Microsoft's push for high Xbox profit margins behind job cuts, publishing on PlayStation, and cancellation of projects like Perfect Dark, a Next-gen Xbox confirmed in development, Halo is coming to PS5, With PS6 Sony "cannot do the same thing they have been doing" says Shuhei Yoshida, and Starfield is a "good game" says former designer. Also: perfect games, hats, being financially irresponsible, favourite gaming eras, Barack Obama, non-lethal misfortune, and more! GAMES DISCUSSED: The Séance of Blake Manor, Dispatch, Ghost of Yōtei, Absolum, BALL x PIT, PowerWash Simulator 2.   SUPPORT Patreon CONTACT Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook FOLLOW TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky WATCH Twitch YouTube LISTEN Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts CREDITS Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

This week: a former Call of Duty lead "immensely worried" about series under Microsoft, Nintendo is reportedly increasing Switch 2 production as it expects record-breaking first year sales exceeding its own estimates, Xbox Ally and Ally X reviews are here, Tomonobu Itakagi has sadly passed away, Quantic Dream has revealed its first-ever free-to-play multiplayer game, and more! GAMES DISCUSSED: Keeper, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Battlefield 6, BALL x PIT, Hades II, Ghost of Yōtei, Absolum   SUPPORT Patreon CONTACT Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook FOLLOW TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky WATCH Twitch YouTube LISTEN Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts CREDITS Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

Sean returns! This week: Ubisoft reportedly cancelled an Assassin’s Creed game partly due to ‘political concerns’, MindsEye developers sign damning open letter against studio execs over "longstanding disrespect and mistreatment" following game's disastrous launch, A Minecraft Movie gets inevitable sequel after grossing almost $1bn, and Battlefield 6 players face extensive queues this weekend as servers immediately reach capacity. Also: crisp sandwiches, game delays, complex button combos, trainers, and more! GAMES DISCUSSED: Battlefield 6, Ghost of Yōtei, Hades II, Baby Steps.   SUPPORT Patreon CONTACT Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook FOLLOW TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky WATCH Twitch YouTube LISTEN Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts CREDITS Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

Sean's away, so this week we're joined by Iain Lee! This week: Microsoft increases price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass reportedly led to $300 million in lost sales of Black Ops 6, Xbox's next gen console hardware plans aren't cancelled (yet), a ‘deep dive’ on the future of Halo will be held next month, and FIFA lives on in a mascot-focused five-a-side football game. Also: first completed games, what ARE Microsoft doing, elephants, and more. GAMES DISCUSSED: Ghost of Yōtei, Baby Steps, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Death Stranding 2, Borderlands 4, Chess   SUPPORT Patreon CONTACT Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook FOLLOW TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky WATCH Twitch YouTube LISTEN Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts CREDITS Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

This week: PlayStation State of Play, Xbox at Tokyo Game Show, Microsoft "ceases and disables" some of its services to Israel Ministry of Defence, investors including Saudi 's PIF are reportedly in "advanced talks" for a $50bn leveraged buyout of EA, ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X prices have been confirmed, and Doug Bowser is retiring. Also: Pikmin abilities, electronic brain chips, stag do’s and more. GAMES DISCUSSED: Hades II, Baby Steps, FC26, Blippo+, Lego Voyagers, Fortnite SUPPORT Patreon CONTACT Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook FOLLOW TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky WATCH Twitch YouTube LISTEN Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts CREDITS Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

This week: US Xbox fans hit with another hardware price hike just four months after the last increase, Sucker Punch studio head comments on firing a developer who joked about Charlie Kirk’s death, Tencent responds to Sony lawsuit against Horizon clone, and scientists have worked out why some people invert video game controls. Also: TV adverts, serious games, funeral music, Mario sports crossovers, the dark web, being cool, and more. GAMES DISCUSSED: LEGO Voyagers, Not Sure About That, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Fortnite SUPPORT Patreon CONTACT Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook FOLLOW TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky WATCH Twitch YouTube LISTEN Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts CREDITS Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

