John and Ryan return with a packed episode full of fresh pickups, tough gameplay impressions, and a look at the latest industry buzz. Ryan dives into his ongoing run through Returnal, breaking down the game’s relentless roguelike loops and the thrill of surviving its bullet‑hell chaos. John follows up with his experience playing Stellar Blade, sharing thoughts on its combat, pacing, and whether it delivers on its stylish promise.

The guys also tackle two big stories shaking up the gaming world. First, they discuss new data showing that the most‑played PlayStation and Xbox games of 2025 were virtually unchanged from 2024, with juggernauts like Fortnite, Roblox, GTA V, Minecraft, and Call of Duty continuing to dominate player time despite a wave of new releases. Then they dig into the heated debate surrounding the rumored PS6 price point, as speculation about a higher‑than‑expected launch cost has fans split and wondering what the next generation will look like.

To wrap things up, it’s time for this month’s theme: Video Games With Agonizing Tutorials. The Inflation Deflation Challenge spotlights The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Does its famously slow intro still drag the experience down, and where does the game’s value sit today?

00:00 Introduction 14:14 Current Gaming Picks and Experiences 25:04 Analysis of Most Played Games 29:18 The Impact of Sandbox Games 31:06 The Challenge of Keeping Up with Entertainment 33:57 The Evolution of Gaming Preferences 36:44 Anticipating the Next Console Generation 39:07 The Impact of Game Availability on Consoles 42:05 The Future of Gaming and Streaming 44:21 The Legacy of Zelda Games 56:49 Collecting and Valuing Video Game Guides

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In this episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed week of gaming chatter, starting with a look at their latest pickups. John reveals an unexpectedly massive haul of Dungeons & Dragons books, while Ryan contemplates purchasing a PlayStation Portal.

The conversation then shifts to industry news, where John and Ryan unpack reports of rising RAM costs and what that could mean for a potential PlayStation 5 price increase. They also discuss the recent separation of GOG from CD Projekt’s corporate structure, exploring what this move might signal for the future of DRM‑free gaming and why it matters to players who value ownership and preservation.

From there, the duo jumps into this week’s game review, putting the original Driver for the PlayStation through its paces. They revisit the game’s notoriously tough tutorial, its cinematic car chases, and the legacy it left on the genre, all while debating whether its current market price truly reflects the experience it offers today.

00:00 Introduction and Game Picks 09:53 D&D Book Collection and Value 19:53 Current Gaming Experiences 26:51 GOG's New Ownership and Future 30:10 PlayStation 5 Price Hike Discussion 32:30 Driver Game Review: Nostalgia vs. Reality

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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18

This week on The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed lineup of gaming chatter, industry trends, and a retro review that hits all the right notes.

They kick things off with their latest game pickups and what’s been dominating their playtime, setting the stage for a broader look at how modern gaming continues to evolve. From convoluted pre‑order bonuses to the growing mess of fragmented game editions, the duo breaks down why these trends are frustrating players and reshaping expectations.

The conversation then shifts to the serious legal battles currently facing major video game companies. John and Ryan explore how these lawsuits raise tough questions about accountability, addiction, and the responsibilities developers have toward their audiences.

On a more uplifting note, the hosts spotlight Sandfall Interactive’s new DLC for Clare Obscure Expedition 33, praising its generous free content and thoughtful difficulty adjustments. They also take time to discuss AI’s expanding role in game development sparks a lively debate between the two — where it helps, where it hurts, and why opinions across the industry are so divided.

To wrap things up, John and Ryan revisit Lumines on the PSP for this week’s retro review, digging into why this rhythm‑puzzle classic still shines years later.

00:00 Introduction to the Game Inflators Podcast 01:24 Recent Game Pickups and Holiday Gaming 05:19 Current Games and Gameplay Experiences 23:00 Trends to End in 2026 33:03 News of the Week and Closing Thoughts 33:42 The Impact of Video Games on Children 46:14 The Role of AI in Game Development 52:10 Game Difficulty and Player Experience 01:05:22 Luminous Puzzle Fusion: A Classic Review

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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, hosts Jon and Ryan dive into their latest game pickups, including the cult favorite Sky Gunner and a stack of retro gaming books. They also share fresh updates from their Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, highlighting new character arcs, unexpected encounters, and the chaos their parties have stirred up.

From there, the conversation shifts to their favorite games of the year—what stood out, what fell short, and which titles earned a spot on their personal lists. To wrap things up, they take on another round of the inflation‑deflation challenge, this time putting the holiday oddity Daze Before Christmas under scrutiny to see whether its current market price is naughty or nice.

