
New Dad Gaming
Trevor Alexander & Jeff Smalley
Show overview
New Dad Gaming has been publishing since 2015, and across the 11 years since has built a catalogue of 373 episodes. That works out to roughly 230 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 32 min and 41 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Leisure show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 11 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2022, with 46 episodes published. Published by Trevor Alexander & Jeff Smalley.
From the publisher
New Dad Gaming | The Podcast for Gaming Dads Since 2015 Just because you became a dad doesn't mean it's game over. New Dad Gaming is the longest-running podcast for dads who game. Hosted by Trevor Alexander and Jeff Smalley since 2015, NDG is where gaming meets fatherhood — real talk about finding game time, playing with your kids, navigating screen time, and keeping your favorite hobby alive through the chaos of raising a family. Every week we cover the games worth your limited time, co-op picks for playing with kids, hardware that fits a dad budget, and the hilarious reality of gaming while parenting. Whether you're sneaking in 30 minutes after bedtime or building a Minecraft world with your 8-year-old, this show is for you. 380+ episodes. Two dads. One rule: Game Over is not an option.
Latest Episodes
View all 373 episodesEp. 391: Bedtime Monopoly Massacre, Console Dust, & FFXIV Free Trials
Ep. 390: Your Kid's First MP3, Pragmata's Dad Energy & Roller Coasters Are Trying to Kill Me
Ep 431Ep. 389: Old Dad Sayings, Infinite Craft Gone Wrong & Your Kid's First Instagram
Can your kids finish the classic parent threats? Jeff and Trevor find out — and the answers are heartwarming. This week starts with a social media trend we couldn't resist: parents asking their kids to finish old-school sayings like "as long as you live under my roof..." and "I'll give you something to..." The kids have absolutely no idea. Trevor and Jeff test their own recall against the trauma of the past, and the takeaway is surprisingly sweet — this generation's kids just don't know those threats because modern dads aren't using them anymore. Then Trevor drops an update on Infinite Craft — the browser-based word mashup game we covered last week. Turns out there's no kid-safe mode, and looking over his eight-year-old's shoulder revealed some very adult word combinations. Laptops were shut, the game was banned, and Jeff confesses his teen already "made everything" in the game. The eternal dad question: do you ask what they saw, or let a sleeping dog lie? Jeff hits a milestone nobody's excited about: his 15-year-old is officially on Instagram. It's the first NDG kid on social media. Despite being a teen account, the algorithm immediately served up political garbage instead of skateboarding and art. Jeff and his wife spent day one retraining the feed together and set up a family chat to share good content. Trevor shares a genius trick he used with his kid on Messenger Kids — he had him send a goofy selfie, refused to delete it, then forwarded it to mom. "I didn't let you do that!" "Doesn't matter. You don't own it anymore." Parenting in the digital age, one teachable moment at a time. In lighter news, Trevor was FLOORED to discover that Pokémon TCG Pocket has actual battles. He thought it was just a pack-opening simulator. His kids have thousands of physical Pokémon cards and have never once played the actual game. Jeff might download it for the card battler angle. Trevor might stream it. The future is wide open. Finally, for our Gaming Dad Question of the Week, Logan asks: has becoming a dad made you more emotional during games? Jeff talks about feeling Joel's panic in The Last of Us, and Trevor can't get through "Love You Forever" without losing it. The scenario of playing something heavy late at night and having to wake your kid up just to hug them? Yeah. That hit home. 🎮 Topics: Old parent sayings trend, Infinite Craft parental warning, first kid on Instagram, digital literacy for teens, algorithm retraining, photo consent lesson, Pokémon TCG Pocket battles, Songs of Six city builder, Dwarf Fortress vibes, Last of Us dad emotions, God of War parenting, Love You Forever, Ori and the Blind Forest 📬 Got a story, question, or a digital parenting win? Reach out at newdadgaming.com Timestamps: 00:00 — Poem: old dad sayings & Infinite Craft 00:27 — Welcome & intros 00:44 — Intros: Trevor (10yo & 8yo) & Jeff (15yo & 12.5yo) 00:57 — Old parent sayings trend: can your kids finish "as long as you live under my roof..."