In Episode 197 of SBFVGS, Adam, David, are joined by special guest PattyHayesJr! Adam has returned both to the podcast and to "God of War Ragnarok," drawn back by its narrative and action, while David has dived into "Baldur's Gate 3," experimenting with mods to enhance his gameplay experience. PattyHayesJr, on the other hand, recounts his adventures in "Fallout New Vegas," exploring its vast, post-apocalyptic world for the first time and enjoying the modding scene. Their varied experiences reflect the wide-ranging appeal of video games, from epic storytelling and immersive worlds to the creative possibilities mods offer.The meat of the discussion shifts to the burgeoning trend of Live Service games, as AAA publishers increasingly focus on this "Golden Goose." The trio unpacks the mixed bag of potential and pitfalls these games represent—when successful, they seem to print money for their publishers, yet they also risk oversaturation and consumer fatigue. Citing examples like "The Avengers" and "Suicide Squad" games, they debate the balance between monetization strategies and player satisfaction. This episode offers a nuanced look at the impact of Live Service games on the industry, questioning whether this focus benefits players or primarily serves the bottom line of publishers​Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices