PODCAST

Hot Button

Chronicling strange and interesting stories in the world of video games.

games & hobbies video games

All Episodes

01:14:53

Episode 28: Requiem for a Dreamcast - History of Sega...

Hot Button ·

2019/05/24

Our Sega Saga continues! In our second and final part, we cover the story of how Sega learned nothing from the success of the Genesis, and made a bunch of bad decisions leading up to the release and failure of their last console ever, the Dreamcast. Learn how they went from almost dethroning Nintendo to completely exiting from the console business in just over decade.

52:17

Episode 27: Requiem for a Dreamcast - History of Sega...

Hot Button ·

2019/05/17

For better or worse Sega has been a part of our culture for 80 years. From a domination of the arcade industry to pissing off the entire internet with a hedgehog's teeth. Today we look into how Sega sprinted, tumbled, innovated, and poorly timed it's foray into the console game, in which they were either wildly successful or a horrible failure, depending on when and where you look.

44:54

Episode 26: Warner Bothers - How the Westworld was Lost

Hot Button ·

2019/05/10

It's time for some more court documents! This episode, it’s Robot Cowboys vs Mutants as we cover the lawsuit between Bethesda and Warner Bros over the “similarities” in Fallout Shelter and the Westworld mobile game. We’ll tell you about how one smaller company plagiarizing itself led to two entertainment giants fighting it out in the courtroom.

01:43:03

Episode 25: Video Game Special Editions Live!

Hot Button ·

2019/05/03

Hot Button Live from the Volume Cafe! Special Edition!! In our very first live episode, we break down a list of some of the dumbest, most unnecessary, most inappropriate, and most ill conceived video game collector’s bundles ever. From the cheapest add on junk to the most expensive publicity stunts. Fridges to figurines! Panties to Baterangs! Remote control cars.. to real cars. We cover it all!

01:14:08

Episode 24: Birth of A Killer App - The Origin of...

Hot Button ·

2019/04/26

For the second and final part in our series on Halo: Combat Evolved, we learn about the game's journey from Mac game to Xbox exclusive. Want to hear a bunch of billionaires get mad at each other over a game about a spaceman shooting purple aliens? We got you covered. Join us to catalog everything that made the cut and everything that didn't, as one of the the best FPS games of all time limped its way across the finish line.

50:18

Episode 23: Birth of A Killer App - The Origin of...

Hot Button ·

2019/04/19

Every once and a while a game comes along that changes the industry forever. And few have changed the game in the way that Halo: Combat Evolved has. From Microsoft's success in the console game, to the proliferation of the FPS genre on consoles, a lot can be attributed to the Halo series. On this episode, we dive into the history of Bungie, and the story of how Halo came to be. Join us on part one of a two part journey, as we discover how one of the most iconic first person shooters of all time

01:19:38

Episode 22: The Termination of Jeff Gerstmann by the...

Hot Button ·

2019/04/12

Have you ever been unjustly fired from a job? Well, today we run through the life of gaming figure Jeff Gerstmann and how he once lost his premier title as editorial director over an honest review that effected thousands of dollars in ad revenue for popular website GameSpot. Hear us breakdown everything from publisher relationships, to the obsession with numeric scores, to the art of criticism, while also discovering how something new can be born out of years of dealing with complete corporate

01:04:41

Episode 21: Brown v Entertainment Merchants...

Hot Button ·

2019/04/05

A landmark Supreme Court decision is said to reshape the law as we know it, and affect all court rulings going forward. Things like Brown v Board of Education, Roe v Wade, Gideon v Wainwright. Today we will hear the oral arguments for another landmark supreme court case. In the conclusion to our two part series on Brown v EMA, we discuss why the Constitution guarantees every 16 year old the right to play Postal 2.

47:06

Episode 20: Brown v Entertainment Merchants...

Hot Button ·

2019/03/29

On part one of our two part series on Brown v EMA, we explore the court cases and appeals that led to the landmark Supreme Court case. Follow us through State Senates, District Courts and Circuit Courts as the video game industry proves time and again that video games, like movies and books, are protected under the First Amendment.