This week: Everything announced in last week’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo’s patenting stuff again, Sony launches new PlayStation parental control app, and Randy Pitchford doing Randy Pitchford things.     Also: Cyberpunk mods, airplane seats, going back in time, couples gaming habits, plants, new dads, and more.     Games discussed: Hollow Knight: Silksong, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, Is This Seat Taken?, Fortnite, Not Sure About That   Support Patreon     Contact Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook     Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky     Watch Twitch YouTube     Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts     Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

James Farley returns! This week: Hollow Knight: Silksong is here (and it took down global game storefronts), Take-Two was reportedly in talks to fund and publish Perfect Dark reboot, PS5 Digital Edition consoles are reportedly getting a quiet storage downgrade, and a Call of Duty movie and a Life is Strange TV show are both happening. Also: Shepherd’s pie, Games Master, stinky games, and uninterrupted gaming. Games discussed: Hollow Knight: Silksong, Donkey Kong Bananza, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance. Support Patreon   Contact Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook   Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky   Watch Twitch YouTube   Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts   Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

Steam begins age verification for UK customers, Hermen Hulst wants first-party PlayStation studios to fail “cheaply and early”, and King layoffs sound bad. Also: perfect games, vinegar pills, gigs, Sunday best, and more. Games discussed: SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, Destiny: Rising, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Mina the Hollower, Skate., Helldivers 2. Support Patreon   Contact Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook   Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky   Watch Twitch YouTube   Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts   Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

Everything announced at Opening Night Live, ex-Deck Nine developer claims a Life is Strange: Double Exposure sequel is still in the works, Hollow Knight Silksong finally gets a release date, Elden Ring runs like shit on Switch 2, and Sony raises the price of the PS5 again. Also: Dad behaviours, musical memories, Lamborghini’s, game spellings, and more.   Games discussed: Sword of the Sea, Herdling, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Support Patreon   Contact Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook   Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky   Watch Twitch YouTube   Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts   Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

This week we’re joined by Imogen Mellor! We’re talking about Remedy being unsatisfied with FBC: Firebreak’s launch sales, Helldivers teasing a HALO OSDT crossover, PETA calling for Nintendo to remove Cow's "cruel" nose ring, Black Ops 7 might not make it to Switch, and more Shenmue is on the way. Also: teaching, KSI, a new news segment, and more! Games discussed: Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Dark Souls 3, Elden Ring Nightreign, Balatro, Pokemon Pocket TCG, Death Stranding 2, Earthworm Jim 2, UFO 50, Donkey Kong Bananza, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.   Support Patreon   Contact Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook   Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky   Watch Twitch YouTube   Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts   Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

Our James fallow period (Farlow?) has begun, but with it, comes special guests. And this week we’re joined by Inel Tomlinson! We're talking Nintendo Indie World Showcase, Digital Foundry goes independent, Contraband gets Contrabinned, and there’s a beautiful new range of baby and toddler toys from Nintendo. Also: Gamescom predictions, losing limbs, soup, voice acting, old VHS tapes and more. Games discussed: Death Stranding 2, and Roger, Time Flies, Battlefield 6, Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Picross 2, Micro Museum Ramsgate.   Support Patreon   Contact Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook   Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky   Watch Twitch YouTube   Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts   Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

David’s away, but that doesn’t stop us talking about everything announced in last week’s Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, Xbox Game Pass hitting almost $5bn in annual revenue, Itch.io "re-indexes" free adult NSFW content, BioShock 4 failing to impress at internal 2K review, and Sony suing Tencent over Light of Motiram. Also: online abuse, shaving beards, siblings, movie tie-in games, game show games, interviewing celebs, and more. Games discussed: and Roger, Time Flies; Dear Me I was, Fortnite, Death Stranding 2, FUMES, Donkey Kong Bananza.   Support Patreon   Contact Website Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook   Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky   Watch Twitch YouTube   Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts   Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

