Checkpoint Church

Are we bringing back the Checkpoint Church stream? Nerd Pastor Nate, Twila, and DGC discuss the future of our gaming community, the "itch" for relational streaming, and why we’re going on a podcast hiatus.Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/checkpointchurchSupport Checkpoint Church: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/supportTimecodes:00:00 - Welcome to Checkpoint Church01:12 - Introducing Twila & DGC01:55 - What we're Watching: Spy x Family, Trigun Stampede, & The Lighthouse05:00 - Resident Evil 9 & The Best "Needle Drops" in Gaming11:35 - What we're Playing: Ace Attorney & Rhythm Doctor15:35 - Life is Strange: Double Exposure & Dragon Quest19:35 - Pragmatic: Capcom’s "Dad Space"?25:50 - What we're Reading: Demon Copperhead & Americana32:30 - April Checkbox Unboxing38:40 - Rhythm Doctor: More than just one button46:20 - Mono: Is it the new Laid-Back Camp?53:30 - Where the Wildflowers Grow Review1:02:15 - The Big Question: Should we start streaming again?1:19:25 - How did you Checkpoint this week?Checkpoint Church is the place where all people from all walks of life are always welcomed with loving arms. We strive to steer clear from the modern temptations of being too ‘churchy’ or judgmental. We are the safe space for those who haven’t felt welcomed by the church before.#nerdculture Thanks to our supporters:- All Boosters- All Hype Crew MembersAnd a special shoutout to our Patron level supporters:- DGC- Twila27- bweesh7777

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/checkpointchurchSupport Checkpoint Church: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/supportTimecodes:0:00 - Intro5:10 - Watch/Play/Read23:00 - CheckBox Ad23:55 - April Book/Anime/Video Game Club Ad25:35 - My Family and the End of Everything Discussion1:02:30 - How did you Checkpoint this week?1:07:50 - Outro/Shout-OutsCheckpoint Church is the place where all people from all walks of life are always welcomed with loving arms. We strive to steer clear from the modern temptations of being too ‘churchy’ or judgmental. We are the safe space for those who haven’t felt welcomed by the church before.#nerdculture Thanks to our supporters:- All Boosters- All Hype Crew MembersAnd a special shoutout to our Patron level supporters:- DGC- Twila27- bweesh7777

Undertale pacifist run meets cozy tea vibes and deep faith talk ☕🎮On this episode of the Checkpoint Church Podcast, Nerd Pastor Nate sits down with Cozy Tea Pastor to explore what Undertale reveals about mercy, choice, community, and the stories we carry.We also chat about:- What we’ve been watching / playing / reading- How Cozy Tea Pastor connects cozy games + spirituality- A quick breakdown of the GDC 2026 Games Industry Report (AI, burnout, layoffs, DEI, unionization)🎧 Follow Cozy Tea Pastor: https://linktr.ee/cozyteapastor00:00 Welcome to Checkpoint Church + Today’s Game Plan01:38 Meet Cozy Tea Pastor (Cozy games, tea, and where to find them)04:16 Watch, Play, Read — What We’ve Been Watching (Olympics + vampire anime)07:50 Nate’s Watch List: 1001 Movies + ‘Past Lives’ Praise11:52 What We’ve Been Playing: Undertale, RuneScape Nostalgia, and More16:28 Outer Worlds 2 & the Stressful Joy of ‘Cairn’ (Rock Climbing Game)23:25 What We’ve Been Reading: Pokémon Adventures Manga + Current Books30:29 Community Updates: Weekly Hangouts, DLC Communion, and Next Topic (AI)31:17 Discerning AI in the Church + Free DLC Invite (God in the Machine)32:34 DLC Rebrand + Clubs You Can Still Join (Book/Anime/Game)33:58 Cozy Tea Pastor Update: Streaming, Substack & Cult of the Lamb Reflections37:07 Lent Season Plans: Liturgical Gaming Practices & Hollow Knight Notes41:01 Undertale Stream Debrief: The 'Fake Ending' and Why It Hits So Hard52:01 GDC Report Highlights: AI Sentiment, Layoffs, Crunch, Unions & DEI01:00:50 How Did You Checkpoint This Week? Community Question + Wrap-Up Thanks01:03:32 Supporters Shout-Outs, Where to Find Cozy Tea Pastor, and Final BlessingJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/checkpointchurchSupport Checkpoint Church: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/supportCheckpoint Church is the place where all people from all walks of life are always welcomed with loving arms. We strive to steer clear from the modern temptations of being too ‘churchy’ or judgmental. We are the safe space for those who haven’t felt welcomed by the church before. #nerdculture Thanks to our supporters:- All Boosters- All Hype Crew MembersAnd a special shoutout to our Patron level supporters:- DGC- Twila27- bweesh7777

