Ep 107: Xbox Studios Facing Closure, EA's New Ad Platform, UK Teen Social Ban

Ep 107: Xbox Studios Facing Closure, EA's New Ad Platform, UK Teen Social Ban

This week, John [https://bsky.app/profile/floppyadult.com], Niki [https://bsky.app/profile/nikigrayson.com], and Lotus [https://bsky.app/profile/lotusloveslotus.bsky.social] go very long on this week's seismic Xbox news, including the numerous studio closures on the table, key departures, and Microsoft CEO's Satya Nadella's curious take on why their gaming arm is struggling. 00:00:00 Intro & Lotus' Big Saturday 00:11:10 South of Midnight [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-15/studios-in-microsoft-s-xbox-division-brace-for-closures?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTU1NDUzNiwiZXhwIjoxNzgyMTU5MzM2LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR09XOTRLSVAzTE0wMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.qu5M4E4sve-8r60rL_e-Xv-LrGJvIGgWiKLxMitTl5A] developer Compulsion Games is the unsurprising yet disappointing first studio to confirm possible closure or spinoff [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-15/studios-in-microsoft-s-xbox-division-brace-for-closures?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTU1NDUzNiwiZXhwIjoxNzgyMTU5MzM2LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR09XOTRLSVAzTE0wMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.qu5M4E4sve-8r60rL_e-Xv-LrGJvIGgWiKLxMitTl5A] 00:17:00 A long, great conversation about the games media's role in reporting on these layoffs and closures 00:28:00 How Xbox got here (mostly) 00:48:52 Satya Nadella seems to be confused about how Xbox got into this jam [https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/as-xbox-eyes-layoffs-microsofts-ceo-says-its-videogames-arent-monetised-enough-so-its-not-the-cancelled-games-or-usd68-7-billion-deals-or-ai-overspending-then/] 00:54:00 That Senua sequel was only announced to help fuel a possible sale of Ninja Theory 01:02:14 The weight of working in corporate-owned game development right now 01:06:34 Key personnel [Key https://www.gamesindustry.biz/xbox-game-studios-boss-craig-duncan-and-chief-of-staff-louise-oconnor-step-down] leaving Xbox [https://kotaku.com/call-of-duty-studio-treyarch-loses-studio-head-mark-gordon-2000706712] 01:07:56 What's the plan moving forward for Xbox? [https://www.reuters.com/business/microsoft-has-considered-spinning-out-xbox-information-reports-2026-06-12/] 01:16:10 EA introducing new in-game advertising platform [https://www.gamedeveloper.com/marketing/ea-announces-advertising-platform-to-launch-ads-directly-into-gameplay-] 01:25:57 UK government is banning teens from social media; plan will not work [https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/uk-social-media-ban-will-restrict-high-risk-features-on-game-platforms] 01:33:10 Fuck's Quest 2 lacks consistent humor and mechanical clarity 01:37:07 Niki played the first two Sonic games on Genesis (skip this part, Sonic fans!!!) 01:45:10 John decided to give Ocarina of Time another try 01:49:10 Our latest (possibly final) thoughts on 007 First Light 02:02:47 Hive Questions [vgbees.com/discord] 02:18:12 Outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

Ep 106: Xbox Preparing Layoffs, Nintendo Direct, Pokemon Go Military Defense Data

Lotus [https://bsky.app/profile/lotusloveslotus.bsky.social], Niki [https://bsky.app/profile/nikigrayson.com], and John [https://bsky.app/profile/floppyadult.com] recovered from Summer Game Fest 2026 and reconvened (in home studios, not John's car) to discuss an extremely busy news week, including Xbox preparing major layoffs, Nintendo Direct revealing the Ocarina of Time remake, and more information dropping about Pokemon Go and its role in data gathering for defense purposes. 00:00:00 Intro & how waffle fries are made Go to nogamesforgenocide.com [https://nogamesforgenocide.com] to learn more about the BDS movement and Microsoft's continued role in the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. 00:08:20 Asha Sharma writes memo to Xbox staff; heavy layoffs reported [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI] 00:25:00 Xbox console exclusives are returning [https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/xbox-console-exclusives-are-returning-on-a-case-by-case-basis] 00:37:30 Lotus' 50 most anticipated indies from the week's showcases [https://dialedindie.net/p/summer-2026-roundup] 00:40:10 Nintendo Direct reveals [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8eMoxo4ipE]Ocarina of Time [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8eMoxo4ipE]remake [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8eMoxo4ipE]; is Nintendo bored? 00:47:10 Kingdom Hearts IV [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIpQz_9zQS0] is here and looks like it looks [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIpQz_9zQS0] 00:49:00 Final Fantasy Resonance [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIymhuh53pU]strips the gacha out of mobile game inspiration [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIymhuh53pU] 00:52:00 God of War Laufey [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLMX2w3cwuE] creates an interesting branch for the series [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLMX2w3cwuE] 00:55:37 How do waffle fries work? (part 2) 00:56:38 RGG wants to explore what Tupac's life could've been in [https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stranger-than-heaven-will-explore-tupacs-potential-future-if-he-was-still-alive-now-according-to-rgg-studio-head]Stranger Than Heaven [https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stranger-than-heaven-will-explore-tupacs-potential-future-if-he-was-still-alive-now-according-to-rgg-studio-head] 01:01:17 PlayerUnknown facing layoffs [https://www.pcgamesn.com/prologue/development-ends-studio-restructure] 01:03:56 RPG Maker forums shuttering and migrating [https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/forums/important-announcements-forum-closure.199/] 01:11:20 Team17 eliminating marketing department [https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/team17-has-laid-off-members-of-its-marketing-and-communications-department] 01:13:24 Crazy Taxi [https://kotaku.com/why-do-you-need-generative-ai-to-make-crazy-taxi-2000703713] reboot working with generative AI art flow [https://kotaku.com/why-do-you-need-generative-ai-to-make-crazy-taxi-2000703713] 01:16:45 GOG sends out email with Nazi symbols in subject line [https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/we-made-a-series-of-mistakes-gog-apologise-for-emailing-nazi-symbols-to-people-in-newsletter-about-slavic-fantasy-game] 01:25:06 Ubisoft shutting down two studios [https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/ubisoft-closing-winnipeg-and-belgrade-studios-and-making-further-layoffs] 01:28:05 Pokemon Go [https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/06/pokemon-go-players-unwittingly-contributed-to-tech-with-military-drone-uses/] likely being used to collect data for defense contracts [https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/06/pokemon-go-players-unwittingly-contributed-to-tech-with-military-drone-uses/] 01:31:15 Blood Dungeon is Vampire Survivors in platformer mode 01:35:10 Onimusha: Way of the Sword is perfectly competent action combat from Capcom 01:40:18 John (almost) corrects the record on last week's Code Veronica misadventure 01:43:55 NBA The Run is a shallow facsimile of better arcade basketball games 01:46:20 Niki opens a Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes pack 01:50:45 Lotus went to Distant Worlds (the Final Fantasy concert) and did not have a great time 02:19:25 We answer your burning Hive Questions 02:44:06 Outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

