Need A Rez

THIS WEEK: Halo and Destiny co-creator Jason Jones launches Stone Kite, Stop Killing Games sounds the alarm on the EU Kids Act, and the panel digs through the Fall 2026 Steam Sale. Plus, Samikat kicks off Need A Rec, our new monthly game club, with Otterly Lost, and we get into Gears of War: E-Day, Control Resonant, War Dogs and Pratfall.

| SOURCES |

Kotaku - Advocacy Group Stop Killing Games Sounds Alarm On EU Kids Act: 'This Is Such A Horrible Law Proposal' by Lewis Parker

IGN - Jason Jones, Co-Creator of Halo and Destiny and Co-Founder of Bungie, Announces New Studio by Ryan McCaffrey

Kotaku - Fall 2026 Steam Sale Features So Many Great Games For $15 Or Less by Zack Zwiezen

Need a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPod

Visit our website: https://needarez.com

Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpod

Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.com

RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xml

Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg

Follow EpicDan: https://linktr.ee/epicdan22

Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplays

Follow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.social

The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomez

THIS WEEK: Activision is handed the keys to the Halo franchise as Halo Studios. Plus, Bungie pledges to restore vaulted Destiny 2 content and improve Marathon. Join Danfinity, BonafideHiro, Samikat, Eseipha & special guest IllPhysics as they break down the news of this week!

| SOURCES |

Kotaku - Activision Taking Over Halo Franchise And What Remains Of Halo Studios Will Now Be A Support Team by Zach Zwiezen

PC Gamer - Bethesda says that Obsidian's 'creative identity' will be preserved, just months after multiple projects were cancelled and it was told to make a Fallout game by Harvey Randall

GamesIndustry.biz - Microsoft files patent for "ad-credit" system to show ads on PC and Xbox without disrupting gameplay by Sophie McAvoy

Game Informer - Bungie Announces Plans To Restore Vaulted Destiny 2 Content And Substantial Reworks To Marathon by Marcus Stewart

Need a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPod

Visit our website: https://needarez.com

Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpod

Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.com

RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xml

Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg

Follow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.social

Follow Eseipha: https://bsky.app/profile/eseipha.bsky.social

Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplays

Follow IllPhysics: https://twitch.tv/illphysics

The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomez

THIS WEEK: Danfinity is back from PAX West and welcomes back the full panel to talk about the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Nintendo Direct, BlizzCon 2026's MAJOR Starcraft and Diablo announcements, and Kojima's Physint jumping ship from Sony's PlayStation over to Xbox!

| SOURCES |

PC Gamer - BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony recap and live blog Tyler Wide: https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/news/live/blizzcon-2026-opening-ceremony-live-coverage-whats-next-for-warcraft-overwatch-diablo-and-starcraft/

Nintendo - The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct 9.8.2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0WX-jsir94

Nintendo - Nintendo Direct 9.9.2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_QJ4BYIGME

GamesIndustry.biz - PlayStation allegedly had "concerns over budget, potential profitability, and exclusivity" over Kojima Productions' Physint by Sophie McEvoy: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/playstation-allegedly-had-concerns-over-budget-potential-profitability-and-exclusivity-over-kojima-productions-physint

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Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPod

Visit our website: https://needarez.com

Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpod

Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.com

Listen and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xml

Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg

Follow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.social

Follow EpicDan: https://linktr.ee/epicdan22

Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplays

Follow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.social

The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomez

THIS WEEK: Danfinity, Samikat, BonafideHiro and Tiddly break down Gamescom 2026's avalanche of reveals (Fable, a surprise Witcher 3 DLC, and a fairytale horror game called Murals) before digging into Rockstar's 30-minute extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI.

| SOURCES |

Gamescom 2026: https://www.gamescom.global/en/games

Rockstar Games — Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJbzMqJGH4k

Need a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPod

Visit our website: https://needarez.com

Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpod

Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51utOpaycri2x7WotgVlFX?si=3e44fadce31945d0

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/need-a-rez/id1638939545

PocketCasts: https://pca.st/iczgzkt1 RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xml

Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg

Follow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.social

Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplays

Follow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.social

The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomez

THIS WEEK: Danfinity and Tiddly break down this week's biggest gaming story: the CyberLeek's ongoing GTA 6 leaks and Take-Two's legal scramble to shut them down. We also unpack BioWare's uncertain future after EA's $55 billion buyout, immersive sim veteran Harvey Smith's new studio, and Success for Double Fine & Compulsion Games post Microsoft.

| SOURCES |

IGN - GTA 6 Leaker Releases More Gameplay Videos Despite Rockstar Owner Take-Two's Microsoft and Discord Subpoenas by Wesley Yin-Poole

IGN - Mass Effect 5 and BioWare's Future Uncertain Following Buyout, Former EA Manager Now Says by Tom Phillips

PC Gamer - Dishonored Co-Creator Harvey Smith Launches a New Studio and It Literally Has the Word 'Immersive' in the Name by Andy Chalk

GamesBeat - Compulsion Games Pulls Off Management Buyout and Separates From Xbox by Dean Takahashi

Kotaku - Psychonauts Dev Now Owns All Its Games and Publishing Rights by Rebekah Valentine

Need a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@needarezpod

Visit our website: https://needarez.com

Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpod

Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.com

Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg

Follow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.social

The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomez

THIS WEEK: THIS WEEK: Twitch opts everyone into training their generative AI models, Saber Interactive takes shots at Randy Pitchford in meltdown, AND Kingdom Hearts 4 announced for late 2027! BonafideHiro and Samikat are back to discuss all this and the truth of what happens in library stacks!

