The Insert Credit Show

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 440 - No More Worlds to Conker May 11, 2026

Show notes

Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield cover GameStop making an offer for eBay, the hotness of the new StarFox designs, and dead rabbids.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: GameStop isn’t gonna buy eBay, right? (08:56)

2: What are the level 1 magic spells you want to make available to a player in a game? (14:00)

Hang on. Is Indiana Jones’s hat a fedora?

Indiana Jones: His Hats Explained

Okay back to Question 2.

Metroidvania

3: Are the Star Fox characters hotter now or not? (18:41)

4: Write five clues for a Jeopardy! video game category (24:18)

5: LeFish asks, what is the best French thing in video games, and what is the best fish? (28:57)

6: What is a more useful aggregation tool: Metacritic, which averages scores, or Rotten Tomatoes, which averages positive vs. negative reviews? (33:53)

7: What is the Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985) of video games? (37:10)

LIGHTNING ROUND: User Reviews (43:14)

Credit Corner (56:54)

Recommendations and Outro (57:19):

Brandon: The Sting (1973), Get Carter (1971)
Frank: Rollick N’ Roll
Ash: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Love and Deepspace

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Ep. 439 - Deleterious May 04, 2026

Show notes

Our heroes share thoughts on twenty years of achievements, developers responding to player feedback, and whether nail bats count as blunt weapons.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman, episode art by Gilbert Smith.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: When has the appeal of a popular game eluded you? (05:24)

Credit Report (11:40)

2: How have trophies and achievements impacted video games over the past 20 years? (13:39)

3: Let’s talk about that MindsEye DLC (20:21)

4: Give me your dream video game blunt rotation (which is to say, three items to cycle through as blunt weapons in a video game) (25:31)

5: Issac asks, what makes a good sick game? (32:47)

6: To what extent should a studio consider the feedback of their playerbase, and when should they ignore it? (39:34)

7: What is the realizing you’ve been to a restaurant too many times because the workers know who you are by sight of video games? (44:51)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Circle K Corral (51:11)

Recommendations and Outro (59:34):

Brandon: Def By Temptation (1990), Ooh Rap I Ya
Ash: Actually don’t watch For All Mankind, Titanium Court, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
Frank: Eat a ton of shredded cabbage

This week’s episode art was done by Gilbert Smith. Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 438 - We Will Not Be Kept in Your Balls Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

Your Insert Credit Panel discusses the future of Xbox, the difference between dad games and mom games, and weird little guys. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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SHOW NOTES:

1: When are you convinced to go back to a particular game after putting it down? (02:51)

2: Through video game history, how has the job of level designer evolved? (07:44)

3: What are the differences between a dad game and a mom game? (12:59)

4: Design a video game trilogy intended to grow up with the player base (19:39)

5: Death_Strandicoot asks, is Xbox a third party now? Is there still a Big 3? (28:01)

6: What are some new ways to torture players in masocore games? (33:42)

7: What is the McDonald’s Sprite of video games? (38:42)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Roblox Mobile (43:51)

Recommendations and Outro (49:51):

Frank: apply for Video Game History Foundation’s Charity Development Coordinator if you meet the qualifications
Ash: For All Mankind
Brandon: Boogiepop Phantom, Ikarie XB-1 (1963), Baby Steps Developers React to 7 Minute Speedrun

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Ep. 437 - Cookie's Bustacular Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

The panel reviews Cookie’s Bustle, a Japanese PC adventure game hindered by endless copyright strikes and finally freed by the Video Game History Foundation.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: How did we get here? (05:53)

2: How hard is it to get this Japanese abandonware game from 1999 running on your PC in 2026? (11:38)

3: What is happening in Cookie’s Bustle and what are you doing in it? (18:18)

4: Apart from financial cost, what are the material advantages of keeping a development team small? (36:43)

Tokyo Godfathers (2003)

5: Chopemon asks: If you were to go on an adventure, what items have video games taught you to take that you wouldn’t normally think to take? (43:26)

6: Developer Keisuke Harigai once said in a 2001 interview that he designed Cookie’s Bustle with the European market in mind. What do you think that means? (49:51)

7: Do you like Cookie’s Bustle? (56:07)

8: Let’s talk about the mystique of inaccessible games (01:04:24)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Recommendations (01:15:56)

Brandon: Moon Child
Frank: The Cookie’s Bustle collection at the Video Game History Foundation
Ash: Pizza

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Insert Credit Gaiden #16 - B2B KPIs at GDC 2026, with Liz Ryerson Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

