Colette & Matt Have Entered the Chat

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/

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 challenge puts Colette and Matt's video game knowledge to the test. Play along at home, and let us know your score in the Discord! 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 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 Pass. Matt has been gorging on this peaceful new base building craft-em-up, where you drive (and customize!) a giant mech and restore nature with a big-ass hose. 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/

"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 April. And they're already 99% there, with only the most dastardly levels remaining. Will they succeed?Colette shares an update on her "Persona 3: Reloaded" progress, "Unicorn Overlord" is still awesome (cheesy dialogue aside), and we both gape in wonder at the indie dopamine factory known as "Bore Blasters." 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 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 finally triggered the wrath of Nintendo's lawyers. This week's settlement of the lawsuit compels Yuzu's creator to terminate the project (along with 3DS emulator Citra), post a public apology, and pay Nintendo damages of $2.4 million. We discuss the ramifications of the settlement and the future of responsible community-driven emulation projects.Plus, a mental health check in, some very special gems lingering from Steam Next Fest, seeing ConcernedApe (Eric Barone) in NYC, and why "Unicorn Overlord" might be the best tactics RPG ever made.Colette's playing: "Minami Lane," "Spirit City: Lofi Sessions," and "Indika"Matt's playing: "Unicorn Overlord" 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 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 Overlord." Also, Underwater games galore (!) and a big sad for "Earthbound/Mother" fans in the West.Plus, what our Discord community is hyped for after watching. 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 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? 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/

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 "Silent Hill" correspondent Colette shares her impressions of "Short Message," the free game in the franchise that dropped at last week's State of Play.Also, Steam Next Fest's demos are a'poppin. Colette shouts out three games she tried, including one very special experience.Next Fest Demos:Minami Lane: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2678990/Minami_Lane/Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1978150/Kamaeru_A_Frog_Refuge/Kind Words 2: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2118120/Kind_Words_2_lofi_city_pop/ 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/

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 game you can play right now.Also, Colette's first book, "Enter the Meta," is now available as an audiobook! We chat about the surprise voice actor reading it, and her latest endeavor to submit a second manuscript to a new agent.Get the "Enter the Meta" audiobook here: https://www.audible.com/pd/Enter-the-Meta-Audiobook/B0CMYS1N69 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 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," and the experience of playing it online with our community! We discuss what makes the game SO addictive, the many reasons players feel drawn to the Early Access hit, and the controversy surrounding its first week in the wild. 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 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 from Gibson's strategy, and one actually reached the "end" 21 seconds faster on January 3.Plus, the GBA gem "Golden Sun" comes to Switch Online, the 10-year-old MOBA "Smite" sets itself up for a sequel (and why this is so interesting and complicated for a live service game), and the owners of Rockstar Games slap a trademark lawsuit on Remedy over their new logo design — even while they are working on games together! Only a court can decide who gets to own the letter "R"!Also: Colette's "Genshin" Groove continues, while Matt searches for a co-op live service game to fill the holes in his shriveled heart. 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/

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 discuss the very purpose of (capital "A") Art, and the scenarios in which AI tools could ethically be used (if at all), including a model of regulatory transparency that might satisfy concerned artists...if the tech is even possible, given AI's current "black box" approach. Media literacy, the future of the Internet, and humanity's very purpose hang in the balance.But spoiler alert: We do solve everything and save the world by the end of this discussion.Keep tab's on Sky's monumental video game art here: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/

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 Mouse (as Steamboat Willie) has entered the public domain, and he's already popped up in a horror video game (thank you, Internet!). We discuss copyright, trademark, and the fascinating future of our favorite characters as they break free from their creators.Also, "Dave the Diver," "Elden Ring," mobile convergence, and a great new idle game that runs right in your World Wide Web Browser. 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/

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 to one of the industry's most disliked CEOs, and we pay respects to "Max Payne" voice actor James McCaffrey, who sadly passed away this week.Read Colette's coverage of the Insomniac hack here: https://www.thestreet.com/technology/sony-hack-discloses-confidential-data-plans-for-exclusive-projects 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/

