The Insert Credit Show

Podcast Editor and Game Industry Analyst Esper Quinn joins the panel to cover why Silksong’s price doesn’t matter, what the A’s in AAAAA-Game stand for, and the Loudness War. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Esper Quinn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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The panel discusses the best pixel artists, Clair Obscur’s greatest weakness, and In Which Lake Is Carmen Sandiego? Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: How do you pick a video game release date? (06:44)

Promise Mascot Agency and Paradise Killer game director Oli Clarke Smith goes on a game dev deep dive with Demonschool’s Brandon Sheffield, discussing everything from tooling, workflows, localization, voice acting, making a “PS2-style” game, and of course, movement mechanics. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Oli Clarke Smith. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Insert Credit Gaiden is brought to you...

Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield discuss Demonschool’s release date getting sniped by Silksong, thoughts on lost media, and E3ster. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Innersloth Communications Director, Wholesome Games organizer, and author Victoria Tran joins the panel for game industry tax tips, thoughts on the “cozy game” genre, and checking Ash’s sauce privilege. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Victoria Tran. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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The finest minds in video games discuss The Sims 5, good sewer levels, and playing CD-i games with Eugene Levy. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: Liz Ryerson asks, are there any actually good sewer levels? (03:05)

Video editor, white-blue-black player, and show note writer Esper Quinn planeswalks with the panel to discuss their first experiences playing Magic: the Gathering. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Esper Quinn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: Brando...

Insert Credit nominates and celebrates the greatest, most influential, and most personally beloved game development studios of all time. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

View the finalized list at insertcredit.com!

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Writer, musician, and NYU guest lecturer Liz Ryerson joins the panel to define “Triple A,” genres of kusoge, and film envy. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Liz Ryerson. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: What was the first triple A video game? (03:55)<...

The Insert Credit panel you know and love discuss developments in game journalism, gacha games about girls who are horses, and what happens when you put Coke Zero in espresso. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: Ash, you used to write for Kotaku, right? (03:29)

2: Ash, what’s...

Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish and https://bsky.app/profile/brandon.insertcredit.com cover Microsoft killing the game industry, the cast of the Street Fighter movie, and the definition of “indie game.” Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: What is the Starbucks of video g...

Game journalists Nicole Carpenter and Will Jagielski-Harrison join Ash Parrish to discuss the state of game journalism, World of Warcraft, and gamer girl bathwater stolen valor. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Ash Parrish, Nicole Carpenter, and Will Jagielski-Harrison. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: How fucked is game journalism? (03:23)

Your Insert Credit panel covers open world games, the Tango & Cash NES platformer, and the many secrets of The Ooze. Plus, credits are spent to make everyone to play a game. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: Ash, how was Summer Game Fest? (02:16)

Writer, podcaster, and friend of the show merritt k joins Frank and Brandon to answer Esper’s questions on intercompany crossovers, the definition of 2.5D, and Gay Fire Emblem. Hosted by Esper Quinn, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and merritt k. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: How do we feel about corporate crossovers in v...

A historian, a journalist, and a developer answer a host’s questions regarding the Sony State of Play, various consistencies of pie, and video game drag names. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Your Insert Credit panel faces parrying mechanics, Elden Ring Nightreign’s AMV theme and sexy bird men, and Hotel Rwanda but with Mario. Plus, a sneak peek at an unreleased Famicom game! Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: What makes a game edgy? (03:49)

The finest minds in video games reconvene to cover Chicago game industry history, schadefreude, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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An Update to the Insert Credit Prize Wall (03:32)

1: Frank, what’s up with Duelin’ Firemen? (05:57)

Musician, writer, podcaster, and friend of the show Liz Ryerson joins the panel for Giant Bomb’s resurrection, the next video game-based Magic the Gathering set, and the introduction of gacha mechanics to the podcast format. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Liz Ryerson. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Youtuber, statistician, and cartographer Any Austin joins the panel to determine whether open world games should have minimaps, how to become a Sega Man, and the relationship between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Any Austin. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: Brian David Gilbert...

The panel mourns the loss of two titans of video game journalism, considers the future of games reporting, and imagines a horse covered in human skin. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

SHOW NOTES:

1: Let us begin by mourning the losses of game journalism (02:42)

The 2025th Game Developers Conference has ended, and only Liz Ryerson and Brandon Sheffield covered it in the way it was meant to be covered: on-the-floor stories from the industry’s finest minds, and an extensive tour of booths reflecting the state of video games as we know it. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield and Liz Ryerson, with Leaf, Schera Wyss, Frank Cifaldi, K.K. Dream, Alexander Martin, Ty Underwood, Leo Burke, Max Kreiger, and Justin Bortnick. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Chapters:

