Game Mess Mornings

Episoder

• 
  Horizon Hunters Gathering Getting Big Overhaul 19.08.2026 49min

  Jeff Grubb is joined by Jan Ochoa to chat about PlayStation going back to the drawing board with Horizon Hunters Gathering, Xbox announcing a new game at Gamescom, Control Resonant not getting a physical release until October, and more news for hump day! 00:00 - Intro04:30 - PlayStation co-op spin-off Horizon Hunters Gathering is reportedly being overhauled after poor testing feedback23:30 - Surprise Xbox Game To Be Announced At Gamescom, Insider Says26:37 - break26:45 - GTA 6 has already generated an estimated $395 million in preorders30:19 - Notice that Control Resonant isn’t getting a physical version until October 1531:25 - Sands of Time gets a substantial GOG preservation update35:33 - Shuhei Yoshida says he told Clair Obscur studio not to call it a turn-based RPG, because it would put people off39:29 - Dishonored’s Harvey Smith launches new studio with former Arkane staff to make immersive sims44:40 - EA workers trapped in a maelstrom of cynicism and doubt after Saudi buyout
• 
  Kingdom Hearts IV Targetting 2027 Release 17.08.2026 54min

  It's MONDAY! We've got Mike Minotti joining Grubb today to talk about a grip of news coming out of D23 like Kingdom Hearts IV finally resurfacing and aiming for a 2027 release date, Mortal Shell II, online outrage at Marvel's Wolverine, and more to start your week!00:00 - Intro5:50 - Kingdom Hearts IV finally resurfaces: late 2027, Coco, and Square says it absolutely won't slip10:40 - Saber CEO Apologizes To Rideshare Writer Involved In AI Controversy16:10 - PlayStation 6 release date still hasn’t been decided, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki says23:00 - break - 24:30 - Mortal Shell II reviews28:05 - Marvel’s Wolverine Is Another Victim Of The Internet’s Endless Gaming Negativity35:20 - Disney Is Bringing Fortnite Into Its Real-World Star Wars Rides38:50 - Fortnite officially reveals Sora, Crash, Spyro, Mega Man, Persona and other gaming crossovers for its next season45:00 - Indie developer of popular stock market game says Sony is blocking a PS5 release and delisting its previous games47:50 - The Simpsons: Hit & Run Revival? Series Creator Offers Biggest Hint Yet51:50 - Restful trails to Hayden Panettiere52:00 - This week!
• 
  Netflix is Closing the Oxenfree Studio 14.08.2026 1t 3min

  Jeff Grubb is joined by Rhiannon Bevan to end the week with a whole slew of news! Wolverine previews are in and we take a look at what the general temperature is with Insomniac's new game, Netflix continues to close studios, Pokémon Pokopia is still making noise with sales, and more news stories to end the week. 00:00 - Intro3:30 - Wolverine previews are out11:10 - Netflix is closing the Oxenfree studio20: 30 - 2K unveils ‘ambitious’ new sports studio stuffed with EA Sports FIFA talent26:50 - break27:00 - Extended Look At GTA 6 To Span Multiple Episodes According To Removed Screenshot38:30 - Every 1 in 5 Switch 2 owner has purchased Pokemon Pokopia43:30 - Pokémon Bank finally has an execution date46:50 - Darksiders 4 and a new Kingdom Come are planned by the end of March 2028, Embracer says
• 
  Twitch is Using Streamers' Content to Train Gen AI 13.08.2026 51min

  Grubb is joined by Jan Ochoa to celebrate Boy Salad Summer as we talk about Streamers' content being used to train generative AI at Twitch, the CEO of Saber lashing out against a former writer, Mario Kart World competing with 8 still, and more for your Thursday morning news needs!00:00 - Intro04:40 - Twitch is using streamers’ content to train generative AI by default16:16 - Saber CEO Would Have Been “Happy to Replace” Former Writer With AI, In Retrospect26:20 - BREAK26:40 - Physical games are selling like crazy on Switch 233:40 - Mario Kart World may be competing with the greatest enemy imaginable: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe37:50 - Sean Murray's new marketing philosophy for Light No Fire: maybe don't market it40:40 - Dawn of War 4 gets bumped three months42:53 - PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium Games For August 2026 Includes Helldivers 245:30 - Super Mario Sunshine hits NSO today
• 
  Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Biggest Competition Might Be Halo 12.08.2026 58min