VGBees SGF 2026 Post-Show Debrief

Join Niki and John from Los Angeles as they debrief from a lively Summer Game Fest 2026. At this point, most embargoes were still in effect, but we hope you enjoy discussion regarding: * Blood Dungeon, Messhof's latest game * Sonic Pico Park * The Games Business interview with Matthew Ball * bad hotel fish tacos Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

Ep 105: Summer Game Fest 2026 Showcase, Tupac, Final Fantasy VII Revelation

Folks, our schedules were so packed that John [https://bsky.app/profile/floppyadult.com] & Niki [https://bsky.app/profile/nikigrayson.com] had to join Lotus [https://bsky.app/profile/lotusloveslotus.bsky.social] from the car again. Sorry! This week, it's all about Summer Game Fest 2026 Showcase, which featured reveals of Resident Evil Veronica, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, and Tupac appearing in Stranger Than Heaven. Time stamps and more SGF bonus episodes coming soon! Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

Ep 104: Witcher 3 DLC, Steam Deck Price Hikes, & 007 First Light w/ Jeff Gerstmann

John [https://bsky.app/profile/floppyadult.com] and Lotus [https://bsky.app/profile/lotusloveslotus.bsky.social] are joined this week by Jeff Gerstmann [https://jeff.zone] to discuss the week's biggest games news, including: The Witcher 3's surprising expansion coming in 2027, Steam Deck's massive price hikes, and what we thought of 007 First Light. 00:00:00 Intro & podcasting at yourself 00:08:56 The Witcher 3 [https://www.ign.com/articles/cd-projekt-teases-size-and-story-of-new-the-witcher-3-expansion-songs-of-the-past] is getting new DLC in 2027 [https://www.ign.com/articles/cd-projekt-teases-size-and-story-of-new-the-witcher-3-expansion-songs-of-the-past] 00:13:10 A moment for Unreal Engine 6 00:15:57 Ikaruga [https://automaton-media.com/en/news/after-12-years-in-development-ikaruga-creators-new-shooter-ubusuna-has-been-cancelled/]creator's next game has been canceled [https://automaton-media.com/en/news/after-12-years-in-development-ikaruga-creators-new-shooter-ubusuna-has-been-cancelled/] Go to nogamesforgenocide.com [https://nogamesforgenocide.com] to learn more about the BDS movement and Microsoft's continued role in the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. 00:19:14 Microsoft must pay $250m to settle class action lawsuit [https://www.gamesindustry.biz/microsoft-agrees-to-pay-250m-to-settle-lawsuit-over-activision-blizzard-deal] 00:23:30 Modern Warfare 4 and the great Call of Duty fall-off 00:29:18 Fable [https://www.gematsu.com/2026/05/fable-delayed-to-february-2027]delayed from fall 2026 to February 2027 [https://www.gematsu.com/2026/05/fable-delayed-to-february-2027] 00:38:30 Hoyoverse is investing $14.6b in AI initiatives in the next three years [https://www.gamingonphonebiz.com/hoyoverse-plans-14-6-billion-ai-investment-over-three-years-signals-push-toward-full-stack-ai-development/] 00:42:20 Roblox and how to navigate its ubiquity as a parent 00:49:15 Steam Deck price hikes and the rare appreciation of gaming setups [https://steamcommunity.com/games/1675200/announcements/detail/672869045073085560] 00:57:13 Steam updates tags [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/593110/view/673994309884707518] and Workshop features [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/593110/view/704394876188360836] 01:14:44 TheGamer shifts to pay-per-click for its writers [https://kotaku.com/one-of-the-biggest-networks-gaming-sites-reveals-new-plan-only-pay-writers-per-click-2000698959] 01:24:32 The PlayStation 5 Pro is tall 01:27:01 007 First Light is a great Bond game even for people who aren't Bond superfans 01:38:32 Carrot Kingdom--not the Atari shareware--is a fun and very short puzzler 01:39:58 Panthalassa features a gorgeous underwater alien world 01:41:57 Phonopolis is the latest from Amanita Design 01:45:06 Mina the Hollower is Yacht Club's most interesting game 01:52:12 Pictonico is WarioWare for your phone...without the Wario 01:59:36 We answer your burning HIVE QUESTIONS from our Discord 03:01:23 SGF 2026 plans & outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.