love for explorers like Andrew Wallace and Neil Armstrong, and relate what drives some people forward into the great unknown.

It’s the new, improved and slightly truncated NPD podcast you’ve come to love from your Popzara Pals, the only numerical-themed podcast focusing on the monthly sales estimates from our equally lovely pals over at The National Purchase Diary indicating the gaming industry’s relative health at retail and a chunk of digital shelves. We say truncated as the monthly numbers have moved away from their middle-month release date to a more appropriate debut  – near the start of each month. We’ve moved our schedule to match, meaning our hosts Cory Galliher and Nathan Evans no longer have any good reasons to put them off. Thanks, Mat! We’re talking about June 2018 here, and what a month it was: total sales of new gaming hardware and software soared a healthy 25 percent over last year ($1.08 billion over $867 million), though that uptick came largely from the former and less then latter. There’s plenty of new consoles to go around as sales of new hardware rose an incredible 52 percent over last year ($350 million over $231 million). In a surprising twist, it looks like a replenished supply stock helped Nintendo’s retro-packed NES Classic claim the top spot as the month’s best-selling console – though it was Sony’s PlayStation 4 that retained the month’s (and year’s overall) best-selling platform. All signs point to Nintendo’s other console, the Switch, following with Microsoft’s Xbox One platform in third for current-generation platforms. NPD tells us the Switch sold 50 percent more units than last year (hello, supply constraints) while the Xbox One doubled its revenue. So should the NES Classic be considered an actual “console” in the traditional sense? NPD seems to think so, but – despite our love for the 8-bit retro machine – your favorite number-crunchers think that’s a bit of a stretch. Sales of new gaming accessories also soared to the heavens, up a fantastic 31 percent over last year ($1.77 billion over $1.36 billion). NPD is quick to note the surge largely comes from gaming headsets and controllers, the most revenue since 2011. A major influence seems to be Epic’s Fortnight, a game that’s not officially registered anywhere on the NPD report yet clearly the single most influential. Sales of new headsets were up an astonishing 86 percent over last year, meaning there’s plenty of trash-talking to go around no matter how you prefer your battle royale matches. The only sector not experiencing the halo effect of increased revenue was the most obvious metric – the games, which means both new console and PC game sales actually ticked down a mere 1 percent over last year ($374 million from $379 million). It’s not all bad news, however, as Nintendo emerged as the month’s top publisher, pushing a whopping five console exclusives in the Top Twenty (and two in the Top Ten, including the months’ best-seller Mario Tennis Aces). Sony’s PlayStation platform also notched two Top Ten placers, a duo that includes God of War and Detroit: Being Human. GoW also remains the year’s second overall best-seller, which is a lot of 2’s for Kratos’ glorious return. Top Twenty Software: Momma Mia! 01. Mario Tennis Aces 02. God of War 2018 03. Grand Theft Auto V 04. The Crew 2 05. Far Cry 5 06. Mario Kart 8 07. LEGO Incredibles 08. FIFA 18 09. Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy

Our guest on this perfectly cromulent episode of the Popzara Podcast is Emmy Award-winning writer, producer, script-fixer and all-around funnyman Mike Reiss, known for everything from children’s books – most of which aren’t considered pornographic – and Hollywood films as diverse as Airplane II (yeah, the sequel), Ice Age, Despicable Me, and Horton Hears a Who! But it’s television where Mike shone the brightest, helping create pioneering animated shows like The Critic, Queer Duck and a little show you’ve probably heard of: The Simpsons. Which is fortunate seeing as he’s the author (with Mathew Klickstein) of Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for the Simpsons, offering hardcore fans and curious gossips exactly what the title promises. Now that’s proof in advertising! Our resident Simpsons expert and unashamed Alf enthusiast Nathan Evans chats with Mike about his early days writing for the Harvard Lampoon to helping shape crude animated shorts from The Tracey Ullman Show into the global phenomenon that just won’t quit. Seriously, after three decades and 600+ episodes in the can, The Simpsons will outlast us all. Of course the two talk The Simpsons – that’s what you came here for, isn’t it? From early comedy influences to pivotal episodes like “Stark Raving Dad” where Mike helped transform pop megastar Michael Jackson into an insane mental patient to the Jon Lovitz-powered “The Way We Was”, which helped convince the world there was more to the show than jokes and t-shirt friendly catchphrases. Also discussed are his early days writing for Alf, creating (with longtime writing partner Al Jean) The Critic, discovering comedy talent everywhere from the utopian bliss of Canada to the cesspool of Twitter, the importance of not writing down to the audience (hint: it’s the parents, stupid), as well as the project he’s most proud of, the innovative online series Queer Duck. But hey! It’s more Simpsons you want, so it’s more Simpsons you’ll get. Mike dishes details on the troubles getting Jay Sherman to Springfield, screwing up the marketing rollout for The Simpsons Movie, his thoughts on the recent “Problem with Apu” controversy, and even a little on Matt Groening’s upcoming Netflix series Disenchantment. Want to know more? Read the book! It’s great!

The dust of E3 has settled and the crowds have thinned…and yet there’s still more story to be told. As we’re settling back in returning number champs Cory Galliher and Nathan Evans are back to talk about what curious consumers can expect to keep their hungry consoles + PC hardware happy in the coming months. And what better way to do this than by looking backward, which means a closer look at The NPD Group’s sales estimates for May 2018. There’s a lot to mull over, maybe a little too much even for our stalwart editors to examine alone. Once again, we go straight to the source as our favorite NPD number-cruncher Mat Piscatella returns to the Podcast for a proper grilling, helping listeners make sense of all those fancy figures. Let’s begin! Total sales of new gaming hardware and software were up a respectable 13 percent over last year ($685 million from $607 million), thanks in part to a healthy surge in new gaming hardware sales that grew 26 percent over last year ($186 million from $147 million). While Sony’s PlayStation 4 continues its hot run at the top as the month’s best-selling platform, both Nintendo’s Switch and Microsoft’s Xbox One didn’t embarrass themselves; every platform saw record unit sales for the month of May. Interestingly, Sony’s PlayStation 4 platform – which includes both the PS4 Slim and beefier PS4 Pro – was the month’s best-selling platform while Nintendo’s 32GB Neon Red/Blue JoyCon Switch was the month’s single best-selling SKU. Despite the NPD’s nebulous tracking system, it’s probably fair to assume that the Xbox One platform – including both the Xbox One Slim and 4K-powered Xbox One X – generated enough cash to keep Microsoft happy. Perhaps the month’s most impressive uptick were sales of new gaming accessories, soaring 30 percent upward over last year ($225 million from $174 million), breaking revenue records held firmly since 2011. The cause? A huge demand for game cards and “year-to-date sales of both headsets and gamepads [having] achieved all-time record highs” says Mat. Gaming headsets in particular doubled since last year, no doubt spurred by all those battle royale sessions in desperate need Sales of new gaming software, which includes both console and PC, were less celebratory, down a slight 4 percent from last year ($274 million from $285 million). Curiously, it was Microsoft’s Xbox-exclusive State of Decay 2 that topped the charts for the month. What makes this curious was that the game launched as a marquee title for the platform’s Game Pass service, which meant subscribers didn’t actually have to buy it. This makes the second time a game launching on Game Pass represented highly in the sales charts, following Sea of Thieves in April. Those listening to the podcast are in for a treat as Mat helps explain the strange, yet fruitful connection between Elsewhere in the top ten there’s plenty for both Sony and Nintendo to get excited about as both of their consoles dominated the rest. The PS4 was home to the month’s second and third best-sellers as God of War also becomes the year’s second-best seller while Detroit: Become Human comes in strong at third. Ubisoft’s Far Cry 5, the year’s current best-seller, holds steady in fifth place while Nintendo’s remastered version of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze arrives at sixth. Other Nintendo Switch highlights include

