Not Your Mama's Gamer

This week, as we are wrapping up the winter. gift giving season, we are talking about some of our favorite gift giving ideas!

What We're Playing
Team Fight Tactics
Ghost of Yōtei
BO7 *
Arc Raiders,
Moonlighter 2*
Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato*

What We're Reading
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Boradbent
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
The Great Mann by Kylie Davis Lurie

What We're Drinking
Almanac Smooches Chocolate Stout
Hard M...

This week we are talking about the games we keep playing or replaying and why.

What We're Playing (Selections)
Silksong
Peak
Metaphor ReFantazio
Quartet*
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy
Borderlands 4
Dying Light: The Beast
Fallout 76

What We're Reading
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Japanese Books (Genki 1; Kanji Look and Learn; Practical Japanese 1)
Heir by Sabaa Tahir
Silo by Hugh Howey

What We're Drinking
Coffee and Slice Ginger Ale
2Towns. Ciderhouse Comsic Crisp
CranRaspberry Lemonade

*Code received for streaming...

This week we are chatting and catching up after an (unintentional) summer hiatus!

What We're Playing (Selections)
Peak
Expedition 33
Tiny Bookshop*
Discounty*
Birdigo*
Metaphor ReFantazio
Cult of the Lamb
Repo
Final Fantasy I and II

What We're Reading
Brindlewood Bay TTRPG
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Japanese Books (Genki 1; Kanji Look and Learn; Practical Japanese 1)
Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin
Writing the Other by...

This week we've all played Atomfall. by Rebellion and we're talking about the experience!

What We're Playing
Atomfall*
Blue Prince
Sunderfolk
R.E.P.O.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Fallout 76

What We're Reading
Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Model Home by Rivers Solomon

What We're Drinking
Sneaky Sneaky
Sprecher Orange Dream
Xila by Flor de Luna

*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we're talking about games and videogame pairings. Not specifically the music from the specific videogames, but music that we pair with the specific games that we are playing or thinking about.

What We're Playing
Atomfall*
South of Midnight*
Nobdy Saves the World
Split Fiction
Minecraft
Fallout 76

What We're Reading
Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus
Model Home by Rivers Solomon

What We're Drinking
Great Notion Blueberry Muffin Tart Sour
Water
Cold Brew Coffee

*Code received...

This week we talk about book and game pairings. If you like these games you might like these books! Errata: Sam said The Monsters We Defy by Justina Ireland and she meant to say by Leslye Penelope

What We're Playing
Monster Hunter Wilds
Assassin's Creed Shadows*
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

What We're Reading
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
A Glimmer of Death by Valeria Wilson Wesley
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

What We're Drinking
MARS the Y...

This week we talk about our most anticipated games of 2025. Will there be overlap? Will Victoria list Silksong...again?

What We're Playing
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Avowed *
Party Animals
Slay the Spire Board Game
For the King II
Streets of Rogue
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
Lethal Company

What We're Reading
Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark
The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste
The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond
Harpo...

This week we talk about the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign. Caution: SPOILERS ABOUND!

What We're Playing
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Luma Island
Longvinter
Balatro
Stardew Valley
FO76
Phasmophobia

What We're Reading
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
The Hooligans of Kandahar by Joesph Kassabian

<...

This week we talk about gifts we are giving and getting this gift giving season (or any time of year).

What We're Playing
Last Time I Saw You*
Inscryption
Nobody Saves the World
Lies of P
Metaphor: ReFantazio

What We're Reading
The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis

What We're Drinking
Stone Imperial Seasonal Stout
Coffee and sadness

*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about the Call of Duty series in some critical, yet random, ways.

What We're Playing
Balatro
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Fallout 76
Wingspan
Papers Please
Bayonetta
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
Metaphor: ReFantazio

What We're Reading
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez
From Dissertation to Book by William Germano

What We're Drinking
Mountain Dew
Sparkling Ice + Caffeine, Strawberry Citrus

*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about short games and the purpose they serve for us as individuals.

