YoVideogames!

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

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

YoVG # 484 Switch 2: Failure to Launch? 04/09/2025

YoVG # 484 Switch 2: Failure to Launch? The Switch 2 was revealed a week ago and for a short time, a very short time, spirits were high. Since then, Nintendo has had to push back the pre-order date, take back the announced price, and do damage control on their planned variable pricing for games. The biggest culprit? Trade uncertainty as big ol' tariffs start hitting everywhere. But it turns out: the increased price was planned BEFORE tariffs came into the picture... So, where does that leave gamers? /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/36069500

YoVG # 483 Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Direct! 04/03/2025

YoVG # 483 Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Direct! I think the technical term for this is: a pickle. In a vacuum, Nintendo had an excellent direct. This is shaping up to be a wonderful launch. Especially if you consider players who will only own a Switch 2 - there is a host of excellent games coming to the Switch 2 within the first few months, to say nothing of excellent games in the first year! But this isn't a vacuum, so we have to address the elephant in the room: tariffs. And that means higher prices. The Switch 2 will be $450 at launch ($500 bundled with Mario Kart and this is the much better deal here). Games will range from $80 to $90 dollars and there are no free upgrades. This is a return to 90's pricing it feels like. Well, technically still cheaper, but not by much and it has to be pointed out: the market was smaller, and sales volume MUCH smaller than today. Only time will tell how this plays out, but I have a feeling if the tariffs last, next years sales numbers will not be as insane as we expected. Thoughts? /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/35990885

YoVG # 482 Switch 2 Direct Predictions w/ Stealth40k! 03/26/2025

YoVG # 482 Switch 2 Direct Predictions w/ Stealth40k! Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct is coming and all the rumors say it is going to be one hell of a show! We have special guest Stealth40k on to discuss what we know, rumors and hopes. Also, apologies for my audio quality on this one: Windows switched my mic to my webcam, and because we were recording when it happened - no pop up to let me know. So cool. Very good feature. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/35871030

YoVG # 481 We Were Wrong! 03/19/2025

YoVG # 481 We Were Wrong! We've gotten plenty of things wrong over the years. It's rare to say it as content creators, but for another evergreen episode this week, we thought: lets talk about being hilariously wrong. We cover everything from anime we were wrong about to being wrong about one of the biggest games of all time. So, lube up your ears and let us guide you on a journey of a few of our favorite missed calls! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/35777050

YoVG # 480 Best Genre Set in Each Decade (of the 20th Century) 03/12/2025

YoVG # 480 Best Genre Set in Each Decade (of the 20th Century) Comin' in with another breezy fun evergreen episode! Industry news is still sort of rough - although there is some cool rumors/leaks - and we wanted another fun episode. So, let's talk about game genres. We are going decade by decade from 1900 - 2000 and picking a genre, and making up a game that would best encapsulate that decade in our minds. We are mostly referencing the USA, because we are of course USians, but this could be done with any country's history. It's a good excuse for me to learn more of another country's history, so hit me with a favorite decade and the genre/game! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/35653275

YoVG # 479 Standing 7s 03/06/2025

YoVG # 479 Standing 7s Industry news is mostly sad atm and we decided we need a fun episode. A positive episode. We need to bring back the solid game. The 7 outta 10 - you're gonna have a good time, it's worth the money game. Maybe a hidden gem, maybe a game that we just need to admit got too much hate. Was I braver than Matt with my choices? Yes. Does that mean I am correct? Also, yes. I keep winning! Let us know your solid 7s! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/35560725

YoVG # 478 More Short Term Thinking From WB 02/26/2025

YoVG # 478 More Short Term Thinking From WB The hits keep coming to development teams everywhere. At least this time it can't be said to be a surprise... Well, at least not totally. WB "old yeller'd" 3 studios this week, including Monolith Productions. Which is surprising given that team's pedigree and the fact that it was working on a big budget Wonder Woman game. When we look closer at the Wonder Woman game, though, it seems it was still years from completion and perhaps WB saw short terms gains to cutting the cost. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/35438950