On this diplomatic episode of the Popzara Podcast our own Nathan Evans talks with author Travis Jeppensen about his new book See You Again in Pyongyang: A Journey into Kim Jong Un’s North Korea, out now from Hachette Books. Touted as “the first American to study in North Korea,” Travis relates not just his studies at the Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, but the people and culture seldom seen outside the opaque wall of propaganda surrounding the most isolated country in the world. It’s just the thing for the historical junkie eager to learn anything they can about a nation as derided as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It’s a trip well suited to Travis’ extensive experience writing about art history and death cults, two subjects not always mutually exclusive when discussing the DPRK. You’ll learn that much of visual representation of the nation is intentional, from the gloriously colorful “epic kitsch” of North Korean art and architecture to the impossibly catchy blend of K-pop, ballads, Russian disco and nationalistic sentiment of the DPRK’s most famous group – the all-female Moranbong Band. It’s not all fun and games, of course, as the two discuss the realities of living in a country many have called “the Hermit Kingdom”, the effects of constant propaganda on its citizens, the continued failures of planned economies, and how the long sought-after reunification of the Korean peninsula could have unintended consequences for entirely different reasons than you’d think. Also discussed are how ideological prejudices have made it difficult to separate fact from fiction on even the most basic details when talking North Korea, from journalists and others reporting from both sides of the Military Demarcation Line. Of course, no talk about North Korea would be complete – or honest – without at least a nod towards the recent Singapore Summit that united both US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un after months of speculation. Come for the eye-opening discussion on the geopolitical outlook for both nations; stay for the insight on the people and their culture. It’s a conversation that reminds us that sometimes the only entreaty necessary for real change is a willingness to talk – and listen. And speaking of listening, if you ever find yourself in North Korea don’t forget to order the cold noodle dish Pyongyang naengmyon – we hear they’re delicious.

On this euphonious episode of the Popzara Podcast our own melodious Nia Bothwell welcomes game composer and interactive music director Jesse C. Harlin into the auditorium. With an impressive career spanning nearly two decades of scoring everything from Star Wars (both RPG and dancing varieties) to 2K’s Mafia III to directing his own pieces with the London Philharmonic, Jesse wears the title of game composer loud and proud. Today he’s here to talk about his latest work: providing music for the adorable new platform adventure Yoku’s Island Express, available now for PC and consoles. Get ready for a cuteness overload! Nia helps listeners trace Jesse’s prolific career scoring multiple heavy-hitters for LucasArts (hint: Star Wars!) to discovering his place in the emerging world of game soundtracks. The two also take a look at what it’s like balancing the needs of the musician with family life, making a living as a freelance composer, as well as the surprising influence of legendary German electronica group Tangerine Dream and Massive Attack on the music for Yoku’s Island Express. Can the DNA of yeast really be used to help make great music? You’ll learn all about that, too. Want more info on Jesse C. Harlin or hear samples of his work? Head over to Dunderpate Music for the good stuff. Want to hear from him right now? Just press play and listen – couldn’t be easier!

As the dust settles on yet another year of the world’s biggest gaming tradeshow the Popzara Team has dutifully gathered to talk, discuss, dissect and convey the very essence that was E3 2018. In this playable episode of the Popzara Podcast intrepid editors Cory Galliher and Nia Bothwell braved the crowds to bring you firsthand experiences and hands-on reports at what anxious gamers can expect to keep their lonely PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switches happy. Joining them are Nathan Evans and Herman Exum giving our wearied warriors a much needed assist from afar – a very comfortable afar. So how did it go? Spoilers: by dropping any pretense of hardware wars and focusing squarely on what really matters  – the games – E3 2018 was one of the most satisfying interactive extravaganzas in ages. Whether you’re with Team Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, or maybe prefer your gaming a little more customizable (i.e. PC FTW) there was plenty to get excited about. Again – it’s all about the games! With a show already packed with the likes of Halo Infinite, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, The Last of Us Part II, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Death Stranding, Cyberpunk 2077, Metro Exodus, Kingdom Hearts 3, Ghost of Tsushima, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Little Dragons Cafe, Forza Horizon 4, The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit and so many others a few will surely miss the cut as there’s simply too many for just one podcast to contain. But we try! So get ready to press play and settle in for an audio adventure deep into gaming nirvana that’s almost better, certainly easier – and without doubt cheaper – than actually being on the show floor in Los Angeles. Did we mention it’s totally free? Listen now!

