Hot Button

Episode 24: Birth of A Killer App - The Origin of Halo Part II

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.

Episode 23: Birth of A Killer App - The Origin of Halo Part I

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 didn't even start as a shooter let alone a first person game, and how it almost had some of the stupidest names we have ever heard.

Episode 22: The Termination of Jeff Gerstmann by the Coward GameSpot

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 bullshit.

Episode 21: Brown v Entertainment Merchants Association Part II

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.

Episode 20: Brown v Entertainment Merchants Association Part I

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.

Episode 19: Formation of the ESRB Part III

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!

Episode 18: Formation of the ESRB Part II

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!

Episode 17: Formation of the ESRB Part I

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.