The Insert Credit Show

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Ep. 460 - Guiltlessly Child Free, with Shivam Bhatt Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Writer, podcaster, and Hindu pandit Shivam Bhatt joins the panel to cover spirituality in games, Activision’s Halo, and video games for dogs. Watch episodes with full video on YouTubeDiscuss this episode in the Insert Credit ForumsSHOW NOTES:“Peek Aboo Call Me Back And Nuisance Back. Pac-Mania.”Nintendo 64Mario Kart seriesNintendo DSPing PalsLegend of Zelda seriesDeath StrandingQuake III: ArenaJourneyCasual Magic with Shivam BhattShivam And Wheeler Love MagicChronicles of Dragonlance1: Which video games have you had spiritual experiences with? (08:26)HinduismMagic: The GatheringRamayanaMosesLinkCloud StrifeRezTetris EffectTetsuya MizuguchiJeopardy!Dance Dance Revolution seriesbeatmania seriesPlayStation VRChild of EdenBorn againOsu! Tatakae! Ouendan / Elite Beat Agents seriesThe Righteous GemstonesNieR: AutomataOrthodox JudaismNetHack2: What is the difference in tone and content between Western and Asian dramas? (19:54)David and GoliathDark ShadowsSupernaturalGame of ThronesBabylon 5World of WarCraft3: What is Activision’s Halo going to look like? (25:36)Kotaku: Activision Taking Over Halo Franchise And What Remains Of Halo Studios Will Now Be A Support TeamCall of Duty seriesHalo: InfiniteHalo: Reachid SoftwarePitfall!Chopper CommandGrand Theft Auto VIElder Scrolls seriesMadden seriesNBA 2K seriesPeakBeamNG.driveRobloxFinal Fantasy seriesBurnout seriesBluey: The Videogame4: Joel Valentin asks, what is something you thought only existed in video games until you were made aware of it in real life? (31:22)Silent Hill seriesThe SimpsonsSuper Mario seriesDon QuijoteYakuza seriesIfritShivaSid Meier's Civilization seriesCalorieMateMetal Gear Solid seriesLa Li Lu Le LoOcarinaEchidnaKnucklesHedgehogSonicDuckTalesHollywood Reporter: Disney+ Revives Darkwing Duck5: Brandon Sheffield asks, design a game for a dog (36:34)Stella, the dog that “talks”NOVA | Can Dogs Talk?6: What is the printing a Magic card so imbalanced it has to be immediately banned from tournament play of video games? (40:23)AkumaSuper Street Fighter II TurboLeague of LegendsCounter-Strike seriesTekken seriesPokemon seriesMewtwoKotaku: NES Tetris Players Call It ‘Rolling,’ And They’re Setting New World RecordsGolfBusiness Insider: They're Probably Going To Ban The Putting Technique That Just Won The MastersSoulslikeLIGHTNING ROUND: Planes Talkers (46:01)Recommendations and Outro (01:07:58):Frank: The Digital Archive at VGHF LibraryShivam: Sanjay Patel’s Ramayana and MahabharataAsh: Squeakross: Home Squeak Home, let Ash know what Warhammer she should read nextThis week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Shivam Bhatt. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Full show notes at the publisher

Ep. 459 - Mission Impastabowl, with Chris Plante Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Host of Post Games Chris Plante joins the panel to the future of video game journalism, the new Wolverine game, and a boxed copy of Microsoft Excel.

Watch episodes with full video on YouTube

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: How can video games responsibly portray physical disability? (07:15)

2: How important is fidelity in video game adaptation? (14:47)

3: Brandon Sheffield asks: what are some games that struck you immediately as being good, bad, or otherwise tailored toward you? (23:30)

4: How do you adapt a podcast into a broadway show? (29:03)

5: Bigger J asks, there’s a lot of recurring level themes in platform games. What isn’t one, but should be? (36:23)

6: Is there a future for professional video game journalism? (43:31)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Arcade Of Our Own (52:46)

Recommendations and Outro (01:06:22):

