We discuss the week's headlines, answer listener questions, and keep a running tally of stupid bets.
Ep 515 - Five years after purchasing the celebrated Bluepoint Games, Sony flushes them down the drain. In lighter news, Blood is back to share stories from DICE, and we have impressions of Mario Tennis Fever, Demon Tides, Scott Pilgrim, and more! Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-sony-151223167 00:00 - Intro 04:38 - .hack//Z.E.R.O. Revealed! 09:13 - Layers of Fear 3 Announced 13:22 - The Escapist Replaced by AI 18:44 - Sony Closes Bluepoint Games 39:14 - DICE Awards and Stories from Bloodworth 47:50 - A Word From Our Sponsors 50:14 - My One Piece 54:57 - My One Thing 01:01:06 - Mario Tennis Fever Impressions 01:11:45 - Awaysis Preview 01:18:01 - Scott Pilgrim EX Demo Impressions 01:27:23 - Demon Tides Impressions 01:33:38 - L&R: What Next? 01:39:04 - L&R: A Resident Evil Pairing 01:43:43 - L&R: Olympic Video Games 01:50:24 - Bets 01:56:47 - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Check out the game Blood's launching this week, Horripilant: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3525970/Horripilant/
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Ep 514 - Sony brought the goods with the first State of Play for 2026, including God of War, Castlevania, Silent Hill, and more. We share our thoughts on Reanimal and Romeo is a Dead Man. Plus, we're joined by Quentin Cobb and Elaine Gomez for an excellent chat about their new studio Ironroot Games.
Learn more about Ironroot Games at https://ironrootgames.com/
Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-state-150717880 00:00 - Intro 03:35 - State of Play Highlights 50:05 - Riot and Wildlight Layoffs 01:04:23 - Remedy Gets a New CEO 01:11:08 - Baldur's Gate Gets a TV Show 01:15:03 - My One Thing 01:20:37 - Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties Impressions 01:32:33 - Romeo is a Dead Man Impressions 01:39:22 - Reanimal Impressions 01:47:33 - Meet Ironroot Games - Interview 02:42:11 - L&R: Favorite Love Stories 02:47:15 - L&R: What Needs a Sequel? 02:54:53 - L&R: First Time with a Classic 03:07:18 - Bets 03:11:01 - Closing
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Ep 513 - Isla's been having a great time in Nioh 3. Overwatch has dropped the 2 and picked up Jetpack Cat. And the latest Nintendo Direct has a gorgeous new exclusive, as well as some dino goodness. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-nioh-3-150079202 00:00 - Intro 01:50 - Nintendo Partner Direct Highlights 27:55 - Resident Evil Live Action Trailer 33:26 - Horizon Hunters Gathering 40:26 - Big Moves for Overwatch 47:46 - Podracing Confirmed 50:16 - A Word From Our Sponsors 56:13 - Switch is the Best-Selling Nintendo Console 01:00:22 - PlayStation Financial Report 01:01:53 - Sony Patents AI-Powered Podcasts 01:05:40 - Austin Wintory Won a Grammy 01:06:16 - My One Thing 01:13:45 - Nioh 3 Impressions 01:35:49 - L&R: Heartfelt Memories 01:38:24 - L&R: Call it a Comeback 01:46:11 - L&R: PTO-Worthy Releases 01:52:40 - Bets 01:57:34 - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Go to https://www.factormeals.com/allies50off and use code ALLIES50OFF to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. This episode brought to you by “INTERIMAGERY” the new album by songwriter/producer Jens Goedhart https://linktr.ee/JensGoedhart
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Ep 512 - We weigh in with our thoughts on the first few days of Highguard. Huntdown: Overtime has Don's eyes lighting up. Dispatch has questionable censorship on Switch 2, and our patrons list the Top 10 Babies. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-highs-149486539 00:00 - Intro 03:06 - Huntdown: Overtime Announced 16:46 - Most Popular Platforms Among Devs 21:15 - Ubisoft Unions Call for Strike 30:25 - Dispatch Censored on Switch 2 38:21 - A Word From Our Sponsors 39:39 - Top 10 Babies 50:34 - My One Thing 01:02:50 - Highguard Impressions 01:17:48 - Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance Impressions 01:33:23 - L&R: Contest Prizes 01:40:49 - L&R: Winning Genre Combos 01:49:38 - L&R: 3DS Favorites 02:00:23 - Bets 02:05:29 - Closing This episode brought to you by “INTERIMAGERY” the new album by songwriter/producer Jens Goedhart https://linktr.ee/JensGoedhart
