The WAN Show - Intel i7 Exclusive DLC & Illegal Game Modding! - December 9, 2016
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Promos
Squarespace: squarespace.com offer code LINUS to save 10% Mack Weldon: Use offer code TECHTIPS to save 20% at geni.us Forum link: linustechtips.com Soundcloud Link: soundcloud.com Timestamps courtesy of JJMC89. 00:06:30 - Pewdiepie vows to delete his channel at 50 million subscribers - JK, doesn't delete his channel 00:09:58 - Steam users enraged over Intel-exclusive content in game, inspiring quick reversal 00:19:17 - South Korea makes game modding illegal 00:26:50 - Ubisoft executives fined $1.2 million EU for insider trading during Watch Dogs (2014) 00:30:20 - Fitbit formally announces that it is buying Pebble 00:37:15 - Sponsor: Squarespace 00:39:40 - Sponsor: Mack Weldon 00:42:25 - Intel's i7-7700K Kaby Lake overclocked and reviewed at Tom's 00:48:04 - Apple hints self-driving car plans in letter 00:50:46 - Windows 10 Now Runs on ARM, MS demos Photoshop running on Snapdragon 820 00:57:20 - Jimmy Fallon debuts the Nintendo Switch 01:01:25 - Samsung may permanently disable Galaxy Note 7 phones in the US as soon as next week 01:02:05 - [RUMOR] Samsung S8 will not have a headphone jack 01:05:10 - Legacy WoW returns this month 01:05:28 - AT&T to cough up $88 million for 'cramming' mobile customer bills
The WAN Show episode from December 9, 2016 dives into several tech and gaming news topics with Linus and the crew, starting with a light-hearted setup and a few on-air jokes about delays and lighting. The hosts tease various topics for the show, including PewDiePie’s hypothetical channel deletion, Steam’s reaction to Intel exclusive content, and executives facing insider trading fines. They discuss the core topic of an Intel i7 exclusive in a VR game, exploring how hardware-specific content can create controversy and split the user base, and they examine the public relations fallout when developers lock features behind specific processors. The segment on South Korea criminalizing game modding frames the broader debate about digital rights, user modifications, and legal liability for hobbyists, emphasizing the tension between creative experimentation and regulatory enforcement. The hosts bring up multiple parallel stories, including Ubisoft executives facing an insider trading fine, Fitbit’s acquisition of Pebble, and the announcement that Windows 10 now runs on ARM with Photoshop demonstrated on Snapdragon 820. Throughout the show, there are sponsor breaks for Squarespace and Mack Weldon, interspersed between hardware tests and industry commentary. The i7 overclocking and Tom’s Hardware reviews of Kaby Lake provide a hardware benchmarking thread, juxtaposed with Apple’s hints about self-driving cars and the evolving landscape of AR and VR. Linus and John (via remote or guest) provide live commentary on the latest market rumors, such as Samsung’s Galaxy lineup, and the potential removal of legacy features like headphone jacks. The conversation turns to the practical implications of exclusive content, debating whether such tactics help or harm game developers and players, and how studios respond when the backlash escalates. The show revisits the theme of hardware-accelerated gaming as a double-edged sword,enhancing experiences for some users while alienating others who own different platforms. In conclusion, the WAN Show offers a wide-ranging snapshot of tech culture in late 2016, illustrating how hardware decisions, platform wars, and regulatory actions intersect with consumer expectations and industry PR strategies. The episode closes with a rapid-fire look at consumer electronics news and a nod to upcoming content, leaving viewers with mixed takes on the best path forward for inclusive gaming experiences and responsible hardware marketing.
Topics · technology · gaming · news_analysis · hardware · industry_trends
Questions answered
- What was the main controversy discussed regarding Intel i7 exclusivity in a game?
- The show covered a VR game that locked certain content to machines running Intel Core i7 CPUs, creating backlash from players who owned other hardware and prompting discussions about developer decisions, marketing promises, and the eventual reversal where the content was unlocked for all players.
- What legal development did South Korea enact related to game modding?
- South Korea passed a law to criminalize the manufacture or distribution of programs that enable non sanctioned game modifications, with penalties including jail time and fines, aiming to curb hacking and botting in online games.
- What acquisition involving Pebble was discussed, and what were the concerns?
- Fitbit announced it would acquire Pebble. The discussion highlighted concerns about warranty support ending for Pebble devices, ongoing service quality, and how the acquisition would affect existing Pebble customers and product ecosystem.
- Why did the hosts discuss Ubisoft executives and insider trading?
- The segment covered Ubisoft executives being fined for insider trading related to Wait Dogs development delays, illustrating the intersection of game publishing timelines, stock markets, and legal accountability for corporate actions.