AVoCADo GamesCast

By Merve, The Kappa, and friendsArts Leisure Games

AVoCADo GamesCast episodes

September 07Episode #122: Ten Years!!!
Featuring:
Merve
The Kappa
Editor:
The Kappa

Timestamps:
0:18 – Introduction
3:50 – What We’ve Been Playing: Dungeons & Dragons
8:09 – What We’ve Been Playing: Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
23:48 – What We’ve Been Playing: Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
30:52 – What We’ve Been Playing: Forza Horizon 6
48:18 – 2016 Retrospective: Introduction
50:01 – 2016 Retrospective: Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
58:30 – 2016 Retrospective: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Part 1
1:13:30 – A Digression on Star Wars
1:15:55 – 2016 Retrospective: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Part 2
1:17:14 – 2016 Retrospective: Titanfall 2
1:27:36 – 2016 Retrospective: Heroes of the Storm
1:37:03 – 2016 Retrospective: Narrative Games
1:43:42 – 2016 Retrospective: Hawken
1:49:37 – 2016 Retrospective: Inside
1:55:10 – 2016 Retrospective: Watch_Dogs 2
2:07:15 – Conclusion
Download Link: https://archive.org/details/avocadogamescast_ep122
Podcast header image from Oxenfree. We experienced some audio issues in this episode, and we apologize for the recording quality. Linkdump and spoiler warnings after the jump.
Introduction (0:18)
Clarification: OnLive first went defunct in 2012, was revived as CloudLift in 2014, and was then ended in 2015 after selling most of its assets to Sony. (Source: Wikipedia)
What We’ve Been Playing: Dungeons & Dragons (3:50)
Wikipedia article on Dungeons & Dragons.
Wikipedia article on Critical Role.
Wikipedia article on Delta Green.
Official webpage for the Heroes of the Borderlands starter set. (Source: D&D Beyond)
What We’ve Been Playing: Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (8:09)
Nintendo store page for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book.
Wikipedia article on Yoshi’s Woolly World.
Wikipedia article on Yoshi’s Crafted World. Correction: The game was received well by critics, earning an OpenCritic score of 81, even if player reception was generally cooler.
Wikipedia article on Princess Peach: Showtime!
Screenshot of a Swoggle.
What We’ve Been Playing: Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era (23:48)
Steam store page for Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era.
Steam store page for Against the Storm.
Steam store page for 9 Kings.
Steam store page for Contrast.
What We’ve Been Playing: Forza Horizon 6 (30:52)
Steam store page for Forza Horizon 6.
2016 Retrospective: Introduction (48:18)
Wikipedia article on E3.
Wikipedia article on PAX.
2016 Retrospective: Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (50:01)
Wikipedia article on Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
Steam store page for 007 First Light.
Steam store page for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
2016 Retrospective: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Part 1 (58:30)
Steam store page for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Steam store page for Dragon Age: Inquisition.
Steam store page for Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
A Digression on Star Wars (1:13:30)
MAJOR SPOILERS: Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Wikipedia article on Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Wikipedia article on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
2016 Retrospective: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Part 2 (1:15:55)
Steam store page for Chicory: A Colorful Tale.
2016 Retrospective: Titanfall 2 (1:17:14)
Steam store page for Titanfall 2.
The level in game where you have to flip switches to activate things in the environment is called The Beacon, and the tool you use to flip switches is called the Arc Tool. (Source: Titanfall Wiki on Fandom)
2016 Retrospective: Heroes of the Storm (1:27:36)
Wikipedia article on Heroes of the Storm.
Correction: We neglected to mention that Blizzard also released mobile game Diablo Immortal, co-developed with NetEase, since the release of Heroes of the Storm. (Source: Wikipedia)
2016 Retrospective: Narrative Games (1:37:03)
Steam store page for Oxenfree.
Steam store page for Firewatch.
Wikipedia article on Campo Santo. Clarification: The Wikipedia article contains an error, and what Merve said is correct: Campo Santo was not formally acquired by Valve; its employees were all collectively hired by Valve. Studio heads Sean Vanaman and Jake Rodkin retained ownership of the inactive studio. This interview with Vanaman and Rodkin by Rock Paper Shotgun explains.
Steam store page for In The Valley of Gods.
Steam store page for 1979 Revolution: Black Friday.
Wikipedia article on the Iranian Revolution.
2016 Retrospective: Hawken (1:43:42)
Wikipedia article on Hawken.
Steam store page for Hawken Reborn.
2016 Retrospective: Inside (1:49:37)
Steam store page for Inside.
Steam store page for Limbo.
Wikipedia article on Playdead.
Steam store page for Somerville.
Steam store page for Order of the Sinking Star.
2016 Retrospective: Watch_Dogs 2 (1:55:10)
Steam store page for Watch_Dogs 2.
Steam store page for Watch_Dogs.
Steam store page for Watch Dogs: Legion.
Wikipedia article on Beyond Good and Evil 2.
Wikipedia article on Mad Max.
Wikipedia article on Mirror’s Edge Catalyst.
Conclusion (2:07:15)
Wikipedia article on PogChamp.
AVoCADo GamesCast is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://avocadogamescast.wordpress.com/
2 hr 13 min
August 03Episode #121: Frigidaire Kiryu
Featuring:
Merve
Quinley Thorne
Wolfman Jew
Dave the Tentacle
The Kappa
Editor:
The Kappa

Timestamps:
0:18 – Introduction
11:45 – Summer Game Fest: General Vibes
15:23 – Summer Game Fest: PlayStation
47:07 – Summer Game Fest: Main Showcase
1:47:14 – Summer Game Fest: Day of the Devs
2:13:31 – Summer Game Fest: Xbox
2:58:43 – Summer Game Fest: PC Gaming Show
3:12:01 – Summer Game Fest: Nintendo
3:37:51 – Kingdom Hearts and Generative AI
4:06:26 – Conclusion
Download Link: https://archive.org/details/avocadogamescast_ep121
Podcast header image from Gang of Dragon (taken from Steam) and Home Depot Canada. Linkdump after the jump.
Introduction (0:18)
Wikipedia article on “O Canada.”
Wikipedia article on Fefe Dobson.
Wikipedia article on the Stanley Cup.
Official website of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Official website of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.
Summer Game Fest: General Vibes (11:45)
Official website for Summer Game Fest.
Official GitHub repository for uBlock Origin.
Article on Ian “Hat Guy” Proulx’s apology for wearing a MAGA-flavoured hat at Summer Game Fest 2025. (Source: Rock Paper Shotgun)
Summer Game Fest: PlayStation (15:23)
VoD of the presentation. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Jacob Geller’s video on “Bad Graphics.” (Source: Jacob Geller on YouTube)
Jacob Geller’s commentary on Astro Bot. (Source: Jacob Geller on YouTube)
Wikipedia article on Folklore.
PlayStation Studios Wiki article on Jim Ryan. (Source: Fandom)
Wikipedia article on the X-Men character Wolverine.
Wikipedia article on the Like a Dragon franchise.
Wikipedia article on Rayman Legends.
Article on the use of generative AI in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. (Source: Game Informer)
Summer Game Fest: Main Showcase (47:07)
VoD of the presentation. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Clarification: We were talking about the upcoming Alien: Isolation 2, not the first Alien: Isolation game. (Source: Wikipedia)
The main female character in the Monster Rancher TV series was named Holly. (Source: Wikipedia)
Correction: Attack on Titan author Hajime Isayama has not made any public statements praising Nazis. The most notable statement he has made that garnered controversy was a blog post in which he revealed that one of the characters in the manga was based off Akiyama Yoshifuru, a commanding officer in the Russo-Japanese War. (Source: New Lines Magazine)
The cancelled “mentorship program” being referenced was the Game Awards’ Future Class. (Source: The Guardian)
Official website for Showa American Story.
IGN’s interview with RGG studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama about Stranger Than Heaven.
Article about the legal dispute between Tupac’s family and Tom Whalley. (Source: Rolling Stone)
Wikipedia articles on Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Bunta Sugawara.
Report on the apparent shutdown of Nagoshi Studio. (Source: CGMagazine)
Summer Game Fest: Day of the Devs (1:47:14)
VoD of the presentation. (Source: Day of the Devs on YouTube)
Steam store page for When Sirens Fall Silent.
