Tariffs, Praise & Previews: South of Midnight Soars + Marathon Gameplay Incoming!

We sit down with the head of the ESA, Stanley Pierre-Louis, to unpack the Power of Play 2025 report—what 24k+ players across 21 countries say about gaming’s impact. We also discuss their current policy mission and what it is like working with the current administration. Read the report here: https://www.theesa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PoP-2025-v10-web-spreads.pdf. the ESAFollow Spawn On Me everywhere:X: https://x.com/SpawnOnMeInstagram: https://instagram.com/spawnonmepodcastYouTube: https://youtube.com/@SpawnOnMeTwitch: https://twitch.tv/spawnonme

We dig into the current state of the Xbox business and ask the big question: is this a good move or not for players, partners, and the platform’s future? Then we review two premium gamepads head-to-head: the Razer Raiju V3 Wireless Pro and the Scuf Valor Pro Wireless. We cover build quality, sticks and triggers, remap options, latency, battery life, and who each controller is for. Plus, what Xbox’s strategy signals for first-party releases, Game Pass, and third-party partnerships. Stick around for our verdicts and buyer advice.Follow Spawn On Me everywhere:X: https://x.com/SpawnOnMeInstagram: https://instagram.com/spawnonmepodcastYouTube: https://youtube.com/@SpawnOnMeTwitch: https://twitch.tv/spawnonme

After 13 years, Ninja Gaiden 4 is finally here... and it's both exactly what we wanted AND a massive letdown. The combat is incredible, the gore is satisfying, and the challenge will test even veteran players. But the story? The characters? Absolutely lifeless.In this review, I break down everything you need to know about Ninja Gaiden 4 - from the revolutionary Bloodbind Ninjutsu system to the brutal Master Ninja difficulty, and why both Yakumo and Ryu feel like empty shells despite being at the center of what could've been an amazing story.🔔 Subscribe for more honest game reviews!💬 Are you picking up Ninja Gaiden 4? Let me know in the comments!

What is Keeper, and why is it already living rent-free in our heads? 👀 Lee Petty (Double Fine) pulls up to Brookago to talk craft—how Keeper’s vibe, rules, and art style work together, and how the team keeps things fair, surprising, and fun without spoilers. We talk design pillars, those “ohhh, I get it” moments, and why this project hits different if you love discovery.Chapters below. Tap in and roll with us:• Smash that sub on YouTube (Spawn On Me)• Follow on Spotify & drop a 5★ on Apple Podcasts• We go live at Twitch.tv/spawnonme• Say hey: @SpawnOnMe (X), @spawnonmepodcast (IG)

Battlefield 6 Review: Best Since BF4? In this review, I dig into why BF6’s multiplayer finally feels like Battlefield again. The return to four classic classes (Assault, Engineer, Support, Recon) brings clear squad roles, while a smart movement overhaul—including the much-praised drag-revive—keeps fights tactical and team-first. Launch content is strong, with nine maps across five theaters (yes, Operation Firestorm is back) that rotate well across Conquest, Rush, and Breakthrough. On PC, performance is accessible without heavy bells and whistles, and cross-play keeps lobbies full. The campaign has highlights but can’t match the pull of “one more match.” With massive player peaks on Steam, this feels like the most complete Battlefield in years. I’ll show my recommended settings, class picks, and where the maps shine—then give a straight verdict on whether it truly rivals BF4. Drop your favorite class and map in the comments—let’s squad up.

Acclaim is BACK! and we’re unpacking the strategy behind it. Director of Publishing and Partnerships Marc Anthony Rodriguez joins Spawn On Me to discuss how a classic brand can reintroduce itself to today’s players. We talk about the deals and partnerships that matter, what a modern publishing slate looks like, and how to honor Acclaim’s legacy while building something new.Marc also walks through his career across the games industry, lessons learned working with developers and IP holders, and candid advice for anyone trying to break into publishing. We dig into community building, what success looks like in 2025, and MUCH MORE!

Ghost of Yotei has been called everything from “the wokest samurai game ever” to a next-gen masterpiece. After spending 50+ hours with the game, here’s my spoiler-free review.In this episode, I’ll cover:The story setup of Atsu and her path as the Ghost of Yotei (without spoilers)How the game explores themes of vengeance, justice, and consequenceErika Ishii’s powerful performance and why it elevates the experienceGameplay evolution from Ghost of Tsushima (stances, weapons, stealth, fear mechanics)Visuals, worldbuilding, and why this might be Sucker Punch’s best game yetAnd yes — I’ll dig into the controversy: Is Ghost of Yotei really “woke,” or is that just noise? Let me know what YOU think in the comments.This is a spoiler-free review — no major story reveals, just my honest impressions on gameplay, themes, and presentation.If you enjoyed this, please like, subscribe, and check out more gaming coverage here on the channel.

In this episode, we sit down with the team from Anima Interactive, the developers behind Take Us North — the narrative-driven survival game that’s been at the center of heated conversations online.The creators share the real vision behind the project, how it was inspired by first-hand research and lived experiences, and why they believe games can build empathy around complex issues like migration.👉 Support the game and learn more here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/takeusnorth/take-us-north👉 Subscribe for more conversations about the games shaping culture:YouTube: youtube.com/spawnonmeTikTok: @spawnonmeInstagram: @spawnonmeSpotify & Apple Podcasts: Spawn On Me

Join hosts Kahlief Adams and Cam Hawkins as we count down the Top 10 games from Gamescom 2025 that have us absolutely hyped! From surprise announcements to long-awaited sequels, we break down why these titles are dominating our must-play lists.In this episode, we also dive deep into our hands-on previews and reactions to some of the games we've been playing, like Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree, the brutal action of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, our thoughts on the Xbox ROG Ally X handheld, and the return of a legendary franchise with Ninja Gaiden 4.Whether you're looking for indie gems, AAA blockbusters, or the next game to consume your life, we've got you covered with our honest takes and hype levels for each title. Don't miss our hot takes on which games lived up to the hype and which ones surprised us the most!What games from Gamescom 2025 are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more gaming content and hit that notification bell!Follow Spawn On Me:YouTube: Youtube.com/spawnonmeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7gu7BteqvEnhZAP0MM2AApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spawn-on-me-with-kahlief-adams-a-video-game-podcast/id804065256TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spawnonmeInstagram: @spawnonmepodcastTwitter/X: @SpawnOnMe

Join us on Spawn on Me as we sit down with the incredible Victoria Tran to uncover her latest must‑read—and learn how community management is evolving in 2025. Victoria breaks it all down with insight and practical wisdom. Whether you're building niche communities, hosting IRL meetups, or craving authentic connection in a digital world dizzied by automation—this interview is the compass you didn’t know you needed. Tap in to discover the future of community building, one conversation at a timeGo support the fam and get the book here! https://www.victoriatran.com/book