As the seasons turn and the transition from spring to summer begins there’s still plenty of bite left in the year, especially in the battle for console supremacy. Our own summer soldiers Cory Galliher and Nathan Evans resume their number-crunching duties, tackling NPD’s estimates for the gaming industry’s relative retail health for April 2018. In a month that saw most competitors merely playing games, a resurgent Sony cried havoc!, and let slip the dogs of war. Total sales of new gaming hardware and software rebounded nicely since last month, up a smooth 18 percent over last year ($829 million over $699 million). There’s no doubt where this bounty came from as Sony experienced one of their best overall months since the PlayStation Brand was introduced back in 1994. Demand saw new gaming hardware shoot up an impressive 15 percent over last year ($225 million from $195 million). The PlayStation 4 was the month’s best-selling console, followed by Nintendo’s Switch and Microsoft’s various Xbox One models (including a 4K unit of their own). Sony’s heavenly month was so extraordinary it managed to break consecutive records for April, tallying not just the highest unit sales for any game console since the original Wii did back in 2009, but also the highest dollar sales – again, from Nintendo’s Wii – since April 2008. All signs point to the PlayStation 4 Pro being the month’s best-selling SKU hardware, buoyed no doubt thanks to savvy God of War bundles practically begging gamers to experience the return of Kratos in glorious 4K. New consoles need new accessories to go with them and, once again, the industry saw sales bounce up a nice 28 percent over last year ($240 million from $187 million). Sony once more repeated the benefits from all those PlayStation consoles as the DualShock 4 Wireless Controller wasn’t just the month’s most popular, but now the overall best revenue-generating controller of all-time. In the realm of gaming software sales were up 13 percent over last year ($359 million from $317 million), the top ten best-sellers practically split between Sony and Nintendo as the two Japanese giants amassed six console exclusives between them. Sony’s God of War and MLB 18: The Show dominated the exclusive market, the former taking both the month’s top spot and latter coming in third. Don’t feel bad for Nintendo, however, as Switch blockbusters occupied several spots on the list, including a surprising showing for the cardboard creation Labo Variety Kit coming in fourth and remastered Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze at sixth. Microsoft’s Xbox One just missed having its own console exclusive on the charts with PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds coming just under the radar at eleventh. Top Ten Software: The New Gods 01. God of War 02. Far Cry 5 03. MLB The Show 18 04. Nintendo Labo Variety Kit 05. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze 06. Mario Kart 8 07. Grand Theft Auto V 08.

In this scurrilous episode of the Popzara Podcast we’ve scoured the worst hives of scum and villainy to put together a team to talk Solo: A Star Wars Story, the second Star Wars Anthology film – and fourth overall – since Disney took control of the franchise. At the helm are Nathan Evans joined by Annette Palmer and Chris Mitchell to discuss the latest Star Wars prequel in one glorious spoiler-filled gab session. It’s a film surprisingly closer to a straightforward buddy-comedy heist caper than the franchise’s typical space melodrama, one filled with more laughs and genuine friendships than most summer blockbusters could ever dream of. The team talk everything from whether Alden Ehrenreich successfully assumes the role made famous by Harrison Ford, if it’s possible to love Chewbacca too much (answer: no!), the film’s troubled production that saw its original directors fired and replaced, droid sexuality, if Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) has a cape addiction, and the shocking return of a character we assumed had split – literally. Above all else, they answer the most burning question of all: following the disappointment of The Last Jedi, a film that grossed over a billion dollars worldwide and somehow managed to leave hardcore fans soured, whether it’s OK for them to feel hope again.

