This Week on Post Games:

One big interview. No acts. “How to Fix Lovecraft? Start with Penguins." An indie developer adapts Lovecraft to talk about modern politics and culture. Nazis’ heads explode. Mysterious sounds call from the Antarctic ice. And you play as a flock of puzzled penguins. [First aired on Post Games Patreon on Oct. 9, 2026.]

Guest:

Tali Faulkner: Director of Penguin Colony and Origame Digital

Bonus Episodes and Segments:

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional Music: Epidemic Sound

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: The Luigi Origin StoryAct 2: Luigi’s Mansion’s Surprising LegacyAct 3: Luigi, The Original Meme KingAct 4: A Halloween Treat

Guests:

Drew Mackie: Thrilling Tales of Video GamesAshley Bardhan: plant or beast“Bonfire Party” by Joar Renolen (Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth)

Bonus Episodes and Segments:

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)

Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional Music: Epidemic Sound

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: The Billion Dollar Business of GTA6Act 2: A Taste of the Biggest Game on the PlanetPatreon Bonus: Where Grand Theft Auto Goes from Here

Guests:

Jason Schreier: reporter at Bloomberg and author of Play NiceClosing Song: “Hotel Hexapod” by Sean Beeson (Floor Plan: Slap Out of It!)

Bonus Episodes and Segments:

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)

Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James Bareham

Theme: Mark Sparling

Additional Music: Epidemic Sound

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

An interview with Street Fighter (2026) director Kitao Sakurai

Patreon Bonus Episode: 

An hour-long bonus episode “How Do You Fix Lovecraft? Start with Penguins”

Guests:

Kitao Sakurai: director of Street Fighter (2026)

Closing Song:

Jamal Green - The Deltburg Groove (Toem 2)

Bonus Episodes and Segments:

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)

Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James Bareham

Theme: Mark Sparling

Additional Music: Epidemic Sound

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

The behind-the-scenes story of the making of Street Fighter: The Movie, released in 1994.

Patreon Bonus: A Golden Age for Nerdy Museum

Hear this bonus mini-episode exclusively at Patreon.com/PostGames

Bonus Episodes and Segments:

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)

Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James Bareham

Theme: Mark Sparling

Additional Music: Epidemic Sound

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: A Horror Novel About a Gamer

Act 2: Controlling a Corpse Like It's Mario

Patreon Bonus: Resident Evil: A Spoiler-Chat with Film Critic Jordan Hoffman

Act 3: A Life in Games Journalism Led to a Beautiful New Magazine

Book Excerpt: Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep

Guests:

Paul Tremblay: author of Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep

Jordan Hoffman: film critic and host of The Starlog Podcast

Mark Serrels: co-founder of CONTINUE? Magazine

Bonus Episodes and Segments:

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)

Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James Bareham

Theme: Mark Sparling

Additional Music: Epidemic Sound

Excerpt:

Audiobook sample of Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep by Paul Tremblay published by HarperAudio and William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Used courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

The Mail Bag Is Open: Lots of Questions! Lots of Answers!Patreon Bonus: More Questions! More Answers!

Guests:

Post Games listeners! 

Bonus Episodes and Segments!

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: Fire Emblem’s Many False StartsAct 2: Fire Emblem Rises from the AshesPatreon Bonus: A Zelda Expert on the Ocarina of Time’s Controversial DesignAct 3: Why We Quit Games We Love

Guests:

Nadia Oxford:  the co-host of Axe of the Blood God and author of From Pixels to Prose: What Video Games Taught Me About StorytellingMax Nichols: game designer and head of Hyrule Interviews

Contributor Segment:

Najay Greenidge, one more roundNick Yee: co-founder of Quantic Foundry

Bonus Episodes and Segments!

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: The History of Wolverine in ComicsAct 2: Wolverine’s Life as a Pop Culture IconPatreon Bonus (Available to everyone): The History of X-Men Games

Guests:

Connor Goldsmith: Comics writer, host of CEREBRO.

