Best Western Devs Podcasts (2025)

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The Game Awards Were... Weird | Dev Heads 2:03:55

Play Pause

5d ago2:03:55

2:03:55

This week on Dev Heads, JM8, Tina, and Mikee close out 2025 by chatting about The Game Awards. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/SecondWindGroup⁠

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26 Awesome PlayStation 5 Games Coming in 2026 - Beyond 926 1:24:50

12d ago1:24:50

1:24:50

2026 is shaping up to be a big year for games! Let’s take a look at just a few of the many upcoming releases slated to hit PlayStation 5 in the new year! From heavy hitters like Grand Theft Auto 6, Marvel’s Wolverine, 007 First Light and LEGO Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight to some weirder smaller titles like Romeo is a Dead Man, Mouse: P.I. For H…

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Hideo Kojima, Leon Kennedy and Muppets: Our Wildest Game Awards 2025 Predictions - Beyond 925 59:06

19d ago59:06

59:06

The Game Awards are the last big gaming event of 2025, and they always come with a fair share of surprises and announcements, so why not have some fun with it? We’ve prepared an extremely unofficial Beyond edition of legally-distinct The Game Awards Bingo. What will we see this year? Muppets? (Yes) Hideo Kojima? Flute Guy? More importantly, will be…

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What’s Next for CG Boss in 2026? 22:10

17d ago22:10

22:10

In this video I talk and discuss 2026 for CG BOSS and What I feel would be the next steps for Game Dev and Some thoughts about Valve Steam Machines for Indies. #gamedev #goals #2026 Looking forward to the Next Year with 2026.Videos Used in Screen share:Dragon Hound, Scalebound🟨 👉 FOLLOW: Web: https://cg-boss.com Newsletter: https://cgboss.beehiiv.c…

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The Cosmic Invasion of Marvel Games That Don't Suck - Beyond 924 1:10:58

25d ago1:10:58

1:10:58

This week Max and Brain look back on the recent crop of Marvel games that are suprisingly pretty good. From Spider-Man to Blade, theres a lot of cool stuff headed to consoles and PC if you're a Marvel fan (or just a fan of fun games). One could even say theres a cosmic invasion of superhero games that dont suck...speaking of cosmic invasions, Max a…

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PUBG Creator Spills the Beans on His New Titles (ft. Brendan Greene) | Dev Heads 1:44:00

27d ago1:44:00

1:44:00

This week on Dev Heads, JM8, Tina, and Mikee are joined by Brendan Greene (PlayerUnknown) to chat about his new projects. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/SecondWindGroup⁠

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13 Awesome Games To Grab Cheap Black Friday - Beyond 923 1:04:17

1M ago1:04:17

1:04:17

With the holidays fast approaching and Black Friday just around the corner (or later this week if you're reading this when the episode releases) its finally that most wonderful time of the year where you can buy a bunch of games you didnt get a chance to play for dirt cheap. Brian and Max have compiled a list of recent PlayStation releases that are…

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Valve Has Entered The Console Race, Should PlayStation Be Afraid? - Beyond 922 48:54

1M ago48:54

48:54

In a surprise move, Valve has announced plans for a Steam Machine console, taking PC gaming from desktops into living rooms in a big way. Sony’s had the market cornered this console generation, but does the introduction of a device that simplifies PC gaming for more casual players (while still allowing more tech-savvy ones to get under the hood) po…

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Your validation passed. Your players hated it. Here’s why. | MAG #10 27:54

1M ago27:54

27:54

Most game studios either skip validation entirely or waste hundreds of thousands on academic testing that doesn't move the needle. Both approaches kill products. In this episode, we discuss why product validation is the difference between success and years of wasted development—and introduces two frameworks to fix your process. You'll discover: The…

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Nightreign DLC, Marvel Tokon, New PlayStation Hardware | Sony State of Play Japan 2025 - Beyond 921 41:21

2M ago41:21

41:21

This week, Sony surprised us with a nice little State of Play presentation focusing on PlayStation games coming from Japanese and Asian studios, which included a tease of Elden Ring Nightreign’s first major DLC, The Forsaken Hollows as well as what’s in store for Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls’ upcoming closed beta test. We also got a look at some coo…

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The Sad State of GTA-Like Games (That Aren't GTA) - Beyond 920 1:00:09