? 02:57 — "I'll give you something to cry about" — trauma blocks unlocked 04:27 — Jeff's kids HAVE heard these — and had no idea what they meant 05:57 — Infinite Craft update: no kid-safe mode, adult content discovered 07:57 — Jeff's teen "made everything" — do you ask what they saw? 09:57 — Songs of Six: Jeff's new city builder obsession (Dwarf Fortress vibes) 13:27 — One solo dev, generous demo, incredible soundtrack 15:57 — Jeff's kids want war, dad wants to build a longhouse in peace 17:37 — First NDG kid on social media: Jeff's 15-year-old joins Instagram 19:47 — Algorithm immediately serves garbage to a teen account 21:57 — Being a millennial parent navigating social media for the first time 23:57 — Trevor's photo consent trick with Messenger Kids 26:12 — "You don't own it anymore" — digital literacy teachable moment 26:57 — Pokémon TCG Pocket: wait, there are actual BATTLES? 29:27 — Dad completely missed half the game for months 30:57 — Show wrap-up & sign-off
Ep 430Ep. 388: Bandwidth Wars, Secret Consoles & the GTA 6 Talk Every Dad Dreads
Jeff's mid-combat in Kingdom Come Deliverance when everything goes blocky. A quick router check reveals his teen is downloading 100 gigs and pulling 10x the bandwidth. Then comes the plot twist: Trevor secretly set the router to prioritize gaming traffic — meaning his kid's download got VIP treatment because of dad's own settings. Self-own of the year. From there, Trevor reveals he has a retro console secretly shipping to the house. Problem: his son just bombed his grades and is banned from all games. Now dad's staying up late coaching him through exams — not because he's a great dad, but because he desperately wants to hand over the surprise. Jeff one-ups him with his own tale of self-inflicted punishment: IMAX tickets to Project Hail Mary, snacks packed, ready to pull the kids from school — then the kids acted up and he had to cancel. On himself. We pitch the ultimate generational escape room: it's 1994, and you have to survive the internet. Download an MP3 without someone picking up the phone. Print MapQuest directions and hope you got the right page. Dads would crush it. Kids would be completely destroyed. Then we get into console pricing reality. The PS5 is six years old and still getting more expensive. The Pro is $800 CAD. Pre-ordering a console is now the financially responsible move because it will never be cheaper than today. Meanwhile, our kids are happy on browser games. Finally, the big one: your 14-year-old wants GTA 6 for his birthday. We roleplay the conversation every gaming dad is about to have. The reasoning, the trust angle, and Jeff's closer: "You can't unsee some things." 🎮 Topics: Kingdom Come Deliverance bandwidth wars, router QoS self-own, secret retro console vs. bad grades, IMAX Project Hail Mary dad punishment, 1994 dial-up escape room, PS5 Pro pricing, GTA 6 age-appropriate parenting, dad schemes that backfire 📬 Got a story, question, or a backlog confession? Reach out at newdadgaming.com
Ep 429Ep. 387: Poems, Plagues, Pokémon Pokopia & the Backlog Paradox
Jeff survived the family plague (barely), and this week we're recording live — poems and all. This episode kicks off with a live poem creation featuring the Steam Deck and Skate 3. From there, Jeff shares how the Steam Deck was his lifeline while sick on the couch: full Steam library plus PS5 streaming, all from under the blankets. We compare it to the consoles that shaped our lives — the Game Boy SP, the PSP, and why portability matters more than ever for gaming dads. Then we dig into Pokémon Pocketopia on the Switch 2. Jeff's family is all-in and Trevor might not be far behind. We break down what it is (Minecraft meets Pokémon in a post-apocalyptic world), the Switch 2's GameShare feature that lets you play co-op from a Switch 1, and whether this could be the next Animal Crossing for families. Jeff's kid discovered Skate 3 on Game Pass and asked dad for help beating a challenge. 