Chris: Butter Side Down, Post Games
Frank: Try to watch things that don’t have commercials
Ash: Make shit to eat that you’ve never made before, Firefly Wedding
Jaffe: Pasta e Fagioli

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

Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Chris Plante. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 458 - Wet Adult Link, with Alex Fraioli Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Podcaster, Essayist and Voice Actor Alex Fraioli joins the panel to cover the Ocarina of Time remake, barcade preferences, and keyblade nonsense. Watch episodes with full video on YouTubeDiscuss this episode in the Insert Credit ForumsSHOW NOTES:Coyote vs. Acme (2026)James GunnPeter LorreM (1931)Cut ManRenFrankenstein (1931)Casablanca (1942)The Maltese Falcon (1941)Looney TunesHumphrey Bogart“Never strive for a better tomorrow”Looney TunesBeaky BuzzardChickenhawkTom & JerryHanna BarberaGossamerTweety BirdWinnie-the-PoohTiggerMinionsTazBugs BunnySpace Ghost Coast to CoastWitch HazelMichigan J. Frog1: Brandon Sheffield asks, what is the most fun you’ve had with a game on a gimmick-based platform? (09:36)WiiNintendo DSKinectPlaydateIvy the Kiwi?Feel the Magic XY/XXSamba De AmigoWii SportsIntellivisionNintendo Switch SportsWarioWare: Twisted!Game Boy AdvanceRabbids seriesThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight PrincessGame Boy ColorThe Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DXGames Done QuickDance Dance Revolution seriesmaimai seriesJubeat seriesRock Band series2: How did you see video games evolve socially over time? (14:51)Nagoya, JapanMario Kart seriesSuper Smash Bros. seriesBurgertimeBurgertime: WorldtourDig DugMega Man seriesCastlevania III: Dracula's CurseTenth Level TavernPretty Soldier: Sailor MoonPac-ManDave & BustersRound1Street Fighter III: 3rd StrikeMortal Kombat III3: Which video games do you associate with specific cities? (20:39)NBA JamChicago BullsScottie PippenHorace GrantB.J. ArmstrongTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in TimeGrand Theft Auto: San AndreasGrand Theft Auto VDead RisingFallout: New VegasCasino KidParanormasight: The Mermaid's CurseFinal Fantasy XI OnlineBoku no Natsuyasumi seriesMarvel Spider-Man seriesPokemon seriesParasite EveAustin Powers: Oh, Behave!Grand Theft Auto: London4: What should we anticipate from this recently announced Kingdom Hearts anime? (24:42)Kingdom Hearts seriesKingdom Hearts animeApothecary Diaries: The False Imperial BrotherYumeriaSuikoden the AnimeDonald DuckSoraRoxasAnsemThe Good Dinosaur (2015)Star Wars seriesGroguTonberryGrootApocalypseChernobogYen SidPeteVandal SavageMaleficentTeam RocketXionPSPThe King of Fighters: DestinyStreet FighterFatal Fury: The Motion Picture (1994)Virtual FighterMonkey D. LuffyGokuPopeye the Sailor ManStreet Fighter II: The Animated Movie (1994)5: The 1000-Year Old Man asks, what is the Mt. Fuji of video games? (34:20)Avatar (2009)FamilyMartTerry PratchettJ. R. R. TolkienMount FujiMetroidvaniaMetroidCastlevaniaJRPGAchievementsMario Bros.Donkey KongShigeru MiyamotoKraft Mac and Cheese6: Where is the uncanny valley? (40:38)The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake trailerKotaku: Why Is Link The Only Character Who Looks Like A Freak In The Ocarina Of Time Remake?ReBootUncharted seriesThe ComebackNathan DrakeLisa KudrowPlanet of the Apes seriesDragon Quest VII: Reimagined7: What do you think is the hardest job in voice acting? (44:24)Billy WestJustin RoilandHatsune MikuEric BauzaPorky PigDaffy DuckHank AzariaRobin WilliamsGenieDan CastellanetaHomer SimpsonEarthworm JimFrank CastleChristopher LeePeter JacksonLIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Lorre Not Lorre (48:44)Recommendations and Outro (01:00:18):Alex: No More Whoppers, Draw Game, QuartetAsh: The Blood of Dawnwalker, The Great Food Truck RaceFrank: If you have blood in your dong water go see a doctor, PBSThis week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Alex Fraioli. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Full show notes at the publisher

