Good Gains, Well Played

We've got some random delays, Sony halting a PC mod, and a Kojima interview about splitting from Sony on Physint. 

Then in the back half Isli talks about playing No Man's Sky again, Xya talks Hello Kitty Island Adventure, I recap my WH40k League games, more Star Wars Zero Company, and we all got the Big Walk platinum.

Enjoy!

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
- 00:32 Sony Halts A TLoU2 Mod
- 03:46 Rayman Legends Retold Delayed
- 05:05 Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Delayed On Switch 2
- 05:32 Xbox TGS Small R...

This week we cover some news we missed from the week we were out, recap BlizzCon, and discuss the strange move from Sony regarding Physint.

Then in the back half Xya talks the new FFXIV update, I give some big impressions of Star Wars Zero Company, and then we talk a little Big Walk puzzle cleanup.

Enjoy!

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
- 00:20 Recapping Some News We Missed While Out
- 03:00 Sony Backs Out Of Physint
- 12:21 The BlizzCon That Was Too Early
- 14:55 Nintendo Direct
...

This week we recap Opening Night Live from Gamescom, and then we get into spoiler talk about the fantastic ending to Big Walk.

Enjoy!

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
- 00:45 Recapping Opening Night Live
What We're Playing
- 42:26 Lego Party
- 46:23 Project Zomboid
- 54:10 Four Player Big Walk Finale

We've got the official recasting announcement for the God of War TV series, news that the Horizon multiplayer game is being rebooted, and more. 

Then in the back end we talk more about The Talos Principle II, Xya is lukewarm on Project Zomboid, and Big Walk with three players is so much better.

Enjoy!

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
- 01:04 God Of War Series Official Recast
- 05:20 Horizon Multiplayer Game Being Rebooted?
- 07:38 Arc Raiders' Subway Promo
- 08:36 Double Fine Keeps IP After Split
- 10:11 LEGO-Like O...

This week we have more layoffs, updates on some delayed games, Bethesda Devs protesting Asha Sharma, and a unique mod situation.

Then in the back half Isli talks about why Talos 1 is better than 2, Xya talks Project Zomboid, and I played my second Warhammer game. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
News Bits
- 00:47 More Layoffs
- 07:35 Tomb Raider Catalyst Release Window Update
- 08:35 PS5 Custom Faceplate Issue
- 12:28 Bethesda Devs Protest Asha Sharma's Visit
- 13:50 Terraria Mod Situation
What We're Playing
- 32:00 Talos Principle I/I...

We've got more layoffs this week at That's No Moon, and a developer at id Software speaks up about the state of the studio.

Then in the back half we talk more about The Talos Principle II, then Xya and I talk about Big Walk.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
News Bits
- 00:35 Xbox Adding Party Chat Game Capture
- 02:14 Layoffs At That's No Moon
- 03:51 id Software Developer Speaks Openly About Layoffs
What We're Playing
- 11:43 The Talos Principle II
- 34:40 Project Zomboid
- 40:35...

This week we cover additional fallout due to the Microsoft layoffs with Double Fine having to layoff staff after going independent and ESO having to delay their content updates. Then we discuss who should handle Baldur's Gate 4 and some bad industry analyst takes.

In the back half Isli and I talk about The Talos Principle 2, how it's a little too easy (so far), and then I talk about my first ever game of Warhammer 40,000 tabletop. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
News Bits
- 00:12 Double Fine Layoffs
- 05:18 ESO Delays Content D...

This week we've got some delays to cover, some exciting release dates, and some FF14 news highlights from FanFest. We also have some interesting, if not expected, comments from Clint Hocking with regards to developing a game that has too many people involved.

Then in the back half Xya talks about FF14 and I started Talos Principle 2.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
News Bits
- 00:32 Microsoft Announces Backwards Compatibility On PC
- 01:57 Tomb Raider Catalyst Delayed
- 03:05 Weird Last Minute Game Delay On Xbox
- 04:12 Clint Hocking Talks...

It looks like the God of War TV show is having some setbacks with an injury on set and potential recasting rumors. We also have Bethesda giving a full game plan update after all the layoffs, I suppose to reassure gamers out there.

Then in the back half Xya talks about Into the Emberlands and I discuss the end of the Lies of P DLC.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
News Bits
- 00:25 Monster Hunter Wilds Price Cut
- 02:27 PS+ July Additions
- 04:04 AC Blackflag Resynced 
- 05:26 Tides O...

The Xbox layoff rumors were true and we cover the fallout from that big decision, the layoffs yet to come, and the studios that could still be impacted. 

Then Isli talks about doing NG+ in Mina The Hollower and I've completed the Lies of P DLC.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
News Bits
- 00:14 Nintendo Switch 2 With Replaceable Battery In Europe
- 10:35 Correction From Last Week
- 14:22 God Of War Laufey In 2027?
- 14:47 Xbox Layoff News
What We're Playing
- 45:42 Mina The Hollower NG+
- 50:18 L...

We've got another game moving its release date in September, Unionized Xbox developers upset with the company, ridiculous ESA claims, and Sony making an insane decision about physical games.

Then in the back half Isli gives his final thoughts on Mina the Hollower, Xya talks Into the Emberlands, and I discuss my time with the Lies of P DLC. Xya and I also talk about how much we want to play Meccha Chameleon. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro
News Bits
- 00:20 Onimusha: Way Of The Sword Release Date Moved Up
...

This week we cover Kojima's tease of an adaptive fear mechanic for OD, Bungie layoffs, the Xbox price hike, and more. 

Then in the back half we talk about Mina the Hollower and me finally jumping into the Lies of P DLC.

Here are the timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
00:40 - Lords Of The Fallen 2 Delayed
08:47 - Kojima Teases "Adaptive Fear" For OD
16:02 - God Of War Laufey Thought Up In 2018
19:08 - Bungie Hit With Layoffs
39:33 - Xbox Price Hike
50:30 - GTA VI Price And No Physical Disc
W...

In this episode we cover the weird world of AI in game development, our first delayed game out of the packed September, Capcom adjusting Code Veronica's story to fit the current timeline, and Xbox is trying to fix things on the backend.

Then in the later half Xya and I talk Mina the Hollower. 

00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Valor Mortis Pushes Release Date
00:58 - 1666 Amsterdam AI Asset Slip
02:04 - Crystal Dynamics Weird AI PR Answer
07:09 - TLoU Season 3 Casting
09:00 - Resident Evil Veronica Will Adjust The Story To Fit Series Timeline

This episode we recap State of Play and Summer Game Fest. Then in the back I talk a little about Mina the Hollower and Isli finished Saros. 

02:09 - Design Reasons Why You Can't Kill Fish In Subnautica 2
13:00 - No Rest For The Wicked Not Releasing On Xbox Yet Because Of Series S
16:10 - State Of Play Recap
47:45 - Summer Game Fest Recap
What We're Playing
01:13:08 - Mina The Hollower
01:22:25 - Saros

We've got the surprise announcement of new content coming to The Witcher 3 in 2027, huge price increases for the Steam Deck, a delay for Fable, and an out of nowhere huge balance patch for StarCraft 2.

Then Isli and Xya talk about Mina The Hollower, and I continue my journey through Escape Simulator 2 with a few gripes.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:30 PS+ For June
- 03:40 Media Molecule's Next Game Rumor
- 04:33 Another No Man's Sky Update
- 08:40 Resident Evil 9 Gets A Demo
- 10:57 Steam Deck H...

We're a few weeks away from Summer Game Fest and we got the announcement that Destiny 2 content updates will end in June, to the surprise of the developers and the community. We've also got the unexpected news that Final Fantasy 11 could possibly receive new content?

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 01:26 Subnautica 2 And Killing Fish
- 04:51 Game Pass Wave 2 Line-up
- 05:37 Warhammer Skulls Showcase
- 10:33 Could We See New FF11 Content?
- 20:12 Destiny 2 Content Updates To End
What We're Playing
- 30:36 Final Fantasy 14
- 32:04 E...

We've got quite the spread of news this week capped off with some interesting details about Amy Hennig's version of Uncharted 4.

Then in the backend we haven't played much collectively this week, but I give some impressions of Escape Simulator 2, my issues with the Xbox app's UI, and Isli doesn't understand potty training. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:32 Katsuhiro Harada's New Studio
- 07:20 Former EA Producer Sales Dead Space 4 Wouldn't Sell
- 13:00 News Blast
- 15:36 Arc Raiders Moving To Twice A Year Content Updates
...

We've got some fun games coming to Game Pass this month, Pragmata has some good sales figures for Capcom, Double Fine is unionizing, and we need a third review tier for games on Steam. 

In the backend Isli just started Saros so he doesn't have too many opinions so far, but I've beating the game in full so I give my final thoughts and how I think it compares to Returnal. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:10 Wisdom Teeth
- 02:58 Game Pass Wave 1 Lineup For May 
- 16:25 Assa...

Subnautica 2 finally has a release date for early access, and it's right around the corner. We've got a lot of Final Fantasy news that we missed from FanFest, and we've got the unfortunate closer announcement for the developers of Greedfall.

Then in the back half Xya talks the recent FFXIV update prepping for Evercold, Isli can't get away from Hades II, and I give my thoughts on Saros.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:10 Greedfall Developer Shutting Down
- 02:55 Subnautica 2 Early Access Release Date 
- 08:40 FFVII Rebirth Co...

We've got the surprise price drop for Game Pass this week, the announcement of the well known AC Black Flag remaster, and the announcement of the next FFXIV expansion. 

Then in the back half Isli gives his final thoughts on Hades 2, Xya is prepping for FFXIV's 7.5 update, and I talk Hades, Gray Zone Warfare, and Dome Keeper.  

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:58 Game Pass Price Reduction
- 10:46 Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
- 22:49 Battlefield Movie
- 25:40 FFXIV Evercold Announced
What We're Playing
- 44:08 Had...

It's a light week of news but we have an interesting interview with Pete Hines where he talks about frustrations with Xbox after acquiring Bethesda. We also get the announcement of a new Metro game that comes out at the end of the year. Then Xya talks about her new computer, and Isli and I talk Hades I & II. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:12 Pete Hines Interview
- 03:34 Metro 2039 Announced
- 05:01 Arc Raiders' New Expeditions
- 08:21 FFXIV 7.5 Live Letter
- 14:07 Misc. Bits
What We're Playing

It's a light week of news but we've got another update to No Man's Sky and rumors of a Disney extraction shooter. Then in the back Isli talks revisiting Dead Cells and I give my final thoughts. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:25 Samson
- 04:48 No Man's Sky Update
- 06:15 Disney Extraction Shooter Rumors
- 17:05 Cyberpunk 2077 PS5 Pro Update
What We're Playing
- 19:25 Dead Cells

We've got more layoffs this week, as well as an acquisition, then some new info about the canceled TLoU Factions game. In the back half Isli talks about Nioh 3, and I go into my experience with Dead Cells so far.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:15 Eidos Montreal Layoffs
- 02:46 Shinji Mikami's New Studio Purchased
- 06:30 TLoU Factions Director Says Game Was 80% Complete
- 16:50 PEAK Dev Pushes Back
- 18:23 Ramen Shop In Japan Becomes Official Warhammer Retailer
What We're Playing
- 24:03 Nioh 3
- 26:35 Dead C...

We've got more unfortunate news with mass layoffs at Epic, PlayStation 5 price hikes, and Sony shutting down another studio. But on the positive side we have a free update for Dying Like The Beast, Rebellion announcing a new game, we take a big book tangent, then I talk about Warhammer 40k 11th edition being announced.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:15 Sony Increases PS5 And Portal Prices
- 08:12 Sony Quietly Closes Another Studio
- 09:46 Epic Layoffs
- 14:24 Saros Previews Out
- 17:38 Dying Light The Beast Update
...