100+ hours of muscle memory kicked in — double kickflips, dark slides, 920s. The kid walked out of the room. Trevor confesses he may have traumatized his own kids at Mario Kart and GoldenEye beyond recovery. We also talk about the "I didn't marry a loser" social media trend — wives pushing back on the incompetent dad stereotype — and what it means that this generation of dads has arrived. Millennial dads are spending three times more quality time with their kids than previous generations. It hit us right in the feels. Finally, it's the debut of New Dad Gaming Questions! A listener sent in a study from 2averagegamers.com: what 10,000 Reddit comments reveal about the adult gaming backlog. The median gamer sits on 100–150 unplayed games, plays 8–10 hours a week, and 75% feel genuinely guilty about it. Adults who can finally afford all the games they want but lack the time to play them. Sound familiar? Welcome to New Dad Gaming. 🎮 Topics: Steam Deck sick day, Pokémon Pocketopia, Switch 2 GameShare, Skate 3 dad flex, Mario Kart trauma, "I didn't marry a loser" trend, modern fatherhood, gaming backlog paradox, No New Games 2025, adult gaming guilt 📬 Got a story, question, or a backlog confession? Reach out at newdadgaming.com
Ep 428Switch 2 vs Quest 3 for Kids? + Crimson Desert Hype & Pokemon TCG | New Dad Gaming Ep. 386
The New Dads dive into a great listener email covering why it's time to kick Roblox to the curb, the magic of the Steam Deck on snow days, and fan-made Pokémon ROM hacks. We also debate the perfect birthday gift for an 8-year-old (Switch 2 vs. Meta Quest 3), discuss whether the Pokémon TCG Mobile app is just a digital pack addiction, and look ahead at the massive hype surrounding Crimson Desert. Finally, we come to terms with the harsh reality that our kids are already better at Hades than we ever were. Connect With Us: Have a gaming dad fail, success, or "headshake moment" to share? We want to hear from you! 🌐 Visit us: newdadgaming.com Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw Others on Our Website: https://newdadgaming.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating, and drop a comment! It helps the algorithm push the show out to other gaming fathers figuring out their gaming lives. #NewDadGaming #GamingDads #FatherhoodAndGaming #NintendoSwitch2 #MetaQuest3 #PokemonTCG #PokemonShield #CrimsonDesert #HadesGame #SteamDeck #DadLife #Podcast
Ep 427Pokemon Red for $30 & Smurfing in Marvel Snap | Ep. 385
Welcome back to New Dad Gaming! This week, Trevor and Jeff are surviving the wild energy of their kids—who are currently acting like Red Bull-fueled boars at a banquet. With the family adjusting to life down in Medellín, the guys discuss bribing the kids with $100 to learn Spanish on Duolingo and how this educational "loophole" is racking up screen time. We also dive into the beautiful peace of a post-Roblox household, which has led the kids right back to the classics like Pokémon Sword and EA FC. On the adult gaming front, Nintendo is testing our patience (and wallets) by charging a premium for retro Pokémon Fire Red ports, Trevor confesses to a slightly guilty relapse into Marvel Snap, Jeff returns to the Final Fantasy 14 grind, and we confront the terrifying reality of a 15-year-old pirating Balatro on school computers. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw Others on Our Website: https://newdadgaming.com/ #podcast #podcaster #podcasting #fatherhood #gaming #dadgaming Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & The "Boars at a Banquet" Analogy 4:39 - The Duolingo Screen Time Loophole & Spanish Bets 10:51 - Life After Roblox: Kids Return to Pokémon & Soccer 15:06 - Nintendo's Wild $30 Price Tag for Retro Pokémon 22:16 - Relapsing into Marvel Snap & Smurfing Low Levels 26:23 - The Endless Cycle of Final Fantasy 14 30:05 - Kids Pirating Balatro on School Computers 31:49 - Outro & How to Support the Show
Ep 426Dad as an Uber, Getting Kids on Skyrim, and Cheating for the memories | New Dad Gaming Ep. 384
This week, Jeff is hustling as an Uber driver for his kids and subtly suggests they buy Skyrim VR, Trevor finished Hades 2 and is caught between endgame content and some retro fun with Pokemon Fire Red, and Trevor pulls a fast one as the dealer during a game of Flip 7 for a good cause. Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw Others on Our Website: https://newdadgaming.com/ #podcast #podcaster #podcasting #fatherhood #gaming #dadgaming
