Gamers Week Podcast

Gamers Week Podcast

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Video games are fun. Video game news should be, too. Join Blue, Ryan, and Donnie as we analyze the week's best, worst, and weirdest gaming headlines. New episodes every Friday!

Episode 154 - WB Cancels Wonder Woman Game

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Warner Bros. has announced that it is shutting down three studios and that development of the Wonder Woman game “will not move forward.”--> Twitch has announced plans to implement a 100-hour storage limit for all highlights and uploads for all users.--> The Street Fighter movie has found its director in Kitao Sakurai, perhaps best known for writing, directing, and exec producing The Eric Andre Show.--> There was an official Dodge Caliber video game, and it’s w

Feb 28, • 1:19:15

Episode 153 - "Wokeness" Killed GameStop, Whines CEO

Send us a textIn this episode...--> GameStop announced Tuesday that it plans to sell its operations in France and Canada, and the company's CEO is pointing a finger at the “wokeness” of the two countries. --> A little over two months after its hugely successful launch, the US-based developers behind Marvel Rivals, including its game director, have reportedly been hit with layoffs.--> Microsoft has debuted a generative AI model, named Muse, that it says can create “game visuals, controller action

Feb 21, • 1:14:12

Episode 152 - PlayStation State of Play February 2025

Send us a textIn this episode...--> A brand-new State of Play arrived this week, giving us an exciting look at the future of PS5 with a ton of games, including Saros, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Directive 8020, and more.--> The Entertainment Software Association, the trade group that represents the video games industry, is making a new conference after the collapse of E3.--> The good news out of Warner Bros. Games is that Rocksteady Studios is looking to make a new single player Batman game. The

Feb 14, • 1:14:17

Episode 151 - WB's MultiVersus Is The Latest Nail In The Live Service Coffin

Send us a textIn this episode...--> MultiVersus, the Warner Bros. IP platform fighter from Player First Games, is coming to an end on May 30.--> Meta chief technology officer Andrew "Boz" Bosworth said in an internal memo that the company's Reality Labs division needs to turn things around in a big way in 2025, or else its whole venture into mixed and virtual reality could go down as a "legendary misadventure."--> Steam now warns you if that early access game you're eyeing up has been abandoned

Feb 7, • 1:17:59

Episode 150 - The "Evolving" Identity of Xbox

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Xbox boss Phil Spencer has said its brand identity is "evolving" now that keeping first-party games exclusive to its own platform is no longer "a path" for the company. --> PlayStation Studios boss Hermen Hulst appears to have gotten a slight demotion as he is no longer the co-CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment.--> Tickets for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Experience hands-on event are being listed on eBay, even though the tickets are non-transferrable.-->

Jan 31, • 1:14:54

Episode 149 - The Dumpster Fire of Sony's Live Service Ambitions

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Following the spectacular flameout of Concord in September 2024, Sony has now confirmed the cancelation of two more of its planned live-service games.  --> Arrowhead boss Shams Jorjani wants to get as many A-listers as possible for the Helldivers 2 film “as long as they all get killed violently.”--> Balatro has passed 5 million copies sold as the developer implores fans to play more indie games.--> Director and writer David Lynch, known for his surreal work ac

Jan 24, • 1:08:58

Episode 148 - Nintendo Officially Reveals Switch 2

Send us a textIn this episode...--> FINALLY! Nintendo officially revealed the Switch 2 in a brief trailer on January 16.  --> Veteran investment analyst and researcher Matthew Ball said "there is hope" that Take-Two will price GTA 6 at "$80 or even $100," which could prove to be a turning point for the video game industry.--> Razer has released a backseat gaming AI bot called Project AVA.--> A group of designers have created a video game controller that is made from bacteria and yeast rather tha

Jan 17, • 1:22:21

Episode 147 - Grand Theft Auto 6 Will Be Game Of The Year (And Other 2025 Gaming Predictions)

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Sony has unveiled its new conceptual technology designed to ramp up immersion by sticking players inside a TV box and squirting smells into the room.--> During Sony's CES 2025 press conference, the company announced film adaptations of both Helldivers 2 and Horizon Zero Dawn, while Ghost of Tsushima: Legends is becoming an anime.--> Nintendo Switch players are reporting their new games have been replaced with… googly eyes.--> Gaming industry predictions for 20

Jan 10, • 1:09:45

Episode 146 - The Best And Worst Video Games Of 2024

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Sega is considering launching its own Netflix-like subscription service for video games.--> Take-Two Interactive still hasn't revealed the GTA 6 release date, and other publishers are reportedly refusing to commit to 2025 until they know they can avoid it.--> Grand Theft Hamlet (a machinima movie that takes place entirely within the world of Grand Theft Auto) will stream globally on MUBI in early 2025.--> Reviewing 2024's best and worst video game releases-->

Jan 3, • 1:20:35

Episode 145 - The Gamers Week Heartwarming Holiday Special

Send us a textFor the last episode of 2024, we're going all out! Join us as we meet Santa Clause at the North Pole and help him remember the true meaning of the Naughty List. **NSFW WARNING**We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40- Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.comHosts: wr

Dec 27, 2024 • 40:29

Episode 144 - The 10 Biggest Video Game News Stories of 2024

Send us a textIn this episode...--> 2024 has almost gone, taking with it the year's major storylines, game releases, and trends. We're looking back at the year that was and remembering the biggest gaming headlines of 2024.--> Balatro's creator is speaking out against European rating agency PEGI after it handed the game an 18+ rating because it could teach players how to dabble in real-world poker.--> The Borderlands 4 narrative director doesn't want skibidi or hawk tuah jokes in the game.--> The

Dec 20, 2024 • 1:17:27

Episode 143 - Astro Bot Wins Game Of The Year 2024

Send us a textIn this episode...--> The 2024 Game Awards have concluded, bringing with them a new list of winners -- including this year's GOTY Astro Bot. --> A new article from NBC News about Luigi Mangione (the suspect in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson) points the finger at Among Us as a possible influence to Mangione's actions.--> Microsoft’s portfolio is now "quite a bit stronger" than Sony’s, says analyst, thanks to the Dec. 9 launch of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Dec 13, 2024 • 1:27:10

Episode 142 - The Game Awards 2024 Nominees & Predictions

Send us a textIn this episode...--> The 2024 Game Awards nominees were announced this week, with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Astro Bot leading the way with seven nominations each. We pick our predictions for which games will walk away with the trophy.--> Sony could soon be acquiring FromSoftware's parent company, Kadokawa Corporation, according to a report by Reuters. --> Topgolf Sonic the Hedgehog, originally announced in the latest Sonic Central showcase, is now playable at Topgolf venues acro

Nov 22, 2024 • 1:17:43

Episode 141 - Nintendo Is "Bullying" Palworld, Says Analyst

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Palworld developer Pocketpair has shared more details from the lawsuit it faces from both Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, and patent analyst Florian Mueller is describing Nintendo's actions as "a clear case of bullying."--> Sony president Hiroki Totoki has acknowledged that the company's plan to push PlayStation Network account linking on PC gamers can "invite pushback," but the company is sticking to its guns.--> With a month to go before Indiana Jones and

Nov 15, 2024 • 1:06:58

Episode 140 - Switch 2 Will Be Backwards Compatible, Confirms Nintendo

Send us a textIn this episode...--> The "Switch 2" will be backwards compatible according to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa, who confirmed the news during the latest corporate management policy briefing.--> Steam says it's now requiring developers to fill out a disclaimer letting players know their games have kernel-level anti-cheat tools embedded into them. --> Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket launched on October 30, and it's already on pace to make $1 billion in its first year.--> A Virg

Nov 8, 2024 • 1:08:05

Episode 139 - Sony's $200 Million Failure: Concord Studio Firewalk Closes For Good

Send us a textIn this episode...--> While a new report claims that Concord's initial development deal was around $200 million, Sony has announced it is shutting down Concord developer Firewalk Studios.--> Following a damning report that called Roblox an "X-rated pedophile hellscape," Roblox Corporation has announced changes to its child-safety policies that will impact the way pre-teen users can interact with its popular gaming platform.  --> A terminally ill Borderlands fan has asked if there's

Nov 1, 2024 • 1:24:42

Episode 138 - Netflix Says Never Mind To Being A Triple-A Game Developer

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Two years after unveiling Team Blue, a new AAA studio aimed at building “the next big thing in gaming,” Netflix has closed it down without the studio having ever released a game.--> In a shocking turn of events which absolutely no one saw coming, information on Nintendo's upcoming Switch Online Playtest Program has leaked to the internet.--> According to a new report from Bloomberg, Bandai Namco is sending workers to “expulsion rooms” in an effort to make them

Oct 25, 2024 • 1:13:34

Episode 137 - No $1 Game Pass Trial For Black Ops 6, Says Microsoft

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Microsoft has yoinked its $1 Xbox Game Pass trial ahead of the release of the new Call of Duty, just like it did before Starfield came out.--> Retro console manufacturer Analogue will open pre-orders for the Analogue 3D, its Nintendo 64 “reimagining” next week.--> The next James Bond game will focus on a "young" Bond as it aims to launch a new trilogy.--> The new #1 game on the Epic Store (or is it?) is Off the Grid, a web3/crypto-based battle royale set in a

Oct 18, 2024 • 1:15:23

Episode 136 - New Report Claims Roblox Really Is Dangerous For Kids

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Ubisoft has acknowledged the validity of a report by Bloomberg claiming that the company is considering leaving the world of public trading to seek shelter and stability under Tencent, the Chinese conglomerate.--> A damning new report has dubbed Roblox an "X-rated pedophile hellscape" and includes documented examples of graphic adult content aimed at under-13 users.--> Universal and Sega announced Tuesday that they're developing a film adaptation of the hack-a

