Genre Blender

Life had other plans this month. Kris and Rian ditch the episode notes and lean into the chaos, using their own unplanned episode as a jumping-off point to talk about what happens when you're a chronic planner and 2026 just won't slow down. In between, there's a detailed Read Watch Play (Rian miraculously finished a book, and there’s a farming sim that's eating Kris's soul), some stuff that’s Coming Right Up, and a Backlog Roulette spin. It's a laid-back one, but an honest one. Come hang.

💬 Join our Discord community! https://genreblender.net/discord

🌐 Reviews, essays, and more on our website: https://www.genreblender.net

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:49 Read, Watch, Play

36:18 Planning vs Vibing (main topic)

1:01:04 Coming Right Up

1:05:29 Backlog Roulette

1:08:59 Outro and web links

Read:

Vile Lady Villains https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/1428054a-07af-4064-aeeb-a174c8174833 

Outlander https://app.thestorygraph.com/series/111846 

Contact https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/dc4440f5-4b50-4c83-b45a-db313713bc01

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/ca6556da-2029-4fa8-a97c-12ddc65d050b

The Notebook https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/9c00cf97-6058-4d19-a825-ba986c83bda1

The Making of the Prince of Persia https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/f368747c-e078-4e0e-9a43-2840c018fb81 (and the blog post that lead Rian to it: https://domelian.substack.com/p/read-this-before-your-next-long-project )

Watch:

Memento - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/77-memento?language=en-AU

Devil Wears Prada 2 - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1314481-the-devil-wears-prada-2?language=en-AU 

Mother Mary - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1102883-mother-mary?language=en-AU 

Masters of the Universe - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/454639-masters-of-the-universe?language=en-AU 

Moonlight https://letterboxd.com/film/moonlight-2016/

The Boondock Saints https://letterboxd.com/film/the-boondock-saints/

The Pitt https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/250307-the-pitt

Masters of the Universe https://letterboxd.com/film/masters-of-the-universe-2026/

Play:

Coral Island - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1158160/Coral_Island/ 

The Last Gas Station - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3690030/The_Last_Gas_Station/ 

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist 

InKonbini https://store.steampowered.com/app/2723430/inKONBINI_One_Store_Many_Stories/

Vampire Survivors https://store.steampowered.com/app/1794680/Vampire_Survivors/

Vampire Crawlers https://store.steampowered.com/app/3265700/Vampire_Crawlers_The_Turbo_Wildcard_from_Vampire_Survivors/

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book https://store.nintendo.com.au/au/yoshi-and-the-mysterious-book.html

Star Fox https://store.nintendo.com.au/au/star-fox.html

Mixtape https://store.steampowered.com/app/2582320/Mixtape/

🔎 Where to find us

📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@genreblenderpodcast

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/genreblenderpodcast

🦋 BlueSky⁠ - https://bsky.app/profile/genreblender.net

🌐 Website - https://www.genreblender.net

👉🏼 Follow Kris

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/afictionalescapist

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/afictionalescapist/

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/afictionalescapist.bsky.social

👉🏼 Follow Rian

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rian.floyd

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/rianfloyd.com

Website - https://www.rianfloyd.com

Kris and Rian talk about one of gaming’s most beloved formats: open-world games. What makes them so immersive? Why do they often feel overwhelming? And why is it that sometimes the best thing a game can do is gently pretend it's not telling you what to do? It's a big conversation with plenty of opinions, and a healthy dose of Bethesda jank appreciation. Plus: our Read Watch Play lists, Coming Right Up, and Backlog Roulette.

