Gamers Week Podcast

Episode 200 - Could Cheaper Video Games Save The Gaming Industry?

Send a textIn this episode...--> Video games need to be cheaper to buy. At least, that’s the opinion coming from attendees at the DICE convention in Las Vegas this week, where thousands of video-game makers have been asking each other the same question: What can we learn from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?--> Video game stocks have been getting repeatedly KO’d in recent weeks following the launch of Google’s new generative-AI tool, Project Genie, but experts are saying the program in reality is not the industry killer investors seem to think it is.--> Exactly nine months away from the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, Norwegian electronics retailer Komplett has promised it will give away free copies of the game to anyone giving birth on the game's launch day of November 19, 2026.--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, The Tale of Gamers Week (200th episode celebration!!)We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com- Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest**Use this link to get a $20 credit when you upgrade to a paid podcast hosting plan on Buzzsprout! buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1884378Hosts: donniegretro, retrogamebrews, wrytersviewOpening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli TakanenPatron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretroClosing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli TakanenSupport the show

Episode 199 - PlayStation State of Play February 2026

Send a textIn this episode...--> PlayStation gave us the first State of Play of the new year, and it was a banger. The 60-minute plus event brought multiple new games, updates, and more across many storied franchises, including Castlevania, God of War, Silent Hill, and more.--> Discord announced on Monday that it’s rolling out age verification on its platform globally starting next month, when it will automatically set all users’ accounts to a “teen-appropriate” experience unless they demonstrate that they’re adults.--> Larian Studios’ multi-award-winning fantasy RPG, Baldur’s Gate 3, is set for its own TV series on HBO, and will be helmed by The Last of Us co-creator Craig Mazin. --> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Whatever 101Stinger: "Ryan's Bedtime Lullaby" - The Tiny Boppers ℗ 2012 BPM Digital LtdWe love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com- Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest**Use this link to get a $20 credit when you upgrade to a paid podcast hosting plan on Buzzsprout! buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1884378Hosts: retrogamebrews, wrytersview, donniegretroOpening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli TakanenPatron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretroClosing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli TakanenSupport the show

Episode 198 - Sony Patents AI Podcasts Starring Its Characters

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Publisher Sony has just embraced death and patented its idea for bespoke AI-generated podcasts starring the characters from its games.--> Unity Software Inc. and video game stocks plunged this past Friday on fears of possible artificial intelligence disruption after Google began to roll out Project Genie.--> Variety reported Tuesday that Tongal, a studio that has developed content for Netflix, NBC Universal and other major brands, is in the process of developing a feature film based on the 1980s gridiron video game, Tecmo Bowl.--> Netflix is being removed from the PlayStation 3 — yes, the PlayStation 3 — on March 2, 2026.--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, Nerd History 101We love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com- Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest**Use this link to get a $20 credit when you upgrade to a paid podcast hosting plan on Buzzsprout! buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1884378Hosts: wrytersview, donniegretro, retrogamebrewsOpening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli TakanenPatron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretroClosing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli TakanenSupport the show

Episode 197 - The Fall Of Ubisoft

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Ubisoft is following up last week's "portfolio reset" of canceled and delayed games with the announcement that it's exploring eliminating 200 roles at its Paris headquarters through a "voluntary mutual termination agreement," along with a pledge to double down on “player-facing Generative AI.”--> The upcoming Fable reboot has 1,000 "handcrafted" NPCs, and you can apparently marry every single one of them.--> Valve needed to "verify" footage of the alien orgy in the new Earth Must Die before it was allowed to launch on Steam.--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, TriviaWe love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com- Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest**Use this link to get a $20 credit when you upgrade to a paid podcast hosting plan on Buzzsprout! buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1884378Hosts: donniegretro, retrogamebrews, wrytersviewOpening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli TakanenPatron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretroClosing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli TakanenSupport the show

Episode 196 - Grand Theft Auto VI Will NOT Be Game Of The Year (And Other 2026 Predictions)

Send us a textIn this episode...--> Even with lots to look forward to, 2026 is steeped in uncertainty. We're discussing predictions for the video game industry in the coming year, including GTA VI, AI use, China, and more.--> A new report from Forbes confirms that upcoming shooter Highguard didn't pay for the final reveal spot at the Game Awards despite other developers having to pony up six to seven-figure sums to have their trailers included.--> Nintendo allegedly expressed dissatisfaction at Sega during the development of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, after seeing Sonic's foot placed ahead of Mario's.--> Also: Top 3 New Releases, RetrospectiveWe love our sponsors! Please help us support those who support us!- Check out the Retro Game Club Podcast at linktr.ee/retrogameclub- Connect with CafeBTW at linktr.ee/cafebtw- Get creative with Pixel Pond production company at pixelpondllc.com- Visit Absolutely the Best Podcast: A Work in Progress at linktr.ee/absolutelythebest**Use this link to get a $20 credit when you upgrade to a paid podcast hosting plan on Buzzsprout! buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1884378Hosts: retrogamebrews, wrytersview, donniegretroOpening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli TakanenPatron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by donniegretroClosing theme: "Gamers Week Full-Length Theme" by Akseli TakanenSupport the show