00:00 Introduction to the Game Inflators Podcast 02:17 Game Pickups and Recent Acquisitions 06:21 Dungeons & Dragons Updates and Campaign Recaps 12:18 Homebrewing D&D Campaigns and Storytelling Techniques 18:14 The Role of AI in Game Mastering 26:06 Game Reviews and Recommendations 28:40 The Plucky Squire: A Charming Adventure 30:59 Games of the Year: A Reflection on Favorites 40:39 Looking Ahead: New Games Resolutions 47:29 Elder Gamers: A 92-Year-Old Champion 51:59 Magic: The Gathering's New Casual Format 56:42 Exploring Days Before Christmas Game 01:03:21 The Lack of Christmas Games 01:10:05 Looking Ahead to New Year's Games

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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan bring a packed agenda to the table. The duo kicks things off with fresh updates from their ongoing Strixhaven D&D campaign, sharing the latest twists, character antics, and how the story is evolving.

Looking ahead, they set their New Games Resolutions for 2026, laying out the titles they’re determined to play, backlog goals, and what they hope to accomplish as gamers in the new year.

The conversation then shifts to the 2025 Game Awards, where John and Ryan break down the highlights of the show, their favorite (and least favorite) trailers, and whether the event lived up to the hype.

Adding a more analytical angle, the hosts dive into a new Boston Consulting Group report on gamer purchasing habits, exploring what the data says about how players are spending, and what it could mean for the industry moving forward.

Finally, they wrap things up with a retro spotlight: a review of Batman Returns for the SNES, revisiting the beat ’em up classic to see if it still holds up today.

00:00 Introduction to the Game Deflators Podcast 01:17 Recent Game Pickups and D&D Updates 03:36 D&D Campaign Adventures and Challenges 10:58 Future Campaign Plans and Game Mechanics 19:39 Current Gaming Experiences and New Game Resolutions 27:48 Nostalgia in Collectibles and Blind Boxes 28:21 Exploring Metal Gear Solid: A Legendary Experience 34:19 New Game Resolutions and Game Picks 38:08 Game Awards Highlights and Reactions 49:17 Exciting Game Trailers and Anticipations 56:43 The Changing Landscape of Gaming Purchases 01:01:03 Backlogs and Gaming Habits 01:04:31 Inflation vs. Deflation: Game Pricing Discussion

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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan discuss their recent game pickups and titles they are currently playing. The guys then delve into the topic of nostalgia in gaming, questioning whether classic titles hold up to modern standards. The conversation shifts to industry news, including Mark Cerny's thoughts on Legend of the Dragoon and the ongoing lawsuit between Tencent and Sony. Finally, they finish things off with a review of Home Alone on NES. 00:00 Introduction to the Game Inflators Podcast 03:15 Game Pickups and Holiday Gaming Plans 06:12 Current Gaming Experiences: Stellar Blade and More 09:12 Nostalgia in Gaming: Revisiting Classic Titles 12:14 Mark Cerny's Thoughts on Legend of the Dragoon 15:16 The Impact of Nostalgia on Game Quality 18:10 Exploring Backlogs and Gaming Resolutions 34:18 Industry Lawsuits and Game Clones 39:17 Horizon Franchise Discussion 46:16 Magic: The Gathering and Game Collaborations 51:08 Home Alone NES Game Review

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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan dive deep into the crossroads of creativity and commerce in the gaming industry. They explore how the Steam Machine’s pricing strategy could make or break its battle against heavyweights like the PS5, while reflecting on Dan Howser’s candid remarks about profit overshadowing innovation. The conversation shifts to the power of community and brand loyalty at gaming conventions, reminding us why shared passion keeps the industry alive. Finally, the guys visit Die Hard Trilogy on PS1, dissecting its gameplay mechanics and the enduring challenges of adapting blockbuster films into interactive experiences.

00:00 Introduction to the Game of Deflators Podcast 01:38 Recent Gaming Pickups and Purchases 06:46 Current Gaming Experiences and Reviews 16:50 Discussion on the To The Moon Expo 39:29 The Steam Machine: Pricing and Market Competition 52:23 Creativity vs. Profit: Insights from Rockstar's Dan Howser 01:00:29 Die Hard Trilogy: A Nostalgic Gaming Experience

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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan team up with Will from PlayStation Ain’t Dead for a lively crossover. The crew dives into pickups ranging from classic PS1 gems to modern horror titles, while debating the quirks of collecting sealed games. John and Ryan also share their experiences with Cyberpunk 2077, Metal Gear Solid, and The Witcher.

The conversation heats up as the trio debates GameStop’s outrageous “trade anything” promotion—marketing genius or pure chaos? Not to be outdone, the rise of AI-driven content takes center stage before NHL Hitz 2003 slams its way through the review section of the episode.

Expect laughs, nostalgia, and plenty of gaming banter.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 06:14 Recent Game Pickups and Reviews 09:20 Current Gaming Experiences 12:11 Discussion on Game Technology and Trends 15:10 Exploring GameStop's New Initiatives 26:38 GameStop's Unique Trade-In Promotion 29:31 The Chaos of Trade-In Day 32:49 YouTube and Social Media Buzz 35:06 Generational Shifts in Gaming Preferences 39:25 AI's Role in Gaming and Content Creation 45:45 The Future of AI in Gaming 54:48 NHL Hitz Game Mechanics and Gameplay Experience 01:02:25 Game Pricing and Value Assessment 01:10:11 GameStop Experiences and Collecting Culture

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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18