The Dive Down

Latest Episodes:

Episode 361: These Spires Were Made For Slaying Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

Sorry haters, this is a Slay the Spire 2 podcast now. At least for this week. On today's show, Shane pieces together his first successful run, Dave pines for some better intro content, and Stan reminds us of Ball x Pit. We wrap the show with a chat through some new 2026 albums we've enjoyed.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Shane, interrupted
9:16 - You can't multitask/This week's episode
12:30 - Slay The Spire 2, oh wait Ball X Pit
20:40 - Actually Slay the Spire 2
24:06 - It's not so secretly a drafting game
46:56 - What we think about when we think about STS
52:45 - Stan's hot take
56:25 - Kim Gordon - PLAY ME
1:01:40 - Victoryland - My Heart Is A Room With No Cameras In It
1:04:57 - Sunday Mourners - A-Rhythm Absolute
1:07:40 - Twisted Teens - Blame the Clown
1:10:03 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
Slay the Spire 2: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2868840/Slay_the_Spire_2/
Mobalytics/STS2: https://mobalytics.gg/slay-the-spire-2
Kim Gordon/PLAY ME: https://kimaltheagordon.com/play-me
Victoryland/My Heart Is A Room With No Cameras In It: https://victoryland.bandcamp.com/album/my-heart-is-a-room-with-no-cameras-in-it
Sunday Mourners/A-Rhythm Absolute: https://sundaymourners.bandcamp.com/album/a-rhythm-absolute
Twisted Teens/Blame the Clown: https://cpnpc.bandcamp.com/album/blame-the-clown

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

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Episode 360: The Seventh Circle of The Dive Down Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, we celebrate 360 episodes with a chat about our favorite circles. Then we return to the climb in Slay the Spire 2. And Shane puts the C in RPG with Esoteric Ebb.

We also talk about ultrawide monitors and Stan's latest adventures in gambling on Oscar predictions.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - We've come full circle
4:53 - Dave's circle of hell
11:17 - This week's episode
12:45 - Jobs are lame and this conversation is lame
16:59 - Slay The Spire 2 is here and we are talking about it
40:05 - Resident Evil 9 is too scary (for now)
42:07 - Ultrawide monitors
49:14 - Esoteric Ebb is a neat Disco Elysium like
57:07 - Stan's Oscar bets
1:02:51 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

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Episode 359: Defeating Demons in The Killing Stone Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, Stan and Shane sit down with Ken Strickland, Design Director for The Killing Stone, the latest card battler/board game/devil mystery from Question games.

We talk about the game's unique blend of deck building and gothic storytelling, how to wager with demons, and the subtle art of card design.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - This week's episode
3:53 - Interview begins
5:40 - Question games
8:38 - The Killing Stone, explained
23:45 - How is The Killing Stone different?
30:40 - How Early Access works
37:12 - Ken's hopes for The Killing Stone
39:12 - The language of the game
59:10 - The final pitch for The Killing Stone
1:06:50 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2781470/The_Killing_Stone/

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

Episode 358: Cards Are So Back Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

This week it's just Dave and Stan — and cards are... back? We talk about Stan's solo birthday adventures in Milwaukee, some games he learned, the steaks we've loved before, and Dave's Very Strict House Rules for a Friendly Game of Poker.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - We're old and tired
8:18 - Some stuff about food
12:17 - Stan's fire is re-lit in Milwaukee, and Limited chat
22:52 - Riftbound and Vibes
41:00 - Stan's Milwaukee digression
51:00 - Dave's steak aspirations
54:25 - Survivor 50 and Dave's Poker Rules
1:08:10 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

Episode 357: High on Life 2 & D&D for Children Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, the boys feel weird about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Stan and Shane discuss the new sci-fi boomer shooter High on Life 2, and Dave tells us about his latest D&D campaign.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - The heart of Rock n' Roll
9:08 - This week's episode
13:50 - We get High On Life (2)
23:50 - There's a skateboard
29:50 - Exploring the world
44:51 - Dave's DMing adventures
1:05:20 - Next week's episode
1:07:11 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

Episode 356: God of Cheevos: Zeldarök Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show it's the unofficial return of What's That In Your Pocket? Stan rolls credits on God of War Ragnarök, while Shane collects Retro Achievements in Final Fantasy 6 and the original Zelda!

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Peak childhood, Dogbert's fear of Y2K, framed.wtf
13:15 - This week's episode
15:05 - God of War Ragnarök
25:12 - The PS Portal
28:25 - Final Fantasy VI, Aria of Sorrow, RetroAchievements
38:00 - Swordless Zelda 1
47:50 - The upcoming backlog
55:40 - PC games... in my Android handheld?
1:05:40 - The problem with Dave (and the Steam Machine)
1:13:10 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

Episode 355: Beer Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

From the modest hop to the liveliest yeast, nothing makes for a more questionable podcast quite like beer. On this week's show, we talk about our personal history with one of the world's favorite alcohols. We talk about our personal favorites, the weird lengths we've gone to find some, and how we learned to worship the Dark Lord.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
2:54 - This week's episode
10:45 - When did we decide we liked beer?
23:30 - Getting into beer
35:20 - Dark Lord culture
40:35 - What beers do we like?
1:04:22 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

Episode 354: The Young Jerks of Weast Coast Games Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, Dave and Stan chat with Dan, Dan, and Meg from Weast Coast Games. We talk about the creative process behind some of their games, the origins of their collaboration, and balancing their game studio with their design agency.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - This week's episode
3:59 - Introducing Weast Coast Games / Young Jerks
8:09 - The Weast Coast Games concept
22:51 - The WCG games
33:15 - The balance of Young Jerks and Weast Coast
43:35 - How they met
46:00 - Getting the word out
52:30 - What's inspiring them
59:20 - Post-interview time
1:05:20 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
Check out their games! Buy one!
https://weastcoast.games/
https://youngjerks.com/

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

Episode 353: Selling Vibes and Spooky Robes Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

This week we get... a little loose. Stan's on the run, so we record a catch up episode about Dave's obessions with The Traitors, Shane's obsession with Selling a Vibe, and Stan's general thoughts on deep dish and getting the Led out. Are you more of an In Through the Out Door or a Zoso?

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - One liners and Lakewood things
13:30 - Led Zeppelin
15:53 - The album of the week: The Cribs - Selling a Vibe, and power pop
26:17 - OBAA
29:47 - Chicago pizza and Stan's LDL levels
35:17 - The Traitors
50:38 - Podcast.... for kids?
56:00 - Dave's productive birthday
59:50 - Ratcatching
1:02:25 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

Episode 352: What We're Playing 2026 Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, we reminisce about old school CD burners, Dave walks us through the gizmo he's making with a Raspberry Pi, Shane relives the global trauma of Final Fantasy 6, and Stan saves the president's daughter in Resident Evil 4 Remake.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Brews and burns
12:51 - This week's episode, sorta
21:46 - Shane is playing Final Fantasy 6
35:00 - A brief emulation diversion
39:10 - Stan is playing Resident Evil 4 Remake
50:02 - Dave is playing Q-Up
1:05:20 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

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