True Avatars - A Queer Video Game Podcast

Episode 38 - Nintendo Switch 2 Launch, Queer Game Controversies, Women-Led Games Showcase

Amy-Lynn is back and we’ve got the juiciest, hottest queer game gossip on this side of the internet!
Runescape is canceling their Pride events — kind of, it’s messy, we have a followup on the Dragon Age 4 development issues story from Episode 33, The Last of Us Season 3 will neither be starring Ellie nor Joel but a secret third character, and Amy-Lynn accurately predicted the existence and reveal of a Splatoon spin-off! Plus a lot more.
We also have another showcase from last weekend: Women-Led Games Showcase. As you’d happily expect, it was also loaded with queer games.
To top it all off, Amy-Lynn and I discuss our thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2, its launch, and even some spoiler-free Deltarune impressions!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:38 - News
00:57:57 - Women-Led Games Showcase
00:51:57 - Summer Game Fest
00:58:47 - Angeline Era
00:59:46 - KreatureKind
01:02:13 - DOWNHILL
01:03:35 - Kokoro Kitchen
01:05:52 - Prison of Husks
01:09:08 - Death & Faeology
01:12:26 - Longstory 2
01:14:57 - Re:Fresh
01:19:19 - Nintendo Switch 2 Launch
01:30:20 - Deltarune
01:35:57 - Nintendo Switch 2 Launch (Cont’d)
 
This episode was recorded on June 14 2025.
 
Women-Led Games Showcase:
Angeline Era: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2393920/Angeline_Era/
KreatureKind: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1428090/KreatureKind/
DOWNHILL: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3433000/DOWNHILL/
Kokoro Kitchen: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3079770/Kokoro_Kitchen/
Prison of Husks: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2975260/PRISON_OF_HUSKS/
Death & Faeology: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3369020/Death__Faeology/
Longstory 2: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2427820/LongStory_2/
Re:Fresh: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2297650/ReFresh/
 
Sources:
TANUKI: Pon’s Summer: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3218570/TANUKI_Pons_Summer/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ve2zWmkEA
https://x.com/nintendo/status/1932075231885382103?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.theverge.com/news/673265/marvel-studios-avengers-doomsday-secret-wars-delayed
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-last-of-us-season-3-kaitlyn-dever-abby-creators-confirm-1236261056/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonys-bend-studio-hit-with-massive-layoffs-after-live-service-game-cancelled/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-11/inside-the-dragon-age-debacle-that-gutted-ea-s-bioware-studio?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc0OTY0ODYyOCwiZXhwIjoxNzUwMjUzNDI4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJTWFAxSUZUMVVNMFcwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.0D0urTjRUJqH0oOP38TpvlX4HOdjPQ-V_tc8l2kNFWg
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/video-game-actor-strike-ends-today/1100-6532363/
https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-national-board-approves-interactive-media-agreement
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/konami-announces-its-working-with-bloober-team-on-another-silent-hill-project/
https://www.thegamer.com/mindseye-players-refunds-playstation-5-ps5-like-cyberpunk-2077/
https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/sony-confirms-theyre-now-focused-on-playstation-6-3214566/
https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/06/10/runescape-pride-2025/

Episode 37.5 - BONUS - Steam Next Fest: 10 LGBTQ+ Demos We’re REALLY Excited About

Ekamy, Lloyd_Lloydster and I played 10 exciting LGBTQ+ demos from the June 2025 Steam Next Fest — and they were even better than we already expected them to be!
From super-powered queer people, to reimagined gay Dracula, roguelike-Pokémon, and gay clouds — there’s so much to play and discuss. Plus, Lloyd joins Ekamy and I as a member of the ‘Quantum Witch’ fan club, and we might even have news on ‘Quality Dreams, Reasonably Priced’ as well…
As always, please don’t forget to wishlist all your favourite games! :)
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:17 - Date Everything!
00:08:33 - Rainbow Cloud: A GAY RPG
00:12:57 - UNBEATABLE
00:18:05 - Frame of Mind: A game of thoughts.
00:21:34 - summer haze/glory days
00:29:32 - Soulblaze
00:35:22 - Nova Hearts
00:44:57 - Quantum Witch
00:50:04 - Drăculești
00:54:23 - Quality Dreams, Reasonably Priced
 
This episode was recorded on June 12 2025.
 