Bonus Episodes and Segments!

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: The Rise of the Retro HandheldAct 2: Can Retro Handhelds Go Mainstream?Patreon Bonus: The Perfect Handhelds for Every Price RangeAct 3: The Big Announcements from Gamescom

Guests:

Russ Crandall: Host of Retro Game CorpsGiovanni Colantonio: Editor-at-large, Polygon

Bonus Episodes and Segments!

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: A Game Review Is the Possible ImpossibleAct 2: Written Reviews Aren’t Dead Just YetAct 3: Better Living Through Game ReviewsPatreon Bonus: How to Have Richer Conversations about Games

Guests:

Chris Donlan: critic, essayist, and author

Bonus Episodes and Segments!

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: A History of the Fighting Game GenreAct 2: How to Get into Fighting GamesAct 3: Why Marvel Tokon Is Getting All the HypePatreon Bonus: The 5 Ingredients of a Perfect Summer Game

Guests:

Ash Parrish: Senior reporter, Kotaku

Bonus Episodes and Segments!

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

All interviews are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: The Sexy Game That’s Taken Over the WorldAct 2: A Werewolf Man, Dung Deliveries, and the Chinese GovernmentAct 3: Loving a Game That Will One Day DisappearPatreon Bonus: Just How Bad Is the EA Sale?

Guests:

Ash Parrish: Senior reporter, KotakuNatalie Checo: Community + social media manager and writer, Sunset VisitorRebekah Valentine: Senior reporter, KotakuClosing Song: “Band on the Run (16 Bit, SNES)” by spaceyorick

Bonus Episodes and Segments!

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for only $5. Get bonus episodes, extra segments, and ad-free episodes. Works on every podcast app, so you can listen wherever you'd like!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

All interviews are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: This One Game Is Two GamesAct 2: Fighting for Attention in the Age of Endless DistractionPatreon Bonus: Making Games with Christian Faith

Guest:

Xalavier Nelson Jr.: Studio head, designer, and writer, Strange Scaffold

Get 1 month of Post Games Patreon for $1!

Every bonus episode!Every bonus segment!No ads!Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames. Sale ends Sunday, August 29th at 11:59 pm PT. Limited to first-time subscribers.

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

All interviews are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bonus Post Games?!

Support the show for $5 at Patreon.com/PostGames and get bonus episodes and segments!

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: Game Freak’s 30 Years of Brilliant False StartsAct 2: Beast of Reincarnation Won’t Be IgnoredPatreon Bonus: Game Freak’s Top 5 Games (That Aren’t Pokémon)Act 3: A New Game Magazine? In This Economy?!

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

Robert Sephazon: Game designer, producer, historian, and curatorRyan Rigney: Editor-in-chief, Chisel

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

All interviews are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: A Life Making Sense of GamesAct 2: The Pleasure in Noticing the Small ThingsPatreon Bonus: Behind-the-Scenes of Grand Theft Auto’s Press EventsBonus: An Excerpt from “The Small Stuff” Audiobook

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

Ian Bogost: Game designer, essayist, professor, and author of “The Small Stuff”Closing Song: “The Path of the Wind (from My Neighbor Totoro)” performed by Gentle Love

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

All interviews are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Post Games is an NPR-style podcast about video games.

Each week, games media veteran Chris Plante (co-founder of Polygon, co-host of The Besties) tackles a new topic with the help of guest experts. This episode is a tasting menu: four conversations with four very different experts.

YouTuber AnyAustin reflects on growing old as a gaming YouTuber. Author Keza MacDonald gives us a hint of Nintendo's future. Philosopher C. Thi Nguyen explains how metrics and optimization have infected our favorite games. And critic and game designer Tim Rogers recommends the perfect starting point for Dragon Quest.

This is the perfect entry point for newcomers and a taste of what's available for paid subscribers on the Patreon!

