Video Games To Play During The Holidays 2025

Split Fiction: When Gameplay Tells the Story

Join us as we dive into a local couch co-op adventure—the heart of this podcast episode.    We’re playing together, in the same room, as a real-life team, with one goal: complete and conquer this brand-new two-player game released December 2025, Split Fiction.   Split Fiction embraces true couch co-op—side-by-side, single shared screen, shared wins, and shared chaos.    That's right!!! We’re going back to the basics, In person fun.  Same sofa, same room, same goal—let's beat the game together from start to finish.

Video Games To Play During The Holidays 2025

In Episode 25 of the CodePlay Culture Podcast, Logan and Rui dive into the ultimate holiday gaming guide for 2025. Whether you're curled up by the fireplace, traveling with a handheld console, or just enjoying some well-earned downtime, we've got the perfect picks to match every vibe. From cozy indie gems to epic story-driven adventures and multiplayer chaos with friends and family, we break down what makes these games great for the season. We also touch on how games can support mental health and connection during the holidays. If you're looking to escape into new worlds or reconnect over some couch co-op fun, this episode has you covered.

Is AI OK? Creativity vs Manufactured Tasks

In Episode 24 of the CodePlay Culture Podcast, we delve into the ethical and moral uses of artificial intelligence, posing the critical question: "Is AI OK?" This episode explores the intricate balance between AI's role in enhancing creativity and its capacity to handle manufactured tasks. We examine how AI influences various sectors, from artistic endeavors to routine job automation, and discuss the potential consequences of its widespread use. Our conversation covers the ethical implications of AI in decision-making processes, its impact on employment, and the philosophical questions about AI's place in human society. Join us as we navigate the complex landscape of artificial intelligence, weighing its benefits against its ethical dilemmas.

Be RansomWARE... Booooo

In Episode 23 of the CodePlay Culture Podcast, Chris, Rui, and Logan dissect the ever-present threat of ransomware attacks, particularly the vulnerabilities of on-premise data storage compared to cloud solutions. The episode delves into real-world scenarios where businesses face extortionate demands to unlock encrypted databases and the practical steps they can take to mitigate such threats. Our discussion spans the effectiveness of cloud services like Azure, GCP and AWS in safeguarding data, the importance of offline backups, and strategic data synchronization to prevent catastrophic losses. Tune in to learn how to fortify your digital defenses against the scariest of digital threats.

The Retro Gaming Revival: Emulation, Nostalgia and Moral Quandaries

In this episode of the CodePlay Culture Podcast we discuss rise of retro gaming and emulation in recent years & the nostalgic appeal of classic games and why players seek to relive the past.  The History of Emulation Early days of emulation: from simple ROM dumps to sophisticated software. Key milestones in the development of emulators (e.g., ZSNES, MAME). The role of the internet in spreading emulation software and ROMs.  The Legality of Emulation Explanation of copyright laws related to video games. The legal gray areas: ROMs, BIOS files, and the difference between legal backups vs. pirated copies. High-profile legal cases involving emulation and ROM distribution. Moral Implications  The debate: Is emulation a form of preservation or piracy? Arguments for emulation: Preserving gaming history, accessibility, and reviving forgotten games. Arguments against emulation: Undermining developers' rights, potential harm to the industry. Consideration of the economic impact: Does emulation really hurt sales?  The Role of Game Preservation The importance of preserving video game history and the role of museums, libraries, and archives. How emulation contributes to or conflicts with official preservation efforts. The perspective of game developers and publishers on emulation as a preservation tool. The Modern Retro Gaming Scene How retro gaming has evolved beyond nostalgia into a subculture. The impact of mini consoles, official re-releases, and remasters. The growing market for retro-inspired indie games and how they blend past and present. Personal Responsibility and Ethical Emulation How individuals can ethically approach retro gaming and emulation. Alternatives to piracy: Legal emulation options and purchasing official re-releases