This week we are talking about the games we keep playing or replaying and why.

What We're Playing (Selections)
Silksong
Peak
Metaphor ReFantazio
Quartet*
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy
Borderlands 4
Dying Light: The Beast
Fallout 76

What We're Reading
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Japanese Books (Genki 1; Kanji Look and Learn; Practical Japanese 1)
Heir by Sabaa Tahir
Silo by Hugh Howey

What We're Drinking
Coffee and Slice Ginger Ale
2Towns. Ciderhouse Comsic Crisp
CranRaspberry 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)
Peak
Expedition 33
Tiny Bookshop*
Discounty*
Birdigo*
Metaphor ReFantazio
Cult of the Lamb
Repo
Final Fantasy I and II

What We're Reading
Brindlewood Bay TTRPG
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Japanese Books (Genki 1; Kanji Look and Learn; Practical Japanese 1)
Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin
Writing the Other by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward
Faeries (25th edition) by Brian Froud
Good Faeries and Bad Faeries by Brian Froud
Faeries on the Faultlines by Iris Compiet
A New Dictionary of Fairies by Morgan Daimler

What We're Drinking
Boulevard Brewing Co. Wood Baron Barrel-Fresh Ale
Cherry Hard Cider
accidental 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 Playing
Atomfall*
Blue Prince
Sunderfolk
R.E.P.O.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Fallout 76

What We're Reading
Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Model Home by Rivers Solomon

What We're Drinking
Sneaky Sneaky
Sprecher Orange Dream
Xila 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 Playing
Atomfall*
South of Midnight*
Nobdy Saves the World
Split Fiction
Minecraft
Fallout 76

What We're Reading
Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus
Model Home by Rivers Solomon

What We're Drinking
Great Notion Blueberry Muffin Tart Sour
Water
Cold Brew Coffee

*Code received for streaming and review purposes

What We Paired


Victoria
“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 76
Lord of the Rings soundtrack – Warlords Battlecry 3
“Mezmerize” (album) System of a Down – Final Fantasy VIII


Jordyn
"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 Spirits
LoTR - 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 Hope


Sam
Bad Ass Women Playlist: Call of Duty
Writing: Black Ops 6 Paratext Playlist: Call of Duty
Be Real Black For Me Playlist: Mafia III
Gregorian Chant Playlist: Metaphor ReFantazio
South 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 Penelope

What We're Playing
Monster Hunter Wilds
Assassin's Creed Shadows*
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

What We're Reading
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
A Glimmer of Death by Valeria Wilson Wesley
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

What We're Drinking
MARS the Y.A. Japanese Whiskey
Cold brew coffee with cold foam

What We Paired

Jordyn
1. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson and The Devil in Me by Supermassive
2. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake and Queen by Midnight published by Derrington Press
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Orwell Keeping an Eye on You by Osmotic Studios
4. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton and What Remains of Edith Finch by Giant Sparrow
5. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor and Lies of P by Round8 Studios

Sam
1. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah and Freedom Wars Remastered by Bandai Namco
2. 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 Obsidian
4.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 Games

Sam's Honorable Mentions
1. Devil in the Blue Dress by Walter Mosley and L.A. Noire by Team Bondi
2. 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

This week we talk about our most anticipated games of 2025. Will there be overlap? Will Victoria list Silksong...again?

What We're Playing
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Avowed *
Party Animals
Slay the Spire Board Game
For the King II
Streets of Rogue
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
Lethal Company

What We're Reading
Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark
The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste
The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond
Harpo Speaks by Harpo Marx

What We're Drinking
Garage Brewing Co. Marshmallow Milk Stout
Crangrape juice
Cherry Republic Hard Cherry Cider

*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign. Caution: SPOILERS ABOUND!

What We're Playing
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Luma Island
Longvinter
Balatro
Stardew Valley
FO76
Phasmophobia

What We're Reading
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
The Hooligans of Kandahar by Joesph Kassabian

What We're Drinking
Quinta de Infantado Ruby Port
Diet Pepsi, the elixir of the gods

This week we talk about gifts we are giving and getting this gift giving season (or any time of year).

What We're Playing
Last Time I Saw You*
Inscryption
Nobody Saves the World
Lies of P
Metaphor: ReFantazio

What We're Reading
The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis

What We're Drinking
Stone Imperial Seasonal Stout
Coffee and sadness

*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about the Call of Duty series in some critical, yet random, ways.

What We're Playing
Balatro
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Fallout 76
Wingspan
Papers Please
Bayonetta
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
Metaphor: ReFantazio

What We're Reading
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez
From Dissertation to Book by William Germano

What We're Drinking
Mountain Dew
Sparkling Ice + Caffeine, Strawberry Citrus

*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about short games and the purpose they serve for us as individuals.

What We're Playing
Balatro
Castaway
Critter Cove*
Spiritfarer
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Fallout 76
Lies of P
PlateUp
Still Wakes the Deep

What We're Reading
Starter Villain by John Scalzii
Star Wars: Thrawn Treason by Timothy Zahn

What We're Drinking
Sapporo
Uncle Nearest and Fever Tree Ginger Ale
Water

*Code received for streaming and review purposes

We're back from hiatus and we've survived the first half of 2024.