Ep. 457 - Hey Me, Pikachi Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Your beloved panel covers advances in stealth games, new Pokemon types, and whether or not Marty McFly has a scrote. SHOW NOTES:“Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough!”Pokemon seriesMetal Gear Solid Δ: Snake EaterKotakuLeBron James1: What is the correct amount of time to sit down and play a video game in front of your TV? (05:57)Marvel Cinematic UniverseX-Men (2000)Thor: The Dark World (2013)Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)The Marvels (2023)The Incredible Hulk (2008)Black Panther (2018)Avengers: Endgame (2019)Zack SnyderEternals (2021)KingoKumail Nanjiani2: Which video games are most responsible for advancing their genre? (13:02)Metal Gear Solid seriesSystem ShockDeus ExStreet Fighter IISpy FictionResident Evil 4Assassin’s Creed seriesHitman seriesImmersive simDishonoredMetroidvaniaPinballJohn Romero discovers a 1940 first person shooterPong3: What even is the incentive to make video games commercially? (19:43)Wadjet Eye GamesDave GilbertRon GilbertDave GrossmanEA4: Design a new Pokemon type (25:13)WaterFireGroundRockNormalGhostFairyGrassPoisonFlyingDragonDarkBugPsychicFightingIceElectricYu-Gi-Oh!SteelHey You, Pikachu!MimikyuMissingNo.Skylanders seriesSpyroPalworldUnownRotom5: Dr. Booperstein III asks, are all video games derivative of the first generation of video games? (32:08)Guess Who?Pac-ManDonkey KongQ*BertNight DriverBack to the Future Part II (1989)Leslie "Spike" O'MalleyEntertainment Software AssociationE3Summer Game FestBack to the Future: The Game6: What’s the stupidest playable race in a video game? (39:18)PepsimanMass Effect seriesAsariQuarianTurianStar TrekStar Trek: Deep Space NineBajoranVulcanSpockDwarf FortressDwarvesBlood ElvesWorld of WarCraftNight ElvesOrcTaurenTrollUndeadPikminPikmin seriesZerg7: What is the Steven Spielberg’s Stanley Kubrick’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) of video games? (46:16)MiloPeter MolyneuxHaley Joel OsmentBerserkDuneThe Wheel of TimeBioShock seriesKen LevineJudasFallout 3Fallout: New VegasMetal Gear: SurviveDuke Nukem ForeverStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - RemakeDragon Age: The VeilguardSonic CDMetropolis (1927)LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (52:58)Recommendations and Outro (58:24):Brandon: Doom Runners (1997), Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012), Etiene T. Boy - Jealousy, Vintage Obscura RadioFrank: Barkin’, Classic X-MenAsh: The Blood of Dawnwalker, The Prisoner of BeautyJaffe: If you have a work day that ends at 10 PM, you don’t get to do all the stuff you do if your work day normally ends at 5 PM.This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Full show notes at the publisher

