I sat down with Mikey Spano, Chief Creative Officer at Squanch Games, to talk about High on Life 2, launching February 13. We dig into the realities of finishing a comedy-driven game, why humor is one of the hardest things to pull off in games, and how Squanch balances creative ambition with the risks facing modern studios.We also talk about funny games that actually work, why big studios struggle to take risks, how indie games break through via virality, and what players should expect from High on Life 2’s guns, humor, and final act. If you’re curious about comedy in games, indie versus AAA development, or where the industry is headed, this conversation goes deeper than most.
Netflix’s planned buyout of WB Games has taken a surprising turn, with Paramount now emerging as a potential challenger to the deal, adding new pressure to one of the biggest gaming acquisitions in years. This comes alongside major industry shifts across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and PC: Microsoft is expanding Xbox manufacturing with Foxconn ahead of GTA 6, Sony has partnered with Bad Robot Games and posted massive Black Friday wins, Death Stranding 2 has appeared on PC listings, Obsidian updated its Avowed roadmap, and Eidos Montréal’s move toward Japan is fueling new Kojima speculation. With EA’s potential buyout by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and fresh updates from Helldivers 2, Marathon, and Nintendo’s latest announcements, today’s news shows how quickly the entire industry is evolving across every platform.
I sat down with Path of Exile 2 Game Director Jonathan Rogers to talk about everything coming in the next major update, including the long-awaited Druid class, the design challenges behind Wolf, Bear, and Wyvern forms, and how 0.4 moves POE2 closer to full release. Jonathan also explains how the team is improving performance, expanding endgame goals, and preparing players for what comes next.
We also dig deeper into GGG’s design philosophy, why the studio has “always been against dark patterns,” and how their approach to monetization and player trust shapes the future of the game. Jonathan shares why he personally wrote the gameplay code for the new league, how POE2 compares to POE1, and why he feels AAA studios “aren’t where the action is” anymore as indie hits gain momentum.
Whether you're excited for the Druid, curious about the release timeline, interested in ARPG development, or just want more insight into Grinding Gear Games’ approach, this conversation is packed with new info, behind-the-scenes stories, and a few surprises straight from the source.
(00:00) Intro
(00:36) GGG Favorite New Addition
(01:32) Druid's Evolution
(04:02) Endgame Grind
(05:50) Important
(06:25) POE1 vs POE2 SteamDB Figures
(09:00) POE1 vs POE2 Satisfaction
(11:05) Steam Deck Performance
(12:39) Is AAA Innovation Dead?
(14:11) Dark Patterns
(19:17) Navigating Community Criticism
(20:17) GOTY
(21:23) Map Inspirations?
(23:35) Script Writing
(24:20) Consultants
(25:35) Proud Accomplishments
(27:19) Wyvern Inspirations
(27:40) Top Class
(30:30) Time Mechanic
(31:50) Cosmetics That Didn't Sell
(32:30) Excited Topics
(32:54) POE2 Release Date
(34:38) Class Equiptment
(35:09) Druid Beast Forms
(35:51) Messing with Streamers
(36:09) Flesh Surgeon
(36:49) Maps Repeat Q
(37:57) Lightning Arrow Buffs
(38:29) Endgame
(40:29) Druid Hurdles
(42:36) Performance Buffs
(44:24) Performance Causes
(45:17) Wyvern Inspirations
(46:16) Druids Uniques
(46:45) Druid Skins
I sat down with Dean Hall, CEO of RocketWerkz, to talk about Kitten Space Agency, its surprising public pre-alpha launch, and the tech powering it. We get into the Brutal framework, KSP comparisons, monetization, fundraising, platform strategy, AI in development, the Steam Machine reveal, and the broader shift happening across the games industry.
