The Single Player Experience

Sebastion Mauldin @SDM3

We all know that being a gamer is a lifestyle. We also know that gaming as a single-player gamer comes with its own set of problems. We have to worry about if a game is worth our time. If a game is worth its price tag. Not to mention the backlog of games that seem like an ever-growing boss fight that we just can't win. Enter the single-player experience, the video game podcast designed for solo gamers who wanna know about good single-player experiences. My name is Sebastion Mauldin. I've played hundreds of games and now I'm a video game reviewer who specializes in single-player games. My main quest is to help you manage your ever growing gaming backlog by letting you know which single player games are your time and money so that you can the best single player experience. read less
LeisureLeisure

Episodes

Playstation's 2024 Fall State of Play is.... Ft. Alejandro Segovia
6d ago
Playstation's 2024 Fall State of Play is.... Ft. Alejandro Segovia
Playstation's 2024 Fall State of Play is.... Ft. Alejandro SegoviaIn this episode of the Single Player Experience Podcast, host Sebastion Mauldin and guest Alejandro Segovia discuss the current state of gaming, focusing on PlayStation's busy yet quiet year, the impact of exclusives, and the recent State of Play announcements. They explore the contradictions of 2024 in gaming, the future of PlayStation's exclusives, and the significance of the PS5 Pro. The conversation also delves into the highlights of the State of Play, including game announcements and updates, and the overall pacing and structure of the presentation. In this engaging conversation, Alejandro Segovia and Sebastion Mauldin delve into the world of gaming, discussing the impact of nostalgia on consumer behavior, the excitement surrounding upcoming titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Assassin's Creed Shadows, and the nuances of game comparisons. They also share their thoughts on recent gaming news, including the PS5 Pro and various game releases, while providing insightful recommendations for gamers looking for their next single-player experience.Sebastion and The Single Player Experience Links: Head to Discord to join the FREE Single Player Experience Discord Server! https://discord.gg/YeCwD6gtDvFor more episodes, head here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-single-player-experience/id1634071295Connect with Sebastion: https://twitter.com/SebastionPNRWrite In Here: https://pronerdreport.com/contact/Go Check out our Guest at:Alejandro Segovia: Twitter: https://twitter.com/a_drosegoviaCheck out his Written Work: thecriticalcorner.comTakeawaysPlayStation's year has been busy yet quiet, with many games released.The perception of a 'dry year' often reflects personal gaming preferences.Exclusives play a crucial role in PlayStation's success and audience expectations.Nintendo's strategy differs from PlayStation's, focusing on remakes and delays.The future of PlayStation's exclusives is uncertain, with a need for more content.The State of Play showcased a variety of games, appealing to different tastes.Pacing and structure of presentations can significantly impact audience engagement.Horizon franchise faces challenges in gaining mainstream recognition.The PS5 Pro aims to enhance existing games rather than introduce new titles.The gaming landscape is increasingly varied, catering to diverse player preferences. Nostalgia plays a significant role in consumer excitement for gaming products.The reveal of Ghost of Tsushima's sequel has generated mixed feelings among fans.Assassin's Creed Shadows faces tough competition from Ghost of Tsushima.The gaming landscape is becoming increasingly competitive with upcoming releases.The PS5 Pro's value proposition is under scrutiny among gamers.Game comparisons can influence consumer expectations and excitement.DLCs can provide significant value and enhance the gaming experience.The importance of polish and quality in game releases cannot be overstated.Single-player experiences remain a vital part of the gaming ecosystem.Recommendations for new games can help guide...
