NerdNOut

State of Play 2026: Wolverine’s Bloodbath & The September Games Warzone

The internet is officially broken. Sony just dropped their June 2026 State of Play, and the release calendar for this fall is an absolute warzone. Why is every major studio cramming their biggest titles into a single week in September? Because they are all terrified of the Grand Theft Auto VI elephant in the room—and we are here to break down who is going to survive the crash.

In this episode, Duke and Ronninhunter deep dive into the Top 10 biggest headlines:

• 🪓 God of War: Laufey: The ultimate mic drop. We break down 20 minutes of gameplay featuring Kratos’ late wife, Faye, fighting through the afterlife (voiced by Deborah Ann Woll and Jack Quaid!).

• 🩸 Marvel’s Wolverine: Insomniac did not play nice. We unpack that brutal, exceptionally violent 7-minute gameplay deep dive. Jean Grey and Sabretooth are officially co-starring!

• 🏝️ Until Dawn 2: Firesprite is taking us to an abandoned tropical island with a group of ghost-hunting TV crew idiots.

• 🏙️ Control Resonant: Remedy shifts the spotlight to Jesse’s brother, Dylan Faden, in a reality-warped, paranatural Manhattan.

• 🐸 Rayman Legends Retold & Tomb Raider: Ubisoft surprises us with a 3D Rayman remake, and Lara Croft returns to her roots in Legacy of Atlantis.

• 🤜 Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls: Arc System Works showcases the "Knights of Doom" faction. Get ready for Doctor Doom, Magneto, and Carnage.

• ⚔️ Capcom & Konami Revivals: Onimusha: Way of the Sword brings back the heavy katana slashing (and yes, Duke rants about the parry system again), while Silent Hill: Townfall takes us to a creepy, misty Scottish town.

• ⏳ Dune: Awakening: A massive new look at the highly anticipated single-player story mode trailer.

In this episode, we break down:

• The Rookie Agent: How Patrick (Dexter: Original Sin) Gibson's 26-year-old, flawed, and wild James Bond compares to the cinematic gold standard of Casino Royale.

• The Gameplay: Why this isn't just a Hitman reskin, but a high-octane blend of Uncharted and Batman: Arkham that forces you to embrace the chaos.

• The Lore & Nostalgia: A look at the younger, developing versions of M, Q, and Moneypenny, and how the game perfectly balances Daniel Craig realism with classic Connery/Moore absurdity.

• The Internet Drama: Debunking the online controversies, from the bizarre "woke" backlash over female leadership to the viral, hilariously stiff NPC driving clips.

Whether you're a die-hard Bond purist or a casual gamer, hit play to find out if First Light truly lives up to the hype.

Ronninhunter breaks down his thoughts on the Backrooms movie! The lore, the exciting background of the young director, and a little bit of spoilers incoming!

Nintendo just pulled the curtain back on Star Fox for the Switch 2, but fans are completely divided. Why are we remaking Star Fox 64 for the fourth time, and why does Fox McCloud look like a cursed taxidermy project compared to his flawless cameo in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie? Ronin breaks down the hardware "stress test" theory, the rumors of optional DLC classic controls, and whether Nintendo is just playing it too safe.

Then, we pivot to the box office juggernaut Michael. With the first film ending on a sanitized "To Be Continued" note, the upcoming sequel is diving straight into the dark corporate warfare of the 90s. We fact-check the incredible $1.2 billion Sony catalog deal, the 1984 Pepsi tragedy, and the wild intelligence-community theories surrounding MJ’s global influence. Is the fandom actually ready for a psychological tragedy? Let’s talk about it.

In this episode, we also cover:

​The Scrooge Debate: Johnny Depp is officially our new Ebenezer Scrooge. Is it the perfect casting, or are we experiencing "Christmas Carol" fatigue?

​Marvel Rivals Meta: The game just got a massive update with the addition of Black Cat and White Fox. We’re debating if Black Cat is just "Black Panther 2.0" and why White Fox is the healer update we’ve been waiting for.

​Zombie Mode: Your thoughts on the new PvE revamp in Marvel Rivals.

​The Voicemail Box: We’re still waiting on YOUR hot takes! Are you Team Fox or Team Cat? Do you have an "Am I the Asshole: Nerd Edition" story?

​Call the Nerd N Out Hotline: 915-255-2657 📞

Leave us a voicemail—we want to hear your theories, your rants, and your questions for a chance to be featured in the next episode!

​Support the Show: Want to join the inner circle? Check out our Patreon and exclusive updates at: facebook.com/NerdNOutPodcast

Spotify Episode Description

Nerd N Out | Season 4, Episode 3: Redefining the Map and the Price of Gaming

In this episode, we dive into the massive news that Niantic has utilized 30 billion user photos from Pokemon Go to create a 3D map of the world. We discuss the implications of this geospatial model and whether players are essentially unpaid surveyors for the future of AR.