2M ago1:00:09

1:00:09

This week, we’ve heard Rockstar games co-founder Dan Houser talking about cancelled GTA 5 story DLC and Saints Row 1 design director Chris Stockman sharing his pitch for a Saints Row reboot, which has us lamenting the lack of open-world action games set in contemporary settings. Specifically, the kind where you can steal cars and cause mayhem - you…

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Your Analytics Stack Is Killing Your Studio (The New Meta: PostHog FTW) 46:18

2M ago46:18

46:18

Most game studios waste weeks of runway on the wrong analytics decision—here's how to avoid that mistake. Traditional analytics SDK vendors like Amplitude, Mixpanel, and Braze promise plug-and-play simplicity but deliver silent failures, contract negotiations, and escalating costs that can destroy startup velocity. In this episode, we discuss why t…

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The Horror Games That Defined Each PlayStation Console - Beyond 919 1:14:43

2M ago1:14:43

1:14:43

It’s almost Halloween, so what better excuse to geek out about horror games? Max and Brian take a look back at the horror franchises that dominated each generation of PlayStation console. From the birth of Resident Evil on the PS1 to Silent Hill and Fatal Frame’s numerous outings on the PlayStation 2, to the PS3/360 era that gave us Dead Space, Con…

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Halo's Coming to PlayStation And PlayStation's Going to Magic: The Gathering - Beyond 918 59:01

2M ago59:01

59:01

In the video game equivalent of Hell freezing over or pigs flying, the original Halo is coming to PlayStation. Halo: Campaign Evolved is a full Unreal Engine 5 overhaul of the 2001 Xbox original, and in honor of the 25th anniversary, it’s going multi-platform sometime next year. Nick got a chance to play it, and shared his impressions about new fea…

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Why Game Studio Failures Are Structure Problems, Not Talent Problems | Chris Casanova (Microsoft, Mojang, Relic, Hypixel) 55:21

2M ago55:21

55:21

Most game studios think they have a talent problem. They don't. They have a structure problem. Chris Casanova spent 15+ years as a producer across Microsoft Xbox, Mojang (Minecraft), Relic Entertainment, Offworld Industries, and Hypixel Studios. He's watched talented teams fail repeatedly—not from lack of skill, but from organizational friction. Tr…

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The Battlefield 6 Redemption, What UCLA Football Teaches About Leadership, & Structuring Teams to Win | MAG #7 59:16

2M ago59:16

59:16

Western AAA development is not dead. Battlefield 6's 7 million unit launch proves it. This episode deconstructs how EA and Vince Zampella reversed the "disaster" of Battlefield 2042 by focusing on leadership, community feedback , and a smarter studio structure. Then, we explore why leadership is the ultimate "alpha". Joseph Kim breaks down the stun…

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Is Pokemon Stagnating? | Dev Heads 2:10:04

2M ago2:10:04

2:10:04

This week on Dev Heads, JM8, Tina, and Mikee dig deep into the current state of the Pokemon franchise. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/SecondWindGroup⁠

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Ghost of Yotei Devs Discuss That Ending, Story Changes, Easter Eggs & More | Spoilercast! - Beyond 917 50:16

2M ago50:16

50:16

SPOILER ALERT! This week, we’re talking Ghost of Yotei yet again, but delving deep into late game content, including the ending. Joining us to unpack all that, and answer some more questions about how the open-world samurai epic came together are creative director Jason Connel and lead writer Ian Ryan from Sucker Punch Productions. We discuss story…

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Inside the $55B EA-Saudi Deal: Why It's Not a Typical LBO (with Chris Petrovic & Matthew Kanterman) 59:56

3M ago59:56

59:56

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund just closed the largest gaming acquisition in history—$55 billion for Electronic Arts. But this isn't the typical private equity playbook. In this episode, host Joseph Kim sits down with two M&A experts who break down what's really happening:- Chris Petrovic - Board Chairman & CBO at FunPlus, former President o…

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The Ad Monetization Playbook: Fixing Leaky Revenue, Boosting CPMs, and Scaling Your Team with Kelly Kang 1:08:48

3M ago1:08:48

1:08:48

Why is your ad revenue flat even when your game's traffic is growing? Margins are getting squeezed by hidden fees, and old strategies of yelling at partners no longer move the needle. In this episode, we sit down with veteran ad monetization consultant Kelly Kang to get her modern playbook for building a resilient and profitable ad strategy from th…

