Plugged Podcast

Plugged 71 kicks off with something truly rare—gamers are happy. No, seriously. Oblivion Remastered might actually be good. With a solid $49.99 price tag on Steam, full DLC included on Game Pass, and glowing reviews all around, Bethesda may have pulled off the impossible—earning gamer goodwill in 2025. Plus, the modding community is already flooding the gates with over 70 new creations. Meanwhile,...

In this week’s episode of Plugged, we recap our Gamer’s Outreach experience before diving into the chaos and curiosity dominating the gaming world:Bungie’s Marathon reveal has the internet completely split—will it be the next big thing or another Concord-tier flop? Mark weighs in on the mixed signals, lore questions, and those… not-so-real “keys.”Bethesda’s out here shaking the change jar, quietly...

This week on Plugged, Mark kicks things off by basking in the glory of winning a Natty—go Gators! Then we dive into the latest in gaming news and madness:An indie dev made a game so good it’s being sued. We’re talking about Schedule 1, the solo-developed drug-dealing sim that’s currently under legal fire—possibly for outshining its competitors. The Nintendo Switch 2 might be getting a powerful new...

Gamers, regulators, and even the EU are heated this week—so let’s dive in. The Swedish Consumers Association just went after Star Stable Online, kicking off a coordinated EU enforcement action over manipulative in-game currency practices targeting children. Time-limited offers, unclear pricing, and influencer abuse? The EU is finally fed up—and in-game currency might never be the same. In better u...

In this episode of Plugged, we take a look at game studios on both ends of the spectrum—those who redeem themselves and those who keep dropping the ball—along with major tech and food industry shakeups:No Man’s Sky Keeps Delivering: After a disastrous launch, No Man’s Sky continues its long road to redemption with yet another massive update. Can live service games actually get it right in the long...

In this week's episode of Plugged, we tackle gaming’s hot topics, unexpected twists, and some cosmic surprises:GTA 6 Price Controversy: Take-Two’s potential move to set a $100 price tag for the highly-anticipated GTA 6 has gamers on edge. Will this redefine the cost of AAA games, or is it just a cash grab amidst spiraling development costs? TikTok's Quick Comeback: Just days after its U.S. shutdow...

In this episode of Plugged, we dive into some of the most fascinating, bizarre, and thought-provoking stories of the week:Nintendo Switch 2 Revealed: Nintendo’s worst-kept secret finally goes official. With launch titles like Mario Kart 9 and Red Dead Redemption 2 in tow, is the Switch 2 shaping up to be a game-changer—or just more of the same? SteamOS Expands: Lenovo jumps into the handheld gamin...

In this episode of Plugged, we’re kicking off the new year with a mix of exciting, bizarre, and slightly terrifying updates from the gaming world and beyond:Minecraft’s Spiritual Successor: Notch, the original creator of Minecraft, announces plans for a new “spiritual successor” to the legendary sandbox game. Could this be the Minecraft 2 fans have been dreaming of? Elon Musk in Hot Water: After a...

In this episode of Plugged, we dive into a jam-packed week of gaming and pop culture news:Game Awards Controversy: Gamers are fired up over Astro Bot winning Game of the Year, beating out the massively successful Wukong: Black Myth. Was this a well-earned victory or another example of questionable award show politics? Fortnite Tackles Cheating: Epic Games is suing a player for tournament cheating—...

This week on Plugged, we’re diving into some of the biggest gaming and entertainment shakeups of the season. From new game modes to corporate drama, and even churro fries, here’s what’s on tap:Fortnite’s Competitive Leap: Epic Games takes on the FPS giants with Fortnite Ballistic, a 5v5 first-person tactical mode. Could this be Fortnite’s next big hit, or is it biting off more than it can chew? Ro...

As Thanksgiving rolls in, Plugged Episode 56 kicks off with a heartfelt "What We're Thankful For" segment—because even in the chaos of tech and gaming, there’s some good to be found! Then we dive into the week’s hot topics: Gamers are fuming over Windows 11’s latest update, which is breaking games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Star Wars Outlaws. Is Microsoft’s latest OS shaping...

In Episode 55 of Plugged, we tackle some major developments shaking up the gaming world. First, Sony’s potential acquisition of Kadokawa—and by extension, FromSoftware—has sparked concern among fans. With the studio responsible for Elden Ring and Dark Souls possibly falling under Sony’s control, is the future of FromSoft at risk? We unpack the fears and implications of this move. We also dive into...