Oct 11, 2024 • 1:05:15

Episode 135 - Valve Says Sue Me: Steam Drops Forced Arbitration Clause

Send us a textIn this episode...--> California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2426, a new law that requires digital marketplaces to make clearer to customers when they are only purchasing a license to access media.--> Steam just removed its forced arbitration policy, opening the door for lawsuits against its parent company, Valve.--> The next generation of Xbox consoles reportedly could include both a console and a handheld.--> A video game based on The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be ava

Oct 4, 2024 • 1:06:17

Episode 134 - Nintendo And The Pokémon Company FINALLY File Lawsuit Against The Makers Of Palworld

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair, makers of Palworld, eight months after the game's release.--> Tony Hawk has been "talking to Activision again" ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Pro Skater series and promises that "we're working on something."--> Italian police have seized a haul of counterfeit retro game consoles worth almost €50m ($55.5m).--> When Concord when offline for good, a very nice 69 pl

Sep 20, 2024 • 1:10:32

Episode 133 - Sony Announces $700 PS5 Pro

Send us a textIn this episode...--> After years of rumors, Sony officially announced the PlayStation 5 Pro at a price of $699, and internet reaction has been both swift and merciless. --> Roblox CEO and co-founder David Baszucki wants one billion daily active users and 10% of all gaming content revenue worldwide to flow within Roblox.--> Band member and co-songwriter of Heaven 17, Martyn Ware, has told Rockstar to "go f*** yourself" after being offered $7500 to include their 1983 hit, Temptation

Sep 13, 2024 • 1:23:06

Episode 132 - Sony Shuts Down Concord After Two Weeks

Send us a textIn this episode...--> PlayStation hero shooter Concord (which reportedly spent eight years in development) will be taken offline on September 6, 2024, a mere two weeks after its release.--> The first trailer for A Minecraft Movie released today, finally giving us a look at Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures visions for the film.--> Ubisoft's share price has fallen 12.6% since Outlaws released on August 27, and it now sits at a ten year low.--> Uwe Boll's $2.5 million Post

Sep 6, 2024 • 1:08:00

Episode 131 - A Conversation With Peanut Butter, The Video Game-Playing Dog (And His Human, JSR)

Send us a textIn this episode...--> We're joined by streamer and speedrunner JSR to talk games, collecting, and mostly about Peanut Butter, his shiba inu that gained fame for doing a charity  speedrun of Gyromite at AGDQ 2024.--> The head of Amazon Games says bringing artificial intelligence into game development is a good idea because games “don't really have acting" anyways.--> Concord, PlayStation’s new 5v5 PVP first person hero shooter that released last week, has lau

Aug 30, 2024 • 1:19:08

Episode 130 - Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024

Send us a textIn this episode...--> We're discussing all the biggest trailers and announcements from Gamescom Opening Night Live, including Borderlands 4, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Sid Meier’s Civilization 7, and more.--> A new censorship controversy has embroiled Black Myth Wukong just ahead of its release, sparked by a guidelines doc that prohibits streamers from mentioning an absurd list of topics, such a "feminist propaganda" and COVID-19.--> Jackbox's

Aug 23, 2024 • 1:13:12

Episode 129 - Borderlands' Movie Reviews Did Matter After All

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> The Borderlands movie adaptation bombed during its opening weekend, bringing in only $8.8 million against a budget of $115 million with another $30 million in marketing and distribution.--> Sega has revealed its Gamescom 2024 line-up, which will include a previously unannounced game.--> Pre-owned copies of Activision’s 2013 Deadpool game are being listed online for nearly $50,000.--> A video game collector from Saudi Arabia has set a Guinness World Re

Aug 16, 2024 • 1:00:07

Episode 128 - Borderlands' Movie Reviews Are A "Disaster," But Will That Even Matter?

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> Early reviews of the Borderlands movie are calling the live-action film adaptation of Gearbox's looter-shooter everything from a "huge misfire" to a "disaster" to a "lifeless, unfunny, and visually repulsive dud."--> Palworld's profits are so massive that its devs' next game could "go beyond AAA," but the company’s CEO doesn't want to wield "such an enormous budget."--> Bungie was reportedly going to pull the trigger on layoffs regardless of The Final

Aug 9, 2024 • 1:08:09

Episode 127 - Is Twitch A Zombie Brand?

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> According to a new report in the Wall Street Journal, insiders worry that Twitch might become a "zombie brand," or an acquisition that's sidelined because it's underperforming, at Amazon.--> In yet another bloodbath during a terrible two years for the games industry, Bungie has announced that it's laying off 220 people—roughly 17% of its workforce.--> Whoopi Goldberg was pissed off at Blizzard because Diablo 4 can't be played on Mac. One year later, B

Aug 2, 2024 • 1:11:36

Episode 126 - FTC Still Beating The Dead Horse Of Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Acquisition

Send us a textIn this episode...--> The FTC has made a filing in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that slams the new Xbox Game Pass standard tier as a "degraded product."--> After two seasons, Paramount+ has canceled its live action Halo series.--> Your protagonist in Dragon Age: The Veilguard can be voiced by Baldur's Gate 3's sex noise specialist.--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, VIP!We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check ou

Jul 26, 2024 • 59:43

Episode 125 - Deadpool's Butt Is Now An Xbox Controller

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> Microsoft has revealed a Deadpool and Wolverine–inspired controller that’s business in the front, party in the back.--> Sega has announced that it has taken legal action against an individual committing consistent harassment against one of its employees.--> Nintendo's mysterious Emio teaser isn't a full-blown horror game after all, but the first new Famicom Detective Club game in 35 years.--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Nostalgia 101!We love our sponsor

Jul 19, 2024 • 1:07:22

Episode 124 - Microsoft Raises Price of Xbox Game Pass...Again

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> Microsoft is raising the price of Xbox Game Pass and introducing a new subscription tier that does not include day-one releases--> Nintendo drops 20-second teaser for Emio, possibly the company's first ever M-rated horror game--> Danny Trejo has revealed his all-time favorite video game, and it's probably not what you think--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Retro Rewind!We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro

Jul 12, 2024 • 1:11:20

Episode 123 - Was The PS3/Xbox 360 Generation The Peak Of Gaming?

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> Video games peaked in the Xbox 360 era and it was all downhill from there--> Tomb Raider's Lara Croft is the newest survivor joining the Dead by Daylight roster--> Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has fallen to a "mixed" Steam rating as PC players complain about the DLC’s brutal difficulty--> Also: Quick-takes, Top 3 New Releases, Nostalgia 101!We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check o

Jun 28, 2024 • 1:08:46

Episode 122 - Nintendo Direct June 2024

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> Nintendo Direct June 2024: All The Biggest Announcements, including Mario and Luigi: Brothership, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Metroid Prime 4--> Also: Quick-takes, Top 3 New Releases, Gaming History 101!We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40

Jun 21, 2024 • 1:11:44

Episode 121 - Summer Game Fest And Xbox Games Showcase 2024

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Summer Game Fest 2024: All The Biggest Announcements--> Xbox Games Showcase and Black Ops 6 Direct June 2024--> Also: Quick-takes, Top 3 New Releases, VIP!Want MOAR GamerGorlGabs??- twitch.tv/gamergorlgabs- twitter.com/gamergorlgabsWe love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerl

Jun 14, 2024 • 1:01:28

Episode 120 - PlayStation State of Play June 2024

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> The biggest announcements from PlayStation’s summer State of Play, including Silent Hill 2 Remake, Astro Bot, Concord, Marvel Rivals, and more--> Also: Quick-takes, Top 3 New Releases, Retro Rewind!Want MOAR Brian and Drink A Beer & Play A Game??- linktr.ee/DBPGWe love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Visit

Jun 7, 2024 • 1:20:56

Episode 119 - Helldivers 2 Director Says Be Kind, Don't Nickel And Dime

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> PlayStation Exec Believes Game Developers Will Prioritize "Immersive Narratives" Over Ever-Improving Graphics In Future--> Helldivers 2 director believes "live service is a good thing" for the industry, but only if games don't "nickel and dime" for skins after charging $70 upfront--> Also: Quick-takes, Top 3 New Releases, Superman 64's 25th anniversary!Want MOAR Trevor and New Dad Gaming??- linktr.ee/Ne

May 31, 2024 • 1:23:42

Episode 118 - Nintendo Buys Shiver Entertainment, Wants More Switch Ports Like Mortal Kombat 1

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> Nintendo agrees to deal to buy Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat Switch studio--> Microsoft opens new game studio under Activision after shutting down 3 last week--> Also: Quick-takes, Top 3 New Releases, VIP!We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Visit A Gamer Looks At 40 at linktr.ee/agamerlooksat40Hosts: wr

May 24, 2024 • 1:11:09

Episode 117 - "Square Enix Reboots, And Awakens" As Profits Drop 70%

Send us a Text Message.In this episode...--> Square Enix embarking on "aggressive multiplatform strategy" as profits drop 70%--> EA Considering In-Game Advertising, But Will Take "Thoughtful" Approach--> The season of game company gaffes continues with NetEase apologizing for a Marvel Rivals preview contract that asked streamers not to make 'subjective negative reviews of the gameWe love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the R

May 17, 2024 • 1:04:15

Episode 116 - Sony's Helldiver 2 PSN Fiasco vs Xbox's Hi-Fi RUSH Studio Closure

Send us a textGamers Week is back from hiatus, and what a wonderful time to return! Sony and Xbox seem to be duking it out this week to see which one can make the most baffling, business-killing decision. First it was Sony's surprise requirement that Helldivers 2 would require a PSN account to play on Steam (a decision it quickly walked back due to player outrage). Next it was Xbox's mystifying announcement that it's closing a handful of studios, including Tango Gameworks (makers

May 10, 2024 • 1:07:19

Episode 115 - Keep It or Kill It: Video Game Hall of Fame Edition

Send us a Text Message.The 2024 finalists for the Strong Museum's Video Game Hall of Fame have been announced, highlighting another selection of influential titles from across multiple eras. This week, we're taking a break from the doom and gloom of recent video game headlines to play Keep It or Kill It with the 40 games that have been voted into the Hall of Fame since inductions began in 2015.We'll also be talking about how Sony has stopped producing PSVR2 amid a “surplus” of uns

Mar 22, 2024 • 1:21:06

Episode 114 - Super Mario Bros. Movie Sequel Announced

Send us a Text Message.Shockingly, Nintendo has decided that it likes having a $1.3 billion grossing movie and would like another. On Mar10 Day, Shigeru Miyamoto graced the internet with the announcement that the company is hard at work on a sequel to the wildly successful Super Mario Bros. movie. But that wasn't the only news we got last week about video game film adaptations, and we're joined by Ben Magnet of the Basement Arcade Pause Menu Podcast to look at a roundup of movie headli

Mar 15, 2024 • 1:18:14

Episode 113 - Are We On The Brink Of Another Video Game Crash?