Ep. 456 - Lady RoboBobby, with Stella Sacco Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Narrative designer Stella Sacco joins the panel to cover Grand Theft Auto VI, detecting AI in games, and pink plush Peeps bunnies. Watch episodes with full video on YouTubeDiscuss this episode in the Insert Credit ForumsSHOW NOTES:“I’m escaping to the one place that hasn’t been ruined by capitalism! Insert Credit!”Super Smash Bros. seriesPlayStation 4Xbox OneGrand Theft Auto VIMajestic 12Oceans ElevenGrand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay TonyStella SaccoSex 2PC-98TeledildonicsHalo series1: How are we feeling about Grand Theft Auto VI? (05:38)Grand Theft Auto IIIPlayStation 2Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended LookKotaku: Grand Theft Auto 6's Latest Leak Told Me All I Need To KnowSpider-ManIGN: Rockstar Doesn’t Mind if You Dislike GTA 6’s Romantic SideGrand Theft Auto VAny AustinGDCRed Dead Redemption seriesMarvel Midnight SunsBladeFinal Fantasy XIVAnimal Crossing seriesSplatoon seriesDark Souls seriesHypnospace Outlawweb3MySpaceFourteeniteXIII2: How can we trust any new video games not to use AI? (15:52)Time Extension: James Pond Creator On System 3's "Soulless" Legacy Collectionthe kickstarter for that bad AI Genesis game Brandon was talking aboutWanted: Dead’s AI slop key art3: How have video game companies most egregiously attempted to rewrite their own histories? (20:40)Arc System WorksGDRIBioWareElectronic ArtsTreasureYakuzaZaibatsuMidway4: Which movies most need a “Scarface: The World is Yours” type sequel with the protagonist coming back to life? (25:17)Scarface: The World Is YoursThe Green Mile (1999)Heat (1995)The Goonies (1985)Thelma & Louise (1991)Bump ‘N’ JumpRobocop 3 (1993)John Wick: Chapter 4 (20XX)The Fast and Furious seriesWarhammer 40,000: DarktideJudge DreadDead to Rights: RetributionSorcerer (1977)Death StrandingTangerine DreamTitanic (1997)Ghost of YōteiPirates of the Caribbean seriesPoint Break (1991)5: Room Check! (32:48)PeepsMAGFestVideo Game History FoundationPony ExpressMochillaEarth Defense Force seriesTokyo Game ShowCasio LoopyGematsu: Earth Defense Force 6.2: Invaders from Another World announced for PS56: WillaWisp asks, what is the CeraVe Daily Moisturizer of video games? (38:16)CeraVeThreesCetaphilTetrisXbox Wireless ControllerOther OceanEucerinHoledownPicross seriesSqueakross: Home Squeak HomeNintendo 3DSStar Trek7: If Dolly Parton asked you to show her some video games, which ones would you show her? (43:35)Dolly PartonRock Band seriesNight in the WoodsNintendo SwitchRollerCoaster Tycoon seriesDollywoodBayonetta seriesElviraSplatterhouseMario Party seriesWii SportsDesert BusPenn & TellerLIGHTNING ROUND: Blind Pull Quote (48:41)Recommendations and Outro (58:27):Frank: Cetaphil moisturizing creamStella: Mortal Shell II, Terminator 2: Judgment Day 35th Anniversary (2026)Brandon: The Tong - Dangerous Games, Val Young - Let's Fall In Love, Save the Green Planet! (2003)Jaffe: The Shadow with Orson WellesThis week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield and Stella Sacco. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Full show notes at the publisher

Ep. 455 - Resident Fourvil Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

The panel reviews Resident Evil 4, a foundational 3rd person action horror game with memorable characters, a novelty controller, and an egg meta.

Watch episodes with full video on YouTube

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What did you know about Resident Evil 4 before playing? (03:17)

2: Do we need to reevaluate escort missions in 2026? (18:18)

3: How important is it for a horror game to be scary? (23:27)

4: Is inventory management fun? (36:45)

5: Dustin asks, what games should have a novelty controller? (51:08)

6: Let’s talk about the remakes (57:53)

7: Why is this game important? (01:06:31)

8: Where does Resident Evil 4 rank among the Capcom Five? (01:08:27)

LIGHTNING ROUND: What’re Ya Buyin? (01:13:57)

Recommendations and Outro (01:20:15):

Jaffe, Frank, Ash and Brandon: Resident Evil 4, either on a CRT or with the HD Project mod and ShaderGlass.

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

Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

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

Ep. 454 - Turtle Goblins Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Editor and Media Critic Esper Quinn joins Jaffe, Frank and Brandon for an evening of video game writing, high volume of death, and the Mr. Bones Apology Tour.

