On this episode, we talk about Xbox's Matt Booty's appearance on the Xbox Wire podcast — his discussion on the current state of their June showcase, Project Helix, and how teams are working together. I share my thoughts on how the Rockstar hack gives new insight into microtransactions, and I give my Pragmata review.

We close out the episode with an interview with the team from ballandgun.com to talk about their new game.

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The PS5 Pro just hit $900 and I've got a lot to say about it. This week I'm pulling the best clips from Kind of Funny's Xbox future breakdown and GamerTag Radio's conversation with industry analyst Mat Piscatella — then giving you my unfiltered take on what the industry is actually telling us right now about affordability, access, and who gaming is really being built for. Plus, I sat down with Whitson Gordon from ASUS ROG for a real behind-the-scenes look at how gaming hardware collaborations like the Xbox ROG Ally X and the Kojima Productions laptop actually get made.

This episode covers:

• Mat Piscatella's data on gaming's affordability crisis and what it means for low-income families
• The future of Xbox and PlayStation in an era of rising prices and geopolitical pressure
• AI's impact on the gaming industry and what it means going forward
• A deep dive with ASUS ROG's Whitson Gordon on brand collaborations and the art of connecting hardware with culture
• What a $900 console means for the length of this console generation

We are in year 13 out of Brookago and this conversation is more necessary now than ever. Subscribe, leave us 5 stars, and find us everywhere below.

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I got to check out Sound System at GDC and immediately knew I had to get the team back on the show. This conversation with Echo Foundry's Lennon Lange, who worked on the original Guitar Hero, breaks down exactly why this could be the rhythm game revival we've been waiting for. We're talking about real innovation, not just nostalgia.• How Classic Mode and Pro Mode balance accessibility with hardcore challenge• The creator-focused tools that could transform how rhythm games work• Why having a Guitar Hero veteran leading this matters for the genre's future• What Sound System gets right about multiplayer and customization• The bigger picture of bringing rhythm games back to mainstream gamingSound System isn't just trying to recapture the past - it's building something that makes sense for today's gaming landscape. This is the kind of conversation that gets me hyped about where gaming is headed.— FIND US EVERYWHERE —YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/SPAWNONMETwitch (Live Wed 6PM PST):https://www.twitch.tv/SPAWNONMEX / Twitter:https://x.com/SpawnOnMeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/spawnonmepodcastTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@SpawnOnMeSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7gu7BteqvEnhZAP0MM2AApple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3wuJxYtMerch:https://spawnonme-1-shop.fourthwall.comBusiness / PR:spawnonmepodcast@gmail.comKahlief on X:https://x.com/KahliefAdamsKahlief on IG:https://www.instagram.com/itskahliefKahlief on Bluesky:itskahlief.bsky.social

Finally got to sit down with George Krstic, the creative mind behind one of horror gaming's biggest hits right now. We're talking Poppy Playtime Chapter 5, the psychology of "weaponized nostalgia," and why this series has managed to stand out in the crowded mascot horror space when so many others fall flat.What we covered:• The origins of Poppy Playtime and what inspired the creepy-cute aesthetic• How they approach character design to maximize the creep factor • The concept of "weaponized nostalgia" and turning childhood comfort into terror• Chapter 5's development and what makes this horror series actually workIf you're not already subscribed to Spawn On Me, now's the time! We're the internet's definitive gaming podcast spotlighting gamers of color, and we bring you conversations like this every week. Hit that subscribe button, ring the notification bell, and let's keep this community growing. We out here in Brookago doing the work, and we need y'all with us.

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We're back from GDC and I've got A LOT to unpack. This week on Spawn On Me. I'm diving deep into everything that had the internet buzzing coming out of the Game Developers Conference.