Love the show? Please consider supporting Post Games (and getting tons of bonus segments and episodes) at Patreon.com.postgames

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: Getting Old as a Professional Gaming YouTuberAct 2: Nintendo’s Future Act 3: How Metrics Infected Video Games Bonus Act: Tim Rogers Recommends You Play This Dragon Quest First

Show Notes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

Any Austin: Gaming YouTuberKeza MacDonald: Journalist and author of Super Nintendo: The Game-Changing Company That Unlocked the Power of PlayC. Thi Nguyen: Philosopher, educator, and author. His latest book is The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else’s GameTim Rogers: Critic and designer at Action Button

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

All interviews are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: Why Game Criticism Is a KindnessAct 2: What a Game Review Can and Can’t DoPatreon Bonus: The Reason Review Scores Make People So Mad

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

Harper Jay: Critic and Writer

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAdditional music: Epidemic Sound

All interviews are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: Defining ‘Weird Nintendo’Act 2: Weird Nintendo, #10-6Act 3: Weird Nintendo, #5-1Patreon Bonus: The Nintendo Story I Could Never Tell

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guest:

Jeremy Parish: host and author of Video Works, co-host and co-founder of Retronauts

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: The Primordial Ooze of the Modern Game IndustryAct 2: No Time Like the PresentAct 3: How to Get People to See a Game in 2026Patreon Bonus: The Two Big Bets That Led to Xbox's Current Problems

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

Rob Pardo: CEO of Bonfire Studios, former CCO of Blizzard EntertainmentJason Schreier: reporter at Bloomberg News, co-host of Triple Click

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

The EGOTYs: 50 critics, directors, designers, reporters, authors, and comedians share their favorite games of 2026Patreon Bonus: I share my Top 10 Games of 2026, and consider why they stuck to my heart, brain, and gut

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

See the full guest list at www.Post.Games

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Patreon Bonus: The Rules of Persona SummerAct 1: Persona, Explained!Act 2: Where to Start (or Continue) with PersonaAct 3: Why Tribeca Film Fest Includes Video Games

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

Brendon Bigley and Stephen Hilger: co-hosts of Into the AetherLeigh Alexander: narrative designer, writer, and former games journalistCasey Baron: Senior Programmer of the Tribeca Film FestivalClosing Song: “Aria of the Soul” by The Blueshift Big Band (The Persona 30th Anniversary Jazz Album)

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: Everything You Need to Know about BondAct 2: Why Bond Games and Movies Have Become So Tough to MakePatreon Bonus: A History of Bond Games in Five TitlesAct 3: 007 First Light’s Narrative Director on Creating a New Bond

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

Matt Gourley: co-host of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, James Bondings, With Gourley & Rust, and many other great podcastsMartin Emborg: Narrative and Cinematic Director, 007 First Light

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: Try Not to Lose 100 FollowersAct 2: How to Look Closely at Gaming’s Little DetailsPatreon Bonus: Getting Old as a Professional YouTuber

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

Any Austin: Gaming YouTuberClosing Song: “He’s Out There” (Screaming Savage Blood Death)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: The History of Bubsy 2DAct 1.5: The Case for Bubsy 3DAct 2: The Making of Bubsy 4DPatreon Bonus: The Bubsy Parody About Loving Modern ArtAct 3: The News of the Week

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

Fabian Rastorfer and Ben Miller: co-leads of Fabraz, Bubsy 4DBen Esposito: Designer on Neon White, Donut County, and Bubsy 3D: Bubsy inEvan Minsker: Proprietor, critic, and reporter at see/saw

Closing Song:

“Techno Syndrome 2026” by Benjamin Wallfisch from Mortal Kombat 2: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Editor's Note:

Hey Post Games listeners! It's Post Games' first anniversary. To celebrate, and to give myself some time to prep the summer episodes, I'm sharing one of the monthly Patreon-exclusive episodes. This is the history of the original The Legend of Zelda, featuring one of the series' foremost experts and historians.