💬 Join our Discord community! https://genreblender.net/discord

🌐 Reviews, essays, and more on our website: https://www.genreblender.net

0:00 Intro and episode overview

1:45 Read Watch Play

8:34 What we’ve been playing

16:05 Main Topic: Storytelling in open world-games

16:39 Defining open-world games

22:49 Our favourite open-world games

34:00 What we love: immersion & escapism

36:27 Creating your own stories

41:41 Exploration & freedom of choice

43:41 The downsides: overwhelm & quest fatigue

57:35 The Witcher problem and Bethesda jankiness

56:54 Non-linear vs. linear storytelling

1:08:07 Games we’re looking forward to

1:15:37 Coming Right Up

1:19:11 Backlog Roulette

1:24:46 Outro

Books: 

Demon Star https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/c7d399fd-543d-4ee9-9348-7a7ab2dc2c55

Together is a Distant Star https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/619b8744-6298-4845-9a16-9d689e74ac45 

Contact https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/dc4440f5-4b50-4c83-b45a-db313713bc01

Film/TV:

On Swift Horses https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1092506-on-swift-horses?language=en-AU

Companion https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1084199-companion

Six Feet Under https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/1274-six-feet-under 

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu 

Games:

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion https://store.steampowered.com/app/900883/The_Elder_Scrolls_IV_Oblivion_Game_of_the_Year_Edition_Deluxe_2009/

Bully https://store.steampowered.com/app/12200/Bully_Scholarship_Edition/

Fallout 4 https://store.steampowered.com/app/377160/Fallout_4/

L.A. Noire https://store.steampowered.com/app/110800/LA_Noire/

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey https://store.steampowered.com/app/812140/Assassins_Creed_Odyssey/

Yakuza 0 https://store.steampowered.com/app/2988580/Yakuza_0_Directors_Cut/

Cyberpunk 2077 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1091500/Cyberpunk_2077/

Ghost of Tsushima https://store.steampowered.com/app/2215430/Ghost_of_Tsushima_DIRECTORS_CUT/

Starfield https://store.steampowered.com/app/1716740/Starfield/

Mass Effect Legendary Edition https://store.steampowered.com/app/1328670/Mass_Effect_Legendary_Edition/

Fable https://store.steampowered.com/app/2769570/Fable/

Kingdoms of Amalur https://store.steampowered.com/app/102500/Kingdoms_of_Amalur_Reckoning/ 

Breath of the Wild https://www.nintendo.com/au/games/nintendo-switch/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild/?srsltid=AfmBOopFMbSarCY0gJA8y94fQuqZlCx4vjAK2CHi6ukMCArk1P2lPnET

Dinkum https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062520/Dinkum/

Windrose https://store.steampowered.com/app/3041230/Windrose/

Traveller’s Rest https://store.steampowered.com/app/1139980/Travellers_Rest/

Saint’s Row https://store.steampowered.com/app/742420/Saints_Row/

Crimson Desert https://store.steampowered.com/app/3321460/Crimson_Desert/ 

Dragon’s Dogma 2 https://store.steampowered.com/app/2054970/Dragons_Dogma_2/

Return to Moria https://store.steampowered.com/app/2933130/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_Return_to_Moria/

My Time at Sandrock https://store.steampowered.com/app/1084600/My_Time_at_Sandrock/

Enshrouded https://store.steampowered.com/app/1203620/Enshrouded/ 

Rise of the Tomb Raider https://store.steampowered.com/app/391220/Rise_of_the_Tomb_Raider/ 

Ananta https://www.anantagame.com

Neverness to Everness https://nte.perfectworld.com/en/

Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced https://store.steampowered.com/app/3751950/Assassins_Creed_Black_Flag_Resynced/

Star Wars: Outlaws https://store.steampowered.com/app/2842040/Star_Wars_Outlaws/

🔎 Where to find us

📺 YouTube

📸 Instagram

🦋 BlueSky⁠

🌐 Website

💬 Join our Discord community! https://genreblender.net/discord

🌐 Reviews, essays, and more on our website: https://www.genreblender.net

Kris and Rian are back with a packed episode after a hectic few weeks.

This month, we deep dive into the topic of re-reading: why we do it (or don’t), what we gain from returning to a book years later as a different person, and whether there’s still value in rereading when an AI can just summarise it for you.

