Hot Button

Episode 63: Millions to Billions - The History of Valve Part 2

We continue on today with part 2 in our multi-episode history of the Valve Corporation! After the release their first game Half-Life went so well, they figured "How hard can outdoing ourselves be?" Well, 5 years, millions of dollars, one huge security breach, and a few lawsuits later, they would come to regret asking that question. It's time for more Valve crunch, and for Gabe to let off a little steam.

Episode 62: Metropolis Down - The Rise and Fall of Maxis’ Sim City

Bad game launches can unfortunately be commonplace these days, but very few can reach levels of disaster so high that it effectively kills an entire long-running franchise AND beloved studio. Hear the story of how everyone’s favorite urban-planning simulation went from winning Game of the Year awards to instead topping lists of the most disappointing titles ever released. How once masterful design could somehow devolve into a pile of technical problems and ill conceived ideas so poor, that it would lead such an important series to it’s sad now often forgotten grave. So let’s all pour one out for company Maxis and find out just what in the hell went wrong with Sim City (2013).

Episode 61: Millions to Billions - The History of Valve Part 1

Today we answer the age old question of what happens when two extremely talented millionaire programmers gain access to a cutting edge engine and a team of creative geniuses. It's the perfect storm of privilege, timing, and know how. Join us for our new multi part series as we take a whack at the history of one of gaming's giants, the infamous Valve Corporation. In part 1, we discuses the beginnings of the company and the development of it's debut game Half-Life. A game so great that even John Carmack can't deny it.

Episode 60: Pac Ma'am - The History of Ms. Pac Man

It's the 1980s. Arcades are all the rage and Pac-Man Fever is sweeping the nation, but how will Japan capitalize on the craze? They go to MIT of course! On this episode of Hot Button, we dive into the development and lawsuits of Ms. Pac-Man, and explore how the sequel to one of the most popular arcade titles ever produced came from one of the most unlikeliest of places.
 NOTE: Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and the quarantine procedures put forth by our state and federal governments, this episode was recorded remotely. Please bear with us as we may have some audio hiccups while we sort this out. Thank you for understanding and enjoy!

Episode 59: Brogrammers Gone Wild - The Guy Game

It’s time to get sleazy in the Hot Button studio this week as we discuss the origins of one of the dumbest, grossest, and most exploitative titles to ever weasel its way to the mainstream gaming market. A story not just involving strip clubs and fast cars, but also... Nintendo? And Metroid? Find out how a once respected developer almost found their way into a jail cell following the discovery of something that even 4chan will ban you for.

Episode 58: From Russia With Fun! - History of Tetris Part 4

We made it y’all. The final piece of our Tetris saga! Hear the results of every win, loss, deal, lawsuit, and death. No thread left undone. Take our hand as we guide you through it all. From it’s changes over the years, to it’s use in scientific research, to the legacy that it left behind. A legacy that would change the world forever.

Episode 57: From Russia With Fun! - History of Tetris Part 3

The race to finally get Tetris on the NES and Game Boy is on! On part three of our epic saga, we run through deal after deal and try to separate those that wish to team up from those that just want to screw each other over. Who will come out victorious? Only one way to find out.

Episode 56: The Last Temptation of Pidgeot - Twitch Plays Pokémon

What happens when 100,000 people try to play a video game at the same time? Fan art? Political struggle? Religion??? Today we take a look at the journey and legacy of the phenomenon Twitch Plays Pokemon! A massive social experiment that ignited an entire culture of lore the likes of which the internet will never forget.