Verdant Zones and Battlefields (Tanked Up 442)

·1 hr 37 min·5 clips

They debate whether Microsoft will shut down Compulsion Games after 'South of Midnight,' comparing it to recent industry layoffs.

Ben and Lucy begin by drinking and reviewing two craft beers: an 8% double IPA from Verdant with Chinook, Columbus, Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops, and a 5% double dry-hopped pale from Beak called 'These Hills,' brewed for an international beer festival. Lucy notes her Verdant IPA has fleeting tropical fruit flavors and a harsh, bitter finish, while Ben finds his Beak pale light and refreshing with orange and mango notes. They then discuss video games, starting with Lucy finishing 'Real World,' a relaxing cycling game she enjoyed for its replayability. Lucy also talks about playing 'Hitman Freelancer' and 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4,' and starting 'South of Midnight,' a fantastical game set in the Deep South from Compulsion Games. The hosts express concern about Microsoft's layoffs and the potential shutdown of studios like Compulsion Games, referencing recent industry trends. Ben shares his three hours with 'End Zone 2,' a post-apocalyptic city builder with expedition mechanics, but criticizes its slow tutorial and overly detailed grim aesthetic. He compares it unfavorably to 'Frostpunk 2.' Later, Ben details his early access to the Battlefield 6 beta, praising its squad-based gameplay, destruction mechanics, and immersive 'War Tapes' audio mode that amplifies explosions. The episode touches on broader topics like the gaming industry's consolidation, conservative pressure on platforms like Steam, and the challenges of ethical consumption under capitalism. They conclude with a brief history of Battlefield games and anticipation for Battlefield 6's full release in October.

As heard by us

A beer-led games podcast turns Microsoft's business logic and job cuts into sharp pub-table economics.

Tanked Up 442 opens with Verdant's 8% double IPA, moving through beer strength, hops, and can art before Ben and Lucy turn toward the money logic shaping the games industry.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when you want hop talk followed by a blunt run at games-industry economics.

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