Four video game podcasts worth listening to, 28/11/2024
In Pod We Trust
I tell you which video games podcasts are worth tuning into
Sony working on a new handheld console, says Bloomberg
Trombone Champ: Unflattened toots its way onto VR headsets this week
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Hello VGIM-ers,
I’d like to start off this week’s newsletter by extending a happy Thanksgiving to my American readers.
May your turkey be large, your pumpkin pie perfect and your time off fulfilling enough that you’re not reading this newsletter until Monday at the earliest.
For everyone else, welcome to the beginning of the end of 2024.
We’ve hit that magical time of year where friends, well-wishers and colleagues stop one another in the street to say “let’s pick this up in the New Year”, bringing festive cheer to all who hear it.
What does the rapid conclusion of our latest spin around the sun mean for Half-Space, VGIM and me though?
Here, my friends, is the deal.
To turn to the consulting first, we’re not taking on any more business this calendar year because, lol, there’s barely any of it left.
If you would like to discuss projects in 2025, I will be taking meetings about possible work next week. Reach me via the email linked above.
VGIM, meanwhile, is getting set for its Christmas break.
You’ll get three more free newsletters between now and Thursday 19th December, after which we’ll be taking a two week break until Thursday 9th January. Please remain calm in the interim.
And as for me, I will be off grid between Friday 20th December 2024 and Friday 3rd January 2025.
I will likely still be doing some stuff during my stint out of office (WRITE THE BOOK, GEORGE) but I will not be responding to work emails, media requests or other business bits during this period. So if you do want a chat, let me know as soon as you can.
Right, introduction done. Let’s get on with the show.
The big read - Four video game podcasts worth listening to
I bloody love podcasts. At any given moment in any given week, there is a statistically significant chance that I will be listening to a show about football, politics, history or entertainment as a way to stop The Voices from getting in.
However, the number of truly great podcasts about video games is perhaps not as high as you might think it is.
Despite the medium’s overall popularity and the frankly bonkers numbers of content creators circulating around the sector, we’re still at the point where a video games podcast hasn’t truly broken through into the wider world.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t great shows out there. This week’s relaunch of Press X to Continue, which was previously the BBC’s flagship games podcast but is now owned by host Steffan Powell, offered up a reminder that there are plenty of decent shows out there for you to get your ears around.
So until I get to the point of finally launching a VGIM podcast and conquering the universe (go on, you know you want to give me a sack of cash to make this happen), I thought I’d take an opportunity to chuck a load of decent shows straight into your inbox for you to listen to.
Here are four podcast tips from me and - even more importantly - some extra recommendations from VGIM readers who replied to my…bleet(?) about the topic on BlueSky. Onwards!
My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin
Ever listened to Desert Island Discs? If you’re familiar with the format of Radio 4’s long running celebrity interview led music show, then you’ll intuitively get what My Perfect Console is doing.
Hosted by Simon Parkin, games writer and best selling author, the podcast invites a wide range of guests to discuss their lives and, most importantly, the five games that they would like to immortalise within their own fictional console.
The range of people popping up on the show is steadily expanding. There are plenty of names that’ll be familiar to those who are deep in the games industry including Eric Barone (creator of Stardew Valley), Derek Yu (the brains behind Spelunky) and Rod Fergusson (currently SVP at Blizzard).
But unsurprisingly, the episodes that I particularly enjoy feature names from the wider world who take time to talk about their love of games such as comedian Sarah Keyworth, crime writer extraordinaire Val McDiarmaid and Elliot Higgins of Bellingcat (hey, I know that person!)
Is the format revolutionary? Absolutely not. But My Perfect Console is a good introduction into the world of games podcasting and - much more importantly - a reminder that the appeal of the medium stretches well beyond the stereotypical ‘gam-uh’ audience.
Triple Click
There are a number of ‘panel’ based video games podcasts that you may fancy listening to, including Friends Per Second, VGC’s podcast and the aforementioned revitalised Press X to Continue.
But if I were picking one on the basis of what displays the best balance between chatter about games and conversation about the industry, I’d plump for Triple Click at the moment.
Triple Click’s format, as with My Perfect Console, is not reinventing the wheel. The trio of co-hosts - Kirk Hamilton, Maddy Myers and Jason Schreier - will typically alternate between episodes where they talk about a recent release they’ve all played through, discuss a development in the industry or pop open a mailbag and respond to listeners' questions.
