Kotaku Splitscreen

This week we have a very special (and very sad) episode, in which we say our final goodbyes to hosts Nathan Grayson and Ashley Parrish. To kick off this goodbye-themed episode, we start with a short discussion on games we haven't finished specifically because we can't bear to say goodbye. Then, we get into a conversation about the all-time best video game goodbyes. And finally, we wrap by Nathan, Ash, and Fahey reflecting on their time at Kotaku—from the weirdest and best reader emails, to the ways they've each changed during their time at Kotaku.Fear not listeners, we'll be back soon with a revised version of the podcast in just a couple of weeks. And Fahey's still here! But for now, we wish Nathan and Ash all the best on their new adventures!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're diving into the topic of TIME. First, Fahey leads us in an exploration of the games that utilize time manipulation mechanics. Then, Nathan walks us through the history of the video game holiday season madness. And finally Ash closes us out with a crosstalk segment on the video games that do, and do not, respect our time.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In honor of the heatwave that's currently dominating July, we thought we'd do a special heat and fire-themed episode. First, we kick things with a discussion on the best and worst video game fire levels of all time. Then, we talk about gaming's role in heating up the planet. And finally, we end things with some HOT Takes on hot stuff in video games.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're exploring the weird ways we've changed foreign video games for American audiences (Kirby's eyebrows, for instance?), as well as the reverse: the weird ways we've altered American video games for foreign gamers. Then, after talking through these weird Americanizations, we create our own Americanized version of Yakuza. And yes, you'll wish our game actually existed when we're through. Privacy Policy and California Privacy Notice.

It's a snacky Snacktaku special this week as we dig into our favorite in-game snacks and road-test G Fuel to see what all the hype is about. (Spoiler alert: WE GET IT. WE GET IT NOW.) Plus, special guest Dan Goubert of The Empty Bowl podcast and of Cerealously joins us for a discussion on the history of gaming snacks.Privacy Policy and California Privacy Notice.

This week we're reviewing our experience with E3. First, we kick off on a positive note with a discussion of the games we liked most coming out of the showcase. Then, we talk about what the actual experience itself was like this year and how it compares to years past. And finally, we end by lamenting all the games that were NOT announced, much to our disappointment.

This week we're discussing video game mascots. First, Fahey quizzes us on our knowledge of video game mascots through the ages. Then, we discuss mascots in the headlines (mainly Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart), which ultimately becomes an Ask Fahey Questions segment about Ratchet. And finally, we end with an interview with Chris Sutherland, former programmer at Rare and co-founder of Playtonic Games, who helped create Banjo Kazooie.

In honor of the upcoming E3, we're talking about our weird personal experiences at the major industry expo. First, we quiz Nathan on his knowledge of E3 history. Then, Nathan and Fahey talk about their most memorable E3 experiences. And finally, we make predictions for what to expect at this year's E3.

This week we're talking morality meters and the complicated decisions we're forced to make in our favorite games. First, we kick things off with a history of moral choices in video games. Then, we discuss the toughest choices we've made in our gaming careers. Finally, we round things out with a chat about how morality meters have evolved in video games and where we stand now.

Inspired by the fact that the main character of Resident Evil Village can't stop losing his, we're talking about hands this week. We kick things off with a little history of hands in video games, followed by a discussion about the team's rankings of the best and worst video game hands. Then, we're joined by Valve developer Kerry Davis, who lets us interview him about the creation of the hands in VR game Half-Life: Alyx.

In honor of Mass Effect's Legendary Edition, we're talking about party members this week. We kick things off with a segment on our first party member experiences, then get into a discussion on the best and worst party members of video game history. Finally, we round out the episode with a segment we're calling Fuck, Marry.....Chill, in which we determine who lives and who dies of the Mass Effect party members.

This week we're talking villages—from Resident Evil Village to the best villages in video game history. First, Kotaku's own Ian Walker joins us to tell us about his experience playing RE8 (and of course we ask him about the Big Lady). Then, we define what we consider to be a village and discuss our own favorite video game villages. And finally, we finish with an Imaginarium segment and make our own goddamned village.

This week we're talking about dead video games (or as Nathan likes to put it, "the ephemerality of video games"). First, we kick things off with an In The Headlines segment to discuss Resident Evil's timed demos, Sony almost getting rid of PS3 and Vita stores, and more. Then we have a discussion on how updates and expansions keep game worlds feeling alive but also get rid of some content forever, to our despair. And finally, we interview Matrix Online archivist Vesuveus.

This week we're talking about video game backlogs. Yes, those guilt-tripping, nagging, I'll-get-to-you-but-not-actually list of games in your hard drive. First, we kick things off by defining what we mean exactly by "backlog," and discussing what we have in them. Then, we get into how the concept of a video game backlog feels so backward when video games are something that is meant for pure enjoyment. And finally, we each officially delete (gasp!) and banish a video game from our own personal backlogs.

This week we're talking loot boxes. First, we kick things off with a conversation with Diablo game designers Erich Schaefer and David Brevik who discuss how their loot boxes came to be. Then, the gang discusses their hot takes about loot boxes, and finally, Fahey makes us a very special loot box.

This week we're talking memes and their unique history with video games with special guest and meme librarian Amanda Brennan. After a deep dive into meme history, Fahey quizzes us on our video game meme knowledge, followed by a conversation about Resident Evil's big lady.

This week we're talking about games as a service: what is considered a live service game? And how did they come to be? First, we'll dive into the history of service games (as Ash suddenly remembers to feed her dying Neopets). Then we discuss our service games of choice, and round out the episode talking about the service games that are in the headlines lately.

It's a snacky Snacktaku special this week as we dig into our favorite in-game snacks and road-test G Fuel to see what all the hype is about. (Spoiler alert: WE GET IT. WE GET IT NOW.) Plus, special guest Dan Goubert of The Empty Bowl podcast and of Cerealously joins us for a discussion on the history of gaming snacks.

This week we're talking monetization—from the money-grabbing features in video games to, of course, those freakin' NFTs. First, we talk about the history of popular ways that video games have, and continue to glean money from people. Then, we're joined by Kotaku senior editor Luke Plunkett to talk all things NFTs—what they are, how they've impacted the gaming world, and why they indisputably suck. And finally, we finish off the episode with a discussion on the recent developments of video game monetization.

This week we're reflecting on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic by talking about the games that got us through it. Then, we do a good ol' AFQs (Ask Fahey Questions) segment, followed by an interview with James Vaughan, creator of Plague Inc.