Not Your Mama's Gamer

This week we are talking about how to deal with gaming slumps, especially if you've never experienced one before.What We're PlayingDoS2 Dispatch Legends co-op in Ghost of Yotei Slay the Spire 2What We're ReadingKin by Tayari JonesCarl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt DinnimanSteering the Craft by Ursula K. Le GuinSpring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling by Henry Lien Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton Strange Houses by UketsuWhat We're DrinkingMatcha Hazy IPA by Embolden + WaterMigraine Coffee (aka 5 shot oatmilk latte)*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we're talking about summer and travel gaming because it's that time of year!What We're PlayingPokopiaSlay the Spire 2Ghost of YoteiDnD Year 5What We're ReadingCleopatra by Saara El-ArifiSteering the Craft by Ursula K. Le GuinOne Dark Window by Rachel GilligArtemis by Andy WeirWhat We're DrinkingSixth Glass by Boulevard Brewing CompanyDiet Coke*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we're talking with Sithe Ncube from Nyamakop about their new puzzle platformer, Relooted!Art Institute of Chicago Holds Stolen Sacred Nepali Artifacts:How Nepali antiquities got to Chicago museumEnglish professor's discovery sounds international art alarm'Give us back our gods': Inside Nepal's Museum of Stolen ArtBlack Voices in Gaming Interview with Relooted Team (mentioned on podcast)What We're PlayingRelootedSouth of MidnightDispatchStar Wars OutlawsAbiotic Factor Indika What We're Reading1984 by George OrwellTailored Realities by Brandon SandersonThe Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin The Awakening of Roku by Randy RibayDispatches from Planet 3 by Marcia BartusiakWhen Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy by Beronda L. MontgomeryWhat We're DrinkingCoffeeWaterSparkling water*Cut us some slack it was early morning *Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we're talking about the things that we are most looking forward to in 2026!What We're PlayingDivinity Original Sin II Little Nightmares III Star Wars OutlawsUndustedOctopath Traveler 0Final Fantasy TacticsFox Curio’s Floating BookshopWhat We're ReadingWhen the Moon Hatched by Sarah ParkerThe Great Mann by Kylie Davis LurieSky Full of Elephants by Cebo CampbellWhen Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy by Beronda L. MontgomeryWhat We're DrinkingGet Toasty Hot Chocolate Porter - Trademark BrewingPistachio Milk Latte*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week, as we are wrapping up the winter. gift giving season, we are talking about some of our favorite gift giving ideas! What We're PlayingTeam Fight TacticsGhost of YōteiBO7 *Arc Raiders, Moonlighter 2* Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato* What We're ReadingThe Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa BoradbentIron Widow by Xiran Jay ZhaoThe Great Mann by Kylie Davis LurieWhat We're DrinkingAlmanac Smooches Chocolate StoutHard Mountain Dew *Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we are talking about the games we keep playing or replaying and why.What We're Playing (Selections)SilksongPeakMetaphor ReFantazioQuartet*Bravely Default: Flying FairyBorderlands 4Dying Light: The BeastFallout 76What We're ReadingKatabasis by R.F. KuangJapanese Books (Genki 1; Kanji Look and Learn; Practical Japanese 1)Heir by Sabaa TahirSilo by Hugh HoweyWhat We're DrinkingCoffee and Slice Ginger Ale2Towns. Ciderhouse Comsic CrispCranRaspberry Lemonade*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we are chatting and catching up after an (unintentional) summer hiatus! What We're Playing (Selections)PeakExpedition 33Tiny Bookshop*Discounty*Birdigo*Metaphor ReFantazioCult of the LambRepoFinal Fantasy I and II What We're ReadingBrindlewood Bay TTRPGYellowface by R.F. Kuang Pet by Akwaeke EmeziKatabasis by R.F. KuangJapanese Books (Genki 1; Kanji Look and Learn; Practical Japanese 1)Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le GuinWriting the Other by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward Faeries (25th edition) by Brian FroudGood Faeries and Bad Faeries by Brian FroudFaeries on the Faultlines by Iris CompietA New Dictionary of Fairies by Morgan DaimlerWhat We're DrinkingBoulevard Brewing Co. Wood Baron Barrel-Fresh AleCherry Hard Cideraccidental raspberry lemonade slushie *Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we've all played Atomfall. by Rebellion and we're talking about the experience!What We're PlayingAtomfall*Blue PrinceSunderfolkR.E.P.O.