We also have a full-to-the-brim Read Watch Play segment, share what we’re excited about in Coming Right Up, and spill the beans on what we thought of the Wheels of Chaos video game picks we made for each other from a couple of months back (it’s a wonder we’re still friends after that!). And, of course, we have some new Backlog Roulette spins for the coming month.

So strap in, people. This one’s a rollercoaster ride between serious and silly.

0:00 Intro

4:00 Read Watch Play

34:20 Re-reading (main topic)

1:07:16 Coming Right Up

1:10:57 Backlog Roulette (& Wheels of Chaos)

1:15:59 Where to find us

Mentioned in this episode:

Dreams of the Dying https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/437b0c11-9b2c-4c59-9827-4049b1184bf5

The Dead Zone https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/a4cfb63a-2477-479e-99ea-e1003ce107d5

Vile Lady Villains https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/1428054a-07af-4064-aeeb-a174c8174833

Mother Mary - https://letterboxd.com/film/mother-mary-2026/

The Silence of the Lambs - https://letterboxd.com/film/the-silence-of-the-lambs/

Hannibal - https://letterboxd.com/film/hannibal/ 

Deliver Me from Nowhere - https://letterboxd.com/film/springsteen-deliver-me-from-nowhere/

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey - https://letterboxd.com/film/a-big-bold-beautiful-journey/ 

Suffragette - https://letterboxd.com/film/suffragette/

Mary Queen of Scots - https://letterboxd.com/film/mary-queen-of-scots-2018/

The Friend - https://letterboxd.com/film/the-friend-2024/

The Bikeriders https://letterboxd.com/film/the-bikeriders/

Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter https://store.steampowered.com/app/3375780/Trails_in_the_Sky_1st_Chapter/

Late Shift https://store.steampowered.com/app/584980/Late_Shift/

Minishoot’ Adventures https://store.steampowered.com/app/1634860/Minishoot_Adventures/

Slay the Spire https://store.steampowered.com/app/646570/Slay_the_Spire/

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist https://store.steampowered.com/app/1148760/I_Was_a_Teenage_Exocolonist/

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series https://store.steampowered.com/app/1449690/The_Walking_Dead_The_Telltale_Definitive_Series/ 

Grimshire https://store.steampowered.com/app/2238470/Grimshire/

Neopets: Mega Mini Games Collection – The Neopian Arcade Odyssey https://store.steampowered.com/app/4244160/Neopets__Mega_Mini_Games_Collection__The_Neopian_Arcade_Odyssey/

I Am Future https://store.steampowered.com/app/1658040/I_Am_Future_Cozy_Apocalypse_Survival/

Starfield https://store.steampowered.com/app/1716740/Starfield/

🔎 Where to find us

📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@genreblenderpodcast

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/genreblenderpodcast

🦋 BlueSky⁠ - https://bsky.app/profile/genreblender.net

🌐 Website - https://www.genreblender.net

👉🏼 Follow Kris

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/afictionalescapist

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/afictionalescapist/

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/afictionalescapist.bsky.social

👉🏼 Follow Rian

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rian.floyd

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/rianfloyd.com

Website - https://www.rianfloyd.com

💬 Join our Discord community! https://genreblender.net/discord

🌐 Reviews, essays, and more on our website: https://www.genreblender.net

We're back! After a month off, Kris and Rian return to talk about why handheld gaming is having such a major moment right now. From the Steam Deck to the Switch 2, from retro emulation handhelds to PC gaming on-the-go, we explore what makes portable gaming so compelling in 2026. And, as always, we cover our Read Watch Play for the month, which was surprisingly jam-packed.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

2:46 - Read Watch Play

36:23 - Topic: Handheld Gaming

58:42 - Coming Right Up

1:04:29 - Backlog Roulette

1:07:05 - Wrap Up and Links

Read: 

Necessary Fiction https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/4443d9a7-010b-45b3-aaa7-bf31c4a26c98 