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Digesting the Spaghetti Western Vibes of Yotei - Beyond 916 1:05:22

3M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

This week on Beyond Jada Griffin is hosting yet again! Joined by Michael Higham, and Nick Maillet to talk more about Ghost of Yotei. We dive into how the Japanese community is embracing Yotei for how it quintessentially feels like Hokkaido, a few of the smaller touches of things we liked such as the various minigames in Yotei, and a couple of plati…

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MAG: Inside EA’s $55B LBO, Lessons from Grow A Garden, and the Intent→Action Gap ("Alien's Eye View") 57:11

3M ago57:11

57:11

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Devs React to the $55 Billion EA Buyout | Dev Heads 2:12:08

3M ago2:12:08

2:12:08

This week on Dev Heads, JM8, Tina, and Mikee dig deep into the news of EA's $55 billion buyout. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/SecondWindGroup⁠

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Unlock 82% of the Global Gaming Market: The Ultimate Localization Guide 1:41:41

3M ago1:41:41

1:41:41

Is your game only available in English? You could be ignoring over 80% of your potential players. In this deep dive, I sit down with Alexander Murauski, CEO of localization agency Alkonost, to unpack the entire game localization playbook from start to finish. We cover the critical strategies, ROI analysis, and common mistakes that can make or break…

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Ghost of Yotei Devs Explain Lessons Learned From Tsushima, Cinematic Influences & More - Beyond 915 44:20

3M ago44:20

44:20

Ghost of Yotei is almost out, and this week we’re joined by to members of the team at Sucker Punch Productions who were behind it. Creative director Jason Connell and art director Joanna Wang tell us about how the studio approached their follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima, from the cinematic inspirations to the real world research that informed this ne…

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Can Delta Force Beat PUBG? Is the Take-Two Mafia a Myth & How to Fix Recruiting? | MAG #5 26:52

3M ago26:52

26:52

On this episode of Game Makers, we explore three critical topics: how Delta Force's mobile revenue soared past PUBG's by 75% , why the "Take-Two Mafia" thesis is a myth centered on the wrong company , and a powerful framework for fixing your recruiting process by treating candidates like customers. In this episode, you will learn: MACRO: How Delta …

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Ghost of Yotei: A Leaner, Meaner Sequel That Doesn't Reinvent Open-World Samurai Games - Beyond 914 1:13:09

3M ago1:13:09

1:13:09

Ghost of Yotei isn’t out for a little while, but the reviews are in, and we’re joined by IGN’s Michael Higham to discuss Sucker Punch’s highly anticipated samurai sequel stacks up compared to its predecessor. Ghost of Tsushima was one of the last great first-party exclusives of the PS4 era, but Ghost of Yotei takes full advantage of the PlayStation…

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We Finally Saw Wolverine! Our Sony State of Play September 25 - Beyond 913 48:52

3M ago48:52

48:52

Sony suprised everyone with their September State of Play and Max, Jada, Brian, and Nick broke down every major game announced. Starting off with the first look at the long awaited Marvel's Wolverine, and it didnt dissapoint. Wolverine is definitely earning it's likely M rating, and everyone on the show (espically Jada) was impressed with the small…

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Arena Breakout: Infinite Breaks Out to PC!, Destiny: End of Western IP + China Dev, Secrets and Stupid Ideas | MAG #4 51:40

3M ago51:40

51:40

In this episode, we explore the major headwinds facing the games industry, from publisher-developer tensions to the viability of long-standing business models. We start with a raw look at industry layoffs before pivoting to a deep-dive analysis of Arena Breakout Infinite's turbulent PC launch, which reveals a massive culture clash in monetization s…

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Can Early Access Still Be Trusted? | Dev Heads 2:14:44

3M ago2:14:44

2:14:44

This week on Dev Heads, JM8, Tina, and Mikee chat about the current state of Early Access games. Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/SecondWindGroup⁠

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Borderlands 4 and Battlefield 6 Are Playing it Safe, But Playing to Their Strengths - Beyond 912 1:22:04

3M ago1:22:04

1:22:04

This week we’re joined by notorious tie-guy Travis Northup, who just dropped his review of Borderlands 4, and who also went hands on with some large scale maps in Battlefield 6 at a preview event. What do these two games have in common, besides being shooters? They’re both shaping up to be returns-to-form for a couple series that haven’t stuck the …

