Skill Check

As its basically Christmas, we’re celebrating by talking Christmassy games to play at Christmas. Andy has also been playing Goat Simulator 3. And well. It’s the sort of game easier to play than it is to describe. Also. This is the day we’ve moved into our new studio. And it looks like it. Sorry about the state that the video version of the podcast is in. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for g...

Well, it the morning after the Game of The Year Awards, and we’re a bit tired. We take a look at the winners and announcements from last night. Away from the awards, we also chat GTA6, Sony releasing its first PS5 controller for disabled gamers, chat a Lego Fortnite special, and Andy plays Lost words: Beyond The Page. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @YMCAE...

This week, Becky and Andy plan a trip to Scotland for The Game On Exhibition. Plan how getting Becky playing Grand Theft Auto - with thanks to them coming as part of Netflix, while Andy gets upset over Google going back into gaming. (Less then 12 months after Google Stadia).  We talk all things party games, and Andy fan boys over Sonic Superstars - a game he didn't expect to like.  Come say he...

This week, we take a look at research released last August looking at the positive impact of gaming online on mens mental health. For more information about support found within online gaming communities, here is the information we refer to: https://theconversation.com/online-gaming-communities-could-provide-a-lifeline-for-isolated-young-men-new-research-211558 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/...

Shortened version of the podcast this week. We look forward to Black Friday, and share some advice from HotUKDeals on making sure we dont spend more than we intend. There is some sad news from from the gaming industry, Safe In Our World are a fab Mental Health charity who have plenty of advice around redundancies that can be found here: https://safeinourworld.org/news/redundancy-support/ Come say...

This week's big news is that the GTA6 trailer and a live-action Zelda is on its way. (Apparently, the GTA6 trailer will arrive first!) We talk about games that bring joy. And This week's game of the week is Celeste. The game appears to be a difficult platformer, but its more about perseverance, and self-acceptance. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @...

With some building work in the studio, its all a little remote this week, to which Andy tries to record in a shed. We chat finding your comfort game, and take a look at Mario Wonder. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @YMCAExeterGames on Twitter, Facebooks, Instagram, and youtube. Find out more about YMCA Exeter on @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebo...

Becky is back this week, and we reflect last weeks episode on Twitch, its community, what it is, and the good news from it. We also talk gaming news. What does the Microsoft Activision merger mean? How expensive should a video game be? And how many units is Minecraft selling? On the subject of Minecraft, Andy is finally a fan, and accidentally offers a very parent review of Minecraft. Come say hel...

Its all a bit content-heavy this week as we've got a couple of Twitch streamers in to talk about all things Twitch, what it is, and whether it is a good thing? With massive thanks to Damian and Rob, Sorry if this feels all a bit rushed - this episode could easily have been 4 times longer at least! Featuring talk about Twitch history, equipment used, parenthood, and the community found. A Youtu...

Can Video Games be educational? Not "educational video games", but video games that aren't seen as educational - can they be educational? We look at Minecraft, Lego Worlds, Stardew Valley, and Assassins Creed. We also chat Unity, Government funding, and Roblox coming to Playstation. (Is this the future of family gaming?) And this weeks game of the Week is Child of Light. Come say hel...

Well Starfield is out. So we spend most of our time talking about that. First impressions of Starfield. Starfield helping people get sober. And a chat about what it means to have an 18 rating. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @YMCAExeterGames on Twitter, Facebooks, Instagram, and youtube. Find out more about YMCA Exeter on @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter,...

Why do video games help with stress? Netflix Gaming, and World of Goo. This week, at the height of Summer, we look at gaming and stress. More specifically, WHY do we say that gaming helps with stress? We attempt to look at some of the science behind gaming and stress. We also chat mobile gaming, Netflix moving into the gaming space, and World of Goo. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games...

Its THE great British summer, and its raining! What games are there to play during a rainy day? We also chat PS5 going cheap, Sandbox, and ALL THE LEGO GAMES! Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @YMCAExeterGames on Twitter, Facebooks, Instagram, and youtube. Find out more about YMCA Exeter on @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Is AI going to take gaming jobs? Is it good news that "Life by you" is delayed? And how are parents meant to handle Summer Holidays when kids want to play video games? We also mention The poweruppact - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpdNxnfolVg And Taming Gaming - https://www.taminggaming.com/ Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @YMCAExeterGames on...

