Colette & Matt Have Entered the Chat

Will U.S. tariffs affect the price of phones, computers, and most importantly, the Switch 2? Well, it depends what hour of the day you're asking. We discuss the proposals, postponements, and now exceptions that could affect games.Also: What if Factorio and Stardew Valley had a baby?Thanks for hanging out with us for 200 episodes!Check out the playtest of Little Rocket Lab: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2451100/Little_Rocket_Lab/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Nintendo unveiled the specs, features, and games for the Nintendo Switch 2, and hype was had for all.And then the pricing was announced, and online sentiment went from excitement to concern, and even anger.So what is the value proposition of the Switch 2? What would you pay to upgrade your Switch 1 games? And how does this all factor in to a marketplace where thousands of Steam games are still $10-$15, and unhinged tariffs are just starting to hit?We break down everything announced in the Switch 2 Direct, our feelings about it, and the sentiment from our listening community. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Nintendo had a Direct right before their OTHER Direct, which will reveal more details about the upcoming Switch 2.What could possibly be in the latest Switch 1 Direct? Well, a whole damn lot!New Metroid Prime 4 footage, a return to some funky weird franchises, and a brand new way to share digital games with family and friends.And if you can't get enough Nintendo news Direct-ly, there's now an app for that. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Hey, you. Have you heard of the Future Games Show?Neither have we. But it sure did reveal some bangers this week. From AAA epics and indie darlings, we pluck out the trailers and demos that caught our attention.Plus, Netflix revealed it's creating a cozy MMO called "Spirit Crossing," which sure does have some Studio Ghibli vibes. We discuss what this means for the streamer, which has typically only licensed mobile games from app stores, rather than create original IP.And Colette shares her first impressions of the co-op friend-em-up "Split Fiction." Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Niantic, makers of such hits as "Pokémon GO" and...the rest...has sold the location-based creature-enslaving walk-em-up for $3.5 billion.One catch: The buyer is Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, a portfolio that's increasingly invested in tech and games. The Saudi government doesn't have the best track record on human rights, and its new access to millions of Pokémon Trainers' IRL location data has some players freaked out. We discuss the geopolitical ramifications (cuz we r eXpErTs).Plus: A classic Bethesda RPG is probably being reborn in Unreal Engine 5, what if Link had a keytar instead of a sword, cats doing cat things, Steam's most-played demo is also its most-hated, and the weird physics reason your ancient Super Nintendo is running slightly faster now. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Our exploration of outstanding Steam demos and upcoming indies continues. Colette kicks the tires on three more excellent games.Also, what will the Internet do with "Command & Conquer's" source code? And will Discord become "enshittified" if it files for IPO?Meanwhile, "Monster Hunter Wilds" is Capcom's fastest selling game ever (8 million copies in 3 days). There's only one problem: It runs like ass and looks like a PS3 game. Matt explains the technical drama, Capcom's unwillingness to acknowledge the issues, and why despite all this, he can't stop playing. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Happy Steam Next Fest to all who celebrate! We break down the free demos that have been keeping us WELL-entertained over the past week.Also, the fine line between Homage and Rip-Off, and a fascinating look at cozy indie game that was changed after players discovered it wasn't so cozy after all. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

The free-to-play hero arena battler "Marvel Rivals" has hit hard since its release in December, scooping up 40 million players and almost $3 billion in net revenue. So it's totally logical and not weird at all that its Chinese publisher NetEase just laid off the entire U.S. design team. We discuss the weird geopolitical landscape, and why the relatively young games industry still lacks labor protection amid massive profits.Also, Colette goes hard on "Sworn," a new roguelike that borrows heavily from "Hades" in all the right ways.https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/despite-its-big-success-marvel-rivals-director-and-others-have-been-laid-off/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/marvel-rivals-has-passed-40-million-players-as-netease-reports-net-revenue-of-2-9-billion/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

We run down the list of games revealed Wednesday in Sony's State of Play showcase, and add a bunch of PS5 games to our Steam wishlist because none of them are exclusive. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Good Guy Valve is at it again, this time with some handy yellow text that will be very helpful when considering your next Early Access purchase. And the wiki site Fandom dot Com suffers another exodus as the official Warframe wiki moves off the crappy ad-infested site.Plus, the gayest match 3 game ever, and hitting the road with Indiana Jones.Colette's playing: Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To & Hello Kitty Island AdventureMatt's playing: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Colette is off this week, so Matt shares his early impressions of "Eternal Strands," a new action RPG that blends elements of "Breath of the Wild," "Control," and "Shadow of the Colossus."Plus, the new update for No Man's Sky is excellent, and why won't dwarves bury their dead children anymore? Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Games are (probably) coming out in 2025!We share the indie gems, fresh demos, and AAA bigguns we can't wait to play this year.Also, social media is bad! Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