Demos:
Date Everything!: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2201320/Date_Everything/
Rainbow Cloud: A GAY RPG: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3214400/Rainbow_Cloud_A_GAY_RPG/
UNBEATABLE: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240620/UNBEATABLE/
Frame of Mind: A game of thoughts.: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2515480/Frame_of_Mind__A_game_of_thoughts/
summer haze/glory days: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2960800/summer_hazeglory_days/
Soulblaze: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3505230/Soulblaze/
Nova Hearts: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2506290/Nova_Hearts/
Quantum Witch: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3100650/Quantum_Witch/
Drăculești: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2537980/Drculeti/
Quality Dreams, Reasonably Priced: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3164710/Quality_Dreams_Reasonably_Priced/
 
Sources:
Steam Next Fest - June 2025: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/nextfest
https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/JP3681-PPSA26669_00-0632996973596833
https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/news/draculesti-kickstarter-2668698/

Episode 37 - There were TONS of new gaymes revealed at Not-E3 2025!

Zoe Straw and Lloyd_Lloydster join me to cover the huge amount of queer game reveals this weekend!
First, we race through the headlines! Then we jump into the PlayStation State of Play, Summer Game Fest, Day of the Devs, and the Wholesome Direct. There were a lot of games overall, but we focus very heavily on the queer games, most of which were indies!
On Sunday, I recorded an extra solo segment focused on the Access-ability Summer Showcase, Frosty Games Fest, and then wrapping up with a quick summary of the Xbox Showcase.
Don’t forget to wishlist all your favourite games! :)
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:33 - News
00:14:34 - PlayStation State of Play
00:22:55 - Summer Game Fest & Day of the Devs
00:48:24 - Wholesome Direct
01:18:30 - Access-ability Summer Showcase
01:26:55 - Frosty Games Fest
01:42:06 - Xbox Showcase
 
This episode was recorded on June 7 and 8 2025.
 
Summer Game Fest/Day of the Devs:
Scott Pilgrim EX: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2640950/Scott_Pilgrim_EX/
UNBEATABLE: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240620/UNBEATABLE/
Snap & Grab: https://store.steampowered.com/app/897160/Snap__Grab/
Dosa Divas: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2950710/Dosa_Divas/
Possessor(s): https://store.steampowered.com/app/2132890/Possessors/
Neverway: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2318330/Neverway/
Ratatan: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2949320/Ratatan/
OFF: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3339880/OFF/
Hirogami: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3135840/Hirogami/
 
Wholesome Direct:
Instants: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2948560/Instants/
Monument Valley 3: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3132930/Monument_Valley_3/
Seasonala Cemetery: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3272690/Seasonala_Cemetery/
Camper Van: Make It Home: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2843190/Camper_Van_Make_it_Home/
Fireside Feelings: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2990600/Fireside_Feelings/
Squeakross: Home Squeak Home: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2871440/Squeakross_Home_Squeak_Home/
Fishbowl: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1638070/Fishbowl/
Capy Castaway: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2890240/Capy_Castaway/
Townbox: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2906440/Townbox/
Muri Wildwoods: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3284200/Muri_Wildwoods/
Gemporium: A Cute Mining Sim: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2836100/Gemporium_A_Cute_Mining_Sim/
Crescent County: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2202650/Crescent_County/
 
Access-ability Summer Showcase:
Heartspell: Horizon Academy: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2113350/Heartspell_Horizon_Academy/
Trash Goblin: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2407830/Trash_Goblin/
Wednesdays: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2747770/Wednesdays/
Soulblaze: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3505230/Soulblaze/
Gales of Nayeli: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1878490/Gales_of_Nayeli/
COMING HOME: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3123670/COMING_HOME/
 
Frosty Games Fest:
Matchmaker: Dungeon Heart: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2507570/Matchmaker_Dungeon_Heart/
Key Fairy: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2878580/Key_Fairy/
Tryhard: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3443270/Tryhard/
Foodomina: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3116350/Foodomina/
Your Holy & Virtuous Heretic: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2621030/Your_Holy__Virtuous_Heretic/
Malys: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3449690/Malys/
Cyber Paradise: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2431790/Cyber_Paradise/
Drăculești: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2537980/Drculeti/
Parasensor: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3722090/Parasensor/
 
