Rand(nerds);

Welcome to Episode 254 We start by teasing what we’ve been playing for our Christmas Games Night special—stay tuned, as all will be revealed later in the year! Next, we recap our recent 24-hour gaming live-stream, packed with a mix of some of our beloved classics and some new experiences: First up was For The King, which dominated much of our game time. Previously, Ram and Zaber, and Skazz and Zaber, had tackled this strategy RPG in pairs. This time, the trio united to confront the big bad and bring order to a chaotic land. We then transitioned into global warfare with the world-ending strategy game DEFCON. Ram had a slight edge, having played the tutorial years ago, while Skazz struggled without a mouse and Zaber forgot to deploy any units—tactical brilliance all around! To lighten the mood, we switched to Golf It!, navigating custom maps while narrowly avoiding copyright strikes. This led to a lively discussion about realistic sporting games. Next, we dove into one of the original looter-shooters, Borderlan

Welcome to Episode 253 In this episode, Skazz takes the lead as we dive into our latest Games Night experience with MudRunner. We explore the challenges of navigating through the muddy landscapes of Eastern Europe using worn-out Soviet era trucks, discussing the fun (and frustration) of getting stuck and relying on winches—either yours or your friends—to pull you free. We also touch on the game's bad points, including its clunky interface and issues with player synchronisation, while also comparing it to Euro Truck Simulator and how the two stack up as driving games. Continuing his horror game streak, Ram delves into The Callisto Protocol, a much-hyped, visually good looking title that unfortunately serves as a textbook case of how not to design a horror game. With a cliché storyline, poor level design, and a dull combat system, it manages to sap the fun out of the experience. The game even makes you accept an agreement to not to cheat in a single-player game. Ram completely ignores this and turns to a cheat

Welcome to episode 252 We start by addressing Skazz’s issues with operating systems and Ram’s annoyances with the YouTube TV app, before diving into the main topic of games. Ram shares another brief update on Empyrion Galactic Survival, where he’s finally made it into space, albeit with a few setbacks—mainly forgetting the laws of physics. He also delves into the game's creative mode and talks about some of his ambitious projects. Next, he talks about Maid of Sker, a game from one of his favourite genres: stealth survival horror. This leads us to discuss the elements of good and bad horror game design, as well as what makes environments feel immersive. We briefly touch on game difficulty levels and the ideal length of games. Skazz brings up Netflix’s game streaming beta, discussing how it works, its performance, and the current selection of games. We then expand the conversation to game streaming services as a whole. We also discuss how Comic Sans will save the world, the perils of operating system updates,

Welcome to episode 251 Skazz shares his thoughts on the game we recently played during game night: Nidhogg. It’s a deceptively simple 2D sword-fighting game with surprising depth in its mechanics and an incredible amount of fun. We also dive into the newly announced PS5 Pro, discussing how a stable frame rate can enhance a game’s visuals more effectively than higher resolution. This sparks a passionate rant from Skazz about how modern games often fall short in terms of gameplay mechanics, and we explore why focusing on graphics isn't the right approach. Our conversation then shifts to movies, with Ram revealing that he’s just watched the entire Harry Potter series—most of them for the first time. This leads to a discussion about separating the author from their work, particularly in the case of J.K. Rowling, and how good things can be pulled from terrible situations . We also take a moment to appreciate the late Alan Rickman’s incredible acting. Finally, Ram gives us an update on his adventures in Empyrio

Welcome to episode 250 Skazz shares his thoughts on why he preferred the racing elements in the original Gran Turismo for the PS1, highlighting what set it apart from other racing games of its time. We also dive into the unique mechanics of the game, while exploring other iconic racing titles, like Colin McRae Rally. We reflect on the challenges of preserving classic games and the misconceptions about the permanence of digital content, emphasising how, contrary to belief, the internet can forget. Our discussion covers the risks to digital preservation, including the Internet Archive lawsuit and the downfall of Lik-Sang imports. Next, we catch up with Rams' adventures in Empyrion - Galactic Survival. He recounts his first rage quit, the frustration that led him to use console commands, and his progress in designing his own spaceships—from small vessels to the beginnings of a capital ship. Along the way, Rams faces asteroid mining, aggressive drones, and the engine’s limitations. We also chat about Ram'