🎵 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. Colette shares her memories of being on the ground at the show for three years, from 2007 to 2010.We also discuss a few of the announcements and trailers that caught our attention at The Game Awards, and some items we're looking forward to in 2024 and beyond. 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 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.We'll be back next week with our reactions to The Game Awards. 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 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, the economics of Game Pass in a world of platform convergence, and the grind that keeps us coming back for more "Genshin Impact."Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

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 over $60 on the "Super Mario RPG" remake? Colette's continued obsession with "Genshin Impact," Matt rolls credits on "Tears of the Kingdom," more "Alan Wake 2," and continued voyages in "Elite: Dangerous."Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

"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 gaming division, the Game Awards nominees are in, and the games that caught our eye in Nintendo's Indie World November showcase.Also, will Colette's "Genshin" obsession last when the real grind kicks in? And Matt reviews the maximum chill underwater ocean cleanup game "Loddlenaut."Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 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 hooked on "Genshin Impact," Matt's space cruise continues, "Alan Wake II," and an adorable game about cleaning up the ocean and petting fish.Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

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 with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

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! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

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 Next Fest Demos, share an extremely short but emotional game, and an objectively bad Switch port that's actually kinda awesome.Colette's playing: Every Letter (Steam)Matt's playing: Ziggurat 2 (Switch)Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

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 "Civilization" without skimping on depth or meta progression.Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 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 mainstream users, or should it stick to the core gaming audience? And where would Apple fit into this market, if at all?We discuss the race for VR adoption and what it means for the business of each company involved, and our own headset and ecosystem preferences. Plus, Colette has beef with "Fae Farm," and Matt is obsessed with the demo for the indie village builder/apocalypse simulator "Dotage."Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

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 "Sea of Stars," and the newest location-based game from Niantic is an impressive take on what makes "Monster Hunter" so fun.Also, where are all the Noodle Games?Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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'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! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 "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 games.Plus, belated reactions to the "Super Mario Bros. Wonder" Direct, the price of PlayStation Plus is going WAY up, and our ongoing thoughts about "Sea of Stars."Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 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 Colette needs to return to TotK (someday), and an unexpected interruption...Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 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! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 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 for a move, Matt and Sky discuss LEGO penises, the meteoric rise of "Baldur's Gate 3," and why "Pikmin 4" is so damn fun.Follow Sky's work: https://www.skyburkson.com/Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

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 they're not constrained to their own platform.Plus, "Baldur's Gate 3" continues to break Steam records and blow away the expectations of fans and its developers. We discuss why it's a perfect storm for this D&D revival. Also, Red Dead on Switch is happening?Meanwhile, Colette raves about a super-spoopy pixel art adventure, and Matt heads to an incremental wizarding school with no graphics.At the end of the day, it's all zeros and ones, baby.Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 "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 question remains: Will it be backwards compatible? We discuss the business case for and against this key feature.Also, our latest obsessions from the Wholesome Games lineup, the legacy of Nintendo Cereal, a brutally great dungeon crawler, and a review of "Pikmin 4" from a surprise guest.Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 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 "Gravity Circuit" is a fantastic "Meg Man" successor that's too hard to be fun, and the arrival of 2 often-overlooked Zelda games on Nintendo Switch Online!Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

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 market?Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

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 impact Second Life has had on games, and what we can learn from it as new "wannabe" metaverses spring up all the time.Check out James' book: Making a Metaverse That Matters: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Metaverse-That-Matters-Fighting/dp/1394155816And his blog: https://nwn.blogs.com/Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 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 IVMatt's playing: Nova Lands and EVERSPACE 2Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 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. 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/

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! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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! 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! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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 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, and why the VR/AR market continues to be fractured between gamer enthusiasts and normals.Plus, Colette blows past the early level caps in Diablo IV, Matt gets out his spreadsheets for another mobile MMO, and we try not to talk about Zelda for 10 minutes.Colette's playing: Diablo IVMatt's playing: Albion OnlineEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/

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.com/th/en/article/features/a-guide-to-royal-thai-cuisineEmail us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJFollow and subscribe to Colette:https://twitter.com/colettebennetthttps://www.twitch.tv/hellococobeeFollow and subscribe to Matt:https://twitter.com/Matt_Silverman/https://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/ 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/