The PlayStation Effect

Sony has done the unthinkable. Physical discs are officially dying, and PlayStation fans have gone nuclear. So, it's time to give our brutally honest reactions to this shocking news. Then, we'll discuss Asha Sharma's XBOX reset — the layoffs, studio spinoffs, and strategic shifts that are shaping XBOX going forward. Timestamps: 00:01:12 – Sony kills physical discs 00:33:05 – XBOX's layoffs and stu...

It's time for our mid-year GOTY conversation! We'll reveal our top 5 games of 2026... so far. But, what's a year in gaming without disappointments? So, that's why we'll also reveal which games let us down the most in 2026. Plus, PlayStation apparently isn't anywhere near done making live service games — so we'll try to unpack why they haven't learned their lesson. Timestamps: 00:01:29 – Sony's liv...

Press X to pay respects. XBOX is planning to close down several studios as part of their brand reset, so we'll break down exactly what's happening and why. Plus, the Steam Machine's price has been revealed... and it's not pretty. We'll reveal our brutally honest reactions to Valve's new console and if PlayStation should be worried. Timestamps: 00:01:11 – Steam Machine price reactions 00:13:49 – XB...

We thought XBOX put a Halo ring on it, but their relationship with PlayStation took a big hit. We'll unpack the news about Halo's scrapped State of Play plans and how it affected Sony's showcase. Plus, we'll explore why PlayStation's first-party titles are selling poorly on PS5, along with sharing our Nintendo Direct reactions — including The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, the new Xenobl...

Is XBOX back? From the return of exclusives to the big trailers for Gears of War: E-Day, Halo, and Clockwork Revolution, we're giving our honest reactions about the XBOX Games Showcase. Plus, we're breaking down Geoff Keighley's Summer Games Fest — including Resident Evil Veronica, Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, and... Tupac? Timestamps: 00:01:15 – Xbox exclusives are back 00:10:00 – Xbox first-pa...

It's showcase time! From Marvel's Wolverine to another God of War, we're here to give our brutally honest reactions about the highs and lows of PlayStation's most pivotal showcase yet. Plus, we'll also discuss the biggest third-party games at the show — including Tomb Raider, Onimusha, Silent Hill, and much more. Timestamps: 00:01:01 – God of War: Laufey 00:05:07 – Marvel's Wolverine 00:09:07 – Mo...

It's happening! A big State of Play showcase is coming June 2nd and its time to make some predictions. What will they show besides Marvel's Wolverine? We have some hunches. Also, how much pressure is on PlayStation to deliver the goods? We will answer that question with a dash of tough love. And of course, we'll address the elephant in the room: Grand Theft Auto VI. Timestamps: 00:00:56 – Is PlayS...

"Market conditions," they said. But, we say BS. Time for a brutally honest conversation about the PS Plus price increase and Sony's anti-consumer moves. Also, ouch... Saros isn't selling and it's time to talk about what went wrong. Then, we'll discuss PlayStation's "no PC ports" strategy and FromSoftware's rumored follow-up to Elden Ring. Timestamps: 00:02:40 – PS Plus price hike reactions 00:15:3...

Another day, another remake. From God of War to Star Fox, it's time to ask: why so many? Plus, Sony revealed the truth about the PS6 and Bungie’s worth, and it's time to unpack it. Then, we'll weigh in on the Mixtape backlash: is it a masterpiece, an industry plant, or just plain overrated? Timestamps: 00:02:09 – Mixed feelings about Saros 00:09:15 – Mixtape controversy 00:20:04 – Are you sick of...

Overrated or fairly rated? Saros is here, so let's discuss whether it's a real GOTY contender or a pretender. Did Housemarque cook? After that, it's time to discuss Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's new "We Are Xbox" movement and what that means for the PlayStation ecosystem. Plus, the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 is further along than we thought — so, what does Square-Enix need to do to make sure it stic...

We love PlayStation, but that doesn't mean they're perfect. So, this week's episode discusses how we would fix some of the PS5's biggest problems — whether it's live service woes, PS Plus drops, price hikes, or the glaring lack of The Last of Us Part III. Then, we will share our personal wishlists for the PS6 while the leaks about its price, power, and handheld keep pouring in.  Timestamps: 00:01:...

In this episode, two new GOTY contenders enter the conversation with Pragmata and Replaced. Can they dethrone Resident Evil Requiem? Plus, Metro 2039's announcement at the Xbox showcase has gamers asking "did I miss the boat on Metro?" and we have the answer. Then, we'll reveal the PlayStation games that define us for a trip down memory card lane. And yes, one of them is Metal Gear Solid. We’re no...

A new State of Play is looming, so we're sharing our thoughts on PlayStation's next showcase. Will there be any surprises from God of War, The Last of Us, Intergalactic, or Horizon? Will Sony show more Saros and Marvel's Wolverine on PS5? Lots of questions, and lots of hopes... and that's not even counting third-party showings from Resident Evil Requiem (DLC), Onimusha, and Grand Theft Auto VI. Ye...

In this episode, we handpicked PlayStation's best franchises from the PS1, PS2, and PS3 that deserve a revival in 2026. Plus, we'll also explore the latest behind-the-scenes news about what went wrong with The Last of Us: Factions 2. Timestamps: 00:02:01 – Which PlayStation classics should Sony revive? 00:20:03 – Which PlayStation franchises should stay dead? 00:29:39 – Inside the Factions 2 failu...

Join us as we evaluate the current state of PlayStation after another shocking studio closure and price hike. We'll also reveal where we stand on Xbox and Nintendo lately — with zero console warrior nonsense. Timestamps: 00:01:04 – Crimson Desert is a fever dream 00:07:29 – The Marathon hate train 00:11:35 – PlayStation closes another studio 00:20:13 – PS5's price hike 00:30:25 – The state of Nint...

In this episode, we open the case file on the curious case of Crimson Desert and what it signals to us about game reviews. Plus, the verdict on PlayStation's PSSR 2.0 update and the bizarre lack of hype for Saros. Timestamps: 00:01:17 – The curious case of Crimson Desert 00:14:23 – Where's the Saros hype? 00:23:24 – PSSR 2.0 review

In this episode, we open the case file on the games of 2026 — Grand Theft Auto VI, Fable, Wolverine, Crimson Desert and more — predicting Metacritic scores and exploring their impact on PlayStation.

In this episode, we open the case file on the launch of Marathon, the closure of Highguard, the arrival of Xbox's Project Helix, and the future of PlayStation's PC and PS5 strategy — with zero "Sony Pony" nonsense. Timestamps: 00:02:40 – Marathon 00:18:10 – Highguard's closure 00:32:58 – PlayStation's PC Pivot 00:45:13 – Xbox's Project Helix

In this debut episode, The PlayStation Effect opens up with our podcast's mission, where PlayStation stands in 2026, and a spoiler-free breakdown of Resident Evil: Requiem. Timestamps: 00:01:28 – This is not a "Sony Pony" podcast 00:10:47 – The state of PlayStation in 2026 00:49:27 – Resident Evil Requiem