Refreshing. Games we played this week include: Indika (7:20) Little Kitty Big City (26:05) Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (31:25) Athenian Rhapsody (39:40) Hades II (48:00) Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga (49:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: IGN acquires Gamer Network of news sites, dominating the UK (1:05:00) https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ign-entertainment-acquires-eurogamer-gi-vg247-rock-paper-shotgun-and-more Nintendo acquires Switch port developer from Embracer (1:10:35) htt...
May 23, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Time to pivot. Games we played this week include: Hades II (8:45) Little Kitty Big City (20:00) Crow Country (22:45) Tales of Kenzera: Zau (28:20) Athenian Rhapsody (34:20) Vampire Survivors (43:55) Final Fantasy VI (49:35) Slayers X (50:15) --- News things talked about in this episode: Microsoft tries (fails) to justify studio closures (56:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/xbox-president-responds-to-studio-closures-as-commitment-to-make-sure-that-the-business-is-healthy-for-the-long-term Mike Ybarr...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Podquisition 488: Bump on the Noggin It’s harder than you’d think. Games we played this week include: Hades II (3:45) Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (23:35) Puppet Master (30:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: Microsoft shuts down studios, including Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin (44:10) https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-closes-redfall-developer-arkane-austin-hifi-rush-developer-tango-gameworks-and-more-in-devastating-cuts-at-bethesda A drunk Microsoft rep forgot to make th...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Your robo-friend to the end. Games we played this week include: Stellar Blade (11:00) Hades II (18:25) Harold Halibut (25:45) Fallout (30:20) Vampire Survivors (37:10) Kaichu (40:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Square Enix abandoning projects they’ve spent a lot of money on (43:30) https://www.eurogamer.net/square-enix-abandons-112m-of-in-development-projects-in-an-effort-to-improve-quality Escape from Tarkov devs surprised by response to locking PvE mode to exorbitant special ...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Wistful remembrances of days gone by. Games we played this week include: Another Crab’s Treasure (5:50) Slime 3K (28:55) Stellar Blade (40:35) Harold Halibut (51:40) Fallout (57:55) Balatro (1:04:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: ReedPop consolidating UK events EGX and MCM (1:07:35) https://www.eurogamer.net/egx-and-mcm-team-up-for-london-2024-dates Nintendo reportedly would have let Samus be in Fortnite, but only for Switch players (54:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/samus-skipped...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 29 min
A saga continues. Games we played this week include: Fallout TV series (8:55) Horrified (29:10) Princess Peach Showtime (36:00) Rose and Camillia (37:50) Balatro (43:15) --- News things talked about in this episode: Apex Legends tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia (48:15) https://www.eurogamer.net/apex-legends-wont-censor-game-for-saudi-arabia-esports-tournament-respawn-says Final Fantasy VII Rebirth menu rephrased after many gameplay hours lost (54:15) https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fanta...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Blitzball? We prefer Miyazaki's Balls.
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Anyone who says otherwise is probably an even bigger criminal. Games we played this week include: Botany Manor (9:25) Little Big Adventure (17:45) Virtual Springfield (20:20) Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (31:40) Final Fantasy X (47:10) --- News things talked about in this episode: Management at Life is Strange developer Deck Nine seems pretty awful (49:10) https://www.ign.com/articles/how-hidden-nazi-symbols-were-the-tip-of-a-toxic-iceberg-at-life-is-strange-developer-deck-nine Roblox studio chi...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 20 min
It is what it is, pal. Games we played this week include: Content Warning (11:00) MiG Switch (17:50) Rise of the Ronin (27:50) Islets (35:40) Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth (43:30) Pepper Grinder (54:50) Final Fantasy X (1:00:05) --- News things talked about in this episode: ESRB claims software designed to age verify isn’t intended to be used by children (1:01:35) https://www.eurogamer.net/us-government-blocks-age-estimation-technology-that-would-have-analysed-faces After massive sell-offs, Embrace...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Breathe it in. Games we played this week include: Princess Peach Showtime (6:30) Rise of the Ronin (23:10) Darkwood (34:40) Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line (43:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: First Neuralink patient, upon release, immediately pulls Civ 6 all-nighter (47:10) https://www.ign.com/articles/first-human-patient-to-receive-a-neuralink-brain-implant-used-it-to-stay-up-all-night-playing-civilization-6 $400k worth of PlayDate handhelds misdelivered and stolen (54:10) https:/...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Like you’ve never thought about it. Games we played this week include: Balatro (3:20) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (10:35) The Veil: Shadow of the Crown (25:12) The Thaumaturge (29:20) Contra: Operation Galuga (29:55) Alone in the Dark (41:35) --- News things talked about in this episode: Ubisoft’s AI NPC dialogue generator is pitiful (49:00) https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-boss-generative-ai-is-just-another-new-technology-to-be-tested PS5 Pro confirmed by leak from third-party developer (53:10) ...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min
What a lovely surprise. Games we played this week include: Balatro (5:15) Pullfrog (13:40) Mars After Midnight (15:05) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (18:50) The Thaumaturge (31:15) Princess Peach Showtime (48:40) Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley (51:25) Rise of the Ronin (54:40) --- News things talked about in this episode: SAG-AFTRA’s video game voice actors might be next to strike over AI (1:01:30) https://variety.com/2024/gaming/news/ai-duncan-crabtree-ireland-sxsw-1235936090/ Bobby Kotick can’t s...
