CrossGen Friends

Welcome to CrossGen Friends! In this episode, Joe La Russa and Byron Miller cover the return and end of exclusive games, the end of Yakuza(?), and talk about bike adventures, Alsace, and visiting family.

Intro music created by Jack Miller!

News Story/Topics Links:

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nagoshi-studio-reportedly-facing-closure-after-netease-pulls-gang-of-dragon-funding/

https://www.aol.com/articles/rumors-next-xbox-console-were-222713378.html?guccounter=1

https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-has-reportedly-returned-to-console-exclusivity-in-part-because-some-within-playstation-are-worried-that-releasing-games-on-pc-may-hurt-sales-of-ps5-and-even-ps6

https://www.ubisoft.com/en-ca/game/assassins-creed/news/3DdTBz0edxZ0mQ7Ub4jv85/assassins-creed-into-2026

https://www.ign.com/articles/echoes-of-aincrad-preview-already-an-anime-styled-single-player-action-rpg-delight

Welcome to CrossGen Friends! In this episode, Joe La Russa and Byron Miller cover the New York State lawsuit against Valve for gambling law violations, Pokémon's 30th anniversary, Ubisoft chaos, and Joe talks way too much about his Yakuza 3 Remastered platinum trophy journey!

Intro music created by Jack Miller!

News Story/Topics Links:

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/pokemon-winds-waves-revealed-new-games-coming-in-2027-for-nintendo-switch-2/

https://thegameslayer.com/news/ubisoft-talent-drain-allergic-new-ideas/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/assassins-creed-hexe-director-clint-hocking-has-left-ubisoft-as-part-of-franchise-upheaval/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/we-missed-the-mark-discord-is-delaying-global-age-verification-until-its-improved-the-process/

https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/court-filings/new-york-v-valve-corporation-complaint-2026.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_WNaso8A_w

Welcome to CrossGen Friends! In this episode, Joe La Russa and Byron Miller discuss changes to the XBox org, their history with voice chat (RIP Discord?), the Pragmata demo, Donkey Kong Bananza, and nearly the end of DQVII Reimagined.

Show Links:

https://www.ign.com/articles/phil-spencer-retiring-sarah-bond-out-matt-booty-promoted-as-microsoft-ai-exec-asha-sharma-named-new-xbox-boss-exclusive

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-15/rampant-ai-demand-for-memory-is-fueling-a-growing-chip-crisis

https://www.pcmag.com/news/memory-shortage-could-raise-switch-2-price-delay-playstation-6

https://wccftech.com/western-digital-has-no-more-hdd-capacity-left-out/

https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/handheld-gaming/valve-confirms-steam-deck-is-out-of-stock-due-to-memory-and-storage-shortages-supply-of-popular-gaming-handheld-in-trouble-because-of-massive-ai-demand

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/storage/phison-ceo-thinks-nand-shortages-could-shut-down-entire-consumer-electronics-companies-in-2026-claims-at-least-one-foundry-demands-three-year-cash-payment-upfront

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-is-shutting-down-bluepoint-developer-of-demons-souls-remake/

https://www.tweaktown.com/news/110139/more-diablo-2-expansions-possible-blizzard-will-use-reign-of-the-warlock-to-gauge-interest/index.html

Welcome to CrossGen Friends! In this episode, Joe La Russa and Byron Miller discuss what is maybe the best State of Play ever but definitely the best in recent years, more loving on DQVII Reimagined, and a chat on non-gaming hobbies!

Intro music created by Jack Miller!

News Story Links:

https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/remedys-new-ceo-is-a-former-sports-betting-guy-and-ea-executive-who-aims-to-scale-remedy-in-a-way-that-builds-lasting-value/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/capcom-confirms-it-will-reveal-a-large-scale-monster-hunter-wilds-expansion-this-summer/

https://www.ign.com/articles/sega-admits-acquisition-of-angry-birds-maker-rovio-hasnt-worked-as-planned-blames-rapidly-changing-and-competitive-mobile-market

Welcome to CrossGen Friends! In this episode, Joe La Russa and Byron Miller discuss the recent Nintendo Direct, Jeffrey Epstein's ties to microtransactions, Dragon Quest VII, and IRL vs. Internet friends.

Intro music created by Jack Miller!

Show Links:

https://fandomwire.com/jeffrey-epstein-reportedly-had-a-major-hand-in-making-call-of-duty-series-a-microtransaction-hell/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/epic-games-store-boss-says-it-plans-to-be-on-the-next-xbox-console-on-day-one/

https://store.steampowered.com/news/group/45479024/view/625565405086220583

Welcome to CrossGen Friends! In this episode, Joe La Russa and Byron Miller discuss the recently granted Sony controller patent, Joe waxes poetic about Solasta: Crown of the Magister, and Byron explains his inverse opinion of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle!

Intro music created by Jack Miller!

Welcome to CrossGen Friends! In this episode, Joe La Russa and Byron Miller chat about Ubisoft changes, Xbox Developer Connect, KCDC2 DLC, Supraland, games that need a new entry, and more!

Also, the crime of never seeing an Indiana Jones movie.

Welcome to CrossGen Friends! In this episode, Joe La Russa and Byron Miller both chat about playing the Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Demo, discuss ex-Bethesda designer Kurt Kuhlmann's interview with PC Gamer, GameStop closures, phone gaming, and more!

Intro music created by Jack Miller!

Welcome to CrossGen Friends! In this episode, Joe La Russa and Byron Miller discuss the upcoming Microsoft Developer Direct, a Ubisoft studio closure, and a leaked Life is Strange sequel! Plus, they dream about games they would like remade (despite Byron's anti-remake stance).

Intro music created by Jack Miller!

Welcome to CrossGen Friends! In this episode, Joe La Russa and Byron Miller discuss the rumored DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, discuss their favorite games of the year and games that should have more recognition, Joe finally finished Trails and talks Pirate Yakuza and make a few predictions for the games industry in 2026!

Intro music created by Jack Miller!