Ep 425Surviving Valheim Chaos With Kids & Sneaking Balatro into School | New Dad Gaming Ep. 383
What happens when your teenager gets caught playing a bootleg version of Balatro on school computers? Do you ground them, or are you secretly a little proud? 😂 Plus, Trevor is moving his family to Colombia for the winter and had to make some heartbreaking choices about what gaming gear makes the cut! Welcome back to New Dad Gaming! In Episode 383, Trevor and Jeff are breaking down the ultimate travel gaming setup for dads on the move—why the Xbox Series S and Switch made the trip, but the PS5 and gaming PC had to stay behind. We also dive into the absolute chaos of playing Valheim with our kids (spoiler: do not let your teenager lead a troll horde back to your newly built cabin),and our struggles with giant gaming backlogs as we try to make time for Expedition 33, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Hades 2. 👇 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 👇 Have you ever had to make a painful sacrifice with your gaming setup for a big move? Or do you have a hilarious story of playing co-op games with your kids? Let us know in the comments below! 🔔 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for weekly episodes on fatherhood, gaming, and finding balance: 🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST ON THE GO: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts Everywhere Else: https://newdadgaming.com ⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS: Use these to jump straight to your favorite topics! [00:00:00] - Intro: Twitch Live Streams & Podcast Updates [00:03:54] - The Big Move: Trevor Takes His Family to Colombia![00:05:26] - The Ultimate Travel Gaming Setup (What made the cut?) [00:10:10] - The Hardest Choice: Heavy Gaming PC vs.MacBook Air [00:19:20] - Expedition 33, Kingdom Come, and the Backlog Struggle [00:24:59] - My 15-Year-Old Got Caught Playing Balatro in Class![00:31:32] - Valheim With the Kids: Pure Co-Op Survival Chaos [00:36:10] - Outro & How to Support the Show 📱 CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://newdadgaming.com Twitter / X: https://x.com/NewDadGaming #DadGaming #Valheim #Balatro #XboxSeriesS #TravelGaming #Fatherhood #Podcast #NewDadGaming
Ep 424Skyrim in 2026, Valheim's "Beautiful Ugly," and Letting Games Breath | New Dad Gaming Ep. 382 | Ep. 282
We are back for 2026! After a year-long challenge of purchasing zero new video games in 2025, Trevor and Jeff break down the aftermath. Did we survive the FOMO? What is the first game we bought in 2026? In this episode, we dive into the "Dad Dust" of getting back behind the mic, the joy of finally playing Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and Hades 2, and the promising horizon of 2026 releases like Fable and potential Witcher 3 DLC. We also discuss the state of gaming in our households: from successfully banning Roblox, to our kids discovering Skyrim with heavy mods, to the hilarious realization our children had while playing WWE 2K24—that you used to be able to unlock characters just by playing the game. Finally, Jeff shares his newfound obsession with Valheim on the Steam Deck and why its "beautiful ugly" aesthetic is perfect for gaming dads. Timestamps: 00:00 – Dusting off the mics: We are back for 2026! 00:03 – The "No New Games in 2025" Challenge: The Verdict 00:06 – Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 & The Freedom of 2026 00:08 – The 2026 Gaming Horizon: Fable & Witcher 3 rumors 00:09 – The Great Roblox Ban & What the kids are playing now 00:10 – Review: Clone Drone in the Danger Zone (Voxel Roguelike) 00:14 – WWE 2K24: Kids are shocked by "Free" character unlocks 00:17 – Skyrim in 2026: Mods, Special Editions, and Family Sharing 00:22 – Valheim Review: The "Beautiful Ugly" on Steam Deck Links & Resources: Join the conversation: newdadgaming.com Connect with us on social: @NewDadGaming About the Show: Welcome to New Dad Gaming, a show about fatherhood, gaming, and new fathers figuring out their gaming lives. Hosted by Trevor and Jeff, we prove each week that just because you became a dad, does not mean it's Game Over.