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MAG Monday #3: India's RMG Ban, Failure of GenAI, Amazon x Netflix Gaming+Streaming Bundle 1:29:21

3M ago1:29:21

1:29:21

Alpha: Clash Royale 5x Revenue, Understanding the Illegible Margin GameDev: The Problem with Product Validation Happy MAG-nificent Monday! 3-Macro: 3 stories impacting the competitive environment in which we operate Hike shuts down after India RMG ban Why GenAI is failing Amazon and Netflix announce Gaming+Streaming bundle 2-Alpha: 2 potential sour…

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25 PlayStation Games Still Coming in 2025 - Beyond 911 1:21:03

4M ago1:21:03

1:21:03

The year is far from over, and some of the biggest game releases are still yet to come - so let’s run down 25 games of various shapes, sizes, genres, flavors and configurations that have our attention for one reason or another. From the obvious big sequels like Ghost of Yotei, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2, to smaller offb…

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3-2-1 MAG #2: Dreamhaven Layoffs, Silksong Success, GamePass Worth Jack**** | Magic Tiles 3 - Piano Game, Rise of AA | On Decision Making 1:03:49

4M ago1:03:49

1:03:49

3. Macro Top 3 Most Significant Gaming News From Last Week: Dreamhaven Games Hit by Layoffs (GamesIndustry.biz): Dreamhaven, the studio founded by former Blizzard Entertainment co-founder Mike Morhaime, confirmed it has undergone an unspecified number of layoffs. Despite the cuts, the CEO expressed optimism about the studio's future and the project…

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What the Hell Do You Want From a Sequel? | Dev Heads 2:12:50

4M ago2:12:50

2:12:50

This week on Dev Heads, JM8, Tina, and Mikee chat about what makes a good sequel.Second Wind is fully independent, employee-owned and fan-funded. Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/SecondWindGroup⁠

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007: First Light Gameplay Reveal Gives us a View To a Killer James Bond Game - Beyond 910 1:00:38

4M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

This week we break down Sony's surprise 007 First Light state of play and why the game looks like it's going to be Hitman With a Dash of Uncharted, Sleeping Dogs & GTA. It's been a while since we've had a good 007 game and thats looking to change thanks in part to the game's developers history making the Hitman games (which are basically 007 games …

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3. 2. 1. Retro #1: Netease Bails on Western Studios, IGN Restructuring, Ubisoft and King Showcase AI 47:23

4M ago47:23

47:23

Top 3 Gaming News From Last Week: NetEase Shuts Down Another Western Studio (Game Developer): NetEase has closed T-Minus Zero Entertainment. This marks the third Western studio closure as part of a broader reassessment of business priorities and has raised concerns about the stability of Western studios under NetEase's ownership. IGN Publisher John…

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LEGO Batman Looks Like The Best Batman Game in Years - Beyond 909 52:06

4M ago52:06

52:06

We’re back from gamescom, jetlagged, but excited to have some new and upcoming games to discuss. Capcom had a solid lineup including Pragmata, which doesn’t put puzzles above shooting, but still has puzzles, and probably isn’t a Mega Man prequel. The Resident Evil Requiem demo we had didn’t blow us away, but it also didn’t show too much, and maybe …

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Finding Alpha: How to Find Your Company's Secret Advantage! 26:39

4M ago26:39

26:39

In an era where “good” isn’t good enough, this talk breaks down how to generate alpha—company-specific excess returns—by choosing the right game to play and going all-in on the highest-leverage moves. We cover the macro forces reshaping competition, case studies of teams that found alpha, and where velocity and AI change the basis of competition. W…

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Call of Duty vs. Battlefield, Dreamhaven Struggles, AI - Tencent & Unity | Game Dev Review #1 1:07:59

4M ago1:07:59

1:07:59

GAME DEV REVIEW #1 NEWS: Top 5 Gaming News Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Officially Revealed (GameSpot): Activision has unveiled the next entry in its massive first-person shooter franchise, "Call of Duty: Black Ops 7." The reveal trailer, showcased at Gamescom, provided a first look at the game's near-future setting and hinted at a narrative connected…

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Navigating the Game Industry Reset: Layoffs, AI Hiring & Career Strategy with Keith Caswell (ex-EA, Microsoft) 1:57:45

