Post Games

How the Games Industry Got to This Point 22.06.2026 53min

This Week on Post Games:Act 1: The Primordial Ooze of the Modern Game IndustryAct 2: No Time Like the PresentAct 3: How to Get People to See a Game in 2026Patreon Bonus: The Two Big Bets That Led to Xbox's Current ProblemsShow Notes and Bonus Episodes:Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5Sponsors:Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Guests:Rob Pardo: CEO of Bonfire Studios, former CCO of Blizzard EntertainmentJason Schreier: reporter at Bloomberg News, co-host of Triple ClickArt & Music:Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAll interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Earliest Game of the Year Awards 15.06.2026 2h 46min

50 of the most influential people in video games share their favorite games of 2026.

How to Have a Persona Summer 08.06.2026 1h 40min

This Week on Post Games:Patreon Bonus: The Rules of Persona SummerAct 1: Persona, Explained!Act 2: Where to Start (or Continue) with PersonaAct 3: Why Tribeca Film Fest Includes Video GamesShow Notes and Bonus Episodes:Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5Sponsors:Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Guests:Brendon Bigley and Stephen Hilger: co-hosts of Into the AetherLeigh Alexander: narrative designer, writer, and former games journalistCasey Baron: Senior Programmer of the Tribeca Film FestivalClosing Song: “Aria of the Soul” by The Blueshift Big Band (The Persona 30th Anniversary Jazz Album)Art & Music:Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAll interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What You Should Know about James Bond 01.06.2026 1h 4min

This Week on Post Games:Act 1: Everything You Need to Know about BondAct 2: Why Bond Games and Movies Have Become So Tough to MakePatreon Bonus: A History of Bond Games in Five TitlesAct 3: 007 First Light’s Narrative Director on Creating a New BondShow Notes and Bonus Episodes:Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5Sponsors:Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Guests:Matt Gourley: co-host of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, James Bondings, With Gourley & Rust, and many other great podcastsMartin Emborg: Narrative and Cinematic Director, 007 First LightArt & Music:Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAll interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to See the Profound Beauty in Gaming's Tiniest Details 25.05.2026 1h 5min

This Week on Post Games:Act 1: Try Not to Lose 100 FollowersAct 2: How to Look Closely at Gaming’s Little DetailsPatreon Bonus: Getting Old as a Professional YouTuberShow Notes and Bonus Episodes:Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5Sponsors:Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Guests:Any Austin: Gaming YouTuberClosing Song: “He’s Out There” (Screaming Savage Blood Death) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The History (and Future) of Bubsy 18.05.2026 1h 11min

This Week on Post Games:Act 1: The History of Bubsy 2DAct 1.5: The Case for Bubsy 3DAct 2: The Making of Bubsy 4DPatreon Bonus: The Bubsy Parody About Loving Modern ArtAct 3: The News of the WeekShow Notes and Bonus Episodes:Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5Sponsors:Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Guests:Fabian Rastorfer and Ben Miller: co-leads of Fabraz, Bubsy 4DBen Esposito: Designer on Neon White, Donut County, and Bubsy 3D: Bubsy inEvan Minsker: Proprietor, critic, and reporter at see/sawClosing Song: “Techno Syndrome 2026” by Benjamin Wallfisch from Mortal Kombat 2: The Original Motion Picture SoundtrackArt & Music:Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAll interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The History of The Legend of Zelda (1986) 11.05.2026 1h 13min

Editor's Note: Hey Post Games listeners! It's Post Games' first anniversary. To celebrate, and to give myself some time to prep the summer episodes, I'm sharing one of the monthly Patreon-exclusive episodes. This is the history of the original The Legend of Zelda, featuring one of the series' foremost experts and historians.If you like this episode, you'll enjoy the rest of Past Games. Each month, I talk with a different expert about a game or moment celebrating an anniversary this year. Previous episodes include L.A. Noire with Tim Rogers, along with histories of Dark Souls and Animal Crossing with people who wrote the books on each.Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for $5 to get all that and more.This Week on Post Games:Act 1: The Making of The Legend of ZeldaAct 2: The 30-Year Evolution of Zelda GamesAct 3: A History of the Zelda Fan CommunityShow Notes and Bonus Episodes:Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5Sponsors:Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Guests:Max Nichols: Game designer, educator, and operator of Hyrule InterviewsClosing Song: “Boléro” Maurice Ravel. Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Parism. Conducted by Manuel RosenthalArt & Music:Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAll interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Nine Lives of Games Journalism 01.05.2026 1h 8min