Bone of my Bone https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e5fd67ae-67d6-4817-964f-0a07c5b998e7 

Contact https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/dc4440f5-4b50-4c83-b45a-db313713bc01

The Call of the Wild https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/42ab7a3e-6bd3-4c83-8325-8fae765c3df4

Babel https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/c2245d9c-2042-4c9b-8f00-c37253576fc0

Watch: 

Heated Rivalry https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/301507-heated-rivalry?language=en-AU 

The Beauty https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/273160-the-beauty?language=en-AU 

Six Feet Under https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/1274-six-feet-under?language=en-AU  

The Bikeriders https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1008409-the-bikeriders?language=en-AU

The Silence of the Lambs https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/274-the-silence-of-the-lambs?language=en-AU 

Dexter: New Blood https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/131927-dexter-new-blood

Dexter: Resurrection https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/259909-dexter-resurrection

Pluribus https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/225171-pluribus

Play: 

Dredge https://store.steampowered.com/app/1562430/DREDGE/  

Windrose https://store.steampowered.com/app/3041230/Windrose/ 

Crimson Desert https://store.steampowered.com/app/3321460/Crimson_Desert/ 

Persona 5 Royal https://store.steampowered.com/app/1687950/Persona_5_Royal/

On-Together https://store.steampowered.com/app/3707400/OnTogether_Virtual_CoWorking/

Pokemon Pokopia https://pokopia.pokemon.com/en-us/

Replaced (demo) https://store.steampowered.com/app/1663850/REPLACED/

Why are all gaming handhelds huge now? - Brendon Bigley from Wavelengths (video) https://youtu.be/Pgd-5tBzZy8?si=ijawo2k0Zun7yUBU

🔎 Where to find us

📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@genreblenderpodcast

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/genreblenderpodcast

🦋 BlueSky⁠ - https://bsky.app/profile/genreblender.net

🌐 Website - https://www.genreblender.net

👉🏼 Follow Kris

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/afictionalescapist

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/afictionalescapist/

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/afictionalescapist.bsky.social

👉🏼 Follow Rian

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rian.floyd

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/rianfloyd.com

Website - https://www.rianfloyd.com

💬 Join our Discord community! https://genreblender.net/discord

🌐 Reviews, essays, and more on our website: https://www.genreblender.net

At least one of your favourite podcast hosts has been keeping a consistent writing schedule, so in this episode we share our writing habits and routines, current projects, writing environments, and tips and tricks to stay motivated and make real progress towards our creative writing goals.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Genre Blender without our usual segments: Read Watch Play (featuring everything from Speak No Evil to The Handmaid’s Tale), Coming Right Up for what we’re excited for in the coming months, and the introduction of the brand-new Wheels of Chaos for our Backlog Roulette segment!

Curious about what we’ve forced each other to read, watch, or play this time? Tune in to find out!

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:38 Read Watch Play

31:27 The Writer's Desk

56:37 Coming Right Up

1:01:05 Backlog Roulette

1:09:29 Where to find us

Books:

Notes of a Native Son https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/8b80b768-acab-4970-9379-aa59d3bc255f

Luminous https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/1f7bb53e-da74-4298-bb7a-d52eb3f5d40e

The Handmaid’s Tale https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/623a7568-a386-4f4f-acca-86f32897e064

Iron Widow https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/8f403954-2950-4903-bdc3-cecb460279e2 

Cephrael’s Hand https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/49b43f0a-24c2-4890-924a-25a32a16c455  

Dune https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/1ee3f05f-17bd-4cc1-bc6b-af353b97698a 

Bone of my Bone https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e5fd67ae-67d6-4817-964f-0a07c5b998e7 

Pillion https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1287141-pillion?language=en-AU 

The Beauty https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/273160-the-beauty?language=en-AU 

Movies/TV:

Stranger Things https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/66732-stranger-things

Star Trek: Discovery https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/67198-star-trek-discovery