Ep 423We Can Finally Buy Games Again: The 2026 Shopping List | New Dad Gaming Ep. 381
Welcome to Episode 381 of New Dad Gaming! The 2025 "No New Games" challenge is finally complete, and the floodgates are open. In this 2026 kickoff special, Trevor and Jeff break down the massive list of games they denied themselves last year and the upcoming titles they can't wait to pre-order. We discuss the shifting landscape of 2026, including the looming release of GTA 6, the slump in console sales, and why we are both pivoting toward handhelds like the PlayStation Portal and Steam Deck to fit gaming into dad life. We also do a live "Google Search" deep dive into the top PC games coming this year, debating everything from Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 to cozy farming sims like Fantasy Life. Plus, we discuss what a household looks like after a Roblox Ban and whether Fortnite or Star Wars Jedi will take its place. Topics Covered: The Floodgates Open: How it feels to finally be allowed to buy games again. Hardware Shift: Why we are ignoring the PS6 rumors to focus on Portable Gaming (Steam Deck & PS Portal). The 2026 Shopping List: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Death Stranding 2, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Backlog Catch-Up: Why Space Marine 2 is the first "old" game we are buying. Dad Life: Embracing "Mobile Gaming" (Red Dead on iPad) and why we are hoping for a Final Fantasy 7 Part 3demo. The Kids' Rotation: Life after banning Roblox and the move to Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Welcome to 2026! 2:15 - The State of Gaming: GTA 6 & The Steam Deck Juggernaut 5:00 - Jeff’s Wishlist: Final Fantasy 7 Part 3 & The PS Portal 8:30 - Trevor’s Wishlist: Retro Handhelds & Red Dead on iPad 13:10 - Kids' Gaming Forecast: Can we keep Roblox out of the house? 17:45 - The "Immediate Buy" List: KCD2, Expedition 33, & Space Marine 2 22:00 - Live Reaction: Googling the "Top PC Games of 2026" (Arc Raiders & Donkey Kong?) 27:30 - Final Thoughts & Call for New Challenges Connect with New Dad Gaming: 🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app: 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/ Remember: Just because you became a dad, doesn't mean it's game over.
Ep 422We Bought ZERO Games for an Entire Year (Here’s What Happened) | New Dad Gaming Ep. 380
In this final episode of 2025, Trevor and Jeff wrap up their year-long experiment: The "No New Games" Challenge. We break down whether we succeeded in clearing our backlogs or if we just stopped playing altogether. We also dive into the chaos of Christmas morning—from the quantity vs. quality gift debate to why one dad opted for a retro handheld emulator over a PS5. Plus, we discuss the "dark side" of kids' gaming in 2025, including why Robloxfinally got banned in the household, the surprising rise of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) among teenagers, and why Chess is making a comeback. Whether you are a dad trying to manage screen time or a gamer staring at an intimidating Steam backlog, this episode is for you. Topics Covered: The Christmas Haul: Why we bought retro handhelds and "dumb" smartwatches instead of current-gen consoles. The Cookie Experiment: Why kids prefer 10 small gifts over one expensive one (Funko Pops vs. PS5). Kids Gaming Trends: The rise of Fortnite, the fall of Roblox, and the wholesome return of D&D and Chess. The Challenge Results: How replaying Elden Ring, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Hades 2 changed our gaming habits. Gaming Fatigue: Why having "no new games" was actually a relief for our anxiety. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Raising a glass to 2025 0:45 - The Steam Christmas Sale temptation 2:30 - What did the kids get? (Retro Consoles vs. Funko Pops) 6:10 - The "Quantity vs. Quality" Gift Dilemma 10:15 - Kids Gaming Recap: The rise of D&D & Hollow Knight 14:50 - The Roblox Ban: Why it didn't work for us 18:30 - The Dads' Recap: Surviving the "No New Games" Challenge 23:00 - Trevor’s "Lost Year" of Gaming 28:45 - Looking ahead and Final Thoughts Connect with New Dad Gaming: Website: newdadgaming.com Email: newdadgaming [at] gmail [dot] com Remember: Just because you became a dad, doesn't mean it's game over. 🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app: 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/
Ep 421Why I’m Banning Roblox This Christmas (And The "Digital Gift" Problem) | New Dad Gaming Ep. 379