After months of leaks and rumors, Nintendo finally revealed ... exactly what we already knew. We react to the official announcement, run down the features that are confirmed, and speculate about what's next for the Switch 2. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Rumors swirl about the "Switch 2" (or whatever it will be called) as case manufacturers, store listings, and CES drop an ocean's-worth of leaks about the next console's functionality and design, including one surprising new feature.Speaking of handheld consoles, the upcoming Lenovo Legion Go S will be the first device besides the Steam Deck to natively support SteamOS. The partnership with Valve is a great sign that a Windows-free gaming world may be on the horizon.Plus, a VR game where you conduct an orchestra of Sims! Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Happy nude year.We reveal our top 5 games of 2024 in REVERSE chronological order, which means the BEST ones come last! Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Happy holidays one and all! We want to know what video games you're cozying up with in between family obligations this year.Plus, we revisit the recent Valve leaks around a new Steam Controller, a SteamOS-powered under-the-TV box, and the possibility of a Steam streaming service.More Metaphor, Path of Exile 2, a peek at the Steam Winter Sale, the last few days of our Discord game giveaway (courtesy of @cheshire48!) and signing off for the holiday break. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

The 2024 Game Awards probably had some awards, but the real show is all about the trailers and reveals, and boy howdy, there were some big ones. We run down the games that joined our wishlists.Plus: The disappointment of a promising indie, and why you should probably be playing "Path of Exile 2." Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Shocking private recordings, obtained exclusively by this podcast, reveal for the first time that Colette Bennet is madly in love with a 2007 video game man.Meanwhile, we recount what our community played during the Thanksgiving weekend while hiding from their families.Plus, janky spaceship adventures in "Void Crew," the tranquil beauty of "Moonring," and why "Puzzle Quest" is still hella dope after all these years.If you want FREE video games, join our Discord community ASAP and enter to win a game every day in December, courtesy of our generous listener @cheshire48! Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

A credible leaker claims Valve is in the final stages of manufacturing a new Steam Controller, a device that the community has been clamoring for, especially after the Steam Deck's rise to hardware stardom. The dream controller (codenamed "Ibex") will hopefully have two track pads, two thumb sticks, and buttons on the back, bringing parity with the Deck itself. The leaker also hints at new developments for Valve's long-rumored standalone VR headset, "Deckard." We discuss what we want from these devices in the near future.Also: Final Fantasy 14 on telephones? And what would the gaming landscape look like if Sony bought souls-maker From Software?Plus: Colette shares the treasure trove of cooking games she got from Steam's recent sale.https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-is-reportedly-in-talks-to-acquire-fromsoftware-owner-kadokawa/https://www.theverge.com/games/2024/11/19/24300757/valve-steam-controller-2-roy-deckard-leakhttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/final-fantasy-14-mobile-announced/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Valve has released a stunning new limited edition OLED Steam Deck, and it's WHITE. We try very hard to not spend $700 on it.Plus, the Warcraft remastered rumors were true, Xbox's confusing plans for 2025, and our continued adventures in "Metaphor," "Baldur's Gate," and a new MMO from NCSoft. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