Correction: There was only one Heathcliff kart racer. (Source: Wikipedia)
Correction: The Baldur’s Gate character Minsc is not spelled the same as the capital of Belarus, Minsk. (Source: Wikipedia)
Wikipedia article on Owen Dennis.
Summer Game Fest: Xbox (2:13:31)
VoD of the presentation. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Alleged Persona 6 character design leaks. (Source: Resetera)
Correction: State of Decay 3 is the upcoming game in the State of Decay series. (Source: Wikipedia)
Reporting on labour and management issues at Undead Labs. (Source: Kotaku)
Clarification: This episode was recorded before it was announced that Microsoft was selling Ninja Theory to an undisclosed buyer. (Source: Gamespot)
Wikipedia article section on the Pokémon “Teraleak.”
Reporting on Microsoft’s hiring of Matthew Ball. (Source: The Verge)
Reporting on the possibility of Xbox studio shutdowns. Clarification: This reporting happened in advance of the announced closures. (Source: IGN)
Summer Game Fest: PC Gaming Show (2:58:43)
VoD of the presentation. Correction: It actually is Frankie Ward, not Frankie Shaw. Furthermore, Jacob “Somethingorother” is Jacob Ridley. (Source: PC Gamer on YouTube)
Summer Game Fest: Nintendo (3:12:01)
VoD of the presentation. (Source: Nintendo of America on YouTube)
Wikipedia article on Kairosoft.
Wikipedia article on the Wonderbook.
The windows on a Tesla Cybertruck cracking during a demonstration. (Source: Guardian News on YouTube)
Steam store page for V Rising.
Correction: The world shown off in the Kingdom Hearts IV trailer is called Quadratum, not Quadratus. (Source: Kingdom Hearts Wiki)
Wikipedia article on The Maxx.
Final Fantasy Wiki article on Colundo, the Columbo-inspired character from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. (Source: Fandom)
Kingdom Hearts and Generative AI (3:37:51)
Report on the alleged use of generative AI in the Kingdom Hearts I-III collection key art. (Source: Nintendo Life)
Correction: Square Enix announced last year that they planned to use AI in quality assurance, not in asset or art generation. (Source: Game Developer)
Correction: We couldn’t find any evidence of Square Enix “doubling down” or making any public statements whatsoever about the Kingdom Hearts key art controversy. (Source: ResetEra)
Conclusion (4:06:26)
No links here. Also, no outro music. This episode was long enough already.
AVoCADo GamesCast is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://avocadogamescast.wordpress.com/
4 hr 9 min
June 05Episode #120: Secret Chavs and Sweaty Sweats
Featuring:
Merve
Quinley Thorne
The Kappa
Editor:
The Kappa

Timestamps:
0:18 – Introduction
3:04 – The White House Correspondents’ Dinner Incident
6:00 – Windrose, Part 1
10:19 – Marathon, Part 1
35:04 – Introduction 2.0
38:18 – Windrose, Part 2
41:27 – Marathon, Part 2
1:05:36 – Romeo is a Dead Man, Suda 51, and Hideo Kojima
1:32:16 – Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
2:11:42 – Podcast Discussion
2:13:29 – Phasmophobia and Covid-Era Gaming
2:55:22 – Pragmata and Discourse about Japanese Games
3:35:44 – Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
4:02:33 – Conclusion
Download Link: https://archive.org/details/avocadogamescast_ep120
Podcast header image from Romeo is a Dead Man. Linkdump and spoiler warnings after the jump
Introduction (0:18)
The scene from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe featuring Aslan’s iconic line: “Do not cite the Deep Magic to me, Witch. I was there when it was written.” (Source: MOVIECLIPS on Facebook)
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner Incident (3:04)
Steam store page for Bohrdom. The game is no longer available for sale.
Windrose, Part 1 (6:00)
Steam store page for Windrose.
Marathon, Part 1 (10:19)
Steam store page for Marathon.
Marathon Wiki article on Cryo Archive. (Source: Fandom)
Report on Marathon’s playerbase split across platforms by Paul Tassi. Clarification: The 70% Steam figure is an estimate from Alinea Analytics, but Tassi has confirmed with sources at Bungie that it is close to the actual proportion. (Source: Forbes)
Steam store page for Tom Clancy’s The Division.
Steam store page for ARC Raiders.
Introduction 2.0 (35:04)
No links here
Windrose, Part 2 (38:18)
No links here
Marathon, Part 2 (41:27)
Noah Caldwell-Gervais’s YouTube channel.
Clarification: Marathon’s upcoming experimental PVE-only mode had not yet been announced at the time of recording. (Source: Bungie)
lyric‘s Twitch channel.
Clarification: While we couldn’t confirm that streamers were being paid six figures to stream Marathon, we do know that Bungie ran a partner program for Marathon that included popular streamers like Shroud and TheBurntPeanut. (Source: LUCKYY 10Premium on YouTube)
Bungie paid players to participate in closed playtests for Marathon. (Source: Forbes)
Steam store page for Elite Dangerous.
Steam store page for Starfield.
Romeo is a Dead Man, Suda 51, and Hideo Kojima (1:05:36)
MILD SPOILERS: Romeo is a Dead Man
Steam store page for Romeo is a Dead Man.
Wikipedia article on Romeo and Juliet.
Wikipedia article on Mind Game.
Correction: “A Crack in the Slab” is a level in Dishonored 2, not Dishonored. (Source: Dishonored Wiki on Fandom)
Steam store page for The Silver Case.
Will Borger’s review of Romeo is a Dead Man for IGN.
Wikipedia article on scrapple.
Wikipedia article on Japanese curry.
A Japanese chicken curry recipe. (Source: Just One Cookbook)
Hideo Kojima’s “not a gay” Tweet.
Report on Hideo Kojima’s cameo in Nicholas Winding Refn’s Too Old to Die Young. (Source: Screen Rant)
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (1:32:16)
Steam store page for Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance.
Steam store page for Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army.
Lilith’s character design in Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. (Source: Megami Tensei Wiki on Fandom)
An interview featuring the two designs of Krystal from Star Fox Adventures side by side. (Source: Shmuplations)
Podcast Discussion (2:11:42)
Patreon for the Franchise Festival podcast. You should check it out!
Wikipedia article on The Adam Carolla Show.
Phasmophobia and Covid-Era Gaming (2:13:29)
Steam store page for Phasmophobia.
Wikipedia article on Death Stranding.
Wikipedia article on Among Us.
Wikipedia article on Tiger King.
Wikipedia article on Fortnite.
Wikipedia article on Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Wikipedia article on 1000xRESIST.
Official website for the Culture Study Podcast.
Wikipedia article on The Eminence in Shadow.
The Onion article that The Kappa was referencing is “Cool Dad Raising Daughter On Media That Will Put Her Entirely Out Of Touch With Her Generation.”
Wikipedia article on Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon.
The Last Bullet seems to fit the description of the movie The Kappa was describing. (Source: r/movies on Reddit)
A real-life story of a Japanese WW2 soldier refusing to believe the surrender and hiding out in the jungle for years as a result was that of Hiroo Onoda. (Source: BBC)
Wikipedia article on the video of celebrities singing “Imagine” early in the covid pandemic.
Pragmata and Discourse about Japanese Games (2:55:22)
Steam store page for Pragmata.
Wikipedia article on Lost Planet: Extreme Condition.
Wikipedia article on the Riemann integral.
Steam store page for Tacoma.
Merve’s essay on the major issue with Tacoma. (Source: Refrigerator Rants)
Wikipedia article section on gravure modelling.
Wikipedia article on Moors.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream (3:35:44)
Nintendo store page for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream.
Twitter is a completely broken website now, and many old Tweet embeds no longer work, but this old Jezebel article references Scott Baio’s wife referring to people as “shitasses” on Twitter.
Wikipedia article section on Albedo from Xenosaga.
Wikipedia article on the game’s producer, Yoshio Sakamoto.
Report on the mysterious Nintendo Switch Online playtest. (Source: Nintendo Life)
Conclusion (4:02:33)
Wikipedia article on Corpus Christi, Texas.
