The Game Deflators

John and Ryan are back at it with a jam-packed episode of gaming goodness and industry buzz. Things kick off with their latest gaming-related pickups and what’s currently stealing time from their backlogs. Then it’s onto the mystical halls of Strixhaven, as John leads a recap of their ongoing D&D campaign discussing enchanted puzzles, morally murky professors, and all the magical mayhem you'd...

This week on the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan share what they've been playing lately, swapping thoughts on new digital adventures and long-time favorites. John recaps his Crit Hit experience packed with tabletop energy and provides an update from the duos ongoing Strathaven Dungeons and Dragons campaign—expect magical mayhem and unexpected twists. The discussion shifts toward the industry...

In this episode, John and Ryan bring a fastball of nostalgia and digital reckoning to your speakers. The duo dives into EA’s announcement to shut down Anthem's servers in January 2026, dissecting the legacy of a game that promised big but struggled to soar. Then it's a deep-tech discussion as they unravel the silent killer behind your favorite handheld and console games—bit rot in SSDs affecting N...

In this episode of the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan unpack an action-packed week in gaming with a lineup that spans kart racing chaos, collectible card surprises, corporate culture wins, and a splash of retro nostalgia.  They kick things off with the wild new Sonic Racing CrossWorlds where iconic franchises like Minecraft, TMNT, and Avatar: The Last Airbender collide on the track. The con...

Strap in for a nostalgia-meets-news deep dive on this week’s episode of The Game Deflators! John and Ryan kick things off with a fresh batch of gaming pickups. Then it's time to roll initiative as the duo shares behind-the-screen updates from their latest Dungeons & Dragons campaign. In the tabletop world beyond their own, the guys examine big moves from the Critical Role team as they bolster...

John and Ryan are back on the mics with sand in their shoes and cardboard in their backpacks, kicking things off with a roundup of their latest video game and Magic: The Gathering pickups—some gems and some regrets. Then it's onto showcase season, where the duo dives into their most anticipated titles from the latest Xbox Showcase and Sony's State of Play.  But not everything is sunny in hardware...

This week on The Game Deflators Podcast, Ryan is joined by Jim Miller, the mastermind behind Crit Hit—Arizona’s premier tabletop convention! They kick things off by discussing their latest gaming pickups and what’s been keeping them glued to the table. Jim then shares exciting updates on Crit Hit 7: Cosmic Calamity, revealing what attendees can expect at this year's event—from epic game sessions t...

This week, John and Ryan welcome Sean and Will from PlayStation Ain’t Dead for a gaming-packed discussion! The crew kicks things off by sharing their latest gaming pickups and what they've been diving into lately. Then, the big debate: Will the Nintendo Switch 2 capture the same magic as its predecessor, or will casual gamers skip this one? The podcasters weigh in on the potential hurdles for Nint...

In this episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dig into their latest video game pickups and some of the latest gaming news. They kick off the news week with Pokémon TCG Pocket and its $1 billion milestone—can it maintain its momentum, or is the digital TCG market headed for a shake-up? The conversation then turns to Xbox’s future, with a big question looming—could the next generation...

Join the Game Deflators podcast as John and Ryan kick things off by sharing their latest gaming pickups and video games they are currently playing; including Shadow the Tomb Raider and Risk of Rain 2. The conversation takes a turn as they break down the recent controversy surrounding Bungie allegedly using an artist's work without permission—what does this mean for corporate accountability in game...

John and Ryan are back with a Game Deflators Podcast episode breaking down the latest gaming and tech shake-ups. First up, they tackle Nintendo’s pricing strategy for the Switch 2—could tariffs and rising production costs lead to a price hike in the future? Next, they explore Apple’s latest courtroom maneuver in its ongoing Epic Games legal battle, as the tech giant seeks to pause a ruling that co...

On this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan are joined by Killian Davies of AZ Stolas to discuss his latest one-shot adventure, Loo Loo Lunacy, and his upcoming Kickstarter projects. Inspired by the popular web series Helluva Boss, Loo Loo Lunacy takes players into the chaotic depths of Loo Loo Land, a devilish amusement park filled with danger, intrigue, and dark humor. Killian s...