Welcome to Episode 249 Skazz talks about the technical issues he's been having getting trying to get the PlayStation Vita to work, issues with dying memory cars, whitelisting of games and an internet killing power adapter all stand in his way to replay the Ys games Ram has been playing a game that was seemingly downloaded from creative depths of his brain and made real by a team with a lot more skill than him in Empyrion - Galactic Survival. This epic Voxel based game has you surviving on alien worlds, gathering resources, crafting, and finally building spaceships to fly to other worlds and do it all again.  The game features factions, clever day/night cycle, unclear swimming mechanics, an interesting base networking system and an efficient crafting system.  He also discuss the advantages and limitation of the Voxel base building system, and also talk about some of the games problems such as annoying despawn timers and slightly dodgy vehicle physics  We also discuss Hi-Fi Rush being saved We also discuss

Welcome to Episode 248 For some reason we start this episode discussing world records, getting into the Guiness book of records, and various tv programs based around it. Not having access to his PC at the moment, Skazz has returned to Console gaming with the PS5 and trying out in-home game streaming with the Playstation Portal. He talks about his experience with using remote play and the issues using it over Wifi, this leads into a discussion as to why Google Stadia got a bad reputation. We also talk about Sony's bizarre design decisions and anti-consumer practices. We then move onto discussing Blood Bowl 2, Skazz has played the tabletop version whereas Ram has not. We discuss the rules of the games, and the outcome of the few matches we’ve had between Ram’s Skaven and Skazz’s Orcs. we also talk about the horror’s of oak nipple tassles We also discuss fly by wire systems, being arrested for stick shaking, games with complex names, Ram infecting a whole office, delivering freedom, why modern console gamin

Welcome to Episode 247 Skazz has been hitting mobile gaming on his iPhone with an varitory of emulators that are now available, joined up with the Backbone, a device that attached to your phone and give you controller interface. It does have an and app and subscription services with some bullshit features tied behind it Ram has been playing early 2000s first person shooter Command and Conquer Renegade, an attempt to take the red alert universe down to ground level. It also had a pretty unique multiplayer mode based around trying to destroy your opponents base. Ram also revist’s The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, and how he got over the bug that was stopping his progress before he ended up dropped the game anyway We also discuss Skazz preferred holiday destinations. Notes PS or xBox style controller on your phone with the Backbone, shame about the subscription First person command and conquer in C&C Renegade. Interesting idea, but gameplay makes it not worth the time, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified Also check o

Welcome to Episode 246 Skazz kicks us off briefly discussing the emulators that are now available on apple allowing mobile gaming, as well as trying in-home streaming of the playstation 5. He decided to try an old PS4 launch title with Killzone: Shadow Fall. Discussing the changes to the gameplay, adding a less then successful stealth feature to the game. As well as annoying tutorials, psychic enemies and eternal combat music. We also talk about stealth implementation in games and why it does and does not work Ram also been playing a game from the early 2010s with XCom the Bureau Declassified. A time where every main player character was an arsehole. The setting is interesting and the story has some potential, but is let down with dodgy combat, annoying crashes and badly placed checkpoint.  We alos discuss achievement and our general hatred of them, with some exceptions  We revisiting discussing cyberpunk 2077, one of our favourite games of recent time and we relive some of the great moments from the game No

Welcome to episode 245 We kick off this episode with Skazz telling us about his sea exploits by going to see a visiting Spanish Galleon, which has turned up a bit late for the armada We have some disturbing conversations with chat gpt, and discover the truth about sheep military prowess  We discuss a game we had issues actually playing, Dawn of War: Soulstorm, we discuss when we played it in the past and how field of view is such an issue. We also talk about some other early 2000s classic multiplayer games and pc days, And a brief discussion of hardware. We also discuss Dolphin jumping submarines, under-dressed motorcyclists and the other type of AI  Notes: The spanish are coming with the Galeón Andalucía Piracy is still illegal in the uk Classic 40k RTS Dawn of War Soulstorm⁠Also check out our next game night on Wednesday 19th June at approx 20:30 GMT+1 on twitch

