CORE - Core Gaming for Core Gamers

Microsoft may shift Xbox toward a modular, PC-like system called Magnus, we have some debate over complexity versus convenience. Rod Ferguson has exited Blizzard, raising questions about Diablo IV’s future, while Blizzard’s cinematic team voted to unionize. Crimson Desert sees a delay, and rumors suggest Paladin could return in a Diablo expansion, too late or not. Mind blown around The Secret of the Weepstone, WASD controls coming to League of Legends, and a Vampire Survivors board game. And lots more.

GAMES PLAYED

Scott

•Shapez 2

•He Is Coming

•Time Flies

Jon

•Final Fantasy XII

•Final Fantasy X-2

•Fortnite

Beau

•Heroes of the Storm

•The Bazaar

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Let’s talk about older consoles and approaching games in unconventional ways, and address while we are here, developments in the gaming business this week. MK: Legacy Kollection looking very cool. Battlefield 6 also seems like things are poppin. GOG says come get these free nudie games. Kirby fans finally know what they are getting soon. Lucy from CyberPunk is coming to…Guilty Gear Strive? Guntouchables is FREE right now. And how many Power Ranges in Fortnite is enough? An Instance WoW segment with Bobby! And lots more! 

Shared Play This Week

•Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

Scott

•The Spell Brigade

•Shapez 2

Jon

•Minishoot’ Adventures

•Juggling Final Fantasy X-2, XI, & XII.

Beau

•Titan Quest 2.

•More Abiotic Factor.

•Played War Within patch 11.3.

•Tried Yakuza Kiwami 2.

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We talked about upcoming games for August, including Metal Gear Solid Delta, House of the Dead 2 remake, and Gears of War: E-Day. We discussed the return of Nerdtacular in June 2026 in Salt Lake City and encouraged listeners to fill out the interest survey. We covered game delistings tied to payment processors, especially around sensitive themes, and had a broader discussion on censorship, parenting, and internet policy shifts. We debated the 1980s cultural resurgence, Roblox’s value, and Microsoft’s growing dominance via studio acquisitions and Game Pass. And a LOT more to boot!

GAMES PLAYED

Scott

Shapez 2

Fumes

More Bananza

Jon

Final Fantasy X (finished)

Final Fantasy X-2 (sampled)

Final Fantasy XI (sampled)

Final Fantasy XII (sampled)

Donkey Kong Bananza

Beau

Abiotic Factor

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

Valheim (Trollstav incident)

Magic: Edge of Eternities

StarCraft 2 co-op

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Critical Role enters game dev, Outer Worlds 2 drops back to $70, and Splitgate 2 unlaunches. RIP Julian LeFay, and yes, that Hellraiser trailer is terrifying. Beau praises the SC2 World Cup. In “Dear Martha,” we “misremember” the PS2. Shared play this week: Donkey Kong Bananza. Scott tries Captain of Industry, Jon nears the end of FFX, and Beau dives into Pizza Tower, Slay the Spire, and more. Plus: Xbox handheld talk and some corrections.

Shared Play (Scott & Jon):

•Donkey Kong Bananza

Scott:

•Captain of Industry

•Back to the Dawn

•Fantasy Finds DLC (2 Point Museum)

Jon:

•Final Fantasy X

•Ghost of Tsushima (mentioned in passing)

•Magic: The Gathering Arena

Beau:

•Pizza Tower

•Roundguard

•Wildfrost

•Backpack Hero

•Fighting Fantasy Classics

•Slay the Spire

•Valheim

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We covered Krafton's ongoing legal dispute with ousted Subnautica 2 founders, including a leaked memo and bonus extensions. The leaked Xbox Rog Ally price and portable gaming appeal. Steam's updated terms of service for adult games, shifting responsibility to developers and payment processors, were also reviewed. Our segment "Dear Martha" and Donkey Kong get together!. And loads more!

GAMES PLAYED:

SCOTT:

• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Shapez 2
• Turnip Boy Robs a Bank

JON:

• Resident Evil HD (Remake)
• Resident Evil 2 (Original)
• Magic: The Gathering (IRL and MtG: Arena)
• Final Fantasy X

BEAU:

• Death Stranding

••Valheim (Ashlands biome)

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We discussed controller comfort and aging, the delay in finishing Ghost of Tsushima, and how handhelds like the Steam Deck affect game choices. We covered the Subnautica 2 delay and controversy involving Krafton possibly avoiding a $250M payout. We speculate on corporate motives, Unknown Worlds founders’ ousting, and Krafton’s Starcraft gig. We also hit on Romero Games losing a Microsoft contract, Final Fantasy IX remake rumors, and a new Resident Evil mobile game announcement. Emails, texts and loads more! Also, Scott tied with Beau this week in Dear Martha!

GAMES PLAYED

SCOTT

• Satisfactory 1.1
• Offroad Mania
• Soulstone Survivors 1.0
• Rogue Trader

JON

• Resident Evil (PC version)
• Resident Evil Remake
• A Building Full of Cats 2
• Magic: The Gathering

BEAU

• Death Stranding
• Valheim
• Nightreign
• Magic: The Gathering

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We have another bad case of layoffs, but this time, we hit the specific projects impacted by them. Some gnarly ones. Plus, Warcraft Rumble gets hit hard too. On the upside, we talk about the games un-effected, and the teams that are doing to stay intact. Leon S. Kennedy predictions. Stop Killing Games in the EU. Marvel Rivals is trolling fans. Dear Martha! Our week in games, and some great texts and voice mails this week!

SCOTT

• Fast Fusion 
• Red Faction: Guerrilla
• The Messenger

JON

• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Date Everything
• System Shock 2 Remastered
• Final Fantasy X

BEAU

• Slay the Spire: The Board Game
• NIGHTREIGN
• Magic: The Gathering

••Valheim

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We discuss our sleep schedules, gaming habits, and Xbox’s evolving hardware strategy. We share frustrations with Microsoft and Windows, and talk about competition between major gaming companies. We cover upcoming July games like Mecha Break, Micropunk, Donkey Kong Bonanza, Robocop: Unfinished Business, Wildgate, and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. We react to Death Stranding 2’s high early praise, debate Game Pass expansion, reminisce about retro toys like 2-XL and Hulkamania workout sets, and play a Final Fantasy Dear Martha. And some thoughts about Predator things for various reasons. :)

GAMES PLAYED

Scott:

The Messenger

Super Mario Odyssey (more moon collecting)

Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered

Jon:

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Date Everything!

Beau:

Elden Ring: Nightreign

Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy (limited draft)

Valheim

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.