Episode 216

Microsoft has laid off over 9000 employees, heavily crippling and outright killing some of their Xbox studios. Today, we discuss this tragic layoff, examining the ramifications for Xbox and where this leaves them in the broader games industry landscape. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter 4U, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

6:21 - Microsoft Layoffs and AI Ambitions

12:51 - Perfect Dark Canceled and The Initiative Closed

17:46 - Everwild Canceled and Rare Crippled

28:29 - Project Blackbird Canceled

32:55 - John Romero's New Game Canceled and Turn 10 Cut Down

38:53 - Halo and Call of Duty Studios Have Layoffs

53:59 - Monster Hunter 4U, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, and Monster Hunter Wilds

1:05:55 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

1:18:32 - Streamer Support for Texas Flooding

Episode 215

Games like Phasmophobia, Lethal Company, and most recently, Peak, are indie projects with proximity chat-based multiplayer that seem to go viral thanks to the unpredictable and hilarious nature of playing these games with your friends. Today, we dive into these "friendlike" games and discuss what makes them tick, and why they seem to do numbers that punch way above their weight. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Monster Hunter Wilds, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33). This episode was recorded in July 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

Apologies for the slight audio syncing issues and lack of video - there were some technical hitches with this week's recording.

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

7:52 - "Friendlikes"

41:30 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

1:03:48 - Monster Hunter Wilds

1:15:41 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Episode 214

We're back after a three week hiatus, and there is much to discuss! Between Summer Games Fest and PlayStation and Xbox's showcases, there are a slew of games that caught our eye. This is also the first episode released after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, so we dive deep into our first impressions with the new console and discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Mario Kart World, Pokémon Scarlet, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, PEAK, The Headliners). This episode was recorded in June 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

4:07 - Summer Games Fest Highlights

17:24 - State of Play Highlights

29:02 - Xbox Showcase Highlights

42:20 - Nintendo Switch 2 Impressions

1:01:39 - Mario Kart World

1:15:32 - Pokémon Scarlet

1:22:48 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

1:27:34 - PEAK

1:30:57 - The Headliners

Episode 213

Once in a generation, a video game comes along that reminds the industry what a game can be - a magnificent synthesis of art, technology, and passion that can have a profound effect on the player. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of those video games, and it is our privilege to discuss this masterpiece today. We discuss the game in its entirety, spoilers and all. This episode was recorded in June 2025. Intro and outro music composed by Lorien Testard and owned by Sandfall Interactive.

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

5:42 - SPOILERS - Discussing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Episode 212

Game sharing has evolved drastically over the years, from handing your buddies cartridges and discs to sharing digital games on Steam and Switch 2. Today, we discussed how game sharing has evolved over the years, and share some fun personal anecdotes about sharing games with friends. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Monster Hunter Wilds). This episode was recorded in May 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

3:33 - Game Sharing On Switch 2 vs Steam

15:43 - Anticipating Mario Kart on Switch 2

22:08 - Sharing Physical Games

34:00 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

57:00 - Monster Hunter Wilds

Episode 211

After years of gobbling up studios and feeding the Gamepass machine, Xbox is presently firing on all cylinders. Looking ahead, rumors are afoot about the next generation Xbox console integrating tightly with Steam. Today, we discuss these rumors and analyze the present state of Xbox. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter Wilds, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Doom: The Dark Ages). This episode was recorded in May 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

6:24 - Next Gen Xbox/Steam Rumors

30:34 - The Current State of Xbox

47:43 - Monster Hunter Wilds

56:30 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

1:10:31 - Doom: The Dark Ages

Episode 210

We PC players have many accoutrements that complement our machine. Today, we talk about the various accessories that enhance our PC experience, such as our desks, chairs, speakers, monitors, and more! As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Monster Hunter Wilds). This episode was recorded in May 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and Bluesky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

5:38 - Desk, Chair, and Sound Setups

21:07 - Monitors, Controllers, and Keyboard + Mouse

36:17 - Other Stuff On Our Desks

46:44 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

1:07:25 - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

1:09:58 - Monster Hunter Wilds

Episode 209

Emulation has become a well-used tool for seasoned video game players to enjoy older games - what are our thoughts on emulation, and how has it changed over the years? Today, we discuss our relationship with emulation and emulated games. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter World, Monster Hunter Wilds, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33). This episode was recorded in May 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

2:16 - Our Thoughts On Emulation

34:26 - Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Wilds

45:56 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Episode 208

Growing up gaming over the years, we have been through many memorable console and game launches. Today, we look back at some of the standout launches over the years and swap stories of how we obtained our precious toys. We also talk about how we successfully procured a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order, and the stresses associated with that process. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33). This episode was recorded in April 2025. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase ([email protected]).

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

4:24 - How We Pre-Ordered Switch 2

17:17 - Our Console Launch Stories

37:34 - Memorable Game Launches

50:04 - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

53:34 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Episode 207

Surprise! A remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was announced and dropped out of the blue! We all purchased the game and were immediately transported to a nostalgic, happier time. In today's episode, we discuss how Virtuos completely nailed remaking Oblivion, and share both past and current anecdotes with this timeless game. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Blue Prince, Monster Hunter World). This episode was recorded in April 2025. Intro and outro music composed by Jeremy Soule and owned by Bethesda Softworks.

Questions or comments? Check us out on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and BlueSky at @PodcastGametalk

Or chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

4:15 - Discussing the Oblivion Remake

52:42 - Blue Prince

1:12:21 - Monster Hunter World