YoVideogames!

A commentary on gaming lifestyle: its history, its news, and all things hype!

YoVG # 514 The Rise of Handhelds - Holiday 2025 11/19/2025

YoVG # 514 The Rise of Handhelds - Holiday 2025 Handhelds are on the rise! Where once the only option was a Switch or a Steam Deck, now we have Android devices like Ayn's ODIN line, Lenovo's Legion Go, and ROG's Ally series. Plus, Playstation and Xbox are expected to commit to hybrid or handheld consoles in the near future. So, how do you know where to start? Do OS's matter? Do price points differ greatly? Here's a casual guide to handhelds on the market today or coming very soon. Their price points, who we think they are for, and why you might choose one over the other. We aren't trying to be Digital Foundry. We aren't going in depth into tech specs. This is just an overview of what we like and don't like of each. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/39097610

YoVG # 513 Sony's State of Play Japan 2025 11/12/2025

YoVG # 513 Sony's State of Play Japan 2025 Sony dropped a State of Play just for its Japanese Developers. Matt and I are split on this one. He feels it fell flat, I feel it says: Sony is finally waking up to the type of games it should be pushing harder. Plus: We debate horror elements and their effectiveness. I love ambience and build up, he loves sudden unavoidable terror. We score the State of Play out of TEN. We talk Marvel Tokon and how maybe Sony didn't think this was going to get much attention (Kpop Demon Hunters all over again!?) And we close talking about alleged Rockstar Union Busting. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/39009820

YoVG # 512 Unlikely Tie-In Games (That Should Exist) 10/28/2025

YoVG # 512 Unlikely Tie-In Games (That Should Exist) In the 90's tie-in games for movies and TV shows were pretty much BS. I mean most of the time they had little to nothing to do with the property they were tying into, and in the worst of cases actively made the original property worse by association (ET). Not to say that there weren't good ones, too. But more often than not, a tie-in game never raised expectations. That isn't true into the 00's and later though. So, we get to thinking, what would be an unlikely tie-in game for a movie, or tv show or book - whatever. And what genre/gameplay would the game have? /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/38804130

YoVG # 511 Expecting 2026 Turbulence 10/22/2025

YoVG # 511 Expecting 2026 Turbulence Hey, so all these layoffs? Well, it means lots of projects are dead in the water. And that means we are going to see a serious dip in games coming to market. Will that be next year some time? Maybe the year after? And I hear you - AI is gonna solve this problem! But what if it doesn't? What if AI goes bust? No your highly profitable money printing game business is limping because you shot it in the foot. Also, because it was fun we talk about theme parks and which, if any, are worth the money right now. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/38742275

YoVG # 510 The GameFreak Leak 10/15/2025

YoVG # 510 The GameFreak Leak I liked the title The Freak Leak, but then who would click on it? GameFreak had a leak. It was possibly an old school phishing scheme, which is sort of hilarious. That leak did tell us what games they are working on for the coming five years or so, but that isn't what we are interested in - two guess what it the games are though lol. No they leaked GameFreak budgets and earnings for the last several games, and what that tells us is pretty interesting. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/38592405

YoVG # 509 Fallout New 3rd Party 10/08/2025

YoVG # 509 Fallout New 3rd Party It's Microsoft. Rumor has it that Microsoft wants out of the hardware business (surprise, surprise!) and that means Xbox may not have a new generation next year. But does that mean Xbox is dead? Maybe not. As we have seen: Xbox branded portable could lead into Xbox branded gaming PCs and so on. So, if 3rd party is close to dead in the US, and Microsoft is considering taking up that mantle instead of 3rd party - where does that leave Indie Games? Kickstarter. I've never been a huge fan of crowdfunding games (or movies to be honest) but it is undeniable that good things have come from the platform. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/38511960

YoVG # 508 State of Games - Holiday 2025 10/01/2025

YoVG # 508 State of Games - Holiday 2025 What is the state of the gaming industry going in to Holiday 2025? Shockingly fragile. There is only one major third party publisher left in the US. Microsoft is backing away from hardware. Sony is facing down stagnation. And then there's Nintendo. Who's mostly fine. They aren't happy about tariffs, but for the most part they are weathering this storm exceedingly well? Why is that? Let's get into the State of Games! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/38424435

YoVG # 507 Tokyo Game Show 2025 09/26/2025

YoVG # 507 Tokyo Game Show 2025 Sony and Microsoft had their showcases this week for TGS 2025. We dive into what's exciting, what's confusing, and what is just plain bad. Join us for some musings on the next six months in gaming! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/38368170