Upcoming Indie Game Preview: Ascent Rivals ft. Michael Yagi
17-09-2024
Upcoming Indie Game Preview: Ascent Rivals ft. Michael Yagi
Upcoming Indie Game Preview: Ascent Rivals ft. Michael YagiSummaryIn this episode of the Single Player Experience podcast, host Sebastion Mauldin interviews Michael Yagi, one of the key developers of the game Ascent Rivals. They discuss the inspiration behind the game, its unique gameplay mechanics, and the vision of creating a competitive and spectator-friendly experience. The game is described as a high-speed racing and shooting hybrid, with elements of Star Wars Pod Racing, Mad Max, and Hunger Games. The studio behind the game, Genuine Games, aims to bring innovation to the racing genre and create a game that is easy to watch and fun to play. They also discuss the studio's focus on high-quality visuals and the future plans for the game, including spectator interaction and esports integration. Ascent Rivals is a competitive esports game with a high skill ceiling. The game allows players to perform unique drifting maneuvers and offers a time trial challenge for the community. The development team consists of two core developers, a designer, and an artist, with additional support from others. Michael Yagi, the designer, got into games through esports and competitive gaming. He enjoys playing League of Legends and Brawl Stars. The game has received feedback about the onboarding experience and the difficulty of turning right. The community is highly valued, and the team is focused on creating a competitive and engaging experience for players.TakeawaysAscent Rivals is a high-speed racing and shooting hybrid game inspired by Star Wars Pod Racing, Mad Max, and Hunger Games.The game features a unique control scheme where each stick controls each engine, creating a tank-like driving experience.The studio, Genuine Games, aims to bring innovation to the racing genre and create a game that is easy to watch and fun to play.The game has a strong focus on high-quality visuals and is constantly evolving and improving.The studio plans to integrate spectator interaction, esports features, and sponsorships to enhance the competitive experience. Ascent Rivals is a competitive esports game with a high skill ceiling and unique drifting mechanics.The development team consists of two core developers, a designer, and an artist, with additional support from others.Michael Yagi, the designer, got into games through esports and competitive gaming.The game has received feedback about the onboarding experience and the difficulty of turning right.The community is highly valued, and the team is focused on creating a competitive and engaging experience for players.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background06:48 The Unique Gameplay of Ascent Rivals10:30 The Racing Mode and Objective of Ascent Rivals12:41 Innovation in the Racing Genre26:10 Spectator Interaction and Future Plans29:15 Mastering the Skill Ceiling31:38 The Role of the Community34:11 The Development Team36:37 Michael's Gaming Background37:42 Playing Games Outside of Ascent Rivals39:53 Underrated Games and TV Shows43:52 Ascent Rivals: For Competitive Gamers and Spectators45:02 Feedback and Improvements47:36 Looking Forward to Future Games
The Future of Todd Howard-Style Games ft. Reggie Johnson
09-09-2024
The Future of Todd Howard-Style Games ft. Reggie Johnson
The Future of Todd Howard-Style Games ft. Reggie JohnsonSummaryIn this part of the conversation, Sebastian and Reggie discuss their gaming experiences and the current state of AAA games. They talk about the abundance of content on platforms like Netflix and Game Pass, and how it can sometimes feel overwhelming. They also discuss the different approaches of Xbox and PlayStation in terms of game releases, with Xbox focusing on quantity and PlayStation focusing on quality. They touch on the disappointment of games like Starfield and the importance of delivering on the hype. They also discuss the future of Todd Howard-style games and the need for innovation and improvement in game mechanics. Reggie shares his experience with Elden Ring and the satisfaction of spending over 200 hours in the game. They also discuss the difficulty level of From Software games and the love-hate relationship players have with them. The conversation covers various games and their experiences playing them. They discuss the different types of gamers and the importance of understanding one's preferences. They also touch on the expectations of game releases and the impact of remakes and remasters. The conversation concludes with a discussion about their personal all-star lineup of games for the year. In this part of the conversation, Reggie and Sebastion discuss upcoming games and their potential to make it onto their top five lists. They mention games like Black Myth: Wukong, Visus: The Last Song, Assassin's Creed: Shadows, Avowed, and Dragon Age: The Veil Guard. They also discuss their expectations for these games and how they might compare to previous installments in the series. Reggie expresses mixed emotions about Dragon Age: The Veil Guard and wonders if it will live up to his expectations. In this final part of the conversation, Reggie and Sebastion discuss their predictions for the upcoming NFL season. Reggie predicts a winning season for the Falcons and highlights the importance of health in making accurate predictions. They also discuss potential contenders in the AFC and NFC, including the Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, and Steelers. They play a game of blind rankings, where Reggie ranks various game franchises, including The Last of Us, Bloodborne, Mass Effect 2, NBA Street Volume 2, God of War 2018, and Pokemon Gold and Silver. They also discuss their social media presence and where listeners can find them.Sebastion and The Single Player Experience Links: Head to Discord to join the FREE Single Player Experience Discord Server! https://discord.gg/YeCwD6gtDvFor more episodes, head here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-single-player-experience/id1634071295Connect with Sebastion: https://twitter.com/SebastionPNRWrite In Here: https://pronerdreport.com/contact/Go Check out our Guest at:REG in ATL LInks: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dxokp32cIDij8via5NpCdTakeaways:The abundance of content on platforms like Netflix and Game Pass can sometimes feel overwhelmingXbox focuses on quantity of game releases while PlayStation focuses on qualityDelivering on the hype is important for game developersThere is a need for innovation and improvement in game mechanicsFrom Software games are loved by many but can be difficult and not recommended for everyone Understanding your gaming...