But the reason why Triple Click stands out is that its mix of hosts blend together really nicely. Jason, Kirk and Maddy’s interests all gravitate around games, but their different perspectives (e.g. Jason’s business background, Maddy’s consumer friendly takes and Kirk’s creative output) ensures that every chat they have - whether it’s about a game or a big news story - is interesting.
I also award them masses of points for making sure that they don’t just talk about games on every show. Their commitment to consistently promoting other things that they enjoyed - Books! TV! Film! - gently, but politely, whacks listeners on the head to remind them that video games are not the be all and end all of creative culture.
So overall, Triple Click is a top listen. And given that it has a banging theme tune which evokes a certain era of low stakes American cop dramas, I’m into it.
A message from our sponsor Sumo Digital: Your morning coffee is about to get a whole lot cuter as Sumo Digital’s cosy creature collecting café (phew) game, Critter Café, is now available to play for PC and Nintendo Switch. When a mysterious portal in your new home reveals a long-lost Critter stuck within, set out to rescue them and build a welcoming café for townsfolk and Critters alike. Find out more on Sumo Digital’s website here.
The Back Page Podcast
Do you want to listen to a video games podcast that channels the spirit of The Rest is History, if not its “chatty audiobook” approach to storytelling? Then The Back Page Podcast might be for you.
Hosted by Samuel Roberts and Matthew Castle, a former and current video games journalist respectively, the podcast covers the medium with a level of chumminess that you’d normally associate with Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland in full flow on the French Revolution.
Personally, I really like this. As you may have guessed from reading VGIM for a while, I think that coverage of video games should always remember that the medium is inherently meant to be fun - even when the topic gets serious.
Samuel and Matthew’s dynamic reflects that. Whether they’re chatting amongst themselves about the latest releases or going deep with big name interviewees like Louise Blain (hey, I know that person!), The Back Page has built a reputation as one of the most listenable podcasts on the video games podcast beat.
Deconstructor of Fun
Look, I’m going to level with you. The vast majority of podcasts about the nuts and bolts of the video games business are quite dry. Deconstructor of Fun may be the best of the bunch… but it kinda is a little bit dry too?
Don’t get me wrong here, Deconstructor of Fun is a very, very, very good way to learn about how exactly developers translate game ideas into business propositions that succeed (or fail).
The show's mix of deep dive into the business secrets of hit games, interviews with genuinely big name executives who are spending the big bucks and weekly summaries of the biggest stories in games are tip top primers for someone looking to go Deep Games Industry.
Episodes of Deconstructor of Fun are also, mercifully, pretty short, with each show generally clocking in around the magical 40 minute mark.
But to reach for an analogy for the wider podcasts that I listen to, Deconstructor of Fun is to video games podcasts what The Athletic’s football tactics podcast is to its stable mate The Totally Football Show; one for the hardcore enthusiasts (read: nerds) rather than a mass market listen.
However, if you are like me and do actually want to listen intently to very smart people break down the business of games well then it comes recommended.
But if we could burn down its theme song and never speak of it again, that would be ideal.
VGIM reader recommendations
Kieran McChung tipped the Making Games is Fun podcast as a worthwhile listen for its “great selection of guests.” Given that I have appeared on it multiple times and I accidentally called it the wrong name in front of its host about a week ago, Kieran’s well timed toadying wins him top spot in the reader recommendations. Let that be a lesson to you all.
Former Vice video games editor and current person Mike Diver provided a number of tips for great shows to listen to, of which Cane and Rinse was one of them. It is another video game discussion podcast but it adopts an approach to covering games that says “what happens if we discuss historic games as if they’re part of an active cultural canon?” Thoughtful stuff.
Theo Litson provided a nod for Hideo Kojima’s Brain Structure podcast. Why is the creator of Death Stranding allowed to interview Scottish band CHVRCHES and Nicolas Winding Refn? Because celebrity fronted podcasts are easier to financially back even when they are wildly incoherent, that’s why. But also, y’know, it’s kinda interesting too so give it a shot.
Lastly, there were a number of tips for the GI Biz Microcast which offers up a solid weekly look at a topic shaping the games business. I do approve of this recommendation but I will note that a recent microcast ran to a not very micro 60 minutes, so slot it into the right part of your day accordingly.
The bluffer’s guide to great video games podcasts
Do say: Video game podcasts are becoming an increasing part of the audio market, as they learn to strike a balance between mass consumer interest and a desire for deep ‘inside baseball coverage’.