Black Mirror https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/42009-black-mirror

Princess Mononoke https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/128

Apocalypse Now https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/28-apocalypse-now

Heartstopper https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/124834-heartstopper?language=en-AU 

Speak No Evil https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1114513-speak-no-evil?language=en-AU 

28 Days Later https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/170-28-days-later?language=en-AU

Games:

LEGO: Voyagers https://store.steampowered.com/app/1538550/LEGO_Voyagers/

Enshrouded https://store.steampowered.com/app/1203620/Enshrouded/

Saint’s Row https://store.steampowered.com/app/742420/Saints_Row/

I Am Future https://store.steampowered.com/app/1658040/I_Am_Future_Cozy_Apocalypse_Survival/

DREDGE https://store.steampowered.com/app/1562430/DREDGE/

🔎 Where to find us

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@genreblenderpodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/genreblenderpodcast

BlueSky⁠ - https://bsky.app/profile/genreblender.net

Website - https://www.genreblender.net

👉🏼 Follow Kris

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/afictionalescapist

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/afictionalescapist/

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/afictionalescapist.bsky.social

👉🏼 Follow Rian

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rian.floyd

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/rianfloyd.com

Website - https://www.rianfloyd.com

Join our Discord community! http://discord.genreblender.net

Sign up for more free content on our website: https://www.genreblender.net

In this special start-of-the-year episode, Kris and Rian deep-dive into their personal and creative themes, goals, and projects for 2026. They also cover a few big news items that happened over the last month, and discuss the books, movies, TV shows, and games that have captured their attention and hearts throughout December (ahem… let it be known there was absolutely no cramming to fit everything in before the year closed out). Kris surprises Rian by adding a little danger to Backlog Roulette, and the pair announce their buddy read for the first quarter of 2026.

How about you? We’d love to hear your themes, goals, or projects for 2026! Feel free to share them in the comments below.

We wish you all a happy and safe New Year!

0:00 Intro
2:10 The Newsstand
8:48 Read Watch Play
17:46 Main Topic: Themes, Goals and Projects for 2026
51:49 Backlog Roulette
55:35 Coming Right Up (buddy reads pick for Q1)
57:25 Connect with us

Read: 

Wuthering Heights https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/a72b94aa-4d4a-47dd-841b-583036ae006d

You've Lost a Lot of Blood https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/0076165b-dba2-49a6-8e15-2618bba670fb 

Run Like Hell https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/76f65c1f-c464-4153-8bec-65e27d2cb8c4

Level Apocalypse https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/97df550b-5bf8-471b-9312-7c713d40479b 

The Only Good Indians https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/79437676-42a1-4936-86ac-b885a7f33ac9

The Long Walk https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/65a4aeef-9821-48ef-914a-79fb8646ab83

This Skin Was Once Mine https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/fe204dee-e161-4a95-832b-e4fae34a49e9

Watch:

The Grand Budapest Hotel https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/120467-the-grand-budapest-hotel

All’s Fair https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/258742-all-s-fair

Heated Rivalry https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/301507-heated-rivalry

The Abandons https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/223300-the-abandons?language=en-AU

Play:

Enshrouded https://store.steampowered.com/app/1203620/Enshrouded/

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond https://store.nintendo.com.au/au/metroid-prime-4-beyond-nintendo-switch-2-edition.html

Skate Story https://store.steampowered.com/app/1263240/Skate_Story/

Dispatch https://store.steampowered.com/app/2592160/Dispatch/

Terminator 2D: NO FATE https://store.steampowered.com/app/1718460/Terminator_2D_NO_FATE/

Genre Blender on the web:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@genreblenderpodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/genreblenderpodcast

TikTok - http://tiktok.com/@genreblenderpodcast

⁠BlueSky⁠ - ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/genreblenderpodcast.com

Website - https://www.genreblender.net

Follow Kris and Rian:

Kris on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/afictionalescapist

Kris on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/afictionalescapist/

Kris on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/afictionalescapist.bsky.social

Rian on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rlfloyd

Rian on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/rianfloyd.com

A wolf-PACKED episode to celebrate the launch of Kris’s debut novel ALPHA with a spoiler-free interview with the author himself about writing, world-building, and the journey to becoming a published author. We also sift through a ton of gaming news to discuss a few of the biggest stories. Plus our Read Watch Play lists, what’s Coming Right Up, and the spin wheels are back for Backlog Roulette.