Send us a Text Message.For the last several months, it seems like video game news has been little more than a layoff-of-the-week carousel. With a fairly bleak release schedule ahead, upcoming projects getting canceled left and right, and the industry as a whole barely recognizable from the pandemic booms just a few years ago, it's worth asking... are we on the brink of another video game crash? Spoiler: No, but we discuss the reasons it seems that way and what we think may be happening inst

Mar 8, 2024 • 1:18:45

Episode 112 - Sony Lays Off 900 PlayStation Employees

Send us a Text Message.Lay Off Fest 2K24 continues as Sony announced on Tuesday it will be laying off 8% of PlayStation employees around the world, or 900 people. The layoffs will affect even major PlayStation studios (such as Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Guerilla Games, etc.) that are home to some of the company's most successful IP, like The Last of Us, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Horizon Zero Dawn, and more. We're joined by SanityCrypto of It's Virtually A Podcast to di

Mar 1, 2024 • 1:14:29

Episode 111 - Xbox, PlayStation, And The Console War Blahs

Send us a Text Message.With PlayStation's recent announcement that it won't have any new entries in its major first party IP this year and Xbox's big "business update" being little more than a meeting that should have been an email, it's time to admit it -- the console wars just aren't what they used to be. In fact, it seems like both Sony and Microsoft have different ambitions altogether. We're joined by RedAuxPDX and Ducks in Disguise of Pixel Pond produ

Feb 23, 2024 • 1:27:28

Episode 110 - Immortals of Aveum: EA's $125 Million "Truly Awful Idea"

Send us a Text Message.A new report is shedding light on just how much EA invested in its single-player FPS Immortals of Aveum, which received mixed reviews and was deemed a financial flop, resulting in about 45% of the studio's workforce being laid off shortly after release. The studio's CEO blames the packed release schedule of 2023 that put Immortals of Aveum up against behemoths like Diablo 4, Tears of the Kingdom, and Baldur's Gate 3. But developers who actually worked on the

Feb 16, 2024 • 1:25:05

Episode 109 - Is Microsoft Bringing Xbox Exclusives To Sony's PlayStation?

Send us a Text Message.Rumors have been in circulation for weeks that Microsoft might publish some of its exclusive games on competing consoles. Microsoft has neither publicly confirmed nor denied the report, but on Monday, Xbox boss Phil Spencer posted on X, “We're listening and we hear you. We've been planning a business update event for next week, where we look forward to sharing more details with you about our vision for the future of Xbox. Stay tuned.” As the internet predictably

Feb 9, 2024 • 1:21:19

Episode 108 - PlayStation State Of Play January 2024

Send us a Text Message.Sony's first State of Play of 2024 brought over 40 minutes of updates on more than 15 games coming to PlayStation consoles, including Rise of The Ronin, Stellar Blade, Death Stranding 2, Sonic x Shadow Generations, and more. We discuss all the biggest announcements from the showcase, including our favorites and... not so favorites.We'll also be talking about how Microsoft’s Xbox brand is now reporting record growth following last week's mass layoffs, how sea

Feb 2, 2024 • 1:15:49

Episode 107 - Could Palworld Become 2024's Biggest Game?

Send us a Text Message.Palworld, the game that's accurately been described as “Pokémon with guns” has been a punchline since its announcement in 2021. However, within three days of its January 18th release, it sold 5 million copies and became the #1 game on Twitch. With its derivative yet winning formula and plagiarized-ish art style, could this little game from an unknown Japanese indie studio become the superhit of the year?We'll also be discussing how Microsoft is once again being c

Jan 26, 2024 • 1:16:54

Episode 106 - Ubisoft Says Gamers Need To Get Used To Not Owning Games

Send us a textJust in time for the rebranding of its subscription service to Ubisoft+ and the release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Ubisoft has found another way to make sure its name is at the forefront of gamers' minds this month. Philippe Tremblay, director of subscriptions at Ubisoft, has stated "gamers are used to...having and owning their games. That's the consumer shift that needs to happen." But does it though? We discuss this claim and whether there's any

Jan 19, 2024 • 1:12:20

Episode 105 - CES 2024 Headlines

Send us a Text Message.CES, “the most powerful tech event in the world,” kicked off its 2024 event in Las Vegas on January 9th. While CES bills itself as “the only trade show that showcases the entire tech landscape at one event,” the gaming industry has already been getting its fair share of headlines. So for our main topic this week, we’re looking at a roundup of CES 2024 news, including how SAG-AFTRA has pulled a 180 and approved AI voice acting for video games, the newly announced MSI Claw,

Jan 12, 2024 • 1:16:35

Episode 104 - Star Wars Outlaws Will Be Game Of The Year (And Other 2024 Gaming Predictions)

Send us a textOnce again, it's prediction time! As is tradition, we look at predictions from industry analysts for the coming year and review how well they guessed last year. Then it's our turn to grade our 2023 predictions before gazing into the crystal ball and making our own forecasts for 2024.We'll also be discussing the shocking revelation that a 13 year-old has "beaten" Tetris, how Square Enix's new years resolution is to become "aggressive in applying AI

Jan 5, 2024 • 1:15:30

Episode 103 - The Best And Worst Video Games Of 2023

Send us a Text Message.2023 was a blockbuster year for video games, the likes of which we'll probably not see again any time soon. So before we flip the calendar to 2024, let's take a moment to remember the best of the best of an absolutely epic year of new titles.We'll also be discussing how China is in damage-control mode after its crackdown on video games sparked an $80 billion market meltdown, how researchers in Germany recently published a study that found video games may be

Dec 29, 2023 • 1:14:22

Episode 102 - The 10 Biggest Video Game News Stories of 2023

Send us a textThe year is coming to a close, and what a year it's been for video game news! We're joined by Patrick Brickhouse of the Retro Blast Podcast to remember the biggest gaming headlines of 2023, as well as discuss where we hope the industry goes from here.We'll also be talking about how the Insomniac hackers have made good on their threat  to release confidential data (revealing big plans about upcoming Marvel games like Wolverine, Venom, X-Men, and more), how Bobby Kotic

Dec 22, 2023 • 1:21:14

Episode 101 - Remembering E3

Send us a textThe Electronics Entertainment Expo was finally taken off life support earlier this week, its epitaph being a brief statement reading, “After more than two decades of E3, each one bigger than the last, the time has come to say goodbye. Thanks for the memories.” It was a long time coming. Although no one who has been paying any attention can say they're surprised by this news, for gamers of the '90s and '00s, it still hits hard. We discuss the death of E3, what could h

Dec 15, 2023 • 1:19:37

Episode 100 - Baldur's Gate 3 Wins Game Of The Year 2023

Send us a textThe Game Awards celebrated the technical and artistic achievements of the video game industry on Thursday night, ending with the naming of the role-playing adventure Baldur’s Gate 3 as game of the year. The awards show in Los Angeles also served as one long commercial for upcoming games, including a new look at Jurassic Park, OD (the a new horror title from Hideo Kojima), Rise of the Ronin, and Light No Fire (the new game from No Man's Sky developer Hello Games). We discuss th

Dec 8, 2023 • 1:19:24

Episode 99 - Shocking Prediction: The Future Holds More Video Game Adaptations

Send us a Text Message.You may want to sit down for this one. Consulting firm Deloitte predicted this week that the  landscape of storytelling is undergoing a monumental shift, and the convergence of film, TV, and video games is reshaping entertainment, blurring the boundaries between cinematic and game world universes. In other words, the future holds more video game adaptations for TV and film -- which is pretty obvious to anyone who paid even a glancing look towards pop culture in 2023. We di

Dec 1, 2023 • 1:17:53

Episode 98 - The Game Awards 2023 Nominees & Predictions

Send us a Text Message.Millions of gamers will be tuning in on Thursday, December 7, to see which games win which awards at The Game Awards 2023. However, it's safe to say that most are interested in which game will take home the coveted Game of the Year prize. We continue our cutthroat tradition from last year by competing against each other to see who can make the most correct predictions for the winners.We'll also be talking about how Sony has confirmed it's delaying half of it

Nov 17, 2023 • 1:12:52

Episode 97 - Nintendo Announces Legend Of Zelda Movie (And We're Already Worried)

Send us a Text Message.Shigeru Miyamoto temporarily took over Nintendo’s Twitter on Tuesday to announce a Legend of Zelda live action film. Such a film has been rumored to be in development for years, and this is no doubt inspired by the success of Nintendo’s animated Super Mario Bros. However, the early announcements on who will be helming the film are leaving us... a bit hesitant. We discuss our hopes and fears for the movie and make some early casting predictions (spoiler: it's not who y