Sources:
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/a-phasmophobia-film-is-in-the-works-at-blumhouse/
https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/603805/switch-2-genderless-mii
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/cd-projekt-isnt-done-with-cyberpunk-2077-announces-yet-more-surprise-content/
https://deadline.com/2025/06/mass-effect-doug-jung-tv-series-showrunner-1236423704/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bYaEtALe00
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/nioh-3-is-heading-to-ps5-and-pc-in-2026-complete-with-two-distinct-combat-styles-222458806.html
https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-legacy-kollection-release-date-window/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKRoOtl7weI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hr6Q2hln_M
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/sonic-racing-crossworlds-switch-2-version-announced-alongside-paid-upgrade-for-switch
https://wholesomegames.com/
https://www.pointofpride.org/about
https://www.ign.com/playlist/igneditorial/lists/summer-game-fest-2025-games
https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/day-of-the-devs-summer-game-fest-edition-2025-everything-revealed/2900-6641/#1
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/rescue-african-artifacts-from-colonizers-museums-in-the-heist-game-relooted-000035161.html
https://store.steampowered.com/sale/Access-AbilitySummerShowcase2025
https://www.frostygamesfest.com/showcase2025
https://store.steampowered.com/sale/women-ledgamessummergamefestedition2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M3QwLBrg8g

Episode 36 - Not-E3 2025 Predictions

We’re heading into June, which means an avalanche of news, directs, presentations, announcements and — most importantly: queer games!
First up, we have lots of headlines. The US government is trying to censor a trans gaming-focused PBS documentary, “Misc. A Tiny Tale” gets a release date, “Tavern Talk” announces a prequel, “Coffee Talk Tokyo” gets a demo, “Pokémon Legends Z-A” has some important news, Cyberpunk 2 is officially titled “Cyberpunk 2” (shocking, we know), some Zelda movie casting rumours, and so much more!
In the second half, it’s all about predictions. We talk Summer Game Fest, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and all the queer games we’re hoping to see! There are too many predictions to even summarize here, so you’ll have to tune in!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:29 - News
00:47:38 - Not-E3 Predictions Preamble
00:51:57 - Summer Game Fest
01:06:04 - Xbox Showcase
01:12:55 - PlayStation State of Play
01:30:16 - Nintendo Direct
01:41:27 - Queer Indie Games
 
This episode was recorded on June 1 2025.
 
Sources:
Watch “Break the Game” doc here: https://breakthegame.vhx.tv/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y0j45t3aKc
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/05/pbs-removes-drag-trans-content-after-gop-complains-about-it-turning-kids-queer/
https://www.pbs.org/pov/films/breakthegame/
https://www.tubefilter.com/2025/04/23/pbs-twitch-break-the-game-narcissa-wright-documentary/
https://x.com/screentime/status/1928208438053442044?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-cancels-black-panther-game-closes-cliffhanger-games
https://www.eurogamer.net/persona-4-voice-actor-confirms-a-remake-is-in-development-after-not-being-cast
https://x.com/pokemon/status/1927712162778099735?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://x.com/pokemon/status/1927720664934355122?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/legends_z-a/ja/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/cyberpunk-2-is-now-in-preproduction-cd-projekt-says/
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/05/queer-tarot-comes-to-flick-solitaire-on-june-1st/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3500880/Tavern_Talk_Stories_Dreamwalker/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3606110/Coffee_Talk_Tokyo_Demo/

Episode 35 - Lesbian Witches are Taking Over

The summer gaming events are starting to heat up, which means lots of queer news and games, too!
Ekamy joins me this week to discuss news, the Six One Indie Showcase, and a strong dose of two lesbian witch-themed indie games.
Headlines are stacked! We have news on Borderlands 4, Haunted Chocolatier, the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, The Last of Us TV show, a Syberia remaster, and more! Plus, there’s layoffs — as well as some good old-fashioned backtracking on rainbow capitalism.
The Six One Indie Showcase also streamed this week, and coincidentally, there were a total of six indie queer games featured! Listen to our thoughts, and then find the Steam page links below.
Finally, we discuss the Quantum Witch demo — the hilarious “plot-former” about a lesbian escaping a homophobic cult — and Crescent County — the lesbian “motorbroom” delivery game!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:20 - News
00:53:48 - Six One Indie Showcase
01:16:00 - Quantum Witch (Demo)
01:21:32 - Crescent County
 
This episode was recorded on May 25 2025.
 
