EXP Podcast #798: The Loot Box Crack Down

Just say no, children

Won't someone think of the children!? This week on the EXP Podcast we open up a loot box and discover both misguided and righteous regulatory attention. And here I was hoping for a Switch 2.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

 

 

Show notes:

- "PEGI Revises its age ratings," via Game Developer

- "Valve argues mystery boxes are 'widely used' in the tangible world," via Game Developer 

- Music Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #797: Future and Ancient Consoles

Friends, Romans, countrymen: Lend me your preorders 

This week, we talk about Microsoft's rumblings about their next console and how Sony is rumored to be staying far away from those tremors.  But what will it all mean in thousands of years?  Perhaps some far-future technology will be able to piece together our console war in the way that we piece together Roman board games today.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

 

 

Show Notes:

- Run time: 37 min 12 sec

- "Xbox confirms its next console will run PC games and is codenamed ‘Project Helix'," by Andy Robinson via Video Games Chronicle 

- "PlayStation’s strategy of releasing its single-player games on PC is reportedly stopping," by Chris Scullion via Video Games Chronicle

- "This Ancient Roman Game Board Was a Mystery. Researchers Used A.I. to Figure Out How to Play," by Sonja Anderson via Smithsonian Magazine 

- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #796: Reanimal and Mewgenics Debrief

Me every 10 mins playing Reanimal

We are back this week with two very different animal-themed video games: one about the trauma of war and dark magic inflicted on children... and the other about cats and butts! Join us for a debrief on two long-awaited games, neither of which you should play with your kids.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

 

 

Show notes:

- Music Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #795: Overwatch on the Horizon

Well, there's no rule that says a cat can't have a jet pack...

Could it be that the reason this was so late in posting was because I got obsessed with Overwatch and finally launched by esports career?  No; just boring life stuff getting in the way.  If only I had another multiplayer live service game to motivate me, one with wacky robots and cartoonish characters.  And I'm not talking about Fortnite, although Epic and Microsoft most certainly are.  Yes it's another week of palace intrigue in the world of video games and we are here to further add to the whispers while we await some of 2026's large releases. 

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

 

 

Show Notes:

- Run time: 40 min 04 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #794: The Polaris List

These designers dug deep!

For the past four years Polaris, a non-profit group of game designers, have been polling luminaries in the field to create possibly the most important Top 10 list of video games - not of the best games, no, but the most inspiring. This week on the podcast, we walk through the 10 most influential games of all time!

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

 

 

Show notes:

- The Polaris List 

- Music from Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #793: The Year Ahead 2026

An Saros-inspired rendering of our entrance into 2026

As we slowly come out of our winter slumber (or perhaps stupor?) it's time to take stock of the year ahead of us.  It still feels like everything is orbiting around the massive and erratic gravitational force that is GTA 6, but there are hints and whispers about what else may be in store for us.  Stylish bullet hell, horror, and maybe even a wacky walking sim have all caught our eye, as has the ever-present potential pleasant surprise.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

 

 

Show Notes:

- Run time: 42 min 21 sec

- Music by Brad Sucks

EXP Podcast #792: 2025 Leftovers

"Where do I find the bathroom!?"

This week on the show we take one last look at the games of 2025 that wowed, surprised, and inspired us. While these great games didn't make our best games of 2025 list, we can't fully embrace the year ahead until we give each of these gems a proper shout-out.

- Here's the show's stand-alone feed
- Listen to the podcast in your browser by clicking here, right-click and select "save as link" to download the show in MP3 format, or click play below.

 

 

Show notes:

- Music by Brad Sucks