Episode 257

PlayStation has announced that they are abandoning their PC initiative for their single player games. Though it seemed in recent years that exclusives were a thing of the past as games were increasingly available on PC and competing consoles, present circumstances have spurred a return to the exclusivity ways of old. Today, we talk about why this shift is occurring, and what that means for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and PC going forward. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Fall Guys, Directive 8020). This episode was recorded in May 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

5:05 - PlayStation Moving Away From PC

27:08 - Shifting Exclusivity Strategies

47:12 - Fall Guys

55:57 - Directive 8020

Episode 256

Capcom has proven themselves one of the most prolific and acclaimed AAA developers of the modern age. Today, we discuss Capcom's success, sales numbers for some of their major IP, and Capcom franchises (like Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Dragon's Dogma, etc.) that we hold near and dear. We also give our impressions after going hands on with the new Steam controller. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Windrose). This episode was recorded in May 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

6:52 - Discussing Capcom IP

39:08 - Capcom Future Growth and Sales Numbers

53:42 - Steam Controller Impressions

1:08:44 - Windrose

Episode 255

Asha Sharma has been CEO of Xbox for just under three months, and she is already making major moves. With a promise to return back to what made Xbox great and slashing the price of Game Pass, is she the salvation the Xbox brand so desperately needs, or is there a sinister undercurrent to her actions? On the other side of the fence, Saros has launched for PS5. We have finished the game in its entirety, and we give our thoughts on Housemarque's latest action-packed adventure. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Saros, Factorio). This episode was recorded in May 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

2:18 - Asha and Xbox

40:10 - Saros

1:03:03 - Factorio

Episode 254

The AAA games industry is not in a stable state. Ballooning development costs and timelines, extensive layoffs, AI integration, and the chase for high live-service revenue are a few aspects of the industry that are leading to increased uncertainty and instability. Today, we explore the current (tenuous) state of AAA gaming, and how new studios like Sandfall Interactive may pave the way for sustainable "premium" game development going forward. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Quarantine Zone: The Last Check, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Deadlock, Thomas and Friends: Wonders of Sodor). This episode was recorded in April 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

4:24 - AAA Industry Issues

34:49 - GTA6 in the Current AAA Landscape

49:17 - Quarantine Zone: The Last Check

54:48 - Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

1:01:49 - Deadlock

1:08:01 - Thomas and Friends: Wonders of Sodor

Episode 253

Everyone has a game or two that they turn to when times are tough, a familiar experience that you can return to time and time again to relieve stress. Today, we talk about our personal "comfort games" and how they perk us up when we're feeling down. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Crimson Desert, Kerbal Space Program 2). This episode was recorded in April 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

11:22 - Comfort Gaming

48:11 - Crimson Desert

54:10 - Kerbal Space Program 2

Episode 252

As video game enthusiasts, a lot of the time we can't stop playing games. However, as functional adults, there are stretches of time when video games lose their luster, and other interests and obligations occupy our time. Today, we talk about these so called "gaming droughts" and how we navigate them. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Monster Hunter Wilds, Crimson Desert, Silent Hill f). This episode was recorded in April 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

5:29 - Gaming Droughts

26:13 - Monster Hunter Wilds

31:58 - Crimson Desert

44:41 - Silent Hill f

Episode 251

Open World games, once a rare treat, have now saturated the gaming landscape - some people can't get enough, and some feel they have overstayed their welcome. Today, we discuss how we feel about the open world genre, and explore "modern" open world design and how we feel it improves the genre. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Crimson Desert, Pokémon Scarlet, Battlefield 6, Slay The Spire 2). This episode was recorded in April 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

3:26 - Thoughts On Open Worlds

30:21 - "Modern" Open World Design

51:10 - Crimson Desert

1:06:47 - Pokémon Scarlet

1:13:30 - Battlefield 6

1:18:40 - Slay The Spire 2

Episode 250

AI (in the video game space and otherwise) continues to be shoved down our throats. With the rise of AI journalism and the much-maligned DLSS 5, where is the games industry currently with AI and will this pushback amount to anything? Today, we talk about AI in gaming as it stands right now and give our take on DLSS 5. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Timberborn, Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Legends Arceus, From Glory To Goo). This episode was recorded in March 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

5:19 - AI Journalism

18:17 - DLSS 5

36:02 - Timberborn

41:10 - Pokémon Scarlet

46:38 - Pokémon Legends Arceus

53:06 - From Glory To Goo

Episode 249

Today, we talk about two games we're absolutely enamored with - Resident Evil Requiem and Pokémon Pokopia. For Resident Evil, we talk about our playthrough in both spoiler-free and spoilery contexts. Then, we discuss how we're enjoying the undeniable charm of Pokopia. This episode was recorded in March 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Resident Evil Requiem Spoiler-Free Thoughts

19:48 - Resident Evil Requiem Spoiler Discussion

42:42 - Pokémon Pokopia

Episode 248

We at Gametalk (more accurately 2/3 of us) are massive fans of Monster Hunter, and today we have an opportunity to gush about the series. We talk about the current state of Monster Hunter Wilds, and more specifically predict what we'll see in Master Rank. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Resident Evil Village, Super Mario Sunshine). This episode was recorded in February 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

5:31 - Predicting Master Rank for Monster Hunter Wilds

36:35 - Monster Hunter Wilds Performance Improvements

43:34 - Games We're Playing

47:16 - Resident Evil Village

59:59 - Super Mario Sunshine

Episode 247

Massive news has dropped on multiple fronts! In a frustrating move, Sony has closed Bluepoint Games in another seemingly misguided sacrifice on the altar of live service. When will it be enough, and are they finally turning the PlayStation faithful away? And on the other side, Microsoft has ousted the existing Xbox leadership. Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond are gone, and Asha Sharma is now in charge of Xbox. We discuss how this critical turning point could affect the future of Xbox. As always, we conclude with the games we're playing (Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Mewgenics). This episode was recorded in February 2026. Intro and outro music composed for Gametalk by Dylan Chase.

Chat us up in Discord - discord.gg/JZCj5Qn

Or email us at [email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/369MuzfFy8RB6vFULVY7Zy?si=26cb1639927c4cc8

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastGametalk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastgametalk

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podcastgametalk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/podcastgametalk.bsky.social

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening Banter

4:00 - Sony Kills Bluepoint

32:02 - Xbox Leadership Shakeup

1:00:04 - Resident Evil 4

1:09:14 - Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

1:22:26 - Mewgenics