272: GrandTheftOS

Well, we're in it now, as we dig into November heavy hitters like the Zelda: Ocarina of TIme remake and World of Warcraft Forever (and Queen's Domain), news of the day like a possible sale of Unity to the Saudi PIF, Sony's cancellation of Fairgame$, the conversation around AI usage in Big Walk, and a forthcoming BioWare documentary, a hot and cold email sesh, and more!CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:01:21) I think we've got some rats around here(00:08:21) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time  |  [Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Nov 05, 2026(00:34:31) First Break(00:34:32) Queen's Domain  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Oct 30, 2026(00:44:09) World of Warcraft: Forever  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Nov 04, 2026(01:11:18) Second Break(01:11:19) Unity could possibly sell to the Saudi PIF?(01:21:59) Big Walk, IGF Awards, and AI use(01:43:20) Fair Games is officially canceled, but no layoffs?(01:44:37) Ratchet and Clank mobile game also canceled(01:46:20) Could a Mass Effect or Dragon Age still happen?(01:57:02) Richard 'Levelord' Gray has passed away(02:01:54) Emails(02:14:14) Wrapping up and thanks(02:17:54) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:20:06) See ya!

We recorded smack dab between the midterm elections and some pretty big game releases, so this week we goggle at the new state of things in the US, catch up on some games we've had in the hopper for a bit, cover news like the nature of the next Elder Scrolls and a potential buyer for Arkane, respond to listener emails about our input-device kinks and Brad's likelihood of getting into Deadlock, and more.CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:00:29) The morning after the 2026 midterm elections is now.(00:13:58) The Blood of Dawnwalker  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 03, 2026(00:26:08) We're all excited to try the new Ocarina of Time(00:34:31) First Break(00:34:32) Love: Fall in Death  |  [PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 29, 2026(00:39:53) Hull Rupture  |  [Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Nov 04, 2026(00:45:27) RuneScape: Dragonwilds  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Sep 15, 2026(00:49:53) Forbidden Solitaire: The Discarded  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 26, 2026(00:53:45) Second Break(00:53:46) The Elder Scrolls 6 gets a name(00:59:16) Ubisoft might be interested in Arkane Studios?(01:04:13) Nagoshi Studio is no more(01:06:26) Sony wants to make a Mouthwashing movie?(01:12:21) Duskbloods gets delayed 2027(01:13:37) God of War: Laufey delayed until May 2027(01:15:01) Romero Games finds a publisher(01:18:17) Email(01:34:30) Wrapping up and thanks(01:37:47) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(01:39:13) Recording our thoughts for two decades(01:42:23) See ya!

This week we ponder what Mass Effect Universe might have been like (and maybe sounded like) based on the media that's been released so far. Plus, some Steam Next Fest picks, Runescape: Dragonwilds, the Forbidden Solitaire DLC, Arkane Lyon's looming buyout deadline, a brief symposium on the humble d-pad, and other stuff!CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:00:51) Farewell to Walter Koenig(00:10:30) Our Steam demo picks(00:11:09) El Paso, Elsewhere 2  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S]  |  TBD(00:12:09) The Hollowing  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  2026(00:16:16) Mr. Records  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Q2 2027(00:18:09) Dreadmoor  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Q4 2026(00:19:08) Love: Fall in Death  |  [PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 29, 2026(00:21:08) My Arms Are Longer Now  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch]  |  Mar 11, 2027(00:21:42) Warhammer Survivors  |  [Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Nov 10, 2026(00:21:47) Golden Retriever Simple Life  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Q1 2027(00:23:33) RockBeasts  |  [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Jan 2027(00:23:49) S.O.N.A.R.: Submarine Operators Not Actually Ready  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 29, 2026(00:24:07) Prospice  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5]  |  2027(00:30:39) First Break(00:30:40) Forbidden Solitaire: The Discarded  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 26, 2026(00:38:15) RuneScape: Dragonwilds  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Sep 15, 2026(00:48:37) Star Wars: Galactic Racer  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Oct 06, 2026(00:58:35) Second Break(00:58:37) The next Mass Effect might be dead but the info drops are alive(01:27:09) Arkane Lyon needs a buyer in the next month(01:34:36) Capcom hit by recent PHP vulnerabilities(01:41:11) Emails(01:56:02) Wrapping up and thanks(01:59:13) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:01:09) See ya!