THIS IS FURUKAWA.Nintendo has officially confirmed what we've all been waiting to hear. The successor to the Switch will play your existing library of games (and hopefully run them better!).The news broke in a tweet after a CORPORATE MANAGEMENT POLICY BRIEFING, which is perfect timing since there's nothing else in the world or the news worth talking about.Meanwhile, The New York Times' tech workers are on strike, which includes the team that supports Wordle. The Guild has asked subscribers to stop playing Wordle during the strike, which would break the years-long streaks of millions of players.A "Mass Effect" TV show has been greenlit, and rumors of a "Warcraft 2" remaster are circulating.Plus: More "Metaphor: ReFantazio," a new mobile "Wizardry" game, and a coffee table book filled with archival pages from EGM monthly.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/egmbook/egmcompendium Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Nintendo fans, rejoice! For the first time ever, you can listen to your favorite songs from Mario, Zelda, and... Pikmin(?) on the Internet, thanks to Nintendo Music, a new streaming app that nobody asked for.With video game music is hotter than ever, why would Nintendo skip the streaming services and build a standalone platform? And what will happen to all the music fans already get from YouTube? We discuss this strange and adorable development.Plus: Our first impressions of cut scene simulator "Metaphor: ReFantazio," and hands-on with the beta for "Monster Hunter Wilds."Also, for the love of God, please vote. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Some lucky Nintendo fans took part in a TOP SECRET online test for a new game, and were SWORN to SECRECY about it! Which means gameplay was leaked within 1.5 seconds.Data miners excavated something codenamed "Rockstock," and as the playtest rolled out, images and videos of the blocky new build-em-up spreading across the Internet - much to the dismay of Nintendo.So, what is this brand new MMO? And does it have the chops to stick around after the initial excitement wears off?https://insider-gaming.com/nintendo-switch-online-playtest-program-has-been-datamined/https://www.ign.com/articles/it-took-about-2-seconds-for-nintendos-mysterious-switch-game-to-leak Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Happy Steam Next Fest to all who celebrate! Miniaturist and friend of the show Sky Burkson returns to share the banger demos he's been dabbling with this week, and what it's like to make a Bloodborne sculpture for Jacksepticeye!These are the demos we've been LOVING:Rogue FlightHeartwormEmpire of the AntsThe Spirit of the SamuraiBeastieballSecret Agent Wizard Boy and the International Crime SyndicateWindblown Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

No one:Nintendo: How 'bout waking up to coin sounds every time you move?Nintendo's latest hardware is here, and it's a $100 alarm clock that turns your mornings into a psychotic fever dream. We discuss why it's weird, bad, and already sold out.Plus: A fascinating (and seriously biased) deep dive into Roblox's horrible reputation.Colette caved and started "Silent Hill 2," and boy is it GREAT. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Ubisoft can't catch a break. Their development costs are through the roof, their games are flopping, and the next entry in their marquee franchise "Assassins' Creed" has been delayed, sending share prices (and confidence) plummeting. Plus, more notes on "Echoes of Wisdom," Matt's continued adventures in the Forgotten Realms of "Baldur's Gate 3," and a point-and-click mystery game on Colette's telephone!Also, hurricanes: They seem bad! And we completely forgot to talk about the biggest story of the week, in which Nintendo finally busted out the lawyers on "Palworld." Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

"The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom" came out for the Nintendo Switch this week, and it is charming, adorable, fun, and extremely innovative. There's just one problem: The frame rates whip around faster and harder than Tingle cashing in his rupees.Due to the (now passed) hurricane in the Southern U.S., Colette takes a break this week (all is well) and Matt shares his early impressions of a wonderful game with very questionable tech.Also, Sony's State of Play dropped some release dates, trailers, and updates that are well worth breaking down. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

A big announcement shook the Game-O-Verse to its core earlier this week. "Flappy Bird," the massively viral mobile game from 2014, would be making a triumphant return: New game modes, updated levels, and...crypto?An entity called "The Flappy Bird Foundation" plans to resurrect the beloved game this year. But as the media poked at this announcement, the plot thickens. The game had been abandoned the same year it was released, due to the immense pressure and scrutiny on its creator, Dong Nguyen. After the re-release announcement, Nguyen tweeted for the first time in 7 years that he has nothing to do with the game, never sold it, and doesn't support crypto.So...who owns "Flappy Bird?" Who has the right to re-release it? And if IP is "abandoned," can anyone just start monetizing it?Meanwhile, the PS5 Professional sure is expensive. Crying about game consoles on the Internet is nothing new, but we ask the honest question: Who is this upgraded hardware for? And what kind of prices will the market bear in an era of infinite choice?Plus: Possible leaked images of the Nintendo Switch 2? And a tale of two very different "Baldur's Gate 3" experiences. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Busy lives, work schedules, children, and sleep did not permit a co-operative recording this week, so Matt shares how starting "Baldur's Gate 3" last week with Colette's husband Patrick and friend-of-the show Sky Burkson has been a transformative experience.We shall return with more BG3 shenanigans (and the week's news) next Friday! Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