Watch episodes with full video on YouTube

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What do you look for in a video game castle? (04:18)

2: What kinds of video games have the narrowest distinction between a good one and a bad one? (10:22)

3: Hey Esper, what are the hardest video games to find footage for when making the video edition of Insert Credit? (15:34)

4: What do video game writers get away with that would never fly in other media? (22:38)

5: Magnanimus asks, other than humans, what creature has been killed the most times across all video games? (26:58)

Turtle
Zombie
Goblin
Super Mario series
Goomba
Fungus
Minecraft
Vampire Survivors
Skeleton
Bat
Zubat
Robot
Cyborg
Mother 3
Slime
Cookie Clicker
The Felling of the One Hundred Centillion Turtle Goblins: A Morality Game (download, extract html file, and open in browser to play!)

6: On which occasions have you told someone specifically not to play a video game? (31:42)

7: What is the FLCL of video games? (35:44)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Magic: the Sortening (40:40)

Recommendations and Outro (01:00:11)

Brandon: Not Dracula 3000 (2004), Taskmaster Season 21, Please do not hang out in the street, the commentary for Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Esper: The Mountain Goats - Days, Ekphrasis, Magic Every Day with Esper Quinn

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

Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield and Esper Quinn. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 453 - Mega Duck and Cougar Boy Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Frank, Ash, and Brandon answer Jaffe’s questions about simple ways to improve any game, documentary video game adaptations, and turning consoles into anime girls. Watch episodes with full video on YouTubeDiscuss this episode in the Insert Credit ForumsSHOW NOTES:BMX XXXBurning ManAcclaim EntertainmentDavid Cronenberg“You point a gun at me? Your own kin? Your dear papa?”Richter BelmontCastlevania: Symphony of the NightDracula1: What is something simple you can add to any video game to make it immediately better? (03:53)Pac-Man seriesKlonoa seriesSonic the Hedgehog seriesPokémon seriesTetristhe Pokemon track Ash was thinking ofMetal Gear Solid seriesBilly MitchellMystery Science Theater 30002: Is there something you’ve encountered in a game you can only explain as an inside joke? (10:43)Fantasy LifeNintendo DSPier Solar and the Great ArchitectsIndivisibleBaba BooeyTetsuya NomuraKingdom Hearts III secret endingFinal Fantasy Versus XIIIMindsEyeAstalSegagagaSegaSonyDreamcast3: What are your standard practices for saving your game? (16:26)Resident Evil 4SiSTer FPGASuper Nintendo Entertainment SystemYakuza seriesBaldur’s Gate seriesPlayStation 44: Design anthropomorphized versions of obscure video game consoles for a Hyperdimension Neptunia reboot (21:48)Hyperdimension Neptunia seriesGijinkaPlaydateWatara SupervisionWonderSwanMega Duck/Cougar BoyAtari LynxN-GageCasio LoopyGame GearPlug-n-play gameWiiShang TsungNex PlaygroundMeta Ray-BansSocrates Interactive Patient SystemAmiga CD32Atari 2600IntellivisionWhat Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)Patty and SelmaKotaku: Oh Dang, Magic: The Gathering Made Bilbo Baggins Hot5: Death_Strandicoot asks, what would be the best documentary to adapt into a video game? (30:57)GIRPSuper Size Me (2004)March of the Penguins (2005)March of the Penguins (DS game)National GeographicNational Geographic licenseesPlanet EarthCritical Kate WillærtThe King of Kong (2007)VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender ActionCoffee TalkWalter DayDonkey KongParis Is Burning (1990)StepmaniaWiiKinectJust Dance seriesPlan 9 From Outer Space (1959)Plan 9 From Outer Space (DOS game)Her StoryCold Case FilesGhost Trick: Phantom DetectiveUnsolved MysteriesMothmanGrizzly Man (2005)7 UpIndie Game: The Movie (2012)LuLaRoeBlackfish (2013)Ape OutJaws: UnleashedJaws seriesAn Inconvenient Truth (2006)SolarpunkTetris (2023)6: What games in the Game Industry Hardship Bundle do you think Frank, Ash, and Insert Credit listeners would like most? (36:30)Arranger: A Role-Puzzling AdventureA Short HikeHoledownSkatebirdCool Kid CodyNECTurboGrafx-16Wheels of Aurelia 1978Hyper GunsportLittle MedusaFutureGrindDirtbag MahjongWinter WitchMagenta HorizonPurrfect ApawcalypseThey Bleed PixelsDead Finger Dice: A Billionaire Killing GameDrywall Eating Simulator7: Whos a cool lady? (42:23)CelesteMadelineYasmineBayonettaHannah WaddinghamTed LassoMoon LeeCynthia RothrockChingmy YauMichelle YeohKatie MacLady and the TrampSemiramisMichelle ObamaAmy HennigDanielle Bunten BerryEsper QuinnAsh ParrishMaddy ThorsonMaddy MyersGita Jackson52 PickupNoa IzumiBirdoPrincess DaisyAerith GainsboroughSamus AranChun-LiBullet WitchAda WongVivienneLiara T'SoniTali'ZorahShaleAmaterasuMaleniaLIGHTNING ROUND: Verb Coding (48:17)Recommendations and Outro (56:36):Brandon: NEWDERY Stick Grips, Beatdown City Survivors, Napalm Death: Tiny Desk ConcertAsh: Clytemnestra, Platform Decay, Ancillary JusticeJaffe: Absolute Wonder WomanThis week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Full show notes at the publisher