First up: Project Helix. Xbox finally confirmed the name, the hardware direction, and what their partnership with AMD really means for the future — FSR Next, machine learning integration, a custom AMD SOC, and yes… it IS a console.Then I get into the DLSS 5 controversy that has the gaming community split right down the middle. Is NVIDIA's latest AI upscaling tech a game-changer or a line that shouldn't have been crossed?

Plus — GDC sleeper hit alert. I got hands-on with a 90's nostalgia brawler that nobody saw coming, and it might be one of the most exciting indie games of the year. Think Double Dragon meets Scott Pilgrim with Demolition Manenergy.

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In this episode of Spawn On Me, I sit down with IGDA Foundation Executive Director Alyssa Walles for a real conversation about what it actually takes to get more game developers the funding, mentorship, and access they deserve. We dig into the Foundation’s mission to break down barriers for underrepresented and marginalized creators around the world, and how their programs help devs find the resources they need to build sustainable careers and bring their games to life.

We talk about how access to capital, professional development, and community can change everything for a developer trying to break into the industry. Alyssa shares how the Foundation is building pathways through scholarships, mentorship initiatives, and direct support that connect talented creators with real opportunities. If you care about equity in games, want to understand how funding pipelines really work, or are looking for ways to support the next generation of developers, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

What's good, y'all! Welcome back to episode 565 of Spawn On Me - we're officially back and kicking off 2026 right! I know it's been a minute since I've been in your ears consistently, but your boy has been in the trenches getting things together, and I'm excited to be back in Brookago with all of you beautiful people. This episode, we're diving deep into some real conversations about the gaming industry, from HighGuard layoffs to how we approach criticism. We need to chill with the immediate hate on everything that drops before we even give it a chance.

We dig into State of Play, PS6 potentially getting delayed, and my time at DICE as well.

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We just got back from Los Angeles after spending several hours hands-on with Highguard, the new free-to-play raid shooter from Wildlight Entertainment, a studio led by developers with deep roots in games like Apex Legends and Titanfall.On paper, it is easy to dismiss Highguard as “another shooter,” especially in a crowded 2026 lineup. But after playing multiple full matches, sitting down with the design and product leads, and seeing how the systems work together, it is clear this game is aiming for something genuinely different.Highguard introduces a new take on competitive shooters through a multi-phase raid structure built around strategy, teamwork, and base defense. Each match flows through gearing up, intercepting the shield breaker, and launching full raids against enemy bases. Wardens are distinct without overpowering gunplay, abilities are additive instead of dominant, and every match feels meaningfully different based on player decisions.We also break down how Highguard approaches live service in a way that feels unusually respectful. The War Chest battle pass is free, there is no pay-to-win, no loot boxes, no RNG storefront pressure, and cosmetic purchases are straightforward and permanent. The team already has a full year of content planned, with new episodes, maps, wardens, and modes rolling out at a steady cadence.We also talk about the Game Awards reveal, the online backlash, and why the current cycle of “is this game dead” discourse does more harm than good to the industry. After hands-on time with Highguard, we believe this is a game that deserves to speak for itself.If you are curious about raid shooters, the future of live service design, or what happens when experienced developers try to rethink the genre instead of chasing trends, this is one you should be watching.About the Show: Spawn On Me spotlights gamers of color and the intersection of games, culture, and community—through interviews, reviews, and real talk about how games affect the world.Follow & Subscribe:YouTube: youtube.com/spawnonmeSpotify: Spawn On MeApple Podcasts: Spawn On MeX/Twitter: @SpawnOnMe, @kahliefadamsInstagram: @spawnonmepodcastTikTok: @spawnonmeBusiness / bookings: spawnonmepodcast@gmail.comSupport The Spawnies (our annual awards show): Learn more, see winners, and rewatch: thespawnies.com (presented by Spawn On Me; culture-forward categories and community-driven celebration).Disclaimers: Opinions are the host’s/guests’ and do not reflect employers or partners.Go Here To Follow Us on Twitter, snag some merch and subscribe to our podcast!! https://campsite.bio/spawnonme