ALPHA (The Alpha Cycle, Book 1) Kindle Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLW6XHSB?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_D1QGKKV46QJDT7D29R05

ALPHA (The Alpha Cycle, Book 1) by K. D. Marchesi on The Storygraph https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/5a22ee4f-eb80-49fa-9064-692b2b0fcf87

Join our Discord community! http://discord.genreblender.net

Sign up for more free content on our website: https://www.genreblender.net

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:20 The Newsstand

14:19 Read Watch Play

34:37 Guest Spot: Interview with K. D. Marchesi

1:02:52: Coming Right Up

1:08:57 Backlog Roulette

1:11:42 Find us online

News:

Valve’s Steam Machine https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steammachine

Valve’s Steam Frame https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamframe

Valve’s Steam Controller https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamcontroller

BioWare’s N7 Day blog post https://blog.bioware.com/2025/11/07/n7-day-2025/

Zoopunk https://www.tigames.com/zoopunk

Alanah Pearce’s video about The Game Awards drama https://youtu.be/AYFAlImQR74?si=kRsqmLGbUSr3GBl-

Books:

Automatic Noodle https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/4932a31d-9ece-44a3-a9bf-0b0735976ced

City of Girls https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/4754905a-5f8a-491c-803a-bf315929c95f

Scorched Grace https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/4f3b1723-8342-4c9f-b1a6-4806b59791ae

Labyrinth's Heart https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/137d7922-09ae-418f-b844-12275db3d939

Triple Sec https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/f01fa561-3254-483f-96e0-ee0565323b30 

Level Apocalypse https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/97df550b-5bf8-471b-9312-7c713d40479b

City of Girls https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/4754905a-5f8a-491c-803a-bf315929c95f  

TV/Movies:

Wayward https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/255859-wayward

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/425274-now-you-see-me-now-you-don-t 

Red, White & Royal Blue https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/930094-red-white-royal-blue 

IT: Welcome to Derry https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/200875-it-welcome-to-derry 

All’s Fair https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/258742-all-s-fair 

Bring Her Back https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1151031-bring-her-back

Games:

Bloomtown: A Different Story https://store.steampowered.com/app/2445990/Bloomtown_A_Different_Story/ 

Grimshire https://store.steampowered.com/app/2238470/Grimshire/ 

Inn Tycoon https://store.steampowered.com/app/2749000/Inn_Tycoon/ 

ARC Raiders https://store.steampowered.com/app/1808500/ARC_Raiders/

Terminator 2D: NO FATE https://store.steampowered.com/app/1718460/Terminator_2D_NO_FATE/

Kingdoms of the Dump https://store.steampowered.com/app/2159270/Kingdoms_of_the_Dump/

Other Links:

Developmental Editor: Olivia Hofer

Genre Blender on the web:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@genreblenderpodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/genreblenderpodcast

TikTok - http://tiktok.com/@genreblenderpodcast

⁠BlueSky⁠ - ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/genreblenderpodcast.com

Website - https://www.genreblender.net

Follow Kris and Rian:

Kris on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/afictionalescapist

Kris on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/afictionalescapist/

Kris on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/afictionalescapist.bsky.social

Rian on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rlfloyd

Rian on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/rianfloyd.com

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The Genre Blender podcast has a new format, and Kris and Rian are excited to tell you all about it. The duo share their Read-Watch-Play updates and discuss some news after a hectic month. Stick around to the very end to see a brand new segment that should be as useful as it is entertaining.

