A handful of third-party games were showcased on Nintendo's short-but-sweet Indie World on Wednesday, and on second glance, there are some bangers coming up (including multiple cat games!). We run down the full list, and share our impressions of new releases and demos. Meanwhile, Colette bought a cheap ticket back to the post-apocalyptic glory of t…

The Triple-i Initiative, a loose collective of successful indie development teams, ran a showcase on Wednesday full of announcements, sequels, updates, and DLC. We run down the games that caught our attention, joined our wish lists, or got a hard pass. Also, some regulatory changes in the EU have big implications for the future of iOS, specifically…

After years of monetizing through premium features and publicly dismissing the prospect of ads, Discord will soon roll out its new "Sponsored Quests," as reported by The Wall Street Journal. But unlike algorithmic news feeds or mid-chat interruptions, these ads will be centered around video game discovery and Discord's livestreaming features. We di…

A fascinating Polygon interview with Xbox honcho Phil Spencer kicks off a discussion about about why AAA games are SO expensive to make, and the pressure it puts on them to succeed across platforms. We break down how this relates to the indie space, and debate what players actually want from game experiences in 2024. Plus, a surprise trivia challen…

The long awaited 1.6 update for "Stardew Valley" has hit PC, and Colette wasted no time in diving back into her favorite cozy game. We discuss her experiences so far, and react to the absolutely HUGE amount of new content in the patch notes. And if you need more farming in your life, "Lightyear Frontier" has just released into Early Access and Game…

"Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection" contains the two original games fans have been salivating over for decades. They look great. They run great. So why does everyone hate them? Plus, a group of "Mario Maker" enthusiasts are attempting to beat all 41,000 player-created levels in the entire game before Nintendo shuts down the Wii U servers in…

The Switch emulator Yuzu has been in development since 2018, allowing hobbyists to play Nintendo software on PCs and Steam Decks, often at higher resolutions and frame rates. But the trappings around Yuzu — including a Patreon that raked in $30,000 per month, and specific updates encouraging users to emulate "Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" — have fin…

Colette is on assignment this week, so Matt flies solo to rundown Nintendo's February Partner Direct, which looks like a banger — depending on what kind of games you like. New games, new footage reveals, Xbox exclusives crossing the divide, the return of some Rare classics, and a surprising amount of demos, including "Pepper Grinder" and "Unicorn O…

Colette shares her early impressions of "Persona 3 Reloaded," the remake of the 2006 Atlus classic that updates and streamlines in all the best ways. Also, is Colette a min/maxer now???! Plus, Matt launches a demo for the highly anticipated "Homeworld 3," but it's missing a key element. Also, a $2 game with bad reviews is actually...great? Email us…

Reuters is reporting that Tencent and FromSoft have a mobile spinoff of "Elden Ring" well underway. So, how would a Genshin-style Souls-like actually work? We discuss the continued convergence of platforms and IP, and the future dominance of mobile for game devs. Plus, Xbox influencers are crying about exclusives becoming cross-platform, and our "S…

Sony revealed a variety of 1st and 3rd party games, sequels, and DLC on its January 2024 State of Play livestream. We discuss the items that piqued our interest using our patent-pending scale of "How Many Fucks Given?" Plus, the ever-expanding Kojima-verse, and why the "Silent Hill" franchise is returning in a big way, including a brand new free ga…

The only story in video games this week is the explosive debut of "Palworld," an open world survival craft-em-up where you also use magic balls to capture (and enslave) adorable creatures that look ... a LOT ... like other Pocket Monsters you may be familiar with. Colette and Matt share their hands-on review of the oft-dubbed "Pokemon with Guns," a…

Colette is back to discuss the mind-blowing way a 13-year-old reached the "end" of NES "Tetris." On December 21, BlueScuti (aka Willis Gibson) became the first person to reach the breakneck mathematical end of "Tetris" for the NES, which causes the game to crash. While this made headlines around the gaming world, other "Tetris" pros quickly learned…

Miniature artist and video game connoisseur Sky Burkson returns to the show to fill in for Colette. And while we set out to talk about some video game news, we veer into a wide-ranging and deeply philosophical discussion about the artistic process, and the ethics of AI art, which has reared its head in nearly every industry — including video games.…

We're back after a long and virus-infused holiday break to dive into the latest Switch 2 rumors which predict that...The Switch 2 will definitely happen! Also, what are Square Enix's "aggressive" plans to use AI in game design? And, the difference between using tech to eliminate drudgery vs. eliminating workers. Plus: The first iteration of Mickey …

Farming MMO "Palia" came out for Nintendo Switch after some time in the PC oven, and it has everything we want from this kind of game. So...why is it so bad? Also, to the surprise of no one, "Dave the Diver" is GREAT! Plus: A huge data breach at Insomniac/Sony reveals interesting conversations about the future of the games business. We say BUH-BYE …

🎵 It's the most wonderful time of the year 🎵 when we rank our absolute favorite video games of 2023. We reveal our 5 favorites to each other, and to you in real time! Get ready for a few surprises, and of course some obvious choices. Plus: E3 is officially dead. We mourn the loss of the trade show institution, and discuss what has replaced it. Cole…