Pedantic correction: ExxonMobil is headquartered in Spring, Texas, just outside of The Woodlands. (Source: Wikipedia)
AVoCADo GamesCast is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://avocadogamescast.wordpress.com/
4 hr 5 min
April 28Episode #119: Invisible Tom Hanks
Featuring:
Merve
Bloomed Wings
Editor:
The Kappa

Timestamps:
0:18 – Introduction
8:39 – DLSS 5, Part 1
50:23 – A Digression on Giovanni Ribisi and TV
1:00:46 – DLSS 5, Part 2
1:22:07 – Television Technology and Generative AI
1:40:49 – Path of Mystery: A Brush with Death
2:05:12 – The Spirit Lift
2:34:00 – Mario Tennis Fever
3:06:51 – Pokémon Pokopia
3:50:56 – Conclusion
Download Link: https://archive.org/details/avocadogamescast_ep119
Podcast header image from Path of Mystery: A Brush with Death, using Pixeled font by OmegaPC777. Linkdump and spoiler warnings after the jump.
Introduction (0:18)
Official website for ice cream parlour La Cigale.
Steam store page for Balan Wonderworld.
DLSS 5, Part 1 (8:39)
Nvidia’s press release on DLSS 5. (Source: Nvidia)
Official announcement trailer for DLSS 5. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Digital Foundry’s hands-on with DLSS 5. (Source: Digital Foundry on YouTube)
Report on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s assertion that gamers are “completely wrong” about DLSS 5. (Source: Tom’s Hardware)
Confirmation: DLSS was announced in 2018 and released in 2019. (Source: Wikipedia)
Report by tech YouTuber Daniel Owen clearing up how DLSS 5 works. (Source: Daniel Owen on YouTube)
A video showcasing the Japanese sweets displayed in Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. (Source: Capcom USA on YouTube)
Correction: The “realistic Mario” meme that Merve was referencing is “Focus, M,” not “Eyes up, M.” (Source: Sexual Omochao on YouTube)
Autumn Wright’s blog post on the link between misogyny and DLSS 5. (Source: Autumn Wright’s website)
Wikipedia article on fairness in machine learning, which explains algorithmic bias.
Report on popular streamer Emiru being assaulted at TwitchCon. (Source: NBC)
A Digression on Giovanni Ribisi and TV (50:23)
Wikipedia article on Giovanni Ribisi.
Wikipedia article on Avatar.
Wikipedia article on Joel David Moore.
Wikipedia article on Bones.
Wikipedia article on The Guest.
Wikipedia article on Paul Reiser.
Wikipedia article on Mad About You.
Wikipedia article on The Paul Reiser Show.
Wikipedia article on Jesse Plemons.
Wikipedia article on Bent.
Wikipedia article on This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
Wikipedia article on the Academy Awards.
Wikipedia article on The Pitt.
Wikipedia article on Happy’s Place.
Wikipedia article on How I Met Your Father.
How I Met Your Father is available for streaming in Canada on Disney+. (Source: Disney+)
Wikipedia article on How I Met Your Mother.
DLSS 5, Part 2 (1:00:46)
Article on Digital Foundry’s response video. (Source: Kotaku)
Wikipedia article on Palantir.
Press release on a partnership between Nvidia and Palantir. (Source: Palantir)
Adam Conover’s video explaining why he did a promo for Orb, a product by crypto organization World. (Sources: Adam Conover on YouTube and World)
Know Your Meme article on dril’s racism Tweet.
Wikipedia article on Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution.
Television Technology and Generative AI (1:22:07)
Wikipedia article on the Bravia line of televisions.
Official webpage for Samsung Vision AI. (Source: Samsung)
A feature article explaining why televisual audio mixes have gotten so bad. (Source: The A.V. Club)
Path of Mystery: A Brush with Death (1:40:49)
MINOR SPOILERS: Root Film
Nintendo store page for Path of Mystery: A Brush with Death.
Official art for Doppo Akazawa, protagonist of Path of Mystery: A Brush with Death. (Source: Aksys Games Official on YouTube)
Wikipedia article on Root Film.
Wikipedia article on Columbo.
Wikipedia article on Poker Face.
Correction: A Case of Distrust came out a little over 8 years ago. (Source: Wikipedia)
Confirmation: Rui Komatsuzaki was the artist on the Danganpora series and The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy. (Source: Wikipedia)
The Spirit Lift (2:05:12)
Steam store page for The Spirit Lift.
The “Alice in Wonderland” dress that Briar wears is called an apron dress. (Source: Wikipedia)
Bandcamp page for Palette Knife.
Wikipedia article on the palette knife.
Wikipedia article on A Nightmare on Elm Street.
In addition to Walt Disney World, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is also located at Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland Paris. (Source: Wikipedia)
Wikipedia article on Luigi’s Mansion.
Wikipedia article on Popular Mechanics.
Wikipedia article on Popular Mechanics for Kids.
Wikipedia article on Beakman’s World.
Beakman’s World aired on YTV in Canada. (Source: Wikipedia)
Mario Tennis Fever (2:34:00)
MAJOR SPOILERS: Mario Tennis Fever
Nintendo store page for Mario Tennis Fever.
Wikipedia article on Mario Tennis Aces.
Wikipedia article on Mario Golf: Super Rush.
Steam store page for Super Battle Golf.
Mario Wiki article on the Chargin’ Chucks.
Wikipedia article on Mario Hoops 3-on-3.
The sports featured Mario Sports Mix were volleyball, ice hockey, dodgeball, and basketball. (Source: Wikipedia)
Wikipedia article on the Golden Sun series.
Wikipedia article on Motoi Sakuraba.
Official website for Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast.
Wikipedia article on Star Ocean: The Divine Force.
Wikipedia article on Valkyrie Elysium.
Pokémon Pokopia (3:06:51)
MILD SPOILERS: Pokémon Pokopia
Nintendo store page for Pokémon Pokopia.
Bulbapedia article on Ditto. (Source: Bulbagarden)
Bulbapedia articles on Paras and Parasect. (Source: Bulbagarden)
Bulbapedia article on Hydreigon. (Source: Bulbagarden)
Wikipedia article on Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
Animal Crossing Wiki article on Ankha. (Source: Fandom)
Wikipedia article on Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Bloomed Wings’s blog post about Pokopia and lore. (Source: Bloomed Wings Blog)
An example of a Mickey Ice Cream Bar T-Shirt. This is not the exact design that Merve saw on his last visit to Walt Disney World, but it should give an idea of the kind of iconography he was talking about. (Source: WDW News Today)
Wikipedia article on Digimon Adventure.
The Gabumon thespian/lesbian joke from Digmon Story: Cyber Sleuth. (Source: r/digimon on Reddit)
Wikipedia article on Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth.
Bulbapedia article on Misty. (Source: Bulbagarden)
Bulbapedia article on Ultra Beasts. (Source: Bulbagarden)
Bulbapedia article on Unown. (Source: Bulbagarden)
Bulbapedia articles on Mr. Mime and Mr. Rime. (Source: Bulbagarden)
Bulbapedia article on Venusaur. (Source: Bulbagarden)
Conclusion (3:50:56)
Official website for The Avocado.
Official website for the AVoCADo GamesCast.
AVoCADo GamesCast is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://avocadogamescast.wordpress.com/
3 hr 55 min
March 26Episode #118: Upgrading Your Jockstrap
Featuring:
Merve
The Kappa
Science
Special Guest: Ben Ward
Editor:
The Kappa

Timestamps:
0:15 – Introduction
9:20 – The D.I.C.E. Awards
20:30 – Bluepoint’s Closure and Highguard’s Failure
30:10 – Shakeup at Microsoft Gaming
37:20 – Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse
42:20 – Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator
52:50 – Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
1:32:05 – Fallout 4, Modding, and Bethesda Games
2:03:15 – Interview with Ben Ward about Earth Must Die
3:22:25 – Conclusion
3:28:40 – A Special Announcement
Download Link: https://archive.org/details/avocadogamescast_ep118
Podcast header image from Earth Must Die. Linkdump and spoiler warnings after the jump.
Introduction (0:15)
Wikipedia article on Carowinds.
Steam store pages for Time Gentlemen, Please! and Ben There, Dan That! Special Edition Double Pack, Lair of the Clockwork God, and Earth Must Die.
Wikipedia article on cyclobenzaprine.