4M ago1:57:45

1:57:45

The games industry is in a state of flux. Layoffs are widespread, AI is disrupting hiring, and the future feels uncertain. To navigate this new landscape, we're joined by Keith Caswell, a 20-year HR veteran with leadership experience at Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Wizards of the Coast, for a masterclass in career and talent strategy. Whether yo…

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Battlefield 6 Looks Like Donkey Kong Bananza Directed By Michael Bay - Beyond 908 1:15:37

5M ago1:15:37

1:15:37

This week, we’re talking about the literally groundbreaking new destruction physics in Battlefield 6, which looks to be almost on par with Donkey Kong Bananza’s smashability, but in an obviously very different way. We’re also chatting with the developers of Ninja Gaiden Ragebound about the throwback platformer’s NES roots, and sharing some of the g…

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Why Data Is The New Superpower In Gaming! 1:16:16

5M ago1:16:16

1:16:16

Four years after Apple's ATT shook the mobile gaming world, measurement remains complicated—but not impossible. Airbridge CEO Roi Nam joins us for an unfiltered technical discussion on what's actually working in iOS UA today. We explore SKAN 4.0, the power of CAPI, Web-to-App strategies, and why some studios see 54% LTV lifts while others struggle.…

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From Concept to Character: AI Animation Revolution in Gaming 58:03

5M ago58:03

58:03

Join us for an eye-opening conversation about how AI is completely transforming the game animation industry. Viren Tellis, CEO of Uthana, shares how their technology is enabling developers to animate characters in seconds instead of days, democratizing game development for indie creators. What you'll discover: The three game-changing ways to create…

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Fighting Yourself is Fun in Wuchang Fallen Feathers - Beyond 907 45:07

5M ago45:07

45:07

From forgotten peripherals to bizarre trends, we're taking a wild trip through PlayStation's strangest hardware. Plus, Jada shares her early impressions of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. This week we're going retro, weird, and very PlayStation. 00:00 - Intro01:00 - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers18:06 - PlayStation’s Best, Worst and Weirdest Experimental Produ…

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The Hidden Cost of Building Games: Sacrifice, Success, and What Really Matters ft. Mishka Katkoff, Deconstructor of Fun 1:15:59

5M ago1:15:59

1:15:59

What's the real cost of being a startup gaming founder? In this very off-topic conversation, my old friend Mishka Katkoff (Deconstructor of Fun) and I go deep on the topics nobody puts in their pitch deck. We share personal stories about the psychological and physical toll of the grind, and question the nature of ambition in the game industry.This …

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How Does EA's Skate Compare to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 - Beyond 906 49:12

6M ago49:12

49:12

It’s a good time to be a fan of skateboarding video games, between Activision’s remakes fo Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 out now, plus EA’s long-awaited reboot of Skate (Sorry, “skate.”) arriving sometime in the foreseeable future. Nick had a chance to spend a few hours in the open world, and while the free-to-play live-service aspect is rubbing a l…

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Web Shops: From 10% to 50% Revenue – The Playbook Top Games Don't Want You to Know 1:21:14

6M ago1:21:14

1:21:14

Apple and Google are taking 43% more money from your game than you think – and your competitors are using web shops to capture that revenue instead. In this eye-opening discussion, Stash's Chief Growth Officer reveals how top mobile games generate 50%+ of revenue through direct-to-consumer channels while others leave millions on the table.Why you n…

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Ghost of Yotei Looks Like a Bigger, Meaner and Prettier Spin on Tsushima - Beyond 905 57:41

6M ago57:41

57:41

Sucker Punch finally gave us our long-awaited look at Ghost of Yotei in action, and while it’s certainly looking like a gorgeous successor to Tsushima that’ll put the PS5 through its paces, it’s hard not to compare it to one of this year’s other big open-world samurai game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows. While there will definitely be some familiar them…

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How Can Resident Evil Requiem Keep The Series Fresh After 30 Years? - Beyond 904 57:39

6M ago57:39

57:39

Let’s get this out of the way: we’re happy there’s a new Resident Evil game on the way and we will absolutely be playing it day one. That said, the way Capcom is framing Resident Evil Requiem has us a bit skeptical - especially with them specifically bringing up the fact that Leon Kennedy (supposedly) isn’t in it. We discuss how Resident Evil’s lat…