In this episode of Spawn On Me, I sit down with Ben Kvalo, CEO of Midwest Games, to dive into what makes this new publishing label stand out in an ever-evolving industry. We explore the role of publishers in today’s market, the challenges indie developers face, and whether the gaming industry is oversaturated with too many titles.

Ben shares his thoughts on building sustainable careers for the next generation of developers, and the value of player feedback, and we discuss how platforms like Xbox Game Pass are impacting discoverability. If you’ve ever wondered how publishers make decisions, support studios, or think about the long game in gaming—this one’s for you.

Topics We Cover:

• What makes Midwest Games different from traditional publishers

• The growing difficulty of standing out in a crowded market

• How publishers can better support marginalized and new devs

• Are players giving developers helpful feedback?

• The real benefits and challenges of Game Pass for studios

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with your crew on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In Episode 550 of Spawn on Me, host Kahlief Adams and guest host Cam Hawkins dive into the massive Xbox layoffs and the fallout from Summer Game Fest coverage we missed.Xbox Layoffs Recap: Dissecting Microsoft’s July 2nd cuts of approximately 9,000 jobs across Xbox and gaming studios including Rare, Initiative, Turn 10, ZeniMax, and King Barcelona. We also discuss the cancellation of major projects like Everwild and Perfect Dark.Industry Reaction: We analyze Phil Spencer’s internal memo and the controversial suggestion for impacted staff to leverage AI tools like Copilot for job hunting.Studio-by-Studio Breakdown: Who’s affected? Rare, Turn 10, Initiative, ZeniMax, King Barcelona, and others. What does this mean for the future of Xbox exclusives?SGF Missed Gems: A quick roundup of standout announcements from Summer Game Fest that slipped under the radar in our previous coverage.Stay tuned and subscribe for more gaming breakdowns with a focus on people of color in the industry.

In this exciting episode of Spawn On Me, Kahlief sits down with Rick Thiher, the General Manager of EVO, the premier fighting game tournament. They dive deep into EVO's latest expansion efforts and how the organization is working to enhance the experience for players and fans around the world. Discover the motivations behind expanding to new countries, the challenges faced, and the importance of making fighting games accessible on a global scale. Whether you're a competitive gamer, a fighting game enthusiast, or a fan of esports stories, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of EVO and the growth of the fighting game community worldwide.

Tune in to learn about the strategic vision, community-building efforts, and the exciting new opportunities that lie ahead for EVO and its global audience.

In this powerful episode of Spawn on Me, we sit down with Olivia Brown from Project Unloaded to dive deep into the critical work of tracking and analyzing gun violence data. Olivia shares insights into how Project Unloaded is revolutionizing our understanding of gun violence through comprehensive data collection and community-driven research.

We explore the challenges of gathering accurate gun violence statistics, the impact of data transparency on policy decisions, and how grassroots organizations are filling crucial gaps in national reporting. Olivia discusses the human stories behind the numbers and explains how better data can lead to more effective violence prevention strategies.

Whether you're interested in public health, social advocacy, or data-driven solutions to complex problems, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on one of America's most pressing issues. Join us for an eye-opening discussion about the intersection of technology, community organizing, and social change.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below!

Join Kahlief Adams and special guest Cameron Hawkins as they break down the absolute best games that caught their attention at Summer Game Fest 2025. From the jaw-dropping surprise reveal of Resident Evil Requiem to exciting sequels like Mortal Shell 2 and Death Stranding 2, they dive deep into what made this year's showcase memorable and which games have them most hyped for the months ahead. Whether you missed the event or want to hear fresh takes on your favorite announcements, this episode of Spawn On Me has all the gaming hot takes you need.

In this episode, we tackle a blockbuster lineup: Bungie’s Marathon reboot is under fire for using fan art. We also break down Jade Raymond’s surprise departure from Haven Studios and what it means for one of PlayStation’s most talked‑about first‑party newcomers.That’s just the warm‑up—fitness guru Walt Chambers joins us to share how his Infinite RPG program turns workouts into epic quests, and we close with a hands‑on verdict on the premium Victrix PRO KO fightstick. Strap in for controversy, career moves, power‑ups IRL, and hardware hype in one wild show!TimestampsIntro – 0:00Bungie Stole Art? – 3:10:57Jade Raymond Leaving Haven – 23:33:44Interview with Walt Chambers (Infinite RPG) – 28:20:44Victrix PRO KO Fightstick Review – 1:07:25:21Want to get fit for the Summer?Use our special code "SPAWNONME" at https://fitnessfantasyrpg.com/

We’re back with a jam-packed episode! We sit down with the team at Stoic to talk about their exciting new game Towerborne, give our first impressions of Borderlands 4, and share thoughts on Bungie’s Marathon. Plus, we break down the recent layoffs at Respawn Entertainment and what it could mean for the future of the studio.

👉🏾 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the show on YouTube, Spotify, and all podcast platforms to support indie gaming coverage that centers our stories!

What if your gaming time could help power a greener future? In this special Earth Day episode of Spawn On Me, we're diving into how Cleanplay is changing the game—literally—by turning your playtime into real-world investments in clean energy. We sit down with the team to talk about how players can support solar and wind energy projects just by doing what they already love: gaming.

Cleanplay is on a mission to make sustainable energy accessible and fun. Their platform rewards players for time spent in-game, converting it into tangible support for clean energy initiatives. It's a powerful way to make your play matter.

And here's the kicker—they're giving away a limited number of PlayStation gift cards to new subscribers. Want in? Head to cleanplay.com and level up your impact.

On this episode of Spawn On Me, Kahlief Adams sits down with writer and critic Sam DeLong for an in-depth conversation about South of Midnight — the game that’s redefining Southern Gothic storytelling in the world of action-adventures. From its bold art style and unique setting to its themes of identity, grief, and folklore, we break down what makes this game so special.

We explore the creative risks Compulsion Games took, how the story resonates with diverse players, and what the game gets right (and wrong) about Southern representation. Whether you’ve played the game or are still on the fence, this episode gives you a richer understanding of why South of Midnight is sparking such meaningful conversation.

📖 Want more insights? Check out Sam DeLong’s full review right here:
👉 https://thegamersection.blogspot.com/2025/04/south-of-midnight-review.html

💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share the episode with your crew!

#SouthOfMidnight #SpawnOnMe #SamDeLong #GamingPodcast #GameReviews #KahliefAdams #BlackInGaming

In this week’s episode, we break down how Trump’s proposed tariffs could spike prices on video games and Nintendo hardware—what that means for your wallet and your wishlist. We also dive into the rave early impressions of South of Midnight, the surprise of the season so far, and what makes it stand out. Plus, we gear up for Bungie’s Marathon gameplay reveal this weekend—will it live up to the hype? And we round things out with early impressions of Clawpunk and Pathfinder—two very different games with interesting ideas.

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