Writer, Musician, and Experimental Games Workshop Organizer Liz Ryerson takes on GDC 2026’s expo hall and buttered cocoa with the help of Ty Underwood, Kory, and many more. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Segments:

1: Mar 9 at 1-17 PM - in the park (00:14)

2: Mar 11 at 1-05 PM - game changer (03:51)

3: Mar 11 at 3-21 PM - overheard at GDC (08:45)

4: Mar 12 at 4-01 PM - GDC expo floor (10:10)

5: Mar 16 at 5-14 PM - rambly sick after show reflections (01:20:20)

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Insert Credit Gaiden is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 436 - Shiny Finding Instinct, with Mathew Kumar Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Writer and Game Developer Mathew Kumar joins an episode hosted by Esper Quinn, covering live service games, personalized Silent Hills, and the Kentucky Loan Ranger.

Hosted by Esper Quinn, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and Mathew Kumar. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What would it take to get you into a live service game today? (03:57)

2: Has a video game ever led to you taking up a non-video game hobby? (10:56)

3: Brandon Sheffield asks, have you ever found a piece of media you didn’t realize was based on a video game, then played the video game? (17:24)

4: If you had access to the most advanced 3D graphics rendering capabilities available today, what would you make? (24:19)

5: Alex Jaffe asks, what would your Silent Hill be like? (30:20)

6: What’s the most work you ever put into a video game doing something that wasn’t explicitly encouraged by the game? (37:00)

7: What is the anime waifu car wrap of video games? (47:05)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Magic Cards, Odyssey Block Edition (51:05)

Acceptable Losses
Cunning Wish
Basking Rootwalla (not a real animal, but based on the real Chuckwalla)
Faceless Butcher
Gallantry
Hunting Grounds
Bamboozle

Recommendations and Outro (58:32):

Brandon: Skip Tracer (1977)
Mathew: Backyard Bloodbaths
Frank: Thunderbean
Esper: Blippo+

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 435 - Never Underestimate a PS4 Player from Kentucky Named Josh, with Catherine Masters Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Video Game Journalist Catherine Masters joins the panel to cover console prices, the Microsoft BDS boycott, and Bubsy helping Mario with something. Hosted by Catherine Masters, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Watch episodes with full video on YouTube Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums SHOW NOTES: “If I had a game console, I bet I’d play it all day.” Nintendo DS Lite Dogz 2 Atari 2600 Intellivision Sega Game Gear Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble Intellivoice B-17 Bomber DualShock Game Genie Rumble Pak Sound Blaster Mike Mika 1: How much more expensive can game consoles get? (04:43) Sony raises PS5 prices by up to $150 PlayStation 5 Popular Kids Console Nex Playground Gets $50 Price Hike Nex Playground PlayStation 4 Sony Reportedly Testing Dynamic Pricing on the PlayStation Store Nintendo Switch Demonschool Halo series 2: Why do people treat a Steam release like “the” PC release? (09:51) Steam itch.io GoG Kingdom Hearts series Epic Games Store EA Origin PlayOnline UPlay Steam Deck Alanis Morisette - Ironic 3: After a year, what impact has the BDS Microsoft boycott had? (15:23) BDS Microsoft Boycott RC Cola OpenAI Entire Claude Code CLI source code leaks thanks to exposed map file Anthropic OpenAI just gave up on Sora and its billion-dollar Disney deal 4: What’s the deal with all these egg games? (19:05) Fowl Damage Egging On Arctic Eggs Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg Egg Squeeze Terry Kavanaugh yolkfolk.com Dizzy and Seymour Dizzy Bubsy The Yolkfolk Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk Slender Man The Backrooms 5: Alex Jaffe asks, what tattoo would you give to a tech bro asking for “gamer cred”? (24:55) Offspring - Pretty Fly for a White Guy Super Mario series Triforce Hylian Shield Berserk Master Chief The cake is a lie Skibidi Toilet Lara Croft SGMATRK Warthog 6: What games could you rework from single player to multiplayer? (31:10) National Videogame Museum (United Kingdom) Twitch Plays Pokemon The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures No Way Out Knuckles’ Chaotix Super Mario Odyssey IndieCade Tetris: The Grand Master Celeste Mr. Bones Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice 2p1c by LilAggy and parkenharbor Games Done Quick Bennett Foddy QWOP Baby Steps 7: What should Catherine do instead of watching Insert Credit this week? (36:17) Giant Bomb RndStranger PC Engine The Video Game History Hour Remap Radio Sega Saturn Triple Click 8: What’s the juicy cotoure tracksuit of video games? (38:56) Juicy Cotoure tracksuit Lollipop Chainsaw Ugg boots Stellar Blade Wet Oneechanbara series Super Smash Bros. series Mario Kart series MultiVersus 2K Sports Fortnite Candy Crush Saga Love and Deepspace Goddess of Victory: Nikke Bejeweled Juicy couture an Ed hardy collab photoshoot NYC fashion week LIGHTNING ROUND: Pokedexperts (47:45) Recommendations and Outro (56:33): Catherine: Hire Catherine if you’re a reputable publisher, make plans to finish things, Memory Card, Catherine’s work at The AV Club Ash: Pursuit of Jade, revolution now Brandon: 1000 Women in Horror, Apocalypse Hotel, 東風 by Sawteeth, Frédérick Raynal’s kickstarter for Popcorn Duel + Spinner Frank: You can just watch Star Trek whenever you want without paying anyone money This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by 0nlygh0sts, Kyle Brown, Kory, Alexander Davies, willROAR, Jordan Thornquest, Death_Strandicoot, Sean Patrick, PlazmaGoose, and more patrons like you. Thank you. Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more! (A previous version of this episode used an image from yolkfolk.com that we were not aware was AI generated. This has been fixed, and we apologize for showing it to you. Generative AI sucks, sorry about that.)