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/checkpointchurchSupport Checkpoint Church: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/supportPlayStation’s “AI Ghost Player” patent has people divided—accessibility breakthrough or AI playing games instead of you?In this episode of the Checkpoint Church Podcast, Nerd Pastor Nate and co-hosts unpack what this could mean for gamers, disabled players, dev jobs, and what we’re actually chasing when we play.In this episode:- What Sony’s “AI Ghost” concept actually is (and what it isn’t)- Accessibility benefits vs “autopilot gaming” concerns- “AI” as a buzzword: generative vs gameplay assistance- The ethics question: can a human do this instead?Go directly to our Giving: https://bit.ly/givecheckpointSubscribe to the Newsletter: https://bit.ly/tothepointnewsFollow the blog: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/blog0:00 The Start of The Show1:19 Co-host Introductions2:28 WPRL22:39 DLC AD24:44 Main Topic57:13 How Did You Checkpoint?1:04:28 ShoutoutsCheckpoint Church is the place where all people from all walks of life are always welcomed with loving arms. We strive to steer clear from the modern temptations of being too ‘churchy’ or judgmental. We are the safe space for those who haven’t felt welcomed by the church before. #GamingPodcast #NerdCulture

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/checkpointchurchSupport Checkpoint Church: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/supportGo directly to our Giving: https://bit.ly/givecheckpointSubscribe to the Newsletter: https://bit.ly/tothepointnewsFollow the blog: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/blog0:00 - Intro / Watch, Play, Read20:42 - Club Reviews45:35 - CheckBox Goes Quarterly54:35 - Checkpoint 2026 + Word of the Year1:10:10 - How did you Checkpoint this week?Checkpoint Church is the place where all people from all walks of life are always welcomed with loving arms. We strive to steer clear from the modern temptations of being too ‘churchy’ or judgmental. We are the safe space for those who haven’t felt welcomed by the church before. #GamingPodcast #NerdCulture

Wondering what All Saints Day has to do with nerds, geeks, and gamers? In this episode of the Checkpoint Church Podcast, we talk Apocalypse Hotel, Witch Watch, Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping, our Pixel Pilgrimage through Keeper, and the “saints” of games & anime that shaped our faith and fandoms.We’re a Christian gaming / nerd ministry podcast for people who love video games, anime, books, and Jesus—and don’t want to explore faith alone.Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/checkpointchurchSupport Checkpoint Church: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/supportGo directly to our Giving: https://bit.ly/givecheckpointSubscribe to the Newsletter: https://bit.ly/tothepointnewsFollow the blog: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/blogRead Cozy Tea Pastor's blog on All Saints Day: https://open.substack.com/pub/cozyteapastor/p/remembering-the-games-that-changed?r=1wb4re&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=falseTimecodes:0:00 - Intro1:00 - Watch/Play/Read14:10 - October Club Debrief33:15 - Ad: Pixel Pilgrimage36:15 - Apocalypse Hotel Nerdy Sermon Discussion47:45 - All Saint's Day for Nerds1:06:00 - How did you Checkpoint this week?Checkpoint Church is the place where all people from all walks of life are always welcomed with loving arms. We strive to steer clear from the modern temptations of being too ‘churchy’ or judgmental. We are the safe space for those who haven’t felt welcomed by the church before.#AllSaintsDay #ChristianGamers #CheckpointChurch #NerdPastorNate

