We talk about the slow death of classic games media—Giant Bomb, Polygon, 1UP, and what comes after. Are we witnessing the end of thoughtful game coverage, or just a new era being born?💲Keep the Lights On and Feed My Children (if they're good): https://ko-fi.com/RandyFluharty💬 Join the DISCORD early so I remember you when I'm famous: https://tinyurl.com/Randy-Discord🔔 SUBSCRIBE while you can still say you "discovered" me.🎵 Theme music by Evan VathCheck out his Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kEeCskXRX5hURlyNexS8l?si=N5efDMKjSY6-wqE9kzz0dA&pi=fMQTYu2ZQ3aO1&nd=1&dlsi=af56979534f6441d⁠#GiantBomb #Polygon #GamesMedia #GamingCoverage #GameJournalism #VideoGameLayoffs #PositiveGaming #HealthBarHalfFull #RetroGaming #GamesIndustry

Games are getting more expensive—but is there an upside? In this episode, we talk about the price of modern gaming, why Nintendo and others can charge more, and what that actually means for us as players. Adam also tells us about living in Laos, and Randy gives an update on his content creation and male pattern baldness.💲Keep the Lights On and Feed My Children (if they're good): https://ko-fi.com/RandyFluharty💬 Join the DISCORD early so I remember you when I'm famous: https://tinyurl.com/Randy-Discord🔔 SUBSCRIBE while you can still say you "discovered" me.🎵 Theme music by Evan VathCheck out his Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kEeCskXRX5hURlyNexS8l?si=N5efDMKjSY6-wqE9kzz0dA&pi=fMQTYu2ZQ3aO1&nd=1&dlsi=af56979534f6441d⁠#OverpricedGames #NintendoSwitch2 #GamingPodcast #RetroGaming #GamingWithBrains #VideoGameDebate

What happens when the host of a gaming positivity podcast… isn’t feeling very positive? In this episode, Randy wrestles with the challenge of staying hopeful when times are tough—without slipping into denial or toxic optimism. It's a real, honest look at trying to keep the health bar half full, even when it feels like it's flashing red.💲Keep the Lights On and Feed My Children (if they're good): https://ko-fi.com/RandyFluharty💬 Join the DISCORD early so I remember you when I'm famous: https://tinyurl.com/Randy-Discord🔔 SUBSCRIBE while you can still say you "discovered" me.🎵 Theme music by Evan VathCheck out his Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kEeCskXRX5hURlyNexS8l?si=N5efDMKjSY6-wqE9kzz0dA&pi=fMQTYu2ZQ3aO1&nd=1&dlsi=af56979534f6441d⁠#PositivityPodcast #MentalHealth #GamingCommunity #Burnout #ContentCreatorLife #StayPositive #AuthenticityMatters #RealTalk #HealthBarHalfFull #CreativeStruggles #RetroGaming #LetsPlay #GamingPodcast #GameStreamer #YouTubeGaming

Are remakes and remasters good for games, or are they a sign of creative stagnation? In this episode of Health Bar Half Full, we dig into the pros, cons, and business realities behind the flood of remade and re-released games.We talk about which updates work, which don’t, and how they impact everything from player expectations to studio layoffs. Plus, we open with some recent gaming news and industry chatter.Let us know in the comments: What’s your favorite remake or remaster—and which one should’ve stayed buried?💲Keep the Lights On and Feed My Children (if they're good): https://ko-fi.com/RandyFluharty💬 Join the DISCORD early so I remember you when I'm famous: https://tinyurl.com/Randy-Discord🔔 SUBSCRIBE while you can still say you "discovered" me.🎵 Theme music by Evan VathCheck out his Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kEeCskXRX5hURlyNexS8l?si=N5efDMKjSY6-wqE9kzz0dA&pi=fMQTYu2ZQ3aO1&nd=1&dlsi=af56979534f6441d⁠#GamingPodcast #Remakes #Remasters #SilentHill2Remake #RetroGaming #GameDevelopment

