CORE - Core Gaming for Core Gamers

Latest Episodes:

CORE 483: That Modular Life Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

Microsoft may shift Xbox toward a modular, PC-like system called Magnus, we have some debate over complexity versus convenience. Rod Ferguson has exited Blizzard, raising questions about Diablo IV’s future, while Blizzard’s cinematic team voted to unionize. Crimson Desert sees a delay, and rumors suggest Paladin could return in a Diablo expansion, too late or not. Mind blown around The Secret of the Weepstone, WASD controls coming to League of Legends, and a Vampire Survivors board game. And lots more.

GAMES PLAYED

Scott

•Shapez 2

•He Is Coming

•Time Flies

Jon

•Final Fantasy XII

•Final Fantasy X-2

•Fortnite

Beau

•Heroes of the Storm

•The Bazaar

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CORE 482: Finish It! Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Let’s talk about older consoles and approaching games in unconventional ways, and address while we are here, developments in the gaming business this week. MK: Legacy Kollection looking very cool. Battlefield 6 also seems like things are poppin. GOG says come get these free nudie games. Kirby fans finally know what they are getting soon. Lucy from CyberPunk is coming to…Guilty Gear Strive? Guntouchables is FREE right now. And how many Power Ranges in Fortnite is enough? An Instance WoW segment with Bobby! And lots more!

Shared Play This Week

•Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

Scott

•The Spell Brigade

•Shapez 2

Jon

•Minishoot’ Adventures

•Juggling Final Fantasy X-2, XI, & XII.

Beau

•Titan Quest 2.

•More Abiotic Factor.

•Played War Within patch 11.3.

•Tried Yakuza Kiwami 2.

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CORE 481: Feels Itchy Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

We talked about upcoming games for August, including Metal Gear Solid Delta, House of the Dead 2 remake, and Gears of War: E-Day. We discussed the return of Nerdtacular in June 2026 in Salt Lake City and encouraged listeners to fill out the interest survey. We covered game delistings tied to payment processors, especially around sensitive themes, and had a broader discussion on censorship, parenting, and internet policy shifts. We debated the 1980s cultural resurgence, Roblox’s value, and Microsoft’s growing dominance via studio acquisitions and Game Pass. And a LOT more to boot!

GAMES PLAYED

Scott

Shapez 2

Fumes

More Bananza

Jon

Final Fantasy X (finished)

Final Fantasy X-2 (sampled)

Final Fantasy XI (sampled)

Final Fantasy XII (sampled)

Donkey Kong Bananza

Beau

Abiotic Factor

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

Valheim (Trollstav incident)

Magic: Edge of Eternities

StarCraft 2 co-op

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CORE 480: Pulling It Back Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

Critical Role enters game dev, Outer Worlds 2 drops back to $70, and Splitgate 2 unlaunches. RIP Julian LeFay, and yes, that Hellraiser trailer is terrifying. Beau praises the SC2 World Cup. In “Dear Martha,” we “misremember” the PS2. Shared play this week: Donkey Kong Bananza. Scott tries Captain of Industry, Jon nears the end of FFX, and Beau dives into Pizza Tower, Slay the Spire, and more. Plus: Xbox handheld talk and some corrections.

Shared Play (Scott & Jon):

•Donkey Kong Bananza

Scott:

•Captain of Industry

•Back to the Dawn

•Fantasy Finds DLC (2 Point Museum)

Jon:

•Final Fantasy X

•Ghost of Tsushima (mentioned in passing)

•Magic: The Gathering Arena

Beau:

•Pizza Tower

•Roundguard

•Wildfrost

•Backpack Hero

•Fighting Fantasy Classics

•Slay the Spire

•Valheim

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CORE 479: Going Bananas Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

We covered Krafton's ongoing legal dispute with ousted Subnautica 2 founders, including a leaked memo and bonus extensions. The leaked Xbox Rog Ally price and portable gaming appeal. Steam's updated terms of service for adult games, shifting responsibility to developers and payment processors, were also reviewed. Our segment "Dear Martha" and Donkey Kong get together!. And loads more!

