We debate whether video game remakes/remasters are killing the industry and holding it back from bigger things.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• Nostalgia can hinder innovation in gaming.
• Remakes are often more financially viable for publishers.
• There are still many original games being released.
• The gaming industry is risk-averse, favouring known properties.
• Development timelines have become excessively long.
• Creative direction is crucial for timely game production.
• Hiring more staff could alleviate development bottlenecks.
• The gaming community is still young and evolving.
• Stories in games are often retold, similar to other media.
• Metro 2039 reflects real-world issues and challenges. Metro Exodus introduces a new protagonist named Artem.
• The Street Fighter film aims to capture the essence of the game.
• The trailer for the Street Fighter film received positive feedback.
• Lana Del Rey will perform the title song for the Bond game.
• The return of composer David Arnold adds credibility to the Bond game.
• Wind Rose offers a unique pirate adventure experience.
• The game allows for both single-player and co-op gameplay.
• Community reactions to games can vary widely.
• The importance of character development in video games is emphasized.
• The hosts reflect on their different methods of discovering new games.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

• Metro 2039 Is A Brand New Metro Game Influenced By Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine
• Street Fighter film gets new trailer full of roundhouses and explosions, plus a spot of mournful karaoke | Eurogamer.net
• • 007 First Light title song will be performed by Lana Del Rey, while Bond film composer David Arnold returns to franchise after almost two decades | Eurogamer.net

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

Dylan and Ashley discuss the news surrounding Disney and Epic Games teaming up for a new crossover, in addition to the current Fortnite one.

Plus, Dylan dives into Pokémon Champions, gives his wrap-up thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem, and talks to Ashley about the latest idea from PlayStation—adding scans of real people to their games.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• Dylan expresses frustration over being called the 'Easter Grinch' for missing a podcast.
• Ashley finds the idea of a Disney IP-based extraction shooter to be bizarre.
• Dylan recalls the combat mechanics of Disney Infinity as a precedent for how Disney characters fight.
• The duo discusses the potential revenue impact of Disney's partnership with Epic Games.
• Dylan criticises Epic Games for laying off employees despite upcoming collaborations with Disney.
• Ashley highlights the importance of vetting participants in Sony's new player engagement initiative.
• Dylan questions the motivations behind Sony's player base initiative.
• Ashley suggests that the initiative could be a way to promote Gran Turismo 7.
• Dylan and Ashley joke about the absurdity of interview answers for the player base initiative.
• The conversation reflects on the evolving landscape of gaming and corporate strategies. The film Exit 8 has received critical acclaim, achieving a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Resident Evil's gameplay effectively balances action and survival horror elements.
• The pacing between characters in Resident Evil enhances the overall experience.
• Pokémon Champions allows for extensive customisation of Pokémon stats and moves.
• The game introduces a new competitive format for Pokémon battles.
• Players can bring their Pokémon from previous games into Pokémon Champions.
• The game features a unique mechanic where players can see their opponent's team before battle.
• Pokémon Champions aims to be the new standard for competitive Pokémon play.
• The meta in competitive Pokémon will evolve with new game releases.
• The launch of Pokémon Champions has faced some technical issues, but it shows promise.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley

• Fortnite's Toy Story Crossover Is Taking Things To Infinity And Beyond
• A Disney-Themed Extraction Shooter Is Reportedly In Development
• PlayStation Fans Can Now Be Scanned Into Games
• Exit 8 Is Now The Highest Rated Video Game Film Adaptation Ever
• Exit 8 Review [MIFF 2025] - Explosion Network

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is already proving to be a big success at the box office, but its quality is splitting the internet. Embracer may have 2 prominent studios working on The Lord of the Rings games, and Ciaran shares his impressions of Screamer

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie - Starts Better & Then Ends Worse | Animated Wonders

00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:41 - The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Makes Money Despite Reviews 00:07:59 - Amazon want Mass Effect TV Series rewritten to appeal to non- gamers 00:12:39 - Embracer May Have 2 Lord of the Rings games in the works 00:25:12 - 2025 Xbox Games Showcase Date Has Been Locked In 00:33:39 - Xbox FanFest Is Coming to Sydney in 2026 00:36:44 - Peak Devs Say 'Any Update Is a Bonus, Not a Right.' 00:40:19 - Mass Layoffs at Eidos Montreal After Game Cancellation 00:44:36 - Ciaran’s Screamer Impressions 00:50:45 - outro

• • The Super Mario Galaxy Movie breaks records with $34m opening despite "unfavourable" reviews
  • Mass Effect TV show ordered to rewrite scripts and make them "more appealing to non-gamers"

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance Devs Working on LOTR Game, It's Claimed

• Following rumours of Warhorse Studios visiting Middle-earth, Tomb Raider developer

• EXCLUSIVE: Veteran Studio Working On New Lord of the Rings Game

• The 2026 Xbox Games Showcase Has Been Dated Alongside A Direct For Gears Of War: E-Day
• Xbox FanFest is coming to Australia later in 2026 | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and Games
• Peak devs remind players that 'any update is a bonus not a right'
• Eidos Montreal To Lay Off 124 Employees
• EXCLUSIVE: Eidos Montreal Cancels 7+ Year In-Development Title That Cost Hundreds of Millions

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network