Category: Games & Hobbies

Episode 102 – Am I wrong, or Amaurot?

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This week, Klauss and Taliz finish their discussion on the Shadowbringers Main Storyline, from the end of the Crown of the Immaculate through The Tempest and into Amaurot. We also talk about the Final Fantasy news coming out of Gamescom this week, and the upcoming FFXIV anniversary event, The Rising. Enjoy!

Show Notes:
The Rising 2019: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/fabe428a058b949514cf2f15f686e3ca3b99e466
FFXIV at PAX West: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/66126abb29b58b1b46f02e69969bdaa1a1bd3171
8 minutes of FF8 Remaster gameplay (courtesy of 4Gamer, via NovaCrystallis): http://www.novacrystallis.com/2019/08/heres-8-minutes-final-fantasy-viii-remastered-gameplay/
16 minutes of FF7 Remake gameplay (courtesy of LeStream, via NovaCrystallis): http://www.novacrystallis.com/2019/08/heres-16-minutes-final-fantasy-vii-remake-off-screen-gameplay/
Transcript of the Lore Q&A with Oda-san (from the OF, posted by Benjo): http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/402737-Gamescom-2019-Q-A-%28rough-transcript%29

Episode 101 Tsundere Fairy

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This week, Klauss, Seyrr, and Taliz continue with part 2 of our discussion of the Shadowbringers story line, from entering The Rak’Tika Greatwood through The Crown of the Immaculate. We also discuss the Q&A Panel from the most recent Producer Live Letter, FFXIV’s lineup for Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, and more.

Show notes:
PLL 53 Q&A digest: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/400887
FFXIV at Gamescom: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/5c9a7dfac6fab048ba52ac9844c8382c22bf338c
Free Login Campaign: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/6c8ae6a53b24432f8c1881598459b1440d5f0941
Storyline overview from Twinfinte: https://twinfinite.net/2019/07/ffxiv-shadowbringers-story-summary/6/

Episode 100 Throw Wide the Spoilers

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For our 100th episode, Chille joins Klauss, Seyrr, and Taliz to start our discussion of the Shadowbringers MSQ, from our initial introduction to Norvrandt through Il Mheg. We then wax nostalgic and talk about our experiences over the last 100 episodes, and look forward to creating many more!

Show notes:
Patch 5.05 Coming July 30th: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/news/detail/47d3d85880befbfdcd3ffdf3c5bb00f69107edb2
Letter from the Producer 53 airs August 7th: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/60594148227ef171dd6e4d739b769a2502d60143
Twinfinite Shadowbringers storyline review (Spoiler warning!): https://twinfinite.net/2019/07/ffxiv-shadowbringers-story-summary/6/

Episode 99 – Shadowbringers Unspoiled

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Two weeks into Shadowbringers, Klauss, Seyrr, and Taliz give their spoiler-free impressions of the dungeons, trials, zones, and story. Chille stops by to tell us how Monk has been ruined, and Taliz tells us how to make a drool-worthy okonomiyaki.

Episode 98 – Shedding Light on Shadowbringers

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This week, we are smack dab in the middle of Shadowbringers Early Access! Klauss, Seyrr, and Taliz give their Spoiler-Free impressions of the newest expansion! We also talk a bit about the upcoming FFXIV live-action tv show, and more news about the Final Fantasy VII Remake. Enjoy!

Show Notes:
FXIV Shadowbringers full patch notes: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/330f2b280067d69d85b17831c66712a499e97484
Live-Action FFXIV tv show in the works: http://www.novacrystallis.com/2019/06/sony-pictures-television-produce-live-action-final-fantasy-xiv-tv-series/
FFVII Remake interview with Nomura:
http://www.novacrystallis.com/2019/06/tetsuya-nomura-shares-final-fantasy-vii-remake-information-regarding-honey-bee-inn-dialogue-options-famitsu-interview

Episode 97 – Primal Desires

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Two weeks before the launch of Shadowbringers, Klauss, Seyrr, and Taliz talk about all the news from Live Letter 52. We also discuss the wealth of information that came from Square Enix’s presentation at E3 including all the new Final Fantasy VII news. In the Lorebrarian’s Corner, Seyrr’s discusses what it takes to bring forth a Primal .

Show News:

Support Kugane in the Menpina’s Madness Tournament: https://give.twloha.com/fundraiser/2056201

FFVII Producer Kitase’s blog post (via Nova Crystallis): http://www.novacrystallis.com/2019/06/producer-yoshinori-kitase-discusses-final-fantasy-vii-remake-creative-choices-vision-gameplay-square-enix-blogpost/

Live Letter 52 overview
From Nova Crystallis: http://www.novacrystallis.com/2019/06/summary-letter-from-the-producer-live-52/
From GamerEscape: https://gamerescape.com/2019/06/14/letter-from-the-producer-live-part-lii-summary/

Episode 96 – A Couch Full of Potatoes

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The hype for the upcoming expansion Shadowbringers is reaching a fever pitch! We have PSU.com game journalist Tim Nunes (https://twitter.com/timberelli) join us to talk about his time at the Media Event held a couple weeks ago, his time spent hands-on with the new jobs and new dungeons, and ask about his interview with Yoshida. We discuss the changes outlined on the latest Live Letter, and a lot more! We also say good-bye to Chille for awhile, as he temporarily steps down as co-host. We wish him the best!