Merve sleeps on a Haugesund mattress from Ikea. It has been discontinued. (Source: Mattress Reviews)
Ikea store page for the Billy series of bookcases.
Wikipedia article on false friends.
The D.I.C.E. Awards (9:20)
Wikipedia article on the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.
VoD for the 29th annual D.I.C.E. Awards. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Bluepoint’s Closure and Highguard’s Failure (20:30)
Article on Sony’s closure of Bluepoint Games. (Source: PC Gamer)
Confirmation: Sony announced the closure of Firewalk Studios on October 29th, 2024. (Source: Wikipedia)
Wikipedia article on Highguard. A shutdown of the game was announced after we recorded.
Correction: Fallout 4 was announced two weeks prior to the E3 2015 presentation where more details about it were revealed. (Source: Wikipedia)
Shakeup at Microsoft Gaming (30:10)
Report on Phil Spencer’s and Sarah Bond’s departures from Microsoft. (Source: IGN)
The Rock Paper Shotgun story about Spencer’s retirement that Science referenced.
Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse (37:20)
Steam store page for Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse.
Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator (42:20)
Steam store page for Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (52:50)
MAJOR SPOILERS: Avatar: Fire and Ash
Official website for Blazing Griffin.
Steam store page for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
Steam store page for Far Cry Primal.
Fallout 4, Modding, and Bethesda Games (1:32:05)
Steam store page for Fallout 4.
Wikipedia article on Canadian post-grunge band Thornley, fronted by Ian Thornley.
Wikipedia article on the Fallout TV series.
Starfield Wiki article on Jemison. (Source: Fandom)
Steam store page for Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death.
Wikipedia article on The Sarah Silverman Program.
Wikipedia article on Dr. Pepper.
The episode of Video Game Science on SWAT 4, featuring Merve, Science, and The Radio Cat. (Source: The Avocado)
Interview with Ben Ward about Earth Must Die (2:03:15)
SPOILER WARNING: Mild spoilers for Earth Must Die throughout
Steam store page for Earth Must Die.
Official website for Size Five Games.
Wikipedia article on The Great Dictator.
Wikipedia article on unobtainium.
The element Ben referenced whose name means “hard to get” is dysprosium. (Source: Wikipedia)
Wikipedia article on the sonic hedgehog protein.
Official website for the UK Games Fund.
Wikipedia article on rubberducking.
Report on Earth Must Die getting verified by Valve due to its “alien orgy.” (Source: PC Gamer)
The artist who worked on Earth Must Die with the handle 2DForever is Tom Waterhouse. (Source: Tom Waterhouse’s official website)
The short about the boy who makes “boing boing” noises was Gerald McBoing-Boing, and it was directed by Robert Cannon. (Source: Wikipedia)
Conclusion (3:22:25)
Wikipedia article on Joel David Moore, who played Norm Spellman in Avatar.
A Special Announcement (3:28:40)
The AVoCADo GamesCast’s contact page.
AVoCADo GamesCast is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://avocadogamescast.wordpress.com/
0 min
February 23Episode #117: The Capital of Antarctica
Featuring:
Merve
The Kappa
Editor:
The Kappa

Timestamps:
0:15 – Introduction
1:25 – Dungeons & Dragons
14:20 – Big Hops
28:40 – Our 2025 Predictions
1:18:05 – Predicting 2026
2:01:10 – Games We’re Anticipating in 2026
3:04:40 – Rumoured Games
3:10:50 – The Delay Prediction Game: Last Year’s Results
3:22:55 – The Delay Prediction Game: This Year’s Contest
3:50:30 – Conclusion
Download Link: https://archive.org/details/avocadogamescast_ep117
Podcast header image from Big Hops. Spoiler warning for The Last of Us Part II. Linkdump and time ranges for spoilers after the jump.
Introduction (0:15)
No links here.
Dungeons & Dragons (1:25)
Official website for Dungeons & Dragons.
D&D store page for the “Heroes of the Borderlands” Starter Set.
Correction: The series finale of Stranger Things came out on New Year’s Eve 2025, not Christmas 2025 or New Year’s Day 2026. (Source: Wikipedia)
Official website for Roll20.
Big Hops (14:20)
Nintendo Switch store page for Big Hops.
Correction: Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain came out in 2024, not 2025. (Source: Wikipedia)
Screenshots of cat hat. (Posted to imgur)
Our 2025 Predictions (28:40)
MAJOR SPOILERS: The Last of Us Part II
Official announcement of the cancellation of the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake. (Source: Ubisoft)
Shinobi602’s comment that the Watch Dogs IP is not exactly dead. (Source: ResetEra)
Correction: No release date has yet been announced for the God of War TV series. (Source: TV Guide)
Episode #108 of the AVoCADo GamesCast, where Drinking with Skeletons discussed Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Megami Tensei Wiki article on Kayo Tomiyama from Persona 5: The Phantom X, a 44-year old housewife who used to be a gyaru in her youth. (Source: Fandom)
Article on Marathon preorders on Steam mistakenly causing Destiny 2 to download. (Source: PC Gamer)
Report on Rockstar’s alleged union-busting firing of employees in the U.K. and Canada. (Source: CBC)
Wikipedia article on Battlefield 6.
Wikipedia article on Just Cause 4.
Wikipedia article on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
Wikipedia article on Marios Gavrilis, who played Emmerich Voss in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
Wikipedia article on Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Wikipedia article on the Grand Theft Auto series.
World premiere trailer for Gang of Dragon. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Predicting 2026 (1:18:05)
Merve 1st realistic prediction: At least one more consumer computer parts manufacturer will leave the market.
Correction: EVGA already left the graphics card market in 2022. (Source: Wikipedia)
The Kappa’s 1st realistic prediction: Cloud and on-demand computing take off.
Report on Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella being opposed to referring to generative AI as “slop.” (Source: TechCrunch)
Correction: The caret notation for the delete character is ^?. (Source: Wikipedia)
Official website for Ask, which used to be Ask Jeeves.
Merve’s 2nd realistic prediction: Atlus will not announce Persona 6 this year.
The Kappa’s 2nd realistic prediction, which was actually his long shot: Either Microsoft will announce that they will not make another Xbox, or reporting will indicate that Microsoft has decided to stop making consoles.
Wikipedia article on the Zune.
Confirmation: The PS5 Pro did go up in price in the U.S. in 2025, but it did not receive a price increase in Canada, where it remained at its original MSRP. (Sources: PlayStation Blog, MobileSyrup, Amazon)
Clarification: Sony has not officially exited the TV market yet, but will instead transfer its home entertainment business to a joint venture with TCL. It is expected that this joint venture will begin operating in 2027. (Source: Sony)
Based off the unadjusted U.S. CPI, TVs declined in price roughly 32% between January 2020 and December 2025, while food increased in price roughly 31% over that same time period.
Merve’s long shot prediction: Electronic Arts will experience a “Gigaleak” this year due to carelessness at one of the firms in the consortium that agreed to purchase it.
Wikipedia article on the Nintendo Gigaleak.
Wikipedia article on the Riyadh Comedy Festival.
The Kappa’s actual 2nd realistic prediction: Battle royale will become the main mode of most mainstream shooters.
Wikipedia article on Highguard.
Battlefield Wiki article on Gauntlet. (Source: Fandom)
Games We’re Anticipating in 2026 (2:01:10)
Steam store page for Ghost Master: Resurrection, which is currently in Early Access. Clarification: The game was on sale while we were recording, but is not on sale as of this writing.
Reveal trailer for There Are No Ghosts at the Grand. (Source: Xbox on YouTube)
Gameplay reveal for 007 First Light. (Source: IO Interactive on YouTube)
Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase trailer for Pragmata. (Source: Nintendo of America on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. (Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment America on YouTube)
Release date trailer for Romeo is a Dead Man. (Source: Grasshopper Archives on YouTube)
Gameplay teaser for Fable. (Source: Xbox and Fable on YouTube)
Overview trailer for Mario Tennis Fever. (Source: Nintendo of America on YouTube)
Official gameplay showcase trailer for the Gothic remake. (Source: GameSpot on YouTube)
Correction: The developers of the Gothic remake have admitted to using generative AI for animation and NPC face modelling, but have not stated that they are using generative AI for voice acting or story content. The developers intend to fill in plot holes from the original game but have not stated that they will be using generative AI to do so. (Sources: Tech Radar, DE Edition and Wikipedia)
Steam store page for Earth Must Die.