Star Wars Outlaws is Mid ft. Retro Gamer Thomas
03-09-2024
Star Wars Outlaws is Mid ft. Retro Gamer Thomas
Star Wars Outlaws is Mid ft. Retro Gamer ThomasSummaryIn this conversation, Sebastian and RGT discuss their gaming origins, their favorite consoles, and the challenges of collecting retro games. They also share their recent gaming experiences, including playing Trials of Mana, Vampire Survivors, and Bioshock Infinite. They touch on the pricing and accessibility of retro games, as well as their thoughts on Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the world of retro gaming and the current gaming landscape. In this conversation, Sebastion and RGT discuss their thoughts on the game Star Wars: Bounty Hunters, the stealth mechanics, and the potential of the game. They also review the game Concord and its lack of popularity, as well as the upcoming game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. They share their opinions on the hot takes surrounding these games and discuss their own gaming plans for the future.TakeawaysThe hosts discuss their gaming origins and their love for retro games.They share their recent gaming experiences, including Trials of Mana, Vampire Survivors, and Bioshock Infinite.They talk about the challenges of collecting retro games and the pricing and accessibility of retro games.They provide their thoughts on Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws and its comparison to other games like Uncharted. Star Wars: Bounty Hunters has mixed reviews, particularly regarding its stealth mechanicsConcord has not gained popularity and is seen as unnecessary in the competitive shooter genreThe upcoming game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is generating excitement, but some fans are concerned about the absence of KojimaDungeons of Hindenburg is recommended as an indie open-world game with Zelda-like elementsRGT is looking forward to playing Witcher 3, Trials of Mana, Vampire Survivors, and Bioshock InfiniteSebastion and The Single Player Experience Links: Head to Discord to join the FREE Single Player Experience Discord Server! https://discord.gg/YeCwD6gtDvFor more episodes, head here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-single-player-experience/id1634071295Connect with Sebastion: https://twitter.com/SebastionPNRWrite In Here: https://pronerdreport.com/contact/Go Check out our Guest at:Social: https://www.instagram.com/retrogamerthomas/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rjBi7h3vpioTJM9M40Ohg
Gamescom News and The Perception of a Dry Year for Game Releases ft  Alejandro Segovia
25-08-2024
Gamescom News and The Perception of a Dry Year for Game Releases ft Alejandro Segovia
Gamescom News and The Perception of a Dry Year for Game Releases ft Alejandro Segovia In this part of the conversation, Sebastion and Alejandro discuss their most pleasant surprise game of 2024, which is Black Myth Wukong. Alejandro explains that he initially hesitated to play the game because he was tired of Souls-like experiences, but he was pleasantly surprised by its unique gameplay and action-packed nature. They also discuss the lineup of games in 2024 and how Japanese developers have dominated the release calendar, while Western developers have been relatively quiet. They touch on the importance of exclusives and the perception of a dry year for game releases. They also mention the impact of cross-platform games and the justification for purchasing a next-gen console. The conversation in this segment revolves around the perception of Sony's PR and the release of Borderlands 4 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The hosts discuss the disconnect between Sony's image and the reality of their offerings, as well as the mixed reactions to the announcement of Borderlands 4. They also address the misconception about the availability of physical copies for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Overall, the segment highlights the importance of understanding the facts before forming opinions. The conversation discusses the release date of upcoming games and the relevance of the Indiana Jones franchise. It also explores the potential success of the animated anthology series 'Secret Level' and the announcement of 'Mafia: The Old Country'. In this final part of the conversation, Alejandro and Sebastion discuss their thoughts on the upcoming Mafia game and their hopes for future gaming experiences. They also share the games they are looking forward to playing, including Star Wars Outlaws and 1000X Resist. They discuss the marketing strategies of PlayStation and Xbox and shout out their respective projects, including Alejandro's work at Season Gaming and the x-Button Podcast.Takeaways- Black Myth Wukong is Alejandro's most pleasant surprise game of 2024, as it offers a unique and action-packed experience.- Japanese developers have dominated the release calendar in 2024, while Western developers have been relatively quiet.- The perception of a dry year for game releases can vary depending on personal preferences and the availability of exclusives.- Cross-platform games and the justification for purchasing a next-gen console are important factors to consider in the gaming landscape. There is a disconnect between Sony's image and the reality of their offerings.- It is important to understand the facts before forming opinions.- The announcement of Borderlands 4 received mixed reactions.- The availability of physical copies for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was misunderstood. The release date of a game can impact its success, but December releases have had mixed results in the past.- The Indiana Jones franchise may face challenges in remaining relevant in the modern gaming landscape.- The 'Secret Level' animated anthology series has generated excitement and curiosity among gamers.- The announcement of 'Mafia: The Old Country' has sparked discussions about the previous games in the series and expectations for the new installment. Alejandro and Sebastion discuss their thoughts on the upcoming Mafia game and the importance of cars in the game's open world.- They share their excitement for playing Star Wars Outlaws and 1000X Resist.- They discuss the marketing strategies of PlayStation and Xbox and how they influence game perception.- Alejandro mentions his work at Season Gaming and the Exponent Podcast, and encourages listeners to check them out.