Show notes:
Menphina Madness Donation Links for TWLOHA:
Support Kugane: https://give.twloha.com/fundraiser/2056201
Support Gridania: https://give.twloha.com/fundraiser/2010613

Shadowbringers Benchmark: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/benchmark/
Moogle Treasure Trove Event info: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/special/mogmog-collection/
Make It Rain Campaign: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/special/2019/the_make_it_rain_campaign/
FFXIV at E3: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/topics/detail/32b20a7265b59f731226747ee585c3ee48b8237b

Playstation Universe’s coverage of FFXIV Shadowbringer’s Media Tour:
https://www.psu.com/news/final-fantasy-xiv-trust-system-impressions/
https://www.psu.com/news/final-fantasy-xiv-dohn-mheg-shadowbringers/
https://www.psu.com/news/final-fantasy-xiv-viera-hrothgar-character-creation/

Episode 95 – Live from Balmung!

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This week, Klauss visits a strange new land, filled with characters role-playing a magical game called Blitzball! We visit the Balmung server to talk with special guests Keio and Cagi, members of the Kugane Koban Crushers team; as well as Aegir, one of the organizers of the Menphina Madness Blitzball tournament. The group helps explain how Blitzball is played within FFXIV, why the tournament was started, and how you can help support an amazing cause, To Write Love on Her Arms. We also discuss the latest news in the Final Fantasy universe, including the hype from the recent FFVII Remake trailer. Enjoy!

Show Notes:
Menphina Madness Blitzball Information: http://menphinamadness.org/
Support Kugane: https://give.twloha.com/fundraiser/2056201
or Pledge per Goal: https://forms.gle/YTjT2rHoFSvuBLS66

Letter from the Producer from Yoshi
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/389675

FFVII Teaser trailer dropped on PS State of Play
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOn2bWuA_0w

Episode 94 – Return of the Crystal Tower

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This week, Klauss, Chille, and Seyrr are joined by Neil Bolt, video games editor at bloody-disgusting.com and new adventurer in Final Fantasy XIV. We discuss his experiences so far, and talk about whether or not this game is still accessible to new players. Seyrr gives us a remedial lesson on the history of the Crystal Tower.

Show notes:
Bloody Disgusting Video Games: https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/videogames
Neil on Twitter: https:// twitter.com/nezzko

Menphina Madness Tournament info: http://menphinamadness.org
Support the Kugane Koban Crushers: https://give.twloha.com/fundraiser/2056201

Heavensward is Free until June 27th: https://square-enix-games.com/en_AU/news/final-fantasy-xiv-heavensward-free-limited-time

Menphina Madness Blitzball Fundraiser to support Mental Health

Score for a Cause

The group behind last year’s roleplay-based Blitzball tournament is back in action again! The group from the Balmung server, For Gold and Glory, are recruiting players for another tournament fundraiser. This year, they will be raising funds for To Write Love on her Arms, a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.

This year, there will be 8 teams vying for the Championship, each team from a different region of Hydaelyn, and sponsored by a different group of FFXIV content creators. For our part, we are proud to be supporting the Kugane Koban Crushers for the second year in a row. Click here to donate in support of our team.

Kugane Koban Crushers logo with their mascot, Jim

Other teams and sponsors include:
Ul’dah Gil Turtles sponsored by MuseCast XIV
Limsa Lominsa Black Abyss sponsored by Maelstrom Radio
Gridania Sea Chocobos sponsored by Moogle-Go-Round Radio
Ishgard Eyes sponsored by The Crucible
Ala Mhigo Royal Griffons sponsored by Gather Together
Garlemald Classiarii Technicii sponsored by She Heals I Tank
Sisterhood of Sharldei’s Vault Marvelous Mascots sponsored by Aetherflow Media

The tentative tournament schedule is as follows:

  • Opening Ceremony: May 11th – Saturday
  • Round 1 (Limsa/Uldah, Gridania/Ala Mhigo): May 14th – Tuesday
  • Round 1 (Kugane/Ishgard, Garlemald/Wildcard): May 16th – Thursday
  • Round 2: May 24th – Friday
  • Round 2: May 31st – Friday
  • Semi-Finals: June 8th – Saturday
  • Closing Ceremony: June 14th – Friday
  • Finals: June 15th – Saturday

If you are interested in donating to this most noble cause, want to join a team and play, or just want to know more, visit the event website at http://menphinamadness.org.