The hosts also recap the biggest video game releases of the month. We take a look at the critical and user reception for Pokopia and Crimson Desert. After years of feeling the franchise had lost its way, one host officially walks back their previous pessimistic takes, praising Pokopia for finally respecting the fanbase and offering refreshing gameplay.

The conversation shifts to a personal reflection on the games that have made the most significant impact on our lives before tackling the controversial news from Sony regarding their latest console price hikes. We break down the new costs for the PS5 Pro and what this means for the accessibility of high-end gaming.

Finally, we wrap up with a full rundown of the 2026 Oscar winners, highlighting the big sweeps for Paul Thomas Anderson and the surprises in the acting categories.

The gatekeepers are falling, but the digital walls are closing in. This week on Nerd N Out, we’re breaking down how creators like Markiplier and Chris Stuckmann are outperforming Hollywood studios on a fraction of the budget. Is "YouTuber Cinema" the future of the box office, or just a flash in the pan?

Then, we dive into the dark side of the web: Discord and YouTube’s mandatory Digital ID transition. With global age verification becoming the new norm in 2026, is the era of the "anonymous nerd" officially dead? We discuss the privacy leaks, the "Teen by Default" policies, and what this means for your favorite servers.

In this episode:

• The $49M Dive: How Iron Lung proved creators don't need "Big Five" studios.

• The ID Crackdown: Why Discord wants your face scan just to talk anime.

• Listener Voicemails: We check the "Ghost Box" (and it's a little too quiet).

LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL: 📞 915-255-2657 (Hot takes, theories, or Nerd AITA)

Season 4, Episode 1: The 2026 Nerd Roadmap & New Year Resolutions

Welcome to a brand new season of Nerd N Out! 🎊 We are kicking off 2026 by looking at the "Year of the Heavy Hitters." From the streets of Leonida to the multiversal chaos of Dr. Doom, this year is shaping up to be one for the history books.

In this Season Premiere:

• 🎯 Nerdy New Year’s Resolutions: We’re confessing our backlog sins. Who’s actually going to finish their RPGs this year, and who’s just buying more Steam deck accessories?

• 🎬 The 2026 Movie Titan: We break down the hype for Avengers: Doomsday (RDJ is back!), Spider-Man: Brand New Day (featuring The Punisher?!), and James Gunn’s next DCU chapter, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

• 🎮 GTA VI & Beyond: Rockstar has finally locked in November 19, 2026. Can we survive the wait? Plus, we discuss Ghost of Yōtei and the Fable reboot.

• 📺 Must-Watch TV: Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 lands in March, and we look back at the emotional series finale of Stranger Things.

• 📞 The Nerd Hotline: We play your first voicemails of the year! What are YOUR resolutions for 2026?

JOIN THE SHOW:Have a hot take or a resolution to share? Call the Nerd Hotline at 915-255-2657 and leave us a voicemail. You might hear yourself on next week’s episode!

#NerdNOut #Season4 #GTA6 #AvengersDoomsday #DaredevilBornAgain #2026Gaming #NerdyResolutions

What’s inside this episode:

• ❄️ Marvel Rivals Winterfest: Are the new "Not Daredevil" and Squirrel Girl skins the best cosmetics of the year?

• 🪄 Fortnite Winterfest 2025: Everything you need to know about the Harry Potter collab and the free rewards waiting in the Winterfest Cabin.

• ⚖️ The Christmas Power Scale: We settle the ultimate nerd debate. How does an Omega-Level Speedster Santa Claus stack up against a "Prep-Time" Kevin McCallister, The Grinch, and Jack Skellington?

• 🎁 The "Nerd Who Has Everything" Gift Guide: It’s December 22nd—if you haven't bought a gift yet, we’ve got the ultimate "clutch" ideas for the geek in your life that aren't just another gift card.

  #NerdNOut #MarvelRivals #FortniteWinterfest #HarryPotter #PowerScaling #Christmas2025 #GamingNews

Put down the carving knife and step away from the political arguments—it’s time for the Nerd N Out Thanksgiving Special! 🦃

This week, we are skipping the green bean casserole to serve up a full plate of chaotic nerd debates. We breakdown the movies you legally have to watch this Thursday (yes, Spider-Man counts), award the biggest disappointments of the year, and play a fantasy draft to build the most insane fictional dinner party of all time.

On the Menu:

• 🎬 The Essential Watchlist: Why Addams Family Values and the Raimi Spider-Man dinner scene are Thanksgiving canon.

• 🏆 The Golden Turkey Awards: We roast the biggest nerd culture disappointments and "dry turkey" flops of the year.

• 🧛 The Fantasy Dinner Draft: We pick our Dream Team table. Who is the designated Chef? Who is the "Drunk Uncle" energy (Iron Man or Tyrion Lannister)? And which villain would absolutely ruin the vibe?

• 🍗 Fictional Feasts: From the Hogwarts Great Hall to the Avengers' Shawarma, we decide which pop-culture meal reigns supreme.

Question of the Week: If you had to invite ONE villain to Thanksgiving dinner, who are you picking? (Vote in the Spotify Poll below! 👇)