Some game studios are beloved, others are notorious—but what actually makes a game company "good" or "bad"? In this episode, we debate where major studios stand and what separates a great developer from a greedy one.🔗 Links & Shoutouts:

Subscribe to Randy's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/RandyFluhartySubscribe to Adam’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/AdamMcDermottRandy’s Discord: https://tinyurl.com/Randy-Discord🎵 Theme music by Evan VathCheck out his Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kEeCskXRX5hURlyNexS8l?si=N5efDMKjSY6-wqE9kzz0dA&pi=fMQTYu2ZQ3aO1&nd=1&dlsi=af56979534f6441d⁠👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share—it really helps the channel grow!

Randy goes solo and talks about his struggles with finding time to play games while parenting.

Subscribe to Adam’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://youtube.com/AdamMcDermott⁠

Randy’s Discord: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/Randy-Discord⁠

Wishlist Randy’s game In Corporeal: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/In-Corporeal⁠

🎵 Theme music by Evan VathCheck out his Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kEeC...⁠

👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share—it really helps the channel grow!

We catch ourselves up on the news and look at the bright side (as best we can). We go deep on the ongoing game industry layoffs, AI's role in game development, how Grand Theft Auto VI might change things up, and much more!🔗 Links & Shoutouts:Subscribe to Adam’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/AdamMcDermott

Randy’s Discord: https://tinyurl.com/Randy-DiscordWishlist Randy’s game In Corporeal: https://tinyurl.com/In-Corporeal🎵 Theme music by Evan VathCheck out his Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kEeC...👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share—it really helps the channel grow!

It's a PS1 Love Fest! "Micro$oft CEO" Adam McDermott and "President of Nintendo" Randy Fluharty gush over their competitor's inaugural console, reminisce about their memories of it, discuss why the PS1 introduced a cultural shift in games, and geek out over their favorite PS1 games. We're old! 🔗 Links & Shoutouts: Subscribe to Adam’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/adammcdermott Join Randy’s Discord: https://tinyurl.com/Randy-Discord Wishlist Randy’s game In Corporeal: https://tinyurl.com/In-Corporeal 🎵 Theme music by Evan VathCheck out his Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kEeCskXRX5hURlyNexS8l?si=N5efDMKjSY6-wqE9kzz0dA&pi=fMQTYu2ZQ3aO1 👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share—it really helps the channel grow!

We're kicking off 2025 on a positive note by getting "excited" (as excited as two laid-back dudes can get) about the games coming out this year! We dive into what makes these games so intriguing—whether it's their predecessors, their reputation, or pure nostalgia. Of course, we can't help but get briefly distracted by the thought of Adam taking over as M(onopoly)icro$oft CEO. 🔗 Links & Shoutouts: Subscribe to Adam’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdamMcDermott Join Randy’s Discord: https://tinyurl.com/Randy-Discord Follow Randy on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/randyfluharty.bsky.social Wishlist Randy’s game In Corporeal: https://tinyurl.com/In-Corporeal 🎵 Theme music by Evan Vath 👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share—it really helps the channel grow!

Randy and Adam reminisce about their respective 2024s and talk about what they'd like to do in 2025. Somehow, they're able to remain positive. 🔗 Links & Shoutouts: Subscribe to Adam’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/adammcdermott Follow Randy on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/randyfluharty.bsky.social Join Randy’s Discord: https://tinyurl.com/Randy-Discord Wishlist Randy’s game In Corporeal: https://tinyurl.com/In-Corporeal 🎵 Theme music by Evan Vath 👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share—it really helps the channel grow!

Randy and Adam defend what The Game Awards does for the gaming community, and then take an exhaustive look at everything announced before discussing some of the awards themselves. Theme song by Evan Vath.

Randy and Adam gush over Elden Ring and get hyped for The Game Awards.