  Jeff Grubb and TurboShawn run you through the biggest news stories of the day, including Asha Sharma's hints about The Elder Scrolls VI, an analysis of Halo: Campaign Evolved's underwhelming sales, more info on Phantom Blade Zero, and more!Support us directly and get new episodes ad-free by signing up for Giant Bomb Premium at https://www.giantbomb.com/joinTimestamps (note, timestamps on this free version may vary greatly depending on how many ads you receive):00:00 Intro04:27 More jangling keys – Xbox CEO ignored a giant rat to talk up Elder Scrolls VI12:47 Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Biggest Competition Might Be Halo20:10 Meccha Chameleon has now sold 20 MILLION copies25:41 A Switch 2 port of Crimson Desert is being planned for the first half of 202732:02 Phantom Blade Zero pre-orders now available, 11-minute trailer; dedicated State of Play set for August 1738:18 Images of a 40th Anniversary Legend of Zelda Switch 2 and Pro Controller have reportedly leaked43:54 2011 action RPG The Lord of the Rings: War in the North gets a new Legacy Edition, with ‘more classic releases’ coming48:16 Ghost Of Yotei Expansion, Roguelike Survival Mode, And Complete Edition Announced51:59 Disney Confirms D23 Kingdom Hearts Panel Details54:44 Polls & outro
• 
  Blizzard Is Reportedly Xbox's "Top-Performing" Studio Thanks to Overwatch and Diablo 10.08.2026 57min

  Lex Luddy joins Jeff Grubb to talk about Blizzard reportedly being Xbox's "Top-Performing" studio thanks to Overwatch and Diablo, Valve hardware customers being hit by a shipping-partner data breach, and more.Support us directly and get new episodes ad-free by signing up for Giant Bomb Premium at https://www.giantbomb.com/joinTimestamps (note, timestamps on this free version may vary greatly depending on how many ads you receive):00:00 Intro05:26 Valve hardware customers hit by shipping-partner data breach13:58 Blizzard Reportedly Leads Xbox as 'Top-Performing' Studio Thanks to Overwatch and Diablo25:14 Doom developer slams Xbox after layoffs hit id Software34:45 THQ Nordic says it has 12 unannounced games in development41:00 Cancelled Quake 4 expansion gets surprise GitHub release after former XCOM 2 developer discovers it on an old hard drive44:21 Dragon Age was always "too niche, too backwards, too old-school" in EA's eyes, former BioWare lead argues48:13 After 10 years, players have discovered less than 1% of the planets in No Man’s Sky51:52 SanDisk is the third company to release Xbox Series X/S Expansion Cards, with 2TB storage costing $34053:16 This week54:24 Outro
• 
  Marvel Tōkon Launches with Mixed Reviews on PC 07.08.2026 1t 1min

  We've got a Fanelli Friday today! Jason Fanelli joins Jeff Grubb to end the week to chat about Marvel Tōkon launching with "Mixed" Steam reviews, Quake's 30th Anniversary, a whole block of Take-Two and GTA VI news, and more to end your week! 0:00 - Intro4:10 - Marvel Tōkon Launches To Abysmal 44% Rating On Steam17:39 - MachineGames and id Software celebrate Quake’s 30th Anniversary with a brand-new episode22:35 - Break22:40 - Devolver Digital Wants To Go Private Again Following A 95 Percent Collapse In Its Share Price32:55 - The Legend Of Zelda Live-Action Movie May Have Found Its Ganondorf36:30 - Sam Neil Filmed ‘Legend Of Zelda’ Role Prior To Death39:50 - Take-Two sticks to annual bookings outlook, says on track for 'GTA VI' November launchTake-Two Defends GTA 6’s $80 Price, Calls It “Phenomenal Value”49:10 - Take-Two CEO Predicts That We’ll All Be Streaming Our Games In Three Years55:30 - Poll & Bomb12
• 
  Netflix will have a Timed Exclusive Preview of GTA VI 06.08.2026 57min

  Jeff Grubb is joined by Chuck Zimmerheld to give you the news! We're talking about GTA VI and Netflix's special preview event, Tomodachi Life hitting BIG, Switch 2 is still Nintendo's fastest selling system, Diablo 4 and FF XIV on the Switch 2, and more! 0:00 - Intro4:40 - GTA VI’s next presentation is a Netflix timed exclusive11:10 - Switch 2 remains Nintendo’s fastest-selling system22:40 - Tomodachi Life is officially a megahit26:40 - Space Ace Updates27:00 - Break27:50 - Sony is reportedly putting warning labels on PS5s about decision to ditch discs36:53 - Capcom says the move to an all-digital future won’t have a ‘significant impact’ on its sales43:00 - Sony is making PSSR 2.0 the default on PS5 Pro47:00 - The long awaited Switch 2 version of Diablo 4 is reportedly coming in September48:45 - Final Fantasy 14 team says it's working on Switch 2 port's 'unacceptable' load times
• 
  Assassin's Creed Valhalla Director Returns to Ubisoft 05.08.2026 1t 5min