Check out Kitten Space Agency https://ahwoo.com/store/KPbAA1Au/kitten-space-agency
(00:00) Intro(00:26) KSA Launch(02:23) Kerbal Reaction(03:23) KSA Tech(05:36) Distribution Strategy(10:06) Fundraising Success(13:00) Monetization(15:10) The Future of Game Dev(17:54) Steam Machine Thoughts(19:58) Platforms Targeted(22:09) Tech in KSA(28:00) AI Thoughts(34:58) Feedback so Far(38:10) GOTY for Dean?(40:18) Shifting Studio Habits
The next generation of gaming hardware is starting to take shape — and Valve might be the one pushing everyone forward.With the Steam Machine revealing early pricing expectations, anti-cheat updates, the 8GB VRAM debate, and AMD’s new FSR Redstone announcement, the industry is already shifting. Xbox and PlayStation aren’t far behind as both companies prepare their own next-gen strategies.In this episode of Save State Plus, we break down what Valve’s latest moves mean for the future of console and PC hardware, how devs are reacting, and where Xbox and PlayStation fit into the picture.Plus.• Fallout Season 2 trailer shows New Vegas, Lucy, The Ghoul, and major lore drops.• Elder Scrolls 6 remains years away, according to Todd Howard.• New Xbox updates including open publishing documentation for all devs.• Halo Operation Infinite preview.• PlayStation updates — PS Portal usage, Ghost of Yotei sales, Destiny 2 performance, Concord servers coming back online.• Early reactions to The Game Awards nominations.Let’s get into it.Subscribe Here! https://www.youtube.com/c/thedestinchannel?sub_confirmation=1Become a member to support this channel!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgUOWrjLEhmHE9tqYtoeS_g/join(00:00) Show Starts(01:11) PC News(10:30) Xbox News(36:26) PlayStation News(45:28) Nintendo News(49:57) Industry News
Valve’s new Steam Machine dropped and instantly set off alarm bells. Between the 8GB VRAM debate, developer concerns, early reactions, and what this means for the PC and console market, the question is simple.Should Xbox be worried right now?In this episode of Save State Plus, we break down the Steam Machine reveal, the industry response, and where Xbox fits into the picture. Plus.• Fallout Season 2 trailer shows New Vegas, Lucy, The Ghoul and major lore drops.• Elder Scrolls 6 is still years away according to Todd Howard.• New Xbox changes including opened publishing documentation for all devs.• Halo Operation Infinite preview.• Big PlayStation updates — PS Portal usage, Ghost of Yotei sales, D2 performance, Concord servers returning.• And early reactions to The Game Awards nominations.It was a wild week. Let’s break it all down.(00:00) Show Starts(00:15) Steam vs Xbox(26:04) Xbox News(30:22) PlayStation News(53:21) Nintendo News(56:15) All Other News
Rockstar confirms Grand Theft Auto 6 is delayed to November 19, 2026, citing the need for more polish. But inside the studio, tension is boiling over with protests, firings, and union-busting accusations making headlines.
Meanwhile, Nintendo raises its Switch 2 sales forecast, Halo Infinite announces what could be its final major update, and BioWare celebrates N7 Day with new Mass Effect teasers.
All that and more in this week’s LAG Recap, your late-access look at the biggest stories in gaming.
In this exclusive interview, the Destiny Rising development team opens up about how they’re expanding the Destiny universe in bold new ways. From the decision to create a hero-based combat system to exploring a completely different timeline, this conversation dives deep into how Destiny Rising is redefining what’s possible for the franchise.The team discusses Bungie’s collaboration, community feedback, AI voice controversy, and how they’re shaping the future of the Destiny experience across mobile and beyond.#DestinyRising #Destiny2 #Bungie #ExclusiveInterview #MobileGaming
It’s official. Satya Nadella just confirmed the Xbox rumors are true. Not only for the games, but als for Xbox’s next console, codenamed Magnus, is real and it’s a hybrid. Xbox Magnus does have a nice ring to it.Microsoft says it will combine your full Xbox console library with the power of Windows PC gaming. That means support for multiple storefronts like Steam, Epic, and Battle.net all on one device. It’s the biggest shift in Xbox history and marks the first time they’ve officially admitted what’s been rumored for months.In this video, I break down what Satya actually said, what the hybrid console really is, how it compares to the rumored PS6, and what this means for Xbox’s future.Subscribe Here! https://www.youtube.com/c/thedestinchannel?sub_confirmation=1Become a member to support this channel!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgUOWrjLEhmHE9tqYtoeS_g/joinSources:https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-ambitious-new-xbox-your-entire-console-library-the-full-power-of-windows-pc-gaming-and-morehttps://x.com/longislandviper/status/1982931457783034260https://x.com/tbpn/status/1983248873335468142https://www.matthewball.co/all/stateofvideogaming2025https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/ex-playstation-head-says-video-game-industry-losing-next-generation-tiktok-1995571https://x.com/Cromwelp/status/1762530106050818510https://x.com/tomwarren/status/1983313762770923704https://x.com/charlieINTEL/status/1983279182613492146https://x.com/stephentotilo/status/1983255817785597980https://insider-gaming.com/xbox-reportedly-has-a-partner-preview-event-scheduled-for-november/https://x.com/InsiderGamingIG/status/1982827800106270769https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_pjrZQDerw&t=1s
Halo is officially coming to PS5 with Halo. Campaign Evolved. We break down what Xbox is signaling with multiplatform moves. The reported push for higher studio margins. And why leadership says TikTok and movies are the real competition. Plus new trend data and reports shaping the industry this we
Path of Exile’s next big expansion, Keepers of the Flame, drops October 31 and I spoke with Mark “Neon” Roberts from Grinding Gear Games about how they’re keeping Path of Exile fresh more than a decade later.
He opened up about live-service game fatigue, what developers can learn from Destiny, and why you should never blame your audience when engagement dips. We also talk about the new Breach-themed league sequel, Bloodline Ascendancies, Grafts, and Asynchronous Trading — some of the biggest additions to Path of Exile in years.
0:00 - Intro & how this unique interview was filmed
0:44 - Starting questions for the dev team
1:39 - Dumping all the questions from the presentation
2:02 - Graphics Update?