The Ben who co-led the development of Earth Must Die is Ben Ward. (Source: @timegentleman.bsky.social on Bluesky)
Gameplay trailer for Marvel’s Wolverine. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Correction: The Kappa was correct: the Insomniac ransomware hack happened towards the end of 2023. (Source: BBC)
Story trailer for Showa American Story. (Source: GameTrailers on YouTube)
Wikipedia article on the Hanazono Room, also known as “That Pool.”
World premiere trailer for The Sinking City 2. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
First course reveal for Golf With Your Friends 2. (Source: Team17 on YouTube)
Release trailer 2026 for Squadron 42. (Source: PGR on YouTube)
Correction: The live gameplay reveal of Squadron 42 from 2024 featured both fighter jet combat and first-person shooter segments, not just FPS segments. (Source: Star Citizen on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for At Fate’s End. (Source: Thunder Lotus on YouTube)
Announce trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV. (Source: Warhammer on YouTube)
Trailer for Road to Empress II. (Source: Jonooit on YouTube)
Correction: Reshoots for Road to Empress II had not concluded at the time of recording, but are done now. (Source: r/roadtoempress on Reddit)
Steam store page for Titan Quest II, which is currently in Early Access.
Announcement trailer for ABYSS X ZERO. (Source: Studio Pixel Punk on YouTube)
Release date trailer for Mouse: P.I. For Hire. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Reveal trailer for Virtue and a Sledgehammer. (Source: DevolverDigital on YouTube)
Steam store page for Witchfire, which is current in Early Access.
Confirmation: Immortals of Aveum was not on sale at the time of recording, but it is on sale for 93% off at the time of this writing on February 7th, 2026. (Source: Steam)
New gameplay trailer for Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era. (Source: Ubisoft on YouTube)
Clarification: Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is being copublished by Hooded Horse and Ubisoft. (Source: Wikipedia)
Reveal trailer for Styx: Blades of Greed. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Rumoured Games (3:04:40)
The rumour from RebsGaming about a supposedly in-development Halo multiplayer game. (Source: The Game Post)
The Delay Prediction Game: Last Year’s Results (3:10:50)
Spreadsheet of results.
Report on Earthblade’s cancellation. (Source: Gematsu)
Wikipedia article section on proper scoring rules.
The Delay Prediction Game: This Year’s Contest (3:22:55)
Spreadsheet of predictions.
Confirmation: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is indeed being published by Square Enix. (Source: Square Enix Store)
Some sleuthing to determine that the Highguard Bluesky account was fake. (Source: r/TwoBestFriendsPlay on Reddit)
The last game on which Jade Raymond was credited was Star Wars: Battlefront II in 2017. (Source: Wikipedia)
Conclusion (3:50:30)
No links here.
AVoCADo GamesCast is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://avocadogamescast.wordpress.com/
3 hr 54 min
January 27Episode #116: One Cheek: The 2025 Year-End GamesCast
Featuring:
Merve
Quinley Thorne
The Kappa
3rdstringhero
Jarathen
Little Mac
Science
Shambolic Rube Frossty
Editor:
The Kappa

Timestamps:
0:15 – Introduction
4:00 – The Game Awards: Future Class Controversy
12:25 – The Game Awards: The Awards
29:25 – The Game Awards: Announcements
1:05:20 – Little Mac’s Top 3
1:13:00 – Shambolic Rube Frossty’s Top 2
1:17:55 – Jarathen’s Top 3
1:20:10 – 3rdstringhero’s Top 3
1:24:20 – Science’s Top 3
1:30:00 – Our Favourites: Honourable Mentions
1:41:55 – Our Favourites: #5
1:54:25 – Our Favourites: #4
2:20:30 – Our Favourites: #3
2:53:15 – Our Favourites: #2
3:16:35 – Our Favourites: #1
4:16:25 – Our Biggest Disappointments
5:11:55 – Our Biggest Surprises, Part 1
5:29:20 – Television Tech
5:34:55 – Our Biggest Surprises, Part 2
5:35:05 – Relationship Stuff… And Gross Stuff
5:38:25 – Steam Machines
5:43:40 – Celebrities and Politicians
5:45:35 – Conclusion
Download Link: https://archive.org/details/avocadogamescast_ep116
Podcast header image from (clockwise from top) Road to Empress I, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (source), and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Spoiler warning for despelote. Content warnings for sexual content and extreme scatological humour. Linkdump and time ranges for warnings after the jump.
Introduction (0:15)
Wikipedia article on Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
The Game Awards: Future Class Controversy (4:00)
VoD of the awards show. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Article on the controversy over the Game Awards’ Future Class. (Source: The Guardian)
Wikipedia article on the D.I.C.E. Awards.
Wikipedia article on Kinda Funny.
The Game Awards: The Awards (12:25)
Winners at the Game Awards. (Source: The Game Awards)
Wikipedia article on SonicFox.
Wikipedia article on West End Girl by Lily Allen.
The Game Awards: Announcements (29:25)
Gang of Dragon world premiere trailer. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Total War: Warhammer 40,000 world premiere trailer. (Source: thegamewards on YouTube)
World premiere trailers for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst. (Source: thegamewards on YouTube)
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic teaser trailer. (Source: Star Wars on YouTube)
Star Wars: Galactic Racer reveal trailer. (Source: Star Wars on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. (Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment America on YouTube)
Know Your Meme article on the Ace Combat JPEG Dog.
Warlock: Dungeons and Dragons world premiere trailer. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Divinity world premiere trailer. Content warning for extreme gore and violence. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for Control Resonant. (Source: Remedy Entertainment on YouTube)
The Game Awards teaser for Soulframe Founders bundles. (Source: Soulframe on YouTube)
Warframe trailer featuring Werner Herzog. (Source: GamersPrey on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for The Free Shepherd. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Highguardworld premiere trailer. (Source: thegameawards and Highguard on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for Coven of the Chicken Foot. (Source: Wildflower Interactive on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for Orbitals. (Source: Nintendo of America on YouTube)
Little Mac’s Top 3 (1:05:20)
#3: Donkey Kong Bananza. (Source: Nintendo)
Nintendo store page for Mario Kart World.
#2: Hollow Knight: Silksong. (Source: Steam)
Steam store page for Hades II.
#1: Blue Prince. (Source: Steam)
Shambolic Rube Frossty’s Top 2 (1:13:00)
First choice: Lies of P: Overture. (Source: Steam)
Second choice: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – Lex Imperialis. (Source: Steam)
Jarathen’s Top 3 (1:17:55)
#3: Donkey Kong Bananza. (Source: Nintendo)
#2: 9 Kings. (Source: Steam)
#1: Absolum. (Source: Steam)
3rdstringhero’s Top 3 (1:20:10)
#3: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. (Source: Steam)
#2: The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-. (Source: Steam)
#1: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. (Source: Steam)
Science’s Top 3 (1:24:20)
#3: CARIMARA: Beneath the forlorn limbs. (Source: Steam)
#2: Hades II. (Source: Steam)
#1: Baby Steps. (Source: Steam)
Our Favourites: Honourable Mentions (1:30:00)
Merve’s #10: Dear me, I was… (Source: Wikipedia)
Merve’s #9: Dispatch. (Source: Steam)
Merve’s #8: Mario Kart World. (Source: Wikipedia)
Merve’s #7: Many Nights a Whisper. (Source: Steam)
Merve’s #6: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. (Source: Steam)
Correction: Danny Trejo was in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, not Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. (Source: Wikipedia)
Quinley Thorne’s #10: Town to City. (Source: Steam)
Quinley Thorne’s #9: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. (Source: Wikipedia)
Quinley Thorne’s #8: Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time. (Source: Wikipedia)
Quinley Thorne’s #7: Donkey Kong Bananza. (Source: Wikipedia)
Quinley Thorne’s #6: Umamusume: Pretty Derby. (Source: Steam)
Wikipedia article on racehorse Haru Urara.