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Ep 511 - Xbox's annual Developer Direct offers a strong look at four promising new games for 2026. Square Enix cashes out with one more Life is Strange. Ubisoft cancels Prince of Persia, and we check out the December sales charts. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-forza-6-148917620 00:00 - Intro 02:37 - Life is Strange: Reunion 16:53 - Ubisoft Cancellations and Restructuring 35:17 - Forza Horizon 6 39:52 - Beast of Reincarnation 45:36 - Kiln 52:09 - Fable 01:00:53 - A Word from Our Sponsors 01:04:00 - December Sales Report 01:18:26 - My One Thing 01:27:41 - L&R: Germany's Top Selling of 2025 01:32:06 - L&R: The Best Button 01:37:54 - L&R: Outside the Box 01:44:00 - Bets 01:52:46 - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. This episode brought to you by “INTERIMAGERY” the new album by songwriter/producer Jens Goedhart https://linktr.ee/JensGoedhart
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Ep 510 - A new year has come, and it's time for us to start looking forward to what's next, including an all new Resident Evil, the next game from Grasshopper Manufacture, Reanimal, Replaced, Mouse, and more.
Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-winter-148349449
00:00 - Intro
01:54 - Kratos Has Been Cast
05:56 - January Game Preview
29:47 - February Game Preview
01:10:36 - A Word From Our Sponsors
01:11:50 - March Game Preview
01:41:00 - My One Thing
01:48:39- L&R: Date Night
01:55:09 - L&R Game: Casting Keanu
02:04:48 - L&R: Most Anticipated 2026
02:12:04 - Bets
02:22:40 - Closing
This episode brought to you by “INTERIMAGERY” the new album by songwriter/producer Jens Goedhart https://linktr.ee/JensGoedhart
Winter Game Preview Timestamps:
(Thanks to PateOfCourse)
January:
5:56 - Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
7:56 - The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon / DeadCore Redux
8:12 - BrokenLore: Unfollow
9:49 - GHOST CAM / On-Together: Virtual Co-Working / Blightstone
10:02 - Escape from Ever After
11:52 - Highguard
15:48 - Speedball
17:54 - Dispatch (Switch and Switch 2)
18:29 - Cairn
22:40 - Don't Stop, Girlypop!
24:35 - Code Vein II
27:14 - Vampires: Bloodlord Rising
29:39 - Front Mission 3 Remake
February:
29:47 - Dragon Quest VII Reimagined
33:11 - Nioh 3
37:20 - Romeo is a Dead Man
39:46 - Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
43:55 - Mario Tennis Fever
47:24 - Ride 6
49:24 - ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard
51:26 - High on Life 2
52:35 - Reanimal
54:57 - ASTROBOTANICA
55:06 - Styx: Blades of Greed
55:57 - Ys X: Proud Nordics
56:05 - Tokyo Xtreme Racer (PS5)
1:03:11 - Towerborne
1:05:21 - Tales of Berseria Remastered
1:05:36 - Resident Evil Requiem
March:
1:12:01 - World of Warcraft: Midnight
1:16:17 - Coffee Talk Tokyo / Pokémon Pokopia
1:17:57 - John Carpenter's Toxic Commando
1:19:49 - Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake
1:21:22 - Replaced
1:24:31 - Solasta II
1:24:58 - Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
1:25:12 - Mouse: P.I. For Hire
1:27:52 - Crimson Desert
1:32:58 - Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection
1:35:25 - Winter Preview wrap up
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Ep 509 - We're back from the holidays with stories to tell and games to discuss, including our thoughts on Witcher 3 DLC rumors, Big Hops, Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined, Hades II, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-big-new-147795937
