Okay, probable flame bait here, but Peter Vesterbacka (marketing lead for Angry Birds) is claiming that the glorious days of console gaming are over. His argument? For one, as we all know, innovation isn't coming from the big companies these days (the ones who target consoles), but rather indies (ahem, Angry Birds). Secondly, there's a huge cost difference ($60 console game; $.99 Angry Birds). He also thinks that tablets pose a real threat to consoles. The main claim there is that "four generations of new tablets come before a new console." These comments followed a session by Satoru Iwata (Nintendo CEO) who wonders if the rush of mobile and social games might destroy the industry, making it impossible to earn a living as a developer.

What do you think? Are the days of the big three coming to a close?

We're like a bad penny - We always turn up. It's Episode 8! Did we cut the show down, or has it grown into something we can't control? You'll have to listen to find out! Matt Barton, Bill Loguidice, Christina Loguidice, Chip Hageman, and I - Chris Kennedy - give you the latest in listener bliss.

Click here to download the show.




Segments and approximate times below:

• Matt Barton on Indie games and their quest to save us from lack of originality in today's games (4:06)
• Chip Hageman on Commodoreserver.com (21:35)
• Christina Loguidice on the use of videogames in medicine (36:32)
• Bill Loguidice's first computer roleplaying experience (45:25)
• Chris Kennedy and videogame remakes (1:11:16)

As always, we'd really appreciate any feedback you have to offer on the episode. You can leave comments here, email us, or review the show on iTunes. You can also subscribe to our RSS Feed.

Fierce. Green. Dragon.It's the month of love. Nope, we're not sending you valentines and a heart-shaped box of assorted fine chocolates, but you do get a podcast sealed with a kiss! We have a humongous show clocking in at nearly three hours, with special guests Jay Barnson of Rampant Coyote, John Pio of MAMECADE, and Alex Layne of Not Your Mama's Gamer. We're also joined by almost all of the regular AA team, including Bill Loguidice, Christina Loguidice, Mark Vergeer, Rob Daviau, Chris Kennedy, and yours truly, Matt Barton.

Click here to download the show.

Segments and approximate times below:

• Jay Barnson (aka Rampant Coyote) and the fierce green dragon (4:44)
• John Pio (aka MAMECADE) on classic arcade machines (16:00)
• Bill Loguidice's third and final segment on motion gaming (45:15)
• Christina Loguidice on Plants vs. Zombies (1:00:06)
• Alex Layne on Samus Aran (1:08:51)
• Chris Kennedy and the results of AA Favorite Arcade Machine Poll (1:18:26)
• Rob Daviau on the Dreamcast (1:34:12)
• Mark Vergeer on the Commodore 64 (2:10:06)
• Matt Barton on Gerald Celente's Predictions of a Global (Gamer) Revolution

As always, we'd really appreciate any feedback you have to offer on the episode. You can leave comments here, email us, or review the show on iTunes. You can also subscribe to our RSS Feed.