Gaming Tavern Podcast

Jamie and Ross pull up a stool to talk about the two biggest stories hanging over console gaming right now.

First up, Sony. From January 2028, new games on PlayStation will be released on the PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only. Sony has since defended the decision on an earnings call and confirmed that code-in-a-box releases will carry on, so you’ll still see boxes on shelves, just with nothing inside but a download code. We get into what that means for trading, lending, resale and preservation, whether the PS6 ships without a disc drive, and whether the petition and fan backlash will move Sony at all.

Then Xbox. Asha Sharma told staff “Our business today is not healthy” as Xbox launched its biggest restructure ever, cutting roughly 3,200 jobs and moving four well-known studios to new ownership. Is Microsoft quietly walking away from consoles, and does it even matter if Game Pass and PC are where the money is now?

Are you still buying physical? Would you buy a console with no disc drive? Tell us in the comments.

#Xbox #Gaming #GamePass #Playstation #Nintendo #Switch

It's just over half way through 2026, and so it's high time for AJ and Jamie to get back together and discuss the year so far in gaming. From their picks of the crop so far, to some of the ups and downs in the news, this 3 hour conversation covers it all!

Music courtesy of Gunnar Olsen via YouTube. Check out his work here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfUONX10JVYdKmVurlr4ZqgExtra Music Credits:Tokyo Music Walker - Way Home is under a YouTube Free license. / @tokyomusicwalker4038 Music powered by BreakingCopyright: • 🍂 [Copyright Free Chill Background Music] ... 🔎 Find more music here: https://breakingcopyright.comSteffen Daum - Goodbye My Dear is under a YouTube Free license.Music powered by BreakingCopyright: • 'Goodbye My Dear' by @SteffenDaum 🇩🇪 | Ca... 🔎 Find more music here: https://breakingcopyright.comNeutrin05 - Kingdom is under a Creative Commons BY-NC 3.0 license.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... / @neutrin05 Music powered by BreakingCopyright: • Sad Dubstep Music (No Copyright) 🔎 Find more music here: https://breakingcopyright.comMBB - Feel Good is under a Creative Commons BY-NC 3.0 license.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... / mbbmusic Music powered by BreakingCopyright: • [Non Copyrighted Music] MBB - Feel Good [T... 🔎 Find more music here: https://breakingcopyright.comLakey Inspired - Blue Boi is under a Creative Commons BY-NC 3.0 license.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... / lakeyinspired Music powered by BreakingCopyright: • [Non Copyrighted Music] Lakey Inspired - B... 🔎 Find more music here: https://breakingcopyright.comArtificial.Music - Nighttime Stroll is under a Creative Commons BY 3.0 license.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... / @smarttoaster Music powered by BreakingCopyright: • [No Copyright Music] Artificial.Music - Ni... 🔎 Find more music here: https://breakingcopyright.comPurrple Cat - Warm Horizon is under a Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0 license.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... / purrplecatmusic Music powered by BreakingCopyright: • 🍷 Lofi Chillhop Music (Copyright Free) - "... 🔎 Find more music here: https://breakingcopyright.comQlowdy - Night Waves. Link: hypeddit.com/qlowdy/nightwavesMusic powered by BreakingCopyright: • 🎵 Background (Royalty Free Music) - "NIGHT... 🔎 Find more music here: https://breakingcopyright.comPyrosion - Light Finds A Way is under a Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0 license.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... / @pyrosionmusic8562 Music powered by BreakingCopyright: • 🕯️ Timelapse & Electronic (Royalty Free Mu... 🔎 Find more music here: https://breakingcopyright.com

This week, Jamie dives solo into the recent GDC news regarding the future of Xbox in Project Helix. While it may be early days, there is still a few sneak peeks in the talk that show promise for Xbox going forward.We are Gaming Tavern, a bi-weekly podcast where we discuss the latest in gaming news, gameplay, and more. On alternate weeks we live stream a game for the crew to play together, be it co-op or competitive. If you like what we do, consider following us and subscribing, we really appreciate it!

*re-upload to fix the audio issues*

Good hello!

Our review of Capcom's excellent Resident Evil Requiem is live on the site now - https://www.xboxtavern.com/resident-evil-requiem-pc-review/ - but would you look at that; here it is in audio form too!!

We'll be back with regular podcasting every other Sunday at 8pm (ISSSHHHH), so see you then!

Good hello!

Our review of Capcom's excellent Resident Evil Requiem is live on the site now - https://www.xboxtavern.com/resident-evil-requiem-pc-review/ - but would you look at that; here it is in audio form too!!

We'll be back with regular podcasting every other Sunday at 8pm (ISSSHHHH), so see you then!

Gaming Tavern Podcast Episode 195th - Join the crew as they discuss the week in Gaming!

This week we also break down the latest Sony State of Play — including Silent Hill: Townfall, Resident Evil Requiem, 007 First Light, and Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2. What stood out, what surprised us, and what we’re most excited to play.Which reveal was your favourite — and what game are you most hyped for next? Drop it in the comments!

3:26 - Opening Game

15:24 - Ross's Game of the Week: Cairn (https://www.xboxtavern.com/cairn-pc-review/)

22:55 - Ian's Game of the Week: Arc Raiders

27:15 - Graham's Game of the Week: Octopath Traveller 0

30:15 - Jamie's Game of the Week: Romeo is a Dead Man (https://www.xboxtavern.com/romeo-is-a-dead-man-review/)

36:08 - https://critrate.io/ - Join the Gamer Community, play games, and join paid playtests!

38:50 - PlayStation State of Play

1:00:00 - MPV Graham's Best Pull of the Week

Join the crew as they discuss the week in Gaming!On the agenda this week:

Fable looking incredible; our thoughts after the Developer_Direct; Octopath Traveller 0 still winning us over; and a short quiz inspired by IGN's Game Scoop!

Find us on Xbox Tavern or Gaming Tavern for more reviews, opinions, and gameplay streams!

We're back, and ready to chat all things gaming as 2026 kicks off with a bang!

In this episode we detail a few changes to the shows format, play our new opening game segment, and discuss some of the games we've been playing over the Xmas break.

We'll be back in podcasting form every two weeks - with a gameplay stream on the alternate weeks - so let us know what you think of the new format, and what you're looking forward to this year :-)

Game of the Year Time again, and now it's Ross in the hot seat as he details his favourite games of 2025. Will his picks align with yours? Check out the video to find out!00:00 Start

02:20: Honourable Mention One: Helldivers 2 (Xbox)

06:38: Honourable Mention Two: Rematch

10:27: Honourable Mention Three: Borderlands 4

15:27: Honourable Mention Four: Pokémon Legends Z-A

23:38: Ross' Game of the Year!

Game of the Year Time again, and now it's Ross in the hot seat as he details his favourite games of 2025. Will his picks align with yours? Check out the video to find out!00:00 Start

02:20: Honourable Mention One: Helldivers 2 (Xbox)

06:38: Honourable Mention Two: Rematch

10:27: Honourable Mention Three: Borderlands 4

15:27: Honourable Mention Four: Pokémon Legends Z-A

23:38: Ross' Game of the Year!