Also do say, preferably quite loudly within earshot of podcast production companies/possible advertisers: hey, don’t you think this George guy with his buttery smooth voice, experience of hosting podcasts and radio shows and great conversational tone should have his own show?!…*coughs*
News in brief
Sony’s big Switch: Sony is working on a handheld console that will seek to compete with the Nintendo Switch, according to Bloomberg. The outlet reports that a number of sources close to the company say that the business is working on a device capable of playing PS5 quality games on the go, with the intention of releasing in a few years time - lining up nicely with reports that the next console generation (whatever it ends up looking like) will roll in circa 2028.
Not so cloudy conditions: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will not be investigating competition concerns in the cloud gaming market on iOS devices. The CMA found that action by Apple in 2022 to open up its store to rival subscription satisfied its concerns in its market investigation, meaning that there will be no further action on that front. Unfortunately for Apple (and Google), the rest of the CMA’s investigation exploring the state of the mobile browser market didn’t go quite so well. Read more here.
Disinformation nation: A Russian disinformation campaign has targeted Stalker 2, the recently released FPS from Ukrainian developer GSC Gameworld. The campaign falsely alleges that the game developer has taken cash from the Ukrainian government to insert code into the game to help it locate people who could be mobilised to fight in the conflict. A sign, once again, of how games are becoming part of a wider culture and information war.
Itchin’ for generative action: Itch IO has updated its store guidelines to force developers to disclose whether aspects of their game have been created with generative AI. Games that do feature such content across four categories will be marked with an “AI Generated” tag, while games that don’t will feature the tag “no AI”. Given what I learned at the AI and Games conference about the breadth of AI technologies used in most game development, I fear the latter term might be a tad misleading.
FIFA’s back! (but not in Pog form): The FIFA brand is returning to the world of video games with the launch of FIFA Rivals next year. The organisation has inked a deal with Mythical Games to create a soccer-y spin off of NFL Rivals game in an effort to continue its recovery from its break-up with Electronic Arts. Time for Gianni Infantino to start watching TikTok reels from con artists about the best way to get your ex back? Give it a year or so…
Moving on
I was sad to hear of the passing of Alex McHugh earlier this week. Having worked as a Senior Staff Writer at PCGamesN, at Green Man Gaming and Blizzard, he was a friendly and familiar face to many in the UK games industry (including me) and will be missed. A tribute page to Alex, which includes a link to donate to the charity Andy’s Man Club, can be found here.
Turning back to the usual job news…Shuhei Yoshida is retiring from PlayStation in January 2025…Derek Fagan is the new Principal AI Engineer at Hangar 13…Andrey Kazakov has returned as CEO at Adjust as the company goes through some tricky lay-offs…Sean O’Grady is the new Head of Trust and Safety at Pocket Worlds…And Lauren Kaye is the new Influencer Manager at Disobey…
Jobs ahoy
Roblox is recruiting a Director of Communications, APAC to work out of Sydney…Become the Digital Strategy Coordinator at Take-Two in London…Speaking of the capital, Supercell is hiring an External Development Manager for its newly minted office…Wizards is snapping up a Director, Publishing Production over in Washington State…Or if you think San Diego is more your speed, Qualcomm has a spot open as a Gaming Producer Manager…
A message from our sponsor: Perfect for cosy gaming season, Critter Café combines beloved game mechanics of the genre, including puzzles, customisation, café management and – of course – adorable creatures. Meet cute critters and dive into café life today! More information about Critter Café is available on the Sumo Digital website.
Events and conferences
Africa Games Week, Cape Town - 2nd-5th December
GamesAid Gala Dinner, London - 5th December
BIG, Bilbao - 6th-7th December
The Game Awards, Los Angeles - 12th December
Pocket Gamer Connects, London - 20th-21st January
Games of the week
Trombone Champ: Unflattened - VR adaptation of the cry laughing inducing trombone based rhythm game lands across headsets this week.
Number Salad - Tricky daily maths puzzle game that channels the spirit of the NYT stable arrives on iOS and Android (congrats, Sam and Mark!)
Dungeons of Dreadrock 2 - Sequel to puzzle heavy, and combat lite, dungeon hopping adventure is out now on Nintendo Switch.
Before you go…
Black Friday is here, which means that there are deals aplenty on games, consoles and other tat that your friends and family will be hassling you for over the festive period.
While there are plenty of great deals to be had out there, my tip for Black Friday bargain hunters is to check out Digital Foundry’s PC gaming deals in the UK and the US.
Not only are there great prices to be found, the list has been compiled by actual experts in the market - giving it the edge over SEO chasing competitors.