Mastercard and Visa face backlash after hundreds of adult games removed from online stores Steam and Itch.io, Microsoft starts rolling out Xbox age verification in the UK (and reversed plans to charge $80 for The Outer Worlds 2) Switch 2 has become the fastest selling video game hardware device in US history, Sony’s new Power Saver mode will ‘scale back performance’ of supported PlayStation 5 titles, and Wolfenstein is the next game series to get an adaptation for TV. Also: burned food, save files, biscuits, billionaires, and more. Games discussed: Death Stranding 2, Wheel World, Donkey Kong Bananza.   Support Patreon Store   Contact Website Contact form Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook   Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky   Watch Twitch YouTube   Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts   Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

Microsoft kills its movies and TV store on Xbox and Windows, Nintendo is doing another mysterious ‘online playtest’, Steam games disclosing generative AI use ‘are up 800%’ this year, FromSoftware is working on an unannounced project alongside The Duskbloods, and Zelda and Link’s movie actors have been revealed. Also: Internet black-outs, bank notes, money taboos, 90s game news, Fantastic Four, fun friend-meeting stories. Games discussed: Donkey Kong Bananza, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Support Patreon Store Contact Website Contact form Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky Watch Twitch YouTube Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

Forza Horizon 5 sold 2 million units in a month on PS5, there’s a whole Subnautica 2 saga, the Donkey Kong Bananza director says he’s aware of occasional performance issues, and Nintendo and Universal are planning a Donkey Kong movie. Also: video podcasts, politics, tattoo updates, slippers and more. Games discussed: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Two Point Museum, The Ascent. Support Patreon Store Contact Website Contact form Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky Watch Twitch YouTube Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

Job losses, studio closures, cancelled games at Xbox, Phil Spencer isn’t leaving any time soon, Helldivers 2 is coming to Xbox Series X/S in August, port studio says any 60fps Xbox Series S game will ‘easily port’ to Nintendo Switch 2, and Neil Druckmann is stepping away from The Last of Us TV show to focus on game development Also: Good facts, Chinese takeaways, stickers and more! Games discussed: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, PEAK, Another Code: Recollection, Two Point Museum, Zenless Zone Zero, Rematch, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Walkabout Mini Golf VR. Support Patreon Store Contact Website Contact form Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky Watch Twitch YouTube Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

This week, a totally normal show. Lost Records developer Don't Nod cuts a "non-insignificant chunk" of jobs; turns out The Alters has undisclosed gen AI use of in images, text, and translation; Sony sued in Netherlands over "Sony Tax" and its perceived monopoly on digital sales, PlayStation maintains that it still won’t release first-party games on PS Plus on day one, and Dbrand is sending improved Switch 2 grips to all customers after ‘spectacularly terrible response’ to detaching claims. Also: Mr. Resetti, Star Wars nerds, feeling old, and so much more. Games discussed: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, PEAK, 9 Kings, Cast n Chill, Rematch, Lumines Remastered.   Support Patreon Store   Contact Website Contact form Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook   Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky   Watch Twitch YouTube   Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts   Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

Microsoft says it's working on next-gen Xbox "consoles", third-party Switch 2 game sales are reportedly “below estimates” (but Nintendo is banning people for pirating games on Switch 2), a Metroid Prime 4 ad on London Underground claimed the game is ‘out now’, support for Beat Saber on PS4 and PS5 ends, and Bungie delays Marathon. Also: Prison time, good boys, Sonic’s birthday, masculine film idols, and more. Games discussed: Rematch, The Alters, Mario Kart World, Fortnite, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.   Support Patreon Store   Contact Website Contact form Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook   Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky   Watch Twitch YouTube   Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts   Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong

This week we’re joined by the amazing Ellie Gibson! Switch 2 sells 3.5m units in four days, SAG-AFTRA reaches tentative agreement with major games companies to end strike, SGF viewing figures up by 89%, John Marston’s actor teases “big announcement” coming “before Friday”, and Splatoon Raiders is announced for Switch 2. Also: being sell-outs, catchphrases, could we host the BAFTA Games Awards, and more! Games discussed: The Alters, Trash Goblin, Mario Kart World, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, Absolum, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.   Support Patreon Store Contact Website Contact form Discord Bluesky Threads Instagram Facebook Follow TCGS on Bluesky David on Bluesky Sean on Bluesky Mat on Bluesky James on Bluesky Watch Twitch YouTube Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts Credits Music by Nick Parton Art by Dave Chong