The Kappa’s #10: Dynasty Warriors: Origins. (Source: Steam)
The Kappa’s #9: Assassin’s Creed Shadows. (Source: Steam)
The Kappa’s #8: Dispatch. (Source: Steam)
The Kappa’s #7: Age of Mythology: Retold. (Source: Steam)
The Kappa’s #6: Abiotic Factor. (Source: Steam)
Wikipedia article on friendslop.
Our Favourites: #5 (1:41:55)
Merve’s #5: Strange Jigsaws. (Source: Steam)
Quinley Thorne’s #5: DEAD LETTER DEPT. (Source: Steam)
Wikipedia article on Dead Mail.
The Kappa’s #5: Battlefield 6. (Source: Steam)
Correction: Battlefield 6 did win Best Audio Design at The Game Awards 2025. (Source: Wikipedia)
Our Favourites: #4 (1:54:25)
Merve’s #4: Keeper. (Source: Steam)
Quinley Thorne’s #4: Promise Mascot Agency. (Source: Steam)
The protagonist of Promise Mascot Agency is named Michi. (Source: Kaizen Game Works)
The Kappa’s #4: Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. (Source: Steam)
Our Favourites: #3 (2:20:30)
Merve’s #3: Donkey Kong Bananza. (Source: Nintendo)
The name of the female Donkey Kong boss Quinley Thorne was talking about is Poppy Kong. (Source: Game8)
Quinley Thorne’s #3: Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion. (Source: Steam)
An explanation of how gravity acts on heavy and light objects. (Source: UCSB ScienceLine)
The Kappa’s #3: Avowed.
Article on Carrie Patel joining Night School Studio. (Source: GamesIndustry.biz)
Our Favourites: #2 (2:53:15)
Merve’s #2: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. (Source: Steam)
Quinley Thorne’s #2: Girls Made Pudding. (Source: Steam)
The Kappa’s #2: Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. (Source: Steam)
Our Favourites: #1 (3:16:35)
Merve’s #1: Road to Empress I. (Source: Steam)
Moby Games page for the fell in love with coser series. There are 10 of them!
Quinley Thorne’s #1: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. (Source: Nintendo)
The Kappa’s #1: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. (Source: Steam)
Wikipedia article on chiaroscuro.
Steam store page for Blue Prince.
Our Biggest Disappointments (4:16:25)
MAJOR SPOILERS: despelote
Merve’s biggest disappointment: despelote. (Source: Steam)
Quinley Thorne’s biggest disappointment: Tekken 8’s second season. (Source: Steam)
The r/LowSodiumTEKKEN subreddit.
Tekken Wiki article on Fahkumram. (Source: Fandom)
Tekken Wiki article on Miary Zo. (Source: Fandom)
Report on the racial discrimination scandal at Bandai Namco. (Source: Kotaku)
Report on layoffs at Bandai Namco. (Source: Game Developer)
Correction: Bandai Namco did not announce that they were only focusing on legacy IP, but they did cancel several games in development, including a Nintendo exclusive and a new game in the Unknown 9 franchise. (Sources: Bloomberg and PlayStation Lifestyle)
Report on the cancellation of the worldwide release of Blue Protocol in 2024. (Source: IGN)
Report on Katsuhiro Harada leaving Bandai Namco. (Source: Sportskeeda)
The Kappa’s biggest disappointment: Sid Meier’s Civilization VII. (Source: Steam)
Meta store page for the VR edition of Sider Meier’s Civilization VII.
Our Biggest Surprises, Part 1 (5:11:55)
Quinley Thorne’s first surprise: city builders like Town to City and Against the Storm. (Sources: Steam)
Steam store page for The Wandering Village.
Quinley Thorne’s second surprise: Steam Families. (Source: Steam)
The Kappa’s surprise: Microsoft leaving the console war.
Report on the state of Xbox at the end of 2025. (Source: Kotaku)
Jason Schreier and Dina Bass’s report on profit margin targets at Microsoft Gaming. (Source: Bloomberg)
Microsoft is approximately 22 times larger than Sony as of this writing. (Sources: Macrotrends)
Television Tech (5:29:20)
Wikipedia article on Sony’s Bravia line.
Our Biggest Surprises, Part 2 (5:34:35)
Merve’s first surprise: Road to Empress I. (Source: Steam)
Merve’s second surprise: Many Nights a Whisper. (Source: Steam)
Relationship Stuff… And Gross Stuff (5:35:05)
CONTENT WARNINGS: sexual content; extreme scatological humour
No links here.
Steam Machines (5:38:25)
Official website for Steam Machine.
The WAN Show episode where Linus Sebastian discussed Steam Machine pricing. (Source: Linus Tech Tips on YouTube)
Official website for iBUYPOWER.
Wikipedia article on The Closer.
Celebrities and Politicians (5:43:40)
No links here.
Conclusion (5:45:35)
Sarapen’s guide on how to make a podcast.
Wikipedia article on Estonia.
AVoCADo GamesCast is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://avocadogamescast.wordpress.com/
0 min
December 09, 2025Episode #115: Motherflipper, Those Are Auks!
Featuring:
Merve
Drinking with Skeletons
Colonel Mustard
The Kappa
Editor:
The Kappa

Timestamps:
0:15 – Introduction
1:35 – Twitch Scandals
14:15 – EA Goes Private
38:05 – Pirate Games
48:15 – Colonel Mustard’s Indie Mystery Picks
53:15 – Ghost of Yōtei
59:25 – Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles
1:14:45 – Battlefield 6
1:31:25 – Digimon Story Time Stranger, Part 1
1:49:15 – A Digression on Pokémon
1:52:15 – Digimon Story Time Stranger, Part 2
2:02:05 – Electronic Arts and BioWare
2:13:35 – Conclusion
Download Link: https://archive.org/details/avocadogamescast_ep115
Podcast header image from Digimon Story Time Stranger. Content warning: discussions of animal abuse, sexual assault, and suicide. Spoiler warning: Assassin’s Creed Rogue; Consume Me; despelote. Linkdump and timestamps for warnings after the jump.
Introduction (0:15)
No links here.
Twitch Scandals (1:35)
CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of animal abuse and sexual assault
Article on streamer Emiru being assaulted at TwitchCon. (Source: NBC)
Wikipedia article on Dan Clancy.
Article on the Hasan Piker dog collar controversy. Clarification: Despite how we may have discussed the issue during the episode, we would like to make it clear that the allegations have not been definitively proven. (Source: Forbes)
EA Goes Private (14:15)
MAJOR SPOILERS: Assassin’s Creed Rogue
The press release about Electronic Arts being acquired by an investor consortium. (Source: Electronic Arts)
Reporting on JPMorgan Chase’s loan to the consortium being expected to be rated B. (Source: @jasonschreier.bsky.social on Bluesky)
Reporting and context on Saudi gaming investments. (Source: Game File)
Correction: The DJ featured in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, Salvatore Ganacci, is Bosnian-Swedish, not Saudi Arabian. (Source: Wikipedia)
Article on Dragon Age games outselling Mass Effect games. (Source: The Gamer)
Motive Studio is currently working on an untitled Iron Man game. (Source: Wikipedia)
Depending on how you see it, the last Ultima game was either 2013’s free-to-play action RPG Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avataror 2018’s first-person action RPG Underworld Ascendant, which was permitted to use the Ultima lore and setting under a licensing agreement but was not permitted to use the Ultima name or branding. (Source: Wikipedia)
Clarification: We recorded on October 19th, 2025, before the remake of Plants vs. Zombies, subtitled Replanted, was released on October 23rd, 2025. (Source: Steam)
The last mainline, new, non-mobile, non-browser release in the Command & Conquer series was Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight, released in 2010. (Source: Wikipedia)
Official website for Star Wars Zero Company, releasing in 2026. (Source: Electronic Arts)
Pirate Games (38:05)
Wikipedia article on Skull and Bones.
Wikipedia article on Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
The Kairosoft game that The Kappa was referencing was Game Dev Story. (Source: Wikipedia)
Josh Sawyer’s comments on the commercial performance of Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. None of the comments I could find specifically referenced the game’s pirate theme as an issue. (Source: jesawyer on Tumblr)
Wikipedia article on Assassin’s Creed Rogue.
“Truck” in the sense of a vehicle or transportation is a back formation of “truckle,” but “truck” in the sense of barter or exchange does indeed come from the Old French troquer, which means “to exchange,” as The Kappa alluded to. (Source: Dictionary.com)
Wikipedia article on Sid Meier’s Pirates!