  Jeff Grubb is joined by Jan Ochoa to chat about the repercussions of EA getting acquired by Saudi Arabia, Beast of Reincarnation reviews, the director of Assassin's Creed Valhalla returning to Ubisoft, Marvel Rivals shrinking, and more! 0:00 - Intro5:20 - EA could be set for ‘mass layoffs’ as it aims to cut costs following Saudi acquisition16:20 - Beast of Reincarnation reviews20:30 - Game Freak is planning regular Beast of Reincarnation updates, starting next week27:15 - BREAK27:30 - Assassin's Creed Valhalla director makes sudden return to Ubisoft, and will lead the series moving forward34:40 - Marvel Rivals is shrinking by as much as 40GB38:00 - FIFA's first non-EA published soccer game has already suffered major layoffs42:50 - What in the hell is going on with Black Ops 1+2 sales on PlayStation?49:50 - Uh, meanwhile, Halo: Campaigned Evolved sputtered out of the gate57:50 - Happening this week59:00 - Poll
• 
  NEW Nintendo Direct Coming Tomorrow (8/4/26) 03.08.2026 59min

  Jeff Grubb is joined by Jeff Bakalar to start your week with news! We're talking about Big Walk reviews, a new Nintendo Direct dropping tomorrow, we might see Wolverine's butt in the upcoming game, and more! 0:00 - Intro6:40 - Big Walk reviews14:57 - New Nintendo Direct dropping tomorrow dedicated to Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave21:50 - Wolverine’s Going To Get His Butt Out In Insomniac’s New Game29:25 - break 29:30 - Xbox console price increases in Europe and UK fully revealed, with Series X now costing €200 more38:40 - No, Xbox isn't quitting Steam45:50 - Ubisoft’s NFT RPG Champions Tactics is shutting down, shortly after it scrapped its blockchain use47:38 - Square Enix Insists That Cursed Kingdom Hearts Art Was Not AI-Generated51:40 - Saudi Arabia’s EA deal should close tomorrow55:10 - What's Poppin?
• 
  Sony Continuing Plans Amidst Disc Backlas 31.07.2026 1t 3min

  Jeff Grubb and Jason Fanelli end the week with video game news! Today we chat about how PlayStation's profits are jumping despite lack of games, Jason's time at MagicCon, another statement from Asha Sharma about the goals of XBOX, Sony continuing forward despite the disc backlash, and more! 0:00 Intro4:02 - PlayStation’s profits jumps despite declining PS5 shipments and playtime16:02 - Sony says it hears PlayStation disc backlash but will continue its plans25:00- break26:10 - MagicCon29:20 - Xbox boss Asha Sharma says console is the core of its strength38:00 - Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey gets the Nolan bump41:55 - Nintendo is releasing two canceled Virtual Boy games 45:00 - The Lego PlayStation is reportedly coming in October with a limited-time Astro Bot set48:50 - Orbitals 'Friend's Pass' Will Provide Easier Co-Op And A Free Demo52:00 - EA Says Saudi Takeover Deal Is Set To Close Next Week55:40 - Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Fans Are Really Curious What A Change In The Remake’s ESRB Rating Means
• 
  Chances of a Pragmata Sequel are High 30.07.2026 57min

  Jeff Grubb is joined by Rachel Kaser to chat about NVIDIA raising the prices again of some of their products, Capcom feeling very positive about the chances of a Pragmata sequel, Splatoon Raiders doing big numbers in Japan, and Croc 2?0:00 - Intro4:20 - GTA VI marketing may finally ramp back up in August14:00 - FF7 Revelation director says he’s working on arranging ‘some kind of physical edition’, but can’t confirm details21:00 - Splatoon Raiders launches huge in Japan25:00 - BREAK26:00 - NVIDIA Price Hikes37:50 - Xbox’s audience grew, but its business did not?43:38 - EA CEO Got A Huge Pay Increase While Company Laid Off Devs48:14 - Capcom Says The Likelihood Of A Pragmata Sequel Is High49:25 - Nexus Mods wants mod installation to become “Spotify-easy”51:46 - Croc 2: Kingdom of the Gobbos remaster announced52:20 - Thimbleweed Park 2 announced for PC
• 
  Splatoon Raiders Hitting BIG with Audiences 29.07.2026 49min

