212: The Lord of Ring: Gollum w/ John

212: The Lord of Ring: Gollum w/ John

One of the lowest rated games of the last few years bears the rights and atmosphere of one of the most beloved fictional worlds of the 21st century: The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. But is it really that bad? And, if so, why are we playing it in the first place? For this episode, Nate and Josh are joined by John, who nominated the game for them to play. Join the conversation by checking out all our social media channels over on our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown [https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown] And check out our newsletter on Substack: https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com [https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com] Also, if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown]: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown [https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown] The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a more thoughtful manner. Until there is a rabbit trail to follow. Check out all of the other amazing Play Well podcasts Here [https://playwellnetwork.com/]. Get PWNed, scrubs.

headlines and hot takes: may 2026 edition

This month, Nate brings on Parker and Micah to discuss some recent gaming news topics like the slim possibility of a Destiny 3, the sales numbers of old Pokemon games contrasted with a new Sony exclusive, and how gaming console prices continue to rise. Links for new articles on the topics are available here: PSN Vulnerability: https://kotaku.com/hacker-targets-high-profile-playstation-podcaster-raising-concerns-about-account-security-2000697446 [https://kotaku.com/hacker-targets-high-profile-playstation-podcaster-raising-concerns-about-account-security-2000697446] Destiny 2 being sunsetted: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2026/05/21/the-end-of-destiny-2-all-expansions-canceled-maintenance-mode-incoming/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2026/05/21/the-end-of-destiny-2-all-expansions-canceled-maintenance-mode-incoming/] Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green outselling Saros: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/pokemon-firered-and-leafgreen-are-already-best-sellers-on-the-switch-eshop-charts [https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/pokemon-firered-and-leafgreen-are-already-best-sellers-on-the-switch-eshop-charts] https://www.ign.com/articles/ps5-exclusive-saros-gets-off-to-lukewarm-start-with-around-300000-copies-sold-according-to-analyst-data [https://www.ign.com/articles/ps5-exclusive-saros-gets-off-to-lukewarm-start-with-around-300000-copies-sold-according-to-analyst-data] Sony and Microsoft are rethinking exclusivity: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playstation-boss-says-single-player-games-wont-come-to-pc-going-forward/ [https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playstation-boss-says-single-player-games-wont-come-to-pc-going-forward/] https://www.msn.com/en-us/gaming/gaming-platforms/microsoft-launches-xbox-player-voice-to-gather-feedback-fans-immediately-demand-a-return-to-exclusives/ar-AA23BiLI [https://www.msn.com/en-us/gaming/gaming-platforms/microsoft-launches-xbox-player-voice-to-gather-feedback-fans-immediately-demand-a-return-to-exclusives/ar-AA23BiLI] Everyone is raising prices including Nintendo: https://nintendowire.com/news/2026/05/11/nintendo-president-states-switch-2-price-increase-wont-cover-all-cost-increases/ [https://nintendowire.com/news/2026/05/11/nintendo-president-states-switch-2-price-increase-wont-cover-all-cost-increases/] We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown [https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown] And check out our newsletter on Substack: https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com [https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com] And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown [https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown] The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a more thoughtful manner. Until there is a rabbit trail to follow. Check out all of the other amazing Play Well podcasts at playwellnetwork.com [http://playwellnetwork.com]. Get PWNed, scrubs.

211: A Book Club Episode About A Game About Digging A Hole

5 of our friends hopped on with us to discuss our book club game: A Game About Digging a Hole. The hole game can be beaten in about an hour, but is there more about the game than what is on the surface? Join us for a deep dive as we excavate what this game can teach us about how we play games. Even if you dig the game, is mindless fun enough? Or are there hidden gems to be uncovered? Join the conversation by checking out all our social media channels over on our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown [https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown] And check out our newsletter on Substack: https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com [https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com] Also, if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown]: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown [https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown] The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a more thoughtful manner. Until there is a rabbit trail to follow. Check out all of the other amazing Play Well podcasts Here [https://playwellnetwork.com/]. Get PWNed, scrubs.

bite sized: the way we play

In this bite sized episode, Josh looks at a marketing report from IGN Entertainment that addresses the way that different generations play video games. What does this mean for the future of gaming and how companies will decide to target the audiences that are spending money on video games? And what ways do YOU play? The Games Industry article, with links to the report, can be found here: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ign-entertainment-releases-internal-data-as-public-report-developed-by-kantar-and-uc-berkeley [https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ign-entertainment-releases-internal-data-as-public-report-developed-by-kantar-and-uc-berkeley] We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown [https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown] And check out our newsletter on Substack: https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com [https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com] And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown [https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown] The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a more thoughtful manner. Until there is a rabbit trail to follow. Check out all of the other amazing Play Well podcasts at playwellnetwork.com [http://playwellnetwork.com]. Get PWNed, scrubs.

210: #Gamergate

How did we get to the place where gaming journalists are openly antagonistic toward the general gaming audience, and regular gamers use "gaming journalist" as a byword? Moreover, how should we, as Christians, react? This week, the boys have brought on Mark from the Quick Play podcast to discuss #Gamergate, why it was a cultural phenomenon, and how it has impacted the gaming landscape today. Join the conversation by checking out all our social media channels over on our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown [https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown] And check out our newsletter on Substack: https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com [https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com] Also, if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown]: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown [https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown] The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a more thoughtful manner. Until there is a rabbit trail to follow. Check out all of the other amazing Play Well podcasts Here [https://playwellnetwork.com/]. Get PWNed, scrubs.