You now have access to my recent talk at NYU Game Center, previously only heard by 200 or so people in downtown Brooklyn. The lecture, given last Thursday, is titled “The Nine Lives of Video Games Journalism,” and in it, I suggest where the games media is heading by comparing the current trends to the past 50 years and the many publications that have come and gone.[The talk moves fast. I crammed about 90 minutes of lecture into an hour. So I’m making the Google Slides deck available for folks who’d like to follow along. You can find them at www.post.games. I’ve also edited the audio to smooth the flow here and there. An unedited video version will be available on the NYU Game Center’s YouTube page in the coming weeks.]Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5Sponsors:Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesFactor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Art & Music:Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAll interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Game Won’t Save the World* 28.04.2026 47min

This Week on Post Games: Act 1: A Mini Golf Game at the Not-Quite End of the WorldAct 2: Making Fun Games about Big ProblemsPatreon Bonus: How to Stay OptimisticShow Notes and Bonus Episodes:Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesGuests:Friedrich Kirschner: founder and Creative Director of Three More YearsMaria Cârstian: creative producer of Three More YearsClosing Song: “Nepturne” by 100 Rabbits (Oquoine)Art & Music:Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAll interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

He Won the Biggest Award in Indie Games. Then He Did It Again. 20.04.2026 1h 3min

This Week on Post Games:Act 1: What Is a “Solo” Game Developer in 2026Act 2: Making Titanium Court One Hour at a TimePatreon Bonus: AP Thomson’s Titanium Court Book Club (Coming 4/27)Act 3: The News of the WeekShow Notes and Bonus EpisodesWant full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesGuests:AP Thomson: designer of Titanium CourtClosing Song: “Backbay Shaws (Lyrical)” by AP ThomsonArt & Music:Logo and Show Art: James BarehamTheme: Mark SparlingAll interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where Do Video Games Go from Here? 13.04.2026 1h 2min

Show Notes and Bonus EpisodesWant full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesThis Week on Post Games:Act 1: How to Tell Stories about Video GamesAct 2: Where Video Games Go From HerePatreon Bonus: Getting into the Weeds of Video Game CultureAct 3: The News of the WeekGuests:Questions from listeners like you!Remy Siu: Creative director at Sunset VisitorAbby Howard: Co-founder of Black Tabby GamesTony Howard-Arias: Co-founder of Black Tabby GamesClosing Song: “Blushin’” by James Currier (Rizz Dungeon: Skeleton Key to My Heart)Art & Music:Logo and show art by James BarehamTheme by Mark Sparling See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Video Games Are Art. Are Museums Ready? 06.04.2026 53min

Show Notes and Bonus EpisodesWant full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesThis week on Post Games:Act 1: Games Enter the Art WorldAct 2: How Games Help Us Through Tough ConversationsPatreon Bonus: A Personal History of Games in Art and Art in GamesGuests:Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley: artist, game designer, and archivistClosing Song: “It’s Raining Inside Alo’s Home” by Prateek Saxena (Fishbowl)Art & Music:Logo and show art by James BarehamTheme by Mark SparlingAll Post Games interviews are edited for concision and clarity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2026's Fantasy Masterpiece Took 8 Years, 4 Attempts, and 1 Disco Elysium 30.03.2026 1h 21min

Show Notes and Bonus EpisodesWant full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesThis week on Post Games:Act 1: Dissecting Disco Elysium, Organ by OrganAct 2: Converting Tabletop RPGs into Video Game NirvanaPatreon Bonus: All You Have to Do Is Write a Million WordsAct 3: The News of the WeekGuests:Christoffer Bodegård: writer and developer, Esoteric EbbNathan Grayson: co-founder and reporter, Aftermath.siteClosing Song: “Battle Beneath the Crust” by Marskye (Dosa Divas)Art & Music:Logo and show art by James BarehamTheme by Mark Sparling See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Pinball Moved from Bars to Basements 23.03.2026 1h 6min