Full show notes at the publisher

Ep. 434 - Go Home and Be a Family Man Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Your Insert Credit Panel covers bargaining with publishers, sordid secrets of video game couples, and the Zohran Mamdani of esports.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What’s your favorite cartridge shape? (03:19)

2: As a game developer, how do you buy more time from your publisher? (08:21)

3: What are the most important skills people don’t talk about in esports? (13:16)

4: Given recent drama, what are some other secrets of video game character couples? (18:55)

5: What video game would you recommend to Mary Shelly? (27:15)

6: SteveWithaB asks, was there a time you remember being bullied for enjoying video games? (30:04)

7: What is the waking up just a few minutes before your alarm of video games? (37:47)

LIGHTNING ROUND: ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID? (41:26)

Recommendations and Outro (58:38):

Frank: Kinetica, actually donate the stuff you set aside to donate
Brandon: Suddenly In The Dark (1981)
Ash: Out of the Closet Thrift Stores
Jaffe: Donate goods to Housing Works

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 433 - The First Video Game Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Our panel of experts discuss AI in game development, how to guide players, and Duke Nukem’s actual, real balls of steel. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: At what point is a production tool considered AI? (08:38)

2: What are the benefits of setting a game in the post-apocalypse? (15:26)

3: What’s the worst answer you’ve ever heard from a video game professional to a question? (20:43)

4: What video game facts would you put on a Snapple cap? (26:16)

5: LeFish asks, what are the best ways of misdirecting players in videogames? (33:49)

6: What are historically the smallest decisions that have had the largest impact on video games? (40:30)

7: What is the realizing you were dehydrated when the water you drink is too good of video games? (45:56)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Letters Delivery (51:26)

Recommendations and Outro (54:52):

Brandon: The videogame inspired by Philip Glass that nobody noticed, Demonschool is on sale (please rate and review), check out the library
Ash: Do whimsical things outside your normal routine,
Frank: Go out and find stuff
Jaffe: Stay indoors

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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Ep. 432 - Brandon Sheffield at GDC 2026 Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Necrosoft Games Director and Intrepid Reporter Brandon Sheffield interviews fellow developers and attendees of GDC 2026.

Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Brendon Chung, Tony Grayson, Laura Michet, Chris Pruett, Phil Salvador, and Antonio Uribe. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: Antonio Uribe, AKA Fáyer, creator of PancitoMerge and Dig! Dig! Dino!, on baked goods and making a Playdate game (04:14)

2: Phil Salvador, Library Director of Video Game History Foundation, on building a library (21:56)

3: Tony Grayson, Director of Antonblast for Summit Sphere, on platformers (36:08)

4: Laura Michet, Narrative Director of Blendo Games and writer of Skin Deep, on comedy in video games (50:05)

5: Brendon Chung, Creative Director of Skin Deep from Blendo games, on signposting in immersive sims (01:02:03)

6: Chris Pruett, Director of Games at Meta, on modern horror games (01:17:35)

7: Brandon Sheffield, Writer and Director of Demonschool, on AI and being home from GDC (01:29:00)

This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.

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