The Game Deflators

The Game Deflators dig into Nintendo leak rumors, wild industry updates, odd Hasbro moves, Xbox’s shifting strategy, D&D publishing changes, and close with a retro review of Bucky O’Hare on the NES. 00:00 Introduction 02:34 Game Pickups and Recent Plays 09:21 Exploring Current Games and Experiences 14:53 Guilty Gear Strive Tournament Experience 18:29 Resident Evil 9 Review and Discussion 29:06...

John and Ryan sit down with voice actor and comedian Joe Whyte, the talent behind Chris Redfield in the Resident Evil remake, for a deep dive into his multi‑layered career. From his early days as a Disney 3D artist to his evolution into voice acting and improv, Joe shares how he approaches character work, performance, and the craft of bringing digital heroes to life. Hear rare behind‑the‑scenes st...

Sony’s latest PS5 price hike, MTG’s digital resurrection of Library of Alexandria, the critic–fan divide on the new Mario movie, a Sony patent aimed at nerfing cross‑platform players, Nintendo losing its “summoning” patent, how D&D supports mental health, and a retro review of Springer on Atari. This week on The Game Deflators, John and Ryan hit a rapid‑fire lineup of gaming news and retro goo...

Nintendo cuts console shipments, Epic Games lays off 1,000 employees, John and Ryan build an Elite 8 of gaming’s best consoles, and Yo! Noid hits the Inflation Deflation hot seat. This week on The Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive into one of the most turbulent news cycles the gaming industry has seen in months. Things kick off with Nintendo’s decision to reduce console shipments, a move tied to...

Gaming chaos, industry backlash, stock drops, and a wild expo recap. The Game Deflators podcast tackles the biggest stories of the week and review the cult classic Pepsiman on PS1. The Game Deflators open this week’s episode with John’s full recap of Game On Expo, covering standout booths, retro surprises, and the moments that made this year’s event worth the trip. The discussion moves into one of...

From Sony’s dynamic pricing drama to Xbox’s Project Helix and a heated console‑war showdown, The Game Deflators tackle the week’s biggest gaming battles. This week on The Game Deflators, John and Ryan bring a mix of pickups, industry news, rumors, and retro gaming heat. The episode kicks off with recent game pickups and collectible finds, including some unexpected retro scores and additions to the...

John and Ryan open the episode with their latest game pickups. Ryan is currently playing Resident Evil Requiem and shares his initial thoughts on the atmosphere, pacing, and early gameplay feel. John, meanwhile, continues his play of Valkyrie Profile. Ryan also brings updates from his ongoing grind in Guilty Gear Strive, talking about fundamentals, improvement, and the competitive mindset. That le...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, hosts John and Ryan recap their latest gaming sessions before diving into the major leadership shake‑ups happening at Microsoft’s gaming division. With longtime Xbox chief Phil Spencer stepping down and former CoreAI executive Asha Sharma taking over as the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming, the hosts explore what this transition could mean for Xbox’s long‑...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, hosts John and Ryan discuss their recent game pickups, including horror titles and RPGs, and share insights on the gaming industry, including Sony's monetization strategies and the closure of Bluepoint Games. They also review Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, highlighting its gameplay and nostalgic value, while addressing broader industry trends and contr...

In this episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, hosts John and Ryan dive into a wide range of gaming news, retro games, and tabletop adventures. They kick things off with fresh additions to their collections, John's latest Dungeons & Dragons campaign plans, and gameplay impressions of Valkyrie Profile. Ryan also shares his ongoing journey through Dragon Quest—complete with a surprising fitness‑...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, hosts John and Ryan discuss a variety of topics including their recent game pickups, experiences with movie-based video games, and personal updates. They delve into the unique RPG mechanics of Valkyrie Profile, share their thoughts on the anime Record of Ragnarok, and review the indie game Iron Lung. The conversation also touches on the challenges fac...

On this week's Game Deflators podcast episode, John and Ryan are back with a packed lineup of gaming chatter, industry hot takes, and a double dose of Highguard discourse. The episode kicks off with fresh gaming updates as the guys break down what they’ve been playing, what’s caught their attention. From there, they dive into Highguard’s rocky reception, comparing its early reviews to other notori...