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Fallout 76What We're ReadingFledgling by Octavia ButlerModel Home by Rivers SolomonWhat We're DrinkingSneaky SneakySprecher Orange DreamXila by Flor de Luna*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we're talking about games and videogame pairings. Not specifically the music from the specific videogames, but music that we pair with the specific games that we are playing or thinking about.What We're PlayingAtomfall*South of Midnight*Nobdy Saves the WorldSplit FictionMinecraftFallout 76What We're ReadingFahrenheit-182 by Mark HoppusModel Home by Rivers SolomonWhat We're DrinkingGreat Notion Blueberry Muffin Tart SourWaterCold Brew Coffee*Code received for streaming and review purposesWhat We PairedVictoria“You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” The Offspring – Fallout New Vegas“Rox in the Box” The Decemberists – Don’t Starve Together“Hiding in the Blue” The Fat Rat & Riell – Minecraft“Feed the Machine” Poor Man’s Poison – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6“Mothman (Cryptid)” Rat Wyfe – Fallout 76Lord of the Rings soundtrack – Warlords Battlecry 3“Mezmerize” (album) System of a Down – Final Fantasy VIIIJordyn"Kingdom Fall" Clare Wyndyam - FFXV"Two Roads" Janani K. Jha - Life is Strange, Life is Strange: Double Exposure"Here, Before, Now, and After" Morgan Clae - Kena: Bridge of SpiritsLoTR - particularly Concerning Hobbits, Old Friends, Into the West - Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom"Same Old Energy" + "Burn Your Village" (Explicit) Kiki Rockwell; "The Consequence of Imagination is Fear" Junie and the Hutfriends - Little HopeSamBad Ass Women Playlist: Call of DutyWriting: Black Ops 6 Paratext Playlist: Call of DutyBe Real Black For Me Playlist: Mafia IIIGregorian Chant Playlist: Metaphor ReFantazioSouth of Midnight OST: Literally EVERYTHING right now (but moving to Minecraft and farming sims?)Bastion OST: Playing over Bastion (But not the Build A Wall level)

This week we talk about book and game pairings. If you like these games you might like these books! Errata: Sam said The Monsters We Defy by Justina Ireland and she meant to say by Leslye PenelopeWhat We're PlayingMonster Hunter WildsAssassin's Creed Shadows*Call of Duty: Black Ops 6What We're ReadingThe Poppy War by R.F. KuangA Glimmer of Death by Valeria Wilson WesleySunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsWhat We're DrinkingMARS the Y.A. Japanese WhiskeyCold brew coffee with cold foamWhat We PairedJordyn1. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson and The Devil in Me by Supermassive2. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake and Queen by Midnight published by Derrington Press3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Orwell Keeping an Eye on You by Osmotic Studios4. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton and What Remains of Edith Finch by Giant Sparrow5. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor and Lies of P by Round8 StudiosSam1. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah and Freedom Wars Remastered by Bandai Namco2. Trail of Lightning and Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse and Monster Hunter Wilds by Capcom (Middle Grade: Race to the Sun by Roanhorse and Monster Hunter Stories 1&2 by Capcom)3. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang and Avowed by Obsidian4.What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez and Tomb Riader by Crystal Dynamics 5. Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland and The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope and Spiritfarer by Thunder Lotus GamesSam's Honorable Mentions1. Devil in the Blue Dress by Walter Mosley and L.A. Noire by Team Bondi2. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland and The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste and South of Midnight by Compulsion Games *Code received for streaming and review purposes