Not Your Mama's Gamer

This week we are talking about the games we keep playing or replaying and why.What We're Playing (Selections)SilksongPeakMetaphor ReFantazioQuartet*Bravely Default: Flying FairyBorderlands 4Dying Light: The BeastFallout 76What We're ReadingKatabasis by R.F. KuangJapanese Books (Genki 1; Kanji Look and Learn; Practical Japanese 1)Heir by Sabaa TahirSilo by Hugh HoweyWhat We're DrinkingCoffee and Slice Ginger Ale2Towns. Ciderhouse Comsic CrispCranRaspberry Lemonade*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we are chatting and catching up after an (unintentional) summer hiatus! What We're Playing (Selections)PeakExpedition 33Tiny Bookshop*Discounty*Birdigo*Metaphor ReFantazioCult of the LambRepoFinal Fantasy I and II What We're ReadingBrindlewood Bay TTRPGYellowface by R.F. Kuang Pet by Akwaeke EmeziKatabasis by R.F. KuangJapanese Books (Genki 1; Kanji Look and Learn; Practical Japanese 1)Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le GuinWriting the Other by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward Faeries (25th edition) by Brian FroudGood Faeries and Bad Faeries by Brian FroudFaeries on the Faultlines by Iris CompietA New Dictionary of Fairies by Morgan DaimlerWhat We're DrinkingBoulevard Brewing Co. Wood Baron Barrel-Fresh AleCherry Hard Cideraccidental raspberry lemonade slushie *Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we've all played Atomfall. by Rebellion and we're talking about the experience!What We're PlayingAtomfall*Blue PrinceSunderfolkR.E.P.O.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Fallout 76What We're ReadingFledgling by Octavia ButlerModel Home by Rivers SolomonWhat We're DrinkingSneaky SneakySprecher Orange DreamXila by Flor de Luna*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we're talking about games and videogame pairings. Not specifically the music from the specific videogames, but music that we pair with the specific games that we are playing or thinking about.What We're PlayingAtomfall*South of Midnight*Nobdy Saves the WorldSplit FictionMinecraftFallout 76What We're ReadingFahrenheit-182 by Mark HoppusModel Home by Rivers SolomonWhat We're DrinkingGreat Notion Blueberry Muffin Tart SourWaterCold Brew Coffee*Code received for streaming and review purposesWhat We PairedVictoria“You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” The Offspring – Fallout New Vegas“Rox in the Box” The Decemberists – Don’t Starve Together“Hiding in the Blue” The Fat Rat & Riell – Minecraft“Feed the Machine” Poor Man’s Poison – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6“Mothman (Cryptid)” Rat Wyfe – Fallout 76Lord of the Rings soundtrack – Warlords Battlecry 3“Mezmerize” (album) System of a Down – Final Fantasy VIIIJordyn"Kingdom Fall" Clare Wyndyam - FFXV"Two Roads" Janani K. Jha - Life is Strange, Life is Strange: Double Exposure"Here, Before, Now, and After" Morgan Clae - Kena: Bridge of SpiritsLoTR - particularly Concerning Hobbits, Old Friends, Into the West - Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom"Same Old Energy" + "Burn Your Village" (Explicit) Kiki Rockwell; "The Consequence of Imagination is Fear" Junie and the Hutfriends - Little HopeSamBad Ass Women Playlist: Call of DutyWriting: Black Ops 6 Paratext Playlist: Call of DutyBe Real Black For Me Playlist: Mafia IIIGregorian Chant Playlist: Metaphor ReFantazioSouth of Midnight OST: Literally EVERYTHING right now (but moving to Minecraft and farming sims?)Bastion OST: Playing over Bastion (But not the Build A Wall level)