Indie games highlighted:
Truth Scrapper: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3239830/Truth_Scrapper/
Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2466130/Bonnie_Bear_Saves_Frogtime/
Building Relationships: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2666920/Building_Relationships/
CARIMARA: Beneath the forlorn limbs: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3570370/CARIMARA_Beneath_the_forlorn_limbs/
Blue Ridge Hunting: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2434930/Blue_Ridge_Hunting/
Oddbat: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3158280/Oddbat/
Quantum Witch: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3100650/Quantum_Witch/
Crescent County: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2202650/Crescent_County/
 
Sources:
Does It Play: https://www.doesitplay.org/
In the podcast, we discussed how the video games industry might not see any impact from a recession because it’s an affordable form of entertainment compared to going out to a movie (for one example), and the short answer from the sources I found say that this was true in 2008, but it remains to be seen whether it will be true this time: https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/08/22/are-video-games-recession-proof-sort-experts-say/
https://www.gamefile.news/p/take-two-dei-lgbtq-removal
https://x.com/duvalmagic/status/1922454876803551555?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/randy-pitchford-tries-to-justify-comments-that-real-fans-would-find-a-way-to-buy-borderlands-4-at-80/
https://x.com/Cromwelp/status/1924895249756749864
https://www.eurogamer.net/the-last-of-us-tv-showrunner-confirms-four-season-plan-says-no-way-to-wrap-things-up-in-three
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/neil-druckmann-is-working-on-a-second-unannounced-game-at-naughty-dog/
https://blog.playstation.com/2025/05/21/playstation-stars-coming-to-a-close-as-sie-evaluates-new-ways-to-evolve-future-loyalty-program-efforts/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/yooka-laylee-dev-playtonic-is-the-latest-studio-hit-by-layoffs
https://deadline.com/2025/05/street-fighter-movie-eyes-jason-momoa-noah-centineo-more-1236407261/
https://deadline.com/2025/05/elden-ring-alex-garland-directing-a24-movie-1236408999/
https://gameinformer.com/2025/05/19/sag-aftra-files-unfair-labor-practice-complaint-against-epic-games-due-to-ai-darth-vader
https://www.gematsu.com/2025/05/syberia-remastered-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh4QQyM1KP0
https://www.shacknews.com/article/144403/concernedape-haunted-chocolatier-5-year-window
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/new-prestige-physical-game-label-editions-promises-to-reinvent-what-it-means-to-collect-games/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/cyberpunk-2077s-sequel-features-a-second-city-that-feels-like-chicago-gone-wrong-reveals-creator/
https://www.sixoneindie.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adI4uizTYN4
https://www.sixoneindie.com/read/bonnie-bear-saves-frogtime-preview-theres-cake-in-this-cake

Episode 34 - Love at the Milky Way Diner, Scarlet Hollow

The Super Mario Bros movie sequel has a new title, but what does it mean the story? Epic Games has added a Darth Vader AI chatbot to Fortnite, and of course players got him to say the worst things imaginable. Plus, the Fallout show has been renewed for another season, Nintendo has detailed the free Switch 1 game upgrades on Switch 2, and Naughty Dog has to help yet another actor avoid harassment.
Join Ekamy and I for these headlines, plus we discuss two queer games that are still in development: Love at the Milky Way Diner (a queer Coffee Talk-esque dating sim), and Scarlet Hollow (the new visual novel from the couple that brought you Slay the Princess).
Don’t forget to stick around til the end for Queer Game of the Week!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:13 - News
00:53:57 - Love at the Milky Way Diner
01:09:18 - Scarlet Hollow
01:18:46 - Queer Game of the Week: The Longest Journey
 
This episode was recorded on May 18 2025.
 
Sources:
Marvel 1943 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb2wwEx6DVw
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet Switch 2 comparison: https://pokenext.it/notizie/pokemon-scarlatto-e-violetto-confermato-laggiornamento-gratuito-per-nintendo-switch-2-ecco-data-e-info/
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/05/orela-rose-transgender-character-dead-by-daylight/
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/fallout-renewed-season-3-release-date-season-2-1236394393/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/fallout-tv-star-says-his-characters-plot-has-been-planned-up-to-at-least-season-5-or-6/
https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/nbcuniversal-presents-2025-upfront-content-slate- (mention of Super Mario World has since been removed)
https://x.com/lbabinz/status/1922281185306128878?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.marvel.com/games/marvel-1943-rise-of-hydra
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/intergalactic-actor-reveals-neil-druckmanns-coaching-on-overcoming-online-harassment/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/microsoft-announces-plans-to-lay-off-thousands-more-workers/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-delays-major-games-but-says-prince-of-persia-remake-is-finally-on-track/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gears-of-war-movie-david-leitch-director-1236212544/
https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/05/05/gears-of-war-reloaded-release-date/
https://gameinformer.com/2025/05/15/six-one-indie-showcase-returns-next-week-with-48-games-including-mouse-pi-for-hire-and
https://www.nintendo.com/en-ca/gaming-systems/switch-2/transfer-guide/games-with-free-updates/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/fortnite-turns-to-the-dark-side-with-ai-darth-vader-voice-and-of-course-its-been-swearing

Episode 33 - Playdead’s Inside: A Secret Queer Game?