00:00 Intro to new format

02:13 Updates

07:09 Read Watch Play

38:48 The Newsstand

1:00:07 Backlog Roulette

1:14:21 Outro and links

We’re Evolving! Upcoming Changes for Genre Blender - https://www.genreblender.net/were-evolving-upcoming-changes-for-genre-blender/

A Head Full of Ghosts https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/2a55e7e5-8eaf-478e-82cf-62f717654fb1

This Skin Was Once Mine https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/fe204dee-e161-4a95-832b-e4fae34a49e9

The Haunting of Hill House https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/cd81e978-d1dd-487b-ae20-1a16a63c425c

The Pallbearers Club https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/13845c2c-b586-490a-a8b4-1d164e02814d

Dark Bloom https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/1217ace1-c7dd-43f7-aa3f-6b609b13eb5f

Everything the Darkness Eats https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/358e9c7e-b767-4b32-8dde-415845fed7cb

EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/74d10555-2ae2-4683-86a3-47d4db4bbda9

Queen of Faces https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/898a134e-3df2-46f1-9c41-44fbc68ba04a

Dune https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/438631-dune

Thunderbolts https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/986056-thunderbolts

The Hunting Wives https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/244447-the-hunting-wives

Now You See Me https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/75656-now-you-see-me

Now you See Me 2 https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/291805-now-you-see-me-2

In the Lost Lands https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/324544-in-the-lost-lands

Welcome to Derry https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/200875-it-welcome-to-derry

Wayward https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/255859-wayward

Frankenstein https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1062722-frankenstein

Pokemon Legends Z-A https://store.nintendo.com.au/au/pokemon-legends-z-a.html

Travellers Rest https://store.steampowered.com/app/1139980/Travellers_Rest/

Habbo Hotel Origins https://origins.habbo.com

Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition https://fallout.bethesda.net/en/article/N00XVTawnzBBH7HNwv0hN/fallout-4-anniversary-edition-announced

Neopets mini games collection https://portal.neopets.com/news/oct23-neopets-mega-mini-games-collection-reveal

Dispatch https://store.steampowered.com/app/2592160/Dispatch/

The Outer Worlds 2 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1449110/The_Outer_Worlds_2/

Rue Valley https://store.steampowered.com/app/2126190/Rue_Valley/

Pigface Bookstore in Perth CBD https://perthisok.com/lifestyle/pigface-bookstore-perth/

Episode of MinnMax podcast with guest Jason Schreier to explain the EA requisition (1:30:27) https://youtu.be/se-CQM_rXwM?si=drCfRuN1oQK78uW9

Signourney Weaver on the 50-pages of movie script and her meeting with Disney https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alien-star-sigourney-weaver-has-met-with-disney-1236397969/

Genre Blender on the web:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@genreblenderpodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/genreblenderpodcast

TikTok - http://tiktok.com/@genreblenderpodcast

⁠BlueSky⁠ - ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/genreblenderpodcast.com

Website - https://www.genreblender.net

Follow Kris and Rian:

Kris on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/afictionalescapist

Kris on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/afictionalescapist/

Kris on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/afictionalescapist.bsky.social

Rian on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rlfloyd

Rian on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/rianfloyd.com

Kris and Rian get a healthy dose of nostalgia in this gaming-focused episode with a discussion about retro gaming, emulation, and gaming handhelds.

Be one of the first to join our Discord community! http://discord.genreblender.net

Check out our website: https://www.genreblender.net

00:00 Intro and announcement

02:27 Read Watch Play

14:32 Intro to main topic: retro gaming

14:54 What is retro gaming?

21:59 Is there a resurgence in retro games?

32:46 What retro game devices do we use?

