CORE - Core Gaming for Core Gamers

CORE - Core Gaming for Core Gamers

Hosted by podcasting vet, Scott Johnson, Jon Jagger and Beau Schwartz. Weekly, on the frogpants network. Video games and the issues around them every week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

August 21, 2025 142 mins

Let’s star with Steam’s new language-based review system, which pushed Palworld to an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating in English, for example. We looked at the debut of the World of Warcraft launch cinematic in October 2004, before the game’s release. A detailed rundown of Gamescom’s Future Games Show including major stuff like Resident Evil Requiem, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, and loads others, along with release dates for some. Inc...

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Microsoft may shift Xbox toward a modular, PC-like system called Magnus, we have some debate over complexity versus convenience. Rod Ferguson has exited Blizzard, raising questions about Diablo IV’s future, while Blizzard’s cinematic team voted to unionize. Crimson Desert sees a delay, and rumors suggest Paladin could return in a Diablo expansion, too late or not. Mind blown around The Secret of the Weepstone, WASD controls coming ...

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August 7, 2025 178 mins

Let’s talk about older consoles and approaching games in unconventional ways, and address while we are here, developments in the gaming business this week. MK: Legacy Kollection looking very cool. Battlefield 6 also seems like things are poppin. GOG says come get these free nudie games. Kirby fans finally know what they are getting soon. Lucy from CyberPunk is coming to…Guilty Gear Strive? Guntouchables is FREE right now. And how m...

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July 31, 2025 207 mins

We talked about upcoming games for August, including Metal Gear Solid Delta, House of the Dead 2 remake, and Gears of War: E-Day. We discussed the return of Nerdtacular in June 2026 in Salt Lake City and encouraged listeners to fill out the interest survey. We covered game delistings tied to payment processors, especially around sensitive themes, and had a broader discussion on censorship, parenting, and internet policy shifts. We ...

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July 25, 2025 196 mins

Critical Role enters game dev, Outer Worlds 2 drops back to $70, and Splitgate 2 unlaunches. RIP Julian LeFay, and yes, that Hellraiser trailer is terrifying. Beau praises the SC2 World Cup. In “Dear Martha,” we “misremember” the PS2. Shared play this week: Donkey Kong Bananza. Scott tries Captain of Industry, Jon nears the end of FFX, and Beau dives into Pizza Tower, Slay the Spire, and more. Plus: Xbox handheld talk and some corr...

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July 17, 2025 170 mins

We covered Krafton's ongoing legal dispute with ousted Subnautica 2 founders, including a leaked memo and bonus extensions. The leaked Xbox Rog Ally price and portable gaming appeal. Steam's updated terms of service for adult games, shifting responsibility to developers and payment processors, were also reviewed. Our segment "Dear Martha" and Donkey Kong get together!. And loads more!


GAMES PLAYED:


SCOTT:

  • Donkey Kong Banan...
Mark as Played
July 10, 2025 188 mins

We discussed controller comfort and aging, the delay in finishing Ghost of Tsushima, and how handhelds like the Steam Deck affect game choices. We covered the Subnautica 2 delay and controversy involving Krafton possibly avoiding a $250M payout. We speculate on corporate motives, Unknown Worlds founders’ ousting, and Krafton’s Starcraft gig. We also hit on Romero Games losing a Microsoft contract, Final Fantasy IX remake rumors, an...

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July 3, 2025 161 mins

We have another bad case of layoffs, but this time, we hit the specific projects impacted by them. Some gnarly ones. Plus, Warcraft Rumble gets hit hard too. On the upside, we talk about the games un-effected, and the teams that are doing to stay intact. Leon S. Kennedy predictions. Stop Killing Games in the EU. Marvel Rivals is trolling fans. Dear Martha! Our week in games, and some great texts and voice mails this week!


SCOTT

<...
  • Mark as Played
    June 26, 2025 152 mins

    We discuss our sleep schedules, gaming habits, and Xbox’s evolving hardware strategy. We share frustrations with Microsoft and Windows, and talk about competition between major gaming companies. We cover upcoming July games like Mecha Break, Micropunk, Donkey Kong Bonanza, Robocop: Unfinished Business, Wildgate, and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. We react to Death Stranding 2’s high early praise, debate Game Pass expansion, reminisce abo...