GAMES PLAYED:

SCOTT:

Donkey Kong Bananza
Shapez 2
Turnip Boy Robs a Bank

JON:

Resident Evil HD (Remake)
Resident Evil 2 (Original)
Magic: The Gathering (IRL and MtG: Arena)
Final Fantasy X

BEAU:

Death Stranding

••Valheim (Ashlands biome)

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CORE 478: Sub-Delayedica Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

We discussed controller comfort and aging, the delay in finishing Ghost of Tsushima, and how handhelds like the Steam Deck affect game choices. We covered the Subnautica 2 delay and controversy involving Krafton possibly avoiding a $250M payout. We speculate on corporate motives, Unknown Worlds founders’ ousting, and Krafton’s Starcraft gig. We also hit on Romero Games losing a Microsoft contract, Final Fantasy IX remake rumors, and a new Resident Evil mobile game announcement. Emails, texts and loads more! Also, Scott tied with Beau this week in Dear Martha!

GAMES PLAYED

SCOTT

Satisfactory 1.1
Offroad Mania
Soulstone Survivors 1.0
Rogue Trader

JON

Resident Evil (PC version)
Resident Evil Remake
A Building Full of Cats 2
Magic: The Gathering

BEAU

Death Stranding
Valheim
Nightreign
Magic: The Gathering

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CORE 477: Imperfect Dark Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

We have another bad case of layoffs, but this time, we hit the specific projects impacted by them. Some gnarly ones. Plus, Warcraft Rumble gets hit hard too. On the upside, we talk about the games un-effected, and the teams that are doing to stay intact. Leon S. Kennedy predictions. Stop Killing Games in the EU. Marvel Rivals is trolling fans. Dear Martha! Our week in games, and some great texts and voice mails this week!

SCOTT

Fast Fusion
Red Faction: Guerrilla
The Messenger

JON

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Date Everything
System Shock 2 Remastered
Final Fantasy X

BEAU

Slay the Spire: The Board Game
NIGHTREIGN
Magic: The Gathering

••Valheim

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CORE 476: Death Standing Tall Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

We discuss our sleep schedules, gaming habits, and Xbox’s evolving hardware strategy. We share frustrations with Microsoft and Windows, and talk about competition between major gaming companies. We cover upcoming July games like Mecha Break, Micropunk, Donkey Kong Bonanza, Robocop: Unfinished Business, Wildgate, and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. We react to Death Stranding 2’s high early praise, debate Game Pass expansion, reminisce about retro toys like 2-XL and Hulkamania workout sets, and play a Final Fantasy Dear Martha. And some thoughts about Predator things for various reasons. :)

GAMES PLAYED

Scott:

The Messenger

Super Mario Odyssey (more moon collecting)

Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered

Jon:

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Date Everything!

Beau:

Elden Ring: Nightreign

Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy (limited draft)

Valheim

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CORE 475: Coming From The Inside Out Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

Let’s start with a funny story about a kid and a video game character. Then a bit about Foamstars, the changing nature of music discovery via memes and platforms like TikTok, Hideo Kojima’s comments on Death Stranding 2 being “too good” and altered to be less mainstream, Microsoft’s strategic moves with Xbox to create a unified gaming platform that includes Game Pass, Steam, and other services, and speculation on the future of PlayStation and PC gaming. It ends with a mention of Kingdom Come: Deliverance releasing a cutscene movie and anticipation for Hades 2. Plus all the games we played, and your feedback!

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CORE 474: State of Showcase Direct Fest Play Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Let’s talk about the Xbox ASUS Ally X handheld—its specs, price speculation, and use of Hall Effect sticks. They critique Nintendo's controller decisions and Steam Deck comparisons. And presenting a new way of highlighting standout games from Summer Game Fest, instead of full recaps. Titles we discuss include Clockwork Revolution, 007: From Light, ILL, Kepler, Stray of Heaven, Marvel T.R.C., Super Meat Boy 3D, Felt That Boxing, Grounded 2, Outer Worlds 2, Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster, and Resident Evil 9. They give reactions and expectations based on trailers and known studio pedigree. And all the stuff we played this week to boot! BIG ONE THIS WEEK!

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