M2 Podcast

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down the growing challenges facing the video game industry, starting with Valve's efforts to address Steam's growing backlog of game submissions amid an explosion of AI-generated titles and the impact it's having on indie developers. We explore the seemingly endless curse of Star Wars Battlefront 3, examining its history of cancellations, corporate...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we discuss Epic Games embracing AI to develop and improve Unreal Engine, including claims that AI tools are solving longstanding development issues. We examine the closure of BioWare and its co-founder's criticism of EA's Saudi-led acquisition, explore the growing challenges developers face with Early Access and rising player expectations, and discuss restricti...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down Xbox’s latest moves, including the launch of Xbox Labs to experiment with emerging technology and the new $50 Xbox Nano Controller. We also celebrate the Australian Game Developer Awards, where Mixtape took home Game of the Year, before diving into Epic Games’ reported shift toward AI-first development for its upcoming Marvel and Star Wars shooter. What d...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we dive into the growing chaos of AI-generated games after someone recreated Minecraft as a playable multiplayer experience directly inside X—and immediately monetized it with crypto sponsorships. We also break down Call of Duty’s upcoming support for NVIDIA’s RTX Spark and Windows on Arm, what it means for PC gaming and anti-cheat, and Xbox’s confusing clarification s...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we dive into the massive new details revealed about Grand Theft Auto 6, including its living world, deeper NPC interactions, criminal profile system, and the sheer scale of Leonida. We also break down a major PS5 hacking breakthrough that could open the door to homebrew, emulation, and game preservation on far more consoles. Bungie reveals plans to restore vaulted Dest...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we dive into another wave of GTA 6 leaks, including alleged gameplay and map footage, threats against Rockstar, and the growing debate over digital-only gaming. We also discuss Mattel launching its own game studio to turn brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and UNO into gaming experiences, while a former Saber writer claims she was replaced by ChatGPT during development of...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down one of the biggest business stories in gaming as Electronic Arts officially goes private following its acquisition by PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, and discuss what that could mean for the future of EA's biggest franchises and AI-driven game development. We also dive into the surprising success of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, which has become...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down one of the biggest shifts in gaming history as PlayStation confirms the end of physical game discs in 2028 and rumors suggest Xbox could be following the same path, leaving Nintendo as the last major champion of physical media. We also dive into the incredible discovery of 97 previously unknown Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt NES cartridges hidden away in a W...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down one of the wildest weeks in gaming. We discuss Discord's massive moderation failure that mistakenly banned thousands of users for sharing innocent Minecraft and chessboard screenshots, Nintendo's growing strategy of aligning game releases with its blockbuster movie universe, and Microsoft's sweeping Xbox restructuring that includes 3,200 layoffs as the co...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we dive into one of the biggest shifts the gaming industry has seen in years. We discuss the lawsuit accusing Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron of manipulating RAM supply and how soaring memory costs are driving up prices for Xbox consoles, PCs, and gaming hardware across the board. We also break down the growing fight over digital ownership as publishers argue private gam...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down Microsoft's shocking Xbox price increases that push the Series X to nearly $800 and what it means for the future of console gaming. We also dive into Rockstar's controversial GTA 6 Ultimate Edition, where exclusive in-game shops are locked behind a $100 price tag, sparking debate across the gaming community. Plus, Epic Games reveals it has paid ov...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down one of the biggest weeks in gaming news. We discuss reports that Xbox may have already planned to split from Ninja Theory despite revealing Senua at the Xbox Games Showcase, raising questions about Microsoft's studio strategy. We also take a look at Empulse , the new Titanfall-inspired shooter hoping to win back player trust after the rocky launch of...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down one of the biggest weeks in gaming as Summer Game Fest, Xbox Showcase, and Nintendo Direct all brought major heat. We dive into Xbox’s stacked lineup featuring Persona 6, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, Gears of War: E-Day, and a first look at Modern Warfare 4’s DMZ mode, while Nintendo shocked fans with the long-rumored Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, Kingdom Hear...