If you like this episode, you'll enjoy the rest of Past Games. Each month, I talk with a different expert about a game or moment celebrating an anniversary this year. Previous episodes include L.A. Noire with Tim Rogers, along with histories of Dark Souls and Animal Crossing with people who wrote the books on each.

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for $5 to get all that and more.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: The Making of The Legend of ZeldaAct 2: The 30-Year Evolution of Zelda GamesAct 3: A History of the Zelda Fan Community

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

Max Nichols: Game designer, educator, and operator of Hyrule InterviewsClosing Song: “Boléro” Maurice Ravel. Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Parism. Conducted by Manuel Rosenthal

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You now have access to my recent talk at NYU Game Center, previously only heard by 200 or so people in downtown Brooklyn. The lecture, given last Thursday, is titled “The Nine Lives of Video Games Journalism,” and in it, I suggest where the games media is heading by comparing the current trends to the past 50 years and the many publications that have come and gone.

[The talk moves fast. I crammed about 90 minutes of lecture into an hour. So I’m making the Google Slides deck available for folks who’d like to follow along. You can find them at www.post.games. I’ve also edited the audio to smooth the flow here and there. An unedited video version will be available on the NYU Game Center’s YouTube page in the coming weeks.]

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: A Mini Golf Game at the Not-Quite End of the WorldAct 2: Making Fun Games about Big ProblemsPatreon Bonus: How to Stay Optimistic

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames

Guests:

Friedrich Kirschner: founder and Creative Director of Three More YearsMaria Cârstian: creative producer of Three More YearsClosing Song: “Nepturne” by 100 Rabbits (Oquoine)

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: What Is a “Solo” Game Developer in 2026Act 2: Making Titanium Court One Hour at a TimePatreon Bonus: AP Thomson’s Titanium Court Book Club (Coming 4/27)Act 3: The News of the Week

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames

Guests:

AP Thomson: designer of Titanium CourtClosing Song: “Backbay Shaws (Lyrical)” by AP Thomson

Art & Music:

Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: How to Tell Stories about Video GamesAct 2: Where Video Games Go From HerePatreon Bonus: Getting into the Weeds of Video Game CultureAct 3: The News of the Week

Guests:

Questions from listeners like you!Remy Siu: Creative director at Sunset VisitorAbby Howard: Co-founder of Black Tabby GamesTony Howard-Arias: Co-founder of Black Tabby GamesClosing Song: “Blushin’” by James Currier (Rizz Dungeon: Skeleton Key to My Heart)

Art & Music:

Logo and show art by James BarehamTheme by Mark Sparling

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: Games Enter the Art WorldAct 2: How Games Help Us Through Tough ConversationsPatreon Bonus: A Personal History of Games in Art and Art in Games

Guests:

Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley: artist, game designer, and archivistClosing Song: “It’s Raining Inside Alo’s Home” by Prateek Saxena (Fishbowl)

Art & Music:

Logo and show art by James BarehamTheme by Mark Sparling

All Post Games interviews are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: Dissecting Disco Elysium, Organ by OrganAct 2: Converting Tabletop RPGs into Video Game NirvanaPatreon Bonus: All You Have to Do Is Write a Million WordsAct 3: The News of the Week

Guests:

Christoffer Bodegård: writer and developer, Esoteric EbbNathan Grayson: co-founder and reporter, Aftermath.siteClosing Song: “Battle Beneath the Crust” by Marskye (Dosa Divas)

Art & Music:

Logo and show art by James BarehamTheme by Mark Sparling

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames

This Week on Post Games:

Act 1: How Stern Survived the Pinball ApocalypseAct 2: What Makes a Pinball Table Special in 2026?Patreon Bonus: Adapting Pokémon into a Pinball TableAct 3: The News of the Week

Guests:

Seth Davis: President and CEO, Stern PinballLewis Gordon: Reporter and CriticClosing Song: “A Musical Tale” by bermei.inazawa (Chicory: A Musical Tale)

Art & Music:

Logo and show art by James BarehamTheme by Mark Sparling

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: Games Teach Us to Break Free from Life’s GrindAct 2: Metrics Suck the Joy Out of LifePatreon Bonus: Have Metrics Infested Video Games?Act 3: The News of the Week

Guests:

C. Thi Nguyen: a philosopher, educator, and author. His latest book is The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else’s GameGita Jackson: critic, editor, and co-founder of AftermathClosing Song: “Ocarina of Time” by Sixth Station Trio (Zelda Classics album)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[Editor’s note: This week, all subscribers will have access to the Patreon-exclusive bonus segment. If you enjoy this extra material, or would just like to support the long-term health of the show, please consider subscribing on Patreon or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.]

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: The 17-Year Fight to Protect Games from the GovernmentAct 2: The ESA’s President on AI, Child Safety, and Calls for UnionizationPatreon Bonus: Three Big Takeaways from the Interview

Guests:

Stanley Pierre-Louis: President and CEO, ESAClosing Song: “Jumping Voices (Big Walk Theme)” by aksfx (Big Walk)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: What Is Fictophilia?Act 2: Fandom, Parasocial Relationships, and Big TechPatreon Bonus: Post Games Hits Two MilestonesAct 3: The News of the Week

Guests:

Tanja Välisalo: Teacher, researcher, and project coordinator at the Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies at the University of Jyväskylä in FinlandNicole Carpenter: Reporter at publications like 404 Media, Vulture, Polygon, and moreClosing Song: “Character Selection Theme “ by Vibe Avenue (Tears of Metal)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil, and the Birth of the Video Game MovieAct 2: Life of a Video Game Movie AuteurPatreon Bonus: How to Make a Hit Video Game MovieAct 3: The News of the Week

Guests:

Paul W.S. Anderson: Director of Mortal Kombat, the Resident Evil film series, and moreKazuma Hashimoto: Video game critic, analyst, and consultantClosing Song: "Altar" by Jorge Flores (Desktop Explorer)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: A Career Built on “A Cry for Help”Act 2: “This Is a Fuck You”Patreon Bonus: Tidepools, Pinball, and a Musical: The “Sunny Side” of Edmund McMillen

Guests:

Edmund McMillen: Co-creator of MewgenicsClosing Song: “Fleas and Parasites” by Matthias Bossi and John Evans (Mewgenics)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: Stealing What's YoursAct 2: The Need for AfricanfuturismPatreon Bonus: What It's Actually Like Making Games in South AfricaAct 3: The News of the Week

Guests:

Ben Myres, CEO, Co-Founder, and Creative Director of NyamakopMohale Mashigo, Narrative Director of RelootedNathan Grayson, Co-Founder of Aftermath

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: Dragon Quest’s Many False Starts in AmericaAct 2: How Dragon Quest Became InescapablePatreon Bonus: Tim Rogers on How to Savor a Dragon Quest GameAct 3: The News of the WeekGuests: Andrew Webster, The Verge & Tim Rogers, Action ButtonClosing Song: “Haven” by Nicolas Gueguen (MIO: Memories in Orbit)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: How Nintendo Became a Game CompanyAct 2: Nintendo’s PresentPatreon Bonus: The Future of Nintendo After Its Icons DepartAct 3: News of the WeekGuest: Keza MacDonald, journalist and author of Super Nintendo: The Game-Changing Company That Unlocked the Power of PlayClosing Song:  "Oubliette: from Ratcheteer DX (Matthew Grim)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: Turning Your Life into a GameAct 2: Recreating a Place and a MomentPatreon Bonus: The History of Memoir Games in 5 TitlesAct 3: News of the WeekGuest: Meredith Gran, creator of Perfect Tides: Station to StationClosing Music: Perfect Tides: Station to StationUpcoming Mini-Episode: An extra special bonus for Patreon subscribers. On the launch day of Station to Station, January 22nd, I’ll release an additional mini-episode in which Meredith and I talk about the game’s themes, twists, and ending. It was incredible to chat with a game creator without the fear of spoilers, to actually dig deep into the work and their intentions. You’ll love it!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

