Hit The Pass - Press Row Podcast

It's an old-school throwback Press Row Podcast! It's 2013 all over again as Owen Good, Bryan Wiedey, and Rich Grisham get together to compare their next-gen console launch experiences - only this time it's Xbox Series X and Playstation 5!

Despite the current NBA season still ongoing and the next one several months away from tipping off NBA 2K21 has just released and to the lowest review scores in series' history. But it's the changes that have been made to shooting that have caused the biggest disruption. What's been done, why it was messed with in the first place, and how it can be fixed are all discussed on this episode of the Press Row Podcast. Rich, Pastapadre, and Mills also go over the latest patch news for Madden NFL 21 and go into the surprising announcement of Colin Kaepernick being added to the game in an unprecedented and controversial fashion.

In the midst of a pandemic two major sports games have just released. One seems to have handled the challenges to produce a possible Sports Game of the Year candidate while the other may have been better off delayed. Pastapadre, MillsTwitch, and Rich discuss first impressions of Madden NFL 21 and PGA Tour 2K21. 

How did Madden NFL get to the current place it is with Franchise Mode, why was there an uprising from fans now, and where does Madden go from here? Rich, Bryan, and Mills discuss everything around the #FixMaddenFranchise movement that trended on Twitter and forced a response out of EA Sports.  

Due to the extraordinary circumstances of 2020 Electronic Arts had to call an audible and hold the annual EA Play event remotely and in pre-recorded fashion. The trimmed down presentation left the publisher's sports games with just a single trailer as representation.  That trailer was a big one however delivering the first look at next-gen - PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X - Madden NFL 21 and FIFA 21.  Rich and Bryan discuss what has been learned about those two titles and what remains unknown, the tepid response to the initial Madden NFL 21 reveal earlier this week, the absence of NHL 21 and UFC 4 from the event, and much more!

This week we talk to Scott Drader, co-founder of Metalhead Software - the makers of Super Mega Baseball 3! The brand new release is delighting fans around the world. We catch up with Scott on everything about the game - design, feedback, roadmap, and more - in a fascinating conversation about the joys and challenges of running a studio and making a sports video game. Out of the Park Baseball 21 is now available worldwide! Pick it up on Steam or directly from Out of the Park Developments.

Is the dream of a new NCAA Football dream dead - or still very much alive? With interesting new developments happening, Bryan and Rich get together to discuss the implications.  Out of the Park Baseball 21 is now available worldwide! Pick it up on Steam or directly from Out of the Park Developments. 

This week we catch up with Bit Fry's Todd Zeile to discuss their game Ultimate Rivals: The Rink. Plus! Rich and Bryan check in to see what they've been playing and watching. Lots of fun discussion! The Press Row Podcast is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 21, now available worldwide! Pick it up on Steam or directly from Out of the Park Developments. 

2K shocks the world with their announcement that they are back in business with the NFL. What does this all mean? Plus! Super Mega Baseball 3 is announced! The Press Row Podcast is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 21, available for pre-order today! Save 10%, get the game 3 days early, and nab a free Gold Pack for Perfect Team.  Be safe everyone!

Mills is here with his unique angle on MLB The Show 20 this season. What are the most exciting new features? What will fans be happiest with? Lots of great discussion on Sony's baseball powerhouse. Out of the Park Baseball 21 ships worldwide on March 20, 2020 and can be pre-ordered today at https://www.ootpdevelopments.com/preorder/! You get 10% off, early access to the game on March 17, and a free Gold Pack for Perfect Team!

The Press Row Podcast is back! Rich and Bryan get together for the first time this year and peer ahead at what 2020 may bring in sports video games. With new consoles coming and important - and massive - current generation install bases expecting big things, 2020 promises to be fascinating. Out of the Park Baseball 21 is available now for preorder - save 10% and get early access! The 21st anniversary edition of the best-selling sports strategy game is the biggest and best version ever. Check it out today!

It's a doubleheader Press Row Podcast! We welcome in three of our racing game experts - Greg Sewart (@sewart), Pete Dodd (@atPeteDodd), and Dr. Ken Parker (@chairman7) - to weigh in on their racing games of the year for 2019 AND their racing games of the decade from 2010-2019! Enjoy the show! Be sure to check out Out of the Park Baseball 20 (from Steam, Direct, or Origin) as well as Franchise Hockey Manager 6 (from Steam or Direct) - the best sports strategy games available!  

It's the end of the 2010s - and no better time to get our friends together and count down their 5 favorite sports games of the decade! Join Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre), Kris Jardine (@snaggleJ), T.J. Lauerman (@thatsportsgamer), Kat Bailey (@The_Katbot), and Rich Grisham (@richgrisham) for a rollicking conversation. What franchises made it in? Who's left on the outside? Enjoy the show!

Two huge news stories hit today as the NCAA appears ready to open up to college athletes profiting off their likenesses and NBA Live 20 has predictably been canceled. Bryan Wiedey and Rich Grisham discuss the ramifications of both. Why does the NCAA news make it more likely that EA Sports brings back NCAA Football video game and when could that happen? Why has NBA Live been canceled for the 4th time in 9 years and does it have any chance of success releasing on the next generation of consoles? On the show this week: Rich Grisham, Out of the Park Developments/Hit the Pass (@richgrisham) Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit the Pass (@pastapadre)

By popular demand, it's time for our annual NHL 20 Review Roundtable! We gather several old friends and new ones to dive into what people love - and don't love - about EA's venerable hockey franchise. What's working best this season? What needs a little more love? What are the best modes? We've got Kim Wallace from GameInformer, Samit Sarkar from Polygon, Mills from MillsGamingTV, and Kat Bailey from US Gamer all on the show this week.   Enjoy!

NBA 2K20 launched this week with no shortage of controversy. There were reports of glitches, mismatched expectations, and other assorted technical problems - so, naturally, we get Bryan Wiedey and Rich Grisham together to talk about them. Shocker! Bryan and Rich don't really agree on all that much! But that's what makes Press Row what it is - a place for reasonable and fun conversations about the sports games we love (or love to hate). Check out Bryan's NBA 2K20 review for Sporting News! Enjoy the show!

It's our annual Madden Review Roundtable! Join Rich Grisham, Bryan Wiedey, Kat Bailey, and Mills as they take on Madden NFL 20 in its entirety. From franchise to MUT, Face of the Franchise to online, there's a lot happening this season. What's the verdict?

Madden NFL 20 launches today - Friday, August 2, 2019 - so we bring in two of the key members of the team to talk all about it. We welcome Creative Director (and multi-time guest) Mike Young as well as Sr. Gameplay Designer Clint Oldenberg (making his second appearance) as they dive into all areas of the game - themes, gameplay, history, and much more.

With Madden NFL 20 having been out through EA Access for a few days Rich Grisham and Bryan Wiedey are brought back together to discuss initial impressions of the game. Discussion in this episode of the Press Row Podcast centers on Face of the Franchise experiences and overall thoughts on gameplay and the dramatic impact that X-Factors are having on it. On the show this week: Bryan Wiedey, Pastapadre/Sporting News/Hit the Pass (@pastapadre) Rich Grisham, Out of the Park Developments/Hit the Pass (@richgrisham)

Happy Summertime! Rich is joined by Mills to catch up on the state of MLB 19 The Show, as well as discuss the upcoming Madden 20 and opine on the future of the NBA Live series.