This week on the podcast, we dive into Embracer Group’s redemption arc—or at least its attempt at one—as CEO Phil Rogers asks gamers and developers to trust the company again after years of studio closures, layoffs, and controversial acquisitions, while still leaving the door open for future buyouts. We also break down the growing movement inside the Destiny 2 community as players rally to shatter...

This week on the podcast, we break down one of the biggest surprises in gaming as The Witcher 3 gets a brand-new expansion, Songs of the Past, a full 11 years after launch—raising questions about what it means for The Witcher 4 timeline and CD Projekt Red’s long-term strategy. We also dive into Valve’s controversial Steam Deck price hike, discussing whether the beloved handheld is pricing itself o...

In this episode, we break down Bungie’s ambitious long-term roadmap for Marathon as the studio attempts to reverse declining player numbers with new PvE modes, casual-friendly experiences, and major progression overhauls aimed at broadening the game’s audience. We also dive into Ubisoft turning Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced into a real-world $500,000 pirate treasure hunt, Rockstar fans spec...

This week’s episode dives into a massive shakeup across the gaming industry, from Microsoft rolling out a new controller-focused “Xbox Mode” for Windows 11 while simultaneously shutting down Copilot AI development on Xbox in an effort to refocus the brand. We also break down Valve’s chaotic Steam Controller launch, the new anti-scalper reservation system, and why demand for PC gaming hardware is e...

This episode explores how platform boundaries continue to blur as Microsoft rolls out Xbox Mode to Windows 11, pushing a more console-like experience onto PC ecosystems and tightening the integration with Game Pass. Meanwhile, Valve re-enters the hardware space with a redesigned Steam Controller, signaling continued investment in hybrid PC-console playstyles despite broader hardware supply challen...

This episode dives into the evolving priorities shaping the gaming industry, from Bungie shifting more developers to Marathon as Destiny 2 struggles with declining content, to Microsoft adjusting its Game Pass strategy with price cuts and a more flexible release model. We also cover the growing hype—and leaks—around Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, showing how legacy IP continues to anchor th...

This episode unpacks the growing instability across the gaming industry, from the sharp 80% player decline of ARC Raiders to internal shakeups at Epic Games following massive layoffs and executive turnover. We explore how even high-performing live-service titles can struggle to maintain engagement, while broader workforce trends show nearly half of industry professionals considering leaving altoge...

This episode dives into the volatile lifecycle of today’s gaming industry—from rapid shutdowns of live-service titles like The Cube, Save Us, to the intense burnout developers face after breakout success. We explore how even promising games can collapse within weeks in an oversaturated market, while indie studios grapple with balancing player expectations and sustainable development. On the tech s...

This episode unpacks the evolving balance between creativity and business in today’s gaming industry, starting with insights from Gnosia’s producer on why great games don’t succeed on creativity alone. We explore how major IP continues to shape the market, including a new Lord of the Rings project reportedly in development by Crystal Dynamics with significant international backing. On the indie si...

This episode explores a pivotal moment across the gaming landscape, starting with massive layoffs at Epic Games as the company responds to declining engagement in Fortnite and broader industry headwinds. On the content side, Microsoft showcases a strong pipeline during its latest Xbox Partner Preview, reinforcing the growing importance of Game Pass and third-party partnerships. Meanwhile, new data...

This episode dives into one of the most wide-ranging weeks in gaming, from industry shakeups to powerful human stories. We break down how Valve is pushing back against a major lawsuit over loot boxes, framing them as collectible systems rather than gambling, while Nvidia faces intense backlash over its new DLSS 5 AI-driven graphics that many say undermine artistic intent. On the business side, glo...

In this episode, we break down several major developments shaping the gaming industry right now. We start with the legal battle between Valve and the New York Attorney General over whether loot boxes in games like Counter‑Strike 2 qualify as gambling or simply function like collectible trading cards. Next, we explore how Outersloth—the funding arm of the studio behind Among Us—is shaking up indie...