We talk Pokemon Sleep, there's been some gaming accessibility news, and Loot Boxes - Loot Boxes are going to have more rules around them. How are these rules going to work? Find out more about the gaming accessibility here: https://www.taminggaming.com/Accessibility+Data+API https://techspark.co/blog/2022/11/01/bristol-braille-gaming-device/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-centr...

This week, Andy has done a Gaming Addiction quiz, Becky has found out about a gaming choir, and we talk Jedi Survivor. Again. Sign up to the gaming choir here: https://www.gamechoir.com/ - let us know if you do! Find more about the sound of gaming podcast here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009rfp Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @YMCAExeterGames on Tw...

We're recording on a different day this week, and all a bit unsure of whats going on... But in the podcast we talk. Fig - A Playtient Journey, a game with depression, bipolar, and healthy habits in mind. GYLT - A game with a focus on bullying, and self worth in mind. and we also talk how gaming is influencing car design. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at...

Can Gaming for mindfulness be a thing? Is it possible to have mindful gaming? Andy has gone a bit retro this week with Burnout 3. Gaming news wise we chat Women's teams in Football Manager, AI Games, and Sony (Again) Read more about mindful gaming here: https://experiencelife.lifetime.life/article/how-do-i-play-video-games-more-mindfully/   Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you w...

We talk the price of Game Pass and XBox going up, that ALL the games are coming out soon, and Zelda impacting inflation? We fall down a rabbit hole, looking at games that are good for anxiety. Gaming wise, Andy has started Jedi Fallen Order. Again. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @YMCAExeterGames on Twitter, Facebooks, Instagram, and youtube. Find out more...

Is Gaming Good For You? We try and bring an answer. We also chat Sony and cloud gaming, Microsoft still not buying Activision, and Cassette Beasts. Cassette Beasts. Turns out. Is really very good fun. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @YMCAExeterGames on Twitter, Facebooks, Instagram, and youtube. Find out more about YMCA Exeter on @YmcaExeter on Instagram,...

Things aren't looking great for Game Pass and other subscription services, things have got awkward for Twitch, and things get awkward for Andy when talking about screen breaks. We talk slow gaming, and Red Dead Redemption 2. Check out more about slow gaming here: https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-03-14/slow-gaming-how-video-games-are-swapping-nerve-racking-battles-for-relaxing-walks.html...

Planet of Lana has come out on Game Pass and is looking lovely, meanwhile Gollum has released - and is ANOTHER game that isn't looking good. Meanwhile Andy has downloaded Orna. One of those games that you have to get out and play on the streets. Picture Pokemon Go meets D&D. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @YMCAExeterGames on Twitter, Facebooks, In...

Zelda Tears of The Kingdom is getting universal acclaim, from pretty much everywhere. But the journey to get there wasn't quick - it seems that is a good thing. Theres a LOAD of Sony news out, Google games on PC, and we have a chat about being a female gamer online. Game wise we chat Spirit of The North. Find us @YMCAExeterGames on Twitter, Facebooks, Instagram, and youtube. Come say hello to...

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is THE BIG game for this week. Its also Mental Health Awareness Week - and we chat games that cover mental health including Hellblade: Senua’s Journey, Celeste, Psychonauts, and Actual Sunlight. Whilst Andy plays and crashes a lot in Lonely Mountains: Downhill. Find us @YMCAExeterGames on Twitter, Facebooks, Instagram, and youtube. Come say hello to us or give us ideas...

The 100 Best Games of all time has been released, Zelda: Tears of the kingdom is out, and Star Wars Jedi Survivor is still giving Andy trouble. With chat about Star Wars Episode 1 Racer (Free on Microsoft Live Gold for this month!), the coronation, and Free games on Epic Store. We have new social medias! Find us @YMCAExeterGames on Twitter, Facebooks, Instagram, and youtube. Come say hello to us o...