Najaf

"There's also more flexibility in stacking units"

That implies something quite major to have only a throw away line in the article. As you will remember, there is NO stacking of units in Civ V, so any introduction of a stacking mechanic, however small or limited, is a huge deal. I'm looking forward to hearing more about it.

@Gunballs

Give me the old mosin any day, without the scope of course. Iron sighted bolt actions were the best.

I wonder if they realize that by trickling out one or two maps at a time, it causes them to be overplayed and subsequently disliked very quickly. Getting a map pack and dedicated playlist for the four new levels was exciting and stayed fresh until they were put into regular map rotation. This idea of one or two at a time ensures people will be sick of them a mere month after they have been released. H

How about some new/old weapons. Give me the Tar-21 and the Galil. Hell give me the mosin-nagant.

Thanks for your hard work on the site Chris. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

Now can we please bring back the old podcast format Ludwig?

First to fall prey to Skyrim will be working out.

@Najaf

Damn you Joystiq and your lack of an edit button!

@Najaf

Damn you Joystiq and your lack of an edit button.

So because the game was released before, and once at one time the recipient of numerous review scores, you are choosing to leave the stars off this?

And I quote you at the top: "We're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago."

Excuse my ignorance, but would not applying a score do exactly that? Save me the time from reading a full review of a game I played ages ago? And if such a game received high numerical marks this time around, or stars, or rainbows, or whatever visual ranking system you choose; perhaps then I might be inclined to read the review and see if it is worth revisiting.

So many people reviewers bicker over this very thing and miss the point entirely. A score does not tell me if I should buy the game. A score tells me if I should spend time reading the review to see if this game is for me.

@ch3burashka

The reason is simple: Chris is 'the boss' and this is his baby. Much like the developers they so often criticize for not listening to what the consumers want, he is content in calling us whiners for not loving his pet project. Hell, Netflix changed their minds about Quickster after their stock tanked in half.

Chris, the podcast is not about you. You don't own it. I appreciate the effort in trying something new but it is simply not working. Your numbers have dropped, people have voiced quite loudly that they do not like the new show, and you either ignore the issue or insult those who care enough to provide feedback.

The whole scenario reeks of Denis Dyack denial syndrome.

I am really disappointed with the direction the first episode has taken. You see, what was apparent during the E3 casts was that not everyone fits on fake internet radio. Some people are not humorous on the spot, and can come across as painfully dull.

The Joystiq podcast worked, much like how a traditional morning show works. A consistent trio of likable, funny, and entertaining anchors discuss current events and do regular brief interviews with people of interest. These interviews stay succinct, and are then further commentated on by the original anchors whom the audience has grown comfortable with. People like the consistency. They enjoy knowing what to expect, and can often form a one-sided friendship with the hosts. This is what the Joystiq podcast was like.

The new format where you are seeking to bring in the whole gamut of Joystiq contributors, do lengthy interviews with people the audience has no 'relationship' with, and pour over a single news piece for the episode is off-putting. Even if the show had been more traditional in regards to format; introducing a plethora of guests, however integral they might be to Joystiq.com, removes that key element of familiarity to the show.

While I don't know you, Chris, Ludwig, or Justin, I have grown to enjoy your company on my way to work, while I jog the park, or even while simply sitting on the couch in my living room. The three of you have good chemistry. You compliment each-other's personalities well, and were a joy to listen to. Removing that and trying to force in something just for the sake of doing something 'new and different' is a poor decision in my eye.

While, yes, every podcast under the sun in the video game world has a 'Whatcha-been-playing' segment, a news segment, and an emails segment; the Joystiq podcast did it better than the rest. I hope you have not given up the throne for the sake of standing apart and doing something different. You see, you already stood apart...You stood above them all.