Nov 10, 2023 • 1:15:24

Episode 96 - Microsoft Bans Third Party Accessories On Xbox

Send us a Text Message.Xbox has released a patch that quashes various third-party accessories not explicitly authorized by Microsoft. Any device that Xbox doesn’t license will now receive a “0x82d60002” error code. Users then have two weeks before the Xbox disables it, permanently blocking the device (although Microsoft has said there "should" be no issue with players using the Xbox Adaptive Controller). We discuss this sweeping, rather harsh new move by Microsoft, but come away with m

Nov 3, 2023 • 1:11:22

Episode 95 - No Fun Nintendo: Strict New Community Tournament Guidelines Shock Fans

Send us a Text Message.Nintendo caused a stir across its competitive fanbase this week when it announced new guidelines regulating community tournaments, defining the terms that organizers would have to follow in order to qualify as a small-scale event (allowing for them to function without an official license from Nintendo). Reaction to the guidelines has been nearly universally negative, with fans pointing out how the new rules that are meant to protect Nintendo's IP will ultimately resul

Oct 27, 2023 • 1:12:58

Episode 94 - Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023 & Blockbuster World Video Game Championships IV

Send us a Text Message.This year, Gamers Week was invited to host the Blockbuster World Video Game Championships IV at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023! Now fresh off our flights home, we recap our entire crazy experience -- the good, the bad, and the unexpectedly heartwarming.We'll also be talking about how Sony has finally confirmed the heavily rumored PlayStation 5 slim for this holiday season, how Activision hired James Corden to host an employee meeting with Bobby Kotick, and how Su

Oct 20, 2023 • 1:15:54

Episode 93 - Resident Evil Village On iOS And The Future Of AAA Mobile Games

Send us a Text Message.Things have come a long way since the original Resident Evil 4's infamous mobile version more than a decade ago, and now Resident Evil Village runs natively on iOS, bringing AAA console parity to the mobile gaming market. We discuss what this development might mean for the future of not only mobile gaming, but ALL video games. Are we (*gasp!*) finally onboard the mobile game hype train??We'll also be talking about Elon Musk's doomed quest to turn Twitter/X i

Oct 6, 2023 • 1:18:23

Episode 92 - Epic Games Lays Off Over 800 Employees

Send us a textEpic Games has announced its laying off roughly 16% of its workforce, resulting in around 830 employees losing their jobs. Epic president Tim Sweeney states that these departures will not come at the expense of game development and that Epic will still be hiring for “critical roles.” We discuss this mass layoff in light of other recent Epic headlines (such as the company refusing to back down on its lawsuit vs Apple, offering 100% revenue to game devs who promise exclusivity, and t

Sep 29, 2023 • 1:13:16

Episode 91 - Biggest Revelations From The Microsoft Xbox Leaks

Send us a Text Message.In what’s being cited as the biggest leak in the company’s history, Microsoft revealed a massive amount of information about forthcoming Xbox refreshes, next-gen systems, and more after uploading a series of unredacted documents to a court website as part of the ongoing Federal Trade Commission v. Microsoft case.  We discuss the headlines included in the leaks and wonder...is any of it REALLY news??We'll also be talking about how series creator Ed Boon promises that t

Sep 22, 2023 • 1:10:18

Episode 90 - Unity’s New Per-Install Pricing Pisses Off Pretty Much Everyone

Send us a Text Message.For years, the Unity Engine has operated with a royalty-free licensing structure, which meant developers incurred no extra costs based on how well a game sold. On Tuesday, however, the company announced a new fee structure that will start charging developers on a "per-install" basis.  "We're not nickel-and-diming people," Unity CEO John Riccitiello once memorably said. "When we say it's free, it's free." LOL. We discuss this dee

Sep 15, 2023 • 1:16:14

Episode 89 - SAG-AFTRA Voting To Strike Against Video Game Industry

Send us a textWith SAG-AFTRA members already on strike against films and TV shows, voting is now underway to authorize a separate strike against the video game industry. The guild’s leaders are saying that a dual strike, if it comes to that, “makes sense” because the issues at stake in both contracts (namely wages and unregulated AI use) “mirror” each other. We discuss the issues at stake in this possible strike, as well as the ways this may affect our hobby in the years to come.We'll also

Sep 8, 2023 • 1:15:56

Episode 88 - Starfield Headline Roundup

Send us a Text Message.Starfield officially launches on Wed, Sept. 6, although players with the Constellation edition or Premium edition upgrade can get access five days earlier. But even though it’s not quite out yet, the headlines this week have been buzzing about Bethesda’s newest RPG. So for our main topic, we’re looking at a roundup of Starfield headlines, including the Starfield leaker who was arrested after allegedly stealing copies of the game, Todd Howard's claim that Starfield &qu

Sep 1, 2023 • 1:16:53

Episode 87 - Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023

Send us a Text Message.Gamescom Opening Night Live has officially kicked off, bringing with it dozens of new trailers and deep dives into upcoming games, including Black Myth Wukong, Little Nightmares III, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and more. We go over the show's biggest announcements and discuss what we're most excited (and not so excited) to see in the year to come.We'll also be talking about the newly unveiled Atari 2600+, how Sony's handheld gaming device Project Q no

Aug 25, 2023 • 1:15:23

Episode 86 - Developers Are Panicking About Baldur’s Gate 3...Or Are They?

Send us a Text Message.A video by IGN claiming “Baldur’s Gate 3 is Causing Some Developers to Panic” has stirred up quite a buzz in the gaming world this week. The video (which suggests that game devs are unhappy about being expected to meet the high standard set by titles like Baldur's Gate 3) already has over a million views on YouTube alone. The idea has struck a cord with gamers who are tired of the microtransaction-leaden glitch fests that make up much of AAA gaming these days. However

Aug 18, 2023 • 1:14:19

Episode 85 - Everyone Hates Rockstar’s New Red Dead Redemption Ports

Send us a textRockstar has been teasing a new announcement in the Red Dead universe for awhile now, and this week, the project was finally revealed: a port of 2010's Red Dead Redemption coming to Nintendo Switch and PS4/PS5. Not a remaster. Not a remake. A literal port. And it boasts a $50 price tag, very high for a 13 year old game that's not getting any significant updates. We discuss this apparent cash grab move by Rockstar and wonder whether we can find any justification for the ga

Aug 11, 2023 • 1:11:12

Episode 84 - Nintendo's Next-Gen Console Arrives 2024...Probably

Send us a textAccording to anonymous sources, development kits for Nintendo’s next console are now with key partner studios, and the console's launch is planned for next year. Although specific details on the console are being kept closely guarded, Nintendo has previously stated that it wants to convert as many of the Switch’s 100m+ user base as possible to its next system, although some third-party publishers are said to have expressed concern that legacy support for Switch games could neg

Aug 4, 2023 • 1:14:53

Episode 83 - Smile! ESRB Turns To Facial Age Estimation Tech For Age Verification

Send us a textThis week, reports surfaced that the Entertainment Software Ratings Board is partnering with Yoti, a digital identity firm, to use facial age estimation tech to check the ages of users. Even though the ESRB later clarified that this technology is intended to be used on parents rather than children, concerns over the tech don't stop there. We discuss the issues surrounding this innovation and wonder... what problem is this really meant to solve?We'll also be talking about

Jul 28, 2023 • 1:09:41

Episode 82 - Should The SAG-AFTRA Strike Matter To Gamers?

Send us a Text Message.Both the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are currently on strike. The strike effectively puts a stop to most film and TV production in the US, and it doesn’t seem like it’ll be letting up anytime soon. But this is just a Hollywood problem, right? Not quite. We discuss the issues at the core of the strike and why gamers should be very much concerned with how these points play out.We'

Jul 21, 2023 • 1:11:02

Episode 81 - Microsoft Wins FTC Lawsuit, But...

Send us a Text Message.The FTC has moved to appeal the recent court order ruling not to grant the temporary injunction to block Microsoft's Activision Blizzard merger from moving forward. This news comes a mere day after Microsoft won its court battle against the FTC, with the court ultimately ruling that Microsoft's acquisition would not "substantially lessen competition" in the games industry. We discuss the current state of the merger, as well as speculate about life after

Jul 14, 2023 • 1:11:49

Episode 80 - Microsoft, Sony, And The Future Of Exclusives

Send us a Text Message.One of the more jaw-dropping leaks to come from the Microsoft FTC trial is the confirmation that both Horizon: Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part 2 cost Sony more than $200 million to develop. With AAA games getting bigger and bigger (and taking longer and longer to make), will there come a time when that bubble bursts? We discuss the possible future of gaming in such a landscape and how platform exclusives may or may not fit into such a world.We'll also be talkin

Jul 7, 2023 • 1:14:34

Episode 79 - Headlines From The Microsoft FTC Trial

Send us a Text Message.Microsoft went to court on June 22nd to face the Federal Trade Commission in a five-day case that will determine the future of its $69 billion proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Over the course of the trial, gamers have been treated to an array of insider info that would have normally remained under lock and key. So for our main topic this week, we’re looking at a roundup of headlines from the Microsoft FTC trial. This includes how Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby K

Jun 30, 2023 • 1:13:35

Episode 78 - Nintendo Direct June 2023

Send us a Text Message.A brand-new Nintendo Direct was shadow-dropped this week, and it just may be the best showcase of the summer. The show lasted a bit over 40 minutes and was filled with tons of exciting announcements, including a remake of SNES' Super Mario RPG,  a remaster of 3DS' Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, a brand-new game starring Princess Peach, and the coup de grâce... Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a brand-new 2D Mario title. We're joined by Bill Tucker of A Gamer Look

Jun 23, 2023 • 1:18:11

Episode 77 - Xbox Games Showcase & Bethesda Starfield Direct 2023

Send us a Text Message.The Xbox Games Showcase 2023 brought a ton of content, giving us a good idea of what to expect on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC for the foreseeable future. The Starfield Direct aired immediately after and gave us our first in-depth look at the game's exploration, combat, customization, and even a strange new power for the player character. We discuss the highlights of the two showcases, including some titles we didn't expect to grab our interest.We&apos

