Digital Downtime

The gaming landscape is shifting fast, and this week we’re diving into the industry’s biggest headlines and what they mean for players and platforms alike:

• Switch 2 Delayed? The games press will not be receiving Nintendo Switch 2 consoles until just before it comes out
• GTA VI’s 2026 Impact: With Rockstar’s juggernaut on the horizon, we explore how its launch could dominate the year, reshape sales charts, and squeeze out competitors.
• Call of Duty Hits Game Pass: Microsoft made the bold move — but is it paying off? We analyze early engagement metrics, potential subscription boosts, and what this means for future AAA releases.
• Gears of War: Reloaded Coming to PlayStation? In a surprise twist, Xbox’s iconic franchise is heading to Sony’s platform. What does this mean for platform exclusivity and the future of first-party IPs?

It is a packed episode full of speculation, analysis, and bold predictions for the rest of 2025. Tune in!

The hype train keeps rolling — or maybe slowing — as GTA VI Trailer 2 lands with new footage, fan theories, and a confirmed release date. In this episode, we break down every detail from the latest trailer: new characters, story teases, gameplay hints, and why some fans are worried about a 2026 release window.

We also take a trip down memory lane, ranking Rockstar Games' all-time best titles — from the cultural phenomenon of GTA V to the emotional weight of Red Dead Redemption 2 and the chaotic brilliance of Bully and Manhunt.

Has Rockstar peaked, or is GTA VI set to redefine the open-world genre again? Tune in as we unpack the past, present, and future of one of gaming’s most influential studios.

This week, we’re unpacking a wave of unsettling news rocking the gaming world.

• Layoffs at Giant Bomb and Polygon: Two of gaming’s most iconic editorial voices have been hit with significant cuts. What does this mean for the future of games journalism?
• Xbox Price Increases: Microsoft is raising prices on its first-party games and hardware in some regions — we break down what’s changing, and why it’s happening now.
• The Decline of Gaming Media: From shrinking ad revenue to the rise of influencers, we look at the broader trends putting traditional outlets under pressure.
• Plus: Expedition 33's success and on this week's "Have you played this?" we look at Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

It is a sobering but essential episode as we explore where the industry — and its coverage — is heading.

2025 has barely started, and already the Game of the Year race is heating up! In this episode, we dive deep into three standout titles that are setting the tone for an incredible year in gaming.

• Split Fiction: A mind-bending narrative adventure that challenges players to navigate dual realities and make impossible choices.
• Clair Obscure: Expedition 33: A hauntingly beautiful RPG blending surreal visuals with strategic, turn-based action — and one of the most stylish combat systems we’ve seen in years.
• Blue Prince: A mysterious, procedurally unfolding game where architecture, puzzle-solving, and dark fairy-tale vibes collide.

We’ll break down what makes each of these games special, how they're pushing the medium forward, and where they might stand by the end of the year.

Plus: Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders go crazy and we look at a beloved RPG that recently got remastered in this week's "Have you played this?"

Digital Downtime is back and I got a juicy episode for y'all. Nintendo finally pulled back the curtain on the Switch 2, and it's pricey?

🔥 What’s inside the new console? 🎮 Which games are launching with it? 💸 How much will it cost — and is it worth it? I have thoughts, hot takes, and just a little hype.

"Have you played this?" also returns with this week's episode focusing on Far Cry 3.

This week's episode looks at Naughty Dog's highly anticipated standalone online project of TLOU being canceled, the unfortunate mega leak for Insomniac Games, and Bobby Kotick's resignation and what that means for Xbox and Activision Blizzard moving forward.

We are looking at all the winners and announcements from The Game Awards 2023.

Dissecting the GTA 6 trailer that dropped earlier this week, Naughty Dog's output for the current PS5 generation, and on this week's "Have you played this?" we look at an underrated open-world game based on a famous IP.

In episode 2 we discuss the 2024 release window for Xbox first-party titles, which is poised to be a strong year for the brand if everything is released as expected. We also discuss Phil Spencer's comments about Xbox potentially leaving the gaming landscape by 2027, if Game Pass targets are not met, and on this weeks, "Have you played this?", we look at a forgotten platformer released on the original Xbox.

In the debut episode of Digital Downtime, we discuss the 2023 nominees for the game awards, with an in-depth conversation about the GOTY nominees. In the " Did you play this?" segment, we talk about Spawn: Armageddon, a hidden-gem hack-and-slash game from the PS2 era.