  We've got surround sound Jeffs today on Game Mess Mornings! Jeff Grubb and Jeff Bakalar are in the house to chat about what's happening at Double Fine, Konami wants a new Silent Hill every year, Splatoon Raiders is hitting BIG, and more! 00:00 - Intro4:27 - Double Fine has laid off 23 staff after going independent11:30 - Microsoft explains why Xbox discs stopped working and says a fix is coming18:50 - Konami wants a new Silent Hill every year29:00 - BREAK29:35 - A Dragon Age trilogy remaster may be impossible without rebuilding BioWare knowledge33:50 - Clair Obscur studio says it wants to bring it to Switch 2 but it’s ‘way too early to announce anything’37:28 - Xbox is reportedly losing around $150 on every console41:20 - Xbox and Ubisoft introduce one-way console-to-PC cross-buy44:10 - Splatoon Raiders is currently the 7th greatest game of all time on Metacritic, according to User Score46:50 - Today and Tomorrow
• 
  PlayStation Fans Planning Weeklong “Blackout” Over Sony’s Disc Decision 27.07.2026 52min

  Jeff Grubb and TurboShawn start your week right by breaking down the PlayStation "blackout" boycott from fans, Yoshi-P and Naoki Hamaguchi's comments on a theoretical Final Fantasy VI remake, and more!Support us directly and get new episodes ad-free by signing up for Giant Bomb Premium at https://www.giantbomb.com/joinTimestamps (note, timestamps on this free version may vary greatly depending on how many ads you receive):Timestamps:00:00 Intro06:34 PSA: Xbox is experiencing another major outage07:21 PlayStation fans are planning a weeklong “blackout” over Sony’s disc decision28:19 Sony dates God of War: Laufey and confirms the next game reconnects directly to it32:29 Yoshi-P says a Final Fantasy VI remake could require four or five games42:12 Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced ‘exceeded annual expectations’ in its first two weeks, Ubisoft says45:26 Tomb Raider: Catalyst appears to have moved to 202849:24 Today and Tomorrow50:51 Polls & outro
• 
  BONUS: Game Mess Mornings LIVE(-ish) from The Great Giant Bomb Road Trip! 26.07.2026 26min

  Editor's note: Yeah, this one kinda sounds like sh**! But, I did my best to make it listenable for y'all as a fun little bonus GMM since Grubb's been out on the road for a few days. Enjoy! -ShawnSupport us directly, get new episodes ad-free, and make silly stuff like the Giant Bomb Road Trip happen by signing up for Giant Bomb Premium at https://www.giantbomb.com/join
• 
  XBOX Backwards Compatibility Comes to PC 22.07.2026 52min

  Jeff Grubb and Jon Martin chat about the hottest gaming news of the day, including XBOX backwards compatibility coming to PC, June's video game market highlights, and more!Support us directly and get new episodes ad-free by signing up for Giant Bomb Premium at https://www.giantbomb.com/joinTimestamps (note, timestamps on this free version may vary greatly depending on how many ads you receive):00:00 Intro04:20 Play More of the Games You Love, Wherever You Play with XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC13:36 June 2026 U.S. Video Game Market Highlights Thread from Circana25:26 Warner Bros. Acquisition Is Stuck In Legal Limbo Again29:55 PEGI’s new age ratings will restrict FC 27 to kids over 1634:31 Marathon’s PvE Mode Just Tripled The Game’s Player Count38:41 ARMADILLO RACING!!!41:28 Splatoon Raiders reviews43:58 Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 reveals Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch frame rate, resolution45:57 Odds & ends48:03 Today and tomorrow48:37 Polls & outro
• 
  Xbox Exec: “We Are Committed to Making [Exclusivity] Clearer” 20.07.2026 57min