Brian David Gilbert of Dropout.tv, Unraveled, and his own excellent youtube channel joins our panel to cover Switch 2 preorders, Donkey Kong dating your friends, and the legendary Nier butthole. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and Brian David Gilbert. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Frank, Ash, and Brandon begin an endless and inescapable descent into our listener-submitted Question Hole, and in the process learn to run an inn, make Ash crack up at Metafore ReFantazio again, and mention the same four guys that get mentioned every episode. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield answer Alex Jaffe’s questions on A Minecraft Movie, canceling people in gaming, and most importantly, the SCUMPI II. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: Mike Drucker asks, what’s an exactly correctly rated game? (01:49)

Emmy-nominated writer and comedian Mike Drucker joins Brandon and Esper in answering Alex Jaffe’s questions on the Nintendo S2iitch, the ultimate fan experience, and the impossibility of defending your Persona 5 romance choice. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Brandon Sheffield, Esper Quinn, and Mike Drucker. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Screenwriter Aaron Stewart-Ahn hangs out with Brandon to talk about why plot isn’t so important, the career resurgence of Nicolas Cage, and Werner Herzog’s splash damage. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Aaron Stewart-Ahn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

The finest minds in video games cover both GDC and the Nintendo Direct, furniture options when playing games, and jade dizzies. Plus, a credit is spent! Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Credit Report (03:16)

1: merritt k asks, what game would you give the modern rerelease treatment? (04:55)<...

Brandon Sheffield subjects well known video game characters who just happen to be attending GDC 2025 to the famous Proust Questionnaire. Yes, we know it’s pronounced “proost.” Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Matthew Burns, Frank Cifaldi, Naomi Clark, Nikki Grayson, David Hellman, merritt k, Shannon Liao, Laura Michet, Alx Preston, Liz Ryerson, Phil Salvador, and Derek Yu. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Writer/comedian merritt k joins Ash, Brandon, and guest host Eric Silver to figure out why Pokemon games look bad now, why Insert Credit doesn’t talk about Nintendo, and the LeBron James of Video Games. Hosted by Eric Silver, with Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and merritt k. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: Will mainline Pokemon ga...

The finest minds in video games assess their feelings on the current state of the medium, how best to scam gamers, and Midwest Zelda. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: How do you feel about video games right now? (05:53)

After being assigned the task of playing Knuckles’ Chaotix with their romantic partners, our panel returns with questions and opinions. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: How was everyone’s Knuckles: Chaotix experience? (02:25)

2: Explain Knuckles Chaotix (07:24)

DigitalFoundry’s John Linneman joins Brandon Sheffield once again to delve into their video game collections, and contemplate liquid-cooled 3DOs, India-exclusive PS2 games, and the sensation of removing $300 worth of cellophane. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with John Linnemann. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

SHOW NOTES:

1: Tomak: Save the Earth Again (02:44)

2: Pyramid Intruder (06:32)

3: Congo: The Movie: The Lost City of Zinj (11:56)

Friend of the show Kris Graft joins Ash and Brandon diving into the rest of 2024’s games, from GOTY contenders to Soccer 2: The Even More Beautiful Game. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Ash Parrish and Kris Graft. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (03:48)

2: Helldivers II (12:03)

3: S.T.A.L.K.E.R...

Frank Cifaldi of the Video Game History Foundation, Ash Parrish of The Verge, and Brandon Sheffield of Necrosoft Games choose and rank the twenty-one best video games of the year 2024. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Credit Report (03:42)

1: Frank’s first nomination (09:45)

Brandon Sheffield roams the streets and parties of Tokyo Game Show 2024, interviewing famous developers, spotting soba restaurants affiliated with drift tracks, and espousing the beauty of Neo Geo Pocket sprites. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Christian Whitehead, Paul Veer, Hunter Bridges, Yohan Leclerc, Brad Flick, Dylan Cuthbert, and KC. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Chapters:

Journalist, podcaster, and PR person Ed Zitron joins the panel for the reveal of the Video Game History Museum Library, how to tell when a PR person is lying, and a precise rundown of how fucked video games are. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and Ed Zitron. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Credit...

Screenwriter Aaron Stewart-Ahn joins a panel guest hosted by Esper to cover the current definition of “good graphics,” Nicholas Cage’s sublime beauty, and seeing Attack of the Clones on acid.

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Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield assemble to cover the Switch 2, video game console Marxism, and the shocking return of our most controversial segment. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: merritt k asks, which 90s platformer mascots do you think will never get a ca...

Writer, game designer, and friend of the show merritt k joins the panel to discuss GDQ runs, the Radiohead of video games, and skeleton bone boobs. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield, and merritt k. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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1: If you had to design and perform a...

As has become tradition, Insert Credit ranks the best games of all time, or at least 87% of them: the ones the industry won’t sell you anymore. Plus, the first ever spending of credits on Insert Credit Show. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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