After 8 years in development and two weeks of beta testing, Sony has pulled the plug on "Concord" after a shockingly low player count. The hero shooter failed to pull its target audience away from the 47 other live service games they're already playing, and Sony has de-listed it for sale and refunded those who have pre-purchased.What does this say about the state of the games industry, and Sony's huge foray into the live service arena?Plus: A Minecraft Movie trailer gets a mixed response from the Internet, and ConcernedApe hasn't touched "Haunted Chocolatier" for a whileMeanwhile, the preview embargo has lifted on "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom," and boy-howdy, the new gameplay looks spectacular.Colette's playing: PeglinMatt's playing: Sins of a Solar Empire II, and Darkest Dungeon II Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

The past week+ has seen an avalanche of announcements, teasers, demos, updates, DLCs, collab-os, and shadow drops. Why?? Gamescom 2024 and a surprise Direct from Miyamoto & Co.We pluck out the most interesting and hype-filled tidbits, including some games you should download RIGHT MEOW.Plus: What's up with the puppet museum in Atlanta? Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Another day, another news story about studios laying off hundreds of video game developers. Why did this industry become so volatile? And what makes game devs so vulnerable to job insecurity, especially when the industry's profits have never been higher?This week we're joined by Dr. Johanna Weststar, a professor of labor studies (and Stardew enthusiast!) at Western University in Ontario, Canada. She's the co-author of a new book, "Not all Fun and Games: Videogame Labour, Project-based Workplaces and the New Citizenship at Work," which dissects 15 years of employment data and trends to figure out why game development is so fraught, and how we can improve it.There's so much more to the story besides "crunch." The explosion of temporary gig work, erosion of social safety nets, do-or-die publishing schedules, and struggles to unionize remote and disparate workers has lead to a reckoning in the games industry. But despite these challenges, we may be on the verge of a more secure work life for the people who make our favorite adventures — akin to the protections put in place for Hollywood when that industry was still young in the 1930s and 40s. What we do next, legally and culturally, will make all the difference.Plus: How a blog from 2004 changed the Internet's perception of game dev, and your questions!Find more of Johanna's work, publications, and how you can connect with her here: https://dan.uwo.ca/people/faculty/johanna_weststar.htmlAnd her work with the International Game Developers Association (IGDA): https://igda.org/dss/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Larian Studios has shared player data on the 1-year anniversary of their smash hit "Baldur's Gate 3." Among the fascinating tidbits is that only 34 players have reached a VERY rare ending to the story that can only be unlocked through a specific sequence of events. What's more, there's an even SECRET-er ending that cannot be reached by normal means. But one YouTuber found a hack that unlocks the final events no one was meant to see.Plus, we discuss why accomplishing things in games is sometimes more satisfying than accomplishing things IRL, why that can lead to feelings of guilt, and why giving your brain permission to rest is never time wasted.Also: Sound sensitivity when it comes to game controllers, and why the MOBAPAD ChiTu Wireless Pro gamepad is Matt's new favorite piece of hardware. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

After a 33 year run, the print magazine and website "Game Informer" has been abruptly shuttered by its parent company, GameStop. Fans and preservationists have been scrambling this week to preserve its decades of articles, but the fate of the digital content remains unknown. We discuss the importance of media preservation, and why it's so hard for companies to commit.Plus: A Stardew-like with some refreshing mechanics, and what if the Ghibli classic "Kiki's Delivery Service" was a video game? Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Screen actors reached a deal with movie, TV, and streaming studios earlier this year after striking over pay, benefits, and AI. But what about voice acting in video games? Specifically when it comes to AI, they feel more vulnerable in the short term: Audiences have accepted stiff, robotic video game characters for decades.In response to the looming threat, SAG-AFTRA has gone on strike against 10 major video game publishers (and their subsidiaries that focus on talent work). Time will tell if they walk away with a fair deal.Plus: Colette has finished "Still Wakes the Deep," and has rave reviews. She's also addicted to the hope-stomping fruit-em-up "Suika Game."Matt shares why "Nintendo World Championships" is getting MORE fun as the weeks go on, and his new obsession with Capcom's "Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess," which combines action, tactics, RPG elements, and stunning Japanese mythology. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

"Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition" has arrived, bringing bite-sized speed run challenges from our favorite 8-bit '80s games. But more than just a nostalgia hit, this asynchronous online battle has some innovative delights, if you approach it with the right mindset. Matt shares impressions of his first week with the game.Colette is finally out of her gaming funk and has gone hard on "Still Wakes the Deep," a nautical horror game that seriously delivers on vibes. Plus, her early impressions of the visually stunning action-RTS-tower-defense game "Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess," which is steeped in Japanese folklore. It hit Game Pass this week."Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate" asks the question: What if "Hades" had couch co-op? Matt explains why the action roguelike (formerly exclusive to Apple Arcade) is an absolute JOY on Switch.Plus: RIP Humble Games Publishing(?). The prolific publisher has laid off its entire staff under the management of Ziff Davis/IGN. It remains unclear if games like "Coral Island," "Slay the Spire," and "Unpacking" will still get marking support from this arm.Also: Super Mario Dubstep! Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

