lab notes

lab notes

Welcome to lab notes, by playlabs. lab notes is hosted by Jarod (Inkd), the General Manager of playlabs at the Hawk. Evan (ev0n), gaming prodigy, and Neil (Spoonman), the CEO of Dignetix – the parent company of playlabs. All life-long gamers that are truly invested in the success of everyone that interacts at the lab. In each episode, they discuss what is happening at the lab and dig into some current events. If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Join our Discord and pop into the Podcast channel to give us feedback, ask questions, and potentially become a guest on a future episode. Produced by Podcast Nation®

Episodes

May 31, 2024 30 mins

This week on lab notes your hosts are joined by Zachary Davis to chat about Gaming Conventions and where they are headed. Are they being revived or dying out? Is playlabs throwing its hat in the ring and shaking up the scene? The answer to those questions and more on this week's episode!

 

Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd), Evan (Ev0n_WASD), Zachary (Zacterium)

 

Find us at:

https://playlabs.gg https://discord.gg/mFpvYmeTt3 Pro...
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Join your hosts this week for a deep dive into collegiate esports and learn about the inner workings of a competitive esports environment. We're joined this week by guest, Andrew Murphy, the Esports Coordinator & Coach at Northwestern Missouri State University (NWMSU). You'll learn about the average day of a collegiate esports coach, what it takes to get on a college esports team, and what the athlete's routines look like.

 

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April 19, 2024 30 mins

This week on labnotes your Jimmy from the Tech IT Out podcast joins our hosts as they discuss gaming related 420 topics including the best strains to enjoy while gaming, a few weed related games on steam, and some of their best experiences while gaming high. Grab your favorite greens and listen in for this HIGHly anticipated episode. 

 

Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd), Evan (Ev0n_WASD)

 

Find us at:

https://playlabs.gg https:/...
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April 5, 2024 46 mins

This week, your playlabs crew discusses the rumored PS5 Pro and why they believe people should think twice about purchasing it. They also share their thoughts on how consoles are losing their viability in homes all over the world and why we should just be gaming on PCs instead.

 

Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd), Evan (Ev0n_WASD)

 

Find us at:

https://playlabs.gg https://discord.gg/mFpvYmeTt3 Produced by Podcast Nation®

 

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March 22, 2024 36 mins

This week, your lab notes hosts discuss the different kinds of downloadable content (DLC) and what they think makes it worth paying for. They also discuss the upcoming Fallout series coming to Amazon Prime, and the successes and failures of TV video game adaptations that have come before.

 

Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd), Evan (Ev0n_WASD)

 

Find us at:

https://playlabs.gg https://discord.gg/mFpvYmeTt3 Produced by Podcast Nat...
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This week, the guys take a deep dive into discussing the pros and cons of live service games and fully released titles. Will games continue to build on the free to play, live service models, or pivot back to higher priced, full games? Listen, as Neil, Jarod, and Evan break it all down!

 

Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd), Evan (Ev0n_WASD)

 

Find us at:

https://playlabs.gg https://discord.gg/mFpvYmeTt3 Produced by Podcast Natio...
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In this episode, your lab notes hosts discuss the move away from game exclusivity, Helldivers 2, and Microsoft figuring out the importance of listening to their gaming community. Thanks for listening...Game on!

 

Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd), Evan (Ev0n_WASD)

 

Find us at:

https://playlabs.gg https://discord.gg/mFpvYmeTt3 Produced by Podcast Nation®
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February 9, 2024 40 mins

This week on labnotes we revisit Skill Based Match Making after Activision's reveal of their critera for matches that are made. We also discuss the hyper-popluar Palworld and how it has, or hasn't, affected our personal gaming choices. And we'll make a couple bold predicitions about how the Palworld player base will change over the next month.

 

Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd), Evan (Ev0n_WASD)

 

Find us at:

https://playlabs.g...
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December 22, 2023 18 mins

The guys discuss the recent RLCS age change and how this impacts young gamers, esports, and parents. Plus, good stuff on the horizon for 2024 at the lab. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We'll see you next year.

link notes

RLCS Official Rules Ready or Not Asgards Wrath 2

 

Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd)

 

Find us at:

https://playlabs.gg https://discord.gg/mFpvYmeTt3 Produced by Podcast Nation®
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December 15, 2023 30 mins

Let's talk about award shows, trailers, and the whole early access thing. Be sure to hop into the Discord channels and let us know what you think. Should playlabs have our own awards show? Do you buy early access games? Should Jarod refund everyone's money for things he doesn't own? Big Neil wants to know!