What We're Playing
Balatro
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Deep Rock Galactic
Fallout 76
Fields of Mistria
FFVII Reunion
Hues and Cues (board game)
Lies of P
Piles (card game)
PlateUp
Still Wakes the Deep
Very, Very Valet

What We're Reading
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendency by Timothy Zahn
Avatar, the Last Airbender: The Reckoning of Roku by Randy Ribay

What We're Drinking
Pineapple Monster Ultra and Sparkling Water
Orange Juice
Uncle Nearest on the rocks

*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about the games that we are most looking forward to in 2024...maybe.

What We're Playing
Ship of Fools
Disney Speedstorm
Board Games (Sherlock Holmes, Avatar: Crosswords of Destiny, RISK: Medieval Europe)
Return from Core*
PalWorld

What We're Reading
Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Star Wars Thrawn

What We're Drinking
Pineapple Monster Ultra
Sprite
Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout
*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we are talking about our favorite games of 2023 as we look forward to 2024.

What We're Playing
Dead by Daylight
Baldur's Gate 3
Palia
Born of Bread*
Bilkin's Folly*
Call of Duty*
*Code Received for streaming and review purposes

What We're Reading
Avatar Comics
The Legacy of Yangchen by F.C. Yee
Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

What We're Drinking
Modern Times Coffee Roasty Stout
Grapefruit Radler

This week we are talking about living our best (or worst) lives among the stars in Starfield.

What We're Playing
Starfield
Inscryption
Baldur's Gate 3
Moving Out 2,
Persona 5 Royal
Illiterati
Call of Duty
Fae Farm*
Tiny Witch*
*Code Received for streaming and review purposes

What We're Reading
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
In Every Generation A Slayer is Born: How Buffy Staked Our Hearts by Evan Ross Katz
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
From Blood and Ash 1 and 2 by Jennifer Armentrout
Air Awakens 1-3 by Elise Kova

What We're Drinking
Sprite
Samuel Smith's Chocolate Stout
Grapefruit Radler

This week we are talking about the cozy aesthetic and how your faves can be problematic.


What We're Playing
Sims 4* (with Horse Ranch DLC)
Pikmin 4
Palia
Venba*
Atelier Marie
Persona 5
Tears of the Kingdom
Dicey Dungeons
Railway Empires 2
7 Wonders Duel
Diablo 4
*Code Received for streaming and review purposes


What We're Reading
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
Avatar Legends Republic City Expansion
The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner
In Every Generation A Slayer is Born: How Buffy Staked Our Hearts by Evan Ross Katz


What We're Drinking
Cherry Limeade
Two Towns Ciderhouse- Strawberry Lemonade
Chocolate Malt

This week we are talking about the games that have had the biggest impact on our lives.

What We're Playing
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Diablo IV
Jedi: Survivor
Minecraft
Fallout 76
Sanake.io
Crime O'Clock*
Noob: The Factionless*
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life*
*Code Received for streaming and review purposes

What We're Reading
Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Thrawn by Timothy Zahn

What We're Drinking
Water
Imperial Stout
Rootbeer Float

This week Sam and Jordyn and joined by material artist Christian Vasquez and environment artist Leah Augustine to talk about working in the games industry as artists.

Links of note:
Chris Vasquez (he/him)
https://www.artstation.com/chrisnvasquez
Leah Augustine (she/her)
https://www.artstation.com/leahaugustine

What We're Playing
Potionomics
Travelers Rest
Valorant
Deceive Inc*
PUBG
Resident Evil 4 Remake

*Code Received for streaming and review purposes

What We're Reading
Babel by R.F. Kuang
The Complete Making of Indiana Jones by J.W. Rinzler & Laurent Bouzereau
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie

What We're Drinking
Ace Pear Cider
Strawberry and Cream Dr. Pepper and Whiskey
Negroni
Black House Modern Times Coffee Stout

This week Jordyn and Victoria get the opportunity to interview her about games and her history working in and around games.

What We're Playing
Potionomics
Dredge
Stardew Valley
Dinkum
Golf Club Wasteland
Return of the Obra Dinn
Wasteland 3

What We're Reading
Babel by R.F. Kuang

What We're Drinking
Ace Pineapple Cider
Sprite
Modern Times Coconut Stout
Water, lots of water

This week Sam and Jordyn sit down with Amanda Gardner from The Deep End Games to talk about their upcoming game (March 7, 2023!), Romancelvania.

What We're Playing
Potionomics
Pokemon Violet
Fire Emblem Engage
Octopath Traveler II
Destiny 2: Lightfall*
Majora's Mask

What We're Reading
Babel by R.F. Kuang
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson

What We're Drinking
Black Cherry Sparkling Water
Stone Imperial Stout
Widow Jane Decadence Bourbon

This week Sam sits down with Jordyn and Victoria to talk about queer characters and games that we love. Recorded on Valentine's Day.

What We're Playing
Potionomics
Fire Emblem Engage
Warlords Battlecry III
Age of Empires
Devour
Avatar Generations

What We're Reading
Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland
Babel by R.F. Kuang
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee

What We're Drinking
Ace Cider
Selkie Tea
Death by Chocolate Stout
Water, water flavored water