YoVG # 506 Will Games Be Worth The Price In 2026? 09/17/2025

YoVG # 506 Will Games Be Worth The Price In 2026? The price of gaming keeps going up. Sure, part of it for those of us in the US is tariffs. But gaming has become much more expensive world wide. Especially AAA gaming. However, with games like Clair Obscur and Silksong coming in well under AAA pricing, and punching far above their weight - we need to ask: will triple A games be worth the price next year? /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/38252785

YoVG # 505 Did Nintendo Meet or Beat Expectations? 09/13/2025

YoVG # 505 Did Nintendo Meet or Beat Expectations? Did Nintendo beat expectations? No. Well, according to Matt. While nothing was BAD in the direct, and plenty was GOOD: Nintendo didn't justify the new system or the cost increases (Tariffs not included). Personally, I was easier to please. Maybe because I know I am not going to buy a Switch 2 for at least a year. We gave the PS5 a year to try and justify itself, I think we need to be fair and give the Switch 2 the same amount of time. Positive side: at least Nintendo is supporting its platform. They have a slate of good games and a large one at that. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/38207895

YoVG # 504 Game Journalism & What Happens If It Dies? 09/03/2025

YoVG # 504 Game Journalism & What Happens If It Dies? Game journalism is often derided as pointless or nonexistent. We ourselves have made those jokes in the past, especially when talking about the old school game magazines. But what happens when game journalism dies? Journalism in general is on its last legs, and game journalism seems to be on the very edge of disappearing. Content creators sometimes conflate themselves with journalists, or pretend they are doing the same job, and it is important to realize that much of the content we love could not exist without the work actual journalists do in investigating the business, and interviewing game devs. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/38072825

YoVG # 503 Games People Love That We Don't Get 08/28/2025

YoVG # 503 Games People Love That We Don't Get Or "Old Men Yell At Cloud" There's a lot of great games. Honestly, there might actually be more good games than bad ones these days. But sometimes, even a good game, that people love, make us scratch our heads. We've talked about them here and there in the past, but now we are going to focus on them. For fun. Don't take this too seriously. Enjoy the goofs and hop in with some of your own. The more over the top, the better. You don't understand why people still love Mario games? Hell yeah, brother. Don't get how anyone could care about the new Shinobi game? Okay well, hey now... Wish people would shut up about Xenoblade? We're getting a little hurtful... Lets-- WISH PEOPLE WOULD JUST STFU ABOUT CLAIR OBSCUR!? Getting carried away boys! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/38001270

YoVG # 502 A Bit O' Gamescom 2025 08/23/2025

YoVG # 502 A Bit O' Gamescom 2025 I held it together and we recorded a little Gamescom talk. We didn't go super deep on any one game, but the biggest takeaway this year? Horror fans are gonna EAT. At least, in my opinion. Hop in, hang out, I only cough twice and never into the microphone. I was very brave: say it! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/37930710

YoVG # 501 Gen Z Stops Spending! 08/14/2025

YoVG # 501 Gen Z Stops Spending! We're in the doldrums before Gamescom, so there is a tight lid on anything new and exciting. I just got back from a week of travel so bad I'm having flashbacks straight out of Apocalypse Now. And that means: we meander a bit this episode. We cover a bunch of small topics and tangents. Enjoy us in your ears as we cover industry panic, and the usual "back in my day" generational hate that corpos love to pump out whenever the newest punching bag is old enough to "kill industries". /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/37817180

YoVG # 500 The Most Trash Games We've Ever Played! 08/06/2025

YoVG # 500 The Most Trash Games We've Ever Played! Episode 500 is for the haters! We've been on a positive upswing for almost two years now, but it's time to return to our roots. We were born haters, and haters we shall remain! Actually, we've spent so long focusing on staying positive that we had sort of a hard time being too harsh - even when the games deserved it. But we still had fun and I bet you will too! So, jump in and enjoy the most trash games we ever spent our dollars on. Maybe, you also feel this way. Maybe, you played something worse. But if you say Blasto... Oh my momma if you say Blasto! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/37647285

YoVG # 499 We Need a New Fighting Game IP 07/30/2025

YoVG # 499 We Need a New Fighting Game IP Something entirely new. Not based on an existing IP. Built from the ground up by a good team without the restrictions of making characters that match expectations. How do you do it? Matt brings out his Fighting Game Triangle: Content, Roster, Presentation and we dig into finding a balance among the three. He does not like my ideas. :P /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/37608145