Are digital currencies like Robux and V-Bucks ruining the magic of Christmas morning? In this episode of New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff discuss the struggle of buying gifts for kids who only want digital skins, the sadness of not having physical games to unwrap, and the controversial reason Jeff is considering banning Roblox from his house entirely. Plus, Trevor is moving his family to Colombia for the winter! We break down the logistics of traveling with gaming gear. Is it better to pack a PS5, an Xbox Series S, or just buy a Steam Deck? We also touch on handling bad grades during the holidays—do you ground your kids from gaming over Christmas break? 🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app: 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/ In this episode: The "Unwrapping" Dilemma: Why giving gift cards feels empty compared to the nostalgia of unwrapping Final Fantasy X. The Roblox Controversy: We discuss the new AI face-scanning requirements for age verification and why it’s a privacy nightmare for parents. Gaming Grounding: Trevor’s son lost gaming privileges due to report cards—how do you handle punishment during the "happiest time of the year"? Travel Gaming Loadout: The debate on which console fits best in a carry-on for a 6-month trip. Mobile Tech: A look at Red Dead Redemption running natively on iOS via Netflix Games. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro & The "No Dad Poem" 02:20 - The struggle of Christmas Gifts in 2025 (Robux vs. Real Games) 06:50 - Nostalgia: Unwrapping Final Fantasy X vs. Digital Codes 10:00 - When Bad Grades Ruin Christmas Gaming (The Grounding Debate) 13:30 - Why We Might Ban Roblox: The Face Scan Controversy 20:25 - Moving to Colombia: Traveling with a PS5 vs. Xbox Series S 25:15 - The Steam Deck Regret 28:00 - Red Dead Redemption on iPhone (Netflix Games) 30:50 - Wrap Up & Community Questions JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Are you banning Roblox? How do you handle gaming punishments during the holidays? Let us know at [YourWebsiteLink] or in the comments below! #NewDadGaming #ParentingGamers #RobloxBan #GamingPodcast
Ep 420Game Award Nominees 2025 - We Played Nothing | New Dad Gaming Ep. 378
The New Dads review this years nominees for Game of The Year - a fun experience given they've played none during their year of no games. However, if nothing else it helps fill out their wish list once their self imposed exile is over. 🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app: 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/
Ep 419Steam Machine Hype, VR Temptations & No-Game Punishments | New Dad Gaming Ep. 377
It’s full-on dad mode: both households hand out no-game punishments after kids try to sneak Roblox and skip chores, sparking a conversation about clear consequences, consistency, and what it means when your kids don’t even argue the punishment - because they know the rules. On the gaming front, Steam drops a bomb with three new hardware announcements: A redesigned Steam Controller built from Steam Deck learnings The tiny Steam “Machine” console promising 4K living room gaming and killer value versus PS5/Switch The Steam Frame VR headset, aiming to shake up Meta’s dominance and revive PC VR excitement Jeff breaks down why the new controller’s trackpads are a quiet superpower for strategy and mouse-heavy games, how the Steam Machine could finally make PC libraries living-room friendly for dads, and whether the Steam Frame has enough going for it to tempt lapsed VR users. Plus: Jeff’s patience on Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 pays off in a big “all DLC included” edition, and the guys argue over which of these toys is actually for the kids… and which are clearly future dad presents. If you’re a gaming father trying to balance kid punishments, chore charts, shrinking free time, and a dangerous interest in new hardware, this one’s for you. 👨👧👦 Got a story? Send in your own “no games for a week” tales, Steam hardware hot takes, or dad-mode reviews at newdadgaming.com and we might feature it on a future episode. 🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app: 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/
Ep 418Arc Raiders Hype, AI in Games & Teaching Kids Magic: The Gathering | New Dad Gaming Ep. 376
Arc Raiders is the hot new extraction shooter everyone’s talking about… and the community is actually nice?! 😅 This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff crack open the last of the pumpkin beers, dive into the surprise hype around Arc Raiders, and unpack the controversy around AI voice acting and what it means for real voice actors and future games. From there, it’s full-on dad mode: Trevor raids eBay for cheap Magic: The Gathering cards to build a cube and see if his kids can handle the chaos of modern MTG rules… while he struggles to remember what lifelink even does. Jeff, meanwhile, goes galaxy-brain with Dyson Sphere Program, turning chill dad evenings into interstellar automation spreadsheets, all thanks to their ongoing “year of no new games” challenge. They wrap with a quick (and painful) update on Jeff’s 25-minute, zero-progress attempt at Silksong, driven entirely by his determined teen. If you’re a gaming dad trying to balance backlog guilt, new releases, kids who are better at games than you, and the ethics of AI in gaming—this one’s for you. ⏱ Episode Timestamps (approx.) 