In this episode of the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed week of gaming chatter. They kick things off with their latest pickups and what’s been spinning in their consoles, including early impressions of the charming new adventure Plucky Squire. The conversation heats up as they break down the Xbox Developer Direct 2026, spotlighting standout announcements and examining how U...

John and Ryan return with a jam‑packed conversation that swings from tabletop quiet spells to the wild frontiers of modern gaming culture. They kick things off by digging into why Dungeons & Dragons has been unusually silent in 2025, exploring the slowdown in new book releases and what it might mean for longtime fans. From there, the discussion shifts to the trading‑card world, where the duo r...

John and Ryan return with a packed episode full of fresh pickups, tough gameplay impressions, and a look at the latest industry buzz. Ryan dives into his ongoing run through Returnal, breaking down the game’s relentless roguelike loops and the thrill of surviving its bullet‑hell chaos. John follows up with his experience playing Stellar Blade, sharing thoughts on its combat, pacing, and whether it...

In this episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed week of gaming chatter, starting with a look at their latest pickups. John reveals an unexpectedly massive haul of Dungeons & Dragons books, while Ryan contemplates purchasing a PlayStation Portal. The conversation then shifts to industry news, where John and Ryan unpack reports of rising RAM costs and what that co...

This week on The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed lineup of gaming chatter, industry trends, and a retro review that hits all the right notes. They kick things off with their latest game pickups and what’s been dominating their playtime, setting the stage for a broader look at how modern gaming continues to evolve. From convoluted pre‑order bonuses to the growing mess of fr...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, hosts Jon and Ryan dive into their latest game pickups, including the cult favorite Sky Gunner and a stack of retro gaming books. They also share fresh updates from their Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, highlighting new character arcs, unexpected encounters, and the chaos their parties have stirred up. From there, the conversation shifts to their fa...

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan bring a packed agenda to the table. The duo kicks things off with fresh updates from their ongoing Strixhaven D&D campaign, sharing the latest twists, character antics, and how the story is evolving. Looking ahead, they set their New Games Resolutions for 2026, laying out the titles they’re determined to play, backlog goals, a...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan discuss their recent game pickups and titles they are currently playing. The guys then delve into the topic of nostalgia in gaming, questioning whether classic titles hold up to modern standards. The conversation shifts to industry news, including Mark Cerny's thoughts on Legend of the Dragoon and the ongoing lawsuit between Tencent and...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan dive deep into the crossroads of creativity and commerce in the gaming industry. They explore how the Steam Machine’s pricing strategy could make or break its battle against heavyweights like the PS5, while reflecting on Dan Howser’s candid remarks about profit overshadowing innovation. The conversation shifts to the power of community a...

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan team up with Will from PlayStation Ain’t Dead for a lively crossover. The crew dives into pickups ranging from classic PS1 gems to modern horror titles, while debating the quirks of collecting sealed games. John and Ryan also share their experiences with Cyberpunk 2077, Metal Gear Solid, and The Witcher. The conversation heats up as the...

John and Ryan are back with another jam-packed episode covering the latest in gaming news, nostalgia, and industry trends. They kick things off by sharing their latest game pickups and games they are currently playing, before turning their attention to the newest updates and bans shaking up the Magic: The Gathering community.  The conversation then shifts to Valve’s bold return to hardware with th...

On this week’s episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan share the latest additions to their gaming collections before diving into what they’re currently playing—John continues his long trek through The Witcher, while Ryan experiences Metal Gear Solid for the very first time. The duo then shift gears to industry news, discussing Nintendo’s recent revelation about the percentage of Switc...

In this episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan welcome special guest Barry Carenza from PM Studios! Barry dives into the exciting lineup of upcoming titles from PM Studios and gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how ESRB ratings are set up for video games—yes, there's more to it than just slapping a letter on the box. The trio then tackles the latest legal drama surrounding Palworld,...