Jun 16, 2023 • 1:17:05

Episode 76 - Summer Game Fest 2023

Send us a Text Message.Summer Game Fest, the summer's premier gaming showcase, has officially wrapped up after dropping announcements for several new titles as well as in-depth looks at previously announced games. We discuss the show's biggest names, including Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Sonic Superstars, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and more.We'll also be talking about how Microsoft is being fined $20 million by the Federal Trade Commission for colle

Jun 9, 2023 • 1:14:38

Episode 75 - Alan Wake 2 And The Impending Death Of Physical Video Game Releases

Send us a Text Message.The recent release date announcement for Alan Wake 2 came alongside news that developer Remedy Entertainment and publisher Epic Games currently have "no plans to release Alan Wake 2 on disc." In many ways, it's not that surprising.  The number of players buying games on discs has been shrinking in the past decade, and physical releases have only become more and more expensive to produce. But while this digital-only future may be inevitable, it raises enormou

Jun 2, 2023 • 1:14:45

Episode 74 - PlayStation Showcase May 2023

Send us a textAfter a nearly two-year wait, PlayStation Showcase is finally back to share what’s next for first-party, third-party, and indie games on the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2. We discuss the highlights and lowlights of the presentation, including Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Sony's strange Project Q.We'll also be talking about how Mortal Kombat 12 is really Mortal Kombat 1, the surprise Nintendo 3DS update that breaks several hacking too

May 26, 2023 • 1:19:41

Episode 73 - Should Tears of the Kingdom’s Sales Be A Wake-Up Call For Gaming?

Send us a Text Message.The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has only been officially available for a few days, but Nintendo has already confirmed that it's the fastest-selling Zelda game ever. In an industry enamored with trendy titles that are online, multiplayer, free-to-play, battle royale, and riddled with season passes and microtransactions, should the massive sales of a traditional single-player game be a wake-up call? We discuss what the early success of TOTK might mean for the

May 19, 2023 • 1:16:18

Episode 72 - According To "Experts," The Greatest Video Game Of All Time Is...

Send us a Text Message.Best-of video game lists usually offer predictable rankings of the greatest games of all time. GQ Magazine set out to do things differently by inviting industry "experts" to rank their top games based on their own individual criteria. We discuss the resulting list, including what titles we feel don't belong and which ones we think were left out.We'll also be talking about Xbox's response to Redfall's poor reception at launch, the newly announc

May 12, 2023 • 1:13:25

Episode 71 - Redfall: Microsoft's Failure And The Future of Xbox

Send us a Text Message.Redfall has finally launched, but Microsoft may be wishing they'd left this one on the shelf. What was once anticipated as one of the biggest releases of the year (and certainly a crucial release for the Xbox platform) is instead being called the worst AAA release in recent memory. We"re joined by Rob from the Retro Game Club Podcast to discuss the fallout of the title's disastrous launch and what it may mean for Microsoft and the future of the Xbox brand.We

May 5, 2023 • 1:09:54

Episode 70 - GameCube Games We Need On Nintendo Switch Online

Send us a Text Message.If Nintendo continues its current pattern, the Gamecube will be the next console added to the Nintendo Switch Online service. As one of Nintendo's more underloved consoles, there's a wealth of excellent games waiting to be discovered by a whole new audience. We discuss the titles likely to make the service's launch lineup (if and when it arrives), plus some sleepers that we'd like to see.We'll also be talking about how Metacritic has once again pro

Apr 28, 2023 • 1:23:33

Episode 69 - Sega To Acquire Angry Birds Developer Rovio For $776 Million

Send us a Text Message.Sega has officially confirmed that it is planning to acquire Rovio Entertainment, a deal that will see the video game company pay $776 million for the Angry Birds developer. Sega says that acquiring Rovio will allow it to strengthen its own mobile game portfolio, and at the same time, it'll be able to use its video game console expertise to help Rovio expand beyond mobile devices. We discuss this new acquisition and try to decide whether this counts for Donnie's

Apr 21, 2023 • 1:19:42

Episode 68 - We Don't Need A New Sony Handheld, But Maybe We Want One

Send us a Text Message.In the past week or so, a few reports have emerged about Sony having a new handheld device in the pipeline. The commercial case for Sony re-entering that market is tough to make, however, Sony will never fully accept ceding the handheld space to Nintendo, especially in the company's native Japan. We debate the pros and cons of Sony's possible return to the handheld landscape, as well as discuss what we'd like to see from the rumored device.We'll also be

Apr 14, 2023 • 1:13:44

Episode 67 - Tears Of The Kingdom Is Just More Breath Of The Wild (And That's Okay)

Send us a Text Message.Since the first trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we've known that the game is basically going to be more Breath of the Wild. In fact, when it comes to selling audiences "more of the same," nobody does it better than Nintendo. But is that really a bad thing? We're joined by Kenny Thomas of the Leetist Podcast to debate the merits of iterative sequels, as well as discuss what we hope to see from the next big entry in the Zelda series

Apr 7, 2023 • 1:09:22

Episode 66 - Mortal Kombat's Sonya Blade: A Conversation With Kerri Ann Hoskins

Send us a Text Message.You know her for her roles in NBA JAM, the Aerosmith game Revolution X, and of course, the sacred role of the toughest woman in video games, Mortal Kombat's Sonya Blade. Yes, this week, we're joined by Kerri Ann Hoskins to talk about her history with video games, her behind-the-scenes stories of Mortal Kombat, and what she REALLY thinks about those crazy obsessive fans.We'll also be talking about the bleak rumors surrounding E3’s future as more and more publ

Mar 31, 2023 • 1:20:16

Episode 65 - Games By Chatbot? Ubisoft Introduces AI Tool To Write Video Game Dialogue

Send us a Text Message.At GDC this week, Ubisoft sparked debate by showing off its new Ghostwriter tool, an AI designed to aid its writers in creating dialogue for in-game NPCs. The company says the tool was designed to mitigate "pain points" for its writing staff, but some industry writers fear it's just the first small step to having AI programs take over more and more of game development. We discuss the pros and cons of AI as it relates to video games and wonder what else could

Mar 24, 2023 • 1:17:11

Episode 64 - The Age Of Always-Online Single-Player Video Games Needs To End

Send us a Text Message.It’s one thing to require multiplayer games to be online at all times so that people can play with each other, but it’s another thing entirely to lock single-player console games behind that same obligation. It’s a practice that creates hurdles for game preservation, as well as unnecessarily gatekeeping those with slower internet speeds. We look at this increasingly common trend among game devs and discuss whether anything can be done to combat it.We'll also be talkin

Mar 17, 2023 • 1:10:43

Episode 63 - Nintendo Wii U Time Bomb And The Fight For Video Game Preservation

Send us a Text Message.It’s recently been discovered that leaving the Wii U unattended for too long can brick the console. Apparently, none of Nintendo’s suggestions for fixing the issue have worked, nor does the company seem to care that much about finding a solution. It's a huge blow for video game preservation and collecting, as well as an ominous sign for the future. Will Nintendo soon be a company whose games are pointless to collect?We'll also be discussing how the United Nations

Mar 10, 2023 • 1:12:32

Episode 62 - Is There A Future For Video Games Journalism?

Send us a textWhile the world's financial heavyweights rush to invest in the burgeoning video game industry, gaming journalism may be on its last legs. Many high-profile outlets have either downsized significantly or closed up shop for good. Those that remain have largely replaced gaming news coverage with listicles and playthrough guides. In an online world funded by SEO optimization and clickbait, is there any hope for a future for true gaming journalism?We'll also be discussing the

Mar 3, 2023 • 1:11:51

Episode 61 - Microsoft's Activision Deal Is About to Hear its Fate

Send us a textThis week, Microsoft met with European Union regulators in a closed-door hearing in Brussels to defend its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. The UK’s CMA previously suggested that the deal may be approved if Microsoft were to divest the Call of Duty division of ABK, but on Tuesday, Microsoft Corp. made it clear that there will be no deal unless it comes with the blockbuster IP. We’re joined by streamer Sensitive Joy to discuss the implications of this hearing and

Feb 24, 2023 • 1:21:18

Episode 60 - Microsoft Admits Game Pass Cannibalizes Sales

Send us a Text Message.Microsoft has admitted that putting games on its Xbox Game Pass subscription service leads to a marked decline in base sales. This may seem like a headline written by Captain Obvious, but it's a 180 for Microsoft, which previously maintained that being included in Game Pass resulted in higher sales for games. So does Game Pass actually hurt AAA games? We discuss the pros and cons of going the Game Pass route from a publisher standpoint.We'll also be talking about

Feb 17, 2023 • 1:12:03

Episode 59 - Nintendo Direct February 2023

Send us a Text Message.A brand-new Nintendo Direct has arrived, giving us a look at The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Metroid Prime Remastered, Pikmin 4, and so much more. We're joined by SanityCrypto of It's Virtually A Podcast to talk about all the highlights from the show.We'll also be discussing how the UK's CMA is suggesting that Microsoft sell off Call of Duty in order to get its Activision Blizzard acquisition approved, how we wish SNL's apocalyptic Mario

Feb 10, 2023 • 1:16:24

Episode 58 - What Should Gamers Do About Hogwart's Legacy?