Breaking news on the podcast this week as we grapple with the abrupt end of BioWare and its new Mass Effect game, plus a potentially very high price for the next Xbox, Fortnite on Linux, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, Enshrouded, and a bunch of other stuff.CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:11) Intro(00:00:18) EA closes BioWare and lays off 400 employees(00:35:11) First Break(00:35:12) Microsoft predicts Helix could be up to $1,800(00:48:35) Some PlayStation 6 speculation about storage and RAM costs(00:57:23) Updates from the EA news(00:58:38) Fortnite and Linux might be a thing(01:06:53) Video game decompilation site is shutting down(01:25:36) Second Break(01:25:37) Castlevania: Belmont's Curse  |  [Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S]  |  Oct 15, 2026(01:39:52) Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Oct 08, 2026(01:46:27) Silver Pines  |  [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Oct 08, 2026(01:55:56) Enshrouded  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5]  |  Oct 15, 2026(02:01:54) Brad has updated his Switch 2 situation(02:14:00) I Am Your Beast: Quitting Time  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 20, 2026(02:15:14) Emails(02:30:59) Wrapping up and thanks(02:35:44) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:37:58) See ya!

Once upon a time we thought there wouldn't be many games out in October. Anyway, this week we get into Hellraiser: Revival, Ratatan, Silver Pines, and more Galactic Racer, Control Resonant, and End of Abyss. Also, Epic goes all-in on its AI-generated Marvel/Star Wars game, Trials dev RedLynx is no more, GTA VI might come to PC sooner than later, Wing Commander III is having a moment over 30 years in the making, and plenty of other stuff!CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:09) Intro(00:02:51) Nothing makes me angrier than Healthcare grifting(00:09:04) Brad sparks joy with his choice of head apparel(00:15:14) Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Oct 08, 2026(00:39:31) First Break(00:39:32) Ratatan  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Oct 15, 2026(00:49:09) Star Wars: Galactic Racer  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Oct 06, 2026(00:51:58) [Minor Spoilers] We talk about the end of the first act. Abundance of caution here.(01:00:07) Silver Pines  |  [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Oct 08, 2026(01:09:59) End of Abyss  |  [Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 01, 2026(01:16:06) Control Resonant  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 24, 2026(01:27:03) Some games on the horizon(01:27:52) Second Break(01:27:53) Epic Games wants all the AI in their Disney game(01:46:24) Ubisoft closing RedLynx and having layoffs(01:51:09) Grand Theft Auto VI has a possible PC release window(01:56:21) Star Wars: Zero Company maker brings back some employees(02:00:37) Richard Gariott is getting back the Ultima copyright?(02:06:50) They found the Wing Commander III tapes?!(02:19:58) Emails(02:25:45) Wrapping up and thanks(02:29:00) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:31:09) See ya!

Somehow the excellent Star Wars games keep coming with Galactic Racer hitting this week, plus the World of Warcraft Forever beta, the prospect of a fifth Uncharted, the even wilder prospect of a new Ape Escape, the final word on the EverQuest-playing family, and a bunch more.CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:01:58) Star Wars: Galactic Racer  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Oct 06, 2026(00:32:23) First Break(00:32:24) World of Warcraft: Forever  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Nov 04, 2026(00:51:09) Big Walk  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Aug 04, 2026(00:54:04) Control Resonant  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 24, 2026(00:55:33) End of Abyss  |  [Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 01, 2026(00:59:59) Second Break(01:00:00) Get ready for Uncharted 5?! Sure!(01:11:11) Get ready for a new Ape Escape?! Yes, Please!(01:20:17) Get ready to pay $1500 for a PS5 Pro? No. Just no.(01:41:12) Emails(01:51:34) Wrapping up and thanks(01:54:11) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(01:58:17) See ya!

It's time to podcast about video games and the people who love them once again, this week touching on more time with Control Resonant, End of Abyss, and playing American Truck Simulator in (gasp) something other than a truck. Also, Xbox swears Xbox isn't for sale, more Last of Us may be coming in some form, we unpack the essential qualities of a good Metroidvania, and more.CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:00:57) Some venting about text messaging without a smart phone(00:20:40) End of Abyss  |  [Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Oct 01, 2026(00:41:38) First Break(00:41:38) Control Resonant  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 24, 2026(00:56:20) American Truck Simulator: Ford Car Pack  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Sep 29, 2026(01:08:57) Even more games are out there(01:14:13) Second Break(01:14:13) Xbox says they are not for sale. Do we believe them?(01:48:24) Sony to skip CES(01:55:06) Grasshopper Manufacture leaves NetEase(01:58:43) Naughty Dog has some updated information(02:07:43) Emails(02:35:14) Wrapping up and thanks(02:39:42) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:42:14) See ya!