49:54 The retro gaming scene is not just for millennials

54:08 Speculation time

58:17 Outro and links

Books and games mentioned:

Boudicca’s Daughter https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/efe69962-7e30-4f08-9fce-e98f8cb68acc 

EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/74d10555-2ae2-4683-86a3-47d4db4bbda9

AI: The Somnium Files https://store.steampowered.com/app/948740/AI_The_Somnium_Files/

Earthbound https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EarthBound

Trails in the Sky: First Chapter https://store.steampowered.com/app/3375780/Trails_in_the_Sky_1st_Chapter/

The Touryst https://store.steampowered.com/app/1796410/The_Touryst/

Hades II https://store.steampowered.com/app/1145350/Hades_II/

Grimshire https://store.steampowered.com/app/2238470/Grimshire/ 

Articles and YouTube channels mentioned:

Addicted to nostalgia | abc.net.au https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-14/how-retro-video-games-obsolete-collectors-items/105331068

Team Retro https://www.youtube.com/@TeamRetro/videos

Why are younger generations embracing the retro game revival? | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/apr/02/why-are-younger-generations-embracing-the-retro-game-revival

Retro Game Corps https://www.youtube.com/@RetroGameCorps

Miyoo Mini (and Miyoo Mini Plus) Starter Guide (Retro Game Corps) https://retrogamecorps.com/2022/05/15/miyoo-mini-v2-guide/

Anbernic RG35XX Family Starter Guide (Retro Game Corps) https://retrogamecorps.com/2024/06/07/anbernic-rg35xx-family-starter-guide/

Guide: Shaders and Overlays on Retro Handhelds (Retro Game Corps) https://retrogamecorps.com/2024/09/01/guide-shaders-and-overlays-on-retro-handhelds/

Follow us:

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Kris on Bluesky

Rian on Instagram

Rian on Bluesky

Genre Blender on the web:

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⁠BlueSky⁠

Website

What’s better than curling up with a good book on a chilly day? Why, becoming a bookseller and moving to the seaside with your tiny bookshop, of course! Kris and Rian played several hours of the latest cozy gaming phenomenon and, as usual, they have some thoughts.

Be one of the first to join our Discord community! http://discord.genreblender.net

Check out our website: https://www.genreblender.net

Tiny Book Shop - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2133760/Tiny_Bookshop/

Books

Leviathan Wakes: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/c83664bb-15bf-4404-b896-af6bbb0cfc18

Those Left Behind: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/d482b2d7-e672-4e9d-a7bf-3e168de41968

The Stand https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/434e6801-21e5-4784-b3af-1b939a452380

EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/74d10555-2ae2-4683-86a3-47d4db4bbda9

Movies / TV Shows

Conclave - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/974576-conclave

Nosferatu - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/426063-nosferatu 

A Complete Unknown - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/661539-a-complete-unknown 

Battle of the Sexes - https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/369192-battle-of-the-sexes 

The Hunting Wives - https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/244447-the-hunting-wives

Alien: Earth https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/157239-alien-earth

Star Wars: Andor https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/83867-andor

Games

Pokemon FireRed https://pokemondb.net/firered-leafgreen 

World End Diner https://store.steampowered.com/app/1647190/World_End_Diner/

Earthbound https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EarthBound

Jetpack Joyride https://www.halfbrick.com/games/jetpack-joyride-classic

Canabalt https://canabalt.com

Flappy Bird https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flappy_Bird

Unpacking https://store.steampowered.com/app/1135690/Unpacking/

Neko Atsume https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neko_Atsume

Power Wash Simulator https://store.steampowered.com/app/1290000/PowerWash_Simulator/

House Flipper https://store.steampowered.com/app/613100/House_Flipper/

AFK Journey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFK_Journey

Farmville https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FarmVille

Animal Crossing: New Horizons https://animalcrossing.nintendo.com/new-horizons/

Intro music: Heatwave by Bransboynd https://pixabay.com/users/bransboynd-51721546/

Follow us

Kris on YouTube

Kris on Instagram

Kris on Bluesky

Rian on Instagram

Rian on Bluesky

Genre Blender on the web

YouTube

Instagram

TikTok

⁠BlueSky⁠