What We're Playing
Balatro
Castaway
Critter Cove*
Spiritfarer
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Fallout 76
Lies of P
PlateUp
Still Wakes the Deep

What We're Reading
Starter Villain by John Scalzii
Star Wars: Thrawn Treason by Timothy Zahn

What We're Drinking
Sapporo
Uncle Nearest and Fever Tree Ginger Ale
Water

*Code received for streaming and review...

We're back from hiatus and we've survived the first half of 2024.

What We're Playing
Balatro
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Deep Rock Galactic
Fallout 76
Fields of Mistria
FFVII Reunion
Hues and Cues (board game)
Lies of P
Piles (card game)
PlateUp
Still Wakes the Deep
Very, Very Valet

What We're Reading
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendency by Timothy Zahn
Avatar, the Last Airbender: The Reckoning of Roku by Randy Ribay

This week we talk about the games that we are most looking forward to in 2024...maybe.

What We're Playing
Ship of Fools
Disney Speedstorm
Board Games (Sherlock Holmes, Avatar: Crosswords of Destiny, RISK: Medieval Europe)
Return from Core*
PalWorld

What We're Reading
Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Star Wars Thrawn

What We're Drinking
Pineapple Monster Ultra
Sprite
Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout
*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we are talking about our favorite games of 2023 as we look forward to 2024.

What We're Playing
Dead by Daylight
Baldur's Gate 3
Palia
Born of Bread*
Bilkin's Folly*
Call of Duty*
*Code Received for streaming and review purposes

What We're Reading
Avatar Comics
The Legacy of Yangchen by F.C. Yee
Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

What We're Drinking
Modern Times Coffee Roasty Stout
Grapefruit Radler

This week we are talking about living our best (or worst) lives among the stars in Starfield.

What We're Playing
Starfield
Inscryption
Baldur's Gate 3
Moving Out 2,
Persona 5 Royal
Illiterati
Call of Duty
Fae Farm*
Tiny Witch*
*Code Received for streaming and review purposes

What We're Reading
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
In Every Generation A Slayer is Born: How Buffy Staked Our Hearts by Evan Ross Katz
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
...

This week we are talking about the cozy aesthetic and how your faves can be problematic.


What We're Playing
Sims 4* (with Horse Ranch DLC)
Pikmin 4
Palia
Venba*
Atelier Marie
Persona 5
Tears of the Kingdom
Dicey Dungeons
Railway Empires 2
7 Wonders Duel
Diablo 4
*Code Received for streaming and review purposes


What We're Reading
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
Avatar Legends Republic City Expansion
The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner
In...

This week we are talking about the games that have had the biggest impact on our lives.

What We're Playing
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Diablo IV
Jedi: Survivor
Minecraft
Fallout 76
Sanake.io
Crime O'Clock*
Noob: The Factionless*
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life*
*Code Received for streaming and review purposes

What We're Reading
Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Thrawn by Timothy Zahn

What We're Drinking<...

This week Sam and Jordyn and joined by material artist Christian Vasquez and environment artist Leah Augustine to talk about working in the games industry as artists.

Links of note:
Chris Vasquez (he/him)
https://www.artstation.com/chrisnvasquez
Leah Augustine (she/her)
https://www.artstation.com/leahaugustine

What We're Playing
Potionomics
Travelers Rest
Valorant
Deceive Inc*
PUBG
Resident Evil 4 Remake

*Code Received for streaming and review purposes

What We're Reading
Babel by R.F. Kuang
The Complete Making of...

This week Jordyn and Victoria get the opportunity to interview her about games and her history working in and around games.

What We're Playing
Potionomics
Dredge
Stardew Valley
Dinkum
Golf Club Wasteland
Return of the Obra Dinn
Wasteland 3

What We're Reading
Babel by R.F. Kuang

What We're Drinking
Ace Pineapple Cider
Sprite
Modern Times Coconut Stout
Water, lots of water

This week Sam and Jordyn sit down with Amanda Gardner from The Deep End Games to talk about their upcoming game (March 7, 2023!), Romancelvania.