This week on Post Games:

Act 1: A History of Women in Games MediaAct 2: Mothership Lands on EarthPatreon Bonus: Imagining a Better Future for Video GamesAct 3: The News of the WeekPatreon Bonus Mini-Episode: A Century of Women’s Media in 15-MinutesGuests: Maddy Myers and Zoë Hannah, founders of Mothership.blog

Editor's note: This episode went live at the same time as its Patreon version so everyone had access to news of Mothership.blog. The public Post Games feed will return to its Monday release time next week.

Say hello to your next favorite website.

Mothership is a site built at the intersection of gender and games. Today, I’ll be chatting with founders Maddy Myers and Zoë Hannah. They’ll provide a primer on the history of women in games media, dating back to the early 1980s. And they’ll share their months-long effort to make Mothership a reality.

To set the stage, here’s part of Mothership.blog‘s mission statement:

"Whenever we boot up an RPG character creator (or pick up a TTRPG character sheet), we can’t help but interrogate the choices that are available — and the ones that aren’t. We’ve noticed how many female video game characters, even our favorites, have hourglass figures and pale complexions. We can’t help but consider and interrogate the gender norms on display among male characters in games as well, whether we’re revving a Lancer as Marcus Fenix or swinging a sword as Link… or putting on a Gerudo disguise.

At Mothership, you’ll read writing from a diverse roster of contributors. You’ll find reviews, criticism, and opinion stories about games’ depiction of gender, as well as stories about how these games are marketed. You’ll get investigative reporting on the people who make games in an era when “DEI” is on the wane. You’ll read historical deep dives on the games and creators that paved the way, especially those that didn’t get due credit way back then."

This is a sprawling conversation about games, gender, media, and that deep urge we all share to connect and be seen

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Guest: Ash Parrish, reporter and critic at The Verge

Act 1: The IndustryAct 2: The Games and TrendsPatreon Bonus: The Best and Worst Case Scenarios for 2026Act 3: The News of the Week

2026 has only just begun, but already I’m certain it’ll be (at least for gaming culture) historic.

Yes, it’s the year of GTA 6. It’s also the year of no fewer than ten thousand other games. Barring a cataclysmic event, more games will be released in 2026 than in any year prior.

This avalanche of competition will continue to be bad news for game makers, who must not only will they battle for attention with their contemporaries, but also the tens of thousands of “new” and now steeply discounted games released since the pandemic, the free-to-play time drains, and the entirety of retro gaming playable on ever cheaper handheld emulators.

Inversely, in 2026, this abundance will be a boon for most of you listening, at least in the short term. Where the glut of games that nearly killed the game industry in the 1980s was garbage, we are not wonting for high quality games serving nearly every imaginable niche.

Before 2025 ended, I had already played a dozen or so solid games that will be released in 2026. And two 2026 games would have made my 2025 Game of the Year list had they been released.

Add in some acquisitions, some closures, an uptick in unionization, a delinquent government oversight, and a nauseating economy, and you will be overwhelmed with existential questions about the medium.

Will video game players return to buying new games after years of gorging on forever games? Will Take Two and Grand Theft Auto deal the final blow to the once-powerful video game publishers? Will developers find new ways to get their games to their intended audience, or will more and more great games be commercial failures, leading some of the great game makers of our time to change careers?

The answers to those questions could alter the lives and fortunes of tens of thousands of game makers. And could influence what you do and don’t make time to play.