Ep. 452 - Ground Bud Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

The panel you know and love returns to discuss E3, user generated content, and Ryan Baby Goose. Watch episodes with full video on YouTubeDiscuss this episode in the Insert Credit ForumsSHOW NOTES:The Criterion ChannelKiyoshi KurosawaThe Samurai and the Prisoner (2026)Akira KurosawaGatorade Zero Glacier CherryCostcoWaterVitamin Water XXXxXx (2002)Stella Sacco1: What’s everybody been up to lately? (03:13)San Diego Comic-ConFunko PopMarvel Cinematic UniverseStar TrekSteve DitkoKimba the White LionBatmanHutchinson IslandSea turtleCrowLemmingSea cucumberRabbitFlorida KeysJellyfishAmerica the Beautiful2 What was E3 like? (12:06)E3DreamcastPlayStation 2Crash BandicootNEC InterchannelPC EngineThe Video Game History Foundation E3 CollectionCarolyn RauchThe Beatles: Rock BandSega SaturnPlayStationElectronic Gaming MonthlyLegend of Zelda: Twilight PrincessGame InformerSpider-Man3: What are the best implementations of weather effects in video games? (19:27)Haunted MansionSoulslikeFinal Fantasy XGhostwire: TokyoThe Legend of Zelda: Wind WakerSuper Mario seriesLooney TunesJourney to the WestAstro BoyAstro BotKen Griffey Jr Presents Major League BaseballPeanut Butter the Speedrunning DogJerry Rice & Nitus’s Dog FootballHollywood Reporter: ‘Air Bud Returns’ Movie Reboot Sets Cast Ahead of 2026 ReleaseVariety: Ryan Gosling Cast as Ghost Rider in Marvel MovieBaby Driver (2017)Ryan GoslingGosling4: Design a dating game that takes place at the Cheesecake Factory (25:05)Cheesecake FactoryApplebee’sBucca di BeppoChipotlePia Carrot e Yōkoso!! seriesDate Everything5: Room Check! (32:24)Game Developer ConferenceChildren’s Fairyland"It's Just Emulation!": The Challenge of Selling Old GamesIt's Still Emulation: Saving Video Game History Before It's Too LatePreserving Game History: It's Just UsBubsyGunplaMS-09 DomAdvanced Variable Geo6: SteveWithAB asks, what was a major inflection point for video games that didn’t feel like one at the time? (40:04)RobloxDreamsLittleBigPlanetMinecraftElden RingAtari Games Corp. v. Nintendo of America Inc.7: What is the Emily Wilson’s critique of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey of video games? (45:29)Emily WilsonChristopher NolanThe Odyssey (2026)NPR: 'Odyssey' translator Emily Wilson says Nolan shouldn't have written the movie himselfHideo KojimaCapcomDante’s InfernoConsole WarsThe Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)Stellar BladeBayonettaDraculaCastlevania: Symphony of the NightSephirothAnne RiceLIGHTNING ROUND: Notable Patreon Characters (54:22)Recommendations and Outro (01:05:31):Brandon: Game Industry Hardship BundleAsh: Drink more teaFrank: Go somewhere without an agendaJaffe: Magic Every Day with Esper QuinnThis week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Full show notes at the publisher