The Landscape of AAA Shooters Ft. Alec Taub
24-08-2024
The Landscape of AAA Shooters Ft. Alec Taub
The Landscape of AAA Shooters Ft. Alec TaubSummaryIn this conversation, Sebastian Maldon and video game developer Alec Taub discuss their gaming experiences and preferences. They talk about the releases of 2024 and compare them to the previous year, noting that while there have been good games this year, last year had better variety and market share. They also discuss their experiences with games like College Football, Destiny, and Helldivers. Alec shares his love for Destiny and the sense of community it provides, while also expressing skepticism about other games like Starfield and GTA 6. They speculate about the future of Destiny and the potential for a Destiny 3. The conversation explores the desire for both simple and complex gaming experiences, the frustration with overly monetized and complex AAA multiplayer shooters, and the longing for nostalgic and pick-up-and-play FPS games. They discuss the lack of simplicity and linear gameplay in current FPS games and the overwhelming amount of information and customization options. They also touch on their excitement for upcoming shows and movies, such as Strange New Worlds and the Borderlands movie. In this final part of the conversation, Alec and Sebastion discuss their excitement for upcoming games and share their thoughts on movies and TV shows. They talk about their love for campy and absurd movies like the Indiana Jones series and the anticipation for the new Indiana Jones game. They also mention their interest in other games like Twisted Metal, Silent Hill 2, and Black Myth Wukong. Alec shares updates on his own game development project, a large-scale dungeon crawler. They end the conversation with a shoutout to Alec and a closing message to the listeners.Sebastion and The Single Player Experience Links: Head to Discord to join the FREE Single Player Experience Discord Server! https://discord.gg/YeCwD6gtDvFor more episodes, head here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-single-player-experience/id1634071295Connect with Sebastion: https://twitter.com/SebastionPNRWrite In Here: https://pronerdreport.com/contact/TakeawaysLast year had better variety and market share in terms of game releases compared to this year.Destiny provides a strong sense of community and has kept Alec engaged for a long time.Alec is skeptical about other games like Starfield and GTA 6 and is waiting to see more before committing to them.The future of Destiny is uncertain, but there is speculation about a new expansion and the potential for a Destiny 3.Sebastian and Alec discuss their gaming preferences and the games they have enjoyed playing. There is a desire for both simple and complex gaming experiences.Many AAA multiplayer shooters have become overly monetized and complex, leading to frustration.There is a longing for nostalgic and pick-up-and-play FPS games.Current FPS games lack simplicity and linear gameplay.There is excitement for upcoming shows and movies, such as Strange New Worlds and the Borderlands movie.Wrestling can be an entertaining and enjoyable form of escapism. Excitement for upcoming games like the new Indiana Jones gameLove for campy and absurd movies like the Indiana Jones seriesInterest in other games like Twisted Metal, Silent Hill 2, and Black Myth...
Welcome Back to the Single Player Experience Vol. 2
13-08-2024
Welcome Back to the Single Player Experience Vol. 2
SummarySebastian Mauldin returns to his podcast, Single Player Experience, after a hiatus. In this episode, his wife Giselle Maude acts as the host and asks Sebastian questions about his break and the new direction of the show. Sebastian explains that he took a break to improve the quality of the podcast and learn from successful people in the gaming and podcasting industry. He introduces the second season of the podcast as a remake, focusing on single player games and storytelling. Sebastian discusses his favorite gaming memories, guilty pleasure games, and his preference for single player games. He also talks about his gaming setup and the different consoles he plays on. The episode concludes with Sebastian expressing his excitement for the future of the podcast and thanking listeners for their support.TakeawaysTaking a break can be beneficial to improve the quality of a podcast or any creative endeavor.Single player games offer a unique and immersive storytelling experience.Gaming memories can be formed through both single player and multiplayer experiences.Different consoles and gaming setups can provide different gaming experiences.The second season of Single Player Experience will focus on single player games and storytelling.Chapters00:00 The Return of Single Player Experience: A New Direction01:34 Improving the Quality of the Podcast: Taking a Hiatus03:23 The Remake: Focusing on Single Player Games and Storytelling07:14 Favorite Gaming Memories: From Multiplayer to Single Player10:59 Guilty Pleasure Games16:05 Gaming Setups and Console Preferences25:44 Playing the Most on Xbox39:15 What Makes Single Player Games Special43:31 Excitement for the Future of Single Player Experience