This week we talk about book and game pairings. If you like these games you might like these books! Errata: Sam said The Monsters We Defy by Justina Ireland and she meant to say by Leslye PenelopeWhat We're PlayingMonster Hunter WildsAssassin's Creed Shadows*Call of Duty: Black Ops 6What We're ReadingThe Poppy War by R.F. KuangA Glimmer of Death by Valeria Wilson WesleySunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsWhat We're DrinkingMARS the Y.A. Japanese WhiskeyCold brew coffee with cold foamWhat We PairedJordyn1. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson and The Devil in Me by Supermassive2. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake and Queen by Midnight published by Derrington Press3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Orwell Keeping an Eye on You by Osmotic Studios4. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton and What Remains of Edith Finch by Giant Sparrow5. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor and Lies of P by Round8 StudiosSam1. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah and Freedom Wars Remastered by Bandai Namco2. Trail of Lightning and Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse and Monster Hunter Wilds by Capcom (Middle Grade: Race to the Sun by Roanhorse and Monster Hunter Stories 1&2 by Capcom)3. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang and Avowed by Obsidian4.What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez and Tomb Riader by Crystal Dynamics 5. Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland and The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope and Spiritfarer by Thunder Lotus GamesSam's Honorable Mentions1. Devil in the Blue Dress by Walter Mosley and L.A. Noire by Team Bondi2. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland and The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste and South of Midnight by Compulsion Games *Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about our most anticipated games of 2025. Will there be overlap? Will Victoria list Silksong...again?What We're PlayingHello Kitty Island AdventureAvowed *Party AnimalsSlay the Spire Board GameFor the King IIStreets of RogueCall of Duty: Black Ops 6The Life and Suffering of Sir BranteLethal CompanyWhat We're ReadingMaster of Djinn by P. Djeli ClarkThe Poisons We Drink by Bethany BaptisteThe Fireborne Blade by Charlotte BondHarpo Speaks by Harpo MarxWhat We're DrinkingGarage Brewing Co. Marshmallow Milk StoutCrangrape juiceCherry Republic Hard Cherry Cider*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign. Caution: SPOILERS ABOUND!What We're PlayingCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Luma IslandLongvinterBalatroStardew ValleyFO76PhasmophobiaWhat We're ReadingThe Bone Witch by Rin ChupecoFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosIron Flame by Rebecca YarrosA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasA Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. MaasThe Hooligans of Kandahar by Joesph KassabianWhat We're DrinkingQuinta de Infantado Ruby PortDiet Pepsi, the elixir of the gods

This week we talk about gifts we are giving and getting this gift giving season (or any time of year).What We're PlayingLast Time I Saw You*InscryptionNobody Saves the WorldLies of PMetaphor: ReFantazioWhat We're ReadingThe Echo of Old Books by Barbara DavisWhat We're DrinkingStone Imperial Seasonal StoutCoffee and sadness*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about the Call of Duty series in some critical, yet random, ways.What We're PlayingBalatroCall of Duty: Modern Warfare IIIFallout 76Wingspan Papers PleaseBayonettaBayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost DemonMetaphor: ReFantazioWhat We're ReadingWhat the River Knows by Isabel IbanezFrom Dissertation to Book by William GermanoWhat We're DrinkingMountain DewSparkling Ice + Caffeine, Strawberry Citrus*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about short games and the purpose they serve for us as individuals.What We're PlayingBalatroCastawayCritter Cove*SpiritfarerCall of Duty: Modern Warfare IIIFallout 76Lies of PPlateUpStill Wakes the DeepWhat We're ReadingStarter Villain by John ScalziiStar Wars: Thrawn Treason by Timothy ZahnWhat We're DrinkingSapporoUncle Nearest and Fever Tree Ginger AleWater *Code received for streaming and review purposes

We're back from hiatus and we've survived the first half of 2024.What We're PlayingBalatroCall of Duty: Modern Warfare IIIDeep Rock GalacticFallout 76Fields of MistriaFFVII ReunionHues and Cues (board game)Lies of PPiles (card game)PlateUpStill Wakes the DeepVery, Very ValetWhat We're ReadingThe Monsters We Defy by Leslye PenelopeStar Wars: Thrawn Ascendency by Timothy Zahn Avatar, the Last Airbender: The Reckoning of Roku by Randy RibayWhat We're DrinkingPineapple Monster Ultra and Sparkling WaterOrange JuiceUncle Nearest on the rocks*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we talk about the games that we are most looking forward to in 2024...maybe.What We're PlayingShip of FoolsDisney SpeedstormBoard Games (Sherlock Holmes, Avatar: Crosswords of Destiny, RISK: Medieval Europe)Return from Core*PalWorldWhat We're ReadingPriory of the Orange Tree by Samantha ShannonStar Wars ThrawnWhat We're DrinkingPineapple Monster UltraSpriteOld Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout*Code received for streaming and review purposes