Join John and Ryan on this week's episode of The Game Deflators Podcast as they dive into the intriguing world of Clair Obscur Expedition 33. Hear their thoughts on the The Last of Us Season 2, and explore the record-breaking success of the Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set, now the best-selling in history. Plus, don't miss their in-depth review of Chibi Robo for the GameCube, a hidden gem th...

In this episode, John and Ryan are joined by veteran artist and art director Dev Madan for an exclusive look behind the scenes of the video game industry. With 35 years of experience spanning video games, animation, and comics, Dev has worn many creative hats—serving as Art Director at Toys For Bob, Founder of Loose Cannon Studios, and Art Director at Sucker Punch Productions for the beloved Sly C...

In this week's episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into some of the hottest gaming news and controversies. First, they break down the latest PlayStation Plus price hikes affecting over 20 different countries, discussing what this means for gamers. Is the subscription service still worth the cost? Next, they examine a recent study by Newzoo on video game microtransactions, exp...

In this week's episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into the latest gaming drama: delays to the U.S. preorders of the Nintendo Switch 2. As American gamers grow restless, Japan takes a bold approach to curb scalping by introducing a Japan-exclusive Nintendo Switch 2—a strategy that could reshape global preorders.  Fresh off his trip to the 2025 Game On Expo, John gives his in-...

On this episode of the Game Deflators podcast John and Ryan break down the latest Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, covering all the biggest game reveals, pricing details, and new peripherals. From Mario Kart World to Elden Ring, they analyze what these titles mean for Nintendo fans. Plus, they dive into the $449 price tag, new Joy-Cons, and whether the Switch Camera is a must-have or just another gimmick...

Nintendo Direct discussion and a Game on Expo preview. This week on the Game Deflators podcast John and Ryan dive into their recent gaming pickups, Dungeons and Dragons Campaign updates, and the highlights from the latest Nintendo Direct. But that's not all—Jim from the Game On Expo and Crit Hit Con team joins the show for an exciting interview. He shares insider details about the tabletop gaming...

In this week's exciting episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan delve into the future of gaming technology with a discussion on Sony's latest patent for controllers featuring solar charging. Could this be the eco-friendly breakthrough gamers have been waiting for? The duo also tackles the growing challenges faced by the Steam Deck as it struggles to keep pace with the demanding specs of moder...

In this episode of The Game Deflators podcast, John is joined by Darren Hupke of Pixels and Polygons for a lively discussion on all things gaming. Together, they share their recent gaming pickups, dive into the world of underrated PlayStation games that deserve more love, and unpack thought-provoking comments from a former Sony executive on why video game remasters might just be a necessary evil....

This week on The Game Deflators Podcast, John teams up with Will from PlayStation Ain’t Dead podcast.  The duo dives into John's wild conspiracy theory surrounding a mysterious pallet of Rule of Rose PAL UK copies—where did they come from, and what does it mean for retro game collectors? They also discuss the latest buzz about Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, including expected the changes and features...

This week on the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into the hot topic of whether Sony should fast-track the release of the PS6 as PS5 sales show signs of cooling. Is it too soon, or is it a bold move to stay ahead of the curve? Next, the duo breaks down the latest Pokémon announcements, sharing their thoughts on new game reveals, updates, and everything the Pokémon community is buzzing ab...

In this week's episode of the Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive into the latest gaming news and updates. They kick things off by discussing recent comments from a Sony executive about the company's evolving relationship with FromSoftware. The guys reflect on Sony's initial reluctance to release Demon's Souls in the West and how this decision shaped the future of the iconic franchise. Next, they t...

Join John and Ryan as they dive into the latest gaming news and share their thoughts on recent events. In this episode, they discuss the grievances surrounding Sony's latest State of Play presentation, what fans think went wrong and what they were hoping to see. They also delve into the most recent updates on Nintendo's patents in the United States, exploring the implications for the gaming indust...

Join John and Ryan on the Deflators Podcast as they dive into the recent PlayStation Network outage. Is it just operational issues or could it have been a hack? The duo also discuss newly-released data revealing that a limited percentage of Xbox games support the Play Anywhere strategy, exploring what this means for gamers and developers alike. Finally, they take a nostalgic trip down memory lane...