Episode 145: Shift Up Defends Design of Stellar Blade: Blood Rain Protagonist Evie
Summary
Hosts Scrivenot and Norela discuss Grand Theft Auto 6’s $80 price, digital-only launch, and subscription model, alongside the overpriced Steam Machine and Xbox hardware hikes. They critique Xbox’s studio closures and diversity mandates, contrasting them with the new Tomb Raider’s classic Lara Croft design. Finally, they defend Stellar Blade’s sequel protagonist against age-related backlash, arguing against perceived censorship in character aesthetics.
Topics discussed
Intro, Kia ad, and show welcome
GTA 6 anticipation and Rockstar's animation style
GTA 6 $80 price hike and digital-only release
GTA 6 Ultimate Edition and subscription layers
Steam Machine pricing and rising hardware costs
Xbox shutting down Compulsion and Arkane Studios
Bungie layoffs and Marathon's player retention
Critique of Xbox's developer diversity guidelines
New Tomb Raider game and Lara Croft's design
Stellar Blade sequel protagonist controversy
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