Ep 18. VG: Part II

QI season 17 episode 18 is titled VG: Part II and is a continuation of the previous episode that delves into the fascinating world of video games. Host Sandi Toksvig is once again joined by witty panelists Alan Davies, Aisling Bea, Jason Manford, and Richard Osman as they explore the obscure and fascinating history of video games.

The episode begins with an exploration of one of the earliest video games, Spacewar! Developed in the early 1960s, this game was played on huge mainframe computers and was only accessible to the privileged few who had access to these machines. The panelists marvel at how far video games have come since then, with games like Fortnite and Minecraft being played by millions of people worldwide.

The panel then turns their attention to the cultural impact of video games and how they have influenced everything from music to fashion. They discuss the rise of video game tournaments and how professional video game players can earn millions of dollars in prize money. They also delve into the often-reckless behavior of some video game addicts, discussing the numerous cases of people who have died from playing games for days on end without sleeping or eating.

Next, the panelists tackle the topic of video game censorship, discussing the controversial changes made to games in some countries to make them more palatable to local audiences. They also touch on the issue of violence in video games, debating whether or not there is a link between violent games and violent behavior in real life.

The episode wraps up with a hilarious segment where the panelists have to guess the names of obscure video games by looking at their unusual cover art. They poke fun at the often-bizarre imagery used on game covers and speculate about what these games might actually be about.

Overall, VG: Part II is a fascinating and entertaining exploration of the world of video games. With its blend of humor and insightful commentary, it will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike.