Good Gains, Well Played

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

This episode we quickly recap some news we missed from last week then we get into Valve's hardware announcements and the Horizon MMO. In the back half Isli talks about Dispatch, Xya talks more Necesse, and I share some stories from Arc Raiders. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:42 News We Missed Last Week
- 12:33 Valve's Hardware Announcements 
- 20:46 Silent Hill f NG+ Patch
- 23:51 Arc Raider's First Big Patch
- 25:10 Horizon MMO
What We're Playing
- 38:39 Dispatch
- 48:15 Necesse
- 57:43 Arc Raiders

There wasn't much this week to go in depth on, so we just had a quick rapid fire highlight of some news before jumping straight into what everyone is playing. Xya talks about Necesse 1.0, I give my closing thoughts on The Lake House DLC, talk about games I want to play, and doing some Warhammer painting. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:25 Small News Rapid Fire
What We've Been Playing
- 05:33 Necesse 
- 17:52 Alan Wake 2 The Lake House DLC
- 25:05 Lots I Want To Play
- 29:08 War...

This episode we've got Microsoft wanting Xbox to have a higher profit margins, and now we've got a Halo CE remake coming to PS5. Borderlands 4 has made the most revenue of any previous title, though prices are higher, and Fallout 4 continues to get the Skyrim treatment.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:13 Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition
- 02:00 Bloomberg's Microsoft Report And Halo Coming To PS5
- 13:28 Borderlands 4 Has Highest Launch Sales Of The Series
- 15:05 No Man's Sky Breach Update Is Live
- 16:00 Games Leaving PS Plus Extra

It's another light week of news but Xya has a new MMO to talk about and Isli gives some updates on Silent Hill F. Then I talk about Battlefield 6, solving an annoying OBS audio issue, and some lessons learned doing my first magnetized bits for Warhammer.  

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 01:20 Glen Scholfield Is Trying For Dead Space 4 Again
- 02:12 Quantic Dream's New Free-To-Play Game
- 03:37 Marc-Alexis Cote's Comments On His Ubisoft Departure
- 06:45 The State Of Pokémon
What We're Playing
- 26:15 Blue Protocol: Sta...

We're light on news but we've got a fun easter egg, some games getting additional content, and dev's strange message after leaving 343. After that we get into closing thoughts on Silksong, Isli talks about Silent Hill f, and I try to figure out what I'm going to play next. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:23 Baby Steps Funny Easter Egg
- 01:51 Indiana Jones Getting NG+ And Bonus Ending
- 03:03 Expedition 33 To Get More Content
- 04:34 Bungie To Start Next Marathon Closed Beta Tests
- 05:33 Halo Dev Makes In...

This week we cover some small bits of news before talking about the Game Pass price increase, Sony's SSD shrinkflation, and EA's crazy buyout. Then in the backend we have a spoiler discussion about Silksong in its entirety. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:17 Layoffs At Avalanche Studios
- 02:59 Ubisoft's Vantage Studios
- 11:19 Andrezj Sapkowski Regrets One Witcher Line
- 19:03 Borderlands 4 Buffs Instead Of Nerfing
- 20:22 Microsoft Increases Price Of Game Pass
- 35:35 Sony's SSD Shrinkflation
- 39:35 Silly Fortnite News
- 41:30 EA's Buyout
Wh...

This week we talk about the Magic The Gathering Secret Lair collab with PlayStation, Sony's impressive PS5 generation sales figures, and recapping the State of Play.

Then the bulk of the episode is talking about what we're playing and that game, of course, is Silksong.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:16 MGS Delta Fox Hunt Release Date
- 01:30 Borderlands 4 Updates And Player Woes
- 03:17 MTG PlayStation Secret Lair
- 08:54 Sony Says PS5 Most Successful Generation
- 11:19 State of Play
What We're Playing
- 25:01 S...