On this 1337 episode of the Popzara Podcast our own Nia “Lady Terror” Bothwell goes PvP with director Joseph Procopio about eHero, his breakthrough film that looks at the fast-growing world of competitive gaming through the eyes of Tyler Conway, a troubled 22-year old hotshot who becomes an overnight eSports sensation. To succeed, Tyler must learn to play an entirely different kind of game; balancing his swelling ego against the needs of his teammates. It’s an underdog tale for a new generation of sports – and sports fans. Nia and Joseph take listeners on a guided tour of the film’s genesis, including what games inspired the creative process, turning filmmaking into a family affair, working with legendary actor Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, The Goonies), finding his voice in the YouTube generation, the thematic similarities to The Karate Kid (with nods to its recent spinoff, Cobra Kai), and even a shared love for spirit animals. So put down the controller and get ready to plug into the world of eSports and eHero; it’s just like Rocky, only with fewer pugilists and more pixels.

On this playable episode of the Popzara Podcast our own action figure Nathan Evans talks with the acclaimed producer of some of the biggest names in stand-up comedy, Brian Volk-Weiss, who’s now turned his comic timing to perhaps the funniest thing of all: toys! Specifically The Toys That Made Us, a Netflix Original documentary series that examines not only the creation and creators behind some of the most successful brands in toy history, but also their continuing impact on the culture and lives of the fans who love them. Season One tackled some of the industry’s heaviest hitters – Star Wars, Barbie, He-Man, and G.I. Joe – and Season Two promises even more inside-level facts and trivia on iconic brands LEGO, Transformers, Hello Kitty, and Star Trek. Equal parts hilarious and informative, it’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane showcasing a genuine love for the toys that helped make us who we are. It’s a chat full of surprises, like how Star Wars rise to the top was anything but a sure thing. Learn how Hello Kitty founder Shintaro “Papa” Tsuji’s philosophy (“Small gift, big smile”) led to Sanrio offering true fans everything from box-cutters, motor oil, adult diapers, and even ‘shoulder massagers’. Did you know that He-Man’s villainous Skeletor was inspired by a real human corpse ‘employed’ at a carnival ride? Or that Barbie’s roots lay in European erotica? Or how Star Trek toys went from embarrassments to so authentically accurate one was used in a Star Trek episode? Was it the quest for gender diversity that finally brought down The Masters of the Universe? Is it possible for aging pop idols to be too kawaii? Is there any difference between toy, doll, action figure, or collectible? Does Nintendo’s crazy/cool experiments with plastic amiibos or cardboard Labo count as actual ‘toys’ in the traditional sense? Also, stay tuned as Nate and Brian talk not just the future of toys, but the possibilities of future seasons of The Toys That Made Us, which may (or may not) include other industry titans like Peanuts, Cabbage Patch Kids, Hot Wheels, My Little Pony, Voltron and so much more.

In this corrugated episode of the Popzara Podcast our own DIY expert editors Cory Galliher and Nia Bothwell go hands-on – literally – with the most hands-on gaming accessory yet. The Japanese gaming giant known for creative dalliances with yarn, clay, and knitting machines (seriously) have released their zaniest, and possibly sanest project yet with the Nintendo Labo. After years of stuttering gimmicks like 3D and virtual reality it looks like the future of gaming just may be something we’ve had around all along: cardboard. That’s right. Cardboard. While the convergence of electronic tech and cardboard isn’t new (note: Google’s Cardboard VR, anyone?), none have been so instantly accessible or lovable as Labo. Cory and Nia go in-depth with Nintendo’s foldable accessory for the Switch, assembling and snapping together a host of Toy-Con magic that transform  recyclable paper product into totally usable robots, race cars, fishing rods, pianos, and so much more. So many questions! Does Labo herald a new direction for gaming/STEM collaborations? Will it encourage gamers to put down their plastic controllers and take up origami? Is it even possible to ‘break’ a cardboard accessory? All this and more, and why parents should expect game-time with the kids to get a whole lot more interactive. Just don’t forget the tape – you’ll need plenty!