03:31 - Breach Updates
06:44 - Breah Follow Up
9:14 - Breach returns: how GGG revisits classic mechanics
12:45 - When has a game overstayed its welcome? (Destiny comparison)
13:00 - Mark on not blaming your audience — the dev’s responsibility to re-earn engagement
30:25 - Bungie comparisons & lessons in longevity
34:26 - Final thoughts and outro
Xbox just dropped everything this week. From the ROG Ally X handheld reveal to Forza Horizon 6 heading to Japan, a new look at Kojima’s OD: Knock, and their biggest Game Pass investment yet. I’ll break down why this might be one of the most important weeks in Xbox history.
(00:00) YouTube Rant
(04:20) Xbox Handheld
(23:02) Forza Horizon 6
(29:30) Halo Rumors
(38:39) Costco Xbox Story
(46:08) YouTube Rants Part 2
(50:27) OD Reveal
(55:00) Xbox Game Pass Investment
(59:08) Xbox Users Play More
(01:03:58) Physint
(01:09:42) Bowser Leaves Nintendo
(01:11:08) Wolverine Gameplay Reveal Recap
(01:16:01) MGS Vol 2 in the Works
(01:17:49) Metal Gear Solid Delta Fox Hunt Release Date
(01:19:50) Borderlands 4 Switch 2 Delay
(01:21:09) Is EA Selling?
(01:24:08) Bully 2 News
(01:25:21) Recap Outro
I spoke with the solo creator behind Morbid Metal (who now has a team) at Gamescom 2025 about their stylish action gameplay, inspirations, and how they’re building this intense, shape-shifting hack-and-slash experience. Here’s what’s next for the game and why fans of fast-paced combat should keep an eye on it.
At Gamescom 2025, I went hands-on with Deadpool VR and sat down with the developers to talk about how they brought Marvel’s Merc with a Mouth to virtual reality. Here’s everything you need to know about gameplay, humor, and what to expect when you suit up as Deadpool. Big thanks to Meta for brining me out to Gamescom to play.
EVE Vanguard is live right now with its free-to-play event, Operation Nemesis, running through October 2! I sat down with EVE Vanguard Game Director Scott Davis and EVE Online Creative Director Bergur Finnbogason for an exclusive interview about the future of this MMOFPS and how it ties directly into the EVE Online universe. We also break down brand-new gameplay, talk about the infamous Dust 514 lessons, and discuss how Vanguard will impact the political and economic landscape of EVE.Play EVE Vanguard: https://evevanguard.com/how-to-play
During Gamescom I had the chance to sit down with the Dune Awakening team to ask them about their favorite changes to the game. This is what they said. Dune Awakening is opening its doors for a free weekend, giving players a chance to explore the harsh deserts of Arrakis and see how the game has evolved. At Gamescom, I sat down with the game’s director to talk about what’s new, what they’re most proud of, and how the team has refined this ambitious survival MMO. In this interview, we break down their favorite recent changes, what players should look forward to during the free weekend, and where the game is headed next.
I sat down with Leonard Boyarsky (co-creator of Fallout, director on The Outer Worlds) and Brandon Adler (game director at Obsidian) to talk about the future of RPGs. We covered everything from the possibility of a Fallout 1 remake, to lessons learned from Avowed, to modernizing RPG systems in The Outer Worlds 2. We also dug into storytelling tactics, marketing sequels, and what it’s like building games today in Unreal Engine 5 compared to the early DOS era.(00:00) Intro(00:34) Controversial Question(01:37) Outer Worlds Dropping to $70(02:33) Modernizing Systems(05:45) Is a Fallout 1 Remake Possible?(07:50) What did you learn from Avowed?(09:00) Is Marketing a Sequel Hard?(11:22) Are the Separate Teams Helpful?(12:52) Creating Then(DOS) vs Now (UE5)(16:15) Brandon's Thoughts(20:18) Storytelling Tactics(22:00) How Their Skills Come Together(25:33) Can you think of an example in Outer Worlds 2?(28:00) What's one question I didn't ask you wish I did?
I sat down with Konami producers Noriaki Okamura and Yuji Korekado to talk about Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. We discuss the challenges of remaking such a legendary game, and how they approached honoring the legacy of Hideo Kojima’s original Metal Gear Solid 3. This interview gives insight into Konami’s vision for the future of the Metal Gear franchise.
I sat down with Obsidian studio leadership to talk about Grounded 2 and the major changes driving the sequel including why they chose to make a full follow-up, how Unreal Engine 5 reshaped development, and why keeping a small, agile team was key to their success. We also go deep on buggies (yes, again), improvements to AI and combat, and the studio’s philosophy around retaining talent and preserving games.
I sat down with Franchise Director Jonathan Lacaille and Narrative & Cinematic Director Martin Emborg to talk about 007: First Light, the ambitious new origin story set in the James Bond universe. We dive into how they approached building a younger Bond, what makes this different from past 007 games, and how the team is creating a cinematic experience worthy of the franchise. If you’re a Bond fan or love spy thrillers, this is one you won’t want to miss.