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Dense Pixels - Video Game News and Reviews

Dense Pixels - Video Game News and Reviews

By: TNP Studios
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 Level up your gaming knowledge with Dense Pixels, the ultimate podcast for video game news, reviews, and industry insights. We cover everything from AAA blockbusters to indie gems, breaking down the latest game releases, industry trends, and must-play titles. With witty commentary, deep dives into gaming culture, and discussions on consoles, PC gaming, and next-gen technology, we keep you in the loop on everything happening in the gaming world. Whether you're into RPGs, FPS, esports, or retro classics, this is your go-to source for all things gaming. Subscribe now and stay ahead in the game!









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Episodes
  • No One Asked for This - DLSS 5, Ghost of Yotei Legends, V-Bucks Price Hike, Hades 2 Concert

    No One Asked for This - DLSS 5, Ghost of Yotei Legends, V-Bucks Price Hike, Hades 2 Concert
    Mar 17 2026
    Carrie shares the incredible experience of performing at GDC with her band Premium Vintage alongside Hades composer Darren Korb, one of gaming's most celebrated musicians. The performance brought together gaming music talent in an unforgettable showcase at the Game Developers Conference. Carrie delivers enthusiastic early impressions of Monster Hunter Stories 3, praising the game's improvements and engaging gameplay mechanics. Her positive reaction suggests the latest entry in the Monster Hunter spin-off series is delivering on fan expectations. Micah expresses his genuine enjoyment of Ghost of Yotei: Legends, the standalone multiplayer expansion that continues the Ghost of Tsushima legacy. He breaks down what makes the cooperative experience so compelling and how it builds on the original game's foundation. Brad finds unexpected joy in Marathon's solo queues playing as a scumbag role. Meanwhile, Bungie demonstrates they're already firing on all cylinders with the game's deep and engaging lore that's captivating players. Fortnite attempts to justify raising V-Bucks prices with reasoning that strains credibility, sparking debate among the massive playerbase about monetization practices in free-to-play games and whether Epic's explanation holds water. The European Union takes a firm regulatory stance against loot boxes by reclassifying games containing them with more restrictive PEGI age ratings. This significant policy shift could reshape how games with randomized monetization are marketed across Europe. The state of New York files a lawsuit against Valve over CS:GO loot boxes, adding to mounting legal pressure on the company's handling of cosmetic gambling mechanics. The case could set important precedents for gaming regulation. Nvidia unveils the first preview of DLSS 5 technology but faces widespread mockery after its new AI features appear to dramatically alter character appearances in unintended ways. The community's "yassification" criticism highlights concerns about AI image processing. Arc Raiders developer Embark begins walking back their inclusion of AI voice acting in the game following community backlash. The reversal reflects growing tensions between AI implementation and player expectations for authentic voice performance. Court filings reveal that the former Subnautica studio head may regain his position and substantial financial bonus after a court decision shows Krafton's CEO wrongfully terminated him. The documents paint an unflattering picture of the executive's decision-making.



    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    1 hr and 50 mins
  • It's Not a Sprint (Pokemon Pokopia, Marathon, Slay the Spire II, Tencent investments)

    It's Not a Sprint (Pokemon Pokopia, Marathon, Slay the Spire II, Tencent investments)
    Mar 10 2026
    Carrie shares her early impressions of Pokemon Pokopia and the timeless RPG classic Chrono Trigger. Her insights offer perspective on how both games approach storytelling and gameplay. Brad expresses his genuine enthusiasm for Marathon's multiplayer experience while being completely blown away by the early access release of Slay the Spire II. The roguelike deckbuilder sequel has exceeded his expectations and he breaks down what makes it such a compelling follow-up. Highguard faces shutdown in a development that surprises few industry observers. The hosts analyze why publishers continue investing heavily in attempts to create the next massive live service hit despite the genre's notoriously high failure rate and the mounting evidence against this strategy. Google and Epic Games reach a settlement in their legal battle, with terms that could have significant and wide-reaching implications across the entire gaming industry. The hosts dissect what this settlement means for app stores, payment processing, and developer freedom. The Trump administration considers forcing Chinese publisher Tencent to divest their substantial US holdings and gaming investments. The hosts question why more people aren't recognizing this as a replay of the TikTok divestment playbook with potentially serious consequences for gaming. Nagoshi Studios' impressive action game Gang of Dragons faces an uncertain future after Netease unexpectedly pulls their funding from the project. The withdrawal raises concerns about the game's development timeline and eventual release. Battlefield 6 struggles with player retention issues despite an initially strong launch, leading to layoffs across multiple EA studios. The hosts examine what went wrong and why the game failed to maintain its playerbase. Sony begins testing dynamic pricing in the PlayStation Store, implementing variable pricing based on demand and other factors. The controversial move raises questions about digital game pricing and consumer value.

    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    1 hr and 45 mins
  • Pokemon Presents...Excitement? (Marathon Server Slam, Resident Evil 9 impressions, Stardew Valley is 10)

    Pokemon Presents...Excitement? (Marathon Server Slam, Resident Evil 9 impressions, Stardew Valley is 10)
    Mar 3 2026
    Micah shares his detailed impressions of two major releases with God of War: Sons of Sparta and Resident Evil 9. Carrie takes a nostalgic journey back to her childhood with the digital release of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, exploring how these classic Kanto remakes hold up in the modern era and what makes them special for longtime Pokemon fans. Brad and Terrence dive into their experiences with the Marathon Server Slam beta weekend, offering contrasting perspectives on Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter. While Terrence remains unconvinced by the world, Brad has become completely absorbed in Bungie's deep lore universe and shares his newfound enthusiasm. The hosts provide comprehensive coverage of last week's Pokemon Presents showcase, with Carrie expressing particular excitement for Pokemon Pokopia and the team analyzing the surprise announcement of Pokemon Wind and Waves. The presentation offered plenty of news for franchise fans. Stardew Valley marks its tenth anniversary milestone with an unexpected update that transforms one of the community's least favorite characters into a marriage candidate, sparking debate among the game's dedicated fanbase about developer ConcernedApe's design choices. Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier delivers two major industry scoops this week, revealing behind-the-scenes details about Highguard's development struggles and identifying the parties responsible for why fans still haven't received a Bloodborne remake despite years of demand. The revelations shed light on complex studio politics. The podcast concludes with an extended Post Office segment where the hosts candidly discuss the games they've spent the most money on as whales, sharing personal stories about microtransactions, collector's editions, and gaming spending habits.

    Dense Pixels is a weekly video game podcast covering gaming news, game reviews, and industry analysis. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, we break down the latest game releases, PlayStation and Xbox news, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming, Steam, Game Pass, fighting games, RPGs, esports, retro gaming, and the business side of the gaming industry. Hosted by Brad, Micah, Carrie, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Join our Discord at densepixels.com/fans. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Look Forward (progressive politics).
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    2 hrs
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