The Ringer-Verse

Are you ready, Helldivers?! Ben, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James discuss how online co-op shooter ‘Helldivers 2’ became a surprise sensation and feel-good gaming story by building a new model for live-service storytelling and community (to go with great gameplay). Then they offer five rapid-fire recommendations for recently released, lower-profile games to play between blockbusters (58:00).

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guests: Steve Ahlman and Matt James

Producer: Devon Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal

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The Midnight Boys return to give their thoughts on the success of 'Dune: Part Two' and discuss its depiction and handling of the white savior narrative (09:14). Later, they give their thoughts on the hit FX show 'Shogun' and how it deftly handles its historical drama (55:09).

Hosts: Charles Holmes, Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal

Social: Jomi Adeniran

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Words aren’t the only thing that tell people what you’re thinking … but Ben, Matt James, and Justin Charity use words to give their spoiler-free thoughts on the sensational second installment in Square Enix’s ‘Final Fantasy VII’ remake/sequel trilogy. Tap into the lifestream as the three-person podcast party breaks down the game’s open-world structure, combat, music, mini-games, and more. They close with their hopes for the final act of the trilogy and nominations for future remakes.

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guests: Justin Charity and Matt James

Producer: Devon Renaldo

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal

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This is not hope! This is the Midnight Boys! They bring you their instant reactions to the hotly anticipated 'Dune: Part Two' (08:14). They talk about the blockbuster masterpiece and how they think it should stack up with the likes of the sci-fi grates and what makes this film so memorable.

Hosts: Charles Holmes, Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal

Social: Jomi Adeniran

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The 'Dune'-night boys are here to look back at Arrakis! They dive into their thoughts on both the David Lynch 1984 'Dune' film and Denis Villeneuve's 2021 'Dune: Part One.' They begin with the faithfulness of each adaptation and what one might need to know going into the much-anticipated second film (07:55). Later, they break down the Lynch version and what this flawed but lovable film gets right about the novels (16:41).

Hosts: Charles Holmes, Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal

Social: Jomi Adeniran

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Steve and Jomi are joined by Jessica Clemons for another exciting edition of Here Comes the Pitch! With Netflix’s ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ live action remake in mind, the crew pitch some of their best live action adaptations of some of the animation shows and movies you love.

Host: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman

Guest: Jessica Clemens

Producer: Jonathan Kermah

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal

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Yip yip! Time to dive into the hotly anticipated first season of Netflix's 'Avatar the Last Airbender' (09:57). The Midnight Boys discuss what the newest live-action adaptation of this beloved cartoon gets right and mostly wrong, along with what could make some good adaptations and the struggles of bad ones.

Hosts: Charles Holmes, Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal

Social: Jomi Adeniran

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Ben, Matt James, Justin Charity, and Rob Mahoney party up for a pre-‘Rebirth’ draft of ‘Final Fantasy’ favorites. First they discuss an amazing month for remakes and remasters (4:00), followed by three pressing questions prompted by ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’ (9:40). Then they recap their histories with the ‘Final Fantasy’ franchise (31:12), explain the draft rules (39:17), and assemble their all-time-great rosters of ‘Final Fantasy’ characters (42:40).

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guests: Matt James, Justin Charity, and Rob Mahoney

Producer: Devon Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal

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The Midnight Boys are back from the Amazon to give you all of their thoughts on the controversial 'Madame Web' (06:28). They dive into all of the things this movie just can't seem to get right and what state Sony's Marvel projects are in after this.

Hosts: Charles Holmes, Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal

Social: Jomi Adeniran

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Jomi and Steve are joined by Button Mash’s Ben Lindbergh to sift through the pool of nonsense of the Super Bowl LVIII commercials, then discuss their initial thoughts on the first trailer for ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ (11:15). Later, they take a look at plenty of the other movie trailers that snagged a Super Bowl commercial spot, including ‘Twisters,’ ‘Wicked,’ and more!

Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman

Guest: Ben Lindbergh

Producer: Jonathan Kermah

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal

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