Ashley has teamed up with Olly Moss—who created those great gaming “book covers”—to release a number of retro-themed promo prints.

They’re limited to 200 pieces each, and are $US25 if buying in the US, and $US30 if buying international. Even if you’re not a fan of his old-timey radio show efforts, you’d have to admit, these posters would look pretty tidy block-mounted and up on a wall somewhere booze is sold.

[A Life Well Wasted Store]

She’s like the most hardcore Puzzle Quest player you’ve ever meet. She’s finished it six times now, [been through] the expansion pack twice with four different characters – one of them she completely maxed out to level 50 and unlocked everything in the game.

When your mum gives you a pat on the shoulder and says “that’s nice dear” she’s being polite. But this? Yeah Steve, your mum is addicted.

The PALGN Podcast, Episode 42 [PALGN]

If you feel like listening to Ben engage in regular conversation with – gasp – other people, hit the link below for a 16MB MP3 containing just this.

Australian Gamer Podcast 117 [Australian Gamer, thanks Liam]

Says Judd:

I think people have a comfort zone. So, as long as you stay plus or minus five within that, they’ll allow you to be innovative to a certain degree. But if you overstep that too much and give something that’s totally unique and different, then it’s too hard to swallow, I think, a lot of the time. People say they want originality, but what they really what is what they’re used to with a little sprinkle of originality on top. ‘Cause we like what we are comfortable with. That’s human nature in general. So, honestly speaking, I was a little disappointed. But at the same time, I can see where they are coming from, because I experienced a very similar emotion when I saw the first Transformer movie character design. I mean, it’s sad, but a hundred percent I think I felt the same way. ‘What the hell is this? These are the Transformers that I knew. Optimus Prime does not look like this. Screw that, I’m not gonna go see that movie.’ That’s exactly the same feelings I felt as a fan… But I did go to see the movie. And if I say I like it, people are gonna go, ‘Oh my gosh, he liked Transformers, he’s gonna screw up Bionic Commando.’ And if I say I don’t like it, then I’m a hypocrite. That’s a lose-lose question.

The hair really doesn’t bother us that much at all, so we can’t fathom why people are bitching about that. Those hot dogs in his bionic arm? Those complaints we TOTALLY understand.
2nd Podcast [Official Site]

Producer Ben Judd does the honours for the inaugural chat, where he talks about the following:

His memories of the original Bionic Commando

How Ben Judd got started at Capcom Japan and how he became a producer

Why bring back the Bionic Commando franchise

The advantages and disadvantages of bringing back old franchises in games and movies, and the challenges therein

Whether games are art or not, and if they can make you cry

About designing and creating the new BC game, and the cultural conflicts in that

It, literally, sounds like a corker of a podcast. And to think it’s just one of many more to come.

Also note that there’s a suggestions/comments box at the link below, where you can submit your ideas for the next podcast.

Bionic Commando [Official site, direct link to podcast page]