Are gamers really getting older—and why does mobile win by a mile? We break down the ESA’s 2025 “Power of Play,” then spotlight our favorite Steam Next Fest demos—plus how play feeds community and faith.In this episode of the Checkpoint Church Podcast, Nerd Pastor Nate, Lizzie, and Wizen dig into the ESA’s 2025 Global Power of Play findings (age, gender, why we play), talk Xbox accessibility wins, and share our Steam Next Fest standouts (including a Paper-Mario-style gem and one surprisingly soulful skate RPG). We also ask our weekly question: How did you Checkpoint this week? Tell us below—your story might show up in the next episode.Chapters below. Games/series mentioned: Overwatch 2, Pokémon Legends: ZA, Deep Space Nine, To Be Hero X, Wind Breaker, House Mother Normal, This Here Flesh, Star Sand Island, Escape from Ever After, Skate Story.About Checkpoint ChurchWe help nerds, geeks, and gamers feel seen, connected, and spiritually supported. Whether you believe in God or not, you matter here.Indie GoGo Campaign:    • God Loves Nerds. Help Us Prove It. | Indie...  Join our Discord:   / discord  Support Checkpoint Church: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/supportGo directly to our Giving: https://bit.ly/givecheckpointSubscribe to the Newsletter: https://bit.ly/tothepointnewsFollow the blog: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/blogTimecodes:0:00 - Intro1:05 - Watching/Playing/Reading19:05 - Power of Play Report43:15 - CheckBox Ad44:26 - Next Fest Recap54:07 - Demo Game Memories1:00:32 - How did you Checkpoint this week?1:04:31 - Anti-Book Study AdCheckpoint Church is the place where all people from all walks of life are always welcomed with loving arms. We strive to steer clear from the modern temptations of being too ‘churchy’ or judgmental. We are the safe space for those who haven’t felt welcomed by the church before.

Indie GoGo Campaign: https://youtu.be/u_f214rZgp4Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/checkpointchurchSupport Checkpoint Church: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/supportGo directly to our Giving: https://bit.ly/givecheckpointSubscribe to the Newsletter: https://bit.ly/tothepointnewsFollow the blog: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/blogTimecodes:0:00 - Intro1:35 - What have you been watching/playing/reading?12:35 - Chatting about our September Anime, Book, and Video Game Club picks29:40 - September CheckBox Unboxing ~ SPOILERS!38:45 - Prof Noctis Shoutout41:35 - The Xbox Price Situation54:31 - Hollow Knight Nerdy Sermon Discussion58:00 - The Anime Isn't Political Discourse1:11:20 - IndieGoGo Ad1:12:20 - How did you Checkpoint this week?Checkpoint Church is the place where all people from all walks of life are always welcomed with loving arms. We strive to steer clear from the modern temptations of being too ‘churchy’ or judgmental. We are the safe space for those who haven’t felt welcomed by the church before.

Indie GoGo Campaign: https://youtu.be/u_f214rZgp4Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/checkpointchurchSupport Checkpoint Church: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/supportGo directly to our Giving: https://bit.ly/givecheckpointSubscribe to the Newsletter: https://bit.ly/tothepointnewsFollow the blog: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/blogTimecodes:0:00 - Intro1:25 - What have you been watching, playing, or reading?16:35 - What is Cozy Tea Gaming?29:20 - Nintendo Direct Recap58:00 - The AI Artist Alley Situation1:12:15 - Meta XR Glasses1:19:57 - DLC Ad1:21:14 - Closing Credits/ShoutoutCheckpoint Church is the place where all people from all walks of life are always welcomed with loving arms. We strive to steer clear from the modern temptations of being too ‘churchy’ or judgmental. We are the safe space for those who haven’t felt welcomed by the church before.

Indie GoGo Campaign: https://youtu.be/u_f214rZgp4Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/checkpointchurchSupport Checkpoint Church: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/supportGo directly to our Giving: https://bit.ly/givecheckpointSubscribe to the Newsletter: https://bit.ly/tothepointnewsFollow the blog: https://www.checkpointchurch.com/blogTimecodes:0:00 - Intro13:46 - Club Talk: Duck Detective: The Secret Salami25:00 - Club Talk: The Night Circus33:40 - Club Talk: A Place Farther Than The Universe48:11 - Nerdy Sermon Talk: To Be Hero X56:08 - Indie GoGo Campaign Update57:03 - Nerdy News: Silksong Crashes Steam1:06:15 - Nerdy News: Life Is Strange TV Series1:11:55 - Comment Response: Is NPN for kids?1:16:58 - Loneliness Epidemic & what it means to be a part of Checkpoint Church1:24:56 - How did you Checkpoint this week?Checkpoint Church is the place where all people from all walks of life are always welcomed with loving arms. We strive to steer clear from the modern temptations of being too ‘churchy’ or judgmental. We are the safe space for those who haven’t felt welcomed by the church before.