    Mark as Played
    June 20, 2025 217 mins
    Let’s start with a funny story about a kid and a video game character. Then a bit about Foamstars, the changing nature of music discovery via memes and platforms like TikTok, Hideo Kojima’s comments on Death Stranding 2 being “too good” and altered to be less mainstream, Microsoft’s strategic moves with Xbox to create a unified gaming platform that includes Game Pass, Steam, and other services, and speculation on the future of Play...

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    Let’s talk about the Xbox ASUS Ally X handheld—its specs, price speculation, and use of Hall Effect sticks. They critique Nintendo's controller decisions and Steam Deck comparisons. And presenting a new way of highlighting standout games from Summer Game Fest, instead of full recaps. Titles we discuss include Clockwork Revolution, 007: From Light, ILL, Kepler, Stray of Heaven, Marvel T.R.C., Super Meat Boy 3D, Felt That Boxing, Gro...

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    PSA about our Summer Game Fest coverage

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mark as Played
    June 5, 2025 178 mins
    It’s Nintendo Switch 2 launch day! And one of us got one. Impressions about the new hardware, the snappy performance of the eShop, and the sucky bits of game upgrade pricing—some titles requiring up to $20 for performance boosts. "Nintendo Welcome Tour" requiring accessories for full completion is nuts, and we talk on past console campouts. Canadian royalty, bathroom disasters at Blizzard HQ, and the janitor-themed maintenance of "...

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    May 29, 2025 153 mins

    We have “secret penises." Trust us, it will make sense. We’re giving away a copy of Doom: The Dark Ages, we speculate on Cyberpunk 2—its name, setting (possibly Chicago), and potential DLC—then dive into the animation studio behind the upcoming Cyberpunk anime followup. K-Pop Demon Hunters, Marathon possibly being delayed, and the over-saturation of extraction shooters…again. Love that Battlefront II is having a moment, we lament E...

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    May 22, 2025 210 mins

    Bungie’s admission of using stolen artwork in Marathon, casting big doubt on the game's future. We talk about the extraction shooter genre and compare Marathon to games like Tarkov and Concord to mixed results. Randy Pitchford is back with a out-of-touch $80 pricing comment on X for Borderlands 4, and we review Borderlands and its spinoffs just for funs. All the new Warhammer game announcements and ridicule poorly made Baldur's Gat...

    Mark as Played
    May 15, 2025 206 mins

    We discuss the upcoming Super Mario Brothers movie sequel, "Super Mario World," and potential future titles for any sequels. Nintendo's updated EULA, allowing them to render devices unusable for cheating or using ROMs, causes some debate. We question the implications of "bricking" and the risk of false positives. And if Nintendo is even thinking about that. We talk about expensive boats, like the pirate ship in Elder Scrolls Online...

    Mark as Played
    May 8, 2025 116 mins

    Microsoft's cross-platform success, upcoming remasters like Gears of War and Echo the Dolphin, and speculation around a Xbox-branded handheld got real this week. We debate about console competition, exclusivity, and digital storefront strategies, particularly Epic Games’ new developer incentives. They really wanna get the deals. Underwater level phobias. The new GTA trailer, and loads more!


    GAMES PLAYED


    JON

    Clair Obscur: Exped...

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    May 2, 2025 183 mins

    We discussed upcoming games like DOOM: The Dark Ages and Borderlands 4, along with delays for Grand Theft Auto 6 (now May 2026). Claire Obscure: Expedition 33 was praised for its stunning art, engaging combat, and emotional storytelling, though some criticized its timing mechanics. Sunderfolk, a couch co-op tactical RPG using phones as controllers, was highlighted for its seamless multiplayer and creative gameplay. We also touched ...

    Mark as Played
    April 24, 2025 159 mins

    The usual fun CORE time, including a shadow drop of a remastered Oblivion that impresses with modern graphics and UI while preserving some nostalgic jank. Excitement and skepticism around Nintendo Switch 2 preorders and supply issues. Also Sunderfolk, a co-op RPG using mobile phones as controllers, and a new Star Wars tactical RPG in the style of XCOM. All the games we played. And catching factual flaws in game history.


    GAMES PL...

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    Seth Coster, co-founder of Butterscotch Shenanigans, discusses Crashlands 2 with host Scott Johnson. They reflect on the smoother launch compared to the original, design philosophy that removes common survival game frustrations, and the importance of story, humor, and progression. Seth shares insights on development challenges, lessons from past games like Levelhead, community feedback, and upcoming patches. They also touch on play...

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