Send us a textEven though the developers have made sincere attempts to distance Hogwarts Legacy from J.K. Rowling (the controversial Harry Potter creator who is now infamous for loudly espousing transphobic views), the author still stands to profit from the title's sale. So should gamers boycott? We attempt to consider all sides of the issue as we delve into this messy topic that has much bigger implications than just one video game.We'll also be discussing Sony's announcement tha

Feb 3, 2023 • 1:13:03

Episode 57 - The "Controversy" Over Xbox's Energy-Saving Mode

Send us a Text Message.Microsoft has ambitions to transform the Xbox into the world’s first “carbon-aware console,” and the announcement of an update that will include an optional energy-saving mode seemed to be a step toward that end. However, the internet gotta internet, and a vocal minority is now claiming it’s all part of a ploy to make Microsoft go “woke.” We debate whether there's any merit to this claim (spoilers: there isn't) while still maintaining our usual politics-free stan

Jan 27, 2023 • 1:15:23

Episode 56 - The Death of Google Stadia

Send us a Text Message.Google Stadia, the tech giant's ill-fated venture into the video game industry, is taking its final breaths after little more than three years.  But will the passing of Stadia signal the end of cloud gaming? We discuss what the future of game streaming might look like and whether or not there may yet be a place in this world for Stadia.We'll also be talking about the Microsoft layoffs that are confirmed to affect Bethesda and Xbox, how Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot

Jan 20, 2023 • 1:19:34

Episode 55 - The Biggest Video Games Coming in 2023

Send us a Text Message.With dozens of games delayed to 2023, a greater emphasis on new-gen hardware, and at least one major exclusive from each platform holder, 2023 easily boasts the most exciting release lineup that gamers have seen in years. We're looking over the biggest titles set to launch this year and discussing which games we are (and are not) looking forward to the most.We'll also be talking about the Cyberpunk 2077 class-action lawsuit that settled for $1.85 million, Todd Ho

Jan 13, 2023 • 1:10:52

Episode 54 - Starfield Will Be Game Of The Year (And Other 2023 Gaming Predictions)

Send us a Text Message.Gamers Week Podcast is officially one year old!! This means it's time once again to gaze into our proverbial crystal balls to see what the world of video games might bring in 2023. We'll hear what a few analysts have to say about the coming year and then make some predictions of our own.We'll also be discussing how video game QA testers have formed Microsoft's first union, Sony's claim that the PS5 has cleared 30 million sales after its "bigge

Jan 6, 2023 • 1:20:14

Episode 53 - The Best Video Games Of 2022

Send us a Text Message.While some might say that 2022 was a slow year as far as new releases were concerned, that doesn't mean there weren't still some absolutely stellar titles making their debut. With Sony's God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West, Nintendo's Splatoon 3 and Pokemon Arceus, and killer third-party releases like Elden Ring and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, there was no shortage of amazing games to play. We're counting down the best games of 2022

Dec 30, 2022 • 1:10:53

Episode 52 - Epic To Pay $520 Million To Settle FTC Charges On Fortnite

Send us a Text Message.According to the FTC, Epic will pay $275 million for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and another $245 million for design relying on dark patterns "to dupe millions of players into making unintentional purchases." Is this just a case of parents not paying enough attention to what their children are doing online? Or does Epic bear some responsibility to help keep kids safe? We discuss this landmark case and what it might mean for

Dec 23, 2022 • 1:20:48

Episode 51 - The Hype Around Esports Is Fading

Send us a Text Message.The Game Awards aired last week, and thanks to the Wednesday curse, we’re just now able to do our wrap-up of the live stream. So for our main topic, we’re going to review our predictions and find out which one of us got the most picks correct. Then we’ll be recapping the biggest game announcements from the show, including Hades 2, Crime Boss: Rockay City, Death Stranding 2, and more.We'll also be discussing Bloomberg's claim that the esports boom is fading as inv

Dec 16, 2022 • 1:22:15

Episode 50 - Then vs Now: A Conversation With Video Game Dev Christopher Cross

Send us a Text Message.So much has changed in the video game industry in the last 30 or so years that sometimes it feels like modern games are nearly unrecognizable when compared to their retro counterparts. We're joined by Christopher Cross, a long-time game dev who has worked in the video game industry since 1996 (Diablo, Medal of Honor, and Marvel Avengers are just a few of the titles on his resume), to chat about how gaming has changed over the past few decades and even where it may go

Dec 9, 2022 • 1:14:06

Episode 49 - Sony Alleges That Microsoft Is Trying To Turn It Into Nintendo

Send us a Text Message.The feud between Sony and Microsoft surrounding the Xbox maker’s attempted acquisition of Activision Blizzard has continued to heat up, so for our main topic this week, we’re looking at a roundup of Sony vs Microsoft headlines. This includes Sony's claim that Microsoft is trying to turn it into Nintendo, Sony's assertion that Xbox Game Pass has reached 29 million subscribers, and Microsoft's admission that "many" PlayStation exclusives are "be

Dec 2, 2022 • 1:19:47

Episode 48 - The Game Awards 2022 Nominations

Send us a Text Message.The nominees for the Game Awards 2022 have been revealed, but the response from much of the gaming world has been... *shrug*. Why do the Game Awards garner such apathy from gamers (if not outright hatred)? And having acknowledged that the awards are largely nonsense, which games are we rooting for?We'll also be discussing the mayhem caused by Twitter Blue users impersonating video game companies, how Xbox proactively suspended up to 4.8m user accounts in the first hal

Nov 18, 2022 • 1:30:15

Episode 47 - The 10 Best-Selling Video Games of All Time

Send us a Text Message.Sales numbers always generate big headlines in the video game industry. But while some titles come and go, others remain heavy hitters, sitting atop the sales record books and accumulating numbers that most games can only dream of. We take a look at these top 10 video game juggernauts and wonder... is this not only a list of the best-selling games of all time but the flat-out best games of all time?We'll also be discussing how Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 hit $1 bil

Nov 11, 2022 • 1:15:14

Episode 46 - Has Xbox's Game Pass Strategy Backfired?

Send us a Text Message.Xbox boss Phil Spencer gave several interviews this week, and his quotes have fueled much of the world’s recent gaming news. This week, we're diving into a roundup of Xbox headlines, including Spencer's claim that Xbox loses as much as $200 on every console it sells, Xbox's changing tone on Game Pass in light of the service failing to hit target numbers, and Spencer's admission that "it’s been too long" since Xbox’s last big first-party game.W

Nov 4, 2022 • 1:17:09

Episode 45 - The 10 Hardest Levels In Video Game History

Send us a Text Message.Most video games have a good mixture of easy and hard levels to keep gamers properly entertained and challenged throughout the game. But some levels dial the difficulty up to 11, and apparently, Reddit has a lot to say about what it considers to be the hardest video game levels ever. We're joined by Brian from Drink A Beer & Play A Game to debate the levels on this list while adding a few of our own.We'll also be discussing how the system requirements to run

Oct 28, 2022 • 1:24:37

Episode 44 - To Boycott Or Not To Boycott: The Bayonetta 3 Voice Actor Drama

Send us a Text Message.The long-awaited release of Platinum Games' Bayonetta 3 has been marred by a rather messy controversy. The voice of Bayonetta in the previous two entries publicly stated that she did not return for the third installment because the pay was insultingly low. She then encouraged fans to boycott the game, igniting a debate about the chronically low pay offered to video game voice actors. Platinum Games has disputed her claims, and as more information comes to light, which

Oct 21, 2022 • 1:15:01

Episode 43 - Xbox vs. PlayStation: The Fight For Call of Duty

Send us a textThe UK's Competition and Markets Authority has released its initial report on Microsoft's buyout of Activision Blizzard, and the Xbox maker is not happy. The company is calling the criticism of the deal “unsupported” and accusing the CMA of listening too much to Sony's lawyers. Is Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal really a good thing for the gaming industry? We debate the possible implications of the largest acquisition in gaming history.We'll also be di

Oct 14, 2022 • 1:16:37

Episode 42 - Google Stadia Was Doomed From The Start, But It Did Have Some Good Ideas

Send us a Text Message.Google Stadia's 2019 announcement promised several features that actually could have been disruptive game-changers for the industry (such as State Share, Stream Connect, Crowd Play, and Crowd Choice). Unfortunately, however, each of those features was absent from launch, and as of late 2021, less than 10% of the total library included one or more of these features. As the death knell tolls for Stadia, we look back on the service and wonder what could have been had Goo

Oct 7, 2022 • 1:16:44

Episode 41 - The 10 Best NES Games Of All-Time

Send us a textSuper Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Mega Man, Metroid... the best NES games are all classics. They aren't just fantastic video games in their own right, but experiences that helped to establish Nintendo's biggest franchises and make the manufacturer a force to be reckoned with in the industry. We debate the ten best titles of the NES library, and (spoiler alert!) we don't all agree.We'll also be discussing how the US Department of Homeland Security has award

Sep 30, 2022 • 1:15:37

Episode 40 - The 10 Most Disappointing Video Game Cancellations

Send us a Text Message.With the much-hyped Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake changing developers, fans are hoping that the game will survive its problems and live to see its release. However, if it doesn't, it would be far from the biggest title to ultimately get canceled. We're joined by G to the Next Level to look at the ten video game cancelations that gamers found most disappointing.We'll also be discussing how the big Grand Theft Auto 6 leak may not be so big afte

Sep 23, 2022 • 1:26:18

Episode 39 - September 2022's Nintendo Direct & PlayStation State of Play

Send us a Text Message.It's been a big week for gaming news! This past Tuesday brought us both a Nintendo Direct and a PlayStation State of Play, so we're covering as much as we can from both showcases.We'll also be discussing how PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan says Xbox's Call of Duty offer was "inadequate on many levels," how Gargoyles is the next classic Disney game getting a remaster, and Billy Mitchell's claims that his doctor won't see him due to accusatio

Sep 16, 2022 • 1:14:21

Episode 38 - Overwhelmed by your video game backlog? We’ve got tips!