We're back in action to answer the question on everyone's mind LAST week: Who is Emio?A mysterious trailer for a Nintendo-developed horror title set the game-o-verse abuzz. Turns out, the cryptic teaser is actually a sequel to a classic Japan-only Famicom game. Colette breaks down the details.Also, a MASSIVE update to "No Man's Sky" just dropped, and Matt has returned to the galaxy to photograph new creatures and fancy water.We discuss why we love being obsessed with a new game, and when going without that can be a challenge. Plus, the flow state of "Grapple Dog," and why the 2023 game "Sailing Era" is an impenetrable wall of poorly translated tutorials that Matt can't stop playing. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

miHoYo released their 3rd(!) gatcha game in the West within four years, called "Zenless Zone Zero," which blends "Genshin" style combat with a "Persona" vibe. It got 50 million downloads within days of release, cementing the Chinese developer as an absolute unit.So, is ZZZ actually good? Colette shares her early impressions of the PS5 version.Plus: The Steam Summer sale hit our wish lists hard this year. We share what's in our carts, along with the games our listening community scored on the cheap. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

This week is cut short by work and travel plans, but we have a BRIEF update on the games we're playing, including "Moonstone Island," a title that recently came to Switch. It blends cozy farm life and town romances with a Pokémon-style creature taming system, Wind Waker-esq exploration, and deck building battles.So, is this indie life sim more than the sum of its heavily-inspired parts? Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

We really tried to play some hot new demos this week, but alas, Nintendo has graced us with a banger of a Direct.We tackle each announcement and calibrate hype levels, along with your most anticipated games coming to the Switch (2?). Among them, the reveal of a new Mario & Luigi game, a top-down Legend of Zelda where you — get this — play as Zelda, and the first footage of Metroid Prime 4 ever.Plus: We remember Colette's 17-year-old cat Ender, who passed away this week. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

E3 may be gone, but video games INSIST on coming out! We are WHELMED with announcements, trailers, updates, teasers, and demos popping off from the Xbox Showcase, Wholesome Games Direct, Summer Game Fest, and more.We can't cover them all, but we can each pick the 5 games that we're most excited about, and reveal them to you (and each other) one by one.Also, baby's first D&D campaign! And weird sound effects! Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

For the foreseeable future, we will only be playing video games that are:A) SequelsB) Start with the letter "H"We don't make the rules. That's just how it is.For some reason, we talk about exercise for a while. Then, Colette shares her "Hades 2" update as she approaches the "final boss" (which is probably not the end of the game), and the latest patch notes which may smooth out the difficulty curve on this very challenging game. And Matt explains why "Helldivers 2" has officially eaten his life. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Hey! Something good just happened in the American justice system! We take a moment to high five democracy, even when it feels hard to do so.More importantly, Sony dropped a State of Play which we didn't even watch because LIFE. So we peep in real time at the list of announcements and trailers. There are definitely some goodies in there for PS5 and PC players.Sony also shared their revenue and profits in a recent presentation, and somehow, the PS5 is their most profitable console generation ever? How is this possible when the PS4 outsold it, the PS2 is the best-selling console of all time, and games themselves cost more than ever to produce? We get in the weeds on some promising theories.Articles discussed in this episode:Kotaku: 7 Things We Just Learned About Sony’s Big PlayStation 5 PlansThe Verge: The biggest announcements from PlayStation’s summer State of Play Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Colette's Internet pooped the bed right as we sat down to record this week, so Matt flies solo to wish a happy "Paper Mario" day to all who celebrate. Will you be binging the "Thousand Year Door" this week?In the news, IGN Entertainment (owned by Ziff Davis) has acquired all your favorite video game publishers, including Rock Paper Shotgun, GamesIndustry.biz, and Eurogamer. Details are still emerging, but it's hard to imagine this won't suck for everyone involved, including readers of these important journalistic outlets.Speaking of acquisitions, Atari has acquired Intellivision, which begs the obvious question: Who cares? And ... why? Interestingly, the merger does NOT include the upcoming and long-troubled Intellivision Amico console, which will need to be re-branded. Weird.Meanwhile, Matt shares his new obsession with the indie survival craft-em-up "Space Trash Scavenger," where you suck up garbage from planetary orbit and recycle it into a kickass space base. Think: Loddlenaut + Hardspace: Shipbreaker, with a really innovative gravity/physics system. Also cool: My obsession with framerates helped the game's dev squash an interesting physics bug! Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Video games are BACK, with three bangers released over the last week. "Hades II" officially entered Early Access after a brief tech test, and Colette has been screaming in her hotel room trying to get back home to play it. But is it more than just "more Hades?" She shares her first impressions. "Little Kitty, Big City" puts its paws on Game Pass, PC, and Switch, and despite a few annoying bugs, this adorable explore-em-up is a delightful romp for players of all skill levels.Also: Stop whatever you're doing right now and play "Animal Well." The debut game from lone developer Billy Basso (Shared Memory), published by Bigmode (the new venture from Videogamedunkey) is an extraordinary Metroidvania brimming with vibes and secrets. Matt explains why this game combines the best elements of Fez + Rain World + Hollow Knight.Plus: Colette is sick and can barely speak. Enjoy! Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Colette is on assignment this week, so video game miniaturist and social media hurricane Sky Burkson returns to discuss his latest project for Summer Games Done Quick, Sony's idiotic blunder with their hit "Helldivers 2," the announcement of the "Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition," ACTUAL OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION that the Switch 2 exists, what we want from the June Direct, and why Capitalism is probably a bad idea!Matt and Sky are also playing "Another Crab's Treasure" on PC, and we want to like it so much. But it might be trying to be too many things at once. We discuss why this beautiful, hilarious, and really fun game also wades into muddy mechanical waters.Follow Sky to keep up with his art:https://www.instagram.com/skyburkson/https://twitter.com/skyburkson Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