00:00 - Intro
17:53 - James Bond Delay
24:22 - Vince Zampella Passed Away
27:46 - GOG Under New Ownership (Sorta)
30:21 - Witcher 3 Expansion Rumors
37:50 - Ubisoft Shutters Halifax Studio
40:04 - DICE Awards Nominations
42:59 - Tomb Raider Cast Reveal
45:41 - A Word From Our Sponsors
47:34 - My One Thing
57:24 - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Impressions
01:17:05 - Hades II Impressions
01:27:39 - Big Hops Impressions
01:32:00 - Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined Demo Impressions
01:49:34 - L&R: Challenge Modes / Mods
01:52:41 - L&R: Avatar: Fire & Ash
02:01:38 - L&R: Video Game Language
02:08:40 - Bets
02:20:34 - Closing
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Ep 508 - We wave goodbye to 2025 as we look back at some of the struggles and triumphs that defined the year. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146478379 00:00 - Intro 02:39 - GTA VI Delays 05:09 - Saudi Arabia Plans to Buy EA 07:13 - Switch 2 Launch 14:43 - The Game Awards 17:31 - AI Controversies 22:40 - Voice Actors Strike Ends 23:30 - Mass Layoffs 25:43 - Games That Bombed 27:50 - 2025 Year-to-Date Sales Report 42:19 - Indies 59:00 - Accessibility / New IPs / Switch 2 Upgrades 01:00:40 - TGA Reveals 01:03:26 - L&R: Industry Shifts 01:14:25 - L&R: Disproportionate Attention 01:31:30 - L&R: Replaying Old Games 01:41:55 - Or Wars and Closing
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Ep 507 - It's our annual holiday tradition with a full episode of questions, anecdotes, and games from our supportive community. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146404024 00:00 - Intro 02:12 - L&R Game: Game That Name! 08:34 - L&R: Motorstorm Will Return? 12:14 - L&R: Gameplay or Story? 17:04 - L&R Game: Halo Or Taylor Swift 20:44 - L&R: Tastes Changed in 10 Years? 23:22 - L&R: More Recognition for To a T 29:37 - L&R: Living in a Game's World 35:16 - L&R: Which Fanbase Has Suffered Most? 40:25 - A Word from Our Sponsors 42:12 - L&R Game: King/Queen of the Genre 54:19 - L&R: 25 Games of the Past 25 Years 01:03:39 - L&R Game: Snub or Dub? 01:29:44 - L&R: 3DS Is Expensive Now 01:35:44 - L&R: TGA Editing 01:43:19 - L&R: Appreciation 01:45:16 - Or Wars and Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.
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Ep 506 - The voice of Karlach, Samantha Béart, joins us for a chat while she's in town. Bloodworth hops on a call to talk about Damon & Baby. We discuss the Larian AI backlash, and Isla finished The Alters!
Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-demons-146234620
00:00 - Intro
06:49 - Record Viewers for The Game Awards
12:45 - Larian AI Backlash
28:40 - November Sales Report
42:04 - A Conversation with Samantha Béart
01:10:49 - Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.4 Impressions
01:23:38 - Skate Story Impressions
01:25:19 - Warframe: The Old Peace Impressions
01:27:46 - The Alters Impressions
01:36:12 - Damon & Baby Preview
01:44:51 - L&R: Swedish Christmas TV Traditions
01:53:44 - L&R Game: Pokedex Says What!?
02:07:05 - Bets
02:12:47 - Closing
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Ep 505 - Kyle Bosman and Brandon Jones are back on the desk for a late night chat about all the big announcements and everything that went down in Keighley's big show. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-game-w-145727020 00:00 - Intro 01:42 - Check in w/ Kyle and Jones 07:55 - The Game Awards - Biggest Announcements 01:38:44 - A Word from Our Sponsors 01:40:46 - The Game Awards - Winners 01:56:45 - The Game Awards - Final Thoughts 02:01:33 - L&R: Deciding if You Like a Game 02:14:31 - Bets 02:24:17 - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.
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