YoVG # 477 More Signs of Industry Pain 02/19/2025

YoVG # 477 More Signs of Industry Pain Look, if you have a game that fails spectacularly you can expect to be laid off. If your game explodes, and hits the top of the charts? Well, you can expect to be laid off then, too. It's only business. An increasingly volatile, confusing business. Marvel Rivals has been a massive success for Chinese publisher NetEase, and just as season two is about to release: they did the natural thing. They laid off, or fired, the entire American development team. This could be politics. This could be "just business". Either way, it's rotten. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/35351530

YoVG # 476 Sony Gets a B! (State of Play) 02/13/2025

YoVG # 476 Sony Gets a B! (State of Play) Maybe my expectations were super low, but I thought this was a pretty good State of Play. Was it incredible? Face Melting? No. But there was something in there for everyone. And a couple things looked right up our alley. So, successful in my mind. What did you grade this State of Play? /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/35272655

YoVG # 475 Capcom Spotlight 2025 02/05/2025

YoVG # 475 Capcom Spotlight 2025 Capcom had a pretty awesome spotlight. Granted - lots of stuff from last year, but announcing demos for a lot of them was very cool. Personally, I got the main thing I wanted which was more info about Onimusha. Plus we got more eyes on with Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (which I couldn't remember the name of because ya boy started running again and I made the mistake of doing it too close to recording time. Find me here: a little breathless, thirsty and apparently woozy - BUT I'LL GET GUD I SWEAR). Beyond those two games, of course we should all be excited for Okami 2 and most of us are very excited by the new Monster Hunter. Other whoozy brain farts (new band name): The Don Lee movies I was talking about Binging was the Round Up franchise. Very Fun, just solid cop movie shit and Don Lee is a tank as always. This franchise has the added benefit that many of the great Korean character actors are featured through out and you'll recognize them all over Korean cinema and TV after you watch this. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/35163255

YoVG # 474 Xbox's Changing Philosophy 01/29/2025

YoVG # 474 Xbox's Changing Philosophy The recent Xbox Developer Direct was... Pretty dang good. Refreshing after several years of lackluster showings. Shortly after, Phil Spencer gave an interview that added fuel to this new fire. Xbox is committing to a new philosophy. Will Sony change things up too? Nintendo? Ok, probably not Nintendo; things are going well for them. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/35067100

YoVG # 473 Nintendo (Finally) Announces Switch 2 & Is Bioware in Trouble? 01/23/2025

YoVG # 473 Nintendo (Finally) Announces Switch 2 & Is Bioware in Trouble? Nintendo has finally made an official announcement about the Switch 2. No real information was included/confirmed but there were hints to where they are going. Additionally EA revealed a shortfall in sales with Veilguard. We discuss whether or not this puts Bioware in danger, but also whether their expectations would have caused a shortfall no matter what. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/34976020

YoVG # 472 Ubisoft is For Sale 01/15/2025

YoVG # 472 Ubisoft is For Sale Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, decided to address the rumors that Ubisoft is for sale. The buyout by Tencent failed, because the Guillemot family wanted to sell the company, but somehow retain control. Which, as you may already know, is insane. So Tencent apparently passed. But Yves says Ubisoft is not actually for sale. in his words, they are exploring: "various transformational strategic and capitalistic options to extract the best value for stakeholders." So, to reiterate, Yves says NO, Ubisoft is not for sale. It's just "for sale". Now what does that mean? Which franchises could they sell off to save the body? Which franchises would anyone want? And most importantly, who would be a good fit for bringing the best out of those franchises? Side note: We gave up on the no cursing thing. Well, I haven't as a resolution, just not gonna worry about making the show radio-clean. Matt explains in detail toward the middle of the episode. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/34867425