Another busy week of headlines: Stardew Valley sequel talks, Level-5 weighs in on AI usage in the industry, GTA 6 gets a new trailer, renewed hope for a Chrono Trigger remake, Dragon Age development drama, and more!
I also highlighted a bunch of indie queer games that are in development, some of which are coming out very soon. All of these games sound amazing, so please tune in to hear more about them!
In the second half, Graeme returns to the show to discuss why he thinks Playdead’s puzzle platformer, Inside, is a queer game…?
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:07 - What I’ve Been Playing
00:05:10 - News
00:42:07 - Inside Discussion
 
This episode was recorded on May 9 and 11 2025.
 
Indie Games mentioned:
Ikuma: The Frozen Compass: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1728620/IKUMA__The_Frozen_Compass/
Unbeatable: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240620/UNBEATABLE/
Usual June: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2702430/Usual_June/
Seasonala Cemetery: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3272690/Seasonala_Cemetery/
Battle Suit Aces: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2870530/Battle_Suit_Aces/
Wander Stars: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1575810/Wander_Stars/
Tales of Seikyu: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2340520/Tales_of_Seikyu/
Quantum Witch: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3100650/Quantum_Witch/
 
Sources:
https://store.steampowered.com/sale/triple-i-initiative
https://www.mooneyestudios.com/press/ikuma
https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45348822-Galaxies-Showcase/sale/galaxies
https://blog.playstation.com/2024/08/19/unbeatable-new-song-and-immersive-ps5-gameplay-detailed-for-the-rhythm-based-anime-adventure/
https://www.ludonarracon.com/
https://gabbydarienzo.itch.io/seasonala-cemetery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bza7pWUHn0Q
https://papercastlegames.itch.io/wander-stars
https://www.fellowtravellerpresskit.com/wander-stars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm68MEd3d5c
https://x.com/rockstargames/status/1920181314092765494?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/stardew-valley-creator-open-to-sequel-but-admits-updates-are-much-easier
https://toby.fangamer.com/newsletters/release-time/
https://www.gamereactor.es/exclusiva-yuji-horii-contempla-un-remake-de-chrono-trigger-1407853/
https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours/s/uMHRue0UUh
https://blog.playstation.com/2025/05/07/welcome-teamlfg-to-the-playstation-studios-family/
https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/05/05/xbox-asian-pacific-islander-heritage-month-2025/
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/05/yokai-fantasy-life-sim-tales-of-seikyu-launches-may-21st-on-steam-early-access/
https://automaton-media.com/en/news/level-5-ceo-says-games-are-now-being-made-80-90-by-ai-making-aesthetic-sense-a-must-for-developers/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/09/level-5s-new-yo-kai-watch-holy-horror-mansion-teaser-supposedly-features-ai-artwork
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/nintendo-says-ai-generated-images-were-not-used-in-mario-kart-world
https://kotaku.com/dragon-age-veilguard-anthem-mark-darrah-youtube-bioware-1851779569
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/quantum-witch-a-plot-former-inspired-by-its-creators-escape-from-a-cult-is-out-next-month/

Episode 32.5 - BONUS - The Backlog: Hackers, Layoffs, and Pre-orders

It’s been a busy time for news and I’ve had to cut a bunch of headlines in recent episodes, so Amy-Lynn joined me to cover everything I missed!
We talk about the Game Freak hacker (finally), EA layoffs and another Titanfall cancelation, Polygon has been purchased by Game Rant’s owner (I mistakenly refer to them as Valnut), Nintendo reinforces their desire for strong diversity practice, and we also swap Switch 2 pre-order stories!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:48 - Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-order Trauma Dump
00:23:12 - News Backlog
 
This episode was recorded on May 7 2025.
 