Colonel Mustard’s Indie Mystery Picks (48:15)
Steam store page for Unheard – Voices of Crime.
Steam store page for The Roottrees Are Dead.
Ghost of Yōtei (53:15)
PlayStation store page for Ghost of Yōtei.
The actress who played Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 is Jennifer English. (Source: Wikipedia)
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles (59:25)
Steam store page for Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles.
Wikipedia article on Tactics Ogre.
Final Fantasy Wiki article on “You spoony bard!” (Source: Fandom)
Battlefield 6 (1:15:45)
Steam store page for Battlefield 6.
Digimon Story Time Stranger, Part 1 (1:31:25)
CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of suicide
Steam store page for Digimon Story Time Stranger.
The XKCD comic “Hyphen.”
Wikipedia article on Summer Wars.
Digimon Wiki article on Eater Eve. Clarification: Eater Eve is from Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, not Digimon Tamers.
Correction: Digimon Tamers originally aired in Japan from April 1st, 2001 to March 31st, 2002, so its original premise and early episodes could not have been influenced by 9/11. (Source: Wikipedia)
A Digression on Pokémon (1:49:15)
Nintendo store page for Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Wikipedia article on The World Ends with You.
Digimon Story Time Stranger, Part 2 (1:52:15)
MAJOR SPOILERS: Consume Me; despelote.
No links here.
Electronic Arts and BioWare (2:02:05)
Wikipedia article on Anthem.
Wikipedia article on Jack McBrayer.
Wikipedia article on Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Wikipedia article on the upcoming video game Exodus.
Steam store page for Megabonk.
Conclusion (2:13:35)
No links here.
AVoCADo GamesCast is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://avocadogamescast.wordpress.com/
2 hr 18 min
September 20, 2025Episode #114: A Tale of Two Egmonts
Featuring:
Merve
The Kappa
Editor:
The Kappa
Timestamps:
0:15 – Introduction
2:10 – Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate
21:45 – Donkey Kong Bananza
37:55 – Adult Content and Payment Processors
1:06:20 – A Digression on Fanfic
1:08:15 – Microsoft’s Business and Generative AI
1:24:40 – Nvidia’s Business and Generative AI
1:44:25 – How We Talk About AI in Gaming
1:52:40 – The Business of Tech and Entertainment Conglomerates
1:58:15 – The Use of AI in the Workplace
2:01:40 – Search Engines
2:07:35 – AI, Labour, and the Politics of Tech, Part 1
2:15:00 – Recycling
2:21:00 – AI, Labour, and the Politics of Tech, Part 2
2:24:45 – Problems with Games Media Reporting on Business
2:35:50 – Holding Companies
2:40:30 – Conclusion
Download Link: https://archive.org/details/avocadogamescast_ep114
Podcast header image from Donkey Kong Bananza. Mild spoiler warning: Donkey Kong Bananza. Content warning: discussions of sexual assault and sexual topics. Linkdump and timestamps for warnings after the jump.
Introduction (0:15)
No links here.
Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate (2:10)
Steam store page for Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate.
Clarification: This episode was recorded before the announcement of Pete Parsons’s resignation on August 21st. (Source: Bungie)
Donkey Kong Bananza (21:45)
MILD SPOILERS: Donkey Kong Bananza
Trailer for Donkey Kong Bananza. (Source: Nintendo of America on YouTube)
Wikipedia article on Super Mario Odyssey.
The Zebra Bananza theme from Donkey Kong Bananza. (Source: Shacknews on YouTube)
Adult Content and Payment Processors (37:55)
CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of sexual assault and sexual topics
Collective Shout’s open letter to payment processors. (Source: Collective Shout)
A recap of the story to the end of July. (Source: CBC)
itch.io’s announcement of the partial reindexing of adult content. (Source: itch.io)
GOG’s protest giveaway of adult games. (Source: GOG.com)
Clarification: While ABC was fined by the FCC for nudity in NYPD Blue, the fine was ultimately struck down by a U.S. court. (Source: Wikipedia)
Valve’s comments on Mastercard’s statement denying responsibility for the content takedowns. (Source: PC Gamer)
Confirmation: Steam accounts are limited until at least $5 USD is spent on Steam, so activations of gifts and externally-purchased games don’t count. However, activating a Steam Wallet card does count towards the $5 USD, so a credit card is not required to lift the limitations. (Source: Steam Support)
Fallout 3 was originally refused classification in Australia for its depiction of drug use, but it was later permitted for sale after it was altered to remove the offending content. (Source: Wikipedia)
Steam store page for HuniePop.
A Digression on Fanfic (1:06:20)
Confirmation: Unfortunately, Archive of Our Own does not have any fanworks that feature both Commander Zavala and Donkey Kong. We also confirmed that there are no results when searching by tag instead of by keyword. (Source: Archive of Our Own)
Destinypedia entry on Mara Sov.
Microsoft’s Business and Generative AI (1:08:15)
Article about 9,000 layoffs at Microsoft. (Source: CNBC)
Clarification: The news that development on Contraband had ceased came after we recorded. (Source: The Gamer)
Satya Nadella’s open letter about Microsoft’s pivot to AI. (Source: Official Microsoft Blog)
Know Your Meme article on Focus Group Man, the source of the “he admit it!” meme.
Microsoft’s annual reports for FY2023 and FY2024. (Source: Microsoft)
Spreadsheets Merve prepared analyzing Microsoft’s financials.
Nvidia’s Business and Generative AI (1:24:40)
Report that Nvidia is set to slash RTX 5000 series card prices. (Source: Tech Radar)
Article on Nvidia reaching $4 trillion US in market capitalization. (Source: Reuters)
Report on the RTX 5060 review scandal. (Source: The Verge)
How We Talk About AI in Gaming (1:44:25)
Report on the controversial New York Times article on AI in gaming. (Source: PC Gamer)
Steam store page for the AI-driven remake of The Portopia Serial Murder Case.
The Business of Tech and Entertainment Conglomerates (1:52:40)
The Google graveyard. (Source: Killed by Google)
The Use of AI in the Workplace (1:58:15)
No links here.
Search Engines (2:01:40)
Wikipedia article on Google’s Gemini LLM.
Wikipedia article on KartOO. Correction: the URL was http://www.kartoo.com, not http://www.kartoo.fr.
AI, Labour, and the Politics of Tech, Part 1 (2:07:35)
Article on the UK’s new age verification laws. (Source: BBC)
Recycling (2:15:00)
Correction: While aluminum is effectively infinitely recyclable and recycling rates in industrial markets are high (> 90% in the United States), rates are low in consumer markets (e.g. < 50% in the United States for beverage cans). (Source: The Aluminum Association)
Correction: Recycling code 01 corresponds to PET, not LDPE. 03 is for LDPE. (Source: Wikipedia)
An economic study of the Canadian plastic industry. The pie chart on page 6 shows that in 2016, the largest end-use market for plastic products was packaging. (Source: Government of Canada)
AI, Labour, and the Politics of Tech, Part 2 (2:21:00)
No links here.
Problems with Games Media Reporting on Business (2:24:45)
Spreadsheets Merve prepared analyzing Microsoft’s financials.
Holding Companies (2:35:50)
Wikipedia article on the Egmont Group.
Correction: Burger King is owned by Canadian firm Restaurant Brands International. 3G Restaurant Brands Holdings LP does not own a controlling stake, but rather a 32% stake. 3G Restaurant Brands Holdings LP is an affiliate of 3G Capital, which is currently headquartered in New York, but evolved out of a Brazilian investment office. (Source: Wikipedia)
Wikipedia article on the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, not to be confused with the Egmont Group.
Correction: It is not possible to walk into the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units’ office, because its listed address is a PO box. (Source: Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units)
Conclusion (2:40:30)
Wikipedia article on Sleepless in Seattle.
AVoCADo GamesCast is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://avocadogamescast.wordpress.com/
2 hr 47 min
August 03, 2025Episode #113: Goons Per Second
Featuring:
Merve
Lily Bones
Quinley Thorne
Wolfman Jew
Bloomed Wings
The Kappa
Editor:
The Kappa
Timestamps:
0:15 – Introduction
8:50 – State of Unreal 2025
11:45 – PlayStation State of Play
36:45 – Summer Game Fest Showcase
2:00:30 – Day of the Devs
2:17:20 – Xbox Games Showcase
3:09:05 – Mario Kart World
3:19:05 – Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
3:28:15 – Donkey Kong Bananza Direct
3:38:20 – Conclusion
Download Link: https://archive.org/details/avocadogamescast_ep113
Podcast header image from Big Walk, taken from Gematsu. Episode contains major spoilers for Thunderbolts*. Linkdump and timestamps for spoilers after the jump.
Introduction (0:15)
Correction: In 1997 and 1998, E3 was held in Atlanta, Georgia, not Las Vegas, Nevada. (Source: Wikipedia)
Wolfman Jew’s Passing the Buck series on Game Pass. (Source: Source Gaming)
Official website for Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.
Wikipedia article on Whippany, New Jersey.
State of Unreal 2025 (8:50)
VoD of the presentation. (Source: Unreal Engine on YouTube)
PlayStation State of Play (11:45)
VoD of the presentation. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Recap of the presentation. (Source: IGN)
Liveblog of the presentation. (Source: GamesRadar+)
Announcement of Marathon’s indefinite delay. (Source: Bungie)
An explanation of the Marathon plagiarism controversy. (Source: Esports Insider) Note: This article was written before the Marathon delay announcement.
State of Play announcement trailer for Ghost of Yōtei. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
First Contact trailer for Pragmata. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Announce trailer for MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. (Source: Marvel Entertainment on YouTube)
Reveal trailer for Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for 007 First Light. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for Code Vein II. (Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment America on YouTube)
Announce trailer for Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement. (Source: Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement on YouTube)
Announce trailer for Romeo is a Dead Man. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Summer Game Fest Showcase (36:45)
VoD of the presentation. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Recap of the presentation. (Source: IGN)
Liveblog of the presentation. (Source: GamesRadar+)
Reveal trailer for Resident Evil Requiem. (Source: Resident Evil on YouTube)
World premiere trailer for Mafia: The Old Country. No idea why it’s called a “world premiere” trailer when there have been previous trailers. Correction: The trailer only contains cinematics, not actual gameplay. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Story trailer for Stranger Than Heaven. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Official June 2025 trailer for Mouse: P.I. For Hire. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Official reveal trailer for Infinitesimals. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
World premiere trailer for Felt That: Boxing. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
World premiere trailer for Killer Inn. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
World premiere trailer for Game of Thrones: War for Westeros. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for Chronicles: Medieval. (Source: Chronicles: Medieval on YouTube)
World premiere trailer for ARC Raiders. Again, how is this a “world premiere,” Geoff? (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Official announcement trailer for Fractured Blooms. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Official gameplay trailer for Acts of Blood. (Source: Fajrul FN – Eksil Team on YouTube)
Reveal trailer for LEGO Voyagers. (Source: LEGO on YouTube)
Reveal trailer for LEGO Party. (Source: LEGO on YouTube)
Release date announcement trailer for Mina the Hollower. (Source: Yacht Club Games on YouTube)
Announce trailer for Blighted. (Source: DrinkboxStudios on YouTube)
Premiere trailer for Scott Pilgrim EX. (Source: thegameawards on YouTube)
Summer Game Fest trailer for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. (Source: Sonic the Hedgehog on YouTube)
YouTube essayist Jacob Geller’s commentary on Astro Bot and its use of other IP. (Source: Jacob Geller on YouTube).
Correction: Wuthering Waves was not led by ex-Genshin Impact developers. Its director, Solon Lee, had been with Wuthering Waves developer Kuro Games since its inception. (Source: r/WutheringWaves on Reddit)
Steam store page for Nitro Gen Omega.
Clarification: This episode was recorded before Steam announced updated publisher guidelines prohibiting games that may violate payment processors’ standards. (Source: The Gamer)
Wikipedia article on Ivy from the Soulcalibur series.
Wikipedia article on Stellar Blade.
Wikipedia article on Perfect Blue.
Announcement trailer for Atomic Heart 2. (Source: Mundfish #AtomicHeart on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for The CUBE. (Source: Mundfish #AtomicHeart on YouTube)
“Hat Guy” was 1047 Games CEO Ian Proulx. (Source: Rock Paper Shotgun)
Article on the backlash to Clay Matthews’s remarks at the 2025 NFL draft. (Source: Yahoo! Sports)
The Remap Radio podcast episode where Patrick Klepek interviewed one of the developers of Relooted.
Steam store page for MindsEye.
Day of the Devs (2:00:30)
VoD of the presentation. (Source: Day of the Devs on YouTube)
Recap of the presentation. (Source: GamesRadar+)
Official announcement trailer for Snap & Grab. (Source: GameTrailers on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for Relooted. (Source: Epic Games on YouTube)
Day of the Devs trailer for Thick As Thieves. (Source: Thick As Thieves on YouTube)
Steam store page for Semblance.
Announcement trailer for Dosa Divas. (Source: Outerloop Games on YouTube)
Gameplay overview for Big Walk. (Source: House House on YouTube)
Official gameplay trailer for Ratatan. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Gameplay trailer for Mixtape. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Official gameplay trailer for Possessors. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Official gameplay trailer for Please, Watch The Artwork. (Source: GameTrailers on YouTube)
Official gameplay trailer for Consume Me. (Source: GameTrailers on YouTube)
First look trailer for Tire Boy. (Source: GameTeam6 on YouTube)
Launch date announcement for Sword of the Sea. (Source: PlayStation on YouTube)
Wikipedia article on Tony Hawk.
The non-violent MMO from thatgamecompany that we were referencing is called Sky: Children of the Light. (Source: Wikipedia)
Xbox Games Showcase (2:17:20)
VoD of the showcase. (Source: Xbox on YouTube)
Recap of the showcase. (Source: Xbox)
Liveblog of the showcase. (Source: GamesRadar+)
Official launch trailer for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Trailer for Clockwork Revolution. (Source: Xbox on YouTube)
Official gameplay trailer for The Blood of Dawnwalker. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Official reveal trailer for Mudang: Two Hearts. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Reveal trailer for There are No Ghosts at the Grand. (Source: No Ghosts Game on YouTube)
Announce trailer for Keeper. (Source: Double Fine on YouTube)
Official announce trailer for Grounded 2. (Source: Obsidian Entertainment on YouTube)
Announcement trailer for At Fate’s End. (Source: Thunder Lotus on YouTube)
Correction: Microsoft Gaming and Xbox have been profitable. While Microsoft does not specifically report profit margins for gaming in its financial statements, leaked documents confirm that the segment was profitable in the first 9 month of FY22. (Source: TweakTown)
World premiere reveal trailer for the ROG Xbox Ally. (Source: Xbox on YouTube)
Announce trailer for Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition. (Source: Xbox on YouTube)
Reveal trailer for Beast of Reincarnation. (Source: Xbox on YouTube)
Hollow Knight: Silksong footage in the ROG Xbox Ally X reveal. (Source: Hollow Knight Archive on YouTube)
Official teaser for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. (Source: Call of Duty on YouTube)
Teaser trailer for Persona 4 Revival. (Source: Xbox on YouTube)
Reveal trailer for Aphelion. (Source: Xbox on YouTube)
Official gameplay trailer for Cronos: The New Dawn. (Source: IGN on YouTube)
Mario Kart World (3:09:05)
Trailer for Mario Kart World. (Source: Nintendo of America on YouTube)
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour (3:19:05)
Launch trailer for Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. (Source: Nintendo of America on YouTube)
Donkey Kong Bananza Direct (3:28:15)
MAJOR SPOILERS: Thunderbolts*
VoD of the Direct. (Source: Nintendo of America on YouTube)
Conclusion (3:38:20)
No links here.
AVoCADo GamesCast is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://avocadogamescast.wordpress.com/
3 hr 42 min

About AVoCADo GamesCast

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The AVoCADo GamesCast is a (roughly) bimonthly gaming podcast hosted by Merve and edited by The Kappa, two people who love video games a little too much. Join them and their Internet friends as they gush about their favourite games, dissect current events, revisit gaming history, speculate about future events, and make a lot of really stupid jokes.

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