YoVG # 498 The Best Games of (the first half of) 2025 07/23/2025

YoVG # 498 The Best Games of (the first half of) 2025 Taking a suggestion from you guys: we decided to talk about games we hope don't get forgotten by end of year. And maybe a couple we know definitely will. So, let's talk early GOTY contenders, and a couple disappointments. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/37518800

YoVG # 497 Do Gamers Want More of The Same? 07/16/2025

YoVG # 497 Do Gamers Want More of The Same? The reactions to Ghost of Yotei have been mostly positive, but one common complaint is that there was "no reason" to not continue Jin Sakai's story. In my opinion, it's okay that his story is done and it is more interesting to leap to a new time and new character. This provokes another conversation about sequels/franchises in general: do gamers want more of the same? Is there no market incentive for new ideas? /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/37428150

YoVG # 496 Microsoft Ruins Matt's Birthday 07/09/2025

YoVG # 496 Microsoft Ruins Matt's Birthday Microsoft has ruined all its goodwill from even six months ago. Is that Phil Spencer's fault? Probably not. In fact there is evidence that ol' Philly boy has done his best, but that doesn't help the thousands Microsoft laid off - so our sympathy is limited. I don't think Xbox is ever going to climb out of the hole it dug itself fifteen years ago. This may all just be the long slow death spiral. ANYWAY, it's Matt's birthday episode! Besides Microsoft we talk about Matt's strong thighs, Donkey Kong setting up for GOTY, Ghost of Yotei, and we fan-cast James Bond. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/37347515

Death Stranding 2 and What Sells Us a Sequel? 07/02/2025

Death Stranding 2 and What Sells Us a Sequel? Hey! Welcome back. You may have noticed a lack of episode last week, and that is because of not one, but three freak acts of nature. It is not an exciting story, but it does emphasize that I might be cursed. Anyway, the delay meant that I could buy and check out Death Stranding 2. I didn't play DS1. I had seen enough of it at several E3s to know it wasn't gonna be my jam. But it is a Kojima game. So, I'd be a liar if I didn't say I was always tempted. Now, here comes a sequel. It looks like Kojima has gone maximalist. The writing? Max Kojima. Now with more combat. More stealth. More weirdness. And it hadn't been shown to death at several conventions. So... I decided to go for it. Now, I am several hours in and I am beginning to think my initial instincts were right. This one isn't for me. If you liked DS1, though? You're probably going to love DS2. My yapping to Matt about it inspired the topic for this episode, because it turns out: Matt isn't sold on a coming sequel that everyone is amped for. So, what sells us a sequel? Why did I get DS2, and why isn't he interested in Resident Evil 9? /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/37257935

YoVG # 494 Not E3 - The Dust Has Settled 06/18/2025

YoVG # 494 Not E3 - The Dust Has Settled 2025 Sony State of Play, Summer Games Fest, and the Xbox showcase have come and gone. We've had some time to step back, come down from the hype, and think of what really grabbed our attention last week. So, what stood out to you? What got you hyped in the moment, but now that you've had a minute, the optimism has cooled? Was Not-E3 a major success? For us: it's looking like a good year. Let's talk about why. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/37058480

YoVG # 493 Guest Rick Lagnese of Madfinger Games! 06/11/2025

YoVG # 493 Guest Rick Lagnese of Madfinger Games! This week we have a special guest on the show: Madfinger Games' PR and Comms Director - Rick Lagnese! Madfinger Games is currently developing Grayzone Warfare, an MMO FPS in early access, but has its beginnings in mobile games. You might think that is a huge leap, but there is a clear through-line from their earliest games to today. Developing and self publishing a AAA title is no easy feat and we get into what that means for the team and why early access is what makes it possible. Jump in, meet Rick, have good times with us! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/36954445

YoVG # 492 Sony State of Play - Summer 2025 06/05/2025

YoVG # 492 Sony State of Play - Summer 2025 Oh, okay Sony. I don't know why people are so hard to please these days, but this was a solid presentation. Went from one game on the horizon to now like half a dozen dropping just in September? Pragmata isn't dead? Romeo IS dead? Overall this is one of Sony's better state of play presentations - let's get into why! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/36864515

