- 1 hour 14 minutesThe Mike Bithell Interview | The Player's Club Podcast Episode 163
Welcome back to the Club!It's been a while, but we're back with one hell of a treat. Today, Graydon and Emmett are joined by the studio head of Bithell games, developer Thomas Was Alone, Tron Catalyst, John Wick Hex, and the upcoming Vampirium: 1997! We talk about everything from inspiration behind the newly announced vampire immersive sim, to the legacy of their earlier games and potential sequel ideas. It's a great episode, so kick back and enjoy!
Check out YouTube Channel here!
Follow us on Bluesky, @vgu.bsky.social!
00:00 Intro02:43 Vampirium: 1997, first Bithell Immersive Sim?09:03 Other Vampire Inspirations?14:42 Original IP vs. Pre Existing IP20:16 Mike Bithell on Games Preservation31:04 Talkin Thomas Was Alone36:36 Thomas Was Alone 2?44:36 Danny Wallace in Thomas Was Alone51:18 Minimalism as the Bithell house style1:01:27 Btw, Vampirium: 1997 looks like it'll be a bit of a hit!1:05:13 Future Tron Plans?1:06:45 Mike Bithell on the Modern Struggles of the Games Industry1:13:23 Outro
5 August 2026, 6:00 am - 1 hour 40 minutes10 Games with Positive Queer Representation | “You Just Made The List!” Podcast
Hello and welcome to our latest VGU podcast, You Just Made The List!
On this show, various VGU members and their friends will gather to create a definitive list through roundtable discussion, themed around… anything they want!
On our first episode, we wanted to make something special for Pride Month. Unfortunately, time got away from us so we had to make it a bit late.
But hey, Pride deserves to exist all the time! So strap in and find out what choices we picked as the best LGBTQ+ representation in video games!
For written content, check out our site at: https://vgu.tv/
And follow us on Bluesky at: https://vgutv.bsky.social
Thanks so much for listening!
10 July 2026, 4:00 pm - 4 minutes 34 secondsYou Just Made the List - Rules Breakdown
Hello and welcome to our latest VGU podcast, You Just Made The List!
On this show, various VGU members and their friends will gather to create a definitive list through roundtable discussion, themed around… anything they want!
To prevent this from being read every episode, Josh has made the rule breakdown of the show format. So give it a listen or dive right in with our new show - starting tomorrow!
For written content, check out our site at: https://vgu.tv/
And follow us on Bluesky at: https://vgutv.bsky.social
Thanks so much for listening!
9 July 2026, 4:00 pm - 1 hour 26 minutesBastion: Episode 3 | Indie Book Club
Welcome to the Indie Book Club!
Each episode, we'll be playing some of our favorite indie games and discussing them with various VGU staff members, guests, and even listeners like you!After a substantial hiatus, Graydon and Allan are back in the game with the long-awaited Bastion series! Does Supergiant's debut title still stand strong amongst the pantheon of memorable indies? Do our year-old references feel dated now? Listen and find out!
As always, SPOILERS AHEAD!
We thought it would be fun to spread this series out EVEN FURTHER, so now almost three months to the DATE of the last episode... Bastion is back! Not a whole lot of story in this episode, but we're gearing up for next week's satisfying finale!If you have game requests, questions, or would like to jump in on an episode with us, please contact us:
OR
@IBCVGU on BlueSky
Also, make sure to follow our VGU Gaiden podcast feed! You can find us here:https://tinyurl.com/596y7ac4
8 July 2026, 4:00 pm - 3 hours 18 minutesSummer Game Fest 2026, State of Play, and Day of the Devs | The Player's Club Podcast Ep 162
Welcome back to the Club!
This month’s episode of the podcast is a massive one, as it’s Summer Game Fest season! As of this recording, we’ve see the main Summer Game Fest show, the PlayStation State of Play, and The Day of the Devs showcase. Al, Graydon, and Emmett talk about all of the biggest announcements from each showcase, as well as their favorite other games they’ve seen in other showcases. Tap in and hear about the coolest games coming out for the rest of the year.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
29:17 State of Play
01:00:33 Summer Game Fest
02:01:44 Day of the Devs
02:48:51 Rapid Fire Game Shoutouts
03:11:03 Housekeeping
Housekeeping:
Check out YouTube Channel here!
Follow us on Bluesky, @vgu.bsky.social!
10 June 2026, 12:52 am - 2 hours 39 minutesPAX East & The Triple i Initiative 2026 | The Player's Club Podcast Ep 161
Welcome back to the club!
Emmett returns with Al and Graydon to talk about The Triple-i Initiative and PAX East 2026. The latter of which Graydon attended and the former Emmett and Al watched the day it aired. This means it’s an episode packed with excellent indie games to talk about, including many we actually put our hands on! Listen up for some early impressions on a whole slew of upcoming indies.
Timestamps:
Start 00:00
The iii Initiative Showcase 4:54
Prove You're Human 8:11
Final Sentence 19:37
Machine Party 28:59
Graveyard Keeper II 32:45
Too Deep to Quit 43:02
Valor Mortis 46:36
Thick as Thieves 52:59
What is the iii Imitative? 56:18
Crop 58:28
Alkahest 1:00:38
The Lift 1:04:53
Warhammer Survivors 1:06:40
Temtem Pioneers 1:09:11
Graydon @ PAX East 2026 1:16:01
Project Lexa 1:18:55
Unholy Roller 1:23:36
Awaysis 1:29:16
Golfle 1:37:08
Fading Echo 1:41:06
Kiln 1:52:54
Marvel Maximum Collection 1:53:41
Halloween 1:54:10
God of War: Sons of Sparta 1:57:23
God Save Birmingham 1:57:35
Spider Lily 1:58:25
Time Crisis X G'AIM'E 2:00:19
Backyard Baseball 2:04:06
More Spider Lily 2:07:12
Katuba's Poacher 2:07:47
April is Crazy for Video Games 2:13:57
Housekeeping 2:20:58
Housekeeping:
Check out YouTube Channel here!
13 April 2026, 6:30 am - 1 hour 5 minutesBastion: Episode 2 | Indie Book Club
Welcome to the Indie Book Club!
Each episode, we'll be playing some of our favorite indie games and discussing them with various VGU staff members, guests, and even listeners like you!
After a substantial hiatus, Graydon and Allan are back in the game with the long-awaited Bastion series! Does Supergiant's debut title still stand strong amongst the pantheon of memorable indies? Do our year-old references feel dated now? Listen and find out!
As always, SPOILERS AHEAD!
This episode, we venture out to find some cores that will power the titular Bastion! We even find some new friends along the way, and fall more in love with this soundtrack...
For next week's episode, we'll be playing through Mount Zand! See you there!
If you have game requests, questions, or would like to jump in on an episode with us, please contact us:
OR
@IBCVGU on BlueSky
Also, make sure to follow our VGU Gaiden podcast feed! You can find us here:
https://tinyurl.com/596y7ac4
7 April 2026, 4:13 am - 1 hour 48 minutesVGU.TV Fantasy Critic 2025 Winners and 2026 Draft | Player's Club Podcast Ep. 160
For the first time in 2026, welcome back to the club!
That’s right! The Player’s Club is officially back, and we have some unfinished business. Last year Al, Josh, Emmett, and Graydon started a Fantasy Critic League, so in this episode, we reveal the winners of that season, and start up a new draft for 2026. This year is already looking a lot more promising for some, and a bit shakier for others. But who came out on top last year, and who’s set up to win this year? Find out on this episode of The Player’s Club Podcast!
Timestamps:
00:00 Start
2025 Winners 2:05
2026 Rules 9:51
2026 Draft 37:53
Counter Picks 1:18:20
Housekeeping 1:43:28
Housekeeping:
Check out YouTube Channel here!
Follow us on Bluesky, @vgu.bsky.social!
25 March 2026, 4:00 am - 1 hour 9 minutesBastion: Episode 1 | Indie Book Club
Welcome to the Indie Book Club!
Each episode, we'll be playing some of our favorite indie games and discussing them with various VGU staff members, guests, and even listeners like you!
After a substantial hiatus, Graydon and Allan are back in the game with the long-awaited Bastion series! Does Supergiant's debut title still stand strong amongst the pantheon of memorable indies? Do our year-old references feel dated now? Listen and find out!
As always, SPOILERS AHEAD!
This episode, we begin our journey and learn all about The Kid and the Bastion itself. We played through Cinderbrick Fort, and for next week's episode, we'll be playing up to Roathus Lagoon! These names, man. My goodness.
If you have game requests, questions, or would like to jump in on an episode with us, please contact us:
OR
@IBCVGU on BlueSky
And as always, VGU Podcasts can be found here:
https://tinyurl.com/3b725ykk
Also, make sure to follow our VGU Gaiden podcast feed! You can find us here:
https://tinyurl.com/596y7ac4
20 March 2026, 4:00 pm - 2 hours 9 minutesVGU.TV GOTY 2025 Day 4: Best Narative, Most Wholesome, Best Soundtrack, & Overall Game of the Year
New year, same club.
Welcome back to The Player’s Club Podcast!
It’s been a while, but we haven't been doing nothing all this time. Al, Graydon, Emmett, and Josh have all gotten back together to talk about the best games they played in 2025. There are 4 whole days of deliberations, so let’s get to the final boss with this fourth and final episode! Day four includes the following categories: Best Narrative, Most Wholesome, Best Soundtrack, and Overall Game of the Year.
Timestamps:
00:00 Start
Best Narrative 6:49
Most Wholesome 33:50
Best Soundtrack 44:21
Game of the Year 1:49:27
Housekeeping:
Check out YouTube Channel here!
Follow us on Bluesky, @vgu.bsky.social!
12 March 2026, 4:00 am - 24 minutes 46 secondsVGU Update 2026!
That's right!
We interrupt this week of Game of the Year podcasts to bring you a sneak preview of what's to come!
Join Graydon as he pulls back the curtain on VGU in 2026. Be sure to subscribe to all our social media for everything we have on offer!
VGU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vgutv
VGU BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/vgutv.bsky.social
VGU Gaiden: https://tinyurl.com/2e5ab6pp
Emmett's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ejsponge61
11 March 2026, 4:00 pm - More Episodes? Get the App