Welcome to Episode 244 We start off discussing Ram re-wiring techniques after Skazz's wife has an accident with a hedge trimmer. Ram also talks about his visit to the Pig and Poultry fair to see all the pig related sex equipment and tractors. Moving swiftly on, Skazz has been playing Hi-Fi Rush, developed by recently killed off studio Tango Gameworks, a third person platformer with a rhythm style combat mechanic. Skazz talks about how it avoided it at the time.    Following on from the above, we discuss the random cull Microsoft have done of some their studios and the state the gamer industry is in, how its got here and what the future will hold, we also discuss why the time is to move away from chasing graphics and into other parts of development. Ram has been fighting a alien invasion in 2016 XCOM 2, a management sim with a turn based combat were you have to manage a flying base and perform mission with soldiers who do not tend to have long life spans. Capture alien tech and even the aliens themselves t

We kick off this week with Ram telling us about his rebellious file server and his networking woes, plus window missing up his audio. Skazz talks about infinity generating road driving game s l o w  r o a d s and how enjoyable chill games can be. We discuss other chill games such as flight simulator, Everything and Jalopy.  Ram talks about the recently released netflix version of The Three Body Problem. He's also listened to the audiobook so he discusses the difference between it and the series and what changes he did and didn’t like.  Also discussed Gamer Cream, rolling over in Eurotruck and Die Hard Notes Chill time in S l o w R o a d s The sad fate of Solomon Epstein The Three Body Problem: Book vs Netflix The Die Hard prequel starring Frank Sinatra, The Detective Also check out our next game night on Wednesday 22nd May at approx 20:30 GMT+1 on Twitch: ⁠twitch.tv/randnerds

We kick off with a bit of a discussion of the history of iPhones models and the ups and downs of the Apple products, and how we feel phone technology has stagnated and the need to upgrade is less required. We also discuss other modern devices.  Skazz has been playing Scarlet Nexus an action rpg with psychic power fighting the strange ‘others’, you play two characters with separate stories with an interwoven plot Ram has moved on from being a hospital administrator to being in charge of a university with Two Point Campus (yes he gets the name wrong), charging students lots of money for sub par facilities including sharing beds and sink-less bathrooms. Ram spy’s antics, the real cloud computing, modern pig technology, being made to feel old and the modern high street Notes The history of iPhhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhoneones CT scan of airbud Fight against the others in Scarlet nexus Great value deals for the above game Bankrupt people for the vague hope of a future wealth in Two Point Campus Also check o

Welcome to Episode 241 We kick off by reveling in the changing weather and talk about our favourite time of year, Zaber has been continuing his play through of Jedi Survivor, we talk about the mechanics and the slight backlash against the game compared to it predecessor. Ram has been watching some TV shows, continuing taking advantage of his free AppleTV subscription by watching Foundation, very loosely based on the series of Issic Asimov. Ram give a overview of the series and its interesting concepts. We get into a discussion on more Sci-Fi show, plus a discussion on the disappointment of the Latest Matrix film We also discuss Denmark law around using dashcam/CCTV footage in trials, Danish murderers, our preferred alcoholic drinks Notes Watch out for people named Peter in Denmark A favorite beer of Zabers Ram preferred cider Aspall Draught A favorite Christmas beer Tally Ho David Cameron likes this brewery, but don’t let that put you off And Wychwood main beer range Hobgoblin Maybe not as good as the first,

Welcome to Episode 240 We talk about our favorite criminal shows including Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and El Camino. Zaber also recommends Sons of Anarchy Zaber talks about Rocket League, a football like game featuring cars and rockets, Also featuring a not often seen split screen mode, It was a favorite in the Zabermoul house, but an update require each player to have a profile and no guest accounts has caused some consternation. Zaber has also been playing Star Wars Jedi Survivor, last years sequel to Fallen order, an third person action adventure game that he started to scratch the surface of and will return to on a future podcast Ram has been eating people and smacking fish in Maneater, playing as a Shark on a revenge quest for her mother. Simple fun thrashing and killing fish, alligators, other sharks and people. As well as avoiding hunters, its a very simple and ok game but is quite fun. We also learn Danish with Zaber, as well an alternative version of his name, Ram loses what little street cred he

