The Upper Memory Block Podcast

Good Evening Blockers!

It’s time for episode 59, covering the 1989 Sierra Adventure series, the Laura Bow Mysteries.

Since we hit the 50 dollar/episode Patreon goal, the news has been moved into its own show, so look for the news rollup in the next few weeks!

We read some emails where we chat about two gaming related podcasts, Three Moves Ahead and Blue Cup Tools.

We then get to the main event, the Laura Bow Mysteries. We discuss both The Colonel’s Bequest and The Dagger of Amon Ra. All the usual topics are covered, including some more emails from you!

YouTube play session:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yxIdmVfQG8

Support the show on Patreon:
http://www.patreon.com/umbcast

Next time, I’ll be covering the 1985 Micoprose sub simulation, Silent Service.

Enjoy!

Stream the show live:

Direct download:
http://umbcast.com/podcast/059-UMBCast-Laura-Bow.mp3

Standing by to maneuver, blockers!

Here is episode 58, where I’ll be covering the 1986 Binary Systems space exploration game, Starflight.

But first, some news:

Blizzard added assets from Warcraft 3 to the Blizzard Launcher.

Gabriel Knight 20th Anniversary Edition is out and ready for purchase!

Check out indie game The Fall

Then, we get to the Starflight series. We discuss the two games in the usual manner.

YouTube playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2whCuUnKwYDRTF6Na5JfImdAC7KtZB3E

Buy Starflight 1 & 2 on GoG:
http://www.gog.com/game/starflight_1_2?pp=1106a1dda2d680438ecfb0bb70fd479c55a1791f

Support the show via Patreon:
http://www.patreon.com/umbcast

Next time, we’ll be discussing some Sierra adventures with the Laura Bow series.

Enjoy!

Stream the show live:

Direct download:
http://umbcast.com/podcast/058-UMBCast-Starflight.mp3

Code blue, Blockers!

Welcome to episode 57, where I’ll be discussing the 1997 Bullfrog business simulation, Theme Hospital.

Firstly, I make a small correction regarding some facts in the last show about Indianapolis 500: The Simulation.

But first, a bit of news:

Frontpage Sports Football is coming back!

Commander Keen has been open sourced!

Elite: Dangerous Beta 2 is releasing this month!

Blizzard has cancelled their long-running project Titan.

This Monkey Island Lego set needs your votes!

We then discuss the main topic, Theme Hospital. Gameplay, dev story, tech focus, etc.

Buy Theme Hospital on GoG:
http://www.gog.com/game/theme_hospital?pp=1106a1dda2d680438ecfb0bb70fd479c55a1791f

Next time, we’ll be discussing the 1986 sci-fi adventure/RPG, Starflight.

Stream the show live:

Direct download:
http://umbcast.com/podcast/057-UMBCast-Theme-Hospital.mp3

Start your engines blockers!

In episode 56, we discuss the 1989 Papyrus Design Group racing sim, Indianapolis 500: The Simulation.

First though, we go through quite a few emails covering your thoughts on the “Sierra Revival” that I talked about on the last episode, including a link to Brano’s blog post where he goes into more detail on his thoughts.

We then get into the main topic, Indianapolis 500: The Simulation. We discuss all the usual suspects including gameplay, dev story and tech focus.

Sadly, there’s nowhere to legally get the game in digital form, but if you’re interested in the most current racing game from the developer, check out http://www.iracing.com/.

Next time, I’ll be heading back to Bullfrog land with another simulation, Theme Hospital.

Stream the show live:

Direct download:
http://umbcast.com/podcast/055-UMBCast-Indianapolis-500.mp3

Breaking news Blockers…

It’s time for episode 55, an “extended memory” episode. In these extended memory shows, I break format to do something a little bit different.

In light of the recent news of Activision reviving the Sierra brand, I decided to dedicate and entire show to your thoughts, my thoughts and the history of Sierra in relation to this potentially game-changing news.

I also got an email informing me of an “in development” fan remake of King’s Quest 4: The Perils of Rosella. You can find more info on it here:

http://unicorntales.org/kq4-perilsofrosella-remake/

We’ll get back on track with the “regularly scheduled” UMBCast on Indianapolis 500: The Simulation next week.