Ep. 451 - Big Dick 3, with Stella Sacco Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Writer and narrative designer Stella Sacco joins Brandon and Esper to cover pandering in games, T4T energy, and dokidokidecahedrons. Watch episodes with full video on YouTubeDiscuss this episode in the Insert Credit ForumsSHOW NOTES:Joe Rogan“Dig ‘em dig ‘em dug dig ‘em!”ItalySaint Patrick’s DayScotlandCzech RepublicGermanyEnglandOhioCNBC: 5 biggest risks of sharing your DNA with consumer genetic-testing companiesNorth American fur tradeCanadaRussiaHungaryMarioSacco and VanzettiJoan Baez & Ennio Morricone - The Ballad of Sacco and Vanzetti1: What’s the difference between catering to an audience and pandering to an audience? (03:59)Fan serviceMass Effect 3 ending controversyLove and Deepspace2BNieR: AutomataNieRStellar BladeTekken 3Panda2: What are some things video game writers have to do that most people don’t think about? (09:19)Captain Toad: Treasure TrackerTLC - Waterfalls3: Are there any examples of studio notes improving a game? (14:42)I Am the NightBatman: the Animated SeriesAlbert PyunCyborgJean-Claude Van DammeCyberpunk 2077PokemonGame Link CableHideo KojimaMetal Gear Solid seriesGeorge Lucas4: Which video game romance has the most T4T energy? (21:51)T4TDemonschoolPrincess PeachBowserDestinyEris MornThe DrifterAvalancheMotoko KusanagiTachikomaBatouLinkZeldaDragon Age IIMass Effect seriesLady DimitrescuBaldur’s Gate IIIShadowheartHalsinKarlachGaleTidusWakkaBanjo-KazooieBridgetGuilty Gear seriesTracerBernard DowdONLINE MULTIPLAYER: Gen Z/Gen Alpha Only! What was your first video game? (27:16)5: Gaagaagiins asks, why is Mario’s mustache black, but his hair is brown? (35:16)Super Mario 64Zohran MamdaniAlexandria Ocasio-CortezGeorge CostanzaHeihachi MishimaPersona seriesAuronSam ElliottStellar Blade 2DianaBayonettaMaster HigginsMaster ChiefCortanaGreen ArrowSonic the HedgehogShadow the HedgehogEspio the Chameleon6: In video games with dialogue, is it always preferable to have voice acting? (42:11)Fire Emblem seriesResident Evil 4Ashley GrahamForspokenXenoblade Chronicles 3Troy BakerLegend of DragoonTom Clancy’s The DivisionEarth Defense Force seriesHulkJonathan Hickman7: What is the Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) of video games? (52:57)Street Fighter the Movie the GameKingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016)Batman: Arkham seriesFinal Fantasy VII RemakeDie Hard ArcadeDie Hard (1988)Star Wars: Episode I - RacerKnights of the Old Republic seriesPlatoonLIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Giallo Films (58:40)Recommendations and Outro (01:11:43):Stella: The Tainted CupEsper: Magic Every Day with Esper Quinn starting August 3, Twinbeard Plays MarioBrandon: KALX, Poil - Pikiwa, Chubby Checker - Dig Dug, The Anime Corner Store, Freeway (1996)This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you.Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Brandon Sheffield, Esper Quinn, and Stella Sacco. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Full show notes at the publisher

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