Episode 64 of the Avault Podcast features Amanda Fitch, CEO of Amaranth Games. Amanda stopped in to talk about episodic games, JRPGs and her history that led up to founding one of the few female owned game companies in today’s industry. She also provides advice on how to get your non-gaming girlfriend interested in your favorite hobby.

This week’s conversation also covers drunks in bars, an in depth discussion of Mass Effect 2 (Patrick’s in love), BioShock 2 (will it live up to the hype?) and its 2007 predecessor, and Patrick shares some of his experiences with Star Trek Online.

Tune in now.

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Temperatures may be dropping outside, but Turks, Billy and Chris turn up the heat on Episode 63 of the Avault Podcast. This week’s guest is Jools Watsham from Renegade Kid, and Jools dropped by to talk about his history as a game designer, how games have evolved, and his fascination with the entire process of creating our favorite pastime.

In addition to the interview, the guys explore Mass Effect 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum and there’s much conversation about playing big games with big stories. Did EA’s purchase of Bioware affect the final product? There’s also a lively discussion about the new Apple iPad.

Tune in now.

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This week the boys are graced by the appearance of Stevie “Killcreek” Case, recently named Senior Director of Business Development for in-game commerce site Live Gamer. Stevie joins Turks, Chris and Billy in an interesting discussion of the virtues of online gaming economies vs. monthly subscriptions.

Their impressions on Batman: Arkham Asylum and Darksiders; information about the upcoming Halo: Reach; and opinions about the just-announced Xbox Live Game Room, sporting events simulcast on Xbox Live and the merits of 3D images in games round out this week’s episode.

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Kevin Wasielewski, CEO of Origin PC, visited Episode #61 of the Avault Podcast, and brought along his views from the hardware side of the industry. Kevin shared some intel with the guys about what it was like in his Alienware days, why he eventually left, the difference between their machines then and now, and how Origin PC can meet the needs of today’s “true” hardcore gamer.

In addition to the interview, the guys explore Bayonetta, transferring data from one Xbox 360 hard drive to another (perhaps the most terrifying thing that Turks has ever done), and much more. Tune in to this week’s conversation…now!

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Avault staff members Michael Smith and Patrick Watts (don’t think we can actually call them guests anymore) dropped in on this week’s Avault Podcast to share in the conversation of the best and worst of 2009 and what there is and isn’t to look forward to in 2010.

There’s, of course, some in depth discussion of Borderlands and all of the Halo incarnations, but this week’s show goes much deeper. Can you even remember what you were playing at the beginning of 2000? Don’t miss out on a full decade’s worth of gaming knowledge, tune in now!

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Episode 60’s guest is Squirrel Eiserloh, co-founder of TrueThought Games. Squirrel shared with the guys an interesting story about how he started in the industry (creativity does pay), and went into great detail about how such opportunities still exist. He also talked about his new company and their first game Square Logic.

The week’s conversation also includes the infamous red ring of death and how to “extend” your warranty, the quirks involved with switching from the 360 to the PS3 platform, and Left 4 Dead 2 (is there enough meat to warrant the $60 price tag?).

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Max Schaefer, CEO of developer Runic Games and co-founder of Blizzard North, joins the podcast boys in yet another mind-stretching journey into the world of all-things videogame. Schaefer talks about the creation of the classic Diablo games with Blizzard, and his new company’s new game, the hit RPG Torchlight.

Turks, Billy and Chris also share their first impressions of the action fighters Bayonetta and Brutal Legend, they talk about the fun that can be derived from shooting enemies in the face in Borderlands, and they look at the future of gaming on Facebook. Check it out!

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Episode 58’s guest is Tom Hall from KingsIsle Entertainment. Tom talked about his history in the industry, the id Software days, Brutal Legend, the names behind the games, the development cycle of MMOs, Wizard 101 and the infamous Dope Fish.

Does the podcast just include the announcement of the contest winners and the interview? Of course not! This week’s conversation includes the Holidays (I can see Billy’s house from here), The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned (did it leave you wanting more?), and Modern Warfare 2. They also explore the various fee structures of MMOs and DLC. How much are we really paying and willing to pay for play?

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Episode 57’s guest is Jason Kapalka, CEO of PopCap Games. Jason shares how he got started in the industry, how he moved over to casual from hardcore games, the phenomenon that is Bejeweled, and the evolution of Gyromancer.

In addition to the interview, this week’s conversation includes GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony. The guys also explore New Super Mario Bros., casual gaming in general, the restructuring of the PlayStation Network, and advertising in games.

Near the end of the show the crew reveals what they’re thankful for this year in gaming, so don’t tune out early!

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Episode 56’s guest is American McGee from Spicy Horse. American dropped what he was doing in China to chat about his history in the industry, and provided some interesting insight into where he’s been and where he sees both himself and games going in the future. He also revealed what he could about Alice 2, and addressed the infamous trailer.

Was there more? Of course. Turks, Billy and Patrick Watts delve into The Ballad of Gay Tony, Modern Warfare 2, Dragon Age: Origins, and putting an “end” to things in successful games.

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