Welcome to Episode 239 Zaber is unfortunately away today, so we once again welcome back Skazz After our normal rambling, we kick off talking about the sad news of the death of Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball and character designer of Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest. Skazz gives a brief talk about the various Dragon Ball series and his opinions on it. Related to above Skazz has also been playing Dragon Ball Z: Kakarov. A RPG that follows the Dragon Ball Z series story line with an interesting upgrade mechanic and how he feels its a game built for the the hard core Dragon Ball fans. Ram has been manipulating the stock market and doing some dodgy deals in The Invisible Hand. A first person game where you are a stockbroker trying to make huge amounts of money with careful trades and perhaps some dodgy dealings, as well as owning property and getting rapidly promoted. We also discuss the stresses of married life, Avoiding the government heavy’s, making people feel old, using Tesla chargers to

Welcome to episode 238 We have problems saying the name of our first game, Tiny Tina’s Wounderlands. A spin off of Borderlands themed around a tabletop RPG board game. It has great voice acting and humour. Still with the Borderland staples of randomised weapons and being very silly, but now featuring an overworld. We also talk about the main Borderlands series, the back story and its up and downs of the series. Ram revisits a previous discussed game, Kerbal Space Program, a fantastic space sim about building rockets and launching them into space to complete missions and heading to other planets. Plus Ram fumbles explaining orbital mechanics to Zaber We also plan our Stargate sg1 reboot, discuss the joy of potatoes and pasta, talk about how to cope with falling asleep in podcasts and sleep editing Notes Be the best at Bunkers and Badasses with Tiny Tina’s Wounderlands A touching memorial from Gearbox delivered by Claptrap Try and get into space with exploding in Kerbal Space Program

Welcome to episode 237 We kick off with discussing Valentine's Day, traditionally a day for spoiling the ladies, and we find out Denmark has a special day to follow up for the guys. it doesn’t quite have the same romantic name, we also find out Zaber would not skip games night for love. Ram gives us a little bit of background on the concept of prepper’s, people getting prepared for the worst case scenarios but stocking up on supplies and building bunkers. This brings onto what he’s been playing in Mr Prepper. You have to build a bunker, scavenge or trade supplies and maintain a facade for the oppressive government agents. All to get to the end goal of escaping from the country. The game has been generally well received and has some neat ideas, but Ram feels it lets itself down with a grinding slog to get what you need and not being partially hard. Zaber has been playing a horror game called Little Nightmares, playing as a small girl trying to navigate through puzzle’s with stealth to escape a nightmarish

Welcome to episode 236 Zabermoul has been rocking out to some concerts going to see US band Periphery with support from Crooked Royals. He followed it up with a trip to see a band he missed at Copenhagen, Architects, with support from Loathe and Spirit Box. Not only talking about the band, but Zaber give some thoughts on the sound design. Ram has been giving out quotes and then ghosting people, as well as drinking lots of tea in Builder Simulator, a game where you get to design, construct and decorate a house. Fun mechanic with a few annoyances, as well as an completely hateful character. We also have a brief discussion on the various TV shows we enjoy, including Chernobyl, Silo, Stargate, Farscape, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica, Westworld, Person of Interest, The Peripheral, The Expanse, Picard, Lower Decks We also discuss Danish Train issues, Svaneke beer and historical corrections Notes Zaber favorite beer Svaneke US prog rock band Periphery A New Zealand band Crooked Royals One of Zaber favorite bands

Welcome to episode 235, broadcast from a chilly UK and Denmark. We discuss Zaber musical talents and his playing history. And we get a share of music theory from him and his band role preferences. We also learn how modern technology is helping band performance. Zaber has been walking the virtual greens in both Golf It! We discuss trying out the VR mode as well as another VR golf game Walkabout Mini Golf. We then talk about IRL golfing and clubs in both the UK and Denmark. Ram has been playing formal Skyrim mod remade as a stand alone game with The Forgotten City. Finding yourself stuck in a time loop and transported back to an ancient Roman city, you're soon tasked with stopping someone killing everyone by breaking 'The Golden Rule' We also discuss classism in the UK, completely misunderstand golf handicaps and rude people Notes Are bass players unfairly maligned? Zaber presents Mr Bungle as evidence for the defense A good walk ruined with Golf IT! A good virtual walk ruined with Walkabout Mini Go