We've got a random smattering of news bits this episode, then in the back half I quickly give some updated thoughts on Borderlands 4 before we jump into Act 2 of Silksong. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:30 Jump Ship Goes Early Access
- 07:02 Lawsuits
- 09:20 Borderlands 4 Issues
- 13:58 Escape From Tarkov Steam Issue
- 16:00 Dispatch Release Date
- 16:46 PS5 Controller Update
What We're Playing
- 19:42 Borderlands 4
- 26:00 Silksong Spoilers Through Middle Of Act 2

It's the second time this year where all three of us are playing the same game, and that game is Silksong. Tune in while we recap some of the news, including the Nintendo Direct, and then in the back half we talk a lot about our early game thoughts on Silksong. Afterwards, I give my thoughts on Borderlands 4 so far. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:20 FF7 Integrade Xbox And Switch Release Date
- 02:57 Epic Games To Tweak Virtual Currencies 
- 08:14 Intergalactic Naughty Dogs Most Expensive Game
- 11:43 Sil...

We've got casting for Amazon's Tomb Raider, devs explaining why game-key cards are good, layoffs, and Pete Hines' issues with Game Pass. Then in the back half we talk about Silksong and Hell is Us. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 01:20 Firaxis Layoffs
- 04:00 Star Wars Outlaws Devs Explain Game-Key Cards
- 07:48 No Man's Sky Player Numbers
- 08:54 Resident Evil Movie News
- 10:04 Amazon's Tomb Raider Casts Lara
- 11:20 Pete Hines' Issues With Game Pass
- 16:30 Indie Devs Concerned About Silksong's Pricing
What We're Pl...

This week we cover a range of news from PS+ titles to Atari acquiring some games from Ubisoft. Then in the backend Xya talks about wanting to play Trails in the Sky, I talk Icarus, how an old reddit post helped me with Warhammer, and then we get into some Death Stranding 2 spoilers. 

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:36 PS+ Games For September
- 01:05 How The Indiana Jones DLC Adjusts Difficulty
- 03:32 Atari Acquires Some Titles From Ubisoft
- 04:27 Silksong To Have Long DLC Roadmap 
- 04:40 No Man...

We've got a bit of news as well as games we saw at Opening Night Live that have us interested. Then in the back half Isli talks about the Hell is Us demo, I talk Sword of the Sea, and my second ever eBay purchase.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:25 August Game Pass Wave 2 Lineup
- 01:48 BioShock 4 Developer Shakeups
- 03:15 Metal Gear Solid Delta Easter Egg
- 06:48 Assassin's Creed Mirage DLC Announced
- 07:22 New Division Game Announced
- 09:00 Silksong Has A Release Date
- 13:30 O...

After covering some small bits of news I get into my overall, spoiler free, thoughts on Death Stranding 2. Hopefully next week Xya and I can get into all the spoiler discussions.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:15 Opening Night Live Line-up.
- 01:31 Stalker 2 Coming To PS5
- 02:40 PUBG To End PS4 And Xbox One Support
- 08:57 David Hayter Finally Played MGS5
- 09:38 Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
What We're Playing
- 15:46 Death Stranding 2
- 41:27 Battlefield 6 Beta

This episode we cover some updated PS5 stats and a spread of Xbox news. Then Isli talks about replaying Subnautica, Xya talks about the new raid in FFXIV, and I talk about the Battlefield 6 beta.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:17 PS5 Updated Numbers
- 07:15 Aggro Crab Would Rather You Pirate Peak
- 07:50 Xbox News Blast
What We're Playing
- 12:41 Subnautica
- 26:01 FFXIV
- 34:32 Battlefield 6 Beta
- 41:48 Death Stranding 2

This episode we've got some game announcements, console sales and price hikes, release dates, rumors, and the Battlefield 6 multiplayer showcase.

Here are the timestamps:

Intro 
News Bits
- 00:30 THQ Showcase
- 01:14 Switch 2 Sales Figures
- 02:27 Nintendo Announces Switch 1 Price Increase
- 05:26 Octopath Traveler 0
- 06:09 Chronos: New Dawn Release Date
- 08:20 The Medium Could Be A Movie
- 10:43 Starfield PS5 Release Rumors
- 15:57 Sony Suing Tencent
- 18:37 Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Showcase
What We're Playing
- 23:29 Subnautica
- 28:25 Ragnarök 
- 34:53 StarRupture 
- 35:44 Demo...