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Yeah, that’s right. We said it. What do you intend to do? Games we played this week include: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (4:30) Supermarket Simulator (33:00) The Outlast Trials (41:05) Warhammer 40k: Boltgun (51:10) --- News things talked about in this episode: Warner Bros. continues to learn the wrong lessons about live services (42:05) https://www.gamespot.com/articles/warner-bros-discusses-volatile-aaa-console-games-will-lean-into-free-to-play-and-mobile/1100-6521597/ Yuzu and Citra emulators q...
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 24 min
It’s a lovely day for a drive. Games we played this week include: Pacific Drive (8:00) Geometry Survivor (30:00) Pocket Card Jockey Ride On (33:20) Pepper Grinder (37:30) Penny’s Big Breakout (38:45) --- News things talked about in this episode: WWE 2K24 seems to be dropping a couple of significant wrestlers (42:05) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/wwe-2k24s-confirmed-final-roster-seemingly-removes-vince-mcmahon-and-brock-lesnar/ Nintendo sues developer of Yuzu emulator (49:05) https://w...
Feb 29, 2024•59 min
We welcome it. Games we played this week include: Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore (6:35) Helldivers 2 (16:15) Destroy All Humans 2 Reprobed (21:05) Cookie Cutter (25:00) Heartworm (31:15) Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (34:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: MS really bungled their cross-platform announcement (46:45) https://www.techdirt.com/2024/02/20/xboxs-business-update-event-attempts-to-address-rumors-vaguely/ Embracer-owned Flying Wild Hog joins with Polish Gamedev Workers Union...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min
The bar has been raised yet again. Games we played this week include: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (10:50) Helldivers 2 (16:30) Mouthwashing (31:10) Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (34:25) Final Fantasy Rebirth (40:45) Destroy All Humans 2 Reprobed (47:15) Hardcoded (49:20) --- News things talked about in this episode: MS to address rumors around console exclusivity (56:10) https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/12/24070445/microsoft-xbox-business-update-event-future-february-15 French worker unions cal...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr 12 min
A crisis averted. Games we played this week include: Silent Hill: The Short Message (7:15) Yakuza: Like a Dragon (27:30) Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (37:25) Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (39:03) --- News things talked about in this episode: Rumors swirl around possible changes to Xbox first-party exclusivity (53:20) https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-microsoft-rethinking-exclusivity-plans-to-bring-starfield-and-indiana-jones-to-ps5 Development of The Day Before was alleged...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 10 min
We’re just not qualified. Games we played this week include: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (10:30) Metroid Dread (26:50) Granblue Fantasy Relink (32:50) Interaction Isn’t Explicit (35:30) Go Mecha Ball (40:30) Celeste 64 (51:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Microsoft lays off 8% of its game division despite 49% revenue increase in Q2 (59:05) https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/25/24049050/microsoft-activision-blizzard-layoffs Eidos Montreal staff laid off, previously unannounced De...
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 15 min
What a terrible strain. Games we played this week include: Piñata Smashlings (5:35) Turnip Boy Robs a Bank (16:15) Last of Us Part II Remastered (28:15) Palworld (33:35) Home Safety Hotline (48:05) Luck Be a Landlord (53:30) --- News things talked about in this episode: MiG Switch flash cart could lead to bans for second-hand game buyers (59:05) Rockstar and Remedy logo thing got settled late last year (1:05:05) https://www.eurogamer.net/take-two-and-remedy-in-trademark-dispute-over-r-logo Devel...
Jan 25, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Sounds like a cozy spot, doesn’t it? Games we played this week include: Luck be a Landlord (4:25) The Super Mario Bros. Movie (17:20) Last of Us Part II Remastered (24:30) The Gnorp Apologue (33:15) Legend of Grimrock (39:25) Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (39:25) The Shopping List (49:40) The Witcher 3 (51:20) Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (51:55) Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (53:40) --- News things talked about in this episode: UK retailer GAME ends trade-ins because locations ...