We woke up WAY too early to recap the Wholesome Snack showcase and pluck out the cozy, adorable, and beautiful games that caught our attention. Don't worry, they're not ALL farming sims. From communal city builders to 2D-3D cats, we've got the scoop on all things Wholesome. Plus: Crabs with guns and a boomer (magic) shooter that respects its roots.…

For possibly the first time ever, Colette and Matt attempted to play a video game together. It was a spectacular failure, but not for the reasons you'd suspect. Plus: Would you want your OWN voice to be the protagonist in your next game? EA's new patent bets you will. We discuss the complications of AI voice synthesis in games and other media. Also…

It's that time of year when we gather with family and friends, only to sneak away and grind out a few levels between the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. We asked our listeners what they've queued up over the long Thanksgiving weekend, and discuss the legacy (and current second-hand market) of the Nintendo (3)DS. Plus: What would it take to fork ov…

"You can play 'Hades' on a telephone via Netflix" is a sentence we never thought we'd say, but it's happening. We continue to be fascinated by Netflix's innovative approach to game licensing, and the convergence of platforms (console, PC, mobile, and streaming) that make this all possible. Plus, "Persona 6" is happening, Amazon lays off 180 in its …

We fell asleep for a week and woke up to an unhinged amount of video game news, including the green light for a live action "Legend of Zelda" movie, "GTA 6" announced, a new "Mass Effect," more Switch 2 rumors, and the surprise launch of the Steam Deck OLED, which is actually more than a pretty screen. Plus, the thing that finally got Colette hooke…

SMB Wonder is an extraordinary game, full of absolute joy and unbridled creativity...except for one REALLY annoying part. Meanwhile, Colette looks back at the legacy of Alan Wake in preparation for the sequel, and some other spoopy games for the season. And Matt prepares to board a community-driven space cruise ship in Elite: Dangerous. Email us wi…

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is in the wild, and we've played a few hours of it. We share what makes it charming, innovative and dare we say...FUN? Also, somehow we end up talking about Howie Mandel for like 20 minutes. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! HaveEnteredTheChat@gmail.com Join our Discord community: https://disc…

How much Halloween decorating is TOO much? The answer: It's never enough! This week, Unity's CEO gets the boot, Activision/Blizzard games are (probably) enroute to Game Pass, "Guitar Hero" might be coming back(?), and the director of "Tears of the Kingdom" explains why the game's lore makes literally no sense. Also, we take a peek at some Steam Nex…

Epic lays off 830 people and Jim Ryan is out at PlayStation, but in not-crappy news: Indie games are great! This week, we crank up the hype meter even further for "Stardew" 1.6, ponder why anyone would buy a PS5 in 2023, and go further in depth on "Dotage," an apocalyptic village management sim that combines the best parts of "Rimworld" and "Civili…

The Meta Quest 3 VR headset has been revealed, boasting higher resolutions and more horsepower, but coincidentally (?) Valve has pushed SteamVR 2.0 into beta, which unifies PC, Steam Deck, and VR interfaces across its ecosystem. Does this hint at the long-rumored wireless Steam headset incoming? And if so, should Valve compete with Meta for mainstr…

Leaked emails from the FTC investigation of Microsoft reveal some interesting plans for Xbox consoles, controllers, remastered games, the cost of making GamePass happen, and the possibility of acquiring...Nintendo? We put it all into context. PLUS: Unity gets its comeuppance thanks to the solidarity of game devs, our trepidation around the end of "…

Nintendo's September Direct sure was dull...until it TOTALLY wasn't! We run down the list of instant-buys, maybes, and passes from the recent show. Plus, early impressions of "F-Zero 99" and the things that set "Fae Farm" apart in a world of endless farming sims. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! HaveEnteredTheChat@gm…

Happy "Starfield" release week! We discuss all the reasons we probably won't play it, but it sure looks great for what it is! In the meantime, we are OBSESSED with "Usagi Shima," a solo-dev mobile game about running a tiny resort for adorable watercolor bunnies. We chat about what makes the "Neko Aastume-like" so special, and the passage of time in…

We both share our early (and glowing) impressions of Sabotage Studio's stylish sophomore selection, "Sea of Stars!" (That's a lot of S's). We discuss the outstanding sprite work, music, prologue tutorial, why the demo did this game a disservice, and the mechanical depth that far exceeds its 16-bit inspirations. Plus, walkable cities IRL, why Colett…

The voice of Mario is changing after 30+ years, and legendary RPG studio BioWare gave its veteran writers the boot. Fortunately, there's a new "No Man's Sky" update, and "Vampire Survivors" has co-op now! Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! HaveEnteredTheChat@gmail.com Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz8…

Video game miniature artist and reluctant social media influencer Sky Burkson returns to share progress on his EPIC "Monster Hunter: World" papercraft set piece, and discuss how freecam boundary breaking is key to peering around video game corners players can't see. Also, we learn that capitalism is probably real bad! While Colette is packing up fo…

