Hot Takes And Cool Pops – Episode 424

Shattered Soulstone

In this episode, I talked about Xbox and “8 Strikes”, Microsoft and the CMA and the EU figuring things out. Hot takes include an opinion about Season 1 launched so soon, The Hollywood Reporter talking about celebrities hyping Diablo IV, and Forbes with an article from a gamer who just gave up.

In Blizzard news, Diablo III PTR 2.7.6 is now live. This was covered by Facefoot on Maxroll. IGN noted a new Solo Self Found mode in Diablo III. In Diablo IV news, I highly recommend you watch Wudujo’s video about what’s not working well in Diablo IV.

Things mentioned in this episode:

• Kotaku posted an article titled: “Xbox Says ‘8 Strikes And You’re Out” To Toxic Gamers
• The Verge posted an article titled: “Microsoft to sell off Activision cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft in bid for UK approval”
• Activision Blizzard King posted a email titled “The next step in the UK for the Microsoft deal”
• CMA (Competitions and Markets Authority) posted a press release titled: “Microsoft submits new deal for review after CMA confirms original deal is blocked”
• The Verge posted an article titled: “The EU might need to reassess Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal after restructuring”
• Windows Central posted an article titled: “Diablo 4 having its first Season so soon after launch was a mistake”
• The Hollywood Reporter posted an article titled: “How Blizzard’s Star-Studded Marketing Storm Drove ‘Diablo IV’ to a Sales Record”
• Forbes posted an article titled: “Blizzard Has Completely Destroyed My Enthusiasm For ‘Diablo 4′”
• Blizzard posted “Diablo III PTR 2.7.6 – Now Live”
• Maxroll posted “Diablo 3 Season 29 Patch 2.7.6 PTR Starts August 15th!” (By Facefoot)
• IGN posted an article titled: “Diablo 3 Gets Wonderful Send-Off With Mode Players Have Requested For Years”
• Wudijo posted a YouTube video titled: “Diablo 4 Bad” is the new Meta – What the Game needs”
• Mike Ybarra (President of Blizzard Entertainment) responded to Wudijo on Twitter/X
• Wowhead posted an article titled: “Earn “Cormond’s” and “Friend” Titles By Completing Diablo 4 Season Journey”
• SeiberZg on r/diablo4 posted a long list about mount armor and where to find it.
• Blizzard posted “Season Of Blood Is Dripping Into Sanctuary” It starts on October 17.
• Maxroll posted “Diablo 4 Season 2 Preview “Season of Blood” from Gamescom 2023!” (By Dredscythe)
• Wowhead posted an article titled: “New Diablo 4 Funko Pops – Preorder Available Now”
• IcyVeins posted an article titled: “Blizzard President Confirms Less Wait Time Between Diablo Games”

Where to find Jen’s Content Creation:

• Shattered Soulstone T-shirts now available on Jen’s Redbubble!
• Shattered Soulstone Pride shirts now available on Jen’s Redbubble!
• Shattered Soulstone Trans Flag shirts now available on Jen’s Redbubble!
• Book Of Jen website: Diablo gameplay videos
• BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo IV videos
• BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo III Season 28
• BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo Immortal Closed Alpha playlist
• BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo Immortal playlist
• Jen’s Lore Corner episodes are now on Shattered Soulstone!
• Twitch @BarbarianKobold (NOTE: I rarely stream.)
• Restless Barbarian Gaming on Twitch
• Restless Barbarian Gaming on YouTube