This week we are talking about our favorite games of 2023 as we look forward to 2024.What We're PlayingDead by DaylightBaldur's Gate 3 PaliaBorn of Bread*Bilkin's Folly*Call of Duty**Code Received for streaming and review purposesWhat We're ReadingAvatar ComicsThe Legacy of Yangchen by F.C. YeeThrawn by Timothy ZahnThe Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha ShannonWhat We're DrinkingModern Times Coffee Roasty StoutGrapefruit Radler

This week we are talking about living our best (or worst) lives among the stars in Starfield.What We're PlayingStarfieldInscryptionBaldur's Gate 3 Moving Out 2, Persona 5 Royal IlliteratiCall of Duty Fae Farm*Tiny Witch**Code Received for streaming and review purposesWhat We're ReadingFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosThrawn by Timothy ZahnIn Every Generation A Slayer is Born: How Buffy Staked Our Hearts by Evan Ross KatzGideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir From Blood and Ash 1 and 2 by Jennifer Armentrout Air Awakens 1-3 by Elise KovaWhat We're DrinkingSpriteSamuel Smith's Chocolate StoutGrapefruit Radler

This week we are talking about the cozy aesthetic and how your faves can be problematic.What We're PlayingSims 4* (with Horse Ranch DLC)Pikmin 4PaliaVenba*Atelier MariePersona 5Tears of the KingdomDicey DungeonsRailway Empires 27 Wonders DuelDiablo 4*Code Received for streaming and review purposesWhat We're ReadingFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosThrawn by Timothy ZahnAvatar Legends Republic City ExpansionThe London Seance Society by Sarah PennerIn Every Generation A Slayer is Born: How Buffy Staked Our Hearts by Evan Ross KatzWhat We're DrinkingCherry LimeadeTwo Towns Ciderhouse- Strawberry LemonadeChocolate Malt

This week we are talking about the games that have had the biggest impact on our lives.What We're PlayingLegend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomDiablo IVJedi: SurvivorMinecraftFallout 76Sanake.ioCrime O'Clock*Noob: The Factionless*Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life**Code Received for streaming and review purposesWhat We're ReadingRust in the Root by Justina IrelandFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosThrawn by Timothy ZahnWhat We're DrinkingWaterImperial StoutRootbeer Float

This week Sam and Jordyn and joined by material artist Christian Vasquez and environment artist Leah Augustine to talk about working in the games industry as artists.Links of note:Chris Vasquez (he/him)https://www.artstation.com/chrisnvasquezLeah Augustine (she/her)https://www.artstation.com/leahaugustineWhat We're Playing PotionomicsTravelers RestValorantDeceive Inc*PUBGResident Evil 4 Remake*Code Received for streaming and review purposesWhat We're ReadingBabel by R.F. KuangThe Complete Making of Indiana Jones by J.W. Rinzler & Laurent Bouzereau Before They Are Hanged by Joe AbercrombieWhat We're DrinkingAce Pear CiderStrawberry and Cream Dr. Pepper and WhiskeyNegroniBlack House Modern Times Coffee Stout

This week Jordyn and Victoria get the opportunity to interview her about games and her history working in and around games.What We're Playing PotionomicsDredgeStardew ValleyDinkumGolf Club WastelandReturn of the Obra DinnWasteland 3What We're ReadingBabel by R.F. KuangWhat We're DrinkingAce Pineapple CiderSpriteModern Times Coconut StoutWater, lots of water

This week Sam and Jordyn sit down with Amanda Gardner from The Deep End Games to talk about their upcoming game (March 7, 2023!), Romancelvania.What We're Playing PotionomicsPokemon VioletFire Emblem EngageOctopath Traveler IIDestiny 2: Lightfall*Majora's MaskWhat We're ReadingBabel by R.F. KuangBlack Buck by Mateo AskaripourMistborn series by Brandon SandersonWhat We're DrinkingBlack Cherry Sparkling WaterStone Imperial StoutWidow Jane Decadence Bourbon

This week Sam sits down with Jordyn and Victoria to talk about queer characters and games that we love. Recorded on Valentine's Day.What We're Playing PotionomicsFire Emblem EngageWarlords Battlecry IIIAge of EmpiresDevourAvatar GenerationsWhat We're ReadingOphie's Ghosts by Justina IrelandBabel by R.F. KuangBlack Buck by Mateo AskaripourDawn of Yangchen by F.C. YeeWhat We're DrinkingAce CiderSelkie TeaDeath by Chocolate StoutWater, water flavored water