YoVG # 491 The Doldrums 2025 05/28/2025

YoVG # 491 The Doldrums 2025 It's that time of year where things slow down. The calm before the storm of summer announcements. E3 may be dead but the excitement of E3 week lives on. Unfortunately, it means this time of year - unless there is a major leak - is usually quiet. But that's okay because this episode we talk about areas of the world, mythologies and cultures that could come to prominence in gaming. With the US industry seemingly stumbling, are there other countries that could grow to dominate the industry? Also, at the end of the end of the episode I mention a great horror book, but couldn't recall the exact title: Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/36746680

YoVG # 490 Is Any Game Worth $80? 05/23/2025

YoVG # 490 Is Any Game Worth $80? Subjectively, yes. There are games I would pay 80 for and not feel bad. Although one problem may be that you don't know until you own it and have played it - whether it is worth it. Profits in the game industry have never been higher, so why is Randy saying he needs the real fans to shell out 80 bucks for a game? What makes a game "high end" in his mind, and thus worth the extra money? The fact is: 80 dollar games are coming. And that means that the market is likely going to shrink. F2P is going to continue to dominate because most people will play that and only occasionally buy other games. And maybe that's okay. Personally I think that will cause a bigger contraction than expected, but again, maybe that is for the best. Randy only wants real fans buying Borderlands anyway. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/36689545

YoVG # 489 Peak Anime & Summer Games Fest Possibilities 05/14/2025

YoVG # 489 Peak Anime & Summer Games Fest Possibilities Alright, who the hell knows what's coming for Summer GamesFest 2025. Microsoft has blown it's load so maybe we have a shocking Xbox Games Showcase in June, or maybe it is a dead zone. Sony has Ghost of Yotei and Marathon, but Marathon is in rough shape by many accounts. And Nintendo is going to do its own thing. What's that leave? Two hours of Death Stranding 2? We spend half the episode talking anime and movies too because it was fun. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/36564175

YoVG # 488 1000xRESIST Creative Director Remy Siu! 05/07/2025

YoVG # 488 1000xRESIST Creative Director Remy Siu! 1000xRESIST was a GOTY contender for Matt last year and by a twist of good luck we got to sit down with Remy Siu, the creative director, for the one year anniversary of release. With such a small team, Remy wore a lot of hats. He comes from a performing arts background, and during the COVID shutdown he found himself with the time to start learning Unity, and the prototype for 1000xRESIST was born. We talk inspiration, process, and delivery. Plus Remy drops hints for some special One Year Anniversary news. You can find Remy on: Bluesky @sunsetvisitor.studio & Twitter @remysiu /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/36471025

YoVG # 487 Industry Obscur Expedition Stonks 05/02/2025

YoVG # 487 Industry Obscur Expedition Stonks This week saw the buying of Polygon (and subsequent layoffs), GiantBomb's implosion (and subsequent staff exodus) and in a bright spot Clair Obscur Expedition 33 released (it is great!) So, why is the industry seemingly cannibalizing itself at the height of its fortunes? Well, we've said it before: short term gains to entice investors. Alanah Pearce just did a deep dive video all about it. In her video she discusses an investment analysis of the video game market and she talks to investors to get their takes. We reference her video a lot because it confirms things we have said over the last year - now with hard data! Watch here: /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/36410150

YoVG # 486 F Realism! 04/23/2025

YoVG # 486 F Realism! In this week's episode we wanted to keep it fun and light again. So, we talk about the true enemy of a good time: realism. Okay not always. Some realistic elements can really add to a game. Certain mechanics being realistic adds authenticity, or keeps a loop challenging and fresh. But when does realism go too far? Also in this episode: reasons Miami sucks. Reasons LA sucks. Matt finally played GTA5. Reasons so many people died on the Oregon trail. And The Hatchet. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/36278810

YoVG # 485 PS6 Rumors, Already!? 04/16/2025

YoVG # 485 PS6 Rumors, Already!? There are already PS6 rumors gaining momentum. Does this further prove that PS5 has been sort of a dud? I don't know. And we aren't going into how true or possible this rumor is: just talking about what it would take to be a success. Plus, I share more YoVG deep lore. correction I misspeak about Marathon: I have only seen the official gameplay trailer and I say "when you watch the influencer/content creator gameplay it is much faster/more interesting." BUT I meant their videos TALKING about their gameplay. As far as I have seen, no content creator has released footage of themselves actually playing. Just thoughts on their playtest experience which gives me hope that it will be good. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/36187095

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