Show Notes and Bonus EpisodesWant full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesThis Week on Post Games:Act 1: How Stern Survived the Pinball ApocalypseAct 2: What Makes a Pinball Table Special in 2026?Patreon Bonus: Adapting Pokémon into a Pinball TableAct 3: The News of the WeekGuests:Seth Davis: President and CEO, Stern PinballLewis Gordon: Reporter and CriticClosing Song: “A Musical Tale” by bermei.inazawa (Chicory: A Musical Tale)Art & Music:Logo and show art by James BarehamTheme by Mark Sparling See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Games Can Save Us from the Hell of Silicon Valley Optimization 16.03.2026 1h 25min

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesThis week on Post Games:Act 1: Games Teach Us to Break Free from Life’s GrindAct 2: Metrics Suck the Joy Out of LifePatreon Bonus: Have Metrics Infested Video Games?Act 3: The News of the WeekGuests:C. Thi Nguyen: a philosopher, educator, and author. His latest book is The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else’s GameGita Jackson: critic, editor, and co-founder of AftermathClosing Song: “Ocarina of Time” by Sixth Station Trio (Zelda Classics album) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The ESA Saved Video Games Once. Can It Do It Again? 09.03.2026 1h 14min

[Editor’s note: This week, all subscribers will have access to the Patreon-exclusive bonus segment. If you enjoy this extra material, or would just like to support the long-term health of the show, please consider subscribing on Patreon or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.]Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesThis week on Post Games:Act 1: The 17-Year Fight to Protect Games from the GovernmentAct 2: The ESA’s President on AI, Child Safety, and Calls for UnionizationPatreon Bonus: Three Big Takeaways from the Interview Guests:Stanley Pierre-Louis: President and CEO, ESAClosing Song: “Jumping Voices (Big Walk Theme)” by aksfx (Big Walk) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is Fictosexuality? 02.03.2026 1h 4min

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesThis week on Post Games:Act 1: What Is Fictophilia?Act 2: Fandom, Parasocial Relationships, and Big TechPatreon Bonus: Post Games Hits Two MilestonesAct 3: The News of the WeekGuests:Tanja Välisalo: Teacher, researcher, and project coordinator at the Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies at the University of Jyväskylä in FinlandNicole Carpenter: Reporter at publications like 404 Media, Vulture, Polygon, and moreClosing Song: “Character Selection Theme “ by Vibe Avenue (Tears of Metal) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Resident Evil Auteur in His Own Words 23.02.2026 1h

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgamesThis week on Post Games:Act 1: Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil, and the Birth of the Video Game MovieAct 2: Life of a Video Game Movie AuteurPatreon Bonus: How to Make a Hit Video Game MovieAct 3: The News of the WeekGuests:Paul W.S. Anderson: Director of Mortal Kombat, the Resident Evil film series, and moreKazuma Hashimoto: Video game critic, analyst, and consultantClosing Song: "Altar" by Jorge Flores (Desktop Explorer) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Edmund McMillen Wants You to Ask the Uncomfortable Questions 16.02.2026 1h 9min

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5This week on Post Games:Act 1: A Career Built on “A Cry for Help”Act 2: “This Is a Fuck You”Patreon Bonus: Tidepools, Pinball, and a Musical: The “Sunny Side” of Edmund McMillenGuests:Edmund McMillen: Co-creator of MewgenicsClosing Song: “Fleas and Parasites” by Matthias Bossi and John Evans (Mewgenics) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robbing Museums? Sounds Like Fun 09.02.2026 1h 3min

Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.gamesGet weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5This week on Post Games:Act 1: Stealing What's YoursAct 2: The Need for AfricanfuturismPatreon Bonus: What It's Actually Like Making Games in South AfricaAct 3: The News of the WeekGuests:Ben Myres, CEO, Co-Founder, and Creative Director of NyamakopMohale Mashigo, Narrative Director of RelootedNathan Grayson, Co-Founder of Aftermath See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.