Jan 18, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Just because you’re miserable doesn’t mean we all should be. Games we played this week include: God of War: Ragnarok (7:45) Luck be a Landlord (15:50) Grand Theft Auto V (22:25) Lies of P (23:15) Buckshot Roulette (26:40) Pokémon (30:10) Orc Massage (33:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Another round of layoffs hits Unity, Twitch, and Bossa Studios (43:30) https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/8/24030695/unity-layoff-staff-25-percent https://blog.twitch.tv/en/2024/01/10/a-difficult-upd...
Jan 11, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Let the accusations commence!
Jan 10, 2024•49 min
The future is inevitable. Games we played this week include: Tekken 8 (23:35) Grand Theft Auto V (26:50) Midnight Suns (40:55) --- News things talked about in this episode: Switch flash cartridge announced, internet immediately links Gary Bowser to it (14:55) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/jailed-nintendo-hacker-gary-bowser-denies-link-to-new-switch-flash-cart/ Square Enix will commit even harder to AI in 2024 (47:10) https://kotaku.com/square-enix-president-artificial-intelligence-ai-...
Jan 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Oh, yeah, that thing is about to happen isn’t it? Games we played this week include: Vampire Survivors (18:35) Midnight Suns (19:40) Grand Theft Auto V (25:24) Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (33:25) Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising (41:15) Diceheart (53:20) Slay the Princess (1:00:00) --- News things talked about in this episode: Ransomware group releases trove of material stolen from Insomniac Games (1:07:15) https://www.cyberdaily.au/culture/9959-snikt-rhysida-dumps-more-than-a-terabyte-of-insomniac-gam...
Dec 21, 2023•1 hr 32 min
Back to the drawing board. Games we played this week include: Vampire Survivors (18:35) Grand Theft Auto V (26:40) Thirsty Suitors (33:55) Persona 5 Tactica (39:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: E3 officially pronounced dead after years on life support (41:15) https://kotaku.com/is-e3-dead-2023-canceled-esa-1851092261 Zelda producer thinks older style Zelda games are worthless garbage now (49:10) https://www.ign.com/articles/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-interview-nintendo-eiji-aonu...
Dec 14, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Talk to your doctor. Games we played this week include: In Stars and Time (11:20) While the Iron’s Hot (26:25) PS Access Controller (36:10) Gangs of Sherwood (45:05) Pinball M (1:04:15) --- News things talked about in this episode: Layoffs at New World Interactive and Codemasters (1:12:40) https://www.pcgamer.com/the-embracer-spiral-continues-as-insurgency-sandstorm-studio-new-world-interactive-lays-off-employees/ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/f1-developer-codemasters-affected-by-layoffs Electro...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 20 min
A spooky mystery slides in through the back door.
Dec 06, 2023•51 min
Such pain. Games we played this week include: In Stars and Time (16:00) Loop Hero (27:25) Dave the Diver (31:00) Knuckle Sandwich (42:00) Lonovo Legion Go (49:50) Yakuza 0 (53:05) Deadly Premonition (54:50) Laika Aged Through Blood (1:07:50) --- News things talked about in this episode: Layoffs at Unity, Free Radical and Fishlabs (1:12:40) https://www.polygon.com/23980876/unity-layoffs-weta-digital https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/embracer-ceo-confirms-timesplitters-studio-faces-closure-...
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr 29 min
We get the job done. Games we played this week include: PS Portal (5:40) Liyla and the Shadows of War (13:40) Karmazoo (17:05) An Arcade Full of Cats (23:40) FlipWitch: The Forbidden Sex Hex (25:55) AMC’s The Walking Dead: Destinies (34:45) Quantum Break (49:00) Dave the Diver (59:25) --- News things talked about in this episode: Sexual bias case against Niantic moving forward (1:07:00) https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/22/23972339/niantic-sexual-discrimination-lawsuit-gender-bias-arbitration Epi...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 32 min
It would take so little to change the tone. Games we played this week include: Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (9:55) Karmazoo (18:40) Alien Hominid Invasion (36:10) Backpack Hero (45:55) Bladestorm (51:05) --- News things talked about in this episode: Call of Duty Modern Warfare III only given 16 months dev time (1:02:05) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-09/cod-modern-warfare-3-faces-bad-reviews-after-rushed-development Strauss Zelnick said a bunch of troubling ...
Nov 16, 2023•1 hr 43 min