What We're Playing
Potionomics
Pokemon Violet
Fire Emblem Engage
Octopath Traveler II
Destiny 2: Lightfall*
Majora's Mask

What We're Reading
Babel by R.F. Kuang
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson

What We're Drinking
Black Cherry Sparkling Water
Stone Imperial Stout
Widow Jane Decadence Bourbon

This week Sam sits down with Jordyn and Victoria to talk about queer characters and games that we love. Recorded on Valentine's Day.

What We're Playing
Potionomics
Fire Emblem Engage
Warlords Battlecry III
Age of Empires
Devour
Avatar Generations

What We're Reading
Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland
Babel by R.F. Kuang
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee

What We're Drinking
Ace Cider
Selkie Tea
Death by Chocolate Stout
Water, water flavored water

This week Sam sits down and talks with TreaAndrea Russworm (Professor of Fun, USC) and Cicero Holmes (Podcaster, Game Player, and still the Bruce Wayne of Brookago) about the definition and examples of Black games (and tangentially the wizard game that must not be named).

What We're Playing
God of War Ragnorok
God of War (2018)
Marvel Snap
Fire Emblem Engage
Mars Base
I am Future
Fabledom
SteamWorld Build

This week we talk about the 2023 game releases that we are most excited for!

What We're Playing
God of War Ragnorok
Pokemon Violet
Spiderman: Miles Morales
Kynseed
Len's Island*
Grounded
Crusader Kings 3
Core Keeper
Avatar Legends
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading
Babel by RF Kuang
Spare by Prince Harry
Comics: Turf Wars, Ruins of the Empire, Patterns in Time

What We're Drinking
Whiskey Ginger
Strawberry Lemonade
Tropical Beer Hug, Imperial IPA

This week we talk about our top 5 games of 2022. Looking forward at all of the new releases of 2023.

What We're Playing:
Dying Light 2
Tiny Tina's Wonderland
Pokemon Violet
Marvel Midnight Suns*
Beacon Pines*
Dragon Quest Treasure*
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel's Ballad*
Marvel Snap
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
The Dawn of Yangchen by FC Yee
Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston

What We're Drinking:
Newtopia: Chai Me a River
Sneaky Sneaky

This week we are talking about things that you might pick up for folks on your Winter Holidays gift list (or anytime really).

What We're Playing:
Dying Light 2
Strange Horticulture
The Devil in Me
Pokemon Violet
Harvestella*
Marvel Snap
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
The Dawn of Yangchen by FC Yee
Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston

What We're Drinking:
Stone Imperial Stout
A bootleg Sneaky Sneaky

Links of Note:
Selections...

This week we are talking about what we are playing with Dr. TreaAndrea Russworm (USC Cinematic Arts) about what we've been playing lately.
What We're Playing:
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Lonesome Village*
Harvestella*
Mario v Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
For the King
Deep Rock Galactic
Strange Horticultue
Against the Storm
GTA V Online
Spiritfarer
Tacoma
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
The Dawn of Yangchen by FC Yee
Amari and the Great Game by B.B...

This week we are talking about our experience playing Stray from BlueTwelve Studio.

What We're Playing:
Tower of Fantasy
Stardew Valley
Extraction
Stray*
Sea of Thieves
This War of Mine
Framed
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
The Dawn of Yangchen by FC Yee
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

What We're Drinking:
Lemonade
Iced Coffee
Temblor Brewing Co. Raspberry Creamsicle

This week we are talking about the games that we are looking forward to the most as we wind up the summer game releases.

What We're Playing:
Framed
Extraction
Stray
Dinkum
Time on Frog Island*
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Cities Skylines
Catan
Minecraft Dungeons
Back4Blood
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston
The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

...

This week we are chatting with Stephanie Jones (incoming Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University) about Final Fantasy XIV, community building, and the Black Girls of Eorzea (BGE) project that she is working on with Sam.

