Skill Check

With Mental Health Awareness day coming up, we're taking a moment to talk Mental Health, and the ways that video games can help us talk about, and explore Mental Health issues.  Games that we mention include: Child of Light Limbo Celeste Gris Stardew Valley Apart of me.  Rocket League Thymia GTA Online Shady Part of Me.  Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to he...

This week is a little gaming news heavy, where we look at marketing within Fifa, blockchain gaming, and Ed Sheeran living in a Pokemon inspired world. Check it out here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23g5HBOg3Ic   There is also the news of Google Stadia being shut down, and with Andy being a casual fan - but a fan, he has many many feelings about this.  If you're looking for some calm....

This week we chat all the Assassins Creed Games that have been announced, Twitch and Gambling, GTA6.   GamePlay wise, we talk You suck at parking.  We also have a bit of a confessional over games we should play more. Come say hello to us or give us ideas for games you want to hear about at @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook

In the light of the news of Her Majesty's passing, we take a moment to discuss how we might be feeling in the light of the news, why we might be feeling those things, and games to help process those emotions.  Games mentioned are SpiritFarer, Child of Light, A short hike, Gris, Journey, Apart of me. More information about the Good Grief Trust can be found here thegoodgrieftrust.org

We're back from our summer break!  This week we chat Playstation price increases, and other budgeting bits and pieces such as Fifa going on sale for 5p in India. We say Goodbye to Facebook Gaming, and wonder about the future of Mario Kart. GamePlay wise, we talk Microsoft Flight Simulator. We're also recording the podcast a little differently this week. Sorry for any additional chaos.  &...

This week we wonder if Sony are trying to stop games on GamePass, is that fair enough? And Andy, finds peace in Lake.  Come say hello to us at @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook

This week we may have got ourselves distracted by the football, But we also talk the future of egaming at the Commonwealth Games, the New Mario Kart Tracks, and Andy takes a trip down memory lane with Micro Machines V3.  Come say hello to us at @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook

We're back in our little corner of Exeter.  Andy has been playing Powerwash Simulator. We chat about VR, and there has been a study released about the link between wellbeing and gaming. We chat about whats different about this survey, and what the results may mean.  Come say hello to us at @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook

This week, Andy and Becky are recording live from their own broom cupboard.  Chatting latest gaming news, including looking at what lootboxes are - and why they are in the news. This weeks Game of the week is Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order. (Yes, Andy has started playing it again.) Come say hello to us at @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook

This week we look at reports of gaming being prescribed to help ADHD, gaming being used in English classes, and we chat using gaming in youth clubs.  Our game of the week, is the one, and only Mario Kart. (Which despite what I say in the podcast, is also available on mobile devices) Sorry this episode is a little cut down - Andy forgot to arrange anything around for his wedding episode! Come...

This week we go Geocaching, a treasure hunting styled game designed to get us outside.  While we also talk about how we're spending less on video games compared to last year, Elden Ring possibly being the BIG game of the year, and all things Lego Star Wars.  (We also hear about Becky playing on Lego Dimensions). (Now uploaded properly! Sorry...) Come say hello to us at @YmcaExeter on Ins...

After last weeks new setup, we're back recording remotely. Becky encourages Andy to watch the Commonwealth Games with the news of eSports being included. Fall Guys had a popular first weekend of Free to Play, and whats this about adverts in video games? We talk about a study in addictive video games, and Andy gets himself lost inside a video gaming world. (Playing Horizon Zero Dawn). Come say hell...

We are back. Featuring a new voice, and recording in a new location.  This week we meet our new cohost Becky. We also chat about medical gaming and its use in treating injuries .  We also talk Fall Guys going to Free to Play, and Sega going back to the past with Sonic Origins. Come say hello to us at @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Skill Check is coming back!  With different looks, and voices. But it will still be a celebration of the good that video games bring, be it the stories they tell, the conversations they can open up, how they can be good for us, and how they bring people together. First episode of the new series - coming soon! 

Welcome to Episode 71 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter. Recorded against a stormy backdrop, we chat games to look out for (Triangle Strategy, Cyberpunk, Elden Ring, WarHammer, Starfield). Gaming tech to look forward to, and the future of the podcast!  Come say hello to us at either response@ymcaexeter.org.uk or @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Faceboo...

Welcome to Episode 70 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter. Gaming wise, We're playing, and considering the choices presented in Metro 2033, and Star Wars 1983. Yes, the arcade machine from way back then.  (If you're in the Devon area can we recommend checking out Boneyard Arcade. ) And Nintendo! The Nintendo Direct gives us all the Nintendo news! Such as new...

Welcome to Episode 69 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter. This week - Andy is being a viking in Valhalla, and Zac has gone hunting pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. We also chat all things Taming Gaming . A great resource if you want to know if a game is suitable for your gamers. Sony has tried to buy the world , and awards for Phil at XBox .  Also Joe Dan...

Welcome to Episode 68 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter. This week - Zac is back! Gaming wise, we chat Nobody Saves The World and The Shady Part of Me. Gaming News, we have Microsoft appearing to buy up more of the gaming world , look out for more Star Wars games , and this could be THE year for Sonic The Hedgehog ? Come say hello to us at either response@ymcaex...

Welcome to Episode 67 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter. We have repeat this week! This is back when we looked at Games that brought joy Come say hello to us at either response@ymcaexeter.org.uk or @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Welcome to Episode 66 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter. We have a cut down episode this week, as Andy explores The Oculus Quest 2, talks about what it is, what its like, and what he's tried out.  (With apologies for the editing on this one!) Come say hello to us at either response@ymcaexeter.org.uk or @YmcaExeter on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Welcome to Episode 65 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter. This week is a repeat of an episode from last year, but with recent updates, Animal Crossing is still a huge game! This week we seek to answer, what good can come from playing Animal Crossing? We take a look at a few reasons why Animal Crossing is a good game for both kids and adults. Come say hello to us...

Welcome to Episode 64 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter. Minecraft has recently arrived in Andys home. He doesn't get on with it, but his 9 year old? She does.  Here are some thoughts on Minecraft from a confused gaming parent.  Presuming it all goes to plan - we should be back to normal next week!! Come say hello to us at either response@ymcaexet...

Welcome to Episode 63 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter. We have miniepisode this week, We try and answer the question: "What game should we get for the Switch?" And Sorry... There are alot of answers. Some of which are (but not limited to) Animal Crossing  Mario Kart 8 Mario Rabbids Apex League Rocket League Pokemon Mario Kart 8 Spell Break And more!...

Welcome to Episode 62 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter, and we have the first in our series of mini-episodes. This week we're looking at at Christmassy Games to play... over Christmas. Featuring a very quick look at  Animal Crossing Mario Odyssey (Dress up as Santa!) Just Dance Destiny 2 StarDew Valley, celebrate The feast of the winter star Come say...

Welcome to Episode 61 of Skill Check. A podcast about Gaming and Wellbeing from YMCA Exeter. The Game of The Year Awards were the thing this week. Its basically the Baftas or the Oscars for video games, but there is a normally a mountain of announcements at the same time. We mention the following... Elden Ring. The Matrix game Sonic Frontiers Stardew Valley (???) The Halo TV Series Star Wars...