Send us a Text Message.Having a backlog of games can be overwhelming. Knowing that you have potentially hundreds of games that you haven't played yet has been a lament of many gamers. In this episode, we're joined by Jim from Drink a Beer and Play a Game to discuss tips and tricks on how to manage your backlog of games like a pro.We'll also be talking about Xbox's Game Pass Friends and Family Bundle, Nintendo's removal of loot boxes for its mobile title Mario Kart Tour,

Sep 9, 2022 • 1:19:21

Episode 37 - The Defunct Video Game Services We Miss Most

Send us a Text Message.When someone thinks of video games,  they might imagine playing their favorite games with their friends or competing against others for the top score in competitive-style leaderboards. Naturally, these services need internet access to function, but not everyone takes time to think about the servers that host these features — at least not until a company announces that they're going to shut them down. We discuss our favorite ones that have gone by the wayside, as well

Sep 2, 2022 • 1:13:18

Episode 36 - Gamescom 2022 Opening Night Live

Send us a textGamescom 2022 is upon us, and Geoff Keighley's Opening Night Live kicked things off with a ton of new announcements for games including Dune: Awakening, Lies of P, Sonic Frontiers, and more. We go over both the highlights and the lowlights of the evening.We'll also be discussing how Xbox boss Phil Spencer believes there will be fewer console exclusives in the future, how Embracer is set to acquire the Lord of the Rings IP, and the pair of obscure Sega games now being adap

Aug 26, 2022 • 1:13:44

Episode 35 - Will The Death Of Video Game Consoles Kill Sony And Nintendo?

Send us a Text Message.The digital-only age is coming, folks. We may not like it, but it's hard to deny that streaming services are the future of entertainment, including for video games. But when customers no longer need a console to play games, what will that mean for Sony and Nintendo, which don't have the PC presence that Microsoft has?We also discuss how Nintendo of America contractors are calling out the company for sexual harassment and a "frat house" environment, how

Aug 19, 2022 • 1:21:57

Episode 34 - The Splatoon 3 Nintendo Direct

Send us a Text Message.This week, Nintendo treated Splatoon fans to an in-depth look at the series' upcoming entry, Splatoon 3. We chat about the new stages, mechanics, game modes, and weapons, as well as what else we hope to see in the soon-to-be-released title.We'll also be discussing Twitch and YouTube Gaming's plummeting viewership figures, how fewer than 1% of Netflix subscribers play Netflix Games, and whether video games are really that expensive (or it only seems that way)

Aug 12, 2022 • 1:11:30

Episode 33 - Sony Loves Exclusives... Except When Microsoft Owns Call Of Duty

Send us a Text Message.This past week has seen a ton of Sony news, so we’re doing a roundup of PlayStation headlines. We'll be talking about how Sony will retire the PS5's Accolades feature later this year, Sony's fear that Microsoft's ownership of the Call of Duty franchise will have the power to influence users' console choices, and the official PlayStation mobile controller coming from Backbone.We'll also be discussing how Nintendo’s digital software sales now ac

Aug 5, 2022 • 1:13:28

Episode 32 - Grand Theft Auto 6 To Feature Female Playable Character

Send us a Text Message.The Nintendo Switch's 5th birthday has come and gone, and in that time, it's made headlines over and over again in ways that other consoles haven't. We remember some of the moments that have shaped and defined the Nintendo Switch's reign, for better or worse, as well as what has made the console special to us on a personal level.We'll also be discussing the news that Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature a female playable character and add new cities ove

Jul 29, 2022 • 1:14:31

Episode 31 - The Biggest Competition For PlayStation Plus And Xbox Game Pass Is...

Send us a textTime codes at the bottom!There is plenty to enjoy in Sony's newly revamped PlayStation Plus service, but is it really worth the cost? We explore the idea that the biggest challenge facing PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass (or any game subscription service on the market for that matter) isn’t money. It’s time. Or more accurately, lack of it. As adults with more responsibilities than time, are gaming subscription services actually a good deal for us?We also discuss Sony's claims t

Jul 22, 2022 • 1:16:22

Episode 30 - The Worst Video Games Of All Time

Send us a Text Message.Time codes at the bottom!What does it truly mean to be called one of the worst video games of all time? We're going to the very bottom of Metacritic’s rankings to find out which games rank as the worst of the worst, as well as gripe about the very worst games we've personally played.We'll also be discussing how GameStop fired one of its top execs in the midst of the company's transition towards NFTs, how PAX organizer ReedPop is partnering with the ESA

Jul 15, 2022 • 1:16:09

Episode 29 - Polium Announces The First NFT Video Game Console

Send us a Text Message.Web 3 company Polium claims its "Polium One" system will be “the world’s first multi-chain gaming console” that will be capable of running games built on different blockchains. Unsurprisingly, the announcement has been met with much criticism from gamers who are, at best, not yet convinced of the merits of blockchain gaming, and at worst believe it to be a scam (Spoiler: We're the latter). We talk about the Polium One as history comes full circle on the 6-mo

Jul 8, 2022 • 1:09:44

Episode 28 - The Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase June 2022

Send us a Text Message.The June 2022 Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase has come and gone, and left us with a host of fresh announcements, release date news, surprise drops, and other tidbits. We discuss the good, the bad, and the underwhelming of Nintendo's latest.We'll also be talking about how Final Fantasy 16 will use "British English only" to avoid pissing off Americans, the new Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration collection, the Mega Drive Mini 2 console's $1

Jul 1, 2022 • 1:23:13

Episode 27 - Where Have All The AAA Games Gone?

Send us a Text Message.The video game industry is in flux. We’re 19 months into a fresh console cycle, the pandemic slowed or paused development on a generation of games, and studios of all sizes are being absorbed by the biggest names in the room.  Put simply, there aren’t a lot of huge games coming out in the second half of 2022. But is this actually a bad thing? We discuss the pros and cons of the AAA development machine and wonder if the indies will save us.We'll also be discussing Sega

Jun 24, 2022 • 1:14:10

Episode 26 - All The Highlights of Not-E3 2022

Send us a Text Message.Although there's technically no E3 this year, you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Over the course of a few days, we got a ton of trailers, gameplay reveals, and announcements for some huge titles, including Starfield, Diablo IV, Silksong, and more. We're joined by Kade Call of the Gaming Memories Podcast to break down all the biggest news from not-E3 week.We'll also be discussing how Sonic Team's boss says Sonic Frontiers won’t be delayed as

Jun 17, 2022 • 1:22:00

Episode 25 - PlayStation State of Play June 2022

Send us a Text Message.The latest PlayStation State of Play has arrived bringing with it a new look for Final Fantasy 16, the long-awaited reveal of Resident Evil 4 Remake, the first gameplay of Street Fighter 6, and much more.  We're joined by Hugues of the Retro Game Club Podcast to discuss the titles featured in this State of Play.We'll also be talking about how Sega chose the Mega Drive Mini 2 over a Dreamcast mini or Saturn mini due to worries over extreme costs, the new Nintendo

Jun 10, 2022 • 1:04:18

Episode 24 - Sonic Frontiers: Blur of the Wild

Send us a Text Message.Sonic Frontiers, Sega's upcoming open-world video game starring everyone's favorite Blue Blur, got a seven-minute gameplay video, and well... it all looks strangely familiar. We're joined by our good friend, streamer, YouTuber, and all-around great guy Ducks in Disguise to help us break down this first look at gameplay and talk about what we still hope to see in the full game.We'll also be discussing Microsoft's confirmation that the company is wor

Jun 3, 2022 • 1:15:02

Episode 23 - A Conversation With Atari's Space Invaders Champion Rebecca Heineman

Send us a Text Message.In 1980, Atari held a tournament to determine the best player in the nation on its 2600 port of the arcade sensation Space Invaders. The tournament was won by a Los Angeles teenager who went on to change the landscape of video games. We're joined by Rebecca Heineman to hear her stories of the world's very first esports tournament.We'll also be discussing how the Xbox Series S outsold the PS5 in Japan for the first time since 2014, how Activision Blizzard emp

May 27, 2022 • 1:33:46

Episode 22 - Wata Games Facing Federal Lawsuit

Send us a Text Message.To the surprise of almost no one in the retrogaming sphere, game-grading company Wata Games is the target of a new US class-action lawsuit. The suit accuses Wata of "engaging in affirmative acts to manipulate the retro video game market" and of "engaging in unfair business practices." We discuss the allegations and what this could potentially mean for the future of the retrogaming secondhand market.We'll also be talking about how Saudi Arabia’s PIF

May 20, 2022 • 1:11:45

Episode 21 - It's On Like Donkey Kong: A Conversation With Rare's Kev Bayliss

Send us a Text Message.Any child of the '80s and '90s knows that these years were the golden age of Rare, the British video game development company. Kev Bayliss is the creator of Diddy Kong and a long-time game developer who has worked on some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history, including Battletoads, Killer Instinct, GoldenEye 007, Diddy Kong Racing, and more. He joins us to share stories of what it was like making games during this heyday.We'll also be discussing a

May 13, 2022 • 1:35:24

Episode 20 - Square Enix Sells Western Studios To Embracer Group, Will Focus On Blockchain And Magic Beans

Send us a textSquare Enix has been making major headlines this week, and unfortunately, it’s not because the pixel remasters of Final Fantasy 1 through 6 are finally coming to consoles.  The Tomb Raider publisher has announced that it is selling several of its Western studios in order to focus on what it considers most important -- blockchain.Additionally, legendary game dev Yuji Naka has shared details about why he took Square Enix to court over Balan Wonderworld. We discuss our once favorite v

May 6, 2022 • 1:09:55

Episode 19 - Sony's PlayStation Plus To Require 2 Hour Game Trials

Send us a Text Message.It seems Sony will be making a few other changes to go along with its newly revamped PlayStation Plus subscription service. The company announced this week that any game costing $34 or higher must have an accompanying game trial that lasts for at least 2 hours. Additionally, the notoriously anti-game preservation company has just launched a new game preservation team. We examine these two surprisingly player-centric moves and suspect that all is not quite as positive as it

Apr 29, 2022 • 1:12:57

Episode 18 - Dear Sony and Microsoft, No One Wants In-Game Ads

Send us a Text Message.Remember a time before microtransactions? Yeah, neither do we. That's why the news that Microsoft and Sony are considering including ads in Xbox and Playstation games has us more than a little nervous. Is this intrusion into our games the inevitable future? Or do gamers still have a voice that rings stronger than corporate greed?We'll also be discussing the apparent leak of a Nintendo Switch Game Boy emulator, the newly announced Sonic Origins, and the upcoming S

Apr 22, 2022 • 1:16:05

Episode 17 - Activision Blizzard News: It's Not ALL Bad??