00:00 – Cold open, dad life, and missed episodes 02:30 – Pumpkin beers, espresso porter review & maybe… Christmas beers? 07:20 – What is Arc Raiders and why is everyone loving it? 10:30 – PvPvE, surprising kindness & emergent co-op in Arc Raiders 15:30 – AI voice acting, ethics, and what it means for voice actors 23:50 – Magic: The Gathering with kids, cube drafting & card complexity 34:40 – Dyson Sphere Program: the ultimate dad automation game 40:45 – Jeff gets wrecked in Silksong at his kid’s request 42:20 – Outro, community shout-outs & how to reach the show 🎮 About New Dad Gaming New Dad Gaming is a podcast about fatherhood, gaming, and new dads figuring out their gaming lives. Hosts Trevor (dad of a 10 & 8-year-old) and Jeff (dad of a 15 & 12-year-old) share stories from the trenches: backlog struggles, co-op with kids, late-night sessions, and the games they want to play vs. the games they actually have time for. 📬 Share Your Story Played Arc Raiders? Have thoughts on AI in games? Trying to teach your kids Magic: The Gathering or hooked on Dyson Sphere Program? 👉 Reach out at newdadgaming.com – we’d love to feature your story on a future episode. Subscribe 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/ 👍 Support the Show If you enjoyed this episode: Hit Like Subscribe to the channel Drop a comment with your favorite dad-friendly game right now Share this with another gaming dad who needs to hear they’re not alone Just because you became a dad does not mean it’s game over. 🎧🎮
Ep 417Expensive Fortnite Skins, Future Gaming Dreams, Watching Breaking Bad | New Dad Gaming Ep. 375
This week the dads discuss expensive Fortnite skins, introducing Breaking Bad to an eldest, and dream a little dream of games they will have. This week features some solid pumpkin beer to boot! 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on fatherhood, gaming, and the chaos in between. 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/
Ep 416Listener letters, Saving for a Playstation, Kid Jobs | New Dad Gaming Ep. 374
The Dads are back with pumpkin in their beer, With notes from listeners they definitely hold dear. Breaking the bank with a skin from Fortnite, And will a kid save for a Playstation? He just might. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on fatherhood, gaming, and the chaos in between. 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/
Ep 415Pumpkin Beer Regret, Hades II Bliss, Hollow Knight Sleepover, & FF8 Cheats (Dad Mode!) | New Dad Gaming Ep. 373
Trevor and Jeff kick off October with a live taste test of a 10% pumpkin ale (it goes… badly), celebrate the pure joy of Hades II (with “God Mode” as the ultimate dad setting), recap a wholesome Hollow Knight all-night kids’ sleepover, and confess to using Final Fantasy VIII cheats to finally experience the story—25 years later. We wrap with a classic “beat your kids (while you still can)” dad-race anecdote. If you’re a gaming father (or future one) figuring out how to balance kids, work, and your backlog—this one’s for you. 👨👦 Hosts: Trevor (dad of a 10 & 8 y/o) and Jeff (dad of a 15 & 12 y/o) 🎙 Show: New Dad Gaming — fatherhood, gaming, and proof that becoming a dad isn’t “game over.” 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on fatherhood, gaming, and the chaos in between. 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/
Ep 414In-Person Chaos! Hades II Hype, Teens Buying Games, & Couch-Co-Op Headaches | New Dad Gaming Ep 372
We did it: our once-a-year in-person episode! Trevor and Jeff awkwardly remember how to record without Zoom, swap Toronto trip stories, and dive into dad-mode gaming topics: Hades II’s launch, whether it breaks our “no new games” pact, accessibility/difficulty debates (Hollow Knight: Silksong, Elden Ring), letting a 15-year-old buy games on Steam, and the most dad-brained Fortnite setup ever (Xbox cloud streaming, Moonlight/Sunshine, PS Remote Play, and split-screen drama). If you’re a gaming parent juggling time, tech, and teens—this one’s for you. Join the conversation What’s your ruling on “no new games” if you paid during Early Access? When did you let your teen buy their own games—any ground rules? Your best (or worst) living-room co-op/streaming setup? 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on fatherhood, gaming, and the chaos in between. 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/ Hashtags #NewDadGaming #DadGamers #Hades2 #GamingDads #Steam #ParentalControls #Fortnite #CloudGaming #XboxCloudGaming #MoonlightStreaming #PSRemotePlay #Silksong #EldenRing