We're officially at DEFCON Podcast! Branching Factor kicks off with our inaugural episode as our brand-new podcast kicks into high gear. Over our first four episodes, we sit down with each of the four co-hosts of Branching Factor. For this first go around, it's George Osborn: the former head of communications of the UKIE (the UK games industry trade representative) and now Director of Policy at Taso Advisory. Follow George Osborn on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/georgeosborn In this video we discuss, among others things: - The changing face of the games industry - The legal ground surrounding loot boxes - Possible regulation coming towards the gaming sector - That Microsoft/Activision deal Plus some games discussed include... - Mario + Rabbids (1 and 2) - Pentiment - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 [2022] Chapters [00:00] Thanks to our Sponsors: Modl.ai [01:40] Welcome to Branching Factor [04:47] Meet George Osborn [19:26] Playing Some Games [33:38] The State of the Games Industry [45:50] Epic Games and FTC Fine [01:01:02] The Lootbox Problem [01:17:42] The Microsoft/Activision Deal [01:35:02] The Impending Future [01:43:40] Wrapping Up [01:46:57] Credits -- To catch episodes of Branching Factor early and ad-free, be sure to support AI and Games on Patreon. http://www.patreon.com/aiandgames Plus you can watch each episode of the series via the AI and Games Plus YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@AIandGamesPlus -- If you're interested in contacting us, check out the following: Listener Questions: [email protected] Business Enquiries: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.