Seems it's never a dull week in video games these days, as Xbox initiates a big reorganization (Activision's Halo? Obsidian at Bethesda?) with yet more layoffs, Bungie resurrects Destiny 2 after only three months, Control Resonant is finally here, and of course, the news nobody else will bring you: there's a new release of Sin. Join us as we talk about all of it!CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:01:43) Control Resonant  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 24, 2026(00:02:03) [Spoiler Warning] We mostly talk about the mechanics of the game and not much about the story past the intro.(00:58:18) First Break(00:58:19) Well Dweller  |  [Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5]  |  Sep 22, 2026(01:03:13) Marvel's Wolverine  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Sep 15, 2026(01:05:27) Sin: Reloaded  |  [Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 24, 2026(01:11:10) Silent Hill: Townfall(01:12:19) The Incident at Galley House  |  [Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Jul 14, 2026(01:13:13) Big Walk  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Aug 04, 2026(01:15:49) Some other stuff we're looking to play(01:18:50) Second Break(01:18:51) Xbox continues along its journey to reset itself(01:59:09) Audio Note: Quality might be different for about 10-15 minutes as we had a recording issue.(02:09:48) Bungie is not quite done with Destiny 2... it appears(02:24:52) Forbidden Solitaire is getting DLC and soon!(02:26:06) Kojima announces his pick for the lead role of Physint(02:32:01) Emails(02:40:08) Wrapping up and thanks(02:43:40) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:46:31) See ya!

PlayStation dropped Kojima Productions' Physint... and Xbox picked it up. Nintendo showed the Ocarina of Time remake, and then went and announced a new 2D Metroid. Blizzard revealed a StarCraft shooter for 2030, Diablo V for 2029, and a forever version of World of Warcraft. Insomniac's Wolverine came out. Obviously this is a lot to talk about, and we do our best with all of it on this week's show!CHAPTERS(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.(00:00:10) Intro(00:00:37) Never stop podcasting(00:07:11) [Possible Spoilers] Narratively, we try to stay close to officially released materials. If you're on complete blackout obviously skip this Wolverine section.(00:07:39) Marvel's Wolverine  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Sep 15, 2026(00:53:46) First Break(00:54:02) Big Walk  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Aug 04, 2026(00:57:30) Star Wars Zero Company  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Aug 27, 2026(01:03:44) The Incident at Galley House  |  [Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Jul 14, 2026(01:06:34) The Blood of Dawnwalker  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 03, 2026(01:08:57) The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Dec 05, 2023(01:10:14) Valheim  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Linux, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 09, 2026(01:11:37) Blood Dungeon  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Aug 25, 2026(01:13:27) Second Break(01:14:28) Sony drops Physint! Xbox picks up Physint!(01:33:49) Nintendo reveals more about its Ocarina remake(01:50:35) New Metroid from the Metroid: Dread folks(01:56:59) Blizzard looks to the (far) future(01:58:26) Starcraft returns in 2030(02:06:25) Diablo returns in 2029(02:08:13) World of Warcraft Forever, forever, ever?(02:18:06) Email(s)(02:22:18) Wrapping up and thanks(02:25:08) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts(02:26:29) Who out there has been around here for the last 20+ years?! Thanks and celebrate it!(02:28:39) See ya!

There's no regular podcast this week, so please enjoy this throwback NBABP episode, in which Dan Ryckert, Austin Walker, Jeff Bakalar, and Abby Russell all join us to talk about taking care of your mouth, memory vs reality, and breaking into TikTok!CHAPTERS(00:01:09) Intro(00:02:51) "I'm happy with myself"(00:03:31) How's it going Bakalar?(00:04:17) Memories from Bakalar's previous birthday party(00:10:20) Dan escalates the situation(00:14:44) Things continue to escalate...(00:15:55) How much would it cost for Dan to stop watching wrestling?(00:18:09) What's up with Austin?(00:18:13) Living the Invisalign life(00:23:27) Dan is still pondering replacing his teeth(00:33:25) First Break(00:34:46) WARNING Dan's dental horror stories(00:38:07) End of the dental horror... mostly(00:40:11) Better to know or not know what is going on in your body>(00:43:53) Getting knocked out on purpose(00:44:44) The important questions about being under anesthesia(00:46:15) Redheads need more anesthesia?(00:49:37) Second Break(00:49:43) If you don't have a memory of it did it still happen?(00:50:35) Let's talk about the show Severance(00:54:15) Back to more anesthesia situations(00:58:00) Dan's Buffalo Wild Wings incident(01:02:20) Are there social rules to filming in public?(01:03:58) What about TikTok?(01:08:50) My name is Mark Markalar and I hate horny(01:09:08) Dan wants to never interact with people under 30(01:10:23) Wrapping up and thanks(01:11:15) See ya!