If you would like to try Final Fantasy XIV an unlimited, free trial is available at https://freetrial.finalfantasyxiv.com/na.

What We're Playing:
Final Fantasy XIV
Fall Guys
Core Keeper
Deep Rock Galactic
Cities: Skylines
Game of Thrones (Digital Edition)
We Were Here Forever
Arcade Spirits 2*
*Code was received for...

This week we are talking about Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Nintendo Switch). We've been so excited for the post-apocalyptic puffball, how did it fare?

What We're Playing:
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Frostpunk
Valheim
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
For the King
Unlock!
My Time at Sandrock*
Arcade Spirits 2
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

What We're Drinking:
Southern Peach Lemonade
Eagle Brewery Banana Bread Beer
Sneaky Sneaky

This week we chat with Alexandra Orlando, Community Manager at Kitfox Games developers of Boyfriend Dungeon and the upcoming titles Dwarf Fortress and Mossfield Origins.

Twitter: KitfoxGames
Tiktok: @kitfoxgames

What We're Playing:
Rogue Legacy 2
Stardew Valley
Yeardle
COD: Cold War
Hood: Outlaws and Legends
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Rainbow Six: Extraction
Framed
Winkeltje*
Cat Cafe Manager*
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
Crooked Kingdom
Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline Boulley<...

This week we talk with Amanda Schofield, Co-Founder, Managing Director, and Creative Director at Studio Drydock. Wylde Flowers is on Steam and coming to PC and consoles in 2022. Available to wishlist on Steam now.

What We're Playing:
Oxygen Not Included
Wylde Flowers
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Animal Crossing
Minecraft
Kirby and the Forgotten Land

What We're Reading:
Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

What We're Drinking:
Coffee
Uncle Nearest 1856 & Diet Vernors
...

This week we talk with Miranda Due, Associate Producer at Treyarch, about DEI, museums, and Nancy Drew.

What We're Playing:
Tools Up DLC
Ghostwire Tokyo
Wordle. Secdordle, Kilordle
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Princess Farmer*
Cats in Time
Rune Factory 5
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

What We're Drinking:
Pineapple Wine
Uncle Nearest 1856 & Diet Vernors
A Happy White Wine Accident
Black Cherry Sparkling Ice

This week we are talking about co-op games of the online and couch varieties.

What We're Playing:
Crusader Kings III
Sedecordle
Warlords Battlecry 3
Call of Duty: Cold War
Rainbow Six Extraction
Wylde Flowers
Capybara Spa*
Chocobo GP
Monster Hunter Rise
Rune Factory 5
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin

What We're Drinking:
Sneaky Sneaky: Deep Eddy's Sweet Tea Vodka & Lemonade
Chocolate Milk
Scissor Kick Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

This week we are talking about the games that we return to the most and why.

What We're Playing:
Bastion
El Hijo*
Horizon Forbidden West
The Hundred Year Kingdom*
Dying Light 2
Rainbow Six Extraction
Hollow Knight
Crusader Kings III
Octordle
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

What We're Drinking:
Sneaky Sneaky
Apple Juice
Saturn's Rings Cabernet (2017)

This week we are talking about the cozy nature of post-apocalyptic games.

What We're Playing:
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Rainbow Six: Extraction
State of Decay 2
Hollow Knight
Sudoku
Gin Rummy
Carto
Deep Rock Galactic
Star Wars Squadrons
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
The Toxic Meritocracy of Games by Christopher A. Paul
Gamer Trouble by Amanda Phillips
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

What We're Drinking:
"Comfort" Guinness
...

This week we are talking about the top 5 games that we are looking forward to in 2022.
What We're Playing:
Shim Megami Tensei V
Mario Party Superstars
Chicory*
Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon*
Fallout 76
Crusader Kings III
Degrees of Separation
Ark
Wordle
Tropico 6
Life is Strange: True Colors
Halo Infinite Multiplayer/Halo MCC
*Code was received for streaming and review purposes.

What We're Reading:
Rosewater by Tade Thompson
Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

What We're Drinking:<...