Since 2017, a small collective of "Super Mario Maker" enthusiasts have been trying to complete every single player-created level — a quest to truly "beat" a game with hundreds of thousands of uncleared stages.But when Nintendo announced that the servers for Wii U games would be taken offline in April 2024, the urgency reached new heights. Team 0% began to grow from its humble beginnings of about 500 members, to 15,000+ players, committed to identifying and clearing the remaining levels before they were lost to time.Playing the levels was only half the battle. Finding and cataloging the unbeaten stages using Nintendo's arcane databases was no simple task. But through some clever reverse-engineering and lots of spreadsheets, they had whittled it down to a handful of levels with just days until oblivion.What remained were some of the hardest, most obtuse Mario monstrosities ever created. And one level in particular could only be beaten by a robot — until...This week, we talk with MagicMason1000, a long time member of Team 0% who now manages the community's YouTube and social media. Mason walks us through the fascinating history of this monumental undertaking, the Team's massive popularity boom amid global headlines, what happens when Nintendo patches glitches in Mario Maker, the exciting (and then somewhat anti-climactic) final victory for the team, and the mysterious fate of all those levels now that the servers are gone.If you'd like to pitch in to beat every uncleared level of "Super Mario Maker 2," you can join the Team 0% Discord here: https://discord.gg/team0percentCheck out the Team's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TeamZeroPercentAnd watch henryst's The History of Mario Maker's Last 100 Levels video, as discussed in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUqUUXDmk40 Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

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 the original "Fallout," on the heels of the critically acclaimed TV show. And Matt gets his action roguelite fix with the indie shooter "Roboquest."Also, what the HELL is the deal with "Princess Peach Showtime?" Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

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 around emulation. And our favorite game of 2023, Dredge, is getting a feature film! So, how the hell will they turn this atmospheric fishing sim into a cinematic story? Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/

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 discuss how — if done responsibly — this model could sidestep the "enshitification" that so many other platforms fall victim to.Plus, STOP what you're doing right now and play this free game about being a filthy Pomeranian pup who messes up the house. Also, "Pepper Grinder" is a phenomenal 2D platformer, a return to "No Man's Sky," and a deep conversation about games, mental health, and social connection in a post-Covid world. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMattEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:https://bsky.app/profile/itscocobee.bsky.socialhttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://bsky.app/profile/mattsilverman.bsky.socialhttps://www.patreon.com/influencepodhttps://www.youtube.com/c/freedadvideosOur theme music is by Azure Flux: https://azureflux.bandcamp.com/Our logo is illustrated by @JustCallMeKatarina: https://www.instagram.com/justcallmekatarina/