In this heroic episode of the Popzara Podcast we’ve assembled our own band of superheroes Annette Palmer, Chris “Wolf Man” Mitchell, and Nate Evans to talk and generally spoil Marvel’s long-awaited multi-movie blockbuster Avengers: Infinity War! The 19th film in the most commercially successful movie franchise ever packs favorites Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, The Hulk, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and even the Guardians of the Galaxy into the biggest and best Marvel epic yet. So many questions! So many answers! Was the third Avengers film worth the decade-long wait? Yes! Is it necessary to have seen all of the previous eighteen films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Possibly, but not really! Is big baddie Thanos and his Stone-grabbing, population-halving scheme really just the universe’s worst eco-warrior? Does Howard the Duck show up? You’ll have to see! Warning: this episode is absolutely jam-packed with spoilers, spoilers, and spoilers galore – our editors spill the beans about practically everything Avengers: Infinity War has to offer, so if you haven’t seen it yet proceed with caution. It’s a superhero-packed podcast you don’t wanna miss, true believers, that’s cheaper than actually going to the movies! Excelsior!

Winter may be over, but the war is just beginning. Just kidding! March may be named for legendary God of War himself, Mars, but we’re not talking such things (yet). Instead, what better time to take a step backwards as number-crunchers Cory Galliher and Nate Evans cooperatively examine and extrapolate the numbers and estimates for relative health at retail and digital shelves across the nation from our good friends at The NPD Group for March 2018. Total sales of new gaming hardware and software was actually down 11 percent for the month from last year ($1.316 billion from $1.478 billion). Perhaps a big culprit for this precipitous slide were lower sales of new gaming hardware, which dropped a steep 32 percent from last year ($331 million from $485 million). The top-selling console platform for the month is really a tie, of sorts, as Sony’s PlayStation 4 (including the PS4 Pro) returned to the top spot cumulatively, while Nintendo’s Red & Blue Joy-con Switch was the month’s overall best-selling individual console. NPD also reports that even Microsoft’s Xbox One platform (which no doubts includes both Xbox One S and X brands) drove the bulk of pure spending for the month. There’s even better news for Microsoft – but you’ll have to keep reading (or listening) for the good stuff. It wasn’t just lagging hardware to blame for the sales slide, of course, as even sales of new console and PC software decreased an even 10 percent from last year ($613 million from $682 million). It wasn’t for lack of trying, however, as Ubisoft’s Far Cry 5 not only topped the month’s sales charts but also notched a franchise-best while wresting the year’s overall best-seller title from Capcom’s Monster Hunter: World. Another big surprise was Microsoft’s cooperative pirate-simulator Sea of Thieves at number two, which is surprising given the highly-anticipated PVP shooter was also the company’s marquee exclusive on the gaming buffet service Game Pass. It’s a Rare win for Microsoft – pun certainly intended. It wasn’t all doom and gloom, however, as sales of new gaming accessories actually rose a sweet 20 percent over last year ($372 million over $310 million), thanks mainly to white-hot demand for newer gaming headsets. All those cooperative online multiplayer blockbusters won’t play themselves, and they certainly won’t play in silence. Top Twenty Software: A Cry in the Wilderness 01. Far Cry 5 02. Sea Of Thieves 03. MLB 18: The Show 04. Kirby Star Allies 05. Grand Theft Auto V 06. Call of Duty: WWII 07. Mario Kart 8 08. Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom 09. NBA 2K18 10. Monster Hunter: World 11. Super Mario Odyssey 12.