Stream the show live:

Direct download:
http://umbcast.com/podcast/055-UMBCast-Sierra-Revival.mp3

Ahoy Blockers!

Welcome to episode 54 where we’ll be discussing the 1987 Microprose action/adventure/strategy title Sid Meier’s Pirates!

Now this is when I usually have the news, I’ve decided for the time being to drop the news section from the show and see how that goes. If you think I should put the news back in, let me know at podcast@umbcast.com.

We then get to the main event, Pirates! As always we discuss the genre, story, gameplay, tech focus and dev story.

Also, a bit of a recommendation: Friend of the show Chris was recently on the DOS Nostalgia Podcast and did an AMAZING rundown of DOS-era flight sims. If you have any fond memories of flight sims, you should check out episode 9 of the show (in addition to other shows on other topics).

Find it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdzAxtVRVNc

Buy Pirates! Gold Plus on GoG:
http://www.gog.com/game/pirates_gold_plus?pp=1106a1dda2d680438ecfb0bb70fd479c55a1791f

Buy Sid Meier’s Pirates! (2004) on Steam:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/3920/

Buy Sid Meier’s Pirates iPad on the App Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/sid-meiers-pirates!/id499794670?mt=8

Next time, we’ll be racing into 1989 with Papyrus’ Indianapolis 500: The Simulation.

Enjoy!

Stream the show live:

Direct download:
http://umbcast.com/podcast/054-UMBCast-Sid-Meiers-Pirates.mp3

Howdy Blockers!

In episode 53 we discuss the 1991 Dynamix adventure game, The Adventures of Willy Beamish.

Not much in the news this week.

It appears Star Citizen’s pre-alpha multiplayer functionality has just gone live.

Also, both the Steam and GoG.com summer sales have ended. I hope everyone had a good haul.

We then get into the main topic, Willy Beamish where we discuss the story, unique gameplay, technology and development.

Watch me play at: http://youtu.be/urfBHlGbyQo

Also, don’t forget about the Telltale Sam & Max giveaway! Email me with the subject line “Sam & Max Giveaway” for a chance to win!

Next time I’ll be covering my second Sid Meier game, Sid Meier’s Pirates!

See you then!

Stream the show live:

Direct download:
http://umbcast.com/podcast/053-UMBCast-Willy-Beamish.mp3

You’ve picked up a tail, Blockers!

It’s episode 52 where I discuss the 1993 Lucasarts rail shooter, Rebel Assault.

Only a bit of news this week:

Star Citizen’s Arena Commander has launched for backers!

Sony, Lucasarts and DoubleFine are working on a remastering of Grim Fandango for PS4 and Vita.

Listener Carlos sent a link to his 8-bit album, Mount Analog: http://carlocarosi.bandcamp.com/

We then discuss Rebel Assault. Genre, story, gameplay, tech focus, dev story, emails and the rest!

Next time, I’ll be covering the 1991 Dynamix adventure game, the Adventures of Willy Beamish.

Stream the show live:

Direct download:
http://umbcast.com/podcast/052-UMBCast-Rebel-Assault.mp3

Heya Blockers!

It’s time for episode 51! This time around I’m changing things up a bit and covering a new game, Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure which came out back on May 7th, 2014.

In the news:

More accusations in the Zenimax/Oculus VR lawsuit.

Levar Burton has launched a kickstarter to bring Reading Rainbow to the web.

We then get to the main topic, Tesla Effect. Despite this being a new game, we cover some Tex history and then talk gameplay, tech stuff, dev story read some emails and give the final verdict.

Buy Tesla Effect on GoG:
http://www.gog.com/game/tesla_effect_a_tex_murphy_adventure?pp=1106a1dda2d680438ecfb0bb70fd479c55a1791f

Buy the soundtrack:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tex-murphy-tesla-effect-soundtrack/id854785997

For more Tex Murphy info, check out UMBCast 038

Next time, I’ll be hitting some Star Wars with Rebel Assault.

Stream the show live:

Direct download:
http://umbcast.com/podcast/051-UMBCast-Tesla-Effect.mp3