Gamers Week Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 173 - Xbox Game Pass Is "Damaging The Industry" Jul 11, 2025

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In this episode...
--> Among the waves of fallout from Microsoft’s layoff of 9,000 employees last week, Xbox Game Pass has now come under fire for its “unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade.”
--> Last week, Stop Killing Games - the consumer-driven initiative demanding games publishers leave their titles in a playable state once support is terminated - surpassed 1m signatures. But now, EU industry body Video Games Europe has weighed in, insisting the initiative's proposals would make games "prohibitively expensive to create".
--> Nintendo has said that it will limit the amount of time spent developing some game projects as one solution to the increasing risks of game production.
--> "Knowing Steam players are hoarders explains why you give them that 30%: You get access to a bunch of drunken sailors who spend money irresponsibly."
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Gaming History 101

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Hosts: donniegretro, retrogamebrews, wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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Episode 172 - Microsoft Celebrates Profits By Laying Off 9,000 Employees Jul 04, 2025

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In this episode...
--> Microsoft began its fiscal year Wednesday by laying off thousands of employees, expanding one of the largest runs of layoffs in the company’s history.
--> Video game spending has taken a nose dive among Gen Z, according to data from American research group Circana.
--> The AI startup Runway, which recently partnered with AMC Networks, is now trying to break into the gaming industry.
--> Nintendo's ability to ban Switch 2 consoles from accessing all online features has come under fire from Brazil's consumer rights watchdog, which has now launched a legal challenge.
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Nostalgia 101

**Use this link to get a $20 credit when you upgrade to a paid podcast hosting plan on Buzzsprout! buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1884378
Hosts: retrogamebrews, wrytersview, donniegretro
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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Episode 171 - Third-Party Games Are Struggling On Nintendo Switch 2 Jun 27, 2025

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In this episode...
--> Third-party games have reportedly struggled to sell on Nintendo Switch 2 at launch, with one publisher claiming that its game has sold “below our lowest estimates”.
--> Fan-favorite rhythm game Beat Saber is ending support for PlayStation consoles, and for many players, this feels very much like the final nail in the coffin for PlayStation's VR aspirations.
--> The limited-edition, Xbox-branded Meta Quest 3S headset has arrived.
--> A man has been arrested after police say he stole more than $10,000 worth of Nintendo Switch games from multiple public libraries in Northern California.
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Gamers Week Debates

Find more from Patrick Brickhouse at retroblast.bsky.social!

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Hosts: wrytersview, retrogamebrews, retroblastpat
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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Episode 170 - Microsoft And AMD Partner For Next Gen Of Xbox Jun 20, 2025

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In this episode...
--> Microsoft has confirmed a “strategic multi-year partnership” with AMD for the next generation of Xbox.
--> Borderlands 4 preorders are finally live, and the base game is priced at $70, not $80 as previously feared.
--> The Silent Hill remake is officially in development at Bloober Team.
--> A bizarre butt-controlled fighting game has received an unexpected buff on Switch 2.
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Trivia

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Episode 169 - Summer Game Fest And Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Jun 13, 2025

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In this episode...
--> Summer Game Fest 2025 included 15 individual events running from June 3-9. Here are the biggest announcements, including Resident Evil Requiem, Scott Pilgrim EX, the ROG Xbox Ally, and more.
--> Reports have surfaced of GameStop stores carelessly stapling receipts right through the packaging of brand new Switch 2s and into the console's screen.
--> Zotac is making good on it's April Fool's joke this year and announced that it is actually releasing its F5 esports perfume.
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Very Important Poll

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Episode 168 - PlayStation State of Play June 2025 Jun 06, 2025

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In this episode...
--> The summer gaming reveal season is upon us, with PlayStation swooping in at the last second with a new State of Play livestream and introducing us to titles like Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, Nioh 3, and Marvel Tokou: Fighting Souls
--> Nintendo has reportedly begun shipping Switch 2 branded 'Out of Stock' signs to retailers before the console has even gone on sale
--> Someone donated a Concord commemorative plaque to Goodwill — and now it’s going for over $3,000.
--> The Witcher 3 devs debated for so long over how naked Geralt should be in the RPG's opening bathtub scene that it became one of the longest email threads in the company's history
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Collector's Corner

Find more from The Gamersician at thegamersician.bio!

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Hosts: wrytersview, donniegretro, thegamersician
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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Episode 167 - More Layoffs As EA Cancels Black Panther Game May 30, 2025

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In this episode...
--> In its third round of layoffs this year alone, EA has canceled its single-player Black Panther game and shut down developer Cliffhanger Games.
--> A24 is doubling down on its foray into video game adaptations with live-action productions of Elden Ring and Death Stranding.
--> Microsoft has announced Retro Classics with Game Pass, a collaboration with Antstream Arcade to bring a collection of over 50 classic Activision games from the 80s and 90s to Game Pass members.
--> GameStop just bought half a billion dollars’ worth of Bitcoin, causing its investors to flee.
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Bullsh*t History 101

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Episode 166 - Randy Pitchford Says "Real Fans" Will Pay $80 For Borderlands 4 May 23, 2025

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In this episode...
--> Last week, when a Twitter user expressed concern over the upcoming Borderlands 4 potentially being $80 (a price point hasn't been set just yet), Gearbox head Randy Pitchford responded, "If you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen."
--> Star Wars’ infamous villain Darth Vader has been turned into an AI in Fortnite, and users have already got it saying racial slurs.
--> Sony has announced an end to its PlayStation Stars loyalty program, less than three years after its launch.
--> Smash Together, an unofficial dating app started up for like-minded Smash Bros. players to meet and mingle, has claimed it has received a cease-and-desist letter just before its open beta.
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Nostalgia 101

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Episode 165 - Nintendo Now Says It Can Brick Your Switch May 16, 2025

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In this episode...
--> Nintendo has revised its Account Agreement and Account Privacy Policy to tighten the rules on emulation and piracy, and the company now says it has the right to brick your console if it thinks you’ve broken the agreement.
--> The video game companies negotiating a new contract with SAG-AFTRA have issued a “best, last and final” offer to the actors union, which removes some key sticking points regarding Generative AI.
--> GameStop Canada has been acquired by Stephan Tetrault, an entrepreneur and "longtime leader in the collectibles and entertainment space," and is being relaunched as EB Games Canada.
--> Defender, GoldenEye 007, Quake, and Tamagotchi have joined the World Video Game Hall of Fame at The Strong National Museum of Play.
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Very Important Poll

**Use this link to get a $20 credit when you upgrade to a paid podcast hosting plan on Buzzsprout! buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1884378
Hosts: wrytersview, donniegretro, retrogamebrews
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

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Episode 164 - Microsoft Increases Price Of Xbox May 09, 2025

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In this episode...
--> Microsoft has announced that it is raising the prices of its Xbox consoles globally and has also announced that it will charge $80 for games starting later this year.
--> Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed out of 2025 as Rockstar confirms a May 26, 2026 release date, but what does that mean for the games industry this year?
--> Just a few months after reportedly cancelling two unannounced live service games in the wake of the Concord catastrophe, Sony has unveiled a brand-new internal studio called TeamLFG, and yup, it's making a live service game.
--> Your eyes do not deceive you… Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has penis jiggle physics.
--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Trivia

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Hosts: donniegretro, retrogamebrews, wrytersview
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretro
Closing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli Takanen

Support the show

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