Send us a Text Message.Thanks to numerous allegations of misconduct and abuse, Activision Blizzard has been a mainstay in the headlines for the last year. This week was no different, except... it's only PARTIALLY bad news?? We look at the recent goings-on at the embattled company, including the move to give 1,100 QA testers full-time jobs and higher base pay, the newly hired chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, and reports that the California governor has been interfering in the

Apr 15, 2022 • 1:12:25

Episode 16 - E3 2022 Canceled: Is This The End Of E3?

Send us a Text Message.E3's efforts last year to keep its showcase alive in digital form in the midst of a global pandemic were lackluster at best. Perhaps then it's not all that shocking to hear the event is canceled completely this year -- both in-person and digitally. One question remains, however: does it even matter? In a world that now thrives on digital showcases by the likes of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, do we really need an event such as E3? And can E3 do anything to remai

Apr 8, 2022 • 1:15:19

Episode 15 - A New Foe Has Appeared! Sony's Revamped PlayStation Plus Subscription

Send us a Text Message.For years, Microsoft's Game Pass has been the king of video game subscription services. The internet has long been filled with chatter over if/when Sony's PlayStation would throw its hat in the ring and challenge Xbox on its home turf. Today, we have that answer. Sony unveiled its all-new PlayStation Plus subscription service. We dive into the details to see if it's a worthy competitor to Game Pass.We'll also be discussing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of

Apr 1, 2022 • 1:09:28

Episode 14 - Yeah, Science! Rage Quitting Video Games Is Actually Good For You

Send us a Text Message.For decades, governments and media have made video games a scapegoat for the ills of modern society, and violence in games is blamed for all kinds of real-life violence. But what does the science say? You may be surprised to learn that violence in video games isn't the problem at all, and that rage quitting is actually...healthy!We also discuss the Intellivision Amico's new official unboxing video, how the Witcher 4 director is promising there will be no crunch &

Mar 25, 2022 • 1:28:12

Episode 13 - Pretend To Be Shocked: Facebook Gaming Overrun By Scams

Send us a Text Message.Facebook Gaming was supposed to be the social media giant's answer to Twitch. Four years after its launch, however, it's a weird wasteland of diet pill ads and sketchy viewership stats. What went wrong... aside from, well, everything? We look at the head-scratcher that is the current state of Facebook Gaming, as well as discuss what it would take to turn the service around.We'll also be talking about how Elden Ring sold over 12 million copies in 18 days, the

Mar 18, 2022 • 1:11:24

Episode 12 - "I'm Not Dead Yet!" A Conversation With Atari's Howard Scott Warshaw

Send us a Text Message.In 1982, the video game adaptation of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial released for the Atari 2600 to commercial and critical failure. But is it really the worst game of all time? We sit down with Howard Scott Warshaw (the developer of Yars' Revenge, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the infamous E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) to learn more about the heyday of Atari and find out if there's any truth to that oft-repeated internet claim that E.T. caused the video game crash of 1

Mar 11, 2022 • 1:27:49

Episode 11 - I'm The Winner! Guinness Names Mario The Top Video Game Character Of All Time

Send us a Text Message.Guinness just announced their list of the Top 50 video game characters of all time based on the results of a public poll, and well... we have thoughts. We go over the list's snubs, surprises, and outright shocks. Does Mario really deserve to be #1? The answer is...it depends. We'll also discuss the newly announced Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, the leaked pricing details for PlayStation's Spartacus subscription service, how Capcom has riled the FGC with

Mar 4, 2022 • 1:13:02

Episode 10 - Sonic The Hedgehog 2, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, & Just Dance: The Good And The Bad Of Upcoming Video Game Movie Adaptations

Send us a Text Message.One week (and $139 million) into the Uncharted movie's theatrical run, it seems that there's still a rabid audience for film adaptations of beloved video games. So get your popcorn ready because we're previewing eight upcoming titles. Some look good, some definitely look bad, and at least one is a real head-scratcher. We're also discussing Street Fighter 6's disastrous new Adobe stock image logo, the news that the Call of Duty franchise might not r

Feb 25, 2022 • 1:19:06

Episode 9 - Pour One Out For Nintendo's 3DS And Wii U eShop Stores

Send us a Text Message.We all knew the day was coming when Nintendo would close down the digital storefronts for its 3DS and Wii U consoles. However, it hurts a bit more to realize that up to 1000 digital-only video games will disappear forever as a result. The internet is alight with debates about games preservation, emulation, and piracy, and it seems like everyone has a (very strong) opinion. We attempt to navigate through the noise to see what's really at stake.We'll also be discus

Feb 18, 2022 • 1:11:47

Episode 8 - The Nintendo Direct February 2022: Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Mario Strikers Battle League, And The Birth Of Carby

Send us a Text Message.The first Nintendo Direct of 2022 is finally here, and it was a whopper! We're going over every single announcement, including Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario Strikers: Battle League, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, Nintendo Switch Sports, and so much more (as well as the unfortunately named "Mouthful Mode" from Kirby and the Forgotten Land).We'll also be discussing Intellivision Amico's nearly $8.5

Feb 11, 2022 • 1:18:20

Episode 7 - Why Did Sony Buy Bungie?

Send us a textJust when we'd started to wrap our heads around Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Sony announced they'd bought Bungie (maker of Destiny and Halo) for $3.6 billion.  Considering the massive wheeling and dealing that's being done in the video game industry as of late, $3.6 billion almost seems like chump change. However, this purchase will inevitably have far-reaching effects on the world of gaming. Why did Sony really buy Bungie, and what does this

Feb 4, 2022 • 1:01:14

Episode 6 - The King Of Sneak King: A Conversation With Wrestler Leroy Patterson

Send us a Text Message.How many copies of Burger King's 2006 advergame Sneak King is too many? For AEW wrestler and reality show stuntman Leroy Patterson, the limit does not exist. Leroy joins us to discuss his nearly 3,000 copies of Sneak King, what it's really like to be a contestant on Wipeout, and why being a game tester is the worst job ever (spoiler: it involves squirrel speak).We'll also be talking about Netflix's goal to be the "absolute best" gaming service

Jan 28, 2022 • 1:27:46

Episode 5 - The $75.5 Billion Flex: Microsoft Buys Activision Blizzard

Send us a Text Message.Mergers and acquisitions have been especially big business in the video game industry throughout the last year. Nevertheless, when Tuesday brought the news that Microsoft had agreed to purchase Activision Blizzard in an epic $75.5 billion all-cash deal, gamers the world over collectively said, "Holy #@*%!" We discuss the record-breaking buyout and what it might mean for the future of Activision Blizzard's troubled company culture (including CEO Bobby Kotick)

Jan 21, 2022 • 1:18:07

Episode 4 - Video Games Do What The Metaverse Don't

Send us a Text Message.The metaverse is being touted as the do-all, be-all platform of the future where we will work, play, live, and get married. There's only one problem -- video games have already been offering all of that for years. So what's left for the metaverse to give us? Or better yet, do we really need a metaverse at all?We're also discussing the new Sega Sapporo studio led by the former Phantasy Star Online 2 producer, how Xbox's Phil Spencer is calling for a cros

Jan 14, 2022 • 1:07:11

Episode 2 - Thanks, We Hate It: The Future Of Gaming Is Mobile

Send us a Text Message.To gain clues about the future, it's helpful to look at the past. But if the dominance of mobile, digital, and free-to-play video games in 2021 is anything to go by, the future of video games may be unrecognizable to those of us who grew up blowing into our NES cartridges. But is it all bleak, or can we find some ray of gaming hope in the face of these dark, dystopian days?We'll also be discussing PlayStation's newly patented system for coaching players who

Jan 7, 2022 • 1:02:10

Episode 1 - The NFT Invasion

Send us a Text Message.We’re excited to welcome you to the very first episode of Gamers Week Podcast! Like the name says, we analyze the best, worst, and weirdest headlines of the past week in the video game industry.Since it's our first episode, we take some time to introduce our three hosts, but if you want to get straight to the news, check out those sweet time codes to skip ahead. It feels like NFTs are the buzzword of the moment, especially when it comes to video games. But are these d

Jan 7, 2022 • 1:10:05

Episode 3 - Elden Ring Will Be Game Of The Year (And Other 2022 Gaming Predictions)

Send us a Text Message.In our last episode, we looked at 2021 in the rearview mirror. This time, we're gazing in our proverbial crystal balls to see what the world of video games might bring in 2022. We'll hear what a few analysts have to say about the coming year and then make some predictions of our own.We'll also be discussing Sony's newly confirmed PSVR2, how Gordon Ramsey doesn't know what Twitch is, Samsung’s move to integrate Stadia, GeForce Now, and NFTs into its

Jan 7, 2022 • 1:09:33

Trailer: Gamers Week Podcast

Send us a Text Message.When you can't think of what to put in your launch trailer, there's only one thing to do...Improvise.Support the Show.

Jan 4, 2022 • 0:56