We’ll untangle those knots in today’s episode. Our guest is The Verge’s Ash Parrish, who has a uniquely broad and deep understanding of modern gaming, both in the industry as a reporter and the games as a critic.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Editor's Note: Hey Post Games listeners. To give myself a lighter load this holiday, I’m posting one of the monthly Patreon-exclusive episodes. The patrons selected the origin story of Pokémon. They think you’ll enjoy it, and I do, too!

If you like this episode and want access to a backlog of bonus episodes and future bonuses, subscribe to Patreon.com/PostGames for $5. Next Monday, I’ll be posting the latest exclusive, “1996: The Most Important Year in Games,” featuring the co-hosts of My Life in Gaming!

Get full show notes for free at www.post.games

Before Game Freak created Pokémon, it was a hand-stapled video game zine written by a crew of arcade-loving teenagers.

Welcome to the debut episode of Past Games, the new Patreon-exclusive series dedicated to revisiting the stories behind classic games and gaming moments. Over the next few months, we’ll be flipping through dusty periodicals and dog-eared history books to learn more about 2026’s big gaming anniversaries.

For this episode, I invited my buddy Brendon Bigley (Wavelengths, Into the Aether) to talk pocket monsters. I share the history of the biggest children’s entertainment icon since Mickey Mouse, and Brendon shares his experience of growing up alongside the rise of Pokémania.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Want full show notes? Visit www.post.games

This week on Post Games: the final listener mailbag of 2025!

Act 1: Questions about video gamesAct 2: Questions about the industry and the culturePatreon bonus: Questions about the nitty-gritty of gamingAct 3: The news of the week

This week, I emptied the Post Games mailbag and tried to answer as many questions as I could muster. The result is one of the longest episodes to date, with the AMA spanning three acts and over 60 minutes!

Plus, a very special extended news of the week: I chatted with Phil Salvador from the Video Game History Foundation. The VGHF has preserved the Sega Channel, the 1990s predecessor to PlayStation Now and Xbox Game Pass. How the hell do archivists preserve such a thing? Listen to find out!

Now, I’d say this is the final episode of 2025, but that’s not entirely true. Next week, I’ll be sharing a special Patreon-exclusive mini-episode, reflecting on my personal favorite games of the year, along with a few small surprises. But I’m getting ahead of myself!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Visit patreon.com/postgames to get bonus segments, early access, and exclusive monthly episodes like "The birth of Pokémon: 30 years ago, a young game critic imagined the biggest franchise on the planet" for $5

Visit post.games to get full episodes for free, including links to all games and stories referenced in today's show

This week on Post Games: How video games and anime took over pop culture together.

Act 1: Anime in your video gamesAct 2: Video games in your animePatreon bonus: The anime every gamer should watchAct 3: News of the Week

Last year, I helped oversee the first major national survey of anime consumption in the United States. Before the survey, I knew anime had achieved pop culture status, with characters from Dragon Ball appearing in Fortnite and musicians like Megan Thee Stallion wearing over a dozen anime cosplays. Even still, the numbers surprised me.

Nearly half of Gen Z watches anime once a week. And a quarter of millennials. 44% of anime viewers have had a crush on an anime character. And 65% of anime viewers find the form more emotionally compelling than other forms of media. Anime fans claimed to watch for escape and comfort. But also for strength, a tool to prepare them for a big test or a challenging day at work.

We ran this survey at Polygon, a site broadly focused on video games, because while games and anime are two different mediums, they have for decades influenced and elevated one another. And the line between the two is blurrier and blurrier, with shows inspiring games that inspire more shows.

How did we get here?

To find out, I reached out to Geoff Thew, the founder and host of the hit anime YouTube channel, Mother’s Basement.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Visit patreon.com/postgames to get bonus segments, early access, and exclusive monthly episodes like "The birth of Pokémon: 30 years ago, a young game critic imagined the biggest franchise on the planet" for $5

Visit post.games to get full episodes for free, including links to all games and stories referenced in today's show

UPDATES

Before we get to this week’s episode, I have two important updates!

