M2 Podcast

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...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down major power shifts and mounting pressures across the gaming industry. Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma as the new CEO of Xbox following the departures of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, signaling a strategic reset as the company looks to redefine the brand beyond consoles. Meanwhile, a surge in global DRAM and NAND memory prices—driven largely by AI infra...

In this week’s M2 Podcast, we dive into the latest shakeups and innovations in gaming. We cover Hasbro’s closure of Atomic Arcade, the North Carolina studio behind a G.I. Joe title, and the ripple effects on employees and the franchise. We also explore creative ways to play classic games on modern devices, including a hands-on look at GameSir’s Pocket Taco, a $35 controller that transforms your ph...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we unpack mounting pressure across the gaming industry from multiple angles. Over 1,200 Ubisoft developers have gone on strike in Paris and Milan, protesting sweeping layoffs, studio closures, stalled pay growth, and new restrictions on remote work—raising serious questions about leadership and long-term stability at one of gaming’s biggest publishers. We also examine...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down a turbulent stretch for the games industry, starting with Ubisoft employees publicly calling for CEO Yves Guillemot’s resignation amid layoffs, studio closures, and a growing trust crisis inside the company. We also shift to the fun side of gaming with new details on Star Wars: Galactic Racer, including the confirmed return of high-speed podracing and a m...

On this episode of M2 Podcast, we dig into the shifting power dynamics shaping the video game industry in 2026. We break down U.S. lawmakers urging federal regulators to closely examine the $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts amid growing labor concerns, alongside new data revealing that nearly one-third of U.S. game industry workers have faced layoffs in the past two years. We also look at...

This week’s episode covers a wide range of major developments across the gaming industry, starting with a brief disruption at Rockstar North after a boiler malfunction prompted emergency services to secure minor structural damage, an incident the studio quickly confirmed caused no injuries and did not impact ongoing GTA 6 development. The discussion then shifts to Gears of War: E-Day, with develop...

This week on M2 Podcast, we break down the chaos surrounding Rainbow Six Siege after a massive hack flooded the game with billions in in-game currency and forced Ubisoft to take servers offline. We also take a close look at 8BitDo’s new Ultimate 3E controller, an officially licensed Xbox peripheral that looks like the Elite Series 3 Microsoft never released. On the business side of gaming, we disc...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down a packed slate of industry shifts and major announcements. Xbox architect Jason Ronald hints that 2026 will be a milestone year as the brand approaches its 25th anniversary, fueling speculation around new hardware and ecosystem updates. Tomb Raider is officially confirmed for The Game Awards, with fans eager to see Crystal Dynamics’ long-awaited next chap...

This week on the M2 Podcast, we break down a massive shake-up across the gaming industry. Micron officially shuts down its Crucial consumer RAM brand as AI demand overwhelms the memory market, leaving PC builders wondering what’s next. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 faces disappointing player numbers across consoles and PC, raising big questions about franchise fatigue. Bungie resolves the Marathon con...