Hot Button

Come join the crew in watching the 2001 action-adventure blockbuster hit starring Angelina Jolie! And trust us when I say that you won’t want to take on this task alone… because this film sucks! Weak characterization, sloppy editing, and poor cinematography are only the start of this dud. But don’t worry, our audio track is here to spice things up and save you from utter chaos! Then you’ll have all the context ya need for when we dig into its full production on the next episode. Stay tuned!

We got a fresh batch of weird little stories for the pod this week as we discuss the tangled web of digital music licensing, interactive cures to fight real world disease, and what happens when a public wedding proposal inside of a popular video game goes awry.

And we’re back with our deep dive through the Valve timeline! This week we take a step into the realm of virtual reality as well as explore the mega company’s most recent success following the release of their SteamDeck handheld series!

Today we dig into Valve Software’s big foray into not only developing their in house operating system, but also their very own home hardware. Everything from the Steam Link, to the Steam Controller, to the Steam Machine and everything in between!

What do you get when you combine a brand new retro-style system, a botched crowdfunding campaign, and a bunch of tricksters? Why you get the Coleco Chameleon of course! The cartridge based home console that never was, from a team now only known for their deceptive attempt to fool a demographic who was all well too informed to fall for it.

Ten years ago, the popularity and drama of the silly little mobile app Flappy Bird was inescapable. On this episode we investigate its suspicious origins, controversies, bizarre release and unrelease, the ensuing wave of copycats, as well as find out what happens when a creator is tormented by his very own invention.

It’s a good ol’ fashioned reality show nightmare this week as we dig into the time America’s favorite soft drink sponsored a gaming television program full of popular faces and yet, production failed so hard that it never even made it to air!

This week John Romero is about to make you his bitch as we explore the troubled development and release of one of the largest high profile blunders ever to grace our industry. So join us as we hop back to the optimistic days of the mid 1990s and show you just where this epic sci-fi FPS, created by some of the biggest names in games, went horribly wrong.

We’re back with our second and final part on the best (and worst) of 2023! Why not celebrate Valentine’s Day by listening to us argue four more awards categories, including… Biggest Surprise, Most Disappointing, Worst Game, and of course a ranked top 10 of the Best of the Best!

With 2024 now upon us, what do you say we take a look back and discuss our top releases of last year. This week we kick it off with awards for Best Aesthetic, Best Narrative, Best Character, and Best Moment! Be sure to return for the remaining categories in Part 2 of 2 coming soon! Note - There will be story spoilers during certain conversations and we will label where to skip ahead in the time codes below.