 

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Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd) Guests: Zachary (Zacterium), Wayne

 

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https://playlabs.gg https://...
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December 8, 2023 37 mins

The guys get together this week to talk about the super-quiet game announcements and the theory behind a 12-18 month wait. Coach Jarod gives you some tips on starting a new game or champion. Evan educates his father on how cases and keys work in CS2. A unique gambling concept they plan on hiding from his mother. And Zach gives us some details on battle passes in Fortnite and beyond. A fun and educational episode of lab notes!

 

lin...

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December 1, 2023 29 mins

Joined by Brendan and Zach, the guys discuss SBMM. Going over unique implications of the matchmaking process and how we feel about it. It's an interesting discussion and one that we're sure will have people lining up on both sides. Join our Discord and jump into the Podcast channel to let us know where you stand.

 

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Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd) Guests: Brendan and Zachary

Find us at:

https://playlabs.gg https://di...
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November 17, 2023 33 mins

This week on labnotes we talk MW3, Game Awards, and upcoming new releases we're looking forward to with our special guest, Evan Nosakowski! 

 

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Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd), Evan (Ev0n)

 

Find us at:

https://playlabs.gg https://discord.gg/mFpvYmeTt3 Produced by Podcast Nation®
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November 10, 2023 32 mins

This week on labnotes we are joined by Bill McAllister of Podcast Nation

Bill tries VR for the first time as Neil and Jarod share their thoughts on the rapidly evolving technology.

Call of Duty MW3 has been released and we can't wait to hear your thoughts! Be sure to drop by the podcast channel in our discord and do just that. 

Jarod shares has some coaching tips for those of you who find yourselves hitting a wall when trying to im...

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October 27, 2023 25 mins

We sit down with Joe Howard to talk about his gaming plans and his take on the physical vs. digital debate. Get your lab notes each Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever your ears find a home.

 

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Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd) Guest: Joe (ThatAverageJoe20)

 

 

Find us at:

https://playlabs.gg https://discord.gg/mFpvYmeTt3 Produced by Podcast Nation®  
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October 20, 2023 16 mins

Exclusives and pre-orders, where do you land? We chat a bit about the recent acquisition of Activision by Microsoft (Xbox) and whether they will move those IPs to exclusives. Then a short chat about pre-orders and the value they add (or don't).

 

Get your lab notes each Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever your ears find a home.

 

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Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd)

Activision and Xbox Phil Spencer on the Xbox...

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October 13, 2023 16 mins

What's your favorite scary game, Sidney? Join Neil and Jarod as they discuss the scary side of gaming on this Friday the 13th. Share your feedback on Discord, Twitter (X), or text us at 248.946.5885

Get your lab notes each Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever your ears find a home.

 

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Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd) Texas Chainsaw Massacre Dead by Daylight Resident Evil The Quarry Left 4 Dead 2

 

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October 7, 2023 15 mins

Our special guest on this episode is none other than playlabs General Manager Jarod Ericksen! We'll get Jarod's backstory and history of gaming, and find out how he landed at playlabs.

Get your lab notes each Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever your ears find a home.

 

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Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd)

The Hawk in Farmington Hills playlabs Middle School Esports Program

 

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October 3, 2023 24 mins

Garrett from Grand Finals Gaming joins us to talk about the fighting community and a unique playlabs event. We'll also discuss recent industry developments in terms of esports and competitive events as well as the upcoming game release season. Drop in. 

 

Get your lab notes each Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever your ears find a home.

 

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Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd) Guest: Garrett (GrandFinalsGaming)

...

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September 27, 2023 25 mins

We continue our conversation with Dre (AmiiboKing). Neil and Dre discuss his journey to fitness and what he'd like to bring to the gamers of the world. We wrap up with our "frustration" over the onslaught of game releases we'll see at the end of year.

 

Get your lab notes each Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever your ears find a home.

 

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Hosts: Neil (Spoonman), Jarod (Inkd) Guest: Dre (AmiiboKing)

The Hawk in F...

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