Post Games mailbag returns: I’m collecting listener voice notes for my final mailbag episode of 2025. I’d love questions reflecting on 2025 or looking forward to 2026. But you’re welcome to ask anything related to games! Here’s how to email me audio using a smartphone and any voice notes app.The First Official Post Games Movie Screening: This Friday, I’ll be hosting a screening of Mortal Kombat (1995) at The Frida in Santa Ana, CA. I’ll have some rare Post Games shirts and hats on sale. I’d love to see you there, so if you come, please say hello!

THIS WEEK ON POST GAMES

The Game Awards isn’t the Oscars. It’s not the Tonys. If we’re being generous, it shares the same pop cultural status as the modern MTV Music Video Awards. But even if the show is a bit embarrassing and largely serves as an advertisement for future games, it matters.

It matters to big game publishers and tiny developers alike. All nominees stand to not only get a healthy dose of public praise, but a burst of press and a spike in sales. Especially if they win.

With more games released in 2025 than in any other year, awareness is invaluable. The Game Awards claimed a 2024 audience of 154 million streams, which would mean more people watched it than the Super Bowl. Even if the audience is actually half that number, then The Game Awards remains one of the most widely seen annual broadcasts in the world.

So this week on Post Games, we take The Game Awards seriously. My guest is the only year-round Game Awards beat reporter and analyst, Polyon’s Oli Welsh.

Act 1: The history of The Game Awards

Act 2: How The Game Awards actually work

Patreon bonus: What The Game Awards got right… and very wrong

Act 3: The news of the week

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get video versions of every episode, bonus segments, and monthly exclusives for $5 at patreon.com/postgames

Get free show notes at post.games

This week on Post Games, “Life Before and After Releasing Blue Prince”:

Act 1: The Days Before Blue PrincePatreon bonus: The Magic site that made Blue Prince possibleAct 2: The Days Before The Game AwardsPatreon bonus: Blue Prince: The Movie? Blue Prince 2?Act 3: News of the Week

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get full show notes for free at post.games

Get bonus and video episodes, extra segments, and more for $5 at patreon.com/postgames

Welcome to The Inaugural Post Games Thanksgiving Special!

I’ve invited 19 people from across video games to share what they’re thankful for. They could celebrate a game, a person, a place, a trend, an idea, or whatever else inspires them. Our guests come from across the entertainment and media industries, including award-winning indie game designers, a former executive from a AAA publisher, brilliant text-based critics, beloved audio-only hosts, a contract-securing union leader, and a good ol' fashioned movie star.

 Here's the party's guest list!

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. GordonKirk HamiltonChristian DonlanJenny Jiao-HsiaLucy JamesAustin WalkerChris NovakTina Sanchez O’HaraBlessing Adeoye Jr. Sarah ElmahlehGiovanni ColantonioNajay GreenidgeChris BrattNina FreemanFrank LantzKitty Calis and Jan Willem NijmanEvan Narcisse

Because this episode is a holiday special, and because we have so many guests, there are no acts and no news of the week. Instead, what follows are nearly twenty notes of gratitude from our brilliant guests. And Patreon subscribers get an extra-long personal note from me, in which I talk about what I’m grateful for this year: the games, the movies, the books, the music, the people, and most importantly, the opportunity to do this show.

We have so many delicious dishes to plop on your plate, so let’s work our way around the buffet!

This week on Post Games: The Thanksgiving Special

19 guests share what part of video game culture they’re thankful forWhy I’m grateful for change and how you can create your own

On the Patreon - Only $5!!!

Bonus segment: Why I’m thankful for change (and how you can create your own)Plus, the films, movies, books, ideas, and other things I’m thankful forEarly access to ad-free episodesVideo versions of new episodes!Five hour-long episodes of Video Game Journalism 101, including the new episode on storytellingFree game of the weekThis week in video game linksWhat else I’m enjoyingAll of that and more for only $5 a month!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.