We're back after a week off and we quickly recap some of the news we missed before jumping into current news bits. Then in the back half Isli talks about his insane RE9 conspiracy theory, Xya has trouble buying physical games, and I return to The Alters.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:16 PS+ Extra Games
- 02:03 Krafton Loses Legal Battle
- 06:48 John Carpenter's Favorite Games
- 10:10 FBC: Firebreak
- 11:04 More Layoffs At Crystal Dynamics
- 12:08 Counter-Strike Changes Reload Mechanic
- 17:15 Misc. Expedition 33 News
...

It's a big week of news with a heavy theme on game development troubles and rumor confirmations. Then in the back end we get into a spoiler discussion about Resident Evil Requiem now that Isli is here.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:15 Highguard To Shutdown
- 11:40 Marathon's Skin Pricing And Coming Patch
- 19:37 People Want More Nightreign Content
- 21:20 Ubisoft Confirms Black Flag Remake
- 25:50 Gang Of Dragon Funding Issues
- 29:44 Project Helix
- 41:41 Sony PC Rumors
What We're Playing
- 48:20 Resident E...

After recapping some news from this week we spend a good amount of time having a spoiler discussion about the new Resident Evil up until the RPD section.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:35 PS+ March Games
- 01:47 Marvel's Wolverine Release Date
- 02:22 Vantage Studios Leadership Change
- 04:28 Nacon's Troubles
- 06:56 Space Marine 2 Voice Pack Issues
- 09:52 New Pokémon
What We're Playing
- 18:25 Resident Evil Requiem Spoilers Up To RPD.

We've got one hell of a week with Sony shutting down Bluepoint Games and Xbox having a major shakeup in leadership.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:37 Gamepass Wave 2
- 01:12 Industry Losses
- 02:19 Replaced Delayed
- 03:30 AC Shadows Gets Jump Button
- 06:00 Zach Cregger's RE Movie Discussion
- 15:36 Bluepoint Games Shutdown
- 30:52 Big Xbox Shakeups
What We're Playing
- 40:51 Cairn
- 46:20 FFXIV
- 47:56 Warhammer Miniature Painting
- 1:02:05 Surviving A Big Paint Mess 

This week we cover a mix of news, include unfortunate layoffs at Wildlight, before we jump into the recap of Sony's State of Play followed by a quick recap of what we've been playing.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 01:06 No Man's Sky Remnant Update
- 01:44 Funny Mewgenics VO "Controversy"
- 03:36 Wildlight Suffers Layoffs
- 08:31 Ghost In The Shell Director's Funny Gaming Habits
- 11:58 Josef Fares Teases Next Project
- 13:05 Directive 8020 Release Date
- 13:43 Monster Hunter Wilds DLC
- 20:30 Solid Snake's R6 Siege Trailer

We've got some interesting video game adaptations announced, a funny Resident Evil trailer conspiracy, and Sony reveals the Horizon co-op game.

Then in the back Isli talks about Cairn, Xya complains about the relic grind in FFXIV, and I revisit Borderlands 4 and discuss an annoying 'bug' in Oxygen Not Included.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:15 Game Pass Lineup
- 01:02 Resident Evil Requiem Funny Trailer
- 02:58 More Video Game Film/TV Adaptations
- 15:47 Ghost Of Yotei Sold Well
- 17:14 Sony Shows Off The Horizon Co-op G...

We've got even more potential layoffs at Ubisoft, Highguard dropping a sudden 5v5 mode, and some fun voice packs for Space Marine 2.

Then in the second half Isli gives his final thoughts on The Lost Crown and the DLC, Xya talks Chaos Rings 3, and I talk more about my Tomb Raider IV revisit along with some Balatro struggles.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 01:24 More Ubisoft Proposed Staff Reductions
- 05:15 Highguard Adds 5v5 Mode
- 09:59 Cairn 
- 15:42 Space Marine 2 Voice Pack
What We're Playing
...

This episode we cover the crazy decisions that Ubisoft is making, the "Coming To PS5" Xbox developer direct, and we discuss the Fallout TV series so far.

Then in the back half Isli talks more about The Lost Crown and I continue my journey replaying Tomb Raider 4.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:24 Ubisoft Adds 60 FPS Support To Some Far Cry Games
- 07:15 Ubisoft Cancels 6 Projects With Additional Closures
- 12:57 GameStop's Funny Switch 2 Loophole
- 14:16 Japan Wanted A More Manga Lara Croft
- 15:36 Xbox Developer D...

We've got more layoffs at Ubisoft impacting The Division team, who also lost their franchise boss who went to DICE. Amazon also announced they're shutting down New World in a year, and Games Workshop bans AI.

Then in the back end Isli gives updated thoughts on his return to The Lost Crown, Xya returns to Animal Crossing after a long break, and I give my thoughts on the Tomb Raider IV remaster.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:27 PS Plus Games For January
- 01:43 More Ubisoft Layoffs
...

We've got the January Game Pass lineup, an Xbox developer direct announced, an AI assist patent, and more. 

Then in the back half Isli gives his thoughts on Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Xya plays more Chaos Rings, and I talk about the spooky Dead Letter Dept. with some heavy spoilers. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:45 Game Pass For January
- 03:22 Xbox Developer Direct This Month
- 04:45 Former Zenimax Studio Head Confirms Why He Left
- 06:17 PlayStation Patents AI Assist Feature
- 11:55 Embark Confirms Mat...

In this episode we go over every game that currently has a release date in 2026 that we're interested in. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:44 2026 Releases We're Excited About
What We're Playing
- 25:40 FF14 And Chaos Rings
- 27:58 Cyberpunk 2077 And Icarus
- 33:43 Warhammer Painting

It's unfortunate that during the holidays the big news is the tragic passing of Vince Zampella. Vince was of course a co-creator for Call of Duty, having co-founded both Infinity Ward and later Respawn Entertainment. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:28 Cyberpunk's eShop Pricing Mistake
- 02:12 007 First Light Delayed
- 02:32 Vince Zampella's Passing
What We're Playing
- 13:19 Clair Obscur DLC, Escape Plan, And Chaos Rings
- 33:30 Cyberpunk 2077 
- 34:48 Warhammer And Stranger Things

In this episode we discuss a co-founder leaving Sucker Punch, if the original Tomb Raider is actually hard by today's standards, Larian's comments on AI, and how sometimes you need to do overtime.

Then in the back end I have some gripes with Routine, even though I enjoyed it overall. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 01:06 Sucker Punch Co-Founder Stepping Down After 30 Years
- 04:41 Warhammer 40,000 Mechanicus 2 Delayed
- 05:34 The Original Tomb Raider Is Hard?
- 11:36 Fallout Show Will Be Referenced In Fallout 5
- 12:51 Larian Studios An...

We're back with a recap of all the trailers from The Game Awards, and there were lots of surprises. Afterwards we get into our usual critiques of the show, then we talk about what we've been playing. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:17 News Bits We Missed
- 03:07 Recapping The Reveals At The Game Awards
- 56:15 The Game Awards Is Still Too Bloated
What We're Playing
- 1:15:28 Dispatch
- 1:23:49 Cyberpunk 2077 
- 1:25:49 Solving My USB Bug
- 1:27:06 Star Wars Outlaws, StarCraft 2, And Gray Zone Warfare

We've got a funny hot fix for Arc Raiders, a Far Cry TV show announced, and confirmation that Silksong will get DLC at some point. Then we quickly get into Xya's trip to Japan, some fun gaming items she came home with, and then I talk about a weird bug with Terra Nil. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:24 Arc Raiders' Funny Hot Fix
- 03:04 AC Shadows Not Getting Second Expansion
- 05:50 Far Cry TV Show Planned
- 14:27 Silksong DLC Confirmed With No ETA
What We're Playing

It's the episode before Thanksgiving and the news is light. We've got a lot of pre-Black Friday sales, impressive sales figures for Battlefield 6, and some interesting TGA news. Then in the back half Isli gives his final thoughts on Dispatch, I tell some Arc Raiders war stories and talk about Is This Seat Taken.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:30 Developer Withdraws Their TGA Nomination
- 01:51 Crowsworn Gets New Trailer
- 03:18 Battlefield 6 Has Impressive Sales
- 05:50 Borderlands 4 Update
- 15:36 Black Friday Game Sales
What We're Playing