31:47

Episode 19: Formation of the ESRB Part III

Hot Button ·

2019/03/22

Welcome to the thrilling conclusion to our epic three part series on the ESRB. We discuss more senate hearings, more companies arguing, and more M rated content. Will the rag tag group of game devs and publishers be able to fight off those pesky politicians with their new initiative? You probably know the answer, but tune in to find out how!

40:34

Episode 18: Formation of the ESRB Part II

Hot Button ·

2019/03/15

Our epic three-parter on the ESRB continues! Will Nintendo and Sega finally put aside their petty differences and team up against those Washington fat cats? Or will two giant corporations continue to fight like school children? We’ve got the answers here!

41:17

Episode 17: Formation of the ESRB Part I

Hot Button ·

2019/03/08

You have seen the logo on every game. M for Mature. T for Teen. E for Everyone. But do you know where they come from? In our biggest Hot Button undertaking to date, we look into the formation of the ESRB. Follow along on part one of our epic three part journey, as we look into how people's spines being ripped out, girls in their panties, and a couple of blue plastic guns forced the government to intervene, and forever changed the way games are developed, sold and played.

50:00

Episode 16: IGN Plagiarism Scandal

Hot Button ·

2019/03/01

Melania Trump, Shia LaBeouf, Led Zeppelin. What do you think of when you hear these names? That’s right, plagiarism! On this episode, we rip into the career of ex-IGN editor Filip Miucin and what looked like his endless quest to steal as many words from other writers as he could... that is until 2018 when his now infamous review of Dead Cells finally backfired.

52:20

Episode 15: Super Columbine Massacre RPG! Part II

Hot Button ·

2019/02/22

Our story of Danny Ladonne’s controversial title continues! Including an entry into the world of indie game competitions, beef with another fellow creator, and of course, push back from outlets all across the country. Will his message regarding the outcomes around Columbine be secure? Time for us to analyze and reflect on what many today still call the most offensive game ever made.

44:17

Episode 14: Super Columbine Massacre RPG! Part I

Hot Button ·

2019/02/15

What would you say if we told you that a video game about the Columbine High School shooting exists? Now what you say if we told you that it also featured Pikachu and Friedrich Nietzsche? Well today we’re not only going to talk about how that game is somehow real, but also the story of how it came to be and how the public reacted to it. This one is a bit of a sensitive topic as well so listener discretion is advised.

01:11:54

Episode 13: No Man's Sky

Hot Button ·

2019/02/08

This week on Hot Button, we breakdown ambition vs. reality with the announcement and release of everybody’s most hated game of 2016, No Man’s Sky. Can this small team of five turn this massive space exploration game around into a success? Or will the fans just keep relentlessly hammering it down into a swarm of bad reviews and lawsuits? We’ve got all the answers here!

01:18:01

Episode 12: The Ouya

Hot Button ·

2019/02/01

The year is 2013. Forget about the PlayStation 4, forget about the Xbox One, cause today it’s time we discuss everybody’s favorite failed Android-based micro console... the Ouya. How could this massively funded Kickstarter product built to revolutionize an entire industry fall just flat on its face? We’ve got all the answers right here!

01:35:52

Episode 11: History of the Xbox 360

Hot Button ·

2019/01/25

Continuing after our episode on the original Xbox (Go check it out if you haven't yet!), we take an exhaustive look into the development of Microsoft’s crowning achievement, their follow up console, the Xbox 360! Can Microsoft learn from their past mistakes and finally pull ahead of Sony in the console war? You may already know the answer, since you probably have an Xbox 360 sitting in a closet somewhere. But how did they do it? Come listen and find out!

01:35:50

Episode 10: CSGO Skin Betting & Gambling

Hot Button ·

2019/01/18

On this episode of Hot Button, we are joined by our first ever guest, esports 'expert' and crime aficionado Chris Neuteboom, as we take a journey into the seedy underbelly of 'legal' Counter Strike: Global Offense skin betting and gambling. Tune in to find out just how many lawsuits can pop up next time you decide steal your mom's credit card!

01:16:34

Episode 09: Modern Warfare 2's 'No Russian'

Hot Button ·

2019/01/11

Anyone else remember the time that Call of Duty had you participate in a mass murder? Cause we do. Today we discuss the development and controversy around Modern Warfare 2’s infamous 'No Russian' airport mission. Warning: Some graphic content is discussed and listened to in this episode.

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