| SOURCES |

Twitch - Opt-Out of Generative AI Training

CWA - Save Our Devs Rallies on August 18th, 2026

Kotaku - Saber CEO Apologizes To Rideshare Writer Involved In AI Controversy After Weeklong Crashout by Zach Kotzer

GameIndustry.biz- 2K establishes AAA sports developer Small Axe Studios by Sophie McEvoy

Kotaku - Kingdom Hearts 4 Gets A Surprise 2027 Release Window And That’s Not All by Kenneth Shepard

Need a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpod

Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPod

Website: https://needarez.com

Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpod

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.com

RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xml

Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg

Follow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.social

Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplays

The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomez

THIS WEEK: Tiddly and Danfinity are back from GenCon 2026 and share stories about new games they found, D&D One-Shot shenanigans, and their shared love for dice. We also discuss the latest friend slop sensation, Big Walk: do we like it? is it fun with friends? are their walkie-talkies? All this and the gaming news of the week in this episode of Need A Rez!

| SOURCES |

Aftermath - Game Devs Start Worker Hardship Fund For Laid Off Colleagues by Nicole Carpenter: https://aftermath.site/uvw-cwa-game-worker-hardship-fund-itch-io/

GameIndystry.biz - Devolver Digital intends to go private by Alex Forbes - Calvin: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/devolver-digital-intends-to-go-private

Kotaku - Sony Is Slapping Warning Labels On PS5s About Its Discless Future by Lewis Parker: https://kotaku.com/ps5-playstation-5-discs-physical-digital-sony-sticker-label-warning-2000722144

BBC - The Sims and EA FC maker Electronic Arts sells for $55bn to Saudi-led group by Laura Cress: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjejyl34345o

Need a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpod

Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPod

Visit our website: https://needarez.com

Listen and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

Ratings and reviews make a real difference for independent shows:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51utOpaycri2x7WotgVlFX?si=3e44fadce31945d0

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/need-a-rez/id1638939545

PocketCasts: https://pca.st/iczgzkt1

RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xml

Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg

Follow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.social

The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomez

THIS WEEK: God of War Laufey's release date was announced at San Diego Comic Con, Bethesda and Obsidian are working on more Fallout games, and Xbox's Accessibility initiatives are up in the air following their layoffs. Join Danfinity, Tiddly and Samikat as they dive into the news of the week in games and MORE!

| SOURCES |

IGN - God of War Laufey Release Date Announced | Comic Con 2026 by Wesley Yin-Poole

Game Informer - Bethesda Confirms Fallout 5 In Preproduction by Marcus Stewart

Aftermath - Layoffs Leave The Future Of Xbox’s Award-Winning Accessibility Efforts In Doubt by Grant Stoner

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Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpod

Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPod

Visit our website: https://needarez.com

Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/needarezpod

Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/needarez.com

Listen and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

Ratings and reviews make a real difference for independent shows:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51utOpaycri2x7WotgVlFX?si=3e44fadce31945d0

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/need-a-rez/id1638939545

PocketCasts: https://pca.st/iczgzkt1

RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xml

Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg

Follow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.social

Follow EpicDan: https://linktr.ee/epicdan22

Follow Eseipha: https://bsky.app/profile/eseipha.bsky.social

Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplays

Follow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.social

The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomez

THIS WEEK: we welcome ProfessorBroman! Ben is a 14 year content creation veteran who wears many hats for GCX, a gaming convention based out of Orlando, FL, and Magic Find Studios, an indie games startup, and his coffee brand, King's Coast Coffee. Follow Ben here: https://linktr.ee/ProfessorBroman

|GAMES PLAYED THIS WEEK|

Broman - Palworld, PowerWash Star Wars, Jimmy and The Pulsating Mass, Phantasy Star Online

Danfinity - Psychonauts, Denshattack, Destiny 2

EpicDans22 - Destiny 2, Forza Horizon 6

Tiddly - Marvel Rivals, Slay The Spire 2, Fortnite, Destiny 2

|RECOMMENDATIONS |

Danfinity - "Psychodyssey" Documentary

Need a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch

Subscribe on YouTube

Visit our website

Follow us on Twitter/X

Follow us on Bluesky

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51utOpaycri2x7WotgVlFX?si=3e44fadce31945d0

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/need-a-rez/id1638939545

PocketCasts: https://pca.st/iczgzkt1

RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xml

Follow Danfinity: https://danfinity.gg

Follow Bona: https://bsky.app/profile/bonafidehiro.bsky.social

Follow EpicDan: https://linktr.ee/epicdan22

Follow Eseipha: https://bsky.app/profile/eseipha.bsky.social

Follow Sami: https://linktr.ee/samikatplays

Follow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.social

The 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomez

THIS WEEK: WE'RE BACK WITH A FRESH COAT OF PAINT AND A NEW NAME!

| SOURCES |

Forbes - A Studio Shattered: The Aftermath Of The Mass Bungie Layoffs by Paul Tassi

Aftermath - Xbox Will Lay Off 3200 Workers And Cut Four Studios Loose by Riley McCloud & Nicole Carpenter

Twitter/X - @AshaSharma Xbox Layoff Announcement

GameInformer: Xbox CEO Asha Sharma Named Advisor To U.S. Federal Reserve Task Force For Productivity And Jobs by Marcus Stewart

PlayStation - Physical disc production ending in January 2028 for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles

|RECOMMENDATIONS|

Danfinity - Enshittification by Cory Doctorow

Need a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch

Subscribe on YouTube

Visit our website

Twitter/X

Bluesky

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

RSS

Follow Danfinity

Follow Bona

Follow EpicDan

Follow Eseipha

Follow Sami

Follow Tiddly