In Episode 54 of Plugged, we explore the latest uproar in the world of tabletop gaming as Magic: The Gathering faces community backlash over recent card bans. The situation has escalated to threats of violence, causing resignations and leading to Wizards of the Coast taking over the Commander Rules Committee. How did it come to this, and what does it mean for the future of competitive play? We als...

In Episode 53 of Plugged, we dive into the latest scandal from Fntastic, the studio behind the notorious The Day Before. With their latest Kickstarter project Escape Factory canceled due to a lack of funding, they’ve already announced another game—but can anyone trust them at this point, or is it just another cash grab? We break down the studio's pattern and why gamers are fed up. Next, we pro...

Join us on Episode 52 of Plugged as we break down the latest gaming and tech news that has everyone talking! First, we discuss the Starfield: Shattered Space DLC disaster. The expansion has been slammed by players and critics alike for being incredibly shallow, with most of the new content being rehashed assets and a main story that can be completed in just a few hours. To make matters worse, Beth...

Join us on Episode 51 of Plugged as we tackle the most ridiculous headlines and surprises in the gaming world this week! First, we break down Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot’s controversial statement blaming the poor sales of Star Wars Outlaws on gamers having “too high expectations.” With the game riddled with technical issues, a predatory pricing model, and broken AI, Guillemot’s comments have left m...

Join us on Episode 50 of Plugged as we dive into the latest highs and lows in the gaming and tech world! First, we break down the heated reaction to Sony's new PS5 Pro. With its upgraded GPU, advanced ray tracing, and AI upscaling, the console offers impressive new features but at a steep price of $700—a 40% increase over the current PS5. We discuss why gamers are so upset and what former Blizzard...

Join us on Episode 49 of Plugged as we explore the latest controversies, surprises, and delicious updates in the gaming and tech world! First, we dive into the disappointing launch of Concord, the latest addition to the hero shooter genre. Despite nearly eight years of development and significant hype, the game has failed to attract even 700 concurrent players on Steam. We discuss the possible rea...

Join us on Episode 48 of Plugged as we break down the latest excitement, frustrations, and controversies in gaming and tech! First up, a blast from the past: Backyard Sports is back! Fans of the iconic franchise, especially those who fondly remember the legendary Pablo Sanchez, are thrilled with the news of its return. We discuss the nostalgia and excitement surrounding this classic sports gaming...

Join us on Episode 47 of Plugged as we dive into the latest frustrations and surprises in the gaming and tech world! First up, we discuss the backlash against Arena Breakout Infinite (ABI) for breaking its promise to avoid "pay-to-win" features. Despite earlier assurances, the game launched with the ability to purchase in-game currency, secure storage rentals, and other monetization stra...

Join us on Episode 46 of Plugged as we dive into the latest controversies and developments in gaming and tech! First, we explore the impact of the SAG-AFTRA strike against the video game industry. Over 160,000 members are now on strike due to disagreements over AI protections for voice and motion actors. This could affect major titles in production, though games developed before August 2023, like...

Join us on Episode 45 of Plugged as we dive into the hottest topics and controversies in gaming and tech! First, we explore the backlash against the International Olympic Committee's announcement of the Olympic eSports Games for 2025. While it's exciting news for eSports athletes, the game choices have sparked debate. Popular competitive titles like Counter-Strike, Valorant, and Overwatch...

Join us on Episode 44 of Plugged as we dive into the latest debates and developments in the gaming and tech world! First, we explore the controversy surrounding the new “snap tap” feature on the Razer Huntsman keyboards. This feature has sparked outrage in the Counter-Strike community, with many arguing it gives players an unfair advantage similar to banned “null binds.” Is this new feature just a...

Join us on Episode 43 of Plugged as we dive into the latest buzz in gaming and tech! First, we celebrate the return of NCAA Football to consoles after a 10-year hiatus. Fans are thrilled to once again chase their Championship and Heisman dreams in this beloved EA Sports franchise. Despite some bugs and glitches, the excitement is palpable. But with its new features, has it lived up to the hype? Ne...

Join us on Episode 42 of Plugged as we break down the week's most pressing issues and exciting developments in gaming and tech! First, we tackle the recent uproar over Microsoft's announcement of a price hike for Xbox Game Pass. Starting in September, Game Pass Ultimate will increase from $16.99 to $19.99 per month, and the standard PC Game Pass will go from $9.99 to $11.99 per month. Is t...