  Grubb and TurboShawn are starting your week off right with NOTHING BUT GOOD NEWS! ...Like Valve saying we're cooked, Xbox executives talking about unclear exclusivity plans, and more.Support us directly and get new episodes ad-free by signing up for Giant Bomb Premium at https://www.giantbomb.com/joinTimestamps (note, timestamps on this free version may vary greatly depending on how many ads you receive):00:00 Intro05:05 Valve says there's no end in sight to the memory crisis, and prices are only going to increase14:24 ‘We are committed to making this clearer’: Xbox exec says it’s ‘not obvious’ to players which games will be exclusive24:15 Marathon’s director confirms he’s quit Bungie, four months after launch30:07 ZA/UM Studios to lay off up to 32 workers two months after releasing Zero Parades: For Dead Spies34:57 Ghost Recon Wildlands Definitive Edition Set to Release on PS5 & Xbox Series S|X With New Content40:41 New Sony Patent Suggests PlayStation 6 Will Fix One of PS5’s Biggest Issues44:58 PlayStation Patent Reveals Sony Looking Into Modular Controller With Touchscreen Interface49:38 Call Of Duty Movie Gets A Key Update About Its Setting54:29 Poll & outro
• 
  Bethesda Confirms Obsidian Fallout and That Fallout 5 Is In Preproduction 17.07.2026 49min

  Dregs Day returns! Tamoor Hussain joins Jeff Grubb to talk about Bethesda having a whole bunch of Fallout projects in the works, PlayStation fans not wanting people to buy games on PlayStation, some funky-looking Miis, and more!Support us directly and get new episodes ad-free by signing up for Giant Bomb Premium at https://www.giantbomb.com/joinTimestamps (note, timestamps on this free version may vary greatly depending on how many ads you receive):00:00 Intro05:28 Bethesda confirms Obsidian Fallout game and that Fallout 5 is in preproduction16:08 Sony killing physical games ‘doesn’t matter at all,’ says GameStop CEO22:50 Irate PlayStation Fans Want You to Buy Games Anywhere But PS528:32 Saudi-backed $55 billion EA acquisition reportedly nearing EU approval34:22 NHL 27 Brings Back A Fan-Favorite Mode Not Seen In Years, But It’s Not What It Seems38:23 The live action God of War show is recasting Kratos after Ryan Hurst was injured on the set41:23 Miis are back in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort and fans are debating their ‘funny’ proportions43:14 Today + This weekend43:36 Poll & outro47:27 The Bomb 12
• 
  Nintendo Reveals New Joy-Cons with Removable Batteries 16.07.2026 1t

  Jeff Grubb is joined by Lex Luddy to chat about England losing in the World Cup, pictures coming out of Nintendo's new joy-con with a removable battery, an Indie game feeling the pressures from PlayStation ending disc support, GTA 6 could generate up to $5.2 Billion, and more for your Thursday! 00:00 - Intro4:20 - Nintendo support articles show inside new Switch Joy-Cons with removable battery13:30 - Indie developer’s PS5 game trailer is flooded with anti-Sony comments over disc backlash26:05 - break26:25 - Denshattack!29:45 - GTA 6 could generate up to $5.2 billion in its first week38:30 - Former Rockstar Dev Explains GTA 6’s Console-First Approach41:16 - Microsoft Explains Tony Hawk 1+2 XBOX Game Pass Removal44:45 - Square Enix keeps releasing Switch 2 versions of games with no upgrade path47:25 - Sega’s Gamescom lineup is surprisingly substantial19:10 - Nintendo Is Kicking The Zelda Movie Promo Into Overdrive With Toys54:34 - Today and Tomorrow!
• 
  The Duskbloods Confirms Network Test Dates 15.07.2026 59min

  Jeff Grubb and Jan Ochoa make a meal out of all the gaming news! We chat about our excitement over the upcoming Duskbloods network tests happening in the coming weeks, drama with the Avatar Legends game, Denshattack reviews, AI usage in Japan, and more! 00:00 - Intro3:20 - FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods confirms Network Test dates11:27 - Refunds for Dying Light 2 PS4 Users as The Beast Is Cancelled for Last-Gen System19:28 - Paramount confirms Mike Zaimont is employed by Avatar Legends dev25:00 - BREAK25:20 - Ratchet and Clank Ranger Rumble28:30 - Denshattack Reviews33:25 - Compulsion Games posts call for business partners after Xbox spinoff38:35 - Xbox has removed Tony Hawk 1+2 from its upcoming Game Pass releases43:00 - GOG Wants You To Make Your Own Physical Games47:45 - Sony Staring Down $457 Million Lawsuit As Disc Deletion Decision Lingers50:00 - New survey claims 100% of Japanese online game developers use generative AI tools53:00 - Dragon's Dogma 2 Dark Arisen already running at '30fps and higher' on Nintendo handheld