Netflix, the video store that mails you DVDs, just released an iOS app that turns your phone into a video game controller! How will this work? Where are the games? And most importantly, what KINDS of games will stream to your TV? This week, we continue our discussion of Netflix's ongoing foray into games, and why their shrewd mobile strategy proves…

Happy "Baldur's Gate 3" release day to all who celebrate! We look back at this venerated franchise and why we're hesitant to sink into the latest 1.0, despite its rave reviews from fans and critics. Plus, credible journalism hints at new Nintendo hardware coming in 2024. While the form factor will be similar to the Switch (duh), the biggest questio…

Hey kids, don't follow your dreams. At least that's how we elderly gamers relate to our passions. This week we discuss what happens when you see the flaws in your favorite artform, and whether or not it matters to you. Plus, many Diablo players are not happy with Season 1 nerfs, and some crafty WoW players put one over on an AI news bot. Plus, why …

Viewfinder is a surprise treat on Steam, but is it worth $25? Plus, Season 1 of Diablo IV kicks off with fresh characters and new lore to explore. Also: Microsoft has overcome most of the regulatory scrutiny in its acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. But are governments asking the right questions when it comes to monopolistic control of the gaming …

Before MySpace existed, there was already a thriving social network. But this one was fully in 3D. And you could fly! Second Life turns 20 years old this summer, and it remains a vibrant ecosystem of players, creators, and a reminder of how a real "metaverse" should be built. Author and reporter Wagner James Au joins us to reflect on the enormous i…

We're BACK with hot takes on FF16's epic combat and storyline, a factory game for people who hate factories, rolling credits on Diablo IV, and many pew-pew spaceship sounds! PLUS, what our beloved community is playing in the wake of a TotK-filled month. Colette's playing: Final Fantasy XVI and Diablo IV Matt's playing: Nova Lands and EVERSPACE 2 Em…

We're excited to talk about FF16 and more, but we're skipping this week's pod due to LIFE. In the meantime, Matt checks in to see how things are going. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! HaveEnteredTheChat@gmail.com Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Follow and subscribe to Colette: https://twitt…

Join us as we lose our minds over all the games announced at Nintendo's June Direct, including Super Mario's exciting new experiments with LSD! Also, Pick-Men, Mario RPG is back, and the insanity of 4-player co-op Vampire Survivors. Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! HaveEnteredTheChat@gmail.com Join our Discord commun…

GAMES! They are coming out! We've plucked the most interesting titles from Summer Games Fest, the Xbox Showcase, Wholesome Direct, and Devolver Direct. What are you most looking forward to? Get at us below with your picks: Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! HaveEnteredTheChat@gmail.com Join our Discord community: https…

We are floored and confused by the reveal of Apple's long-rumored augmented reality headset. If you like opening and closing 100-foot Safari tabs in your livingroom, then this puppy will only set you back $3,500. If you're waiting for something more, this ep is for you. We discuss the exciting potential of granular eye tracking, gesture control, an…

Sony's Playstation Showcase revealed some exciting new IP and franchise faves from a variety of studios. Which ones caught our eyes and ears? And what's up with this new Playstation handheld? Plus, is TotK ruining all other video games for us? And an exciting new endeavor in Colette's household! A Guide to Royal Thai Cuisine: https://guide.michelin…

Our obsession with Tears of the Kingdom continues as we discuss what makes it so engaging, and how it masterfully avoids the pitfalls of "aimless" open world game design. We also address some of the criticism around its re-hashing of BoTW, and why that ultimately works in its favor in strange ways. Also, what's the best way to watch (and understand…

Colette is BACK, and her jaw remains on the floor after diving into Tears of the Kingdom. She shares her first impressions and we get serious about what makes the latest Zelda game so great. Plus, Steam's new "try it before you buy it" feature and the promising future of Large Language Models (like ChatGPT) in video games. Email us with what you're…

[SPOILER-FREE DISCUSSION UNTIL 50:10] The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has finally arrived, and we've been playing since it dropped last night. Colette is on assignment, so fellow Zelda fanatic Jaime Carrillo joins Matt to discuss the first 3-4 hours of what may go down in history as one of the greatest video games ever made. Jaime has lov…

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is ONE WEEK AWAY. Is your body ready? What are you doing, playing, or not playing to clear your mind and calendar for May 12? Matt flies solo for this one to discuss your pre-TotK plans while Colette is on vacation. Matt's playing: Grounded Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! Ha…

The United Kingdom has blocked Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard in a major regulatory swing, citing unfair competition in the cloud gaming market. Microsoft will appeal of course, but what actually happens if one country blocks a multi-national merger? We discuss the differences between what we (as gamers) want to happen, vs. what shoul…

When Netflix first entered the games biz, many in the industry scoffed. But their partnership strategies and platform-agnostic mobile approach has shown promise. Now the news of a former Halo developer joining Netflix to create a new AAA IP has us thinking: A cross-platform, live service game on PC and consoles that's "free" to play with a Netflix …