Sources:
https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/561817/pokemon-teraleak-nintendo-discord-subpoena
https://x.com/pory_leeks/status/1914434500676747489?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-cuts-around-300-roles-including-roughly-100-at-respawn
https://www.ign.com/articles/apex-legends-and-star-wars-jedi-dev-respawn-cancels-another-incubation-project-around-100-employees-impacted
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/game-development/apex-legends-writer-gets-laid-off-24-hours-after-the-character-she-wrote-is-revealed-because-thats-what-the-games-industry-in-2025-looks-like/
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/polygon-sale-valnet/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/flappy-bird-is-back-promising-no-web3-or-crypto-content-despite-the-team-behind-it/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/04/sea-of-stars-throes-of-the-watchmaker-dlc-finally-scores-a-release-date
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/microsoft-says-it-was-the-top-publisher-on-the-playstation-store-by-pre-orders-in-q1-2025/
https://gonintendo.com/contents/48098-nintendo-says-diversity-is-important-to-the-company-and-they-will-continue-efforts
https://mobilesyrup.com/2025/05/07/eb-games-canada-president-jim-tyo-interview/

Episode 32 - Which queer games would make great movies and TV shows?

This week Ekamy and Lloyd_Lloydster join me to discuss what we’ve been playing and also cover the last two weeks of headlines.
In terms of news: Discord might see some major changes soon (for the worse). GTA VI has been delayed while Ghost of Tsushima gets a release date — but what do these things have to do with the recent Xbox price increases? Plus, Borderlands 4 had a State of Play and Oblivion Remastered was shadow dropped!
After the break, we take turns pitching the queer video games we most want to see adapted into movies or TV shows… which ones did we pick?
To cap off the show, Lloyd brings his recommendation for Queer Game of the Week: Boyfriend Dungeon!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:18 - What We’ve Been Playing
00:19:12 - News
01:13:50 - Most Wanted Queer Games as Movies/TV Shows
01:43:35 - Queer Game of the Week: Boyfriend Dungeon
 
This episode was recorded on May 4 2025.
 
Sources:
https://www.theverge.com/news/654594/discord-new-ceo-jason-citron-humam-sakhnini
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/03/04/activision-blizzard-employee-suicide-lawsuit/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ghost-of-yotei-release-date-announced/
https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/04/ghost-of-yoteis-ps5-price-provokes-fresh-switch-2-fury
https://www.ign.com/articles/gta-6-delayed-to-may-2026
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonic-x-shadow-generations-will-be-a-switch-2-launch-game-sega-announces/
https://www.ign.com/articles/fbc-firebreak-remedys-co-op-fps-set-in-the-world-of-control-has-a-release-date
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ps5s-classic-playstation-themes-are-coming-back-this-week/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2623190/The_Elder_Scrolls_IV_Oblivion_Remastered/
https://mobilesyrup.com/2025/05/01/xbox-increased-prices-consoles-controllers-games-worldwide-canada/
https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/561817/pokemon-teraleak-nintendo-discord-subpoena
https://insider-gaming.com/unannounced-blade-runner-game-canceled-supermassive-games/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KlRBwf3sjY
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/split-fiction-movie-sydney-sweeney-jon-m-chu-video-game-1236377192/

Episode 31 - They finally let a trans woman play the Nintendo Switch 2!

Please forgive me for that dorky, bad-joke title, True Avatars!
I’m just really excited because this week, I went to the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience event in Toronto and had the chance to test out the Switch 2 over a month before its official release!
I also got to play a bunch of games, including Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, Metroid Prime 4, Drag x Drive, and so much more! Some of my opinions were changed, and others were cemented — hit that play button to hear all of my thoughts!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:14 - General Event Info & Console Thoughts
00:14:28 - Mario Kart World
00:22:43 - Donkey Kong Bananza
00:27:43 - Metroid Prime 4
00:31:50 - Drag x Drive
00:36:12 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
00:38:31 - Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV
00:41:42 - Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
00:46:15 - GameCube NSO
00:48:47 - Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World
00:51:51 - Split Fiction
00:53:37 - Overall Thoughts
 
This episode was recorded on April 27 2025.
 
A couple of quick notes I missed while recording:
-  In Mario Kart World, the feather item I mentioned is designed to help you jump higher than normal
-  Jaggies are the rough, pixelated edges you can see on objects on the screen when the game resolution is lower than the screen resolution
-  It’s hard to explain, but the original Super Mario Bros game from 1983 is playable in Welcome Tour, but it’s played at its original, low resolution making it appear tiny in comparison to the 4K resolution of the screen. It appears as a tiny box and as you move through the level, the whole level stays on the screen as you progress, to show you exactly how big 4K is compared to the original NES’ resolution (it really is better if you see it)