YoVG # 471 Lessons Learned & Trends We See In 2025 12/31/2024

YoVG # 471 Lessons Learned & Trends We See In 2025 Happy New Year! I hope you're spending this time with family, and friends - but if you have to work, I hope our sweet salty voices keep your ear holes good company. 2024 was a year full of lessons. Some good, some bad, but lessons nonetheless. And with those lessons we are going to try and pick out some trends for 2025 and beyond. Which is always fun because if we are right, cool, if we are wrong, fun. It's a win-win! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/34562635

YoVG # 470 Christmas Miracles We Want To See! 12/24/2024

YoVG # 470 Christmas Miracles We Want To See! Matt's calling this one the Blue Sky episode. Which is not a reference to the new social media platform - no it's a concept that Walt Disney loved to use when brainstorming ideas for his park: aim for the blue sky and we will worry about reality later. So we're doing that now, but with gaming hopes and dreams. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/34551180

YoVG # 469 TGA 2024 Post Show Clarity 12/18/2024

YoVG # 469 TGA 2024 Post Show Clarity Suffice to say I was dead wrong about this years show. I was so confident it would be a nothing burger that I didn't even watch this year. I figured: if anything interesting is shown, I'll check it out later. Well, several interesting somethings were shown. Plus some surprises and oddities with the awards. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/34504015

YoVG # 468 The Calm Before TGA 2024 & Shifting Power Centers of The Industry 12/12/2024

YoVG # 468 The Calm Before TGA 2024 & Shifting Power Centers of The Industry There's a lot of winking and speculating that there will be a couple show stopper announcements at TGA 2024 - we aren't so sure. Rather than speculate on that and get our hopes up: we talk about Indiana Jones, the on-going shifting power centers of the industry and general topics. I have what is affectionately being called "Flu-vid" and maybe don't sound my best. Matt said I sound normal so if I sound like a corpse it is his fault and you tell him. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/34414625

YoVG # 467 The PlayStation Episode 12/04/2024

YoVG # 467 The PlayStation Episode It's the 30th anniversary of PlayStation! So, here's a walk through the 90's with one of the best consoles ever. I was 5 when it officially released, and we did actually GET one until '97 - so all my memories of this system are jumbled until probably 97/98. Matt has clearer memories of the early years, but like most: didn't play it a ton until later, either. PlayStation had a slow start, but a grand finish. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/34284880

YoVG # 466 Mobile Gaming Fools Gold 11/27/2024

YoVG # 466 Mobile Gaming Fools Gold Matt's going to title this episode "Game Industry Comes to Jesus" because it's funnier - so if you're on YouTube later and see it: it is the same episode. And what is the episode about? Well, it turns out mobile gaming is not actually profitable for anyone outside of a couple big companies. Capcom, Square, Namco - all closing their mobile gaming divisions after a decade plus because they've done nothing but lose money. Personally, I was shocked because all we ever hear is how much money King is making. Well, I guess it's only them. So, what does that mean for gaming in general? For mobile gaming specifically? And will I make the obvious joke about coming to Jesus? (Yes, near the end, yes. Of course. Look at me.) /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/34179995

YoVG # 465 The Game Awards 2024 Nominees Released! 11/20/2024

YoVG # 465 The Game Awards 2024 Nominees Released! Every year the same question pops up: is TGA really an awards ceremony? Is it valid? Or is it just a popularity contest? The answer of course is: yes. It may mostly be a popularity contest, and awards are given out mostly based on sales and crowd opinion rather than critical/quality opinion - that's debatable. BUT the value of the TGA in my opinion is that it offers the clearest window into where the industry itself is going. Why? Because the industry responds to sales and popularity - not critical reception. All award ceremonies are meant to legitimize an industry and let them pat themselves on the back. TGA is essentially the game industry advertising itself to the work - not to gamers specifically. Plus we talk about a couple specific categories and their nominees. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/34035526

YoVG # 464 Is Aonuma Creative? 11/14/2024

YoVG # 464 Is Aonuma Creative? In this weeks episode: we talk Matt's Japan trip - specifically Ghibli theme park and the wonder of a park built on vibes. And then we get into Aonuma's take on game design. Eiji Aonuma is the game director behind much of the Zelda series. He's Miyomoto's protege in many respects. He is a great project manager. But is he creative? Recently he commented on game design, and how he doesn't think it is possible to think "narrative first" because it will limit game hook/loop ideas. Add these comments to some he made in years past and it presents a picture of a man who just isn't that creative. Japan traditionally put gameplay before narrative for most of its videogame history. So, this is mostly just a traditionalist view imo. But it does shed light on why Zelda has been rehashing the same story every game for 30 years or more. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/33932392

YoVG # 463 Welcome Back Matt 11/07/2024

YoVG # 463 Welcome Back Matt It's a movie episode! With an extra 20-30 minutes of game talk at the end. It's a long episode, but we also hadn't talked in a few weeks because Matt was in Japan with his fiancée. How dare he leave me behind. I spend an hour trying to convince everyone to watch Cloud Atlas. The entire episode. Everything else is just leading to or adding to my argument that you watch Cloud Atlas. Do it cowards, watch Cloud Atlas. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/33831042

YoVG # 462 Games That Were Good On Paper (But Didn't Deliver) 10/30/2024

YoVG # 462 Games That Were Good On Paper (But Didn't Deliver) Ever see a trailer or read a quick blurb on a game and think "This sounds incredible!" but then when you got the game it just... wasn't? It has everything you want in a game, it checks all the boxes but somehow it came together in a way that left you wanting. Or maybe it promised the world and then didn't even try to deliver those things. This episode is about those games. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/33499912

YoVG # 461 Glory in Gaming - 1994 10/23/2024

YoVG # 461 Glory in Gaming - 1994 Today you have just a few options and so it is hard to go wrong. Whether you choose Sony, Nintendo, PC/Xbox - you'll have good gaming experiences. While we love to argue who is best or if it even matters anymore: there was a time where that decision could actually ruin you, if you chose wrong. The year is 1994, there are 7-ish consoles out, all competing for your dollars with their own exclusives and peripherals. Who do you choose? /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/33483432

YoVG # 460 Our Favorite Villains 10/16/2024

YoVG # 460 Our Favorite Villains Might be better to say "our favorite type of villains" because we talk more about villain make up than naming actual favorite villains (though we do name our favorite). What makes a juicy villain? Tragic, love to hate or just fun to watch? Jump in with us as we discuss! /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/33483302

YoVG # 459 Unreal 5 vs Everyone 10/09/2024

YoVG # 459 Unreal 5 vs Everyone We've speculated in the past that maybe everyone should standardize to the same engine. That maybe that'd be good for the industry. At the time we looked at the hype around Unreal 5 and thought - this could be it. Everyone will go to this. And a lot of people have. However, as the industry has changed so much in the last couple years - let's reexamine the idea. Should everyone be switching to Unreal 5? And does U5 live up to its hype? /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/33391627

YoVG # 458 Tokyo Game Show 2024 10/02/2024

YoVG # 458 Tokyo Game Show 2024 Tokyo Game Show doesn't usually have HUGE reveals, but there is always something interesting there. For me that something interesting was Nightmare Operator, an action/horror indie title coming to PC. The biggest piece of news out this past week is probably that Ubisoft is in dire straits because Star Wars Outlaws didn't do very well. /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/33299872

YoVG # 457 Sony Finally Gives Matt What He Wants! 09/25/2024

YoVG # 457 Sony Finally Gives Matt What He Wants! State of Play 2024 was a mixed bag for me. Matt rates it as overall pretty good - a win - even before he got what he wanted: Ghost of Yotei. I rate it as so-so, even though there were a couple things that did genuinely excite me. Let's dive in and talk the state of play 2024/25 /episode/index/show/phunkmachinemedia/id/33202597

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