• 1 hour 29 minutes
    424 - Stolen Valor

    This episode covers a packed week in PlayStation news, starting with a controversial Darksiders upgrade that highlights ongoing differences between Xbox’s Smart Delivery approach and PlayStation’s paid upgrade model. We also break down growing concerns around PS5 account security and the rise of social engineering scams in an all-digital ecosystem.


    From there, we look at a viral PlayStation timeline app that turns your gaming history into a personal nostalgia snapshot, alongside renewed excitement around inFAMOUS rumors and what they say about fans wanting older franchises back. We also dive into major Bungie news, including the lack of a Destiny 3 plan and reports of upcoming layoffs, raising big questions about the studio’s future direction.


    To close, we discuss the latest PS Plus price increases across Extra and Premium tiers and what that means for long-term value, before wrapping with the newly announced State of Play on June 2nd featuring over 60 minutes of PS5 updates and a closer look at Wolverine.


    Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!

    Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!

    As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

    http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

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    27 May 2026, 4:00 am
  • 3 minutes 37 seconds
    PSTIA POSTPONED!
    Sorry guys. Adulting seems to never end. Jake has work stuff that is keeping him from podcasting this week so we will have to postpone episode 424. See you next week!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 May 2026, 10:46 pm
  • 1 hour 48 minutes
    423 - Why Naughty Dog Still Schools the Entire Industry

    In this episode of PS This Is Awesome!, we break down why Naughty Dog still sets the standard for AAA gaming and continues to “school” the entire industry when it comes to storytelling, polish, and emotional impact. From The Last of Us to Uncharted, we talk about what makes their games feel like premium, must-play experiences in an era of increasingly bloated releases—and whether any studio can truly match them today.

    We also dig into this week’s biggest PlayStation and gaming news, covering the updates and stories that actually matter to gamers who care about quality over hype.

    It’s a mix of industry talk, honest opinions, and a look at why some developers still stand above the rest.

    All that and more on this episode of PS This is Awesome!

    Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!

    Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!

    As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

    http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 May 2026, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 26 minutes
    422 - 12 Inch Pianist

    On this episode of PS This is Awesome!, the crew dives into a packed week of PlayStation news and rumors.

    First up, The Blood of Dawnwalker finally has a release date, landing on September 3rd, 2026. A recent showcase gave us a deeper look at its story, gameplay systems, and RPG mechanics—and it’s shaping up to be one of the most promising RPGs on PS5.

    Next, there’s some big movement in the Final Fantasy VII remake saga. Director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that the third and final installment is gearing up for its official reveal, and he’s already played through it over 40 times during development. With Remake and Rebirth heading to Xbox and Nintendo platforms, expectations are shifting toward the trilogy finale launching as a multi-platform title. A Summer Game Fest reveal could be right around the corner.

    Over at Remedy, the team behind Control Resonant is taking a bold creative stance. Art director Elmeri Raitanen says the studio intentionally avoided referencing other AAA games to keep their aesthetic fresh, warning that the industry risks falling into an “aesthetic singularity” if developers stop taking visual risks.

    Meanwhile, The Outer Worlds is getting a shake-up. The original version is being delisted on PS4 and PS5, but current owners will receive the Spacer’s Choice Edition for free. That said, given the remaster’s rough launch, there’s some cautious optimism that it’ll be in better shape this time around.

    In the VR space, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has officially landed on PSVR2 via a new update. Early impressions are strong, though minor performance issues may keep it from overtaking Gran Turismo 7 as the platform’s standout experience.

    And finally, the rumor mill is heating up: signs are pointing toward NetherRealm working on Injustice 3, thanks to a developer resume listing the project. It’s not official yet—but it’s the strongest hint we’ve seen in a while.

    All that and more on this episode of PS This is Awesome!

    Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!

    Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!

    As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

    http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 May 2026, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    421 - Sliding into your DRMs

    On this week’s episode of PS This is Awesome!, we’re diving headfirst into a stacked lineup of PlayStation news and rumors. Resident Evil Requiem continues its monster success story, hitting an incredible 7 million copies sold in just two months, while Capcom teases a new mini-game mode arriving soon—possibly something action-packed in the spirit of Mercenaries. On top of that, a brand-new single-player story expansion has officially entered full production.

    We also break down growing concerns over a newly discovered PS5 digital ownership issue, where some recently purchased games may require periodic online DRM checks to launch. If true, it raises serious questions about long-term preservation and access for digital libraries.

    Meanwhile, Insomniac Games says more Wolverine news is still coming this spring, adding fuel to rumors of a possible May State of Play showcase. Could Logan finally be ready to step into the spotlight?

    Elsewhere, fresh interviews continue to reveal behind-the-scenes drama at Naughty Dog, including reports that Uncharted 4 was nearly canceled during its troubled development. We also discuss comments from former devs praising the canceled The Last of Us Online, calling it one of the best multiplayer games they’d ever worked on.

    Plus: a first teaser for the next Alien: Isolation, Mina: The Hollower goes gold but still lacks a release date, and Troy Baker may be stepping into game development himself. Big stories, bold speculation, and plenty of PlayStation hype—this week on PS This is Awesome!

    Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!

    Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!

    As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

    http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 April 2026, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 34 minutes
    420 - Woke Smeed!

    This week on “PS This is Awesome!,” The crew dives into a packed lineup of PlayStation news, surprises, and a few eyebrow-raising stories from around the gaming world. 


    Sony is rolling out PS5 age verification later this year in the UK, Ireland, and Brazil, requiring users to confirm their age before accessing messages and voice chat. Is this the future of online console communication, or just another hoop to jump through?


    We also talk about the breakout success of Pragmata, which has already sold 1 million copies in just three days, proving Capcom may have another major new IP on its hands. On the industry side, former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida made headlines with candid comments about being pushed out of Worldwide Studios after clashing with former CEO Jim Ryan.


    Elsewhere, Dragon Ball FighterZ is somehow getting brand-new DLC eight years after launch, and we discuss why long-term support like this is always cool to see. Then there’s the hilariously shameless Gran Turismo knockoff “Gran Carismo,” now reportedly being renamed before release after drawing attention for all the wrong reasons.


    We also cover the latest rumor that Fair Games is still alive, possibly pivoting into a free-to-play extraction shooter, plus thoughts on the new Street Fighter movie trailer, which seems to be embracing full-on B-movie chaos. Is that genius or disaster in the making?


    Finally, we look at the huge sales momentum behind Crimson Desert, now at 5 million copies in under a month, and react to the announcement of Metro 2039, which promises a darker return to the series’ roots.


    Plus, as always, we run through this week’s new releases and what you should be playing next.


    Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!

    Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!

    As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

    http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 April 2026, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 24 minutes
    419 - Crunch Bandicoot

    This week on PS This is Awesome!, we dive into some of the biggest stories shaping the gaming industry right now—and a few that might have you raising an eyebrow.

    We kick things off with a candid (and somewhat concerning) revelation from a former Naughty Dog developer, who claims the studio has largely accepted crunch as a necessary part of making blockbuster games. Is this just the reality of AAA development, or a problem the industry still refuses to solve?

    Next up, Metro 2039 is officially set to be revealed during an upcoming Xbox livestream, giving fans of the series something big to look forward to. Meanwhile, Hideo Kojima’s mysterious Physint is already turning heads thanks to a casting call describing a villain with serious “Mads Mikkelsen in Hannibal” energy—because of course it is.

    We also unpack new comments from former Bethesda exec Pete Hines, who sheds light on why he left ahead of Starfield’s launch—and what he had to say about Microsoft’s direction might raise some questions.

    On the lighter side, No Man’s Sky continues its redemption arc with a wild Pokémon-style update inspired by a fan suggestion… and yes, they actually did it.

    Finally, we discuss Sony’s new “Playerbase” initiative, which lets you scan yourself into Gran Turismo 7—but most fans aren’t exactly thrilled. Plus, with Xbox revamping its achievement system, we ask: is it time for PlayStation trophies to evolve?

    Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!

    Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!

    As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

    http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 April 2026, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 34 minutes
    418 - Mo Money, Same PlayStation

    Episode 418 of PS THIS IS AWESOME dives into a week where PlayStation fans are feeling the squeeze. Sony officially announces major PS5 price hikes across the board—including the PS5 Pro and PlayStation Portal—marking one of the biggest shifts in console pricing since launch. The guys break down what this means for players, why it’s happening, and whether this is the new normal for gaming hardware.

    We also look ahead to April’s PS Plus Essential lineup, with Lords of the Fallen reportedly leading the charge ahead of the official reveal. Plus, in a move that adds to the growing list of concerns, Sony has paused sales of certain PS5 storage options due to ongoing supply chain issues—raising questions about how deep these hardware challenges go.

    The PS6 conversation is officially here. With fears of a $1,000 console swirling, new reports suggest it might land closer to $699 instead. We dig into what’s realistic, what Sony’s strategy might be, and whether next-gen pricing is about to redefine what gamers are willing to pay.

    The show closes out with a look at some additional news from the most recent week. Showcased are Uncharted rumors, April Fools shenanigans, and a sweet PSN deal.

    It’s a packed episode full of big-picture PlayStation news, real-world impact, and a look at where things might be heading next.

    Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!

    Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!

    As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

    http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    8 April 2026, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 12 minutes
    417 - Hola! Me Llamo PlayStation

    In this episode of PS This is Awesome!, Fred is BACK! (if briefly) to discuss Resident Evil Requiem.

    For the news this week, the guys run through a packed lineup of PlayStation news, starting with growing anticipation for Marvel’s Wolverine as Sony appears to be gearing up for a proper reveal soon. They also spend time on Crimson Desert, discussing both the developers’ response to criticism over clunky controls and concerns about the game’s performance mode on base PS5, with agreement that it needs more polish before release.

    The conversation then shifts to Housemarque’s Saros, which is positioned as a more accessible evolution of Returnal, with the hosts debating whether dialing back the roguelike difficulty is a good move. They also touch on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 taking inspiration from Gran Turismo 7 for its upcoming PSVR2 mode, highlighting how PlayStation’s VR efforts are influencing even first-party Xbox titles.

    Finally, the episode wraps with discussion around Mark Cerny’s comments on PS6, focusing on Sony’s continued push for major graphical advancements and what that could mean for the next generation of PlayStation hardware.

    Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!

    Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!

    As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

    http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 March 2026, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 12 minutes
    416 - Anticipation Station

    Jake is flying solo again this week and kicking things off with a quick story about the wild wind storm that tore through the area on Friday, leaving plenty of damage and chaos in its wake. From there, he dives into a listener question about the skill mismatch issues in Marathon and shares his thoughts on what might be going on with the game’s balance and matchmaking.


    As to what he’s playing, Jake is still deep into Resident Evil Requiem and Baldur’s Gate 3.


    For the main topic of discussion, Jake looks ahead to some of the games currently slated for 2026 that have caught his attention. He highlights titles like Crimson Desert, the upcoming 007 game, and Wolverine, discussing why each one is on his radar and what he’s hoping to see from them when they finally release.


    Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!


    Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!


    As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

    http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 March 2026, 4:00 am
  • 2 hours 45 minutes
    415 - Dynamic (Pricing) Duo

    This week on PS This is Awesome!, Jake is joined by friend of the show LJ for a laid-back conversation about gaming, music, and the latest PlayStation news.

    The episode kicks off with Jake and LJ reminiscing about their gaming past, sharing stories about how they got into games and the role music has played in their lives alongside gaming.

    They then dive into what they’re currently playing, including impressions and thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem and Avowed, discussing their experiences so far and how each game is landing for them.

    In the news segment, the conversation shifts to some of the latest developments in the PlayStation world. Jake and LJ talk about recent PS6 rumors and what the next generation of PlayStation hardware might look like. They also discuss Sony’s evolving PC release strategy and what it could mean for PlayStation exclusives in the future. The discussion continues with talk of a newly